ELECTIVE PROGRAM
Marymount's Elective Program provides a variety of dynamic courses covering all areas of the curriculum including Languages, Maths, Current Events, Writing as well as Expressive and Creative Arts. Elective courses enrich the school’s academic program, and allow Middle School Students choice in learning. Students are required to select three of the fifteen courses offered to pursue throughout the academic school year. Students engage in one, 90-minute period for each elective per week. Selection is made at the end of each school year. Below is a brief description of the elective courses offered.
MANDARIN CHINESE
Mandarin Chinese is a course for students who are not only interested in learning Chinese, but who also wish to familiarize themselves with Chinese culture and customs. Beginning with the Chinese phonetics and alphabetic transcription, Pin-Yin, students develop their skills in listening and speaking as well as reading and writing Chinese characters. Students are also exposed to cultural aspects through various pictures, dialogues, songs and movies.
SPANISH
Spanish aims at providing students with the basic skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading. Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking. The students learn through a variety of activities such as games, listening activities, dialogues, written exercises, music and computer activities. Spanish is offered at three levels - A for beginners, B and C for students who have taken Spanish before and are able to communicate more fluently, both in speaking and writing.
LATIN
The Latin text; Latin Course Book 1 and 2, fourth edition, provides an interesting and carefully paced introduction to the classical language of Latin. The vocabulary and grammar is complemented by background information on Roman culture and civilization. READ ABOUT THE LATIN STUDENTS FIELD TRIP
ADVANCED FRENCH
The advanced French class is intended for students who are in the top level of regular French, and who desire an extended and enriched opportunity beyond the regular French class.
ROBOTICS
Students are offered the opportunity to experience applied science and math in a hands on manner. The course is based on the Lego Mindstorms program, which combines basic elements of introductory computer programming with mathematical and scientific concepts.
ECONOMICS
Students are introduced to economics and general business principles. Fundamental math concepts are applied with a focus on topics such as: supply and demand, cost, finance, resources, business organizations, labor, industry, trade and taxation. Students are given the opportunity to apply learnt concepts in a competitive virtual economy.[more]
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Students will study the natural environment and the interdependence of living organisms. Students will identify problems facing individual natural ecosystems, and explore strategies scientists use to reduce the impact of these problems. Some of the topics that will be studied include; ecosystems and food chains, air and water pollution, deforestation and the loss of genetic diversity, environmental quality; issues of genetic engineering and cloning.
GLOBAL ISSUES
Students are given the opportunity to address some of the issues currently facing our planet such as global warming, deforestation, bio-technology and e-commerce. Emphasis will be on using complex problems encountered in the real world as a stimulus for learning. Participation in the National Association of Independent Schools Challenge 20/20 will be an integral part of the program in which students work in collaboration with a school (from a different country) to present a solution to one of the problems.[more]
Model United Nations is a course that gives students a taste of the United Nations experience. Students learn about the UN process, come to understand the perspective of different countries’ interests and agendas, and learn how to represent a nation’s views within the formal framework of UN structures. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in one or more MUN conferences with other schools. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in an international conference outside of France. [more]
Students produce a quarterly print newspaper covering school life and events. The course includes the basic skills of good journalism: interviewing, researching, writing articles and headlines, editing and proofing, selecting appropriate images, deciding in layout, and finally, publishing.
Students are given the opportunity to be part of the team that creates the Marymount school yearbook. Students will learn skills in journalistic coverage, photography, story writing, and graphic design.
Students in the vocal ensemble are given the chance to develop their vocal, theory, and artistic expression skills through rhythmic, melodic, and articulation exercises. Students will be provided with opportunities to demonstrate their musical growth, to gain personal satisfaction from achievement, and to experience the joy of music making.
Students are given the opportunity to enjoy playing the keyboard alone and/or in a group. Rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and articulation skills are developed as needed for expressive interpretation. Whenever it is possible, keyboard students will perform in combination with guitar students and the vocal ensemble.
Students will be introduced to basic playing techniques. Emphasis will be placed on learning skills which enable a student to play different styles such as Brazilian, folk, and classical guitar.
In art the students will experience a wide range of media and techniques with art history incorporated. The goal is to develop an in-depth understanding of artist’s style. Art techniques and concepts are learned through the study of famous artwork, with a heavy emphasis on French art.
page last updated on: 2007-05-30 10:15:15
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