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Grade(s): 8 to 12

Welcome to the Tupper Mini School, where we cater to academically advanced and motivated students in grades 8 through 12. Our close-knit community fosters collaboration and growth as students spend the majority of their academic classes together. This unique District Program offers twenty-eight students in each grade cohort accelerated instruction in Math, alongside enriched curriculum in English, Social Studies and Science, with an option to accelerate in French within the mainstream courses at Tupper. Join us in nurturing a passion for learning and achieving academic excellence!

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Enriched Mini English:

Enriched English classes in the mini program means that students will engage in a deeper and more complex form of the curriculum. Students are taught to think creatively and critically; to reason and ask questions; to write (personally, analytically, and creatively); and to appreciate perspectives outside of their own to gain a better understanding of themselves and the world. 

 

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Mini School English 8

• Mini English 8 is an engaging course which focuses on the joy of language and story. This course is designed to help students enhance their expertise within English language and literature. The course will consider all areas of English – reading, listening, viewing, writing, speaking, and representing – to have an inclusive approach to student’s learning. Students will be studying a variety of genres, including the following: Poetry, Short Stories, Novels, and Film.

• Students will develop a greater ability to comprehend and connect to literature and other texts. They will be working on their ability to create and communicate their thinking in a variety of written and oral responses. Specifically, students will be perfecting paragraph writing, and beginning to develop their essay writing skills. Additionally, students will experience the joy of creating their own stories to complete their English 8 course.

• Learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging. Consideration will be given to the most recent and consistent assessments.

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Mini School English 9

• This course is an engaging course designed to help students enhance their expertise within English language and literature. The course will consider all areas of English – reading, listening, viewing, writing, speaking, and representing – to have an inclusive approach to students’ learning. Students will be studying a variety of genres, including the following: Poetry, Short Stories, Novels, Drama, and Podcasts.

• Students will develop a greater ability to comprehend and connect to literature in a variety of ways, while also working on improving their creation and communication skills through class discussions, response writing, and formal writing skills. Specifically, students will be improving their essay writing and learning the basics to MLA formatting.

• Learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging. Consideration will be given to the most recent and consistent assessments.

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Mini School English First Peoples 10

• This combined course explores English through engagement with authentic First Peoples’ stories and accounts. It recognizes the power of storytelling and voice in the process of Reconciliation and fostering justice. Rooted in the First Peoples Principles of learning, this course provides students with opportunities to explore and connect to personal and cultural identities through stories and consider their relationship to land/place. 

• As with all English Language courses, students will further develop their ability to comprehend and connect through reading and exploring a variety of texts for analysis and enjoyment; their ability to create and communicate for a variety of purposes but focusing on essay writing, narrative stories, informal discussions, and formal presentations. A large focus will be given to students developing their creative and critical thinking skills.

• Students will be evaluated with a percentage and letter grade. Consideration will be given to the most recent and consistent assessments. Students will fulfill their Indigenous Graduation Requirement upon successful completion of this course.

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Mini School Literary Studies 11

• Literary Studies 11 is an engaging 4-credit academic course designed for students to delve deeply into a variety of literary texts and stories and to enhance their expertise within English language and literature.  This course will consider all areas of English – reading, listening, viewing, writing, speaking, and representing – to have an inclusive approach to learning.

• Students will learn to comprehend and connect to a variety of texts (ex. novels, poems, drama, films, and short stories), while also learning to not only analyze the characters, style, and form, but to also analyze the larger message of the text being studied and how it applies to the world.  Students will also improve their ability to create and communicate through class discussions, presentations, creative and personal responses, and formal essay writing. A strong importance will be placed on using precise word choice, grammar, and punctuation; understanding and exploring how to structure and organize multi-paragraph writing, and successfully following the MLA style guide.

• Students will be evaluated with a percentage and letter grade. Consideration will be given to the most recent and consistent assessments. This course fulfills requirements for Grade 11 English Language Arts.

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Mini School English Studies 12

• For their final year, Tupper Mini School students will share just one course: Mini English 12, which is a 4-credit academic course designed to prepare students to create their own viewpoints and connect to a variety of literary texts studied throughout the course.

• This course is divided between a study of literature and composition. The course will build upon the sophistication that students have been developing over the last four years in their comprehension and communication skills. There is a particular focus on thematic strands and critical thinking skills. This course will help students in their future educational journeys and help them better understand and analyze the world that surrounds them.

• Mini English 12 students are encouraged to sign up for Literary Studies 12 or Creative Writing 12 as an elective to complement their studies in this course and to prepare them for university level English courses.

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Enriched Mini Social Studies:

Enriched Social Studies classes in the mini program means that students will engage in a deeper and more complex form of the curriculum. Students are taught to think creatively and critically, to reason, to ask questions, and to use their own inquiry to build a deeper understanding of the world around them.

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Mini School Social Studies 8

• Mini Social Studies 8 asks what ancient peoples can teach us about living better today by examining selected societies from the 7th to 18th centuries. Extra focus is placed on the varied consequences that exploration, expansion, colonization, and conflict had for different groups. The skills which will be developed includes paragraph writing, analysis of charts and graphs, debating, active listening, presentations, as well as creative presentation of work through forms other than paragraph writing. Socials 8 focuses on the core competencies of critical thinking, communication, and social responsibility.

• Enrichment opportunities in this mini course include increased levels of self-directed research, additional collaborative opportunities with peers, more complex supplementary reading pieces or articles, projects that ask students to dive into topics that cover the core competencies in greater depth, as well as the mandatory Social Studies Enrichment Program.

• Topics addressed in the enriched program often mirror or expand on the same curriculum expectations that students see in classrooms but are designed to analyze these topics in greater depth. Some activities are designed to be completed outside of regular class-time. Other requirements will have supplementary components to their in-class assignments. Criteria may include written, oral, and visual components that blend the Core Competencies with an expectation that activities will explore content and curricular areas.

• Learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging.

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Mini School Social Studies 9

• Mini Socials 9 will address the effects of British Canadian government policies on the Indigenous peoples, global revolutions and conflicts, and the rise of Canadian nationalism. There will be extended focus on government policies created by the Canadian-British government to assimilate and take control over the Indigenous peoples and how those ideologies and polices led to systemic racism. In addition, further emphasis will be put upon Canada's identity as a country and how we have been heavily influenced by the British Empire - even to this day. 

• Enrichment opportunities include increased levels of self-directed research, several collaborative opportunities with peers, more complex supplementary reading pieces or articles, projects that ask students to dive into topics that cover the core competencies in greater depth, as well as a mandatory Social Studies Enrichment Program.

• Topics addressed in the enriched program often mirror or expand on the same curriculum expectations that students see in classrooms but are designed to analyze these topics in greater depth. Some activities are designed to be completed outside of regular class-time. Other requirements will have supplementary components to their in-class assignments. Criteria may include written, oral, and visual components that blend the Core Competencies with an expectation that activities will explore content and curricular areas.

•  Learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging.

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Mini School Social Studies 10

• Mini Social Studies 10 is a course that addresses Canada from 1900-2000.  Students develop critical thinking and writing skills by studying an introduction to historical thought, Canada’s role in two world wars and in the global system, First Nations peoples, French English relations, as well as our evolving nationalisms, current events, and more. 

• The expectation for this course is for a higher and more enriched level of class, group, and partner discussions for students to deepen their ability to understand and connect to the past. Project based learning and collaboration are the heart of this Mini Social Studies course, as well as a mandatory Social Studies Enrichment Program.

• Core skills for this course include critical thinking, research, and communication.

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Mini School Social Studies 11

• Mini Social Studies 11: Explorations investigates various fields of the social sciences to facilitate a better student understanding of their role and influence on their local, national, and global communities. This course is focused on contemporary political studies and emphasizes citizenship and current issues.

• Areas of study include the following: 21st century cultural, historical, and political processes; human and urban geographic impacts; civic structures and activism; philosophy; comparative world religions; and genocide studies.

• Enrichment opportunities include online projects, debating, project-based learning, collaboration with non-Mini SS 11.

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Accelerated Mini Math:

The Mini School Math program is designed as an accelerated program. Students will complete principles of math 8, 9, and 10, in the first two years of secondary school. It is recommended that students complete Pre-Calculus 11 in grade 10, Pre-Calculus 12 in grade 11, and Calculus 12 in grade 12. All students will be able to participate in the math contests according to their grade level.

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Mini School Mathematics 9. Grade 8

• Mini School Math 9 is the first year of an accelerated Math program designed for the Mini School students.

• Students will be completing Mathematics 8 and 9 in the first year of their secondary schooling (refer to course descriptions in the math section).

• Students are expected to be comfortable with their grade 7 math curriculum and to be willing to learn math concepts at a fairly quick pace.

• Learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging.

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Mini School Mathematics 10. Grade 9

• Mini School Mathematics 10 is the second year of an accelerated Math program designed for the Mini School students.

• Students will be completing Foundations and Pre-Calculus Math 10 in the second year of their secondary schooling (refer to course descriptions in the math section).

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Enriched Mini Science:

Students compete their junior Science courses in their first 3 years at Tupper Mini. We have converted to an enrichment model for our Mini Science Courses. Enrichment builds stronger skills, encourages deeper understanding, and allows for a greater retention of learning in a semester system.

 

Tupper Mini Students then are expected to take a variety of the Senior Science courses (Life Science 11, Physics 11, Chemistry 11) and (Anatomy & Physiology 12, Physics 12, Chemistry 12, Environmental Science 12) within the mainstream program at Tupper in their grade 11 and 12 years.

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Mini 8 students who are graduating 2030 are receiving the new Enriched Model, while Mini students who are graduating from 2029 and earlier will continue with the accelerated model.

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Mini School Science 8

• First part of a three-year enriched junior Mini Science Program. This course covers all Science 8 and some sections of the Science 9 curriculum.

• Topics include Chemistry (kinetic molecular theory & atomic models, periodic table, elements & compounds), Life Science (cell biology, disease & immunity, cell cycle, reproduction), Physics (waves & optics), and Earth Science (plate tectonics).

• Emphasis on developing skills needed for scientific inquiry: lab safety, proper handling of scientific tools and specimens, proficient use of the scientific method.

• All students are expected to complete an inquiry project assigned by the teacher.

• Learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging.

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Mini School Science 9

• This is the second part of a three-year enriched junior Mini Science Program. It builds upon knowledge gained in Mini Science 8.

• The course is enriched and includes the remainder of the Science 9 curriculum with a large focus on increased inquiry skills and more time to explore other topics in depth. 

• Course topics include Life Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Science.

• Evaluation is based on tests, assignments, and projects, and learning will be assessed on the proficiency scale under the following categories: Extending, Proficient, Developing, and Emerging.

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Mini School Science 10

• This is the last part of a three-year junior Mini Science Program. It builds upon knowledge gained in Mini Science 8 and 9.

• The course enriches the Science 10 curriculum and includes a Mini Science Passion Project that is mandatory for all students to complete.

• Course topics include:

  • Life Science: DNA and diversity.

  • Physics: electricity and transformation of energy.

  • Chemistry: energy change is required as atoms rearrange in chemical reactions.

  • Earth Science: nutrient cycles, ecosystems, interconnectedness, and big bang theory.

• Evaluation is based on tests, assignments, and projects, and students will receive a final percentage and letter grade mark.

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