Calm 20

Course Name and Abbreviation

CALM 20

Grade Level:

Grade 11

Summary Course Content and Activities:

CALM takes a look at the areas of self-awareness, relationships, well-being, careers, independent living and human sexuality. All of this is done through a Biblical perspective as students are presented with information in these areas along with activities, group discussions, simulations, case studies and projects to make this information applicable to their lives. CALM class should help prepare students with the tools needed to live a truly 'healthy' life.

Who should be taking this course? For whom is this course designed and intended:

Students interested in learning about and improving their own personal health in a wide variety of areas will benefit from their study in this course.

Here's some parental feedback on this course:

He's been thinking he would like to get a "real" job, lately. We're praying about it. It's hard to let your first-born take those giant first steps into the world. Also, he's still adjusting to the expectations
and demands of high school, e.g., diligence, taking responsibility for completing things well and on time, budgeting your time, getting proper rest and exercise...

Thanks for giving him the opportunity to think about these things on a personal level. It is good for him.

I personally have understood more about investments from your lesson than any other means in my past (usually someone trying to explain it verbally!) and I think this is great exposure for the kids. Thanks!

Philosophy statement for and/or behind teaching this course:

RATIONALE AND PHILOSOPHY as per the Alberta Dept. of Education
Career and Life Management, as prescribed within the Secondary Education in Alberta Policy
Statement, June 1985, is a core course required of all senior high school students.
There has been growing recognition that many of our young people are ill-prepared to cope with the ever accelerating rate of change in our social, economic and physical world, with no indication that this fast pace will decrease. This high rate of change emphasizes the need for self-management skills -- the ability to organize and shape one's life occupationally, financially and socially. The basis for building students' commitment to management as a lifelong strategy is the assurance that the learning experiences in which they are involved are relevant, meaningful and appropriate to their cognitive, affective and psychomotor developmental stage.
Career and Life Management 20 will provide all senior high school students with opportunities to develop and practice their skills in communicating, thinking and dealing with feelings. This will be done in situations that will help them to build confidence in their ability to cope with the stress of growing up and living within a rapidly changing society.
It is crucial for the individual to develop and to apply the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with a wide variety of issues and situations that will be encountered throughout life. As well, it is important to be able to marshal all available resources in order to shape the future.

Students will have the opportunity to:
- realistically set and plan for personal goals
- assess and consider their own abilities
- determine how their personal characteristics affect their learning and decision-making processes
- test their ideas and current expectations in a non-judgmental and safe environment.

Developing thinking and communicating skills and learning how to deal with feelings effectively, will provide a basis for building self-management skills and improving relationships with others.
Students will appreciate and understand how careers, relationships, health and finance affect their lives. Through an increased awareness of self the student will be able to contribute more positively to the well-being of others.

Major Course Goals:

The student:
1. develops a more positive self-concept and an understanding of personal interests, values, aptitudes and abilities
2. promotes independent personal management by developing the ability to make choices and accept challenges that take into account significant others, values, responsibilities and resources
3. develops an awareness of health as a resource for everyday living: that health maintenance contributes to achieving control over and improvement of personal well-being; to the process of realizing goals and satisfying needs, and to coping with changes in the environment
4. develops knowledge about career options and determines personal career strategies
5. develops an awareness of the relationship between and among personal economics, lifestyle and occupational planning
6. develops the ability to deal with feelings, and to apply effective thinking and communication skills in order to function well in society.

Pre-requisite(s):

none

Number of credits the course is worth:

Materials and resources provided by NSA, purchased by student, and/or recommended:

Provided by NSA:

Cassette tape - Joshua Harris

Forecasted amount of time required to complete each week's lesson:

4-5 hours/week

Description of student evaluations, quizzes and tests:

Projects, presentations, written assignments and group discussions will count for approximately 80% of the course. The final exam is worth approximately 20%.

Criteria for teacher approval of and willingness to grant assignment/test extensions to students beyond the automatic extension period:

To receive an assignment and/or test extension beyond the automatic extension period, the student must have already maintained regular contact and correspondence with the teacher during the previous weeks of the school year. Along with this, the student must have a valid reason (sickness, major computer problems, etc.) for the extension that has been confirmed by the key parent. The teacher will make the decision for an extension after consulting with the key parent.

NorthStar Academy Canada
#107, 1001 - 20th Avenue, Didsbury, AB
Email: cdninfo@nsaschool.ca
1-403-335-9587
1-877-335-1171 (toll free)
1-403-335-9513 (fax)