 |
   |
 |
      |
|
|
 |
|
|
Academic Course Descriptions
All courses offered in our Academic Programs are
BC Ministry of Education approved courses and
follow the curriculum guidelines as outlined by
the Ministry.
For detailed course descriptions and outlines,
please go to the Ministry of Education Curriculum
listings at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/irp.htm
Take Computer
Foundations,
Computers for Employment
or Business
Computers for free!
English
Mathematics
Sciences
Humanities
Electives
Computers & Business
Art & Media Arts
Carpentry
Physical Education
Leadership
Sustainable Resources 12: Agriculture
Pace Musical Theatre
Accounting
Online Learning Strategies
English
Communications 12 (COM12)
Develop your English skills through a variety of reading and writing activities including: journaling, grammar practice, letter writing, reviews of books, poetry and movies, and a book report. Students who have experienced difficulty in English are encouraged to take Communications 12 before attempting English 12. Accepted as an English credit for graduation, but not accepted for post-secondary entrance. Provincial exam.
Available evenings or online
English 12 (EN12)
Prerequisite: EN11 or COM12 or placement assessment
Develop critical thinking as an application to literary analysis. English 12 covers four major units: short story, poetry, essay writing and Shakespeare. Provincial exam.
Available days, evenings or online
Mathematics
Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10 (AWM10)
This course provides students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills for entry into the majority of trades and for direct entry into the work force. Topics include algebra, geometry, measurement, number, statistics and probability.
Available in Jump Ahead grade 10 program
Essentials of Mathematics 11 (EMA11)
This mathematics course provides students with numeracy skills relevant to daily living. Learn practical applications such as measuring and geometry, banking, budgeting, problem solving, income tax, and purchasing. This math does not prepare students for Principles of Math 11.
Available in Fast Forward Program, evenings or online.
Foundations of Math and Pre-calculus 10 (FMP10)
This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understanding and critical-thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies that require the study of theoretical calculus. Topics include financial mathematics, geometry, measurement, relations and functions, logical reasoning, statistics and probability.
Available days and evenings or online
Applications of Mathematics 11 (AMA11)
Apply practical problem solving strategies to collect and solve practical financial and physical data. Learn to measure and calculate the dimensions of various angles and shapes.
Available online
Principles of Mathematics 11 (MA11)
Prerequisite: Principles
of Math 10 or Foundations in Math and Pre-calculus
in past 3 years or placement test.
Topics include quadratic and polynomial functions, geometry and trigonometry. This course meets academic graduation and post-secondary requirements. A graphing calculator is recommended.
Available days, evenings or online
Accounting 11 (AC11)
Knowledge of the theoretical aspects of accounting forms a sound basis for understanding financial record keeping. Businesses communicate information about their financial situations to a wide audience,
including owners, creditors, and shareholders. Many people use this information as they work in businesses or operate their own enterprises. Learning the concepts, principles, and procedures in accounting can be applied globally to business as well as providing a solid basis for managing personal finances.
In this entry level accounting, you will learn:
- the relationship between debit and credit entries
- the relationships among assets, liabilities, and owner's equity
- the relationships among journals, ledgers, trial balances, and financial statements in the accounting cycl
e
- to record a variety of transactions in a general journal
- the double-entry accounting system
- how to set up and post to a ledger
- to use software to create financial statements
- to prepare trial balances and financial statements from worksheets, both manually and electronically
- to prepare reports using worksheets, post-closing trial balances, income statements, and balance sheets
- to assess the current and projected financial strength of a business using financial statements
Available evenings
Principles of Mathematics 12 (MA12)
Prerequisite: Principles of Math 11 in past 3 years or placement test.
Topics include: advanced algebra and geometry, graphing, trigonometric functions. Graphing calculator is required. This course meets entrance requirements for sciences and math into post-secondary. Provincial exam.
Available evenings semester 2 only
Sciences
Chemistry 11 (CH11)
Recommended: Principles of Math 10
Examine the periodic table, elements, chemical reactions, interpreting equations, molar calculations and organic chemistry.
Available classroom or online
Physics 11 (PH11)
Recommended: Principles of Math 11
Examine motion and force, Newton’s laws, wave theory, kinematics, dynamics, nuclear physics and special relativity.
Available evenings (semester 1) or online
Biology 12 (BI12)
Recommended: Science 10 or equivalent
Look at molecular and cellular structure. Examine human anatomy and physiology. Provincial exam.
