Grade 11/12 Elective Courses

**Please read this important note about elective courses**

When you are in Grades 11, and 12, every course that you take outside of your required courses is called an elective. For example, if you take Chemistry 11 and Environmental Science 11, only one of them is needed to fill the requirement for Science 11. The other courses become electives for the purposes of grad requirements.

So, you can end up taking some academic courses for electives (eg. History 12) and then some electives that fall under other categories such as physical education, or skills/design, technology (eg. Food Studies 11, Outdoor Education 12). This page lists that second category of electives- the academic courses are listed on the other pages.

NEW COURSES:

TOURISM 11/12

MOUNTAIN BIKE MAINTENANCE 11/12

VOLLEYBALL 11/12

VOCAL MUSIC 11/12

3D Studio Art 11/12

4 credits, satisfies the ADST elective requirement

This course will consist mostly of working with clay, both on the wheel and learning hand building techniques. Working with clay takes time and practice so the majority of the semester will be spent getting messy and creative with pottery projects. This class will also offer other 3D opportunities to take art off the page and will explore different sculptural techniques and materials. There may be some homework for image and project idea generation but there will be ample time for all work and projects to be completed during class.
Materials explored: clay & glazes; wire; plaster; mosaic; mixed media collage
Clay processes: wheel throwing, trimming and how to alter forms; slap construction; hand-building techniques; different glazing techniques

Computer Programming 11/12

4 credits, satisfies the ADST elective requirement

Explore the ideas that power innovation.

Open to students of all levels and interests. Perfectly suited for students considering careers in technology, science, engineering, mathematics, or business.
Check out www.walzl1.com - Go to the Computer Programming course page and checkout the promo videos at the bottom.
Ask Mr. Walzl (or former students) if you have any questions. jwalzl@sd48.bc.ca
0-2 hours of homework per week

Contemporary Music 11/12

4 credits, satisfies the ADST elective requirement

This one-semester course is designed for students who want to develop music-making skills and enhance their music literacy in a personalized setting. Students will explore music theory and processes relevant to their goals, while having the opportunity to practice, produce, and perform both individually and in groups of their own making. No previous experience required but an interest and independent drive for music is a must.

In this course, students can expect to:

Focus on an instrument, music composition/production, or both
Learn or improve skills in electric-based instruments such as guitar, bass, keyboard, violin, cello, or an instrument of personal choice. (Contact Mr. Niwinski for additional options: cniwinski@sd48.bc.ca)
Explore music composition and production techniques with recording and notation software such as MuseScore and Ableton Live. (Other options may be available; ask Mr. Niwinski for details)
Practice and perform in both solo and group settings
Deepen understanding of music fundamentals, including scales, pitch, notation, dynamics, rhythm, melody, chords, harmony, timbre, and individual expression
Access additional rehearsal/studio time outside the regular timetable if desired

Assessments for this course may include:

Recorded or produced audio/video samples
Performances (in-class and/or outside of class)
Theory tests
Individual progress checks
Written reflections
Music equipment knowledge and assessments

Food Studies 11/12

4 credits, satisfies ADST elective requirement

action-packed course students; hands on practice and project based learning
baking and cooking skills
nutrition and healthy living
budgeting, careers
current food issues and practices such as global and environmental health issues related to the production and consumption of food.
ethnic cooking
Students who have not obtained their FoodSafe level 1 certification will be given the opportunity to do so.

French 11

4 credits. Several universities and post-secondary programs require a second language 11

Prerequisite: French 10 OR have been enrolled in a French Immersion program in the past

Expand on French reading and writing

Expand on conversational skills
Learn about Francophone cultures from all over the world

Activities/Assessment:

Games, art projects, group + individual projects, listening to music, watching collaborative learning, community building activities, quizzes, tests, conversational assessments.

Benefits:

Learning another language is an amazing experience - it gives you insight into different cultures
Gives you an advantage in the job market and enables you to travel more confidently and meet more people from all over the world
Creates neural pathways in your brain that will enhance your learning in ALL subjects

French 12

4 credits.

