Spring Showcase 2014

Spring finally sprang in mid-May and with it our second annual Spring Showcase event.  Quite the crowd attended despite the deluge outside and enjoyed an evening admiring and exploring examples of student creations from the academic year--posters, masks, photos, artwork, woodworking, videos...including, of course, the Epic Canoe Trip Video ("Why are Thomas and Adrian crying??")  Thanks to all who contributed and helped out!

The Importance of Being Earnest: Steampunk Edition!

The gears are in motion and the clock is ticking as DVHS Drama and Theatre Tech students prepare for this spring's Drama production at the Staircase Theatre, May 21-24.  Tickets available from dvhstickets@gmail.com
Please see the poster for information about dates, times, and ticket costs.

Winter 2014

9:00-10:30:

Social Justice from a Christian Perspective

This course will help students understand God’s heart for social justice and how the Church has been His hands and feet throughout history.  Looking globally and locally, we will look at different social justice issues and seek to understand an appropriate Christian response.  We will also cover such things as hospitality, God and politics, consumerism, fair trade, short term missions, micro financing and toxic charity. The course will include one site visit during one class period.



Music and the Mind

When you listen to music, much more is happening in your body than simple auditory processing. Music triggers activity in the nucleus accumbens, a part of your brain that releases the feel-good chemical called dopamine, and is involved in forming one’s expectations.  Music can make us happy and music can make us sad.
Join us in this exciting interactive course while we study the many facets of “Music and the Mind.”
This course will have three main modules of study:

1) The Scientific Study: the where and how of the brain’s capacity to process various types of music, and how that music affects the human condition, our mood and spirit.
2) Both in class and field studies, using various styles/genres/forms of music on individuals and groups. Students will be asked to document their findings. Subjects for these studies will be friends and family members. Great fun!

3) An opportunity to meet the professionals who are active in this field of study, plus a tour of McMaster University’s Music and the Mind Institute, with live study, participation and viewing.

The course will be structured in a manner which combines readings, experiments, listening, discussion and discovery of very interesting outcomes that will be both informative and entertaining.


Introduction to Literary Analysis

We all know a great story when we read one...but what makes it great?  This course will cover the basics of literary analysis, including annotating, identifying literary elements and devices, creating an argumentative thesis, and writing a literary analysis essay.  Students will focus on various pieces of humourous, suspenseful, and classic short fiction to practise these skills (vital for high school and university English courses) and develop a deeper engagement with and appreciation for the art of literature. Students will need to be able to print out some of these materials provided in pdf format.

Homework will include short assignments from WW (see below), one-paragraph story analyses, creative writing exercises, and one longer (4-5 paragraph) analytical essay.  The course will conclude with a final test whereby students can demonstrate their literary smarts : ).


Gym

This course will spend four weeks each on floor hockey, European handball, and indoor soccer/ volleyball. 



10:45-12:15

Art: Life Drawing

This course introduces students to traditional figure drawing techniques that will help them draw the human form accurately and realistically. Students will learn to capture gestures accurately and then develop these gestures by adding convincing detail and shading. We will work from wooden manikins as well as live models. Four classes will be spent on portraiture.


Debate

This course will prepare students with the critical thinking skills needed to assess arguments advocating a particular position whether it be theological, political, ethical etc.. It is increasingly important that Christians know how to assess positions different from their own in a respectful and intelligent manner. The vast amount of information
on the internet necessitates the development of critical thinking skills that can be used to separate the 'wheat from the chaff.’

Students will be taught how to construct cogent arguments and how to assess the arguments of others. The primary way they will do this will be through participating in a series of debates. They will be called on both to present arguments in a debate and to assess the strength of others' positions.


Adventures in Contemporary Media Technologies

A course in the basics of communication media including video, graphic design, lighting, and sound. Through this course you will learn the language, tools, and processes required to build competencies in the tech arts. A large emphasis will be placed on the process of filming, capturing, and editing video using a camcorder or DSLR camera that supports video. A video camera capable of 720p HD video capture is required for this course (DSLR or Camcorder). While we will look at smartphone video as part of the course, an actual camera is also necessary. Expect some homework video assignments, both individual and collaborative. Whether you want to make movies or funny youtube videos, if you love messing around with a video camera and want to learn more, this is a great place to start.
NOTE: Students interested in being involved with Lighting or Sound for the Drama production in May should take this course rather than Theatre Tech.   Interested Media students may also be involved in filming the Drama production or a “making of” video of the production in May.
 
