http://www.brentwood.bc.ca/curriculum/academics/grade-11-curriculum-the-commitment-year.html

Grade 11

Grade eleven represents a year in which students are expected to make important decisions regarding their prospective areas of study. Choices made regarding grade 11 electives can and do reverberate into grade 12 and beyond. Consequently a thorough explanation and discussion of these elective courses and the grade 12 direction that they prepare students for begins in grade 10. All grade 11 students are expected to begin to develop tentative post secondary plans and are encouraged to attend university visits to broaden their knowledge and appreciation of post secondary institutions both in Canada and abroad. SAT preparation for those interested in US universities is a focus as is the “pre AP” year that provides in many subjects the foundation for success in Advanced Placement exams in grade 12. In several electives there is the possibility of taking AP exams in grade 11. In today’s increasingly competitive and expensive post-secondary institutions, the experience of taking Advanced Placement courses is not only excellent preparation for university level education but can also provide placement into higher level courses and credit that alleviates tuition burdens. Advanced Placement is one strand through which students can pursue excellence academically and all are encouraged to become involved in the wide range of opportunities at this level.

All students take six courses

  • English 11 or 11AP
  • Mathematics 11
  • Science 11 (students choose one of): Biology 11 or 11AP, Chemistry 11 or 11AP, Physics 11 or 11AP.
  • Social Studies 11: Government, 20th Century Canadian History (1900-1990), World Geography: Critical and Changing Times in the Global Village
  • French 11or 12
  • Spanish 11or 12
  • Grade 11 Electives (students choose one of eight electives): A second science, Earth Science 11, Computer Science 11AP, Entrepreneurship 12, Geography 12, Art History 11/12AP, Comparative Government and Politics, Geology 12, Music Theory AP, Studio Art AP

English 11

In every grade, Brentwood students study an eclectic blend of non-fiction prose, novels, short fiction, verse, and Shakespeare. Grade 11 students are also introduced to biblical allusions through the teaching of Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies. Students’ binders and minds will be full with bi-weekly essays in a variety of different styles, vocabulary and grammar exercises (senior students should be able to edit their own work for correctness, but many grammatical lessons of review and minutiae remain), glossaries of literary terms, presentations, and independent reading. The significant forms of writing in Grade 11 are the expository essay, the critical research paper, and the personal reflective essay.

In both December and June, all Grade 11 students will write practice provincial examinations. The Honors set – a home for voracious readers and ambitious writers – will write the Advanced Placement Language and Composition examination in May.

By year’s end, students should have a good idea as to which path they wish to travel in Grade 12: language or literature.

Mathematics 11

Students begin by representing and analyzing situations that involve expressions, equations and inequalities. Quadratic, polynomial and rational functions are represented and analyzed. Students solve coordinate geometry problems involving points, lines and line segments and apply the geometric properties of circles to solve problems.

Social Studies 11

The course is divided into two main sections. Students change teachers at midpoint in the second term.

Government and Geography

Students study selected political systems, including communism, socialism, liberalism, conservatism, fascism and theocracy, as well as the structure of Canadian government. When possible, comparisons will be made with the American system. Within the Canadian system, the course will focus on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, the electoral system, the constitution and the Charter of Rights. Current events will be used to create a modern context for topics under study.

Students also study Canada’s geography in a world context, with topics including the critical and changing times in the “global village”, world population, food supplies, surplus and famine, industrialization and urbanization, resource management and the environment.

Model Parliament

All students will participate in a parliamentary style debate through a model parliament. In addition, they will learn to defend a point of view using the two-person parliamentary debate format.

History

Students will study 20th century Canadian history (1900-1990) through themes and topics which include racism and multiculturalism (immigration and aboriginal rights), Canada’s road to autonomy, the creation of the Canadian identity through various conflicts, boom and bust in the 20s and 30s, Canada’s role in the two world wars, French/English relations, Canada’s post-World War II international role and major issues in Canada’s domestic policy.

