Intermediate Program

Intermediate

In Newfoundland and Labrador, students in Grades 7, 8, and 9 are enroled in the Province's intermediate schools. The best and fullest development of young adolescents it the overall goal of the intermediate school.

The concepts, values, and skills of the program in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, music, industrial arts, art, physical education, French, health, family studies, and religious education are relevant to the interests and needs of twelve- to fifteen-year-olds. The curriculum achieves balance by placing equal emphasis on the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains and by taking into consideration the wide range of individual differences in the intermediate school.

In the intermediate grades, students consolidate skills for continued learning - e.g., communication and numeracy skills - and develop competence in decision making, leadership, self-reliance and taking responsibility. Problem solving, discussion, group procedures, and strategies that promote independent thinking are the primary approaches to education in the intermediate school. Ongoing evaluation determines students' remedial and enrichment needs.

Early adolescence is a time of rapid physical growth, of intense desire for autonomy, of questioning, and of searching for values. Young adolescents need someone with whom they can talk over problems and work out solutions. The homeroom, where students spend a substantial amount of time with the same teacher every day, provides stability.

Teachers and parents should have high expectations for young adolescents. They must believe that these students can learn, that they want to learn, and that the intermediate school is instrumental in meeting their learning needs.

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Art

The intermediate art program builds upon the two previous levels. Students are afforded increased opportunity to express their ideas and feelings through an emphasis on creating art images and objects. The program focuses on developing an understanding of design in art and the visual environment. Students learn more sophisticated applications of design elements and principles and have opportunities to use this knowledge.

The current program enlists the use of slides to provide illustrations of key art and design concepts at work. Students examine and analyze these images prior to engaging in art activities which focus on particular concepts. The program emphasizes the work of artists from Newfoundland and Labrador. Over seventy percent of the works included in the slide package have worked or are now working in this province.

Students can avail of six modules over three years. These are Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Folk Art, and Fibre Art.

The Program is structured around the following organizers:

Learning Resources

Authorized

Recommended

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Career Exploration - Grade 9

At the Grade 9 level, the Guidance Module, Career Exploration is designed around the three stages of Career Development: self awareness, career exploration and career and educational planning . Students develop an understanding of self in relation to the world of work through the exploration of interests, abilities, aptitudes, needs and values. This self awareness assists students in developing educational plans.

The program is organized around the following components:

Learning Resources

Authorized

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Core French

The Intermediate Core French Program is defined by outcomes at each grade level 7, 8, and 9. It is organized to build on student experiences in the Elementary Program and to prepare students for the challenges of the Senior High Program.

The primary purposes of Intermediate Core French are development of proficiency in oral language and learning about the francophone way of life. In skill development, major emphasis is therefore accorded to listening and speaking; reading and writing are important, serving to complement and reinforce listening and speaking. To ensure students have maximum opportunity to hear and use French, teachers should make it the language of the class including all aspects of administration and operation, in addition to instruction.

Students practice language in formal learning contexts and use it in functional learning contexts. Teachers should therefore ensure that students have appropriate language practice and content to meet their communication needs.

Learning Resources

Authorized

Grade 7: (dual listing)

OR

Grade 8: (dual listing)

OR

* Workbooks to accompany both Destinations 2 and Entre Amis are available from the publishers.

Grade 9: (dual listing)

OR

* Cassettes to accompany Destinations 3 and Entre Amis 3 are available from the publishers.

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English Language Arts

At the intermediate level, the English Language Arts Program is designed to develop students' knowledge and strategies in speaking, listening, reading, viewing, writing and other ways of representing meaning. English language arts must be taught in an integrated manner so that the interrelationship between and among the language processes will be understood and applied by the students. This integrated approach should be based on students' prior experience with language and on meaningful activities involving speaking, listening, reading, viewing, writing and other ways of representing. Experiences with literature are, in addition to developing their knowledge and strategies, designed to enhance students' awareness of the richness of life, expand their imagination, exercise their intellects, and mature their emotions.

The Program provides for a balance of transactional, expressive and poetic writing. The conventions of language are taught in the context of students' own writing and speaking. Students are expected to maintain a writing file of their work for assessment and reference purposes. The variety of resources for reading and viewing are intended to evoke personal responses, promote discussion and analysis of values and ideas, and consolidate their understanding of language, form and genre. A variety of interaction patterns - partnerships, small groups, whole class - should be used.

