Focus Courses
Below you will find a listing of the focus courses unique to R.F. Hall in each of the
following areas:
Arts
Classical Studies
Health and Physical Education
Interdisciplinary Studies
Arts Focus Courses
Grade 9
Music – Guitar
Music – Vocal
Visual Arts – Info/ Consumer Design
Visual Arts – Fashion Design
Visual Arts - Photography
Visual Arts – Sculpture
Grade 10
AMG2O
AMV2O
Grade 11
AMG3O
AMV3O
AWQ3O
AWP3O
Grade 12
AWE4M
AWI4M
AWQ4M
Music- Guitar, Grade 10, Open
AMG2O
This course emphasizes performance of music at a level that strikes a balance between
challenge and skill. Student learning will include participating in creative activities and
listening perceptively. Students will also be required to develop a thorough understanding
of the language of music, including the elements, terminology and history. This course is
designed for the beginning student who will learn the basics of music theory, how to read
musical notation and chord charts. The student will also be introduced to a variety of
musical styles and periods through performance, listening and study of music history.
Prerequisites: None
Music- Guitar, Grade 11, Open
AMG3O
This course develops students’ artistic knowledge and skills through the performance of
music and the preparation of music productions. Students will perform appropriate works
independently and in ensembles. They will also broaden their study of music theory,
particularly inasmuch as it relates to guitar chord theory. Further, more emphasis will be
placed on sight-reading and technical skills. This will include reading multi-voiced
compositions, and practicing scales, arpeggios, slurs and various technical exercises
designed to improve facility and accuracy.
Prerequisites: AMG2O
Music – Vocal, Grade 10, Open
AMV2O
The focus of this course will be to begin to train the voice in order to uncover the
student’s natural sound. Using solo and choral music, students will learn to read and
perform music in various styles. For placement purposes, the music faculty will audition
students during the first week of class. Participation in the Concert Choir is expected.
Students will learn the fundamentals of posture, breathing, diction, voice physiology,
resonance, ear training and music theory.
Prerequisites: None
Music – Vocal, Grade 11, Open
AMV3O
The focus of this course will be to train the voice in intermediate vocal techniques
designed to produce more power and range. Also, students are required to perform more
solos in a variety of languages incorporating these intermediate vocal techniques in a
manner that is both appropriate and effective in performance. Grade 11 students will train
in more advanced sight-reading techniques, intermediate ear training, music theory and
music history. Participation in the Concert Choir is expected.
Prerequisites: AMV2O or teacher discretion
Visual Arts – Information Consumer Design, Grade 12, University/College AWE4M
This course focuses on the refinement of students’ skills and knowledge in visual arts.
Students will analyze art forms; use theories of art in analyzing and producing art; and
increase their understanding of stylistic changes in modern and contemporary Western
art, Canadian (including Native Canadian) art, and art forms from various parts of the
world. Students will produce a body of work demonstrating a personal approach.
This is the Graphic Design course that focuses on graphic design, marketing and
advertising. Students will create advertising such as CD covers, magazine covers and
layouts, posters and mixed media. In combination with AVI4M course students will
create a professional portfolio that may be used to apply to university or college.
Prerequisite: AVI3M or AWP30
Visual Arts, Fashion Design, Grade 12, University/College
AWI4M
This course focuses on the refinement of students’ skills and knowledge in visual arts.
Students will analyze art forms; use theories of art in analyzing and producing art; and
increase their understanding of stylistic changes in modern and contemporary Western
art, Canadian (including Native Canadian) art, and art forms from various parts of the
world. Students will produce a body of work demonstrating a personal approach.
Students will learn to develop drawing skills and colour theory to portray fundamental
fashion figures and garment details. Potential career opportunities within the field are
also examined, and the course briefly looks at the historical origins of fashion.
Prerequisite: AVI3M or AWP30
Visual Arts - Photography, Grade 11, Open
AWQ3O
This course focuses on studio activities in one or more of the visual arts. Students will
create art works that explore a wide range of subject matter, and will evaluate art works,
providing grounds for their aesthetic judgments. They will also examine historical and
cultural contexts of Western art (including Canadian art) and art from various world
cultures to support their study of specific media. This is an introductory course in Black
and White Photography. Some material costs will be incurred by the student.
Prerequisites: Grade 9 or 10 Visual Arts, Open
Visual Arts - Photography, Grade 12, University/College
AWQ4M
This course focuses on the refinement of students’ skills and knowledge in visual arts.
