Instructor: Kerry Peters, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.

This 1-semester course of twenty-five 1-hour lessons will introduce students to the Achieve 3000 reading program and how it differentiates reading instruction to challenge students at all levels.

Through read-alouds, prompts, practice and applying feedback, students will develop will become familiar with fluency in sentence and paragraph structure as well as increased vocabulary and conventions of spelling, grammar and punctuation. The writing component of this course will focus on personal narrative, persuasive and expository writing. Oral language skills will be developed through in-class opportunities and feedback for presenting student work.

 Class 1

R: A3000 Article: “Throw Out Old Computers? No Way!” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Introduction to “The Writing Process” and introduction to narrative essays. 

Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #1

Class 2 & 3

R: A3000 Article: “Water Clean Up Crew” and “Water Worries” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Review of “The Writing Process” and narrative essays. Rough draft editing and revising of Narrative Essay #1. Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #2

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 4 & 5

R: A3000 Article: “Looking Out for Giraffes” and “Using Music to Bring People Together” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Final/published copy (application of feedback) of Narrative Essay #2. Introduction to concrete and sensory details. Rough draft editing and revising of Narrative Essay #2.

Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #3

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 6 & 7

R: A3000 Article: “A New Way to Grow Food” and “Three Weeks, Three Walks” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Introduction to persuasive essays. Introduction to writing a “Hook”. Prewriting/planning for Persuasive Essay #1.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 8 & 9

R: A3000 Article: “Feel the Music” and “Not Quite Equal” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Final/published copy (application of feedback) of Persuasive Essay #1. Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #1. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #2.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 10 & 11

R: A3000 Article: “The BTS Connection” and “Virtual Reality, Real Fun” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Review persuasive essays and hooks. Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #2. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #3.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 12 & 13

R: A3000 Article: “Robot Nation” and “Bringing Science to Life” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #3. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #4.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 14 & 15

R: A3000 Article: “Tidying Up Out Space” and “Point and Read” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #4. Introduction to Expository Essays. Prewriting Expository Essay #1.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 16 & 17

R: A3000 Article: “Games for Change” and “One Smart Bird” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #1. Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Expository Essay #2.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 18 & 19

R: A3000 Article: “Age of Revolution” and “Water Found on Saturn’s Moon” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #2. Sharing of final/published writing.

Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Expository Essay #3.

O.L.: Present writing aloud. Revise using feedback.

Class 20 & 21

R: A3000 Article: “Breaking Balloon Records” and “Yes, It’s Real” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #3. Sharing of final/published writing. Introduction to Creative Writing. Review of concrete and sensory details. Pre-writing for Creative Writing #1.

Class 22 & 23

R: A3000 Article: “Cars Are Changing India” and “Queen Yu-Na” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Creative Writing #2. Sharing of final/published writing.

Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Creative Writing #3.

Class 24 & 25

R: A3000 Article: “Earliest Peoples - Saving the Paintings” and “Chowing Down in Mesopotamia” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Creative Writing #3. Sharing of final/published writing.

Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Creative Writing #3.

Course Description & Rationale

IB English 12 is designed with the British Columbia Ministry of Education’s English curriculum for the International Baccalaureate Program in mind (Lexile Level 1280 and above). There is a concentration put on Literary Studies, Composition, and New Media in this course, and it can be used to prepare students for post-secondary level English classes or act as support as one takes a full course elsewhere. The instructor will provide lessons and instructions derived from the Ministry’s guidelines, and the class remains fluid in that it will be tailored to address our students’ needs, both as a collective and as individuals. Students’ attainable goals will be identified early and worked towards throughout.

Reading: The reading portion of this course will develop students’ fluency, vocabulary and comprehension using differentiated reading instruction to challenge students at all levels using a variety of high-interest fiction and non-fiction texts, including poems, articles, short stories and novels. Regular quizzes and tests will be given.

Writing: The writing portion of this course will develop students’ written fluency, sentence and paragraph structure, as well as increased vocabulary and conventions of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Using high-interest articles and writing prompts, this course will review the steps of the writing process and explore poetry and literary elements and devices. Students will continuously receive and apply feedback to improve their narrative, persuasive, expository, and eventually, synthesis writing. Regular quizzes and tests will be given.

Class 1

R: A3000 Article: “Throw Out Old Computers? No Way!” and Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #1 (“The Invisible Man”) to practice reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Introduction to “The Writing Process” and introduction to narrative essays.

Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #1. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Simile & Metaphor.

Class 2 & 3

R: Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #2 (“The Special Olympics”) and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Review of “The Writing Process” and narrative essays. Rough draft editing and revising of Narrative Essay #1. Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #2. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Personification.

