Exploring Career Choices

Dr. Martha Cohen School operates on a day A/B schedule. Monday and Wednesday are day A and on this day every class takes part in our CTF program. Tuesday and Wednesday are Day B, during this time students choose option classes to take part in.

CTF – Career and Technology Foundations

During this time students are engaged in projects that stem from the core and incorporate Alberta Education’s CTF curriculum. Teachers guide students through opportunities that will help them explore a variety of different career opportunities for their future. We set aside alternating days for this, so students can access our various learning labs, such as culinary arts, media, construction and the art space.

Options – Art, drama, media design, construction, food (culinary arts), band

During this time on day B, students have selected an option they would like to explore in more depth. These are stand-alone classes where students learn specific skills and apply them to projects.

List of Option Courses

Dr. Martha Cohen School is proud to offer a wide variety of option courses, providing opportunities for students to develop and to enhance individual expression, creativity, and imagination through an exploration of new curricular areas. Grade 7-9 Students will be placed in TWO Option Courses in Semester 1 and TWO Option Courses in Semester 2. If a student chooses Band, which is a full-year option, they will get ONE Option Course in Semester 1 and One Option Course in Semester 2.

Q & A with Options Teachers

Tuesday, May 5, Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday May 7 from 2 PM to 3 PM Google Meet Code: dmcoptions
The link will be available on each Grade 7-9 Students MyCBE/PowerSchool account Thursday at 3:00 PM (a reminder will be sent out prior with instructions).

Please complete the selections by Wednesday May 13, 2020

Step 1- Login to MyCBE/PowerSchool
Step 2- On left hand side click on Class Registration
Step 3- Students need to look for any Red Exclamation marks on the right hand side of page
Step 4- Make your selections and click Okay
Step 5- Once you have all Green Check Marks BE SURE to Click SUBMIT at the bottom of the main

Please make sure you are signing up for the course that most interests you and not just what your friends want to take. Students need to log in to MyCBE/PowerSchool account to complete selections.

Below is a list of the options that may be available to grade 7-9 students at DMCS during the 2020-21 school year. Some course availability may change due to scheduling and student interest.

Band

The band program does not require previous musical experience. If you are interested in joining band as a beginner in grade 9, please discuss with Ms. Manning. Students will learn basic instrumental technique with an emphasis on theory, note reading, and performance. Students will perform in a variety of settings throughout the school year, and will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular music ensembles such as jazz band, choir, touring band, and ukulele club. The DMCS band program emphasizes teamwork, sense of community, collaboration, discipline, resiliency, and most important, lifelong enjoyment of music. There is a $25 course fee for all students and a $100 instrument rental fee for students using DMCS instruments.

Vocal Music

No previous musical experience required. Vocal music will provide students with the opportunity to explore the voice through singing, speech, listening, and performance. There is a focus on developing vocal technique, appreciation of various musical genres, increasing self-confidence, and collaboration through group and choral singing. Students will also develop musical literacy and basic theory skills. There is a $10 course fee.

Guitar

(Grade 8 and 9) No previous musical experience required. This is an introductory course to guitar playing. Students will focus on basic guitar technique, general music theory, and learn to read both traditional and tablature notation through a variety of musical activities, performance projects, playing tests, and written assignments There is a $10 course fee for all students and a $100 instrument rental fee for students using DMCS instruments.

Art

Want to be the next Picasso, Stan Lee or Leonardo da Vinci? In Art students will gain experience with a wide variety of materials and artmaking techniques.Students will draw, paint, sculpt and be introduced to ways of observing and translating visual information to make powerful statements. No experience necessary! Student assessment will include self-assessment, observation of student work, sketchbooks, art critiques, and the evaluation of finished projects using rubrics. Students will be encouraged to explore their interests, while developing artistic and technical skills. There is a $25 course fee.

Communication Technology

This course introduces students to communications technology from a media perspective. Students will work in the areas of TV/video and movie production, radio and audio production, print and graphic communications, photography, and animation. Student projects will include computer-based activities such as creating videos, editing photos, working with audio, cartooning, developing animations, and designing web pages. Students will also develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to communications technology. There is a $25 course fee.

Construction

In this course, students will be introduced to shop safety and shop responsibilities. Proper techniques on how to use hand and power tools will be extensively practiced. Students will gain skills and experience with tools, while creating a variety of small woodworking projects. Students will design, create and appraise woodworking projects. Students will learn how to use basic drafting concepts; how to use tools and machines in a safe environment; identify and describe the safe use of some basic hand tools and use power tools. There is a $25 course fee.

Design Studies

In this course, students will learn how to harness their creative and critical thinking skills to complete various challenges by engaging in the design process and using a variety of materials. Working both independently and in teams, students will participate in a variety of design challenges to create possible solutions, then build, test, revise, and reflect on their designs. There is a $25 course fee.

Drama

No previous acting experience required! This course is an introduction to drama and theatre. Students will develop fundamental performance and theatre skills through active involvement in the theatre disciplines of movement, speech, improvisation, technical theatre and theatre history. This course is designed to help foster a positive self-concept in students by encouraging them to explore life by the assumption of roles and by the acquisition of dramatic skills. Full participation and a positive attitude are essential for success. There is a $25 course fee.

Fashion Studies

No previous experience required. Students will gain an understanding of the safe use and care of sewing and pressing equipment, core methods in the layout and construction of different projects and garments as well as hand sewing techniques. The program involves both creativity and technical skills. Students will be able to create useful and personalized projects such as teddy bears, felt animals, pencil cases, eyebags, drawstring backpacks, sports bags, boxers shorts, t-shirts and hoodies. There is a $25 course fee.

Foods

Students will learn proper food safety, sanitation, and handling skills, as well as techniques such as measuring, knife skills, stove top skills such as sauteing, baking, and cake decoration. Students will have the opportunity to create a variety of delicious dishes such as breadsticks, cinnamon buns, stir frys, Spanish rice, pastas, cupcakes, pies, and more! In addition to practical skills, students will develop an understanding of how to plan nutritious meals and snacks for themselves and their families. The DMCS foods program emphasizes safety, teamwork, and collaboration, and hard work. There is a $25 course fee.

Outdoor Education

This is an introductory course for students who would like to develop lifestyle strategies that encourage a positive attitude towards the natural environment. This course involves a lot of physical activity, and spending time outside in all kinds of weather. Students will also have the opportunity to build their skills in various outdoor activities. These skills will be reinforced during off-campus trips. Students will learn about the environment and how to safely prepare for and participate in a variety of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, skating, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, and indoor rock climbing. This option will involve extra costs for field trips and for equipment. There is a $25 course fee.

Leadership

Do you want to get more involved in your school community? Do you want to help plan and implement fun activities at the school? Do you want to become a mentor to others? Do you want to be an active citizen who makes a difference in your school and community? Leadership is a class for students who want to make a change and determine what kind of school DMCS should be. You will participate in a variety of activities that you help design, developing your own personal leadership style. Some examples would be helping to plan and run assemblies and after school events, fundraising for charities and school requests, organizing intramural tournaments, and spirit days