Required Equipment:    Digital Video Camera (DSLR or Camcorder)
                                      SD Cards of CF Cards (storage media for your video camera)
                                      Computer with video editing software



Theatre Tech

This course will cover the technical side of theatre through practical application on the production of The Importance of Being Earnest.  Students will learn and participate in the basics of Advertising (posters, programs and front of house); Set (design, construction and decoration); Props (search and/or building); and Costumes (masks and millenary [hats]).  They will have assignments based upon each of these areas of theatre production.
The students will also be required to serve in one or more of these areas as crew for the performances.  Their area of specialization will be decided half way through the course.
NOTE: Students interested in being involved with Lighting or Sound for the Drama production in May should take Media rather than Theatre Tech.



1:00-3:00

Writing with Light: The Art and Science of Photography

This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and
techniques of modern digital photography through a combination of
theory and hands-on exercises. Students will apply the concepts they
learn by completing a set of photographic assignments that will result
in the creation of a portfolio. A number of professional guest
speakers will provide instruction in areas such as the use of studio
lighting and portraiture.

Students will also be exposed to the use of Photoshop as a way to
enhance and catalogue their work. A camera with the ability to shoot
manually is preferred, but not required.



Drama

The roles for the DVHS production of The Importance of Being Earnest have been cast following auditions.  If you have accepted a role in the play, please be sure to register officially.



Living the Call: A Practical Exploration of the Great Commission

How does The Great Commission fit into the larger theme of God's active, ongoing Mission to the world and how can we join Him in what He is doing?  This course will focus on developing a deeper understanding of The Great Commission, examples of its application in local and global contexts (including visits from guest international missionaries) and learning practical tools we can all use to join God in His work wherever He may have us.  We will be studying selective biblical texts together in class and working together to develop personal mission strategies that will include practical application assignments.  Students will also learn to facilitate a Bible study and have the opportunity to lead the class through a selected text (some home preparation will be expected).


Missions


The Missions class will be volunteering this semester at Living Rock, a mission for youth in Hamilton.

Living Rock supports youth ages 13-25 who are at-risk of falling through the cracks in our community. Living Rock is responding to youth with a variety of risk factors such as poverty, mental illness, addictions and the disenfranchised.  Together with the support of generous partners and supporters Living Rock aims to alleviate the effects of poverty and to provide opportunities for youth to move beyond their circumstances with the right supports in place.

Each year Living Rock Ministries responds to more than 20,000 youth visits.  Living Rock seeks to engage youth where they are at, through meal programs, food bank and through safe and relevant social recreational programming. Living Rock encourages youth through pre-natal and post-natal care, housing, one to one and crisis support.  Living Rock equips youth for a brighter future through pre-employment and employment programs.

The Missions students will be working alongside youth each week to help prepare the evening meal, as well as helping in the food bank, and will have an opportunity to experience street work in a controlled, supervised way. 

Coffee House 2013

The sound of strings and keyboards (and goofy jokes and laughter) filled the air at the first-ever DVHS Coffee House on November 23.  Over 100 students, alumni, family, and friends enjoyed delectable home-baked treats, coffee, tea, and cold drinks while being serenaded by talented musicians and singers (and entertained by visiting Olympians, Hera and Apollo).  This student-run event raised over $400 for The Good Shepherd where the Missions class has been volunteering this fall.  Can't wait for Coffee House 2014!

Favourite Movie Themes by Emily and Kate B.

"Lucky" by Daniel V. and Elise P.

"Royals" by Jade H. and Adrian F.

Sister Act!  "Perfect Two" by Angela and Michaela K.

Delicious indulgence...

"If I Die Young" by Alex G. and Gregory B.

"Dust Bowl Dance" by Kurtis R.

"Stay" by Rachel H. and Adrian F.

Folk tunes by Rosemary G.

Interview with "Hera" and "Apollo"--Rosemary G., Kenneth J., and  Mariana M.

"Counting Stars" by Andrea M., Rosemary G., and Mariana M.

Our sweet servers, Holly G. and Andrea M.

Yum!

Greek "gods" Rule!

This October, the Greek Pantheon has been hanging out on Mt. Olympus (aka Classical Mythology class), enjoying a delightfully dysfunctional family reunion.  From Zeus's private asides to his first wife, Metis (currently ensconced within Zeus's stomach) to Hermes' charming tales of his first pet tortoise, from Aphrodite's accounts of "hanky panky" with a certain special war god to Apollo's  answer to that burning question about his favourite song ("Sunshine, Lollipops..."), the Olympians' first internationally televised interviews have swept the world by storm (graciously stirred up by Zeus and Poseidon).   But despite their titanic egos, don't assume that the "gods" think only of themselves: this reunion has provided the perfect opportunity for concerned deities to set up a much-needed intervention for everyone's favourite party-boy, Dionysus.  Great to meet you, Dodekatheon! And remember:  Greek "gods" never die; they just morph into myth  ; )

Artemis, Demeter, Zeus, Aphrodite, and Dionysos

Back from the Back of Beyond...Canoe Trip 2013!