Available days, evenings or online
Physics 12 (PH12)
Prerequisite: Physics 11
Use vector analysis to determine velocities, displacement, and time placement. Determine relationships between variables. Provincial exam.
Available online with tutorial support
Chemistry 12 (CH12)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 11
Identify and analyze reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, solubility, acid and base reactions. Provincial exam. Participation in classroom experiments recommended.
Available online
Humanities
Social Studies 11 (SS11)
Develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be Canadian. Gain a historical perspective on key issues – economical, political, legal, cultural, social and environmental – that have shaped Canada. Provincial exam.
Available in Jump Ahead and Fast Forward programs and online
Physical Education
Physical Education 10, 11, 12
In this course, students will explore the environment around them to achieve a healthy lifestyle. As a group, students head out and take part in a variety of fun and non-competitive activities such as cycling, rowing and yoga. Students will have an opportunity to analyze their current lifestyle and leave with new experiences and options for future healthy living activities.
PE10 available paper-based
PE 12 available Wed pm
Electives
Leadership 12
Leadership is a year long course designed for students wishing to develop leadership and organizational skills. Public speaking, leadership styles, methods and theory are part of this course. Students will organize school events and at least one major activity. This course is designed to give students an awareness of social and civic responsibility and an understanding of effective styles and methods of leadership. Many volunteer activities and projects will run outside of the timetable throughout the year. This is a tremendous opportunity for students who want to contribute to the life of the school and community.
Available on Friday mornings (semester 2)
Computer Foundations
Information Technology 10
This course is for anyone who has little or no computer experience. Learn about today’s technology and how to use it. Topics include:
- Understanding computer hardware and software.
- Accessing information through E-mail and the Internet.
- Using Windows and Word to create a variety of documents.
- Using Multimedia software, including scanning and digital photos.
Improve your keyboarding, learn to how to save on CD’s and other drives, scan and send photos and create simple web pages. Expect some homework.
Non-grads will receive credit for a grade 10 applied skills.
Available after school (3:30 - 5:30 pm) Tuesdays & Thursdays
Computers for Employment
Business Information Management 12
This course focuses on communication and presentation skills for the workplace. Learn word processing and desktop publishing skills to create letters, memos and brochures. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding and practice ethical and productive records management skills. (4-credit grade 12) Topics include:
- Standard record management procedures to meet employment standards.
- Communication methods and strategies as applied to fax, email, telephone, written document.
- Use the Internet to research business information and summarize with a presentation.
This course includes a number of projects and assignments that will be assigned as out of class work. Students who do not have access to a computer or the Internet at home can make arrangements for computer access in the Learning Support Room.
Available Wednesday evenings
Business Computers 12
Data Management 12
Learn to use email and the Internet to complete business tasks. Create documents with Word and Excel. Learn to apply desktop publishing and presentation software in various business situations.
Topics include:
- Computer Basics: Includes file management, Windows, and customizing the desktop and control panel.
- Word processing: Learn to use Word to create and edit documents. Apply and remove text enhancements, margins, tabs, bullets and headers and footers.
- Internet Basics: Learn to navigate the Internet and use email.
- Spreadsheets: learn to format and edit a spreadsheet. Understand spreadsheet functions and formulas.
- PowerPoint and Desktop Publishing: Create slide presentations and compose newsletters and posters.
Expect some homework. Non-grads will receive credit for a grade 12 applied skills.
Available Saturday mornings
Introduction to Carpentry, Carpentry & Joinery 11 & 12
Hands-on and project-based. The aim of this course is to learn by doing. Students in this course will construct a variety of projects, for both the Teaching Garden and members of the community. Projects will include a potting shed, garden sheds and a cabin for Ragley Farms. Students learn workplace safety and basic carpentry and joinery skills under the guidance of experienced instructors. Projects are constructed at the WestShore Annex site then relocated and reassembled offsite. Students will have the opportunity to receive certification in WHMIS, First Aid, & CSTS
Available days - Wednesdays and Fridays
Sustainable Resources 12 - Agriculture
Food is a rich, powerful, sustainability issue. We all need to eat, but what we eat, how we produce food, and how we bring food to our tables, are each complex environmental, economic and social issues with local and international consequences. Learning how to support local agriculture and grow foods of one's own can be a powerful way to improve our impact on air, climate, water and land, while also nurturing community and keeping knowledge of what sustains us in our hands.
The course would explore theoretical and practical aspects of agriculture and sustainability. It would be designed for students requiring a grade 12 credit to graduate with an interest in sustainable resource use, and anyone with an interest in learning more about sustainable agricultural practices and issues.
