Curriculum

 

Art

 

The creative process is an exciting and gratifying journey for our students. The visual arts program in the Upper School and Middle School is an inviting environment that has an open door policy for the student body, parents and faculty. This dynamic learning environment is a welcomed asset to the boys as they get an opportunity to explore the visual language of other cultures from around the world, by translating it and manifesting it into their own creations of self-expression. The creative process is a critical component for all successful academic learners who desire a well-rounded education. Visual Art at Crescent School remains committed to meeting all needs of the learner. The Visual Art program remains committed to having our students learn art history and art theory and have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of mediums through the process of art-making. It is our intention to design each component of the course to enrich the lives of our students and give them a positive learning environment to take risks and explore ideas that can challenge and inspire them. With a diverse curriculum, it is our hope to broaden their life experience and to give our students skills that are transferable into other domains. Each component of the course is designed for the students to experience and discover their own creative sensibilities and to build on their sound critical thinking and analysis skill set. The boys in the Middle School have a double art class in the studio, twice in an eight day cycle. When the boys leave Middle School they can continue on with Visual Arts or Media Arts, should they discover a passion!

 

 

Drama

 

 

All the world's a stage and all the men and women mere players. ~ William Shakespeare

 

The drama and dance curriculum is intended to help students to develop an understanding and appreciation of drama and dance, as well as the ability to create works using the forms, elements and techniques of these two disciplines. Through exploring drama and dance, students will develop an understanding of themselves and others and will learn about the lives of people in different times, places and cultures. They will develop practical, artistic skills in both disciplines, as well as critical-thinking skills and a variety of communication skills. Role-playing is a key component of the drama and dance curriculum. Students develop their understanding of a variety of points of view and motives, in addition to strengthening their ability to empathize with others. Students will draw upon a variety of sources including literature, historical and current events and topics and themes from other subject areas, particularly language arts and social studies, in order to create presentations in which they communicate their interpretation of situations and motives of various characters. Drama lends itself to links with Language Arts and several projects exist where Drama provides a forum for the development of ideas examined in the Language Arts curriculum in areas. Such projects include the marketing of a product through an advertisement and the making of short movies.

 

 

English

 

 

The Middle School English program develops an innovative, creative and pragmatic approach for students to appreciate the intricacies of literature, the writing process and the fine art of communication. Through a variety of hands-on lessons, assignments and projects, especially crossing over with the Drama program, students discover a multiplicity of learning prospects. The program uses a diverse range of literature, accomplishing in students a realization and exploration of the intricacies of human culture and nature: these include poetry, plays, novels, short stories, as well as media (news articles, the Internet, film, ads/illustrations). In preparation for the Upper School program, students develop and attempt to master age appropriate technical proficiencies by attaining knowledge of the basic elements of grammar, literature, writing, critical thinking, group work skills, oral communication, advanced vocabulary, cursive script and other related and required skills and methods.

 

 

French

 

 

The Ontario Curriculum guidelines are met in grade 8 through the eclectic Tricolore 3 program, which is accompanied by an excellent, bilingual Grammar in Action component. The program is supplemented with a variety of cultural material, including poetry, songs, films and reading selections and a monthly copy of Bonjour! for each student. In order to meet the overall expectations of the Ministry of Education, the department integrates elements from other program areas and provides students with opportunities to excel in oral communication as well as in reading and writing activities.

 

 

Geography

 

 

The Geography curriculum has been the driving force behind the Middle School’s focus on Sustainable Development. A balanced study of both Human and Physical Geography occur, in line with provincial guidelines, with the goal of challenging the students to analyze and develop the topics they study. The Geography department is behind the innovative Sustainable Projects in which the students tackle local examples of sustainability in real projects. The Geography department is also a leader in the use of GIS (geographic information system) mapping ensuring that IT-use is at the forefront of the Geography curriculum.

 

 

History

 

 

The History curriculum is designed to challenge the boys to think independently and critically and to be able to argue a viewpoint with the use of evidence. The varied and diverse topics allow the boys to expand their understanding of Canadian and World History and relate these events to the current day. The cross-curricular skills that are developed in History are vital and as a result this is a key part of the Middle School curriculum. As a result History classes are a vibrant and energized part of the Middle School program.

 

 

Math

 

 

The Middle School Mathematics program is a two-year program that follows the Ontario mathematics curriculum. We equip our students with the skills, knowledge and habits of mind to ensure success in future years. In addition to covering the five strands which include work in Number Sense and Numeration, Measurement, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Patterning and Algebra and Data Management and Probability, our students are exposed to a variety of enrichment opportunities. Problem solving is part of the daily experience in the classroom. Exposure to a variety of problems helps to prepare our students in the writing of mathematics contests. Our students write many different types of contests throughout the year, and many boys have been ranked provincially and nationally.

 

 

Music

 

 

The Music program in Middle School is a vibrant and challenging one in which all Middle School boys take part. Each Middle School boy learns an instrument and is part of the school band. The curriculum seeks to develop and nurture an understanding and appreciation of music. There are many exciting opportunities for boys who are capable musicians, from the Middle School Jazz Band to the multitude of school performances that take place. Talent in the school is often showcased both locally and internationally.

 

 

Health and Physical Education (HPE)

 

 

The Health and Physical Education program is a vital component of life in the Middle School. The program offers a comprehensive overview offering individual and team sports as well as providing instruction on health. In Middle School, the HPE program also fulfills a vital role in providing physical activity and fitness at an age when boys have a lot of energy. It is also an ideal subject in which to develop central school themes such as Character and Leadership.

 

 

Science

 

 

The Science curriculum has been developed to nurture the boys sense of exploration and experimentation with Robotics now added. Increasingly, Science is providing the opportunity to use project-based learning to enhance the curriculum. Examples of this have been making a solar cooker to donate to a community in Thailand and using robotics to develop ocean conservation. The Science curriculum is a rigorous test for the boys and is designed to create a strong foundation both academically and technically.