Practical Arts

November 5, 2021

Practical Arts Course Descriptions

Clothing and Textiles

Grade 7 Clothing and Textiles focuses on practicing skills in hand sewing, tying knots and the application of buttons. Students are welcomed to apply their own creativity to the project once the skill set is complete. Students are responsible for a classroom safety assignment, a hand-sewn sample and their major project. The major project is a stuffed mouse that is made of felt.

Grade 8 Clothing and Textiles is based on the basic use of the sewing machine and primary sewing skills of straight stitch, backstitch, plain seam and zigzag seam finish. The students are given a variety of assignments which include safety, small tools, pattern symbols, fabric parts and pattern layout. The students are also responsible for practice stitching and a final project.

Graphics

In Graphics, we take a look at several different ideas such as: 3D paper construction, button design, image enlargement, stencil design and airbrushing, vector creating, 3D drawing, and clothing design. These projects have the students learning several basic skills including basic math, measurement, design problem solving, and are being pushed to be as creative as possible. The students are also given instruction on proper safety within in the lab on tool use, including the various technologies they are taught to use throughout their Practical Arts.

Woodworking

The Woods program is an introduction to wood working. With safety as the main focus of the class students will be introduced to imperial and metric measurement, layout, blue print reading, machining and finishing

Computer Technology

The Computer Technology Program students focus on essential computer skills that will be needed throughout their schooling. The topics include: emailing, computer and sky drive use, learning presentation software and word processing, appropriate internet usage, accessing internet databases, evaluating the credibility of internet sources, graphic organizers, basic drop and drop programming, and videogame design.

Metals

In Metals, students complete sheet metal projects. The main focus is on Safety, the students learn practical skills such as metric measurement , layout , and plan reading . Students complete the first project that has pre-planned pattern. Once completed they are asked to take the knowledge and skills that they learnt to create their own pattern and complete a second project.

Foods and Nutrition

During grade 7 and 8 Foods and Nutrition rotations, the students are introduced to the kitchen and provided with opportunities to make delicious and healthy foods. Students learn how to read and interpret recipes, learn about different cooking methods, practice measuring, cooking and cleaning techniques, and get comfortable with working with others in a lab setting. A strong focus is placed on safety and sanitation in the kitchen. In grade 8 classes, there is some theory which focuses on the Canada Food Guide and making healthy food choices.

Visual Arts

In Visual Arts, students are introduced to various art mediums and take a look at several different art concepts such as: drawing and sketching, line and space, positive and negative shapes, patterns of design, primary colour design, emphasis, contrast and balance. These projects have the students learning several basic skills including page layout, measurement, problem solving while being creative, and using the correct tool for the job. Instruction on proper safety within in the art room on tool use, including setup, art storage and clean up are taught to the students.