What do you get when you mix twenty-four DVHS students, four leaders, and one dog?  Another great DVHS Canoe Trip!  This year the canoeists headed to the French River for four days of wilderness adventure.  Glad to see you all back safe and sound (aside from peeling sunburns!)

Heading out into the blue....

Our fearless leaders!  Dave and Julie B. and Ralph and Melanie R. (plus Zebby)

Beached on the Canadian Shield!

Fall is in the Air.....

A cooler snap has set the mood for Fall 2013 registration at DVHS Co-op.  Our new year begins September 19 (see all dates in sidebar on the right of the blog).  See our course descriptions below and get set for another great DVHS year. 

9:00-10:30:

Introduction to Business

Fee: $100
Minimum 6, Maximum 16

This course is an overview of general business and will look at practical uses of business from a variety of positions. It will touch on areas such as micro/macro
economics, purchasing, cash flow, profit and loss, logistics, production and
sales, product design, marketing, manufacturing, accounting, human relations
and employees, customer service, management, entrepreneurship, and investing.  Assignments will include short weekly quizzes on the reading and small group work as students create their own "business" from inception to market.

Required texts (Students/ families are responsible for purchasing the required texts
before the course begins): :

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
The Goal by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt


Classical Mythology

Fee: $90
Minimum 6, maximum 16

Ever used an atlas when planning a trip?  Been accused of being narcissistic?  Do you boast a herculean physique, or is fast food your Achilles’ heel?  The two greatest literary influences on Western culture are the Bible and classical mythology, but while most of us have known our Bible stories from childhood, all too often we fail to recognize not only the superficial but the significant ways in which ancient Greek mythology and culture impact our lives even today. 

This course will offer an introduction to primarily Greek classical mythology, including the idea of mythology, stories of origins, tales of the Greek gods and heroes, and the Trojan War.  We’ll consider how Greek mythology compares and contrasts with Judeo-Christian views and how it has informed Western culture in literature and art.  Students will have the opportunity to respond to the material in various ways, such as creative writing,  mock “interviews,” artwork, etc.  Grades will not be given unless requested at registration.

Required Text (Students/ families are responsible for purchasing the required text
before the course begins): 
Myths of the Ancient Greeks by Richard P. Martin (~$12; available from Chapters. ca)


Gym
Fee: $35
Maximum: 20

This fall’s sports:
1) Ultimate Frisbee: 2 weeks (weather permitting)
2) Volleyball: 4 weeks
     [Beach (weather permitting) or 4 man: 1 week          
       6 man: 1 week
       9 man: 1 week
       sitting: 1 week]
3) Basketball: 3 weeks
4) Floorball: 3 weeks

Proper gym attire (modest T-shirt, modest shorts or sweat pants and non-marking running shoes) is mandatory. No jeans or hoodies as they are a safety issue. For volleyball--knee pads are highly recommended.


Church History
Fee: $80
Minimum 7, maximum 16

This course will provide a sweeping survey of the past two thousand years of Christian history. Students will learn about the key events and personalities that God has used to shape the modern Church.

Week One - Beginnings
Week Two - The Church Fathers
Week Three - Augustine
Week Four - Medieval Christianity
Week Five - The Great Schism
Week Six - Debate
Week Seven - Reformation in Europe
Week Eight - Calvin and Luther
Week Nine - The Rise of Evangelicalism
Week Ten - The 19th Century and the Rise of Modernism
Week Eleven - Debate
Week Twelve - Modern Movements

There will be no required text.  Readings will be given each week and discussed in class. Two debates will be held during the course where the students will be divided into teams to debate a relevant topic based on the material studied to date. The students will have input into the topic of each debate. Students will also be required to write a five page essay on each half of the course. The essay topics will be chosen from a list provided to the students.

Course Evaluation:
30% debate
30% class participation
40% two short essays (5 pages double spaced, 12pt Arial)


10:45-12:15:

Art: Introduction to Canadian Art
Fee: $130 (includes materials)
Minimum 6, maximum 16

This course introduces students to four stylistic movements within Canadian art history. Three weeks will be spent on each of the following periods.
1. Inuit Art- focus on style, colour schemes
2. West Coast Native art- totem poles, paintings, carvings and Emily Carr.
3. Art between the wars: Group of Seven
4. Lawren Harris and moving into abstract.
Each class will begin with a study of the artists in each movement with the bulk of class time spent on studio projects that reflect the aesthetic of that particular movement. The studio component of each class will introduce students to various art media and techniques including acrylic paint, pen and ink, and water colour.


