Options Courses

École Charlie Killam offers exceptional programming in many different Options to our Grade 6, 7 and 8 students. 

Our Grade 6 students all participate in Art, Band, and French as a Second Language courses throughout the year. 

Our Grade 7 and 8 students are given the opportunity to explore many different possible areas of interest throughout their time at ÉCKS.

The programs offered to students include many different Fine Arts offerings, including a creative and exploratory Art program, our award-winning Band program, and a Drama program that has staged large performances at the Lougheed Centre. 

Along with these courses, students also have the chance to participate in Leadership, JAM, Fitness, French as a Second Language, STEM and Outdoor Education courses.  Students also have the choice to attend École Camrose Composite School for CTS courses.  

Art

Grade 7

The junior high art program focuses on fourmajor components of visual learning;

  • Drawings, which include recording, investigating, communicating, evaluating and discussing aspects through making images (right brain focus activities). Introduction to value, scale, and perspective.
  • Compositions, which deal with the creation of images (color compositions, painting, sketching, clay work, designs, and computer artwork).  Introduction to basic color wheel and blending.
  • Instruction in 3 Dimensional modeling
  • Encounters, which involve looking at images and observing the transformations through time and impact of such images (artwork, art type, history)

All students are encouraged to present completed projects in matted form for display purposes.  It is expected that students will advance their skills through a studio experience and will learn to work in a variety of different media.

The grade seven program establishes a foundation for further development in upcoming grades.  Although special abilities are not required to participate in and enjoy the art program, students must display an effort to advance their skills and enthusiasm in all projects undertaken.

 Grade 8

Projects will involve drawing and shading with pencil, charcoal and pastel. Students will have the opportunity to draw and paint a variety of still life pictures. They will create caricatures (cartoons of famous people) and realistic portraits. There will also be opportunity to work with watercolor and acrylic paint. Students will create miniature paintings of famous art work, study landscape art and artists, create landscape painting in acrylic, complete projects using clay, and build junk sculptures.

Drama

Grade 7

The junior high drama program focuses on five major components:  orientation skills, movement, improvisation, speech, and theatre studies.

In grade seven the emphasis is placed on building concentration, confidence and working co-operatively with others. Students work individually, in pairs and in groups.  Drama is expected to be a fun and productive environment that fosters respect and cooperation. 

Possible units for exploration include:

  • Orientation – introduction to basic skills, concepts and attitudes, theatre games and trust exercise.
  • Movement – mime unit, tableau unit
  • Speech – the exploration of speech to meet the demands of communication (reader's theatre, poetry, monologues, and puppetry)
  • Improvisation – spontaneous or planned

Grade 8

The junior high program focuses on five major components: orientation skills, movement, improvisation, speech, and theatre studies.

In grade eight emphasis is placed on building concentration, confidence and working cooperatively with others. Students work individually, in pairs, and in groups. Drama is expected to be a fun and productive environment that fosters respect and cooperation.

Possible units for exploration include:

  • Orientation/Refresher – introduction to basic skills, concepts and attitudes, theatre games, and trust exercises.
  • Speech – the exploration of speech to meet the demands of communication (reader's theatre, poetry, masks, and monologues)
  • Improvisation – spontaneous or planned
  • Theatre Studies – an appreciation to the historical and cultural art form.
  • Final Class Project

Fitness

Fitness 7 and 8 is designed to help students gain knowledge of the theory and practice of lifetime physical fitness, health enhancement, and recreational sports.  This course will provide each student with a firm understanding of the value of physical fitness, wellness, and sport in a well-balanced lifestyle through in-depth study and practical applications.

A typical class consists of a high-intensity workout and follows with a recreational sport activity.

French as a Second Language (FSL)

As one of Canada's two official languages, FSL is taught in Alberta's English-language school boards. Students have significant advantages when they speak more than one language. Learning another language helps students:

  • strengthen their problem-solving, reasoning and creative thinking skills
  • develop their understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures
  • increase their competitiveness in an increasingly global job market
  • enhance their first-language and overall literacy skills

In addition to providing a foundation for the learning of additional languages and the potential for more opportunities to participate in an increasingly globalized economy, learning FSL helps Alberta students to understand Canada's history and to develop an appreciation of French culture.

JAM

What’s your JAM? JAM is a class where students explore their interests and passions by developing and creating projects. Students choose something they want to create, make or learn more about and then design a project to do just that.  Students have choreographed and performed dances, painted canvases, done science experiments, learned news skills such as crocheting. Students have also created animations, moulded clay into animals, structures and even a volcano. Other students chose to learn more about a topic they were passionate about, creating informative and intriguing presentations for their classmates. What about you: Have ideas?  Interests to explore? Challenges to meet?  Here’s your chance! Let’s get your JAM on.

Leadership

The Leadership program at Ecole Charlie Killam School  is an interactive process of engagement designed to provide opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and foster good citizenship. The Leadership program is based on the following pillars: Service, Collaboration & Communication, Innovation and Endeavor,  Respect, Relationships and Courage.

Leadership is designed for students who are prepared to investigate and develop their leadership potential through participation and planning of activities and service projects within the context of school and community.

Music

The ÉCKS Music program has a long and successful history, both locally and on the provincial stage. Bands from École Charlie Killam have been recognized with provincial awards for excellence every year, and have been awarded provincial awards on a number of occasions. The band program features a compulsory introductory element in grade six, followed by optional course selection for grades seven and eight. In addition, there are a number of extracurricular groups such as the Jazz Ensemble, Chorus, and smaller ensembles. Students are encouraged to participate in all performing groups as interest warrants. 

The bands participate in concerts, field trips, camps, and clinics by professional musicians. In addition, each group has a year-end culminating activity. Grade 6 has an honour band trip to the Provincial Festival. Grade 7 Band members are treated to a three day music camp at Camp Nakamun, and the Grade 8 Band has a year end concert tour to B.C. The band program enjoys excellent support from the community and is a perennial popular highlight of  École Charlie Killam’s course offerings

 

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Outdoor Education

The content covered in this course is designed to provide students with a greater understanding of the practical applications surrounding Outdoor Education. Using both an academic and practical/activity-based approach, students will explore outcomes in a safe, educational and fun environment. Decision-making skills will be emphasized. These include personal, group and societal decisions and involve students in examining the personal and interpersonal consequences of their actions, as well as the importance of their relationship with the environment.

Some of the possible activities in Outdoor Ed are:

  • Archery
  • Canoeing 
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Fire starting 
  • Knot tying
  • Mountain biking
  • Orienteering
  • Outdoor games

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM provides students with an opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills, through the use of the Engineering Design process, while exploring a variety of topics related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In STEM students will complete a variety of challenges that encourage them to think critically and problem solve. They will also spend time learning basic coding skills, which are an increasingly valuable commodity in today’s technological society. Other highlights include developing and testing battlebots using Sphero robots, LEGO Prime Education, and creating stop motion animation films.