Grade 8 programs at Byng
Overview as of Dec 2005
Programs
There are three main programs: Regular, Byng Arts, and ESL
& International. See program
information or comparison chart for
more details.
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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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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