Overview:
KCI’s English Department offers students a chance to explore their creative side through writing contests, drama productions and a student film festival. Students can enter the annual English Awards by writing short stories, plays and poetry. Each year, KCI also enters the Sears One-Act Play Festival in which students can participate as actors, directors or technicians. The annual student film festival, known as the Charlie Awards, often contains excellent productions by KCI students who create their films in our popular Screen Education courses.
Elective Courses:
Media Arts Elective Courses:
Media Arts is an English elective course that is offered in grade 11 to college and university bound students. Students study a variety of print and visual media. KCI also has a Grade 11 Media Arts course for students taking courses at the fast forward level. See more information under Media, Film, and Comm Tech Studies.
Dramatic Arts Elective Courses:
Dramatic Arts at KCI has a strong history with many winning entries at the Sears Drama Festival and a full size auditorium to stage plays. KCI offers a full range of Dramatic Arts courses in all grades for students enrolled in an applied or academic program. There are also fast forward Dramatic Arts courses offered in Grades 10 and 11. Many KCI graduates have gone on to study theatre at university and college. Several graduates have developed successful careers in theatre, film and television. See more information under Dramatic Arts.
Screen Education (Film) Elective Courses:
KCI is one of the few high schools in Waterloo Region to offer film study elective courses. Students in these courses study a variety of films, classic and modern, and get the chance to write scripts and make their own films. All of the equipment needed is supplied. These courses are offered to college and university bound students in both grades 11 and 12.
Students who would like to study films, but not create them, may take a grade 12 film studies course that is offered at both the college and university levels.
Many KCI graduates have gone on to study film at college and university. Several of these students are now working in the film industry. See more under Media, Film, and Comm Tech Studies.
Writer’s Craft Elective Course:
Do you love creative writing and wish you had the time and opportunity to do more of it? Are you interested in exploring your writing voice and seeing what you are capable of creating? If so, then Writer’s Craft is for you! Students in this course will get to develop their writing voice through exploring a variety of writing forms. We will work through writing children’s stories, short stories, poetry, scripts, memoirs, advertisements and online media.
English Department Course Descriptions:
Grade 9
English – ENL1WI
For the Grade 9 English course, students will focus on developing their reading, writing, speaking and media creation skills through the exploration of a variety of different texts and forms. Students will also focus on thinking critically about a variety of texts while also reflecting on their skill development.
ENG1LB
For the fast forward section (ILB), you will get an opportunity to read articles, stories, poems, and novels that will challenge you to summarize, question, discuss, react to, and connect with what you are reading. You will have the opportunity to practice how to share your ideas in writing and with others, so that you can be successful inside and outside of the classroom!
Dramatic Arts – ADA101
Do you like to make a statement? Do you want your voice to be heard? No previous experience – no problem! This course allows you to explore dramatic techniques (tableau, creative movement, mime, improvisation), learn about the history of the stage, and gain competence with basic lighting and sound technology. You will develop the skills necessary for acting – trust, self-confidence, teamwork, creativity, expressiveness, self-reflection – through work on short scenes, development of a monologue, journal writing and a group performance exam.
Grade 10
English – ENG2DI
This academic course (2DI) is designed to extend the range of oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily lives. Students will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on the selective use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. This course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 11 university or college preparation course. Prerequisite: ENG 1PI or ENG 1DI or ENL1WI.
English – ENG2LB
In this fast foward course (2LB), students focus on extending their literacy and communication skills to prepare for success in their daily lives, in the workplace, in the English Grade 11 Workplace Preparation course, or in the English: Contemporary Aboriginal Voices, Grade 11Workplace Preparation course. The course is organized by strands that extend listening and talking skills, reading and viewing skills, and writing skills. In all strands, the focus is on refining foundational literacy skills and in using language clearly and accurately in a variety of authentic contexts. Students build on their strategies and engage in the processes involved in talking, listening, reading, viewing, writing, and thinking, and reflect regularly upon their growth in these areas. Prerequisite: A Grade 9 English credit.
Dramatic Arts – ADA2OI / 2OB
This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms, conventions, and techniques. Students will explore a variety of dramatic sources from various cultures and representing a range of genres. Students will use the elements of drama in creating and communicating through dramatic works. Students will assume responsibility for decisions made in the creative and collaborative processes and will reflect on their experiences.
