Options Courses

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.

This course is designed to introduce students to the captivating world of film, exploring various genres, techniques, and the art of storytelling through visual media. Throughout the semester, students will have the opportunity to critically analyze films, discuss their impact on society, and develop a deeper appreciation for the power of cinema as an art form. Films studied during this course have an Alberta rating of either G or PG.

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.

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.

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.

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 & Math - The goal of STEM is to instill a sense of curiosity into the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students will engage in meaningful, life-applicable, and most importantly fun activities that will expose them to careers in various STEM fields. We are nearing the end of our mini challenges in our Engineering Design Process unit. The second unit is coding. Students will be introduced to the basics of writing code. The final unit is robotics. Students will be working to learn the basics of how to program robots to complete a specific task.