General Studies
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." -William Butler Yeats
Our General Studies Program provides students with all requirements to graduate from a British Columbia high school with a Dogwood Certificate, BC’s internationally recognized high school diploma. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply to any post-secondary institution in North America. As with all British Columbia high schools, our General Studies teachers use the BC curriculum guides and textbooks. Our teachers offer challenging and individualized instruction that caters to each girl's learning needs and interests.
The British Columbia curriculum strives to be at the forefront of education. The signature of the recently revised curriculum is focus on understanding and doing, as well as knowing. These are the focus of the curricular competencies. There is also a determined focus on core competencies: communicating, thinking, and personal and social. The core competencies integrate personal assessment as a key component of being an effective citizen. Reporting for the revised curriculum will focus on these competencies, and will be more frequent and qualitative in nature. Letter grades will not be the norm, but will be continue to be available
The British Columbia curriculum strives to be at the forefront of education. The signature of the recently revised curriculum is focus on understanding and doing, as well as knowing. These are the focus of the curricular competencies. There is also a determined focus on core competencies: communicating, thinking, and personal and social. The core competencies integrate personal assessment as a key component of being an effective citizen. Reporting for the revised curriculum will focus on these competencies, and will be more frequent and qualitative in nature. Letter grades will not be the norm, but will be continue to be available
SOCIAL STUDIES
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard
Socials 8
Socials 8 will examine the foundations of major societies and religions from roughly the 7th Century to 1750. This course will explore big questions investigating how societies develop or interact with each other, as well as how their histories impact societies of today. We will also look at factors such as religion, empire, nationalism, forming of nation states, geography, technology, trade, and the change each generates. Topics of discussion will involve civilizations of Europe, the explorers and colonizers they produced, and their effects on the New World. However, it will incorporate flexibility in timelines and subject matter to pursue and foster student interests.
Socials 9
Socials 9 will examine the key historical events that helped shaped the world from 1700-1900. This course will explore big questions investigating how new identities emerge from changing ideologies, environments, politics, economics, and technologies, particularly in relation to England and France, and ultimately Canada. We will assess factors such as religion, government, geography, inventions, trade, and the changes each generate on national identity. We will learn to assess and recognize bias, weigh evidence, and evaluate arguments. Projects will consist of a mix of: writing, research, art, discussion, readings, and debates.
Socials 10
Socials 10 will examine the foundations of Canadian identity and nation building. This course will explore big questions investigating how settling Europeans and First Nations created the country we live in today. We will also look at factors such as religion, empire, nationalism, geography, technology, trade, and the changes each generate on our overall sense of identity. The course will require written research papers, projects, reflection and analysis of contributing factors for social establishment and dynamics.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard
Socials 8
Socials 8 will examine the foundations of major societies and religions from roughly the 7th Century to 1750. This course will explore big questions investigating how societies develop or interact with each other, as well as how their histories impact societies of today. We will also look at factors such as religion, empire, nationalism, forming of nation states, geography, technology, trade, and the change each generates. Topics of discussion will involve civilizations of Europe, the explorers and colonizers they produced, and their effects on the New World. However, it will incorporate flexibility in timelines and subject matter to pursue and foster student interests.
Socials 9
Socials 9 will examine the key historical events that helped shaped the world from 1700-1900. This course will explore big questions investigating how new identities emerge from changing ideologies, environments, politics, economics, and technologies, particularly in relation to England and France, and ultimately Canada. We will assess factors such as religion, government, geography, inventions, trade, and the changes each generate on national identity. We will learn to assess and recognize bias, weigh evidence, and evaluate arguments. Projects will consist of a mix of: writing, research, art, discussion, readings, and debates.
Socials 10
Socials 10 will examine the foundations of Canadian identity and nation building. This course will explore big questions investigating how settling Europeans and First Nations created the country we live in today. We will also look at factors such as religion, empire, nationalism, geography, technology, trade, and the changes each generate on our overall sense of identity. The course will require written research papers, projects, reflection and analysis of contributing factors for social establishment and dynamics.
SCIENCE
“Science is more than a body of knowledge – it’s a way of thinking.” –Carl Sagan
Science 8/9
BIG IDEAS:
BIG IDEAS:
BIG IDEAS:
BIG IDEAS:
“Science is more than a body of knowledge – it’s a way of thinking.” –Carl Sagan
Science 8/9
BIG IDEAS:
- Cells are derived from cells.
- The electron arrangement of atoms impacts their chemical nature.
- Electric current is the flow of electric charge.
- The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
BIG IDEAS:
- Genes are the foundation for the diversity of living things.
- Chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged.
- Energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment.
BIG IDEAS:
- Atoms and molecules are the fundamental building blocks of matter, chemical bonds are the result of electrostatic forces, and periodicity can be explained by atomic structure.
- The mole is a convenient way to express quantities of particles.
- Chemical reactions are the predictable rearrangement of atoms where matter and energy is conserved, and have significant applications and implications for human health, society and the environment.
- Solution chemistry is the chemistry of solubility, which is determined by the nature of solutes and solvents, and has significant applications and implications for human health, society and the environment.
BIG IDEAS:
- Cells are the basic unit of life.
- Cells and the body have transport systems.
- The human body maintains health and its internal balance through the process of homeostasis.
