Complementary Courses

Music 6

During the first and second quarter, we will offer a music option for grade 6s. Last year many students enjoyed learning to play the piano. Students in this option will be able to further develop their Piano keyboard skills and get a general introduction to band.

Band 7, 8

Band will happen for the first two quarters with an optional quarter 3 as well. Instruments will be assigned and we will learn how to make music together.

Instrumental Music 9, 10, 20, 30

This course focuses on the experience of learning and performing a variety of music, such as popular music, movie soundtracks, and traditional band, marches and classical pieces. As F.P. Walshe School is home to a diverse group of students, there is an emphasis on creating a safe and engaging place where every voice is valued and needed. Some students come with experience and a musical background while others are new to performance and to developing their musical talents. All are needed. Music theory is taught as it presents itself in the music being learned, but more importantly, Band at F.P. Walshe School is about the doing and the working together to create beautiful music. At-home practice is encouraged and is important, but the emphasis is on what we are accomplishing in class.

We plan on a Christmas or Spring concert, a year-end concert, a three-day band tour and trip, and a final concert. Most students who join Band have already played in Grades 7 and 8; however, it is possible to join as a new student after consultation with the Band Director.

Drama 6, 7, 8

This option will be a combination of fun dramatic art forms such as improvisation, mime, speech, puppetry, mask and movement.

Drama 9, 10, 20, 30

These action packed courses explore the wonderful world of creative drama and theatre. Students will be introduced to dramatic arts in the form of orientation, movement, speech, improvisation, acting, theatre studies, and technical theatre. Drama helps students develop creative ways to think outside the box and discover their confidence, as well as discover who they and others are, and can become. Each year will have a unique focus – previously, students have created short films, one act plays, escape rooms, circus performances, puppetry performances, masked pieces, and shadow theatre performances, to name a few. Students may also star in or assist in creating the annual haunted house (fall), talent show (winter), and play at the Empress Theatre (spring). Drama 20 students will also learn Playwriting, and Drama 30 students will learn Directing.

Niitsitapi 6, 7, 8

This option, taught with Sherri Terpstra and Elder in Residence, Betty Ann Little Wolf, will be a look at Blackfoot culture and traditions.

Games of Strategy 6, 7, 8

This option will be both card games and board games that require some thought, strategy, maybe conniving, to win. Offered first 3 quarters. 

Art 6, 7, 8

This year grades 6, 7 and 8 will be exploring and expanding their fine motor skills, creativity and abilities to fine tune, add details and polish to create unique pieces of artwork. They will be working with various materials some of which might include fused glass, a variety of materials for printmaking, as well as oil pastels and watercolor paints.

Art 9, 10, 20, 30

Students will work with a variety of mediums in two- and three-dimensions and develop their knowledge and use of the elements of art and principles of design. Students will create and explore art through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, design, and mixed media. 

As students’ progress through the courses, they will develop personal style, explore conceptual ideas, and refine their artistic techniques. 

Students are encouraged to explore the mediums, develop their own creative process, and create unique works of art. Critique and the development of conceptual ideas is also an important part of the Art 10, 20, 30 program.

Leathers 15, 25, 35

This course has been designed to meet the needs of cultural diversity in our school through the practical medium of leatherwork.

Students will develop skills and abilities in production of leather projects – such as tooled and natural tanned, stitched, and decorative, braided or filigree. 

They will be able to demonstrate the use of fasteners, ornaments, lacing, and dyeing procedures. Some typical projects that students make are wallets, packs, moccasins, gun slings, belts, chaps, bags, etc. The limit is their imagination and our tools.

Foods 6, 7, 8

Students develop and demonstrate an understanding of traditional and contemporary baking, focusing on basic measuring techniques, preparation methods, role of ingredients and the proper use of equipment for baked goods.

Foods 9, 10, 20, 30

Foods strands help students develop an appreciation for the nature of food, nutrition and health, management, safety, sanitation and equipment, preparation of food, presentation and service, consumerism/food selection, multicultural aspects of food, food ecology, and interpreting recipes. Each "strand" is comprised of a group of 1-credit courses designed to support positive career opportunities for students.

Within the philosophy of Career and Technology Studies, students in Foods will develop an interest in the broad base of food in such a way that they are motivated to continue practicing and learning about foods; develop an awareness of the nutritional importance of food and its role in physical maintenance and wellness; develop basic knowledge, skills and attitudes through the preparation of a variety of foods in order to lead richer and more fulfilled lives or to enter the food service industry with increased confidence and success; practice safe and sanitary food handling, and realize the consequences of failing to do so; foster an understanding and knowledge of the multicultural richness and varied social customs in the preparation and sharing of food; and develop management skills in the selecting, preparing and servicing of food, and assess the impact these decisions might have on the global community.

