Pender Harbour Elementary-Secondary School

Careful selection of secondary school courses is an important task for students. One must make choices based upon a student’s abilities and interests, the graduation requirements, growth occupations of the future, and the rapid rate of technological change. In order to make course selections, which are based on thoughtful, rational decisions, students are urged to make individual appointments with their Counsellor and to discuss their choices with parents and friends.

Inside is a list of required courses for either Grades 8 -10 or 11 - 12 and a description of the elective courses from which a student is able to choose. Also included are the prerequisites for each course, if any. Students should look ahead to what they may want to take in their senior grades to ensure the appropriate junior courses are taken. For more information concerning any of these courses or for assistance in making decisions on course selection, please contact the school at 883- 2727 and ask to speak with a Counsellor.

Students entering their Grade 8 year are introduced to all of the core subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, English and French) as well as a Fine Arts and an Applied Skills rotation. This rotation of "mini courses" allows the student to sample from a wide variety of the options that will be available to them in later years, including drama, visual arts, textile arts, woodwork, foods and nutrition, clothing and textiles, and metalwork.

The goal is to expose the student to as many different options as possible to enable informed choices in their future course selection.

Students will be introduced to various literary terms and forms including poetry, short stories and plays. The emphasis for the writing section of the course will be on narrative writing.

Students will be introduced to secondary school mathematics with a transition from working with concrete to abstract ideas. Units studied include rational numbers, algebra, measurement, probability and ratios/proportion.

Students will cover topics in each of the areas of biology, physics, chemistry and earth science. Units include Rocks and Minerals, The Senses, Introduction to Matter and

This course includes the three major topics of current events, history and geography. The history unit deals with the European Medieval and Renaissance periods and world religions.

Students learn a wide variety of vocabulary regarding daily routines, telephone conversations, food, weekend activities, and television. Students will learn to express themselves in the past, future and present tenses.

The emphasis in this course is to involve students in a variety of activities for the purpose of fitness and health. Students are expected to wear P.E. strip. The course includes extended runs or walks, exposure to several sports,

This will include a basic introductions to a variety of applied skills such as shop, home economics, and/or computers.

As a grade 9 student you will need to think carefully about your course choices in this grade because your decisions will have a big impact on the kinds of path available to you in future years. In this year, you will need to make a decision whether or not to study a

second language. While second language study is now optional, some university entrance requirements depend on you having credits in a second language at a higher grade level; entrance into many career paths also requires knowledge of a second language.

Students will be introduced to various literary terms and forms including poetry, short stories and plays. The emphasis for the writing section of the course will be on narrative writing.

This recently updated curriculum will address topics from both an abstract and theoretical applications perspective. Themes include number operation, algebra, problem solving and statistics.

In this general science course students will cover topics in the areas of biology, physics, chemistry and earth science. Units include human body systems, work force and mechanical advantage, changes in matter, and astronomy.

Social Studies 9 looks at North American and European history from 1500-1815. This will include study of First Nations cultures, European exploration and the beginning of cultural conflict, colonial government, the Thirteen Colonies and American Revolution, the fur trade, and geographic regions of British North America.

Students develop their knowledge of past, present, and future tenses, through the themes of music, movies, parties, friendship and correspondence.

French 9, 10 and 11 are required for direct entrance from secondary school into university. Students who do not take French 9 will be enrolled in Writing 9.

Home Economics 9/10 This course offers students the opportunity to learn about food resources (includes nutrition, meal planning, and safe food handling). It also includes units on textiles (plan and produce simple items, safe use of tools), and family studies. (Can also be Applied Skills)

Mechanics 9/10 This is a hands-on technical course exploring the design & development of the internal combustion engine, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical circuits, basic electronics & alternative energy sources. Atmospheric pollution will also be discussed. Project work will include the disassembly & re-assembly of a small internal combustion engine, construction of simple pneumatic tools, construction of basic electronic and electrical circuits. It is estimated that instructional time will occupy 3540% of course time while project work will occupy the remainder.

Metalwork 9/10 An introductory course in which a variety of metalwork processes will be taught. These will include oxy-acetylene welding & brazing, flame cutting, arc welding, foundry work, forging & use of machine tools in addition to safe & correct use of all hand tools & machinery.

Business Technology 10 An introductory course in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, web page design and some programming.

During grades 9 and 10, each student is expected to complete at least one fine arts and one applied skills course. In the senior grades, completion of at least one fine arts and one applied skills course is a requirement for graduation. Some of the 4-credit courses fulfill both the Fine Arts and Applied Skills requirement.