Personal Development and Career Education

Career Development 10 and 11 each consist of a cluster of courses and portions of courses selected from the current listings of courses within the Public Schools Program. Courses and portions of courses are selected to help students plan and prepare for the learning experiences, both in the school and the community that will lead them toward an occupation and/or career. 

Course Descriptions

Career Development 10 Open — 1 credit

Learners will engage in self-assessment evaluating interests, skills, learning styles and aptitudes to explore career pathways. Students develop their concept of their place in the world of work and add to their understanding of workplaces and their readiness to enter them. Student will create a portfolio as part of the course to organize and document accomplishments, skills, experiences, and attributes in relation to classroom learning and personal experiences.

Learning Strategies 10 Open — 1 credit

Learning Strategies are the processes that students use to learn new skills and complete learning tasks. They provide structure and organization so learning can be most efficiently accomplished. 

Most students are able to build on prior knowledge and experiences to develop effective learning strategies and learn new academic concepts and skills. However, some students, in the high school setting, may require more explicit teaching, practice, and technological assistance to acquire learning strategies that will help them move successfully through the high school curriculum and transition out of high school. 

The Learning Strategies courses are part of a continuum of support services designed to assist students with identified learning difficulties. Students who are registered in Learning Strategies 10, 11, or 12 are identified through the porgram planning process. 

The Learning Strategies curriculum emphasizes the principles of Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) and is designed to enhance and develop the students' skills in the following areas: Self-awareness; Organization; Transitioning; Literacy; Numeracy.

Students interested in finding out more about the Learning Strategies courses should check with their guidance counsellor or resource teacher. 

Recommended Prerequisite

Enrollment in Learning Strategies 10 is through the program planning process.

Child Studies 11 — 1 credit

Child Studies 11 is a course designed to help students explore the meaning and implications of responsible parenthood and child care; to help them acquire current information regarding reproduction, pregnancy, and childbirth; to help them explore significant issues of early childhood; and to help them apply the understanding of child development to the care and guidance of children.

Cooperative Education 11 — 1 credit

Co-op is an opportunity to learn about the world of work through both classes and a hands-on work placement. Students complete 25 hours of classes about interview skills, business communication, workplace safety, job ethics and other topics. Then, students choose a career that interests them and the teacher coordinator helps the student find an unpaid 100 hour work placement in that field. Past students have completed co-op terms as a chef, an auto mechanic, a teacher, a physicist, a firefighter, an accountant... the possibilities are endless! Co-op students are sometimes later hired by their placement supervisors. You can take more than one co-op credit if you would like to explore more than one career. Co-op applications are available in Student Services.

Learning Strategies 11 Open — 1 credit

Learning Strategies 11 continues to build on the learning outcomes attained through Learning Strategies 10. This course is for students who have successfully completed Learning Strategies 10 and who have been identified through the program planning process.

An examination of post-secondary goals is a major component of this course, and the lessons will build on the skills identified in Learning Strategies 10 as those necessary for the successful transition to work or studies beyond high school.

As in Learning Strategies 10, assistive technology will be a key component of support for students.

(Outdoor Education) PE Leadership 12 — 1 credit

This is a full year course for grade 12 and 11 students. The course focuses on developing outdoor skills such as camp skills, winter activities (cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing) navigation/orienteering, first aid, cooking, canoeing and hiking .  Students will also design and complete a service learning project throughout the course. Students will be expected to attend classes as scheduled in school for skills development as well as attend field trips that range from day trips to multi day trips through the seasons.

Cooperative Education 12 — 1 credit

Co-op is an opportunity to learn about the world of work through both classes and a hands-on work placement. Students complete 25 hours of classes about interview skills, business communication, workplace safety, job ethics and other topics. Then, students choose a career that interests them and the teacher coordinator helps the student find an unpaid 100 hour work placement in that field. Past students have completed co-op terms as a chef, an auto mechanic, a teacher, a physicist, a firefighter, an accountant... the possibilities are endless! Co-op students are sometimes later hired by their placement supervisors. You can take more than one co-op credit if you would like to explore more than one career. Co-op applications are available in Student Services.

Health and Human Services 12 — 1 credit

This course is of interest to students who might be considering post-secondary education/employment in health fields or human services including psychology/social work, continuing care, nursing, addictions counseling, youth and child studies, correctional services, educational support, gerontology, recreation and leisure, education.

The course provides students with skills and knowledge in human development, ethics, helping process, interpersonal and personal development, wellness, written and verbal communications and computer applications. Students will explore skills and knowledge specific to defined occupations.

Group work, case studies, community projects and agency interaction are some of the learning strategies used to ensure practical application of the theory studied. Community Based Education is a component of Health and Human Services 12.

Leadership 12 — 1 credit

This leadership course will provide the self-motivated and energetic student opportunities to participate and make a difference in the school and community. The purpose of the course is three-fold: to generate personal growth and leadership development for students, to positively influence the culture of the school, increase school spirit, and to engage in mentorship connections within the community. Students will be expected to partner with both younger and older students in mentor and mentee positions. Students will develop leadership skills and build positive, realistic attitudes toward both self and society. Modules include the following: public speaking, communication, goal setting, team building, problem solving, risk taking, project planning, leadership development, service to others, and organizational techniques. Students may have to make application to be accepted into this program.

PLEASE NOTE: Leadership 12 students may be required to participate in events and activities that extend the hours of the regular school day. The following will be required in order to successfully meet the outcomes of the course: Approximately 15 hours of school service and training (Orientation Day Training, Orientation Day), hours of community service, and hours for school events organized by the class (Social and Academic Follow-Ups). To achieve these ends, students will be engaged in individual / self-directed work as well as group and community work.

Learning Strategies 12 Open — 1 credit

Learning Strategies 12 is designed for those students who have successfully completed Learning Strategies 10 and 11 and who have been identified through the program planning process.

While Learning Strategies 12 will build on the grade 10 and 11 curriculum, it will have as its primary focus transition from high school. The students will be expected to demonstrate that they are a successful independent learner.