- Emerging technologies impact human health and wellness.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Grade 8
Language and text can be a source of creativity, joy, and self-reflection. Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and the world. People understand texts differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives. However, by reading and understanding texts, we allow ourselves to see the world from various lenses. Throughout the English Language Arts 8 course, we will strive to create connections to texts by studying the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Grade 9
This year the English 9 class will explore conflict and features of conflict such as tension and suspense. How does conflict cause tension? How and why do writers employ suspense? How does it affect our connection to stories and characters? Throughout the English Language Arts 9 course, we will study the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Grade 10
This year the English 10 class will explore the nature of conflict. Conflict is unavoidable in human existence. We will attempt to answer such questions as: How does conflict shape an individual’s identity? What causes conflict? How is conflict employed to uncover and question human nature? Via this exploration, we may notice how different perspectives perceive conflict and ways to resolve it. Throughout the English Language Arts 10 course, we will study the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Grade 12
This year we will explore how internal conflicts and ideas can be indirectly conveyed through symbolism and other literary devices. External conflicts are part of the narrative of our daily lives, but how do individuals deal with internal conflict? How do authors express internal conflict other than directly stating it through words? Throughout the English Language Arts 12 course, we will be studying various representations of internal conflict through short stories, novels, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama, and multimedia text.
Grade 8
Language and text can be a source of creativity, joy, and self-reflection. Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and the world. People understand texts differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives. However, by reading and understanding texts, we allow ourselves to see the world from various lenses. Throughout the English Language Arts 8 course, we will strive to create connections to texts by studying the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Grade 9
This year the English 9 class will explore conflict and features of conflict such as tension and suspense. How does conflict cause tension? How and why do writers employ suspense? How does it affect our connection to stories and characters? Throughout the English Language Arts 9 course, we will study the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Grade 10
This year the English 10 class will explore the nature of conflict. Conflict is unavoidable in human existence. We will attempt to answer such questions as: How does conflict shape an individual’s identity? What causes conflict? How is conflict employed to uncover and question human nature? Via this exploration, we may notice how different perspectives perceive conflict and ways to resolve it. Throughout the English Language Arts 10 course, we will study the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Grade 12
This year we will explore how internal conflicts and ideas can be indirectly conveyed through symbolism and other literary devices. External conflicts are part of the narrative of our daily lives, but how do individuals deal with internal conflict? How do authors express internal conflict other than directly stating it through words? Throughout the English Language Arts 12 course, we will be studying various representations of internal conflict through short stories, novels, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama, and multimedia text.
MATH
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.” –Albert Einstein
Math 8/9
BIG IDEAS:
BIG IDEAS:
BIG IDEAS
Calculus 12
This course focuses on single variable differential calculus and introduces integral calculus. Differential calculus is a powerful tool that relates the mathematical functions we study in pre-calculus. These relationships help us find instantaneous rates of change, and we will study its applications to kinematics in physics, marginal analysis in economics, and optimization problems given a constraint. In addition to subject matter, we will continue to refine our skills for problem solving and communicating using appropriate mathematical syntax.
There are four main concepts that we will be exploring.
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.” –Albert Einstein
Math 8/9
BIG IDEAS:
- Number represents, describes and compares the quantities of ratios, rates and percent.
- Computational fluency and flexibility extend to operations with fractions.
- Discrete linear relationships can be represented in many connected ways and used to identify and make generalizations.
- The relationship between surface area and volume of 3D objects can be used to describe, measure and compare spatial relationships.
- Analyzing data by determining averages is one way to make sense of large data sets and enable us to compare and interpret.
BIG IDEAS:
- Proportional comparisons can be made among right triangles, using trigonometry
- The meaning of each operation, including powers, extends to algebraic expressions.
- Rate of change is an essential attribute of linear relations, and has meaning in the different representations, including equations.
- Operations between polynomial expressions are connected and allow us to make meaning through abstract thinking.
- Analyzing simulations and data allows us to notice trends and relationships.
BIG IDEAS
- Proportional comparisons can be made among triangles and angles on a coordinate plane, using trigonometry.
- The meaning of each operation, including rational exponents and radicals, extends to algebraic expressions.
- Functions allow us to model contextualized situations, including financial ones.
- Operations between algebraic expression equations are connected and allow us to make meaning through abstract thinking.
Calculus 12
This course focuses on single variable differential calculus and introduces integral calculus. Differential calculus is a powerful tool that relates the mathematical functions we study in pre-calculus. These relationships help us find instantaneous rates of change, and we will study its applications to kinematics in physics, marginal analysis in economics, and optimization problems given a constraint. In addition to subject matter, we will continue to refine our skills for problem solving and communicating using appropriate mathematical syntax.
There are four main concepts that we will be exploring.
- The concept of a limit is foundational to calculus.
- Differential calculus develops the concept of instantaneous rate of change.
- Integral calculus develops the concept of determining a product involving a continuously changing quantity over an interval.
- Derivatives and integrals are inversely related.
FINE ARTS
Fine Arts involves the study of basic art skills, which must be demonstrated in order to achieve in this course. All students will study Elements and Principals of Design, historical and Contemporary Developments in Art, and Reasoned Criticism of Artistic work. personal growth will be encouraged through the development of individual portfolio images done through a variety of media. This course introduces students to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Students will also make connections between works of art and their historical contexts.
BIG IDEAS:
Fine Arts involves the study of basic art skills, which must be demonstrated in order to achieve in this course. All students will study Elements and Principals of Design, historical and Contemporary Developments in Art, and Reasoned Criticism of Artistic work. personal growth will be encouraged through the development of individual portfolio images done through a variety of media. This course introduces students to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Students will also make connections between works of art and their historical contexts.
BIG IDEAS:
- Identity is explored,expressed and impacted through visual arts experiences.
- The visual arts provide opportunities to gain insights into perspectives and experiences of people from a variety of times, places, and cultures
- Art experiences can build community and nurture relations with others.
- The visual arts use a unique sensory language for creating and communicating.