Grade 11 Science Electives

All students take at least one science, and may choose two.

EITHER

Biology 11

A thorough understanding of biology provides students with a foundation for studies in ecology, the environment and medicine. To fully comprehend the science of biology, students must first familiarize themselves with classification systems and evolutionary theories. The origin of life according to the heterotroph hypothesis is followed by a study of the Monerans emphasizing bacteria. Protists, plants and animals are then studied in a sequence that depicts the evolutionary progression of life. The location of Brentwood College School provides a unique opportunity for students to examine a living marine environment.

OR

Biology 11AP

Advanced Placement Biology is a two-year course that gives credit for both Biology 11 and Biology 12. A solid understanding of the additional material taught in this course may provide students with first-year biology credit in university. The first term focus is a study of biochemistry, cells and cellular processes. The animal kingdom and evolutionary themes are explored in the second term. The year concludes with a study of heredity including classical genetics, DNA, protein synthesis and the regulation of the genome. The students visit the University of Victoria to conduct several labs related to the study of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Chemistry 11/11AP

Chemistry 11 is a survey course designed to provide a strong foundation for post-secondary science. The material covered in Grades 9 and 10 is thoroughly reviewed and followed by an intense study of stoichiometry. The fundamentals of organic chemistry are introduced in preparation for further studies at the university level. A unit on solution chemistry provides the basis for topics covered in Chemistry 12. To succeed in this course, students must be comfortable with algebra and have a firm grasp of the chemistry concepts taught in previous grades.

The course material matches the prescribed learning outcomes for Chemistry 11 prepared by the provincial government and often expands into additional areas of interest including the behaviour of gases. Students may be required to participate in national chemistry competitions such as the Avogadro exam. A solid understanding of this course helps students who study biology, medicine, physics or engineering. The AP option moves at a faster pace to allow for extra units such as redox chemistry to be included in order to allow time for AP material in grade 12.

EITHER

Physics 11

The study of Physics 11 provides students with the foundations for post-secondary physical sciences, astronomy and engineering. Topics from both classical and modern physics are covered in this survey course. These topics include motion, energy, waves, optics and special relativity. Additional topics such as quantum mechanics and nuclear physics may also be examined. The diversity of this material helps students to further their understanding of the technical world in which they live and prepares them for the rigorous Physics 12 course. This course best suits students with a firm understanding of mathematics.

OR

Physics 11AP

Advanced Placement Physics is a two-year course that gives credit for both Physics 11 and Physics 12. Successful completion of the additional material taught in this course may provide students with first-year physics credit in university. Only serious science and mathematics students with strong academic credentials should consider the AP option.

Earth Science 11

This course is an excellent preparatory course for Geology 12, Geography 12 and Environmental Science AP. There are five main topic areas: Astronomy: Students survey the methods used to study the universe, the origin of the universe itself, the objects within it and the relationship between objects within our solar system, particularly Earth, its moon and the sun. Earth Materials: Students study the types of rocks and minerals found in Earth’s crust together with the extraction and use of Earth’s resources. Geological Time: Students assess the significance of age dating, the fossil record and the Geological Time Scale. Internal Processes and Plate Tectonics: Students are introduced to the processes involved in seismology, volcanic activity and plate tectonics. Surface Processes and the Hydrosphere: The atmosphere, weather phenomenon, the hydrological cycle, weathering, erosion and physical oceanography are discussed in the context of current global issues such as climate change and topsoil depletion.

Additional Grade 11 Electives

French 11 Advanced

The prerequisites for this class are Advanced French 10 or a strong immersion background. This class may contain former immersion students and strong second language students. They will go well beyond the BC prescribed learning outcomes, especially in writing and grammatical understanding.

French 11 Core

This course is for students who have successfully completed French 10. They will fulfil the BC prescribed French learning outcomes. Listening, speaking and writing skills are emphasized, alongside a sound grammatical understanding. French 11 seeks to consolidate many of the concepts introduced in French 10 and presents a number of more complex topics. Some topics will be revisited, but through a new context.

