|
English and History Designed as an integrated World History and English program, the experience of each time period is enriched through the study of literature of or about a given period. Research reports, creative story writing, poetry and drama form the body of work. Learning the components of good writing such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence and paragraph structure is stressed. Composition and research take place at each grade level with an emphasis on skills appropriate to the grade level. Literature that reflects the quality of each time period is explored through reading, discussion and writing. At the end of the program, students have developed a large worldview and very strong reading and writing skills. Grade 7 begins with the study of prehistory and continues through the four great river valley civilizations, ancient Greece, and Rome, concluding with the rise of Christendom. Grade 8 begins with the medieval time period and the civilizations of Byzantium, Islam, and the Holy Roman Empire. Medieval India and Southeast Asia are explored along with the Golden Ages of China, Japan and Korea. This is followed by the study of the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca of the Americas and the study of African Kingdoms. The course concludes with the study of the European Renaissance. Grade 9 begins with the study of absolute monarchy in Europe, the Renaissance and Reformation and includes the exploration and discovery of the Americas. This is followed by the revolutionary periods in England, the United States, France and Latin America, the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War in the United States and the late 19th century up to World War I and its aftermath. Mathematics The objective of the Math program is to further develop the students' understanding and skill in math, thoroughly preparing them for a challenging high school program. Confidence and a positive attitude are developed by creating a pace for each student at which they can experience success. While some students may need more time to thoroughly grasp a concept, others may be moving ahead to more challenging material from the next year's curriculum. Grade 7 Math topics include number concepts, operations, measurement and geometry. Describing and analyzing patterns is emphasized throughout the year. Algebra is introduced and students are prepared for a more thorough presentation in grade 8. New math vocabulary is studied and word problems are completed weekly. Connections are made between Math, English, History and Science when appropriate. Grade 8 Math goes further with geometry and working with integers, area, perimeter, and volume. A more in depth study of algebra is undertaken, using positive and negative numbers, solving equations, removing brackets and simplifying expressions. Relations and graphs are also studied and include Cartesian plane, plotting points, linear equations, finding equations from table and graphs and applications of linear graphs. Grade 9 Math begins with a review of previous algebraic concepts and the study of exponents including laws of exponents, operations with exponents and equations with exponents. Relations and graphs are also reviewed with the addition of parallel and perpendicular lines, systems of linear equations and solving equations with two variables by substitution and elimination. A unit on identities, products and factoring includes monomials, binomials, polynomials and the difference of squares. Variable expressions are covered through simplifying, multiplying, dividing, adding and subtracting. Geometry is again covered with a more in depth study of Isosceles triangles, geometric constructions, parallelograms, intersecting and parallel lines, angles in a circle and proofs. Successful accomplishment of the grade 9 curriculum will prepare the student for taking advanced math courses at the high school level. Science The objective of the Science program is to develop an interest in the details of the physical environment while learning the methodology of observation and experimentation. Research and the recording of data, along with summarization and analysis of information are also stressed throughout. Hands on activities are balanced with the development of writing and organizational skills. Connections are made between Science and other subjects when appropriate. Grade 7 Science topics include energy transfer and transformation, which is examined from many angles including the study of light, water, photosynthesis, electricity, forces and chemical changes. Students form hypotheses and design experiments to test them. Note taking is developed by recording observations, summarizing weekly science articles and writing in class. Current events and recent scientific discoveries are discussed each week. Grade 8 Science topics include astronomy, electricity and electromagnetism, simple machines, flight, buoyancy and pressure, and sound. Hands on experiments deepen the students' understanding while taking notes and organizing, interpreting and applying the knowledge is continually developed. Grade 9 Science introduces chemistry in the fall through making connections between chemistry and the world around them. Students then complete experiments and balance equations. Physics is introduced through projects and hands-on activities that require designing experiments and integrating math. Biology is studied with students