Grade 10 (Sec. IV)
The English Language Arts program promotes the love of learning by encouraging students to deepen their appreciation of literature and their understanding of language encountered in media texts. Students engage in an open and respectful discussion of a wide range of ideas, including major ethical and moral dilemmas faced by humankind. The choice of literature and the topics of discussion and debate encourage intellectual development and a habit of reflection. All writing forms, both analytical and creative, are practiced. Emphasis continues to be placed on vocabulary development. The fundamentals of language are reviewed as required.
This course enables students to develop a thorough understanding of the theoretical, historical, and social underpinnings of social justice issues by analyzing both Catholic Social Teaching as well as the religious philosophies of Plains First Nations Spirituality, Hinduism, Sikhism, Shinto and Islam. This foreground will allow students to analyze strategies and build frameworks by which to bring about positive social change. Students will learn about historical and contemporary social justice issues while fostering an appreciation for the world’s religious traditions. A core objective of this course is to develop a link between Catholic Social Teaching and the concept of Social Justice in many of the world’s religious traditions.
Students are encouraged to adopt a positive attitude towards language and culture and to acquire a mastery of written and spoken French. They are encouraged to reflect on language and become aware of its role in learning, structuring their thoughts and developing their imagination. They are invited to discover the pleasure of mastering the French language and to understand the cultures it conveys in order to better situate themselves in the linguistic and cultural diversity of the contemporary world.
In high school, students learn to pay increasing attention to the interaction between the various communication elements of a situation and their impact on the meaning of texts. They increase their understanding of the intention behind texts they hear, read or watch, which helps them understand the meaning. They also learn to communicate their message effectively in a framework of authentic, varied and meaningful communication situations.
In high school, students deepen the skills acquired previously, and develop further knowledge of the language, learning in increasingly varied contexts where they must demonstrate increasing autonomy. In addition to enriching their vocabulary and their repertoire of cultural symbols through diverse current and literary texts of increasing complexity, they develop their ability to make use of situation-specific knowledge as well as French phonetics and grammar. They also learn to use a system that allows them to develop their skills in French and their competencies by interacting, reading or writing texts in that language.
The History of Quebec and Canada program focuses on the characterization and interpretation of various distinguishing features and events that molded Quebec and Canadian society. Through primary source interpretation and analysis, students will examine how society is rooted in its institutions, historical actors, and the social groups that are part of our nation.
Cultural, Social & Technical Option (CST): The algebra component will analyze situations related to economics, social issues, and technical or scientific contexts of everyday life. It includes understanding real numbers, algebraic expressions, dependency relationships of real functions, and the solving of problems with systems of linear relations. The geometry explores spatial sense and the relationships in triangles. The statistics portion focuses on understanding statistical reports of one-variable and two-variable distributions, using appropriate tools, and making decisions related to these situations.
Science Option: The Science Option Math course is designed to challenge the students to manipulate algebraic expressions and solve equations and inequalities. They will be introduced to different functions throughout the course and learn to model real-life situations with the help of patterns and functions. Another branch of mathematics that is covered in this course is analytic geometry, where students will extend their knowledge of geometry within the Cartesian plane. Students will then explore the rational side of mathematics as they learn to form mathematical arguments and proofs. The study of triangles and trigonometry is also an important element of the Science Option Math course. Lastly, the students will explore statistics, where they will look to see if two variables are correlated and if the data trends towards a linear pattern.
This course supports academic skills, social emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health of the students. It examines good decision-making and includes appropriate topics for all grade levels.
In Secondary IV, PD offers workshops focusing on career exploration, post secondary choices, financial literacy, consent, drugs and alcohol, and sexual health.
Students will learn the fundamental skills, strategies and regulations involved in a variety of sports, games and activities. Students will learn about adopting a healthy and active lifestyle through ongoing health activities, assignments and discussions. The health focus for the year will be “Nutrition”.
The Secondary IV Science and Technology program is a Ministry evaluated course that covers a broad range of science subjects with a focus on four main spheres or worlds: The Material World, The Earth and Space, The Living World, and The Technological World. The students will gain critical skills that will lead them to study in a range of topics. The students will write a ministry exam (MELS) at the end of the school year.
This is an integrated science course comprising two courses (ST and EST) that are evaluated separately. The course covers four major fields, The Material World, Earth and Space, The Living World, and The Technological World.
Art & Electives
Students in Secondary IV may choose one of the following Arts courses,
and one elective course.
Arts Courses
The aim of this course is to develop students’ knowledge of art, both technically and theoretically, through the study of the major art movements of the 19th and 20th centuries (Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism) and through a practical application of different media. Each student will be encouraged to explore her special interests in two-dimensional and three dimensional work by using traditional media (water colour, oil and acrylic painting, ink, conté and pencil drawing) as well as computer generated situations. This will enable each student to explore the involvement of art in both a traditional and a modern environment.
This course is designed for students who wish to further their studies in the learning of drama and theatrical techniques. Although an asset, prior drama experience is not required. Class lessons will be devoted to enhancing focus and concentration, personal discipline, listening skills, sensory awareness, vocal techniques, leadership as well as group skills. Such skills will be used both on and off the stage by participating in dialogues, improvisations and dramatic scenes. Stage acting will be explored through role-playing, improvisation, script writing and multiple performances.
This course is designed for students who wish to further their studies of instrumental music in a concert band setting, although prior instrumental experience is not required. There will be an emphasis on the more advanced instrumental technique as students work toward maturing individual and ensemble sound, intonation, sight reading and developing concepts of musical expression. Students will develop their individual technique and musicianship through rehearsals, individual practice, music theory, music history, and analytic listening. Particular attention will be given to developing the ensemble sound. Students in Instrumental Music IV join the Concert Band for rehearsals and competition trips.
Elective courses
Requires an average of at least 80% in Secondary III Science and Technology.
The Honours Biology course examines the concepts, principles, and theories that allow people to understand the natural world. Biology is the study of life and we will explore how organisms interact with their environment as well as with other life forms. All living things have four characteristics in common: organization, reproduction, growth/development, and the ability to adjust to their environment.
The leadership elective aims to clarify and characterize leadership as a whole, as well as develop the skills associated with effective practice. In this experiential learning environment students are given the opportunity to practice various leadership skills through hands-on lessons.
This course will serve to instruct students in using cutting edge photo, video, sound and special effects software to create diverse and innovative projects such as short films, commercials/PSA’s, music videos, soundtracks, calendars, posters, programs and comic books, to name a few.