Broad General Education – S3:
AIMS OF THE COURSE
The English course will provide learners with a range of opportunities to extend their understanding of, and ability to, analyse and evaluate English Language and Literature and to develop their ability to express themselves effectively in written and oral communications, as appropriate to purpose, audience and context.
During the course of the year, pupils will be offered the opportunity to:
- listen and talk, read, and write in a wide variety of interesting and challenging contexts
- understand, analyse and evaluate a variety of literary and media texts
- create and produce texts and oral communications in a variety of forms
- plan and research a number of topics, presenting findings both orally and in writing
COURSE DETAILS
Pupils will build on the wide variety of knowledge and experience acquired during the S1 and S2 Curriculum for Excellence course in English.
During the S3 course, pupils will:
- study and analyse a wide variety of literary fiction, including novels and short stories, drama, poetry and media.
- read for understanding, enjoyment and the appreciation of style and writer’s craft
- discuss, read closely and answer questions to demonstrate the ability to understand, analyse and evaluate fiction and non-fiction passages on topics of current interest
- write at length and in a variety of forms including personal writing, imaginative writing, discursive writing and functional writing
- respond to literature in a variety of forms, including Critical Essays
- present individual talks and participate in group discussions
- read a personally chosen selection of fiction and non-fiction
- research a number of literary and topical subjects and present findings both orally and in writing
This will allow pupils, where required, to complete the experiences and outcomes of Level 3 of Curriculum for Excellence.
Pupils will also begin developing and/or consolidating their skills at Level 4.
Later in S3, pupils will be introduced to National 4 and National 5 level work, where appropriate, to place pupils in the correct course for them in S4.
DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS
Pupils will develop their English language skills by engaging with a wide range of texts and developing an appreciation of the richness and breadth of our literary and linguistic heritage. They will be encouraged to develop their skills in Understanding and Analysis by studying and commenting on a wide variety of Prose (both fiction and non-fiction), Poetry and Drama.
Pupils will be encouraged to develop a variety of communication skills including group discussion of literature and issues of current interest and individual presentations on appropriately challenging topics, using ICT where appropriate.
Pupils will develop their Thinking Skills and their awareness of the impact of Numeracy and Health and Well-being issues on the development of their English and Literacy skills.
Pupils will also be encouraged to build their skills in reading and responding to Media and Scots Language.
Assessment Calendar
While each class will work on different content and texts, the same skills will be covered and the same number and type of assessments carried out.
All pupils will sit the same standardised Reading Progress Assessments.
All pupils will produce:
August – December
- 1 piece of Writing
- 1 Critical Essay
- 1 Talk Activity (Solo Presentation or Group Discussion)
- 1 Reading Progress Assessment (testing Understanding and Evaluation skills)
January – April
- 1 Critical Essay
- 1 Talk Activity
S3 Assessment (March/April
- 1 Reading Progress Assessment (testing Analysis and Evaluation skills)
- 1 Unassisted piece of Writing
- 1 Group Discussion Assessment
May – June
New S4
National 4
- National 3 Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening Assessments completed
National 5
- 1 Added Value Unit
- 1st Draft of National 5 Discursive Portfolio Essay