Grade 11
Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices – NBE 3UI / 3CI
The university pathway course (3UI) explores the themes, forms, and stylistic elements of a variety of literary, informational, graphic, oral, cultural, and media text forms emerging from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures in Canada, and also examines the perspectives and influence of texts that relate to those cultures. In order to fully understand contemporary text forms and their themes of identity, relationship, and self-determination, sovereignty, or selfgovernance, students will analyse the changing use of text forms by Indigenous authors/ creators from various periods and cultures in expressing ideas related to these themes. Students will also create oral, written, and media texts to explore their own ideas and understanding, focusing on the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 English university or college preparation course.
The college pathway course (3CI) explores the themes, forms, and stylistic elements of literary, informational, graphic, oral, cultural, and media text forms emerging from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures in Canada, and also looks at the perspectives and influences of texts that relate to those cultures. In order to understand contemporary text forms and their themes of identity, relationship, and self-determination, sovereignty, or self-governance, students will study the use of text forms by Indigenous authors/creators from other periods in expressing ideas related to these themes. Students will also create oral, written, and media texts to explore their own ideas and understanding, focusing on the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 English college preparation course.
English – ENG 3EI/3EB
The essential pathway courses (3EI/3EB) emphasize the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will study the content, form, and style of a variety of contemporary informational, graphic, and literary texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language clearly and accurately in a variety of formal and informal contexts. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 workplace preparation course. Prerequisite: English, grade 10
Dramatic Arts – ADA 3MI / 3OB
This course requires students to create and perform in dramatic presentations. Students will analyse, interpret, and perform dramatic works from various cultures and time periods. Students will research various acting styles and conventions that could be used in their presentations, and analyse the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audiences. Prerequisite: ADA 1OI or ADA 2OI.
Media Studies (Video Games & Gaming) – EMS 3OX / 3OB
It is a fundamental fact that nearly all teens play games. The EMS gaming course will cover the entire social aspects of gaming in a group environment. Games can be a viable text because in the course we will treat them as experiences first – as an interactive media. Students can then use this course as a springboard into pursuing a career in game creation, Esports, streaming and other industry related employment opportunities.
Grade 12
English – ENG 4UI / 4CI / 4EI / 4EB
The university level course (4UI) emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a range of challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for university, college, or the workplace. Prerequisite: NBE 3UI.
The college level course (4CI) emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from various countries and cultures, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for college or the workplace. Prerequisite: NBE 3CI.
The essential level courses emphasize the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will analyse informational, graphic, and literary texts and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for workplace-related and practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language accurately and organizing ideas and information coherently. The course is intended to prepare students for the workplace and active citizenship. Prerequisite: ENG 3EB / ENG 4EI.
Writer’s Craft – EWC 4UI
Do you enjoy creative writing? Are you interested in becoming a better writer? Try your hand at writing in forms you haven’t gotten a chance to elsewhere. In this course we will explore the world of writing, we will write short stories, screenplays, poetry, children’s stories, memoirs, blogs and more. Prerequisite: NBE 3UI.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course – OLC 4OI / 4OB
This course is designed to help students acquire and demonstrate the cross-curricular literacy skills that are evaluated by the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students who complete the course successfully will meet the provincial literacy requirement for graduation. Students will read a variety of informational, narrative, and graphic texts and will produce a variety of forms of writing, including summaries, information paragraphs, opinion pieces, and news reports. Students will also maintain and manage a portfolio containing a record of their reading experiences and samples of their writing. Eligibility Requirement: Students who have been unsuccessful at least once on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
Dramatic Arts – ADA 4MI
This course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and conventions of both drama and theatre from various cultures and time periods. Students will interpret dramatic literature and other text and media sources while learning about various theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in various cultures, and will analyse how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school. Prerequisite: ADA 4MI.
Studies in Literature (Film Making) – ETS 4UX / 4CX
Ever wonder if you could be the next Oscar-winning director? Take this course to discover and develop your film-making skills. Students will work in small and large group situations to write, direct and edit their own films and videos.
Studies in Literature (Film Studies) – ETS 4UY / 4CY
If you love movies and videos this is the course for you. In this course, we will look at how films are made and study a variety of films from a variety of eras and genres. This course will encourage you to think critically about film and help you to see them in a way you haven’t seen them before.
