| Teachers: | Miss C Cooper (HOD) |
| Miss J Sloan | |
| Miss R McQuaid | |
| Miss R Johnston | |
| Mr. P McMeekin |
English in Edmund Rice College
• There are 5 teachers delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.
• We aim to enable each pupil to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for their personal and academic life.
Learning
We cater for different learning styles and abilities through:
• Kinaesthetic, Aural and Visual tasks.
• Individual, Library, Group and whole class work.
• Tailored units, differentiated tasks and projects.
Courses
We offer pupils:
English Language K.S. 3
G.C.S.E. (OCR) English Literature:
A/S (Edexcel)
A2 (Edexcel)
Success
We encourage pupils to become independent learners.
We encourage self motivation and the ability to take responsibility.
We have high expectations of our pupils’ achievements and their ability to become life long learners.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
GCSE Key Stage 4
From autumn 2007
The pupils are prepared for the OCR specification in English Language. Those who opt to study Literature are also prepared for the OCR English Literature List 2.
Our aim is for our pupils to achieve their optimum grade at GCSE and to develop an enjoyment of literature, we see the study of literature as an integral part of English, and strive to introduce a wide range of texts to all of our pupils.
1 Coursework
Language folder (20%) Literature (30%)Pre 1900
Creative (fiction) 10% (a) Shakespeare 10% (a, b, c)
Shakespeare 5% (a, b) Comparative Poetry 10% (abc)
pre & post 1900 comparative 5% (c) Prose 10%(a,b,c)
The work for both folders includes the following:
A= writing skills
B= understanding of literary tradition and understanding of social/cultural/historical influences
C= comparison between texts and the above
Texts for Shakespeare include, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Much ado about nothing and The Merchant of Venice.
The OCR Opening Lines collection may be used as material for the poetry element; teachers may chose poems appropriate to the class, from the work of the poets from World War 1 to Seamus Heaney.
With the Literature teacher, pupils study a pre 20th century novel or compare two pre 20thcentury short stories (currently); poetry (pre 1900) chosen from Opening lines or from the list of recognised poets in the specification; and revise the Shakespeare piece.
We finish all Coursework by Christmas in Year12, for early submission to the exam board in January of year 12 Due to this moderation will occur in November of Year12 though teachers may collaborate during the course to ensure parity of marking.
Preparations for English Language (60%) and Oral Coursework (20%)
Bearing in mind the tasks set at GCSE, the teaching in Year11 and Year12 will be geared more specifically to the particular skills required. These are:
English:
Response to Media Texts; argumentative writing
Response to non-fiction texts; analytical writing
Response to texts from other cultures/ traditions and creative writing – OCR opening worlds
Oral work is integrated and assessed concurrently in line with the specifications for GCSE.
Implementation:
In Year 11 the focus is on completing the coursework element of the course and introducing the pupils to at least 2 of the short stories required for the examination.
In Year12 for the first term the focus is on completing any unfinished coursework and continuing with the short stories. The second term focuses on the media and non-fiction elements of the course. In the shorter 3rd term we revise the short stories, media and provide examination practice through past papers.
3. English Literature (70%)
Set Texts
1984 – G Orwell
Death Of a salesman- A Millar
OCR Opening Lines Poetry – 2005 Generations
2006-2007 1914-1918 war
Responses to set texts include:
Comment, criticism and analysis
The ability to respond to an extract based question
Writing in role
Comparative comment
Implementation
In Year 11 the focus is on completing the coursework element of the course.
In Year11 the focus is on half of the poems and 1984. In Year12 we complete 1984, complete the poems and death of a salesman.
English Literature A/s A2
At Key Stage 5 classes receive 9 lessons per week. A/s Level teaching groups are shared with teachers teaching to their particular specialism(s).Advanced is currently taught by one teacher. We enter pupils for the EDEXCEL A Level English Literature specification. Pupils are encouraged to take an active role in class discussion and debate. Teacher’s use a range of resource material for each unit, gathered in boxes for each unit: this are tailored by the class teacher for the class.
Teaching takes the form of tutorial style lessons ensuring texts are thoroughly understood, developing pupil’s confidence in: analysing and interpreting texts, expressing their opinions in an informed way towards essay and exam practice. Pupils are encouraged to join public libraries, access the internet for research purposes and to use the critical resources provided by the teacher.
All students must:
Read and analyse the set texts: novels, plays, poetry;
Develop an understanding of the form, structure and language of each text and relate this to the way in which the writers’ aims and the communication of meaning (e.g. classical or modern tragedy, symbolism, dialect, soliloquies etc);
Develop an understanding of the main themes of each text (e.g. jealousy, desire, madness, appearance and reality,)
Show an understanding of the contexts in which literary texts are written and understood
Articulate an independent opinion and judgement informed by others readers’ differing interpretations of texts;
Write clear and accurate essays, using an appropriate literary terminology as appropriate.
In Advanced English Literature the students are given the opportunities to:
• develop as confident, independent and reflective readers of a range of texts
• learn to express their responses effectively through speech and writing
• use critical concepts and terminology with understanding and discrimination
• reflect on own responses to texts
• develop awareness of the contexts in which texts were written.
A2 pupils are encouraged to become mentors for targeted year12 pupils who may be struggling with coursework.
Unit 1, Drama and Poetry, the students read Translations by Brian Friel and a range of post-1700 poetry from the Edexcel Anthology. This is examined Open Text in the January of the A/S year.
Objectives: to analyse a play and to consider the significance of the context in which the text was written or can be understood.
To analyse a collection of poetry.
To formulate judgements on a text which are informed by others’ interpretations.
To write fluently and clearly.
Unit 2 : Post Christmas pupils study Frankenstein by Mary Shelley for Closed Text examination June of As year.
Objectives: to analyse a complete pre1900 novel, showing an understanding of: form, structure and language and the significance of the context in which the text was written or can be understood. To formulate judgements on a text which are informed by others’ interpretations and to write fluently and clearly, using literary terminology.
Unit 3, Shakespeare in Context. Hamlet. This is examined Open text in the June of the A/S year.
Objectives: to analyse a complete Shakespeare play and to consider the significance of the social, historical and dramatic context in which the text was written or can be understood. To formulate judgements on a text which are informed by others’ interpretations and to write fluently and clearly, using literary terminology.
Unit 4: Modern Novel: Alias Grace: examined open text in January of A2 year.
Objectives: to analyse a modern text, considering the significance of theme, setting, style, character, contextual issues and critical interpretations. To formulate judgements on a text which are informed by others’ interpretations and to write fluently and clearly, using literary terminology.
Unit 5: Poetry and Drama: Seamus Heaney Selected Poems, Dr. Faustus: C Marlow. Examined Open Text June A2 year.
Objectives: to analyse a pre-1770 play and to consider the significance of the context in which the text was written or can be understood. To analyse a collection of poetry, showing an understanding of form, structure and language. To formulate judgements on a text which are informed by others’ interpretations and to write fluently and clearly, using literary terminology.
Unit 6: Synoptic Unit: Broken Communications: The Tempest: Shakespeare and Translations B. Friel – Comparative study AND Unseen poetry. Examined Closed Text June of A2 year.
Objectives: to analyse and compare and contrast two complete plays, showing an understanding and appreciation of the similarities and differences in: the theme of Broken Communication and the significance of the contexts in which the text was written or can be understood.
To evaluate others’ interpretations of texts and to develop individual interpretations.
To write fluently and clearly, using literary terminology. Poetry:
To formulate judgements on a text which are informed by pupils own interpretation and to write fluently and clearly, using literary terminology