Bishop Pinkham’s Enrichment Programs are a series of courses that have been carefully designed to give our students learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional subjects. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to explore their potential as learners through new and challenging learning experiences.
The following Enrichment Programs are offered here at Bishop Pinkham:
- Grade 7: All Grade 7 students will be taking the following Enrichment Programs in their Grade 7
year; Art, Construction and Design, Drama, Foods, Band and Training for Excellence in Sports.
- Grade 8: Grade 8 students can choose Enrichment Programs that are scheduled during their timetable blocks. Possible classes are Art, CDC, Drama, Foods, Band and Training for Excellence in Sports.
- Grade 9: Grade 9 students can choose Enrichment Programs that are scheduled during their timetable blocks. Possible classes are Art, CDC, Drama, Foods, Band and Training for Excellence in Sports.
Please review the following information pertaining to the procedures used at Bishop Pinkham for enrolling in Enrichment Programs:
Grade 7
During the first week in September, students will be divided into groups and will be assigned a different Enrichment Program during each of their scheduled timetable blocks. Students in Grade 7 will rotate through Enrichment Programs in order to get a sense of what each course offers.
The six Enrichment classes our Grade 7 students will have the opportunity to take are as follows:
Art
Grade 7 Art will explore fundamentals of both 2D and 3D Art. Beginning with drawing, students will explore various materials such as pastel or pencil. Our painting unit will provide the opportunity to create using acrylic or watercolor paint, followed by an introduction to printmaking. In addition, 3D sculptural components will be explored through clay work. Art is all about experimenting; please don’t feel like you need to have “artistic talent” in order to excel in Art!
Band
* Only students who choose to enroll, will be in Band.
The Band Program at Bishop Pinkham is a three-year program of studies starting in Grade 7. You will learn the basics for woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Beginner music theory and appreciation will also be covered in the class. Students who enter the program are expected to make a commitment to the music and to the other members of the class for the entire year. Band camp, band festival, working with guest clinicians, and several concerts are all part of the Grade 7 band experience.
Construction and Design Communications (CDC)
CDC 7 is an Enrichment Program that is designed to establish a foundation in Construction & Design skills. We will focus on basic safety, lab routines, machine and hand tool skills. Through building projects, these skills, as well as an introduction to design will be explored.
Drama
In Drama 7, students begin with an orientation unit in which we learn about both the performative elements of the stage as well as the technical. We also play drama games to create a fun and safe space to explore and create theatre together. Afterwards, students learn how to create a stage picture without words or movement, how to use mime to explore a scene without words and then finally how to incorporate speaking into a scene. We end with an introduction to improvisation. This class is designed not only to challenge students who have experience in Drama, but also to allow students who don’t the chance to progress in a way they’re comfortable with (it’s okay to be shy!)
Foods
“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing…try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all, have fun.” – Julia Childs
Students will have the opportunity to make a variety of healthy and delicious foods while exploring traditional Canadian cuisine. Students will also learn about kitchen safety, the safe use of appliances and making healthy food choices.
Training For Excellence in Sports
Training for Excellence in Sport (TES) provides opportunities for students to develop and refine competencies that focus on personal development and responsible citizenship through sport. Students develop: leadership and citizenship, athletic skills and tactics, and fitness and conditioning. This course may be used with all sports.
TES helps to further develop students’ physical literacy. The course provides opportunities for students to understand the need for, and demonstrate a commitment to, a high standard of academic, sport, and lifestyle achievement.
Grade 8
Grade 8 students will have an opportunity to choose an Enrichment Program during their scheduled timetable block. Programming will depend on which teachers are available during the scheduled time. During the first week of September, students will meet with Administration and teachers that are available during these particular times and at that time they will sign up for a particular program. They will repeat this procedure each time they have an Enrichment Program scheduled in their timetable. The six Enrichment classes our Grade 8 students will have the opportunity to take are as follows:
Art
Semester 1- 2D Art will focus on creating Art using various 2D materials and processes. The 2D Art course will allow for a deeper understanding and focus on drawing processes, using graphite, pastel, or charcoal. Students will also have the opportunity to explore painting, using either acrylic or watercolor paint. Lastly, an in depth exploration of Linocut Relief Printmaking. Art is all about experimenting; please don’t feel like you need to have “artistic talent” in order to take Art!
Semester 2- 3D Art will focus on creating sculptural artwork. While still learning the basics of drawing in 2D, students will have to opportunity for a more in-depth exploration of sculpture, using various materials such as clay, wire, plaster, and found materials.
Band
Grade 8 Band is a continuation of skills and abilities students learned in Grade 7, and offers a variety of ways for students to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas through developing their instrumental music making capabilities. Highlights of the year include the Winter and Spring concerts, the Alberta International Band Festival, guest clinicians, Remembrance Day ceremony, and many other opportunities to demonstrate the leadership, responsibility, and teamwork that band fosters.
Construction and Design Communications (CDC)
CDC 8 is an Enrichment Program that is designed to establish a foundation in Construction & Design skills. We will build on the basic safety, lab routines, machine and hand tool skills presented in Grade 7. The program focus is for students to develop the ability to design and build their own projects.
Drama
Semester 1 (Scene Creation) - Students will begin with an orientation unit that brushes up on their knowledge of theatre basics, while allowing students who have not taken Drama before to become comfortable with these elements. We also play drama games to create a fun and safe space to explore and create theatre together. Our units in the first semester include a movement exploration (not dance) and a collective creation piece where students can choose a character to play and learn to create a storyline and dialogue for that character in collaboration with group members. We end our semester with improvisation. Students will also attend a field trip to a professional live theatre performance during this time. This is the semester to take Drama if you like to create your own scenes.
