The English Program at Earl of March Secondary School helps to foster an interest, understanding, and appreciation for literature and an awareness of recognized classics. Within the program, students will read a variety of both fiction and non-fiction, and will learn to think critically, read analytically, and write clearly – strengths that can only enhance one’s success in academic and post-academic careers.
Students must complete four courses in English in either the applied and college stream, or in the academic and university stream to receive the OSSD diploma. Students also have the option of enrolling in enriched English courses, which begin in grade 10. Students in grade 12 enriched English have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement examination.
The Earl of March English program has three optional courses: EMS 3O: Studies in Media; EWC 4U: The Writer’s Craft; and ETS 4U: Studies in Literature. Please see Additional Courses in English, listed below, for more information.
“To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.”
- Truman Capote
Stratford Trip
The Earl of March Stratford Trip will take place on Wednesday, September 19th and Friday, September 21th, 2012. Students will stay at the St. Albert Inn, close to the Avon Theatre.
Students will see the performances Much Ado About Nothing, The Pirates of Penzance, 42nd Street, and Elektra.Students will also participate in a post show chat and a tour of the props and costume warehouse.
It’s going to be a great trip! Please see Ms. Riddell or Mr. Minter for details.
Additional Courses in English
Media Studies explores the role of the mass media in our culture and society, and focuses on critical thinking and analysis across a wide range of media, such as television, magazines, film, and the Internet. Students will have the chance to create media texts of their own, utilizing both traditional and contemporary forms of media, such articles, posters, podcasts, and wiki sites.
This course emphasizes 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. Writer’s Craft fosters student creativity!
ETS 4U – Studies in Literature
This course is for students with a special interest in literature, and will focus on the origins and development of Canadian Literature. Close attention will be given to the different voices that reflect the perse cultural landscape of Canada.
New Novel Selection
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Summary: The Glass Castle is at once a heartbreaking and heart-warming memoir by U.S. writer Jeannette Walls about her deeply dysfunctional yet uniquely vibrant family. Her father, a charismatic man with soaring dreams, is also a destructive alcoholic, while her mother, a free-spirit who encourages her children in art and literature, is also a neglectful caregiver. Jeannette and her three siblings learn to take care of themselves and each other-by scrounging in school garbage cans for lunch, and fighting off neighbourhood bullies with loaded pistols. As the kids grew up and prospered, despite their abject childhood poverty, their parents followed them to New York. In the face of easily-preventable hardships, Walls paints a vivid portrait of love and loyalty and accepting others for who they truly are.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
- Albert Einstein
English Clubs, Contests, and Events
Creative Writing Club
The Earl of March Creative Writing Club offers students the opportunity to share their creative writing with peers, gaining feedback and suggestions, as well as new friendships. Students meet once a week for an hour after school and are encouraged to bring a wide variety of their creative writing. Congratulations to Sarah Best, for her short story publication and win in Polar Publishing's most recent competition!
Other clubs and contests are relayed through posters and the announcements in order to give students a wide variety of experiences and opportunities.
“The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.”
- Robert Louis Stevenson