Media 6, 7, 8

This course will help students explore the art and technique of videography, YouTube, podcasting, and other media outlets. We will analyze the techniques that famous Youtubers and podcasters use to increase engagement in their work. Students will then take the analytical skills learned and create their own video and media content.

Photography 6, 7, 8

This course will allow students to explore the basics and fundamentals for digital photography, including composition and basic editing. In Photography, students will become familiar with visual composition, photography equipment, methods, and their own unique artistic vision to create a portfolio of their work.

Leadership 6, 7, 8

This course will help you to explore the basic principles of leadership and evaluate your own personal leadership characteristics and qualities. In Leadership, you will learn practical skills in teamwork, decision-making, reflection, organization, communication, and serving others.

Fitness 6, 7, 8

This course will give students the opportunity to explore the basics and foundations of physical fitness, with a focus on healthy living and incorporating exercise safely into daily routines. This will include developing familiarity with weight room etiquette and safety and learning how to build workouts to reach attainable and age-appropriate goals.

Puzzling Problems 6, 7, 8

This course will focus on the development of problem solving skills using jigsaw puzzles, word/number puzzles, logic problems, mapping skills and creating their own “puzzling problem.”

Hockey 6, 7, 8

Students will have the opportunity to improve their individual hockey skills in the areas of: skating, shooting, passing, puck handling & hockey sense. Goaltending will also be an area of focus for those who play that position. The hockey squad will be a combination of off-ice and on-ice training (Monday and Wednesday).

Volleyball 6, 7, 8

Students will have the opportunity to improve their individual volleyball skills. Students will develop fundamental movement, game sense and position-specific knowledge (front row, back row, setting, libero, etc.). In addition, there will be a focus on physical fitness, nutrition and character development.

Basketball 6, 7, 8

Students will have the opportunity to improve their individual basketball skills. In addition, there will be a focus on physical fitness, nutrition and character development.

Baseball 6, 7, 8

Students will focus on developing their individual baseball skills such as throwing, hitting, defense (infield and outfield), pitching, back catching as well as their general baseball knowledge and game sense.

Rugby 6, 7, 8

Students will have the opportunity to improve their individual rugby skills. In addition, there will be a focus on physical fitness, nutrition and character development.

Digital Media 10, 20, 30

In Grades 10 and up, students complete individual modules according to personal interest. In the Communication stream, students study Typography, Graphics, Web Design, Audio/Video, Animation, Printing, Photography, Raster and Vector Graphics, Filmmaking, Branding, and more. In the Design stream, students can take modules on 2D and 3D Design, Computer-aided Design (CNC Router), Architectural Design, Modelling, and so on. Students also can take modules in the Fashions stream, such as Sewing, Knitting, Patterning, Tailoring, or Costuming; modules in the Electro-Technologies stream, working with robotics; and modules in the Computer Science stream, learning coding and programming for things like mobile application creation and game design.

Cosmetology 10, 20, 30

Cosmetology offers students the opportunity to explore a variety of modules within the hairstyling/salon and esthetic/spa industry. Students design their own course based on their specific interests and skills that they are hoping to learn and develop. Modules range in topics from braiding, updos, hairstyling, haircutting, hair colouring, perming, manicuring, pedicuring, waxing, facials, and skin care, along with a variety of other topics. There is also the opportunity for students to become fully certified in a range of courses, such as completing their full Alberta Apprenticeship Industry Standard Post Secondary Hairstyling Certification, as well as to become certified in Manicuring with Gel and Acrylic Nails.

Construction 10, 20, 30

In Construction 10, students will complete five modules in the Construction stream. In Con 1010, students learn to use hand and power tools safely and put these skills towards creating a traditional sawhorse by hand. In Con 1130, students will start with solid stock and turn raw lumber into projects like game boards, cutting boards, and so on with hardwood species, and optionally use epoxy resins to create even more stunning designs. In Con 1120, students learn to create technical sketches to create three-dimensional objects like jewelry boxes, as well as to price out their work. In Con 1140, students use lathes to turn wood into projects like honey dippers, bowls, mugs, bats, and more. Finally, in Con 1910, students can request custom projects or work on larger projects as a group. Note that a nominal fee is required to take this class, and it must be paid before students can take their projects home.

Construction 20 and 30 allow students to work through various 20- and 30-level Construction modules to practice and enhance skills acquired in Construction 10.