Programs

All students in Grade 6 at Ottawa Christian School participate in an Intensive French program.

Intensive French is a second-language teaching approach in which the French language is taught intensively for a large part of the day during the first five months of Grade 6. Students receive about 55% of their instruction in French during the first half of the year and 20% during the second half. Most of the rest of the curriculum is compressed into the second half of the year, except for mathematics, which is taught in English throughout the year.

The program is based on the use of French for authentic communication in the classroom and the development of literacy skills in French. There is a high degree of interaction between teacher and students, as well as among students.

Intensive French is not a different version of French immersion. Subject areas like math, history, and science are not taught in French. Instead, it is a French language arts program where students listen, speak, read and write French.

We believe that music is a gift from God. We have a dedicated music room equipped with a variety of instruments that allow students to study many aspects of music. Our program aims to foster in each student respect, appreciation, and joy for the gift of music. As part of this, all students at OCS participate in an annual Christmas Concert, and in a full-scale musical every second year.

Students in JK/SK receive their Music program from their homeroom teacher. Those in Grades 1-8 are taught by our Music teacher. They come to the Music room several times a week for Choir, Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Music History and Instrumental Music.

Students in Grades 1 and 2 study Instrumental Music using percussion instruments such as rhythm sticks, drums, tambourines, boom whackers, bells, glockenspiels and xylophones. Those in Grades 3-6 use all of these percussion instruments as well as recorders. Grades 7/8 students are part of the Intermediate Band, where they can choose from flute, trumpet, trombone, baritone, clarinet, and alto saxophone.

At OCS, we believe our bodies are a gift from God, and encourage students to take care of this gift through regular physical activity. Our Physical Education program includes a wide variety of activities, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, cross-country running, and track & field.

Students from JK to Grade 3 receive their Phys Ed program from their homeroom teacher. Those in Grades 4-8 are taught by our Phys Ed Teacher. All students receive two fifty-minute classes of Phys Ed each week. Students use the gym during the winter months, and often have their classes outdoors during the warmer spring and fall months.

We recognize that technology can provide us with useful tools for learning and communicating. We also teach students how to use it wisely.

Early on, students learn to log in to their own Windows account and use basic software and web applications to assist with developing typing or spelling skills. As they progress, they are introduced to the internet as a repository of information that can be useful for research. At the same time, they begin to learn word processing and other skills that allow them to synthesize and present their learning. This may include such web apps as Google docs or slides.

Along the way, students may use different kinds of software as learning aids.  For example, grade 7 students use HyperStudio to present their knowledge of the Bible stories taught in their curriculum, and use the Scratch programming language as an introduction to coding.

The Learning Support team at OCS is made up of four staff dedicated to helping classroom teachers meet the diverse needs of their students. The team provides in-class support, individual instruction, small-group instruction, as well as drop-in options for students that require extra help.

Learning Support assesses all students when they turn 5, and additional screening/testing is completed as needed throughout the year. New students entering the school are assessed when they enroll. The team also develops Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to address the needs of children with exceptionalities.

Learning Support activities take place in a dedicated Resource Room that provides a safe and fun space for students to receive instruction, take a break, or solve a problem.