Middle School exploratory options... and the value of conversations

In mid December, I was able to meet with Janet and Nancy (the Principal and Vice Principal) from Kitimat in the Coast Mountain District as they will be moving to a middle school structure in their school next year and they were in the Cowichan Valley looking for some ideas. We discussed many things, one of which was how to best run exploratory and elective courses.

At Quamichan, we have the grade seven and eight students stay with their class as they go through two to three main teachers (Humanities and Math/Science with French, Literacy and PE mixed into the teaching assignments). We then have the exploratory blocks as eight to ten week cycles that the groups rotate through (this is where we mix classes so the kids have a chance to be in classes with different students then their home room).

In grade nine we have the students assigned block by block to ensure specialized instruction and prepare them for secondary school. What we have done this year is to then group all of the exploratory options in the same blocks so we can offer the students half or full year exploratory options. In this way, the grade nine students, instead of only selecting three exploratory choices, have the option to experience as many as six different half year electives or to stay in the elective all year if they have a passion for the subject. This also allows us to use some of the half year blocks for IDS, tutorial and LA options.

We also made some hard decisions this year as declining enrollment means that choices must be made. In grade seven we dropped the formal computer studies elective and combined woodwork with art to allow us to offer a "Coast Salish 7" course, the goal of which is to build common understanding of the First Nations history in the Cowichan Valley for all of our students during their first year at Quamichan. In grade eight we were able to maintain a full slate of elective options as it is a larger group. Choices will have to be made next year. In grade nine, the half year elective options allowed us to create a contemporary "Music 9" class that runs in addition to band and kids can learn to play guitar, piano, sing, record, produce, make videos... for modern music. 

Maybe the most important point of this whole exercise was that, in discussing these exploratory issues with Janet and Nancy, it also had a very positive effect as a reminder that we, at Quamichan, are experimenting and being creative to better the educational experiences of our students. Sometimes during the year, in between the constant politicization of education amongst the different "adult" groups and the normal day to day stressors, it is vitally important to "keep our eyes on the prize". Having a chance to talk with others, especially those who are from another district, can be a real shot in the arm.