Elementary and Junior High

At Esther Starkman School, we offer all students the full complement of core classes outlined by the Alberta Provincial Curriculum, as well as French as a second language from grades four to nine. We are an inclusive learning community that inspires and enables all students to achieve success in learning. Our staff is committed to adapting the curriculum to meet students' varying needs and providing the support necessary for their success.

We work as a professional learning community, engaging in job-embedded professional development weekly. Our teachers are learners, constantly improving their instructional practices and collaborating to create a diverse and rewarding classroom experience. Each year we review our option choices to ensure they are engaging and rigorous and offer students various learning experiences.

New options this year (unique options for this year and possibly next year)

Curiosity 101	This is an opportunity to explore new interests and develop talents beyond the core subjects. This class can include passion projects, where students choose something they’re curious about—like coding, filmmaking, robotics, or creative writing—and dive deep into it with teacher guidance. The class also gives students a chance to be exposed to new topics or skills they may not learn in regular classes, like entrepreneurship, philosophy, or engineering challenges. It’s a space to be creative, take ownership of learning, and grow as independent thinkers. This course is recommended for any student who has gifted and talented eligibility or those students who have demonstrated academic excellence and independence. The course fee will be determined by the field of study the student selects.
Cartooning & Comic Book Design	Cartooning and Comic Book Design will teach students the skill of cartooning to allow students to work on comic book creation. Students will expand their knowledge of comic books, learning the comic book format, and experiment with creating their own comics and graphic novels.
Strategy and Design	Engage in the thrill of strategy and critical thinking through the captivating world of board games! This course offers a unique blend of fun and learning as students explore various board games designed to hone strategic skills. Through friendly competition and collaborative gameplay, participants will unlock the secrets to strategic success and teamwork.
Math Card Games	The Math Card Game Option class offers middle schoolers an interactive way to reinforce mathematical skills through enjoyable card games. Students not only master these games but also prepare to teach them to younger Division 1 students, fostering leadership, empathy, and a sense of responsibility within the school community.
Pro Sports 101	Students will learn about the teams, players, history, and statistics of the four major North American sports leagues (NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB). The class will compete in fantasy drafts across some of these sports. Sports outside of the major North American leagues will also be studied.
Skateboard Building	Students will work collaboratively to build and decorate a skateboard using wood veneers and a mould to bend it into shape. By the end of the term, students will have their own skateboards to bring home. (Estimated cost $TBD)

Grade 7 - 9 Options Descriptions ( options we run usually each year)

Art

Junior High Art is an exploratory course that involves students in many different art-making opportunities. Students will be exposed to different media each year, and have the opportunity to refine their skills in Drawing and Composition. Students will practice their skills as art critics and patrons, to develop a life-long appreciation for the place Art can have in their lives. One unit per semester will be devoted to studying a culture or Master Artist that is important to the history of Art. Students will keep a sketchbook. They will also collect their artwork in a portfolio so that they can keep a record of their progress over time.

Band (full-year)

The Esther Starkman Band gives Junior High students the opportunity to further develop the knowledge and skills needed for practical music making.

Through performance in band, students will work as a group towards musical mastery and musical appreciation. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in various field trips over the school year such as band camp, music festivals, and band trips.
*Band is a full year option.

Building and Construction

This program at Esther Starkman is exploratory in nature. Students will work on several different projects in woods to develop skills and attitudes they need to safely build a quality product. There is a focus on students designing and building their own projects. Students are invited to take their projects home at the end of the course.

Drama

At the Junior High level, Drama provides opportunities for students to explore their connection to the world through role-playing, cooperative games, and practicing performance skills. The course focuses on the skills of communication, concentration, and control, within the context of dramatic experiences in Speech, Movement, Improvisation/Acting, and Technical Theatre. Students will have many opportunities to apply their skills in a classroom setting with presentations and projects.

Food Studies

Food Studies is a hands-on course that will provide an introduction to safety in the kitchen and allow students to begin to explore recipes that are nutritious and delicious. To begin, our studies in the classroom will focus on obtaining background information about key practices to ensure the safety of yourself and others. We then move to practical experiences in the Foods lab where we will create healthy snacks and light meals. As well, throughout the semester we will explore proper nutrition and incorporate quality choices in the foods we prepare.

Student Leadership

In Leadership, students will engage in a variety of activities designed to enhance the culture and community of the school. Examples include leading celebratory assemblies, and seasonal celebrations, and organizing extracurricular events, such as dances, intramurals, fundraising events, and other similar community service projects.

Sports Recreation

In the Sports Recreation program, students will be enriched in a variety of sports and physical wellness activities and experiences. Examples can include, but are not limited to wall climbing, skating, swimming, snowshoeing, fencing, and biking. Classes will be a combination of on-site and off-site experiences. Please note, there will be additional monthly fees for this option.

Strategy & Design

This course is an exploratory option designed to introduce students to the world of board games (tile laying, hidden role, worker placement, abstract, etc.). There will be a focus on teamwork and fair play as we spend time playing games specifically selected to showcase various themes or strategy mechanics and then students will design a prototype for their own game.

Film Studies

In Communication Technology, students will investigate, interpret, and practice techniques used in film and other media to communicate ideas. We will look at how cinematic techniques such as camera angles, framing, and montages contribute to storytelling and characterization in film. Throughout this option, students will be practicing the techniques they learn by creating their videos.