Learning Resources

Authorized

Grade 7:

Grade 8:

Grade 9:

Recommended

Grade 7:

Grades 7 - 9:

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Family Life Education (Roman Catholic)

At the intermediate level, the Family Life Program centres on the integration and development of the personality. It demonstrates the importance of growth and change and the fact that growth is a lifelong task. It helps students deepen their understanding of their relationships and develop sound values for effective decision making.

The Program centres on the following themes:

Learning Resources

Authorized

Grade 7:

Grade 8:

Grade 9:

Recommended

For AIDS Education

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Health

At the intermediate level, the Health Program takes a comprehensive approach to fostering and promoting the well-being of young people by making linkages with classroom instruction, health-related services, and a school environment that promotes and is conducive to healthy living. Comprehensive school health is a form of health promotion which fosters the creation of environments that provide opportunities for all young people to make healthy choices and enhance their own health and the health of their communities.

The Program is organized around the following components:

Learning Resources

Authorized

Grade 7:

The following videos are available from district offices and from the Provincial Public Libraries Board:

Grade 8:

The following videos are available from district offices and from the Provincial Public Libraries Board:

Grade 9:

The following videos are available from the Provincial Public Libraries Board:

Recommended

Grade 7:

Grade 8:

The following videos are available from the Provincial Public Libraries Board:

Grade 9:

The following videos are available from the Provincial Public Libraries Board:

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Home Economics

At the intermediate level, the Home Economics Program focuses on the development of skills for the effective use of personal and family resources; a positive self-concept; an understanding of self in relation to others; an awareness of the benefits of being a part of a family and the responsibilities associated with being a family member.

The Program is comprised of six modules which represent the major subject areas and the underlying concepts of home economics.

Learning Resources

Authorized

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Industrial Arts

The intent of the Industrial Arts Program at the intermediate level is to provide students with a diversified program of exploratory experiences in order to help them assume a basic understanding of industry and the world of work. An examination is made of the underlying functions of industry and how they relate to one another.

At the intermediate level students should begin to understand and assess their interests and abilities in terms of our industrial and technical society. In addition to providing knowledge, the Industrial Arts Program develops creative ability through the application of knowledge and addresses student need for physical activity.

The objectives of industrial arts at this level are attained through a study of basic hand tools and simple machine tools used with wood, metal, and plastic. Students are taught industrial communication skills such as blueprint reading and sketching and basic design techniques. They do experiments and projects in electricity and power.

Learning Resources

Authorized

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Mathematics

At the intermediate level, the Mathematics Program helps students develop the mathematical literacy essential to productive citizenship in a scientific and technological society. Students continue to develop specific skills and strategies for mathematical problem solving. These skills and strategies are applied as part of the consolidation of the concepts and skills of the real number system and measurement, and the development of introductory algebra, informal geometry and basic descriptive statistics.

Learning Resources

Authorized

Grade 7:

Grade 8:

Grade 9:

Recommended

Grade 7:

Grade 8:

Grade 9:

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Music

  • Exploring Music

    • The Intermediate music program further develops musical literacy and aesthetic awareness by providing meaningful and challenging musical experiences. Concepts learned in K - 6 are reviewed, reinforced, and consolidated while new skills and knowledge are applied to a number of musical forms. Emphasis is placed on direct experiences with music and the integration of musical elements. A student's understanding of basic concepts is enhanced through more advanced activities.

    Performing groups such as band, choir, orchestra or guitar and recorder ensembles, are recognized as components of the curriculum and are considered part of the instructional program. The prescribed learning outcomes may be realized through a classroom program or a particular performance category. Study through vocal and instrumental performance must be balanced with musicianship, sight singing, aural training, motor coordination, and directed listening.

    The Intermediate years are viewed as offering the opportunity to provide enrichment to the music program, enrichment through an application of skills and knowledge. Additional repertoire study will constantly reinforce and review while providing new aesthetic experiences and awareness. Using basic skills in different situations will solidify the musical knowledge and understanding and permit students to move beyond the technical and into the expressive realm of music (aesthetic development).

