*Please note that course availability is subject to change based on staffing and student interest. All courses are half year courses unless otherwise indicated.
Art
Ready! Set! Create! Do you absolutely love to draw, paint, sculpt and make things? Have you ever wondered how artists develop projects out of various materials and tools? If so, MidSun Art is the program for you! The purpose of this course is to hone various art and criticism skills and to deepen your understanding of how to compose your very own works of art by putting your creative skills into action. Students will create a portfolio of their work and will learn to use their sketchbooks to build living records of their projects. Career pathways connected to visual art include; architecture, construction technology, engineering, fine art, industrial design and multimedia. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.
Band (Full Year Course)
This course serves as the introduction to the instrumental music program. Students will learn to play an instrument and develop skills that lead to a lifetime of music appreciation. Previous musical experience is NOT necessary. Students enrolling in this program will be involved in some extracurricular rehearsals, clinics and concerts. Students, directors and parents will determine instrument assignments by the end of September. Grade 7 instrument choices include: flute, clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone and tuba. There is an optional 3-day band camp in April, with numerous fundraising opportunities available to help offset the cost of this trip. All instruments are available to rent from MidSun at a cost of $100 for the year. There is an additional resource fee of $85 to help cover the cost of clinics, workshops, field trips and festival fees. Students registering for Band are making a full-year commitment.
Computer Media Design
Do you want to learn how to PhotoShop images or paint with a drawing tablet? Have you ever wanted to edit a music video or make your own cartoon? Want to learn how to 3D print, and create your own gadgets like fidget toys and iPhone cases? What about creating a robot, programming games, or competing in design challenges with Minecraft? Hosted in the MidSun Technology Centre, students will experience guided design projects based off of the processes that real-world professionals go through every day. Students in Grades 8 and 9 will be able to explore new technologies through independent projects where they explore new technologies that apply to their own interests and potential career paths. In short, if you love technology and computers, this is the course for you!
Construction
Do you like building things? Want an opportunity to work with your hands? Students in Construction will learn shop safety, tool knowledge and, early on, can expect projects designed to increase their skills and knowledge with machines and tools, working in a safe and effective manner. Projects include: childrens’ toys, iPhone amplifiers, and learning how to laminate wood. As students prove their mastery of the numerous tools in the shop, opportunities to build more complex projects become available, from jewelry boxes, stools, tables, toys, to unique customized projects. Students will be expected to plan and design their own project demonstrating techniques and skills acquired in the course. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.
Digital Photography
Explore the world of digital photography. We will also look into night/early morning photography, the rule of three, the blue hour, and many more aspects of digital photography. Finally we will be printing our own photos and creating simple projects to display your work.
Drama
Do you love to perform? Drama students will build basic acting and performing skills in a fun, movement-based environment. Students will be given the opportunity to learn and fully explore the use of speech as an actor and learn how to speak using accents. Students will be taught the basics in hand-to-hand stage combat, with an emphasis on safety. Mask work will be explored, as well as a unit in stage or gore makeup with hands-on, interactive lessons. All acting units will culminate in at least one performance to showcase new skills learned in class, in addition to smaller class performances held regularly for maximum learning and fun. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.
Environmental Outdoor Education
Do you have a passion for the outdoors? Can’t get enough of being active outside with your friends? Then the ENVOE program is for you! In Grade 8 there is no shortage of active fun! You can look forward to learning how to improve your fire-starting skills, building survival tarp shelters, using a compass to navigate, orienteering races, bear safe travel and camping techniques, learning how to xc-ski in our field, participate in team building games and more! And don’t forget about the field trips! In grade eight there is the opportunity to go hiking in Banff National Park, xc-skiing in Kananaskis, rock climbing at a climbing wall, as well as an overnight winter wilderness trip. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF OFF CAMPUS TRIPS.
Fashion Designer
Design, manufacture, and appraise clothing and other textile products. Explore careers in the fashion industry and learn what is needed to pursue them. This course is all about getting the opportunity to learn how to sew by hand and with a sewing machine. Students will get the opportunity to practice a range of stitches, through a series of fun activities that are interactive and hands-on. Students will also get the chance to design and create a beautiful sewing project to showcase these new skills and to take part in a design challenge, designing and creating a textile creation that uses up-cycled materials. This course is suited for the avid, creative student, who is interested in learning a new medium in which to create things. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.
Film Studies
Discover and develop movie-making skills to communicate, inform and entertain! Discover careers in the film industry and how to pursue them! Film Studies 8 will build on students’ filmmaking skills using camera shots, angles, movements and storyboarding. They will bring their filmmaking to the next level by learning how to cut on action when designing and executing movies. Students will plan, design, create and appraise their own movies from start to finish! Like watching movies? Examples of Hollywood films will be used within lessons and one full feature movie will be viewed and critiqued in class. Students will watch and celebrate work on the big screen in our very own film festival. That’s a wrap! Who wants popcorn?
Foods
Culinary students in Foods 8 will explore the skills and training required for the diversity of careers in the food industry. Examine the role of food, looking beyond consumption to production, visual appreciation, nutrition, meal planning, economics, and preparation, and learn the various skills in the cook trade. Topics may include: food safety, skill techniques, meal plans, appetizers, breads, entrées, desserts, snacks and basic cake decorating. Come learn the basics of cake design and techniques to create a unique project including a theme-based cake design. Do you want to be the next MidSun Cake Boss? Through problem solving, discussion and reflection, students will appraise their contributions in teamwork, kitchen work and cooking skills, and decide upon strategies to make any necessary changes or improvements for future projects. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.
French (Full Year Course)
This course reviews and adds to the French 7 program. Students must have completed French 7 or have a placement interview with the French teacher. This is a very interactive class with an emphasis on speaking, writing and reading about Quebec, animals, clothing and food. Skits, music, games, project work and technology continue to be used to facilitate learning. Students will be given the opportunity to put their language skills to the test at the Chateau & Cuisine Interactive Culinary Center field trip.
Guitar
Have you ever wanted to learn to play the guitar but haven’t had the time to take lessons? This course is designed for students who have no previous guitar experience and are looking for an introduction to playing this instrument. Areas of instruction include: instrument care, techniques and fundamentals of musicianship, tone production, proper posture, and music literacy (the ability to read and write music in both traditional notation and guitar tablature). The only requirement is a willingness to try something new and a love of music.
Leadership
The Leadership program engages students in activities to promote and foster HEART within the school culture. Students are challenged to discover ways to make an impact through events, activities, awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts. Volunteer service is an important component of the course with students needing to give back a minimum of 6 hours within the semester. This course will focus on: team building activities, traits of leaders, leadership styles, time management, communication skills and public speaking. Students are encouraged to take part in Leadership conferences made available through both terms. Successful students in this course will show initiative, self-discipline, a sense of team, a strong work ethic and be able to work independently.
