FY Course Information Evening Agenda ● Welcome and introductions – Derek Poon

● Transition to the Sr. Division – Derek Poon

● Program Overview: FY and IB - Julia Kinnear

● Putting Together a Successful Foundation Year

Program – Katherine Ridout

● Course Selection Across the FY Curriculum

○ Modern and Classical Languages- Sophia

Berezowsky

○ Humanities and Social Sciences - Kathryn Brookes

○ Science - Reed Jeffrey

○ Mathematics - Deirdre Timusk

○ Arts - Judith Macdonell

● Closing - Don Kawasoe

Transition to the Sr Division

● Sr. Div expectations begin- the high school

experience; maturity, independence - university

years

● Sr. level for all co-curricular activities – sports, music,

arts and clubs

● Leadership opportunities increase – co-curricular,

student government, House, Outreach, mentorship

of Y1 boys when in IB1

● Spring 2014- Final Student-Led Conference

Wernham West Centre For Learning (Sr. Div CFL) Like a Fitness Centre for the Brain

● Academic Support

● Reading and writing strategies

● Organizational tips and resources for exam prep -

Dec exams begin in FY through IB2

● ALL Boys enrolled in a Blackboard course

● Peer tutoring at lunch and before school

● High demand, high support continues

● Always accessible

The Foundation Year Program ● FY students complete a program of 8

courses

○ 3 compulsories: English, Math,

Physical Education

○ 1 second language

○ 1 social science/humanities course

○ 1 science

○ 2 electives (chosen from Group 6

and/or Groups 2,3,4)

Looking Ahead: The IB Program

●Six courses

3 Higher Level subjects

3 Standard Level subjects

●Students also complete

Theory of Knowledge

Extended Essay

CAS Program

●Two year program ending in externally

evaluated cumulative exam

FY: Foundation for the IB

FY English Foundation for IB English

● Oral communication skills

● Close reading

● Writing composition

● Vocabulary

Those interested in creative writing have the option of

Writer’s Craft (EWc4U)

Putting Together a Successful FY Program: Resources • Academic Program Guide on UCC website

• University Counselling Office guides

• Course selection sheet (February 28 deadline)

• Course selection checklist

• Advice from current teachers

• Feedback from house adviser

• Two group sessions with university counsellor

• If needed, consultation with university counsellor

Putting Together a Successful FY Program: Considerations • Academic requirements of OSSD and potential IB

program

• Intellectual interests

• Level of achievement in various subjects

• Particular learning profile

• Prerequisites needed for potential post-secondary

programs

• June FY grades play role in post-secondary

admission

Putting Together a Successful FY Program: The Importance of Year 2

● Ideal time to develop “habits of learning” and

acquire discipline-specific content and skills

● Transition to more independent learning style

necessary for success in IB

● Tips for Students and Parents:

○ reflect on student strengths and interests

○ recognize need for support with more complex

planning

○ establish priorities and strive for balance

Modern and Classical Languages

● Students need to continue with at least one

language B

● Rationale of streaming in French

● Choosing the right language path can make a big

difference in the overall experience for a student

Learning a new language requires: ● self discipline

● knowing how to talk about another culture with

sensitivity

● taking risks and not being afraid to make mistakes

● having a strong awareness of his own cultural identity

● feeling comfortable with ambiguity and relying on

intuition (language is not always logical)

● great attention to detail

Modern and Classical Languages

● “If you talk to a man in a language that he understands,

it goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, it

goes to his heart” (Nelson Mandela)

Social Sciences & Humanities

Science -- the choices ...

biology

chemistry

physics

electives:

computer science

information and communication technology

Biology topics: diversity of living things, evolution, genetic

processes, animals:structure and function,

plants:anatomy growth and function

-lab component

-heavy on specialized knowledge

Chemistry topics: matter-chemical trends-bonding, reactions,

quantities in reactions, acids and bases, solutions

and solubility, gases

-lab component

-problem solving & specialized knowledge

-recommended for those planning on continuing with

sciences at university

Physics topics: kinematics, forces, energy and society, waves

and sound, electricity and magnetism

-lab component

-heavy in problem solving

- a must for those considering Engineering

Computer Science topics: programming concepts and skills, software

development, designing modular programs,

computer science and society

-recommended for students considering computer

science or engineering at university

-students must have taken computer science last

year ( ICS3U)

Information and Communication Technology topics: digital literacy, productivity software, business

communications, e-business, ethics and issues

-a business course (BTA3O)

-students design and create an e-business website

Science Choices must choose 1 or 2 of:

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

may choose:

Computer Science

Information and Communication Technology

Mathematics in FY ●

● difficulty level increases

● pace is faster

● students will adjust over time

FY Levels

● Higher Level

● Standard Level

● Same credit and same exam

The Higher Level Student

• Wants to take Higher Level mathematics in IB (10%

of IB students)

HE LOVES MATHEMATICS.