    The delivery of music curriculum involves two organizers:

    1. Curricular Settings, and
    2. Individual/Ensemble Experiences

    The Program utilizes three strands:

    1. Elements of Music
    2. Styles of Music

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

    Tutor books for instrumental programs should be ordered by schools. The following books are approved for a 40% subsidy. To review the reimbursement, submit itemized invoices that are marked "paid" by the supplier to the Learning Resources Distribution Centre. These must be received before January 31, 1998, in order to guarantee subsidy.

    Recommended

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    Music (Exploring Music)

    Learning Resources

    Authorized (Grades 7-9)

    Audio Cassettes (one per school)

    Video Cassettes (one per school)

    Note: The following videos are available on a loan basis from the Provincial Public Libraries Board:

    Film Strip (one per school)

    Recommended

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    Physical Education

    At the intermediate level, the Physical Education Program provides an understanding of the benefits of an active lifestyle and its contribution to well being; develops skills and interests for future leisure activities; promotes sound attitudes toward achievement, competition, success, and failure; helps students relate to desirable role models; shows that cooperation and sportsmanship are necessary to working together.

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

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    Religious Education (Integrated)

    At the intermediate level, students pursue a more formal study of the nature and development of religions and religious beliefs, the impact this has on societies and on the lives of individuals, and the various ways in which people express their religious beliefs.

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

    Grade 7:

    Grade 8:

    Grade 9:

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    Religious Education (Pentecostal)

    In the Intermediate Program, the emphasis continues to build upon the foundational importance of the Scriptures and its relevance to practical living.

    Grade 7 is a survey of the Old Testament designed to build skill in inductive bible study and use various biblical research tools. In this process valuable scriptural truths are communicated.

    Grade 8 features a survey of the New Testament intended to link the life/ death/resurrection of Christ with the birth of the Church. It also provokes the student to examine his/her own relationship to revealed Christian truth.

    Grade 9 offers a dual approach to religious education and health. The religious education component is a study of the Church from the Acts of the Apostles with special emphasis on practical issues introduced in the Pauline writings. It also assists the student to see how the Church has arrived at its present form. The health component is a biblically-consistent course to assist youth in the development of responsible attitudes and behaviour towards sexuality.

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

    Grade 7:

    Grade 8:

    Grade 9:

    Recommended (Grades 7, 8, and 9)

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    Religious Education (Roman Catholic)

    The Intermediate Program is comprised of the third cycle of the Born of the Spirit Series. The Grade 7 Program examines our relationship with God from the time of Abraham and Moses to Jesus, who revealed the Father and continues to live among us in the Holy Spirit. The Grade 8 Program assists young people in articulating what they believe through the study of the Creed, Scriptures, Church teaching; helps them encounter Christ in the Sacraments; and helps them live a moral, Christian life. The Grade 9 Program assists students in arriving at a new understanding of their faith by responding to their doubts and questions, by helping them to discover new meaning in keeping with their developing intellectual ability and by providing an experience of Christian community.

    The Program is organized around the following concepts:

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

    Grade 7:*

    Grade 8:*

    * A home study program is available for these two grade levels.

    Grade 9:

    Recommended

    Grade 7:

    Grade 8:

    It is essential that each student be provided with a Bible since the Program requires its regular use for research and reflection.

    Grade 9:

    All recommended resources are available from B. Broughton Co. Ltd. and the Canadian Bible Society.

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    Science

    The Intermediate Science Program involves a study of selected topics from each of the Life, Earth, and Physical sciences. Through a study of these topics, the Science Program:

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

    Grade 7:

    Grade 8:

    Grade 9:

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    Social Studies

    At the intermediate level, the Social Studies Program uses an interdisciplinary approach and specific topics are organized thematically and chronologically when appropriate.

    Specific topics deal with real-life issues and respond to the students' need for relevance. It requires young adolescents to examine their value systems in light of the expectations of their society, and deals specifically with rights and responsibilities with respect to the individual, community, and the natural environment.

    It includes the use of case studies, role models, current events, and practical projects that cater to students' needs, interests, and abilities.

    The Program is organized around the following areas of study:

    Learning Resources

    Authorized

    Grade 7:

    Grade 8:

    Grade 9:

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    Recommended Time Allotments

    Subject

    Percentage of Instructional Time
    English Language Arts 20%
    Mathematics 18%
    Social Studies 10%
    Science 10%
    French 10%
    Religous Education 8%
    Industrial Arts/Home Economics 8%
    Physical Education 6%
    Music and Art 5%
    Health 5%

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