150 likes | 164 Views
This course focuses on English Language and Literature, covering fiction and non-fiction reading and writing, Shakespeare, modern plays, and poetry. Exams are now terminal and graded on a scale of 1-9. Support and resources are provided to help students succeed.
E N D
Qualifications Coursework / controlled assessments no longer exist – all Examination is done through exams at the end of the course. Students will study English Language and English Literature (2 GCSEs)
Grades Tiering has been removed. This means that all students will sit the same paper. Grades are no longer letters: they have been replaced by numbers 1-9 (9 is the highest). Grade 5 is considered a good pass (top of old grade C)
English GCSEsEDUQAS Exam Board English Language • 2 exam papers • Paper1: Fiction – 20th Century reading and creative writing • Paper 2: Non-fiction – 19th & 21st century reading and non-fiction writing • Spoken Language – one presentation/speech. Separately awarded. English Literature • 2 exam papers • Paper 1 – Shakespeare (Macbeth) & Poetry anthology • Paper 2 – Modern Play, A Christmas Carol & unseen poetry
External Examinations Examinations All examinations are now terminal: this means they will be taken at the end of the course and externally marked. English / English Language: June 2019/20 Paper 1 Fiction-based reading and writing – 40% - 1hr 45 mins Paper 2 Non-fiction – based reading and writing – 60% - 2hrs English Literature: June 2019/20 Paper 1 Shakespeare & anthology poetry – 40% - 2hrs Paper 2 Modern Play, A Christmas Carol & unseen poetry – 60% - 2hrs 30 mins
Please note: your child began studying some of their GCSE topics at the end of Y9: ‘A Christmas Carol’ and a selection of nature poems from their anthology.
Homework • Students should receive two homeworks per week. They should spend a minimum of 30 mins on each homework. • Tasks mainly fall into one of these categories: • Recall • Creative tasks to aid revision • Exam style questions • Background research
What can you do to help? • Check students are up to date with all areas of the course. If your child is absent, they will be able to collect missed work from their teacher. • Encourage students to read a wide range of texts (Use library) • Monitor internet usage to ensure that homework is not plagiarised • Offer support and encouragement but get students to check their own work • Check homework on ‘Show my Homework’
What can you do to help? • Encourage students to use a dictionary and thesaurus (Students are encouraged to buy their own) • Check that homework is done to the best of the student’s ability • Provide a quiet place to study
Revision Guides • There are many revision guides on the market but not all are aimed at the correct exam board. • Ensure that WJEC/EDUQAS examination board is mentioned before you buy. • Students can buy any appropriate study guide or notes for literature texts E.g. http://www.yorknotes.com/ https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/ • There are also some useful websites for revision particularly for the Literature texts. • In house revision guides are available from school.
Reading Texts • All students will study three ‘books’: Macbeth, Blood Brothers/An Inspector Calls and A Christmas Carol. Free copies of the older texts are available online. • In addition, they will have a poetry anthology of poems that they will study throughout the course. • Specific reading texts will be set in relation to work on these texts. This maybe reading/re-reading of sections of the text or background reading/research. • It is better for students if they have their own copy of these texts so that they can write notes.
Marking • Most marking at GCSE is concentrated on exam skills / knowledge. • Homeworks will be given an attitude to learning grade and comments / targets where necessary. • Students will be given both areas of strength and targets for improvement based on the mark schemes • Students may take part in peer and self assessment in order to develop their work
Speaking and Listening Graded separately • Students are required to complete one piece of assessed speaking • and listening work. • This will be a formal presentation and questions. • The presentation and questions must be recorded and submitted • to the exam board.
Useful Websites • http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramabloodbrothers/ • http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/christmascarol/ • http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/ • http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/ • http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/0/ • http://www.gcse.com/english/ • https://www.youtube.com/