Complementary Courses
Option courses are an exciting part of the Junior High experience and offer students the opportunity to take part in new experiences and explore interests. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we would like to invite parents of NEW students to review possible option courses for your child and discuss which ones would be the best fit.
Please note that some of our options are full year and others run for a single semester. While we make every effort to provide students with their top choices, requests will be determined based on available course offerings. In addition, not all of the below listed options are available at all grade levels.
Incoming Grade 6 students who do not attend any of our catchment feeder schools (ie. Pollard Meadows, Crawford Plains, Daly Grove) are asked to print the Option selection form (below) and return it to the school office. Forms can be returned by email to tdbaker@epsb.ca, or during office hours, 8:00 - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
We have provided a brief description of option courses on the option selection forms which are attached. Please contact us if you have any questions at:
Fine Arts and Career and Technology Foundations (CTF)
In addition to French, our students can choose to take a wide range of options as they complete their timetable with courses from areas of personal interest or to develop new skills to help them in school or be successful contributing members of the community. Some of the options we offer our students include:
Art: Students use a variety of media, including pencil crayon, markers, collage, oil pastel, watercolours, tempera paint and clay while developing and applying an understanding of the Elements of Design (line, value, texture, shape, space, form and colour). By focusing on building fundamental skills, students can complete their art projects with confidence.
Ceramics: Discover how the processes of hand-building, sculpting, and surface treatments can transform clay into unique masterpieces of form and function. Through various projects, this hands-on class will emphasize creativity and quality craftsmanship.
Construction: is a project based introduction to safe work habits, tools, materials, duties and responsibilities in a typical industrial woodworking shop. Students explore career possibilities, dynamic problem solving, design vocabulary, working in teams and individually, while making expressive functional objects for their own personal use.
Content Creation: Tell the T.D. Baker story! Create professional-level podcasts, broadcasts, live streams, and social media content that capture our spirit and showcase what our school is truly all about.
Cosmetology: Welcome to Cosmetology! Students will learn essential skills and techniques for haircare, makeup application, skincare, and nail care. Whether you aspire to become professional cosmetologists, makeup artists, or simply want to enhance their personal grooming skills, Cosmetology will provide you with a solid foundation for success.
Drama: Students develop the "social skills" aspect of their personalities by focusing on the development of creativity, spontaneity and imagination. Skills such as speech, movement, improvisation will enable the student to develop both self-identity and an understanding of the individual's role within the group creative process. Outcomes also include basic theatre studies and technical theatre.
Extra Math: Students have the opportunity to improve basic number sense (numeracy) skills through learning and practicing math using many various educational techniques. While students will have some direct instruction and worksheets, much of the extra learning is through exploring math related games, projects, and websites that are designed to increase numeracy in students.
Fashions: Students develop an understanding of clothing, fashion icons and couturiers within the context of society. They will learn the process of handling and styling hair with confidence and how to analyze skin and perform basic facial skin care practices. In addition, students will learn basic theatrical make-up techniques including gore makeup and basic everyday makeup techniques.
Foods: Students explore the world of food through cooking, baking and tasting of various foods. Students also study careers in foods and nutrition and examine the benefits of healthy eating, food choices and meal planning, while studying Canada's Food Guide. Students learn safety, sanitation and management of equipment in food preparation while developing confidence, creativity, management and problem solving skills to make meal planning and food preparation enjoyable.
Leadership 9: Students will be responsible for organizing school activities, events and communications while learning different examples and ways of leadership and developing organizational skills. The leadership program at T. D. Baker is about enhancing student and staff daily life and making our school community a better place.
Guitar/Music: Level up your skills by studying power chords, minor scales, and the art of singing in two-part harmonies. You’ll also dive into the history of Rock and Jazz while learning how to use metaphors, storytelling and personal experience to write your own song lyrics
Outdoor Ed: Students will go beyond the school walls to explore what they can do outdoors. Through various outdoor activities, they will develop skill, judgment and confidence in taking care of their environment. Through understanding basic ecological processes, students will appreciate the natural world and life in all its forms.
Painting/Mixed Media: Experiment with advanced painting techniques and mixed media approaches to create bold, expressive artworks.
Pre-Engineering: Tackle real-world engineering challenges using design thinking, coding, and hands-on building projects.
Sewing: Expand your sewing skills with more advanced techniques and patterns, creating stylish clothing, accessories, and fabric-based projects
Sports Performance: Enhance your athletic skills, fitness, and teamwork through sport-specific training, drills, and competition.
3D Design: Explore digital and physical 3D design by creating models, prototypes, and printed objects using creative software and hands-on techniques.
Visual Communication: Develop digital design, photography, and multimedia storytelling skills using industry-standard software and tools. Create and develop digital content. .