Class 4 & 5

R: A3000 Article: “Looking Out for Giraffes” and “Using Music to Bring People Together” and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Final/published copy (application of feedback) of Narrative Essay #2. Introduction to concrete and sensory details. Rough draft editing and revising of Narrative Essay #2.

Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #3. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Imagery.

Class 6 & 7

R: A3000 Article: “A New Way to Grow Food” and “Three Weeks, Three Walks” and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Introduction to persuasive essays. Introduction to writing a “Hook”. Prewriting/planning for

Persuasive Essay #1. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Symbolism.

Class 8 & 9

R: Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #3 (“The Secrets of the Forest”) and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Final/published copy (application of feedback) of Persuasive Essay #1. Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #1. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #2. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Motif.

Class 10 & 11

R: A3000 Article: “Bringing Science to Life” and “Virtual Reality, Real Fun” and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Review persuasive essays and hooks. Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #2. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #3. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Foreshadowing.

Class 12 & 13

R: Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #8 (“Save the Whales or the Whalers?”) and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #3. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #4. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Flashbacks.

Class 14 & 15

R: A3000 Article: “Tidying Up Out Space” and “Point and Read” and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #4. Introduction to Expository Essays. Prewriting Expository Essay #1. Poetic/literary elements and devices focus: Tone and Mood.

Class 16 & 17

R: Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #9 (“White Death”) and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #1. Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Expository Essay #2. Literary Elements and Devices focus: Allegory.

Class 18 & 19

R: A3000 Article: “Yes, It’s Real” and “Water Found on Saturn’s Moon” and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #2. Sharing of final/published writing. Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Expository Essay #3. Literary Elements and Devices focus: Point of View.

Class 20 & 21

R: Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #10 (“The Tycoon of Pop”) and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #3. Sharing of final/published writing. Introduction to Synthesis Writing. Review of concrete and sensory details. Pre-writing for Synthesis Writing #1.

Literary Elements and Devices focus: Juxtaposition.

Class 22 & 23

R: A3000 Article: “Cars Are Changing India” and “Queen Yu-Na” and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Synthesis Writing #2. Sharing of final/published writing. Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Synthesis Writing #3. Literary Elements and Devices focus: Hyperbole.

Class 24 & 25

R: Wordly Wise Level 12 Lesson #11 (“Women’s Day”) and/or novel study (TBD) to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Synthesis Writing #3. Sharing of final/published writing. Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Synthesis Writing #3. Literary Elements and Devices focus: Irony.

This 1-semester course of twenty-five intensive 1-hour lessons for SAT (English) preparation consists of two major components: Reading and Language. It is based on the newly redesigned SAT test. A third component is available for those wishing to write the optional* essay portion of the exam. See below for more detailed information.

Students will receive a clear course outline, regular access to online classes during weekdays after school and evenings, official practice tests/exams, regular feedback, assessment and progress reports. All classes are held via Zoom meeting and Google Classroom is used to

assign/grade student work. Student enrollment is ongoing for 1:1 or small-groups. Please contact for tuition rates, class schedules and current availability.

Reading Section: This component aims to develop students’ ability to comprehend written text, understand the meaning of words in different contexts as well as their associated terms with implied meanings.

The questions in this section are mainly centred around the following:

• The function a phrase serves in the passage

• The tone, style, perspective, and attitude of the author 

• Analyzing data on the basis of diagrams, charts, and graphs  

•  The central theme or main idea of the passage

• Inference of a phrase in a paragraph 

•  Arguments or evidence that supports the author’s stance

Writing and Language Section: Students are trained to find errors, rephrase and rewrite highlighted sentences with alternative text, amongst other features. This component focuses on assessing the candidate’s understanding of vocabulary as well as grammar.

The questions in this section are mainly centred around the following:

• Sentence structure, parallel construction, grammar usage, punctuation, etc.

• Strengthening the argument

• Word choice for style, text or tone

• Structural changes to improve readability

Essay*: The optional SAT essay is currently being phased out. However, a few schools are still requiring it. The essay component of the SAT Test prepares students’ abilities for analysing the quality of writing as well as English comprehension. The essay question response (650-700 words) focusses on an issue and asks the candidate to take a stance on one side of the topic.

* It is advised to research whether your school(s) of choice require examination of this optional SAT component. It varies not only by State, but also by school and program.

This 1-semester course of twenty-five intensive 1-hour lessons SSAT (English) preparation course is designed to address the individual needs and testing date of the student. We will cover three major components of the SSAT (English) exam: Writing, Reading Section and Verbal Section (including vocabulary and analogies). Regular homework is assigned and timely feedback is given and explained by the tutor.

