G3-G6
The Foundations of Argumentation, Speech, and Thought (FAST) program is designed to develop students’ critical thinking, analysis, and presentation skills. Students learn ways to study and analyze relevant real-world issues in order to speak on them persuasively. Students will learn valuable skills and techniques to evaluate, process, and articulate complex ideas and learn how to structure their arguments so that they come across as poised, confident, and thoughtful during both presentations and everyday discussions. Students who have completed