Spanish 11

This is a language alternative for students who have completed Spanish 10. It is a third-year course and a continuation of the Spanish 10 programme. This class is conducted almost entirely in Spanish and concentrates on elevating the mastery of all language skills through reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Students will describe events in the present, past and future through the discussion of topics such as travel, daily life, health and future endeavours. There will be a very strong cultural component in the class; the students will learn about the culture, customs, traditions, geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world with a special focus on South America.

Art History 12AP

AP Art History is designed to provide the same benefits to secondary school students as those provided by an introductory college course in art history: an understanding and enjoyment of architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts. In the course, students examine major forms of artistic expression from the past and present and from a variety of cultures. They learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate what they see or experience.

Students examine the following spectrum: non-European artistic traditions, ancient through Medieval, and Renaissance to present.

Geography 12

This course is a detailed examination of our physical environment, including geomorphology, climatology, meteorology, soils, and natural vegetation. Human geography includes a study of energy resources, minerals, agriculture, transport and communications, industry, and land use choices. Map and photo interpretation also constitutes a significant part of the final examination which all students write in June.

Entrepreneurship 12

This senior level course will allow the students to be immersed into the theory and practical aspects of Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship in the last two decades has been looked at and considered a salve for many of the economic ailments of our times. In addition to extensive study of theory, the students will participate in “Project Innovation “ which will challenge them to run a business for a brief period with minimal funding, experience or help. The students will face some very interesting challenges and situations which will make the theory presented later more meaningful. For a large part of the year the students will be required to create a venture from scratch and then implement that venture during the annual Brentwood Regatta in April. Students invest their own money and reap the benefits of their diligence and creativity. This project gives all of the students’ practical experience in many of the problems and challenges the entrepreneur faces each and every day.

Computer Science 11AP

This course is a preparation for Computer Science AP and is primarily directed at developing the programming component required for success at the AP level. Students will be introduced to the concepts and language involved in Java based programming and the ideas behind the successful design, testing, debugging and implementation of a computer program to solve specific problems. An object oriented approach to programming is adopted and students will also be introduced to the concept of a class in terms of both its design and its user interface. In addition, this course will also offer a “hands on” component in terms of examining and reconstructing hardware elements. The principles of networking computers and the management of servers will also be outlined. Students will receive credit for Information and Communication Technology 11 (ICT 11) through successful completion of this course.

Studio Art AP

This course is primarily for students who have demonstrated a high level of ability in 2D art and who may be interested in a post-secondary career in a related field such as art, photography, fashion or design. The course promotes a sustained investigation of all three aspects of portfolio development—Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. It enables students to develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution of drawing and 2-D design. In addition, students develop a variety of approaches in drawing and design and are able to demonstrate a range of abilities and techniques, solving problems and expanding ideas using different media. Students also study painting and drawing styles from the past and learn to incorporate elements of these into their own work. The course emphasizes making art as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision making. This includes group and individual student critiques and instructional conversations with the teacher, enabling students to learn to analyze and discuss their own artworks and those of their peers.

Music Theory AP

The course enables students to master the rudiments and terminology of music, notational skills, intervals, scales, keys, chords, meter, and rhythm. It includes, but is not limited to, study of a wide variety of vocal and instrumental music from the standard Western tonal repertoires. Musical ability is developed through a variety of means such as written exercises, sight reading, listening and dictation. It progresses to include creative exercises which introduce more advanced concepts such as phrase structure, Roman numeral progression, analysis of repertoire, and harmonic analysis. Functional triadic harmony in traditional four-voice texture, including non harmonic tones, seventh chords, and secondary dominants are also investigated. Students are encouraged to develop their own compositions and are introduced to software programs that facilitate the writing of melodies and scores. In addition to the AP exam in May, students are also prepared for RCM examinations at various levels throughout the course depending on their experience and ability.