Year 10 English (10ENG)

Course Overview

Term 1
In term 1, students will start by delving into their reading history and setting goals to enhance their reading skills as part of our wide reading programme. Recognising the fundamental role of reading in literacy and the enjoyment of English, we encourage students to explore new texts that pique their interest and to share their discoveries with classmates. To support this, students will have one hour of dedicated reading time per week in class. Additionally, students will embark on an in-depth exploration of film, particularly focusing on films they might not choose independently, to broaden their understanding. This study will encompass film techniques, sound, lighting, key scenes, genre, character, and theme. The term will culminate in a partially open-book film exam, providing students with the opportunity to synthesise their learning and develop skills essential for future exams.

Term 2
In term 2, students will continue their personal reading journey by selecting a novel or biography that presents a greater challenge to them than their previous reads. We strongly encourage parental involvement, inviting parents to share their reading experiences to cultivate lifelong learning. Students will review their chosen text and present their insights to the class through a review, poster, or presentation, thereby aiding their peers' reading journeys as well. Additionally, students will examine the impact of their decisions on others by utilising the Rotary Club's 4-Way-Test model, integrated with presentation techniques. The term will culminate in a presentation on a significant societal issue, allowing students to apply their newly acquired skills in a meaningful context.

Term 3
In Term 3, students' personal reading journeys will broaden to encompass texts from every continent, with an increasing variety of text types including short stories, articles, graphic novels, novels, biographies, and more. We encourage our diverse learners to explore and discuss their cultural capital within the classroom. Additionally, students will delve into the value of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and conservation) in the context of formal writing. Early in the term students will be assessed on their writing in relation to these ideas. Finally, the term will culminate in a study of a novel as a class. We encourage our students to take ideas from the book and connect to themselves or our world.

Term 4
In Term 4, students will compile a booklet that documents their reading journey throughout the year, featuring reviews, recommendations, and artwork from texts they have studied and chosen independently. Each student will produce two copies: one to inspire an incoming Year 10 student and another to take home to whanau. In addition to their personal reading program, students will engage with unfamiliar texts, focusing on language features, the author's purpose, structure, and ideas to prepare for higher-level studies. This term will culminate in a closed-book test covering these concepts.