investigating various systems of the human body. They learn how their bodies work and discuss choices that young adults make about how to protect their bodies from substance abuse and illness. Students use computers in class for research and graphing activities. French The objective of the French program is to encourage a positive attitude towards learning and using the French language while giving the students the skills to comprehend and communicate effectively in the written and spoken forms. Entering students generally display a wide variety of backgrounds and experience of French, which creates a need for a flexible program that often groups students according to their abilities. Grade 7 French students are given vocabulary and grammar to learn and use each week. Speaking, listening, reading, writing and negotiating are introduced and practiced. A variety of activities including writing and presenting humorous dialogues, reading comics, reciting poems by memory, playing games and preparing a brief script to be videotaped enables students to experience progress and enjoy the language. An appreciation of francophone cultures in Canada and elsewhere is fostered. Grade 8 French students often work in pairs to further pursue speaking, listening, reading, writing and negotiating abilities. Topics are chosen to write and present brief dialogues about. They also choose short stories to read and develop an understanding of verb conjugation in the past, present and future tenses. The beauty and usefulness of the French language are reinforced as students become more confident in their abilities. Grade 9 French students work with communicating effectively in the past, present and future tenses. Basic vocabulary for travel is studied while students create scenarios where they have to survive using French. They present brief dialogues about these situations and have discussions in which they express their opinions. Students edit their writing, memorize poems and present projects on famous francophones. Art Visit the Shambhala Junior High School Art Gallery The Art program introduces students to a variety of processes and materials with the intent of building confidence in themselves as artists. Integration with the world history curriculum is incorporated through various projects that reflect the art from particular places and time periods. Each student brings to class a wide range of talents, which are enhanced, uncovered, discovered and enjoyed. Grade 7 Art begins with a focus on introductory techniques in drawing and pointing, an introduction to colour theory, sculpture and the use of various media. Students will achieve a general proficiency with all media in the art room and understand specific terminologies used for various processes. Grade 8 Art continues the focus on techniques and skills in all media including working with tempera and acrylic paint, ceramics, and mosaics. By the end of the year, students will have achieved a deeper understanding of several specific processes and approaches and hold a level of expertise with the related art materials. Grade 9 Art completes the focus on techniques and skills in all media, with students achieving a well-rounded understanding of processes and materials related to various projects. Printmaking techniques are a major focus along with deeper colour theory study. Along with drawing and painting, ceramics, mixed-media sculpture, and fibre arts are also presented more fully. Music The Music program is intended to develop a confident and fun attitude towards the performance of music. All students have some opportunity to participate in a general music class that involves singing, rhythmic work and listening to music. Those who wish to develop their abilities further may join the Performance Ensemble as an instrumentalist or vocalist. This group prepares music for performance and presents at least 2 concerts per year of music in a variety of styles including rock, jazz, blues, folk and world music. Drama Drama is incorporated into the English/History curriculum at these grade levels with informal enactments taking place in the classroom and some productions occurring on a larger scale in public performances. Grade 7 students, for example, perform Shakespeare every spring in Point Pleasant Park. Grade 9 students are invited to participate in the High School Drama Group, preparing works for public performance. Physical Education The Physical Education program encourages students to be physically active in a comfortable yet challenging environment, with the goal of developing a positive attitude towards engaging in physical activities. Students are provided with individual and group tasks within a nurturing and fun framework that allows for success and exploration of one's abilities. Activities include team sports, Olympic wrestling, yoga, and hiking. Students have a minimum of 3 PhysEd. periods per week. Students also have the opportunity to participate in intramural sports during lunch break and after school. Aikido Aikido, known as the “way of harmony”, is a Japanese martial art in which the principle of harmonizing with the energy of the opponent serves as the basis of the form. The practice involves many circular, flowing movements, requires the cooperation of partners, and is based on an approach of non-aggression. There is also an emphasis on the discipline involved in the traditional etiquette of the “Dojo” or class situation. |