Prerequisite: French 11 OR have been enrolled in a French Immersion program in the past

Become proficient French readers and writers
Extend your conversational skills

Learn about Francophone cultures from all over the world

Activities/Assessment:

Games, art projects, group + individual projects, listening to music, watching collaborative learning, community building activities, quizzes, tests, conversational assessments.

Benefits:

Learning another language is an amazing experience - it gives you insight into different cultures
Gives you an advantage in the job market and enables you to travel more confidently and meet more people from all over the world
Creates neural pathways in your brain that will enhance your learning in ALL subjects

Human Performance 11/12

4 credits

The emphasis in this course is on being happy and being physically active.

Human Performance is about designing an inspirational program of activities together as a team.

In Human Performance you will get the chance to:

Play games that help you improve your understanding and ability to play different sports.
Experience different training methods for sport, health and wellbeing.
Design your own exercise program
Use Meadow Park Sports Centre for weight training, squash, swimming and ice -skating.
Design, play and lead activities.
Listen to guest speakers presentations (local athletes / trainers / coaches).
Take part in outdoor activities (options include biking, sailing, canoeing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, orienteering and triathlon).

Mountain Bike Maintenance 11/12

4 credits, elective

This hands-on course introduces students to the essentials of mountain bike maintenance, emphasizing skills that promote safety, enjoyment, and employment in Whistler’s dynamic mountain biking and tourism industry. Students will learn to disassemble and reassemble bikes, complete general bike maintenance, and perform basic repairs to keep bikes trail-ready and safe. Key course components also include introductory automotive skills such as tire and oil changes, which enhance general mechanical knowledge and boost practical life skills.

Beyond technical skills, this course highlights how maintaining one’s equipment can foster health, fitness, and a deeper connection to the community. Students will explore local job and career opportunities within Whistler’s tourism and mountain biking shops around town, gaining insights into fields such as bike mechanics, trail building, and eco-tourism. They’ll engage in community-building activities and contribute to trail maintenance, understanding the importance of sustainable practices that protect and preserve the trails they enjoy.

This course is ideal for anyone eager to develop hands-on skills in bike maintenance, connect with Whistler’s biking community, and support the growth of health, wellness, and safety among outdoor enthusiasts.

Outdoor Recreation Leadership

12 credits, Includes socials studies 11/12 grad requirement

This course is based on the understanding that people learn best when they are actively involved.

While students work on outdoor skills, a primary objective will be for the development of leadership techniques and an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of leadership practiced in an outdoor environment.

Participants should be ready to get outside, be committed to developing their personal skills, and enjoy spending time in the outdoor classroom.

Credits earned include Outdoor Education 11/12, Outdoor Leadership 11/12, Physical Geography 12

This class will at times operate outside of normal school hours. It is expected that students who are in the program manage their time appropriately and are considerate of the overlap with other timetabled courses.
Much of the class content can be completed within class time, however, larger projects will take time outside of class in order to demonstrate your learning and apply your knowledge.
There will be a combination of theoretical and practical hands on learning through the semester.
Summative and Formative assessments will complement personal reflective practices in this course.

Peer Tutoring 11/12

4 credits

an opportunity for students to provide classroom assistance at WSS.
provide assistance to students and teachers, as a leader, tutor, and helper.
students generally are matched with their sponsor teachers at the start of the quarter or semester. Students must possess proclivity for the subject.

Psychology 12

4 credits

This course has been designed with the goals of including developing greater understanding of basic psychological concepts and ideas, and to promote curiosity about the causes of human behavior. Students will explore their own personal motivation and factors influencing their relationships with others. Concepts explored include research ethics, the brain, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, personality development, sleep, health, and mental heath and disorders.
Students will work on a variety of activities including research assignments and a lab, class discussion, character analysis, written reflections and short presentations. Ideas will be further explored through presentations, guest speakers, videos, and student led inquiry questions.
Students will be assessed on their assignments, tests, projects and presentations. Additional evidence of learning will include discussions and interviews with the instructor. Regular feedback will be given from the teacher to guide learning in class and on assignments.
Homework outside of class time is negligible should you use your time in class well.