Semester 2 (Scripted Scenes) - Students will begin with an orientation unit, then move on to creating stories using objects to inspire them. Afterwards, students will learn the process of analyzing a script, creating a character based on what a playwright has written and working with a partner to bring that character to life onstage. We end our semester with improvisation. This is the semester to take Drama if you like to perform pieces others have already written.
Foods
“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing…try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all, have fun.” – Julia Childs
Student will explore a variety of simple & delicious foods and their importance to culture. Kitchen safety, the safe use of appliances and nutrition will also be explored. Students will have the opportunity to expand on their culinary knowledge by modifying recipes and adding their own creativity to their food.
Training For Excellence in Sports
Training for Excellence in Sport (TES) provides opportunities for students to develop and refine competencies that focus on personal development and responsible citizenship through sport. Students develop: leadership and citizenship, athletic skills and tactics, and fitness and conditioning. This course may be used with all sports.
TES helps to further develop students’ physical literacy. The course provides opportunities for students to understand the need for, and demonstrate a commitment to, a high standard of academic, sport, and lifestyle achievement.
Grade 9
Grade 9 students will have an opportunity to choose an Enrichment Program during their scheduled timetable block. Programming will depend on which teachers are available during the scheduled time. During the first week of September, students will meet with Administration and teachers that are available during these particular times and at that time they will sign up for a particular program. They will repeat this procedure each time they have an Enrichment Program scheduled in their timetable. The six Enrichment classes our Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to take are as follows:
Art
Semester 1- 2D Art will focus on creating Art using various 2D materials and processes. The 2D Art course will allow for a deeper understanding and focus on drawing processes, using graphite, pastel, or charcoal. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore acrylic painting, and various forms of printmaking, whether silk-screening or etching. Art is all about experimenting; please don’t feel like you need to have “artistic talent” in order to take Art!
Semester 2- 3D Art will focus on creating sculptural artwork. While still learning the basics of drawing in 2D, students will have to opportunity for a more in-depth exploration of sculpture, using various materials such as clay, wire, plaster, and found materials.
Band
Grade 9 Band is a continuation of skills and abilities students learned in Grade 8, and offers a variety of ways for students to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas through developing their instrumental music making capabilities. Highlights of the year include the Winter and Spring concerts, the Alberta International Band Festival, guest clinicians, Remembrance day ceremony, and many other opportunities to demonstrate the leadership, responsibility, and teamwork that band fosters.
Construction and Design Communication (CDC)
CDC 9 is an Enrichment Program that is designed to establish a foundation in Construction & Design skills. We will build on the basic safety, lab routines, design, machine and hand tool skills presented in Grade 8. The program focus is for students to develop the ability to design and build their own projects.
Drama
Semester 1 (Scene Creation) - Students will begin with an orientation unit that brushes up on their knowledge of theatre basics, while allowing students who have not taken Drama before to become comfortable with these elements. We also play drama games to create a fun and safe space to explore and create theatre together. Our units in the first semester are based on student interest and dynamics and can include stage fighting, gore makeup, playwriting, music-inspired scenes, shadow puppets and much more. We generally work towards a collective creation piece where students can choose a character to play and learn to create a storyline and dialogue for that character in collaboration with group members. We end our semester with improvisation. Students will also attend a field trip to a professional live theatre performance during this time. This is the semester to take Drama if you like to create your own scenes.
Semester 2 (Scripted Scenes) - Students will begin with an orientation unit, then move on to creating realistic characters and writing monologues for them. Afterwards, students will learn the process of analyzing a script, creating a character based on what a playwright has written and either working on a monologue or with a partner to bring that character to life onstage. We end our semester with improvisation. This is the semester to take Drama if you like to perform pieces others have already written.
Foods
“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing…try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all, have fun.” – Julia Childs
Semester 1- Students will expand their culinary skills after a review of kitchen safety and safe use of small and large appliances. Students will be challenged to consider the food choices they make on a daily basis and the impact these choices have on their overall health and well being. Students will also apply their skills and creativity in several cooking challenges.
Semester 2 International Cuisine – Students will cook and explore the cultural significance of food from a variety of countries. This course focuses on more advanced cooking techniques while preparing foods from different countries. You will also study and prepare a menu from a country of your choice as part of BP’s inquiry based learning philosophy.
Training For Excellence in Sports
Training for Excellence in Sport (TES) provides opportunities for students to develop and refine competencies that focus on personal development and responsible citizenship through sport. Students develop: leadership and citizenship, athletic skills and tactics, and fitness and conditioning. This course may be used with all sports.
TES helps to further develop students’ physical literacy. The course provides opportunities for students to understand the need for, and demonstrate a commitment to, a high standard of academic, sport, and lifestyle achievement.
Important information to consider:
- Band/Music is offered as a full year program. Any student who registers for Band/Music, in Grade 8 - 9, is committed to that program for the full school year.
- All Grade 8/9 English students will sign up for four Enrichment Programs per semester, a total of eight Enrichment Programs per school year. French students will register for two Enrichment Programs per semester, a total of four Enrichment Programs per school year.
- Programs can be repeated in semester 2 depending on available space. Preference will be given to students who have not had the opportunity to register for the class the previous semester. If students do not get the Enrichment Program they are wanting during Semester 1, administration will do their best to register them in this program for Semester 2 (based on availability).
- Semester 2 registration for Enrichment Programs will follow the same procedure during the first week of Semester 2.