Writing: The timed narrative writing sample is not “scored”, but is used to get to know the student and is considered when applying to various schools. This component is practiced and timed as part of the overall SSAT exam preparation.

Reading: This component aims to develop students’ ability to comprehend written text, understand the meaning of words in different contexts as well as their associated terms with implied meanings. Various genres will be critically explored including scientific/natural world non-fiction, narrative fiction, historical documents, etc. Literary elements and devices used in poetry will be examined as well. The questions in this section are mainly centred

around the following:

• The central theme or main idea of the passage

• Comprehension questions

• Literary elements and devices

Verbal: This component helps develop students’ written fluency, structure, grammar and vocabulary. The questions in this section are mainly centred around the following:

• Sentence structure, grammar usage, punctuation, etc.

• Vocabulary and word choice

• Synonyms/antonyms

Class 1

R: A3000 Article: “Throw Out Old Computers? No Way!” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Introduction to “The Writing Process” and introduction to narrative essays.

Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #1

Vocabulary: Word List #1

Analogies: Introduction to Analogy (pattern and types), Analogy Practice Activity #1

Class 2 & 3

R: A3000 Article: “Water Clean Up Crew” and “Water Worries” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Review of “The Writing Process” and narrative essays. Rough draft editing and revising of Narrative Essay #1. Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #2

Vocabulary: Word List #2

Analogies: Review of Introduction to Analogy (pattern and types), Analogy Practice Activity #2

Mock SSAT Test #1 (timed)

Class 4 & 5

R: A3000 Article: “Looking Out for Giraffes” and “Using Music to Bring People Together” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Final/published copy (application of feedback) of Narrative Essay #2. Introduction to concrete and sensory details. Rough draft editing and revising of Narrative Essay #2.

Prewriting/planning for Narrative Essay #3

Vocabulary: Word List #3

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #3

Class 6 & 7

R: A3000 Article: “A New Way to Grow Food” and “Three Weeks, Three Walks” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Introduction to persuasive essays. Introduction to writing a “Hook”. Prewriting/planning for Persuasive Essay #1.

Vocabulary: Word List #4

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #4

Mock SSAT Test #2 (timed)

Class 8 & 9

R: A3000 Article: “Feel the Music” and “Not Quite Equal” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Final/published copy (application of feedback) of Persuasive Essay #1. Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #1. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #2.

Vocabulary: Word List #5

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #5

Class 10 & 11

R: A3000 Article: “The BTS Connection” and “Virtual Reality, Real Fun” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Review persuasive essays and hooks. Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #2. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #3.

Vocabulary: Word List #6

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #6

Mock SSAT Test #3 (timed)

Class 12 & 13

R: A3000 Article: “Robot Nation” and “Bringing Science to Life” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Rough draft editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #3. Prewriting Persuasive Essay #4.

Vocabulary: Word List #7

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #7

Class 14 & 15

R: A3000 Article: “Tidying Up Out Space” and “Point and Read” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Persuasive Essay #4. Introduction to Expository Essays. Prewriting Expository Essay #1.

Vocabulary: Word List #8

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #8

Mock SSAT Test #4 (timed)

Class 16 &17

R: A3000 Article: “Games for Change” and “One Smart Bird” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #1. Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Expository Essay #2.

Vocabulary: Word List #9

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #9

Class 18 & 19

R: A3000 Article: “Age of Revolution” and “Water Found on Saturn’s Moon” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #2. Sharing of final/published writing.

Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Expository Essay #3.

Vocabulary: Word List #10

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #10

Mock SSAT Test #5 (timed)

Class 20 & 21

R: A3000 Article: “Breaking Balloon Records” and “Yes, It’s Real” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Expository Essay #3. Sharing of final/published writing. Introduction to Creative Writing. Review of concrete and sensory details. Pre-writing for Creative Writing #1.

Vocabulary: Word List #11

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #11

Class 22 & 23

R: A3000 Article: “Cars Are Changing India” and “Queen Yu-Na” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Creative Writing #2. Sharing of final/published writing.

Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Creative Writing #3.

Vocabulary: Word List #12

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #12

Mock SSAT Test #6 (timed)

Class 24 & 25

R: A3000 Article: “Earliest Peoples - Saving the Paintings” and “Chowing Down in Mesopotamia” to practice oral reading fluency, comprehension and critical thinking

W: Editing and revising of Creative Writing #3. Sharing of final/published writing.

Prewriting/planning and rough draft of Creative Writing #3.

Vocabulary: Word List #13

Analogies: Analogy Practice Activity #13

Mock SSAT Test #7 (timed)