Students will analyze art forms; use theories of art in analyzing and producing art; and
increase their understanding of stylistic changes in modern and contemporary Western
art, Canadian (including Native Canadian) art, and art forms from various parts of the
world. Students will produce a body of work demonstrating a personal approach. This
supplementary course will further develop and explore new skills and techniques in Black
and White Photography. Some material costs will be incurred by the student.
Prerequisites: Grade 11 Visual Arts (Photography), University/College or Open
Classical Studies and International Language Focus Courses
Grade 9
International Language - Italian
Grade 10
LWIBD
Grade 11
LWICU
Grade 12
LWIDU
International Languages – Italian, Grade 10, Open
LWIBD
This course provides students with the language learning experiences that will enable
them to communicate in the language of study. Students will continue to develop and
apply their speaking skills in a variety of contexts, and will participate in activities that
will improve their reading comprehension and writing skills. They will also continue to
explore aspects of the culture of countries where the language under study is spoken by
taking part in community-sponsored events and activities involving both print and
technological resources. Although students will continue to expand their vocabulary and
repertoire of language structures, the language they will use at this level will still be
simple.
Prerequisite: None
International Languages – Italian, Grade 11, University
LWICU
This course offers students opportunities to further develop their knowledge of the
international language and to enhance their communication skills. Students will use
increasingly sophisticated language in a variety of activates that will enable them to
speak and write with clarity and accuracy. Students will also enhance their thinking skills
through the critical study of literature and continue to explore aspects of the culture of
countries where the language is spoken through a variety of print and technological
resources.
Prerequisites: LWIBD
International Languages – Italian, Grade 12, University
LWIDU
This course prepares students for university studies in the international language.
Students will enhance their ability to use the language with clarity and precision and will
develop the language skills needed to engage in sustained conversations and discussions,
understand and evaluate information, read diverse materials for both study and pleasure,
and write clearly and effectively. Students will also have the opportunities to add to their
knowledge of the culture of countries where the language is spoken through the use of
community resources and computer technology.
Prerequisites: LWICU
Health and Physical Education Focus Courses
Grade 9
Personal and Fitness Activities
Individuals & Small Group Activities
Rhythm and Movement
Grade 10
Grade 11
PAF3O
PAI3O
PAR30
Grade 12
PAF4O
PAI4O
PAD4O
Personal and Fitness Activities, Grade 11, Open
PAF3O
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a variety of
enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students’ interest throughout
their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a variety of
movement skills, and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting, decision-making,
coping, social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components of healthy
relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety. This course focuses
solely on activities pertaining to strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. Course fees
may be required for specialized activities.
Prerequisites: None
Personal and Fitness Activities, Grade 12, Open
PAF4O
This course focuses on the development of a personalized approach to healthy active
living through participation in a variety of sports and recreational activities that have the
potential to engage students’ interest throughout their lives. Students will develop and
implement personal physical fitness plans. In addition, they will be given opportunities to
refine their decision-making, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal skills, with a view to
enhancing their mental health and their relationships with others. This course focuses
solely on activities pertaining to strength training and cardiovascular conditioning.
Grade 11 strength training is highly recommended.
Prerequisites: None
Individuals and Small Group Activities, Grade 11, Open
PAI3O
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a
variety of enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students' interest
throughout their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a
variety of movement skills and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting,
decision-making, social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components
of healthy relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety. This
course focuses on physical activities such as: basketball, volleyball, soccer, curling,
bowling and golf. Course fees may be required for specialized activities.
Prerequisites: None
Individuals and Small Group Activities, Grade 12, Open
PAI4O
This course focuses on the development of a personalized approach to healthy active
living through participation in a variety of sports and recreational activities that have the
potential to engage students’ interest throughout their lives. Students will develop and
implement personal physical fitness plans. In addition, they will be given opportunities to
refine their decision-making, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal skills, with a view to
enhancing their mental health and their relationships with others. This course focuses on
physical activities such as: tennis, basketball, football, golf, and rock climbing. Course
fees may be required for specialized activities
Prerequisites: None
Rhythm and Movement, Grade 11, Open
PAR3O
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a
variety of enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students' interest
throughout their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a
variety of movement skills and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting,
decision-making, social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components
of healthy relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety.
This course focuses on physical activities such as: aerobics, jogging, self-defense rock
climbing and weight training.
