Process Paper

This unit is designed for ELA A10. It is a thematic unit focusing on the Challenges of Life: Explaining the World Through Our Decisions. The unit is split into four sub-themes: How can decisions that are made for us by other people affect us?; how can regret and consequences shape who we become?; how can decisions regarding culture shape us?; and how can experience and history influence the decision making process (will we always make the same decisions as we have in the past?). This unit is an important part of this course because decisions are something grade 10 students must consider now more than any other time in their lives so far. It is important for the students to make informed decisions. Reading literature about decision making and witnessing how people have handled scenarios is important on helping the students to grow and learn. They can learn from both good and bad decisions, which is why there are so many suggested texts for this unit. 

A technique used in each sub-section is questionnaires or “opinionaires.” These are filled out by the students so the teacher can have a better understanding of the students’ prerequisite knowledge of the topic.

Unit goals are indicated as they are in the curriculum: CR (Comprehend and Respond), CC (Compose and Create), AR (Assess and Reflect). Several specific outcomes from each of these categories are listed within each sub-section. For each outcome there are several indicators listed in the curriculum. Although the unit goals are obviously represented the objectives could be clearer. The objectives might included: Students Will Be Able To: reflect upon their decisions in their journals, make decisions about their portfolios and improve on their portfolios based on knowledge gained from the unit.

There aren’t many prerequisite skills needed for this unit, except for those gained in all previous English classes. Anything out of the ordinary will be covered in the unit. Although time was not included for it in the unit, class time would be allotted to teach/demonstrate how to create, maintain and update a portfolio. This can be a large task to take on for many students, but it is a great skill to learn. Other challenging aspects of the unit include writing an apology letter or a letter of forgiveness. This is difficult for many people, but it is often especially difficult for teenagers. Another assignment asks students to write a persuasive piece about their favourite text being banned. This assignment might be difficult for some students as it requires a more sophisticated and refined writing style.

This unit focuses primarily on discussion based learning. There are no tests in the middle or end of this unit. The unit’s assessment methods are primarily for learning. The portfolio can always be built upon and encourages further learning and development. This unit may have to be adjusted in the classroom if the students do not respond to discussion based learning. It would be great to incorporate some real life decisions into the unit, but this can be a little sensitive. The students would benefit from speaking with people who have made bad decisions in the past, but this can be a difficult thing to do.