Welcome

Welcome to Ms. Adams’ Humanities 9 Class

THE BIG IDEAS for Humanities 9

English 9

• Language and texts* can be a source of joy.

• Exploring texts helps us understand ourselves and helps us make connections to other people(s).

• Developing our understanding of how language works allows us to get our ideas out there.

• Texts are constructed for specific purposes and audiences.

• Texts are shaped by the society, the culture, the geography and historical period in which they are created.

• People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.

• Language shapes ideas and influences others.

* texts refers to novels, stories, poems, articles, films, documentaries, comics, graphs  etc. – not just printed materials

Socials 9

• New ideas and beliefs can strongly influence societies and events.

• The physical environment influences the nature of political, social and economic change.

• Differences in power alter the relationships between individuals and between societies.

• Group identity is constructed and can change over time.

What counts in this class?

Observations, conversations, products:

Potentially everything you do, say, or create counts. You will generate potential evidence of learning every day in class. It will be up to you to show your learning and provide evidence that you understand the BIG ideas listed above. This will include, but not be limited to, paragraphs, essays, oral presentations, and tests. You will use a folder and an e-folio to collect your evidence. At various points during the semester we will review the evidence you have collected and discuss whether you are hitting the main learning targets. If you are producing enough quality products all semester, if you are interacting with others in ways that show your learning, if you can talk about your learning in an informed way, then you will do well. REMEMBER, that everything – all evidence of learning – is of value because, potentially, everything is considered part of your evaluation.

How will I know what is expected of me on assignments?

The expectations for content and quality for major, end of unit evaluations will be explained to you by showing you quality examples from students and through the use of rubrics which explain in detail the evaluation requirements. 

Silent Reading 

We will be reading daily, so please be prepared. 

Contact

If you need to reach me, email is best dadams@sd71.bc.ca.  Of course I can often be found in Portable 3 and I am happy to help you at lunch, or after school. Assignments, rubrics and other useful pieces of information will be posted on my website:  http://humanities9adams.blogspot.ca