Topics include:
- History of agricultural land use in southern Vancouver Island (including Aboriginal uses).
- Past and present legislation affecting agricultural land use.
- Industrial vs Local Food System - Implications for sustainability
- Food and health
- Shopping locally - farmer's markets and community supported agriculture
- Growing locally - planning a garden
- Fertilizing the ground - building soil, waste reduction and compost
- Organic growing methods - natural pest controls, crop rotation and companion planting
- Seeds and biotechnology
- Seed propagation
- Preparing and preserving foods
- Native plant gardening
Students will have the opportunity for hands-on practical work in the WestShore Teaching Gardens.
Available days - Wednesdays and Fridays
Art / Media Arts
First Nations Art 11 / 12
This project-focused course explores the diversity of First Nations art forms and design using a variety of mediums. Create and construct images and artifacts that reflect personal and family context. Learn to identify and distinguish various First Nations art styles and understand the ethics of First Nations art ownership and appropriation. Guest instructors from the local art community will provide their experience and guidance throughout the course.
Available days - Wednesdays & Fridays
Digital Media Arts 11 & 12
Newspaper
Design, create and present images through various media arts forms. Learn a variety of software programs in both the PC and Mac environments and the operation of digital equipment. Learn the fundamentals of desktop publishing and image manipulation. Apply this knowledge to create a monthly newsletter and other multimedia projects.
Available days - Wednesdays (semester 1)
Visual & Media Arts 12
Yearbook & Video
Hands-on and fun. Inspire your imagination and others. Learn the safe operation and care for technical equipment, including video and digital still cameras. Explore software programs (both MAC and PC) to create slideshows, videos, music compilations and the school yearbook. Gain an appreciation of the processes required to convey messages using digital mediums and develop the technical skills to increase media literacy.
Available days - Wednesdays (semester 2)
PACE Musical Theatre 10, 11, 12
Musical Theatre combines three different art forms - Dance, Drama and Music.
Students receive high quality instruction in Dance, Drama and Voice from instructors who are experts in their field. This course is a broad overview of the history, styles, works and artists of the musical theatre genre. Students will rehearse and perform selections from musicals representing a variety of genres and time periods. They will be familiar with the history, styles, works and artists of the musical theatre genre.
Students may take this for credit in grades 10, 11 and/or 12. The production always uses a Revue format. The show numbers will be chosen from different musical theatre genres and eras each year, to ensure that over a three year period, students will develop an extensive repertoire of material covering many different theatre styles.
- Musical Theatre 10 will focus on ensemble production numbers.
- Musical Theatre 11 will focus on smaller group ensembles.
- Musical Theatre 12 will focus on solo and small group numbers.
Available Sundays (1:00 - 8:00 pm)
Evening performances mandatory
Transitions for Graduation
Graduation Transitions replaces the Graduation Portfolio Assessment requirement found in the original 2004 graduation program. All BC secondary school students who are enrolled in Grade 10, 11 or 12 as of September 1, 2007, and beyond must demonstrate they have met the following requirements for:
- Personal Health - maintain a personal health plan and participate in at least 80 hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity, in addition to PE10.
- Community Connections - participate in at least 30 hours of work experience and/or community service and describe what was learned.
- Career and Life - complete a transition plan and present significant accomplishments. Students can receive assistance with the completion of the Transitions for Graduation. Speak to our academic advisor for more details.
Online Learning Strategies
Online Learning Strategies provides the students with efficient navigational skills specific to WebCT, the personal computer skills and the study skills needed to work independently in an online course. The course empowers the student to begin the Ministry authorized online course(s) selected to complete their graduation program with confidence in technology which enables the student to focus on completing course outcomes. The course also provides the students with a unique skill-set that, once mastered, can be applied to any additional Ministry-authorized courses selected to be completed in an online delivery method. The delivery method is a combination of teacher-directed support while completing each unit of the course online in WebCT.
Online Learning Strategies covers 4 key units:
- Learning online
- Personal computer file management skills
- Scheduling & study skills
- Assessment
This course is scheduled to be completed over a maximum two-week timeframe. Students can challenge the assessment to progress more quickly. Students may choose to take these sections in any order and can complete the Online Learning Strategies online or attend teacher-directed sessions on Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm or Fridays, 9:00 -11:00 am.
Assessments / Orientations are held every second Wednesday, from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.
Students must demonstrate mastery at all levels before going on to their Ministry-authorized online course.
Additional subject choices are available delivered as online or paper-based courses without tutorials.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
