Intermediate Years

Grade 4:
In Grade 4, the students have a homeroom teacher who teaches the core subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science, HCE, and Religion. The Grade 4 children have specialist teachers for Physical Education, Music, French, and Library. The students in the intermediate grades have a very full and interesting day with experiences in a wide variety of subjects taught by teachers who are enthusiastic about their subject area.

The homeroom teacher is responsible for the boys’ emotional well-being; he/she sees them at the start and end of each day and at assemblies and homeroom periods. The Grade 4 teacher is the main contact for the parents in checking on overall progress at school. As well, the homeroom teacher assists each child in organization of belongings and classroom assignments. Grade 4 is a year of transition as students learn to become more independent as intermediate students.

The intermediate teacher is committed to supporting the students to become confident, creative thinkers, and problem-solvers who enjoy the process of learning and willing to take risks. It is an important time of growth for the students and they must feel safe and secure in their learning environment as they explore and become more independent. This is a time of transition for the children as they prepare to move on to a Middle School experience. The teachers of the intermediate grades do their very best to prepare them well to be independent, enthusiastic learners.

Supporting learning at home is another important part of Grade Four. Your child should be doing approximately 45-60 minutes of homework for 5 nights a week.  Of course, this varies considerably, depending on the abilities of your child and how much effort he puts into his work.  Homework is assigned and written in students’ planners everyday.  Students’ marks will be affected if they do not complete homework on time, or forget their homework at home.  When a student has failed to complete his homework, he may be required to stay in at recess.  If this happens consistently, parents will be informed.  Consequences do not apply to students who are absent due to illness or have a note in their planner about their inability to complete homework. In this case, students will be given the choice to stay in at recess and will hand in the assignment the next day. 

Students who are absent from class must see the teacher upon arrival to get the work they missed. If a student is away for more then one day, it is recommended that parents pick up missed work from the teacher so that the student does not fall too far behind.  

Grade 5:
Grade 5 is the year where we open your boys’ eyes to the world with as much variety as possible.  This includes exposing your boys to the world of famous painters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Emily Carr, with special emphasis on Vincent Van Gogh and Emily Carr.  Through research and speech making your boys will present “An Evening with Vincent” with the parents present.  With Emily Carr, we prepare your boys with a thorough study of her life and paintings before they go on the end of the year annual field trip to Victoria to see her house and cemetery.  In the World of Music, your boys are introduced to the world of Vivaldi, Tchaikovasky, Gershwin, Elvis Presley or the Beatles, and four great Canadian singers: Joni Mitchell, Paul Anka, Anne Murray, and Gordon Lightfoot.  They prepare for “An Evening with either Elvis Presley or the Beatles” in front of their parents where they present speeches and lip syncs.  In the World of Sports, they are introduced to Michael Jordan, Bobby Orr, and Tiger Woods.  Emphasis is placed on professional sports, such as football, baseball, basketball, and golf, and students learn about different teams and who to root for.  Animals are brought into the classroom so all students can be exposed to the care and handling of precious creatures, such as birds, rabbits, hamsters, fish, ants, crickets, etc.  During teaching throughout the day, students are given opportunities to hold on to these animals to get a feel for them and to study their particular behaviors.  A Banking system is established in class where children learn how to handle money by earning it through good behaviour, quizzes, etc.  All of the above and much more are integrated within the curriculum.

Grade 6:
This is the final year in elementary school at Vancouver College.  This unique experience provides an opportunity for learning and discovery, as the sixth graders are in a position of leadership spiritually, academically, and socially.  At Vancouver College, the focus is on educating and developing the whole student; sixth grade specifically takes a cross-curricular look at global citizenship and social responsibility and justice.  The students are encouraged to both learn subjects conceptually and to experience them within the context of their world.  One such opportunity for leadership and responsibility is the elementary Environment Club, whose membership is drawn from grade 6 students.  This club ensures the elementary school recyclable material is managed and promotes responsible citizenship.  

Whether debating the politics involved when natural disaster strikes, developing and implementing Religion projects to aid a chosen cause, or developing a greater respect for nature through education and field studies, each sixth grade student is able to exercise critical thinking and analytical skills and ultimately to enter the middle school with greater self-awareness and potential for success.

For further information on the Elementary School curriculum, including individual grade level programs, please refer to the Elementary School Program of Studies 2010-2011.