Grade 7 Information
This is an overview of what Byng has to offer for Grade 7s
graduating into our school.
Programs
There are three main programs: Regular, Byng Arts, and ESL
& International. See program
information or comparison chart for
more details.
French & Mathematics Acceleration
Students who are already working at higher grade levels
may opt to write the entrance examinations in May. See
Mathematics 9 or French
9 or higher for more info
.
Fine Arts Options
Grade 8s may choose one of these fine arts: Band, Drama, Strings, or Visual Arts. Please visit the department
sites for more information.
Applied Skills Rotations
Click here for descriptions.
- Regular students: cooking, sewing,
woodworking, business education, &
research/presentation skills.
- Byng Arts students: jewelry design,
video production, animation, textile arts
- ESL students: enrolled in
computer-based courses or regular applied skills depending
on their proficiency in English.
Extra-curricular Activities
There are many clubs, sports teams, and intramural teams available.
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All Grade 8s are required to take English, Social Studies,
Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Fine Arts and
Applied Skills. French is usually taken.
Most Grade 8 students at Byng are enrolled in one of these
programs:
- Regular: for Grade 8s residing in our
neighbourhood. Check our catchment
area map, or the VSB using your postal code.
- Byng Arts: a District program with a
fine arts focus; application and audition required. Read
more about Byng Arts here...
- ESL & International students: for
those students learning English as a Second Language, in
transition, or need extra support in the regular program.
Details soon.
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Please be very sure that the Grade 8 student will be able
to work in a group with older students. As an added reminder,
it is not always a good idea to rush through curriculum.
This option is available for self-directed students who
are willing to work on their own during their Grade 7 year to
ensure that they understand the Mathematics 8 content.
Entrance requirements
.. Please check with the Mathematics Department for more
information.
Please indicate on the Grade 8 Enrolment Form if you plan
to write.
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Students who have demonstrated a strong background in
French as a Second Language or who are native speakers should
write the placement test given in May. In addition, the Grade
8 student needs to be able to work in groups with older
students. Please indicate on the Grade 8 Enrolment Form if
you plan to write.
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The rotations may vary slightly from year to year, but
generally fall under three departments: Business Education,
Home Economics, and Technical Studies.
Grade 8s in the Regular program
The Regular rotations include the following:
- The world of business through the use
of simulations and projects. Projects vary in scope
depending on the time allotment and in the past have
included advertising awareness, personal money management,
and entrepreneurship.
- Research and presentation skills so
that students may apply these skills in other courses
throughout high school and beyond. Proper use of computer
accounts and basic computer skills are also taught.
- Foods and nutrition to develop skills
in cooperation and working within groups during practical
foods labs. Good eating habits and nutrition are emphasized
throughout the course.
- Clothing and textiles to develop
confidence in the use and control of the sewing machine and
learn basic sewing construction. Past projects included:
stuffed toys, boxer shorts, and aprons.
- Woodworking to work in the shops where
the environment is purposeful, challenging, supportive and
safety conscious. Past projects have included: model sail
boats and gum ball machines.
Byng Arts 8 Students
The various departments have modified their Regular
Applied Skills 8 courses to accommodate the art and design
focus of the Byng Arts program. Typical components in the
past have included:
- Animation to familiarize the Byng Arts
student with the computer networking and workstation
systems at Byng. Basic animation and presentation skills
are taught through the use of Cinema 4D and Microsoft
PowerPoint.
- Textile Arts to explore creativity
through fabric painting, embroidery, and fabric collage.
Students will also learn to use the sewing machine and
basic construction with fabric.
- Jewelry design to explore the skills
used in its design. The student will learn shop safety and
the design process as well.
- Video production to express creativity
through media arts.
ESL & Transitional ESL Students
For safety reasons or high reading level some components
of Applied Skills 8 are not suitable for the ESL student. ESL
students will be enrolled in the computer based courses until
a sufficient mastery of English is achieved. Some ESL
students are permitted in the Textile Arts, Sewing, or
Cooking components, but rarely in the Technical Studies or
Business components.
- Animation - see description above
- Research and Presentation Skills - see
description above
- Video production - see description
above
- Textile Arts - There are safety
concerns with sewing machines.
- Foods & Nutrition - There are
safety concerns with ovens and stoves.
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Grade 8 students enrolled in the different programs take
these courses:
| Regular |
Byng Arts |
ESL |
| English |
Byng Arts English |
ESL Literature |
| Social Studies |
Byng Arts Social Studies |
ESL Social Studies |
| Science |
Byng Arts Science |
ESL Science |
| French |
French or another fine art |
ESL Writing |
| Mathematics |
Mathematics |
Mathematics |
| Physical Education |
Byng Arts Physical Education |
Physical Education |
| Fine Art |
Fine Art specialty |
Visual Arts or Music |
| Applied skills |
Byng Arts Applied skills |
ESL Applied skills |
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