Human Ecology
Textile Arts and Design
The Textile Arts and Design program at Garden City Collegiate, is available at all grade levels. The Grade 9 elective is a half credit. The electives at the 20, 30 and 40 levels are full credit courses.
Both hand sewing and machine sewing are part of the course at all levels. However, depending on the interest of the student, we also engage in various traditional crafts. Some of the craft skills developed are: crocheting, knitting, primitive rug hooking, quilting and embroidery.
Students are encouraged to explore these areas and determine which area or areas they would like to further develop. Students are also encouraged to follow the principles of design in the creation of their projects, to have fun with their work and hopefully, to develop life-long interests
Family Studies
Family studies courses offer a preventative, proactive, and practical approach that is intended to strengthen individuals and families. Students acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make informed choices with respect to caring for themselves and others within the context of a global community. Students acquire strategies to manage the challenges of life in an effective and responsible way that enhances their life journey.
Grade 9 Family Studies explores adolescent development from the perspective of the adolescent student. Topics include building skills and knowledge in developing positive relationships to enhance personal health and wellness within the context of their own family dynamics and the community in which they live.
I have taken Family Studies in grades 9 and 11. I think family studies is important to take to prepare you for parenthood or if you are planning to work with children. From what I can remember, throughout grade 9 we learned mostly about reproduction and families. It wasn’t the “ew we’re talking about sex” kind of lesson. It was honestly really interesting to see what human bodies are capable of. We also learned about how divorce, separation, single and families that are together can affect the child. As a child of divorce, it answered quite a few questions I had without having to open up to someone about my whole life story. Now for grade 11, we focused on younger children. So we covered parenting styles, some budgeting and healthy parenting practices. Again, like grade 9, it answered a lot of questions and curiosities I had without having to talk to someone. I’ve always wanted my own kids ever since I was a little girl, it was all I talked about. I thought I always knew how I was gonna parent, what rules I was gonna have in place, etc. But after taking this course, I'd say it definitely modernized my parenting style for the best. If you’re thinking about taking family studies, do it. Even if you don’t want kids or aren’t planning to work with or around them, this course teaches you some great skills.
Student Testimonials:
I really enjoyed Family studies, I am a grade 11 student and so far I have taken family studies ever since grade 9. Family studies is a class I'd really like to recommend to everyone because it shows how to deal with your own body and emotions. In later years it shows how to deal with children and that is a good skill to have, this class helped me realize that once I am finished with school that I want to open my own daycare one day.
Foods and Nutrition
The food and nutrition area of study provides students with opportunities that explore their relationships with food in both a theoretical and practical way that can enhance one’s health and well-being. It also provides knowledge and skills that have immediate relevance to students’ lives, as well as lifelong applications personally, within families, in their communities, and on a global scale. The goal of this area of study is to shape students to become informed consumers and responsible citizens.
Grade 9 Food and Nutrition focuses on the individual and the relationships and influences that affect food choices. Students will examine the fundamentals of nutrition and learn how to apply the information to their lives. The course provides opportunities for students to develop safe food handling and food preparation skills in a practical setting.