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 8/9
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.
Socials 11
Socials 11 will examine the key historical events that helped shaped the world during the 20th Century. This course will explore big questions investigating how we gain a sense of identity through influences and world issues. We will also look at factors such as religion, government, geography, technology, trade, and the changes each generate on our overall national identity. We will learn to assess the subjective nature of historical narrative and will be required and encouraged to recognize bias, weigh evidence, and evaluate arguments. When combined with proper essay writing, citation, and thought formulation, this course will prepare students to make informed, independent judgments of 20th century humanity, while expressing their opinions effectively.
Socials 12
Socials 12 will investigate how global spheres of influence have progressed through the course of the 20th Century, creating the foundations for what we experience today. We will look at factors such as religion, nationalism, geography, technology, trade, war, social equality, and the changes each generate on our overall sense of global identity. Special attention to grammar, structure, citation, and research methods (such as choosing, locating, and extracting information) will remain present throughout the year.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard
Socials 8/9
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.
Socials 11
Socials 11 will examine the key historical events that helped shaped the world during the 20th Century. This course will explore big questions investigating how we gain a sense of identity through influences and world issues. We will also look at factors such as religion, government, geography, technology, trade, and the changes each generate on our overall national identity. We will learn to assess the subjective nature of historical narrative and will be required and encouraged to recognize bias, weigh evidence, and evaluate arguments. When combined with proper essay writing, citation, and thought formulation, this course will prepare students to make informed, independent judgments of 20th century humanity, while expressing their opinions effectively.
Socials 12
Socials 12 will investigate how global spheres of influence have progressed through the course of the 20th Century, creating the foundations for what we experience today. We will look at factors such as religion, nationalism, geography, technology, trade, war, social equality, and the changes each generate on our overall sense of global identity. Special attention to grammar, structure, citation, and research methods (such as choosing, locating, and extracting information) will remain present throughout the year.
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
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin
Integral to all English Language Art courses is the notion of text creation. Through text creation, students are able to develop their thinking, both creatively and analytically. By responding to what we study, we learn and demonstrate what we know. Students will create a variety of responses, including personal responses to text, critical and analytical responses to literature and other print and non-print texts by using a variety of print and non-print forms including prose (factual and fictional, informative and persuasive), poetry, script and multimedia presentation.
Language Arts 8/9
Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy. Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives. Texts are socially, culturally, and historically constructed. Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens. Throughout the English Language Arts 8/9 course, we will study the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Language Arts 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 and struggle affect the human spirit? What causes conflict? What strategies work best to avoid or resolve conflict? Via this exploration we may notice that individuals often overcome and persevere in the face of struggle or adversity. What is it about people that allows this to happen? 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.
Language Arts 11
Learning about one’s self and one’s place in society is a long and arduous task. What is the true nature of humanity? What is the human condition? How do people fit into their world? What do people need to know to be successful? Or better yet, what is success and who determines this? This course will explore some answers to these questions. Throughout the English Language Arts 11 course we will study the human condition through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Language Arts 12
This year we will explore the nature of internal conflict. Conflict is central to the human condition. External conflicts are part of the narrative of our daily lives, but how do individuals deal with internal conflict? What types of internal strife must one come to grips with and navigate in order to secure their existence? Throughout the English Language Arts 12 course we will study how individuals come to grips and respond to internal conflict through the study of novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin
Integral to all English Language Art courses is the notion of text creation. Through text creation, students are able to develop their thinking, both creatively and analytically. By responding to what we study, we learn and demonstrate what we know. Students will create a variety of responses, including personal responses to text, critical and analytical responses to literature and other print and non-print texts by using a variety of print and non-print forms including prose (factual and fictional, informative and persuasive), poetry, script and multimedia presentation.
Language Arts 8/9
Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy. Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives. Texts are socially, culturally, and historically constructed. Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens. Throughout the English Language Arts 8/9 course, we will study the nature of conflict through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Language Arts 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 and struggle affect the human spirit? What causes conflict? What strategies work best to avoid or resolve conflict? Via this exploration we may notice that individuals often overcome and persevere in the face of struggle or adversity. What is it about people that allows this to happen? 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.
Language Arts 11
Learning about one’s self and one’s place in society is a long and arduous task. What is the true nature of humanity? What is the human condition? How do people fit into their world? What do people need to know to be successful? Or better yet, what is success and who determines this? This course will explore some answers to these questions. Throughout the English Language Arts 11 course we will study the human condition through novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual and multimedia text.
Language Arts 12
This year we will explore the nature of internal conflict. Conflict is central to the human condition. External conflicts are part of the narrative of our daily lives, but how do individuals deal with internal conflict? What types of internal strife must one come to grips with and navigate in order to secure their existence? Throughout the English Language Arts 12 course we will study how individuals come to grips and respond to internal conflict through the study of novels, short stories, essays, poetry, Shakespearean drama and visual 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
BIG IDEAS
“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.
BIG IDEAS
- Many functions are related through inverse operations.
- Analyzing the characteristics of functions allows us to solve equations, and model and understand relationships.
- Transformations of shapes extend to functions in all of their representations.
- Geometric thinking and visualization can be used to explore conics and functions.
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.