Senior Volleyball 11/12

4 credits

This course offers an in-depth exploration of volleyball skills, tactics, and fitness. Students will enhance their physical literacy, team play, and strategic understanding through drills, scrimmages, and game analysis. Falling under the fitness and conditioning framework, this course will incorporate fitness training to support athletic performance and personal well-being.

The curriculum emphasizes leadership, communication, and critical thinking, preparing participants for competitive play and fostering lifelong active living habits. Additional components include referee training, positional strategies, and offensive and defensive systems

Intro to Spanish

4 credits

This course is for students who have not previously studied Spanish.
Emphasis will be placed on acquiring language through input, communication and basic grammatical structures. Students will develop a proficiency in listening, reading, speaking and writing in Spanish while developing an appreciation of Hispanic culture.

Spanish 11

4 credits

This course is for recommended for those who have previously taken Intro to Spanish or with the approval from the Spanish teacher.
Spanish 11 is an advanced course built on skills acquired in the previous level. Students will interact in Spanish with increasingly complex vocabulary and sentence structure in familiar real-life situations. The culture of the Spanish speaking world will be further explored.
This course will meet the language requirements for both Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia - Vancouver.

Studio Art 11/12

4 credits

Drawing : a lot of cool drawing techniques including pencil, charcoal, india ink, oil & chalk pastels, pencil crayon and Prismacolor
Painting: a variety of painting techniques like tempera, watercolour and acrylic
Other mediums: Printmaking, photography and pottery
Students will partake in portfolio projects (student interest based) as well as art foundations to build on their previous art skills. Will take a manageable amount of time at home but will also receive studio time. Students will use self-assessment as their primary tool of assessment. Students will also be provided with art rubrics for specific projects.

Textiles 11/12

4 credits, elective

New skills include utilizing patterns, altering patterns, creating wearable garments, design basics and upcycling.

The role of textiles in First Peoples culture will be a component in the course.

Choose additional projects from knitting, crocheting, quilting, cross stitching, weaving, and paper crafts.

Basic materials for this course will be provided, however, if students wish to make a major project or garment to take home they will need to provide the necessary materials.

Tourism 11/12

4 credits, elective

The Tourism 11/12 course is an opportunity to explore the tourism and hospitality industry at home and beyond! Students will learn about business principles and environmental issues related to a wide range of tourism ventures. Considering stakeholder engagement, marketing techniques and the needs of a community will be essential to preparing for the final project of creating a business plan for a potential tourism initiative. Students will participate in field trips, interact with guest speakers and apply their learning through projects and mixed media applications. The experiences and learning throughout this course will encourage students to think critically and prepare them to be responsible global citizens as they join the workforce, travel abroad or participate in our local tourism context.

Vocal Music 11/12

4 credits, satisfies ADST elective requirement

This course offers students the opportunity to explore vocal techniques while developing their individual voice in an ensemble setting. Half of each week will be dedicated to singing with a small group of 8-12 mic’d vocalists, where students will practice harmonizing and blending with other voices in various vocal arrangements. The other half of the week will focus on studio recording,

allowing students to record and mix their own vocals, gaining hands-on experience with audio production and sound engineering. All levels of experience are welcome. See Mr. Niwinski for details - Cniwinski@sd48.bc.ca

Ensemble Singing: Perform in a group of 8-12 mic'd vocalists, focusing on blending with harmonies and practicing with various vocal arrangements
Individual Voice Development: Build vocal control and style while learning to harmonize and mix with other voices.
Studio recording: Gain hands-on experience recording and mixing vocals in a professional studio setting
Contemporary and Modern Music: Explore a range of musical genres, including contemporary pop, modern hits, and potentially jazz and other forms
Performance and Production Skills: Enhance both solo and ensemble performance skills, with an emphasis on improvisation, vocal technique, and audio production.

Woodworking Skills 11/12

4 credits, satisfies ADST requirement

This is a continuation of Woodwork 9/10, but there is no prerequisite.
Students new to this class will begin with the basics and progress at their natural speed. Those who have taken Woodwork 9 or 10 are expected to design and construct their own creations while increasing their skills in design, joinery, finishing, and milling.

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