Grade 7-9
February 22, 2012
RE: NEW ELECTIVE AND FINE ARTS SIGN UP PROCEDURES
Dear Parents of grade 6-9 students;
In order to create a more efficient elective sign up process, a new registration system will be implemented for Term 3. Elective sign up will now take place through the ‘Family Zone’ of the CSS website at:http://fz.calgaryscienceschool.com/myhome/familyoptions.asp
Students in grade 6 will select one of the four electives offered and one fine arts course (either Drama/Dance or Art, as Band is compulsory for all grade 6 students) from the options provided. Grades 7 to 9 students may select one of the twelve electives and one of the three fine arts courses listed. You may preview the course descriptions prior to the sign up launch by visiting the link above. Each course has a maximum number of students permitted and will reject attempts to register once the capacity has been reached. If this occurs, students must then choose another elective or fine arts course . Unless otherwise indicated, students are not to sign up for an elective they have already taken this year. It is understood that within this ‘first come-first served’ system, not all students will get their first choice, however as many of the elective offerings are repeated from year to year, students will receive preferred courses over time. Elective and fine arts registration for Term 3 will open at 6 pm on Thursday March 1, 2012. Parents are encouraged to participate in the selection of elective and fine arts courses through this process in order to be aware of the optional courses being taken.
If you do not have Internet access to complete the sign up procedure, please contact Phil Butterfield at 403-282-2890 ext. 116 to make alternative arrangements for course selection. Please direct any inquiries or comments concerning this new process to phil.b@calgaryscienceschool.com.
Thank you,
Phil Butterfield
Assistant Principal
Introduction to Digital Photography and Scrapbooking – Mrs. Nelson
(max. 25)
In this elective, students will learn
the basic functions of a digital camera. We will discuss composition techniques
used to give pictures an artistic touch. Once students have taken some photos,
they will use software such as iPhoto or Fireworks to make basic changes to
their photos. Students will learn some of the techniques used in Scrapbooking
in order to create a Scrapbook of their best photos.
Foods and Nutrition -
Mr. Scott (max. 24)
Would you like to
know more about healthy eating and how to prepare nutritious foods? Then
this elective is for you. With an increased emphasis on health and diet
these days, we will take an in-depth look at the Canada Food Guide and design
snacks and easy-to-prepare foods around it.
Weird Science - Mr.
Hoyt-Hallett (max. 30)
Weird
Science was designed to allow inquisitive CSS students to explore the fun and
fascinating side of chemical reactions in a safe and educational way. Students
were given the opportunity to research, design, and perfect their own
experiments in the lab, while making sure they had a deeper scientific
appreciation for what each experiment was all about. The term will culminate
with each group presenting their experiments to the class and explaining the
scientific principles upon which they are based.
Game Design – Mr.
Kutcher (max. 32)
Flash
is a powerful tool allowing designers to create interactive animations, movies,
and websites without delving too deeply into programming. For those interested
in the artistic aspects of Flash we will look at various techniques to bring
life and vitality to your animations.
For those more interested in Flash’s potential as a game platform, we
will dig into Flash’s programming language and create some prototype games
along the way.
This
class in Flash is geared for a variety of skill levels so whether you have
never turned on the program or are already an experienced Flash user, you will
find someone willing to help you. So, turn on those computers and get creative.
Let Flash bring your imagination to life.
Paper Crafts – Mrs. Leland (max. 30)
Many cultures have for years
created various works of art using paper.
Folding, cutting, twisting, and shaping of paper has been a recognized
pastime in cultures around the world.
Come and explore the various paper arts and create beautiful works of
your own. We will be exploring
Origami or Chinese paper folding; Kiragami or Japanese paper cutting, Quilling
or shaping pictures and words with paper strips and torn tissue art.
UCreate – Ms. Pereverzoff (max. 25)
Have you ever had a creative or innovative idea for a product or
business? Have you ever looked for an app online and realized that it just
didn’t exist? Have you ever said to yourself, “This idea would make me
millions!!!!”?
From the fashion industry to the sports and electronic gaming
industry, there is money to be made. But how to these ideas turn into
money??? Well, if any of these thoughts have ever crossed your
mind, than this elective is for you!! In this elective, you will have the
opportunity to create a product, business, and/or app from the ground up. You
will start with an idea, and work your way to a finished product that you will
market to potential investors. If you enjoy thinking outside the box and have
ever wondered how ideas are shaped into successful business ventures, sign up today!
Outdoor Education Elective – Mr. Cadman (max. 25)
There are
three goals in this elective:
One: build hard
skills that will allow participants to go into the outdoors with increased
skill and confidence. These skills will be developed by direct involvement in
activities such as shelter building, fire starting, climbing, cycling and bike
maintenance.
Two: to develop in
participants a growing sense of ecological/environmental stewardship.
As part of
this elective you will choose an Action Project that you will plan, implement
and execute in our school or greater community over the course of the
term.
Three: provide
students with an opportunity to experience outdoor leadership and build on soft
skill that will hopefully see participants becoming confident and capable
outdoor trip leaders in the future. Students will have the opportunity to teach
fellow students and lead others in scenario or on short outdoor excursions.
Four: Get outside,
and love it!
Two 2x4’s – Mr. McWilliam (max. 20)
Students will use their creativity and engineering skills to
create something from two 2x4 pieces of wood. Where necessary, students will be
given 1x4 if they plan to rip the 2x4 vertically. 2x2, 1x2 and 1x3 are also
available should a student project require it to save on difficult cuts. A plan
will be presented showing the wood required, cuts, fasteners and finishing. The
final product will be up to the students, but all will participate in the
planning, drafting, and creation of the final product. Students will need to
create a model of their wood-working piece using computer software (Google
Sketchup likely). It will need to be realistic and consideration to the
available tools and fasteners must be evident before fabrication. Students will
also attend an orientation on the workshop tools available. Once fabricated
students may use a finish or polish to complete the work.
First Aid – Mr. Cheng
(max. 20)
Upon
successful completion of the standard first aid course, students will be
provided with a certificate of proficiency. Among the skills to be taught
are the ABC's of emergency care, how to safely survey a scene, and give
students confidence in acting in emergency situations. This hands on
approach will give students practical experience in basic first aid.
Film and Lit
Studies – Monsters (max. 50)
This
term in Film and Lit Studies we will study the idea of monsters! Where do they
come from? Where and in what context do they fit in history? What is their
purpose? Why do they affect us the way they do? Monsters, by their very nature
are scary, so there will be a few frightening moments this term. As you can see
by our film list, however, we are not studying extreme horror, and Mr. Sonico
and Miss Groeller always preview content beforehand to ensure suitability for
the class. In addition to the questions and topics listed above, we will also
be examining how the filmmakers and writers create a suspenseful and
frightening film. You will also have the opportunity to create your very
own monster, and explain why it is monstrous in today’s society. A complete
list of movies that may be viewed in this course is available on Mr. Sonico’s
website: http://ksonico.blogspot.com/.
Get Dramatically Made Up - Mrs. Waite (max. 30)
