Language, ART, and Literacy
THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE, ART, AND LITERACY.
Language is the basis for thinking, communicating, learning, and viewing the world. Students need language skills in order to comprehend ideas and information, to interact socially, to inquire into areas of interest and study, and to express themselves clearly and demonstrate their learning. Learning to communicate with clarity and precision will help students to thrive in the world beyond school. Language is a fundamental element of identity and culture. As students read and reflect on a rich variety of literary, informational, and media texts, they develop a deeper under-standing of themselves and others and of the world around them. If they see themselves and others in the texts they study, they will be more engaged in learning and they will also come to appreciate the nature and value of a diverse, multicultural society. They will develop the ability to understand and critically interpret a range of texts and to recognize that a text conveys one particular perspective among many.
Curricular Based English class
Grade 1-3
Focuses on the foundational knowledge and skills that students need in order to establish a strong basis for language development.These include students’ oral language, prior knowledge and experience, understanding of con-cepts about print, phonemic awareness, understanding of letter-sound relationships, vocabulary knowledge, semantic and syntactic awareness, higher-order thinking skills, and capacity for metacognition.
Grade 4-6
Focuses on students’ ability to use their knowledge and skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing to understand,critically analyse, and communicate a broad range of information and ideas from and about their multicultural, multimedia environment.
Grade 7-8
Focuses on the consolidation of students’ language knowledge, skills, and strategies and their ability to use them independently and effec-tively to understand, reflect on, apply, and communicate information and ideas.
Grade 9-12
• Apply critical creative thinking skills to everyday situations
• Identify and analyse different biases and opinions from historical and contemporary genres
• Communicate effectively for the intended audience
• Use a variety of sources from audio-visuals aids to support oral presentations
• Intended as a preparation course for those going to university or entering the work force
French Class
Goal of the class
• Read and discuss the author’s point of view from francophone literature from different genres
• Engage in formal and informal French conversations
• Use figurative language in a written stories
• Research, draft, edit, and publish a formal research paper with emphasis on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and
conventions of style
• Correct spoken language using nouns, pronouns, and verbs
English as a second language class (ESL)
Goal of the class
• Use English to communicate effectively in a variety of social settings;
• Use English to achieve academically in all subject areas;
• Take charge of their own learning, independently and in groups;
• Select and use effective learning strategies;
• Integrate confidently into mainstream courses;
• Use English effectively to advocate for themselves in all areas of their lives;
• Make a successful transition to their chosen post-secondary destination (work, apprenticeship, college, university);
• Function effectively in a society increasingly committed to the use of information technology;
• Use critical-literacy and critical-thinking skills to interpret the world around them;
• Participate fully in the social, economic, political, and cultural life of their communities and of Canada.
MAndarin Class
Why Mandarin?
One fifth of the planet speaks Chinese.
Mandarin Chinese is the mother tongue of over 873 million people, making it the most widely spoken first language in the world.
China is the second largest economy in the world.
Mandarin is important for your career,International businesses prefer to hire people who speak more than one language. China has become a huge market, and business leaders are looking for people who can speak Chinese and operate successfully in a Chinese cultural context.
Class Options:
• Chinese Phonics – Prerequisite for Standard Mandarin
• Standard Mandarin for Mandarin-speakers
• Happy Mandarin for Non-Mandarin speakers
• Mandarin for Parents – available in different levels
• Creative Mandarin – Chinese Sinology class