• Is self-motivated, enjoys problem-solving and

thinking of science/math/engineering/computers

The Standard Level Student •

• Wants to take Standard or Studies Level in IB

program

o SL: 70% of IB students

o Studies: 20% of IB students

• May be quite strong in mathematics

but may not have the time or

interest required for the

Higher Level

Communication • All Year Two teachers will discuss your son’s

placement with him

• No surprises

• Talk to his teacher if you have concerns or

questions

• ......REMEMBER.... very few university programs

require Higher Level IB mathematics (but it is more

fun!)

When the going gets tough.. •

• Ask him....

• Has he completed all his hmk?

• Has he checked his answers?

• Has he corrected his work?

• Has he practiced that question again?

“I never check my answers. If I did, I might find out I

was wrong and then I’d have to do more work!”

D.M. Class 2010

...the tough get going

●

● Has he asked his teacher/friend for help?

● Has he practiced that question again?

● Printed out the notes from Blackboard or reviewed his

notes?

● Has he tried Khan Academy?

● Has he read the textbook?

● Has he tried the UCC Math Academy on Blackboard?

● Has he tried Wolfram Alpha?

● Did we have all this?

Encourage your son…. • encourage your son to come for help

• encourage your son to work through difficult

problems

• encourage a positive attitude towards

mathematics

• encourage your son to advocate for himself

• encourage him to work diligently and regularly

• ultimately -he has to do it - you’ve already

graduated from high school!

Support from School • Math Clinic: M,F 7:45 am; TW lunch 308

• Peer Tutors: contact CFL

• One-on-one time with teacher: scheduled by

student

• Professional tutoring is a last resort - check with

teacher to see he’s doing all his homework and is

still not successful

Arts ‘Every child is born an artist’ - Picasso

VISUAL ARTS

FY Visual Art at UCC (required for IB Visual Art)

Students in FY Art explore a range of art media and art historical contexts related to studio projects in drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, and industrial design. Prerequisite Y2 Art.

FILM

FILM IS NOT OFFERED AT FY

Suggestions from coordinator: join the FILM club

Take FY theatre to assist with an understanding of acting also story boarding ideas (PPP)

Story development can be refined with Writer’s Craft

`

Arts ‘Every child is born an artist’ - Picasso

THEATRE

FY Theatre is an exciting course that builds on the skills developed in

Y2 Drama. Students will continue to work on their acting skills

through ensemble performances of Richard III and contemporary

theatre. In preparation for IB Theatre, students will also complete a

Research Investigation into a theatre practice chosen from a

prescribed list. As well, they will put together a Practical

Performance Proposal to give them practice in envisioning how a

theatrical text might be produced. FY Theatre students are

encouraged to take advantage of the great theatre in Toronto and

extend their learning beyond the classroom.

They keep a portfolio that serves as a collection of their ideas,

learning, and experiences as they continue their journey as artists.

`

Arts ‘Every child is born an artist’ - Picasso

MUSIC

Foundation year music provides students with a wide breadth of music

education. Music students take part in an extensive jazz performance

unit that covers various jazz styles including modal jazz, blues, rock

and be bop. A strong emphasis is placed on jazz theory that prepares

students for most improvisations. This unit culminates with

performances of original works during in class recitals. World music is

introduced in FY music and students perform and present music from

various parts of the musical planet. Guest artists are invited to run

workshops that include African and Cuban hand drumming as well as

Indian tabla classes. The course is further enriched by classical solo

units that refine performance skills and focus on tone, rhythm and time

keeping.

`

Two Resonating Beliefs - Dr. Tom Chau

● Everyone is precious, unique and irreplaceable

● Make a difference