Shall We Dance?
Fee: $169.50 ($150 + HST)
Minimum 6, maximum 16

Ballroom, Salsa/Latin & Swing Dancing is a fun activity for children, youth/teens and young adults that helps to develop confidence, poise, and social skills that are important throughout life. Your danceScape certified instructor will introduce different dance styles, steps, rhythm, and timing in a fun and goal-oriented way. Students will gain confidence to dance at weddings, gala fundraisers, and other special events while having fun and getting fit.


Physics
Fee: $90
Minimum 5, maximum 16

This course develops students' understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will explore kinematics, different kinds of forces, energy transformations, and more.  They will enhance their scientific investigation skills as they test the laws of physics. In addition they will gain a deeper understanding of problem solving processes, the world around them, and the universe at large.  The course will be based loosely on the text Nelson Physics; however, the students will not require a copy of the textbook as all resources will be provided.

Prerequisites:  equivalent of Ontario curriculum grade 10 Academic Math and Science.  Please see the following links:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/math910curr.pdf

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/math.html

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/science910_2008.pdf

It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their students are academically prepared for this course.  Withdrawing partway through the course may mean that no space remains in other concurrent courses.


Essay Writing
Fee: $90
Minimum 5, maximum 16

This course will cover all aspects of basic essay writing--thesis statements, organization, introductions, conclusions, transitions, etc, and will focus on the persuasive essay. Elements of writing style will also be addressed and liberal doses of humour will be included : ). Students will be encouraged to develop their written communication skills in creative and winsome ways that honour our God-given gift of language.

Prerequisite: Students must be able to identify all basic parts of speech (basic grammar terms such as nouns, verbs, etc) and to write a coherent paragraph of at least six sentences with a topic sentence, concluding sentence, and no serious grammatical problems. I will require by email at registration a sample expository paragraph or if possible a sample composition/ report written by the student in the past year before confirmation of registration in this course. Grades will not be given unless requested at registration.

Required texts (Students/ families are responsible for purchasing the required texts
before the course begins):

Student Resource Notebook (available as a download from
 http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/SRN-E). Cost: ~$7.00 US. One per family.

The Pen Commandments by Stephen Frank (available from Amazon.ca or
Chapters.ca). Cost: ~ $14 CDN. One per family.



1:00-3:00:

Fantastical Characters:  A Course in Physical Theatre and Character Study
Fee: $135
Minimum 6 , maximum 16

This Acting course will introduce the students to the comic elements of Physical Theatre, Clowning, and Commedia dell’arte.  The students will learn to create whimsical and absurd characters through Improvisation and Character Study.  A portion of the first 5 classes will be set aside to build Commedia masks and view performances by physical theatre companies such as Motus O’s Suasion and Salva’s Snowshow.  Each student will develop his or her own Character and participate in a class Physical Theatre performance.

•    There is a mandatory dress code of black track or yoga pants and running shoes; a large black t-shirt will be provided. 
•    Students are responsible for creating their own costumes.
•    The first two classes they will need a facial cleanser and towel as they will be making moulds of their own faces for the masks.

Course cost includes:
•    a large black t-shirt (If XL or M sized shirt is needed, please inform the instructor by Sept 9.)
•    all mask making materials
•    paper and copying fees
•    outside class instruction help


Woodworking and Design
Fee: $158.20 ($140 + HST; includes materials)
Minimum 7, maximum 15

Students will be asked to produce their very own woodworking creation. The course will focus on a design concept, planning, and drawing, as well as the material and basic tools (hand and power) used in the joinery, assembly, and finishing of the project.  Students will develop critical thinking with each phase of their assignment and walk away with tangible evidence of their efforts at the end of the semester.


Cooking Together: From Field To Plate
Fee: $150 (plus food costs*)
Minimum  8, maximum 12

Discover new tastes and have fun in the kitchen! In this interactive culinary class we’ll create simple, great-tasting foods and explore some local foods available to us. Participate in hands-on cooking sessions, food demonstrations, field trips to local farms and producers, and visits from guest chefs to teach us about ingredients or techniques such as knife skills. Our class will be custom-designed based on what the group decides we want to cook together; recipes will feature wholesome, seasonal ingredients. Students will enjoy foods together and take home any extras to share with their families.  Please note that parents will be needed to drive for one or two field trips.

(* Food costs will be kept low by cooking with seasonal foods and ingredients sourced from our own kitchens as well as local suppliers.)


Missions
Fee: no fee
Maximum: 12

The Missions group will engage in various service projects on Thursday afternoons, such as at the Good Shepherd Centre in Hamilton, and possibly other times based on availability of students and opportunities.  Parents of students involved will be scheduled to assist with transportation on Thursdays.