Imagine…
Þ Making decisions about your learning & doing self-directed studies
Þ Learning alongside other students who share your interests and ability level
Þ Being challenged in your areas of interest and strength
Þ And for those who choose to apply for (outdoor) leadership: Expanding your learning outside the classroom by going on outdoor adventure, field trips and volunteering in the community in your interest areas
The TALONS Program is a unique program in the Coquitlam School District, tailored to gifted learners in grades 9 to 12. The following core academic subjects, Math 9-11, Sciences 9-10, Biology 11, Chemistry 11, English 9-10 and Social Studies 9-10, and IDS 11 and 12 feature opportunity for enrichment at the honours level. We also accelerate, compact and telescope these curricula to make them a better fit for gifted learners and free up extra time for more in-depth and independent investigations. As the future continues to require that learners are autonomous, understand their strengths and how to realize their potential, TALONS learners follows the Betts Autonomous Learner Model to meet the cognitive, emotional and social needs of gifted learners.
The TALONS Program facilitates the personal growth and development of the individual learner. TALONS learners develop and incorporate their own knowledge and skills, learn independently and apply this knowledge to the entire scope of their learning experience and to their life. The class enacts a learning community which aids each learner in becoming an Autonomous Learner, defined as one who solves problems and develops new ideas and higher level thinking, functioning with minimal guidance in selected areas of endeavor. TALONS learners engage in the following Autonomous Learner Model stages:
Understanding your giftedness & potential
Connecting with other learners of high ability
Developing learning skills and interpersonal skills
Investigating possible career interests
Completing several mini in-depth studies, one eminent person project and one long-term in-depth study.
Cultural activities, community service learning opportunities and outdoor recreation are available for those in leadership courses
In the remaining blocks TALONS learners have access to their electives.
What does the TALONS Program look like?
1. TALONS learners take four core courses, Math 9, Science 9, English 9 and Social Studies 9 at a honours accelerated, compacted and telescoped level.
2. Grade 9 TALONS learners who are in (outdoor) leadership 10 plan, implement and evaluate community service learning projects, cultural events, complete various certifications (e.g. First aid, canoeing, kayaking) and participate in retreat, adventure trip and one day fieldtrip(s) during their existing TALONS blocks as well as during evenings, weekends and Friday lunch meetings. Thus, this course requires a commitment beyond regular school hours and a financial commitment to cover all related costs.
3. TALONS will now extend to a third year and even a fourth year! TALONS learners in grades 10-12 will select the TALONS courses in which they will be able to succeed, including Planning 10, Independent Directed Studies 10-12, Biology 11, Chemistry 11 and Math Pre-Calculus 11. We will also offer IDS 11 and 12 and Philosophy 12 as separate courses. The Autonomous Learner Model will now extend into senior years, addressing the needs of gifted learners. Although priority for placement into TALONS blocks will go to past grade 9 and 10 TALONS learners, if space is available other gifted learners will be able to take TALONS courses, too.
4. TALONS learners in grades 10-12 may wish to do leadership 11 or 12 in a TALONS block to be able to build in time to plan, implement and evaluate all of the events and activities offered in leadership.
Visit TALONS @ GLENEAGLE for more information.