Prerequisites: None
Outdoor Education, Grade 12, Open
PAD4O
This course is designed for the senior student who wants to enhance their leadership skills
through recreation and outdoor education. Students will learn to promote the value of
fitness, personal well being and personal safety. Students will plan, organize and
implement recreational events. Students may participate in the following activities: first
aid, rock climbing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking orienteering and canoeing. Many of the
activities will take place outside the regular school day.
Prerequisites: None
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses
Grade 9
Hospitality
Baking
The Drama Company
Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Applied Design/ Journalism
Grade 10
Grade 11
IDP3OH
IDC3OB
Grade 12
IDC4UD
IDC40M
IDP4UJ
Interdisciplinary Studies
The interdisciplinary studies program is one of a number of specialized programs that can
provide students with a particular curriculum focus to help them meet diploma
requirements and make the transition to postsecondary destinations. The following
interdisciplinary studies courses are offered in Grades 11 and 12: Interdisciplinary
Studies, Grade 11, Open; Interdisciplinary Studies, Grade 12, University Preparation; and
Interdisciplinary Studies, Grade 12, Open. Students may take a maximum of three
interdisciplinary studies courses – one each of Interdisciplinary Studies, Grade 11, Open;
Interdisciplinary Studies, Grade 12, University Preparation; and Interdisciplinary Studies,
Grade 12, Open. This restriction applies to all courses, whether they are single-credit
interdisciplinary studies courses or interdisciplinary studies courses within a package.
Universities will accept only one “4U” interdisciplinary course IDC4U or IDP4U
(IDP4OB is an open course and thus not accepted as a university course)
HOSPITALITY note * 2 Credits *, Grade 11, Open
IDP3OH
1 credit in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDP301) +
½ credit in Managing Personal Resources (HIR3C7)
½ credit in Food and Nutrition
+ (HFN2O7)
The hospitality package will help students combine skills and knowledge developed in
various topics and activities in order to solve problems and make decisions. Topics of
study include an overview of the food and hospitality industry, sanitation and safety
issues and practices, understanding kitchen equipment, cooking methods and techniques,
and nutritional health.
Caution: In this course students will participate in cooking and preparing food.
It is not advisable that students with food allergies enroll in this course.
Prerequisites: None
BAKING note *1 credit*, Grade 11, Open
IDC30B
The baking course will help students combine skills and knowledge developed in various
strands and expectations in order to solve problems and make decisions. Through
individual and collaborative inquiry students will learn to analyze the connections among
subjects and disciplines. Students will develop the skills to design and create appetizing
desserts as well as develop their skills in a variety of food presentation and decoration
techniques.
It is not advisable that students with food allergies enroll in this course.
Prerequisite: None
THE DRAMA COMPANY note * 1 credit *
IDC4UD
The Drama Interdisciplinary program allows students to teach drama and perform in a
production for children. Students in this program will teach in an elementary school for 6
weeks and take an original production on tour to approximately 30 different schools.
Prerequisites: any university or university/college preparation course in drama
Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Grade 12, Open
IDC4OM
note * 1 credit *
This course emphasizes the development of practical skills and knowledge to solve
problems, make decisions, create personal meaning, and present findings related to the
growing Sports and Entertainment Marketing Industry. Students will develop skills in the
areas of ethics, consumer research, advertising, public relations/publicity, event
marketing, endorsement, sponsorship, product distribution, and career opportunities in
Sports and Entertainment Marketing. Students will apply the principles and skills derived
from the study of Physical Education, Media Studies, Business Marketing and the Social
Sciences.
Prerequisite: None
Journalism & Applied Design, Grade 12, University/College
IDP4UJ
note *this is a 2 credit package IDP4UJ & AWD4MJ *
If you enjoy design, journalism and photography then this is the course for you! Students
learn a variety of skills while emerged in tangible projects: producing the school
YEARBOOK, THE BIG EVENT, and NEWSPAPER.
Emphasis will be placed on the following areas: computer page layout and typography
using IN-DESIGN, computer graphics using Photoshop, journalism, photography, film
and desktop publishing. Classroom activity will be closely related to the ‘real world’
challenges of meeting deadlines, understanding marketing theories and techniques and
producing a viable product. This program will provide learning opportunities in areas
that will prepare a student who wishes to pursue Graphic Design, Advertising, Desktop
Publishing or New Media in a post-secondary university or college program. A portfolio
of work will be produced. This course is intended for students who have a strong Visual
Art and English background. Students should see Mr. F. Dovigo or the guidance
department for an application. Course enrollment will be limited.
Prerequisites: Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or Open