Language Arts
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Language development is central to students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth, and must be seen as a key element of the curriculum. When students learn to use language in the elementary grades, they do more than master the basic skills. They learn to value the power of language and to use it responsibly. They learn to express feelings and opinions and, as they mature, to support their opinions with sound arguments and research. They become aware of the many purposes for which language is used and the diverse forms it can take to appropriately serve particular purposes and audiences. They learn to use the formal language appropriate for debates and essays, the narrative language of stories, the figurative language of poetry, the technical language of instructions and manuals. They develop an awareness of how language is used in different formal and informal situations. In sum, they come to appreciate language both as an important medium for communicating ideas and information and as a source of enjoyment. Language is the basis for thinking, communicating, and learning. Students need language skills in order to comprehend ideas and information, to interact socially, to inquire into areas of interest and study, and to express themselves clearly and demonstrate their learning. (Ontario language curriculum, 2006, pg. 3)
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Language Units
EDUCATION
September, October and November
Education: Asking and Investigating BIG Questions about Education Compare and Contrast Essay Inquiry, Research and Citation |
PHILOSOPHY
November, December and January Philosophy: Asking and Investigating BIG Questions about the World and the Human Condition Debates Literature Circles with Storybooks |
DYSTOPIA
February and March Dystopia: Independent Novel Study and Short Story Literature Circles Drama Study |
SPEECH ARTS
March and April
Speech Arts |
POETRY
April and May
Poetry: Literary Devices and the Representation of our World and the Individual Literature Circles Kinetic Typography |
CRITICAL MEDIA STUDY
May and June
Critical Media Study: Bias, Articles, Editorials, Advertising, 'New' Media Written Debates Satire |
Language 'HOW-TO' Resources
1. General Reading Resources
2. Research and Inquiry Resources 3. Reading Diagnostics 4. Literature Circles |
1. Grammar
2. Expository, Critical Essay 3. Compare and Contrast Essay 4. APA Citation 5. Narrative Writing 
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Presenting1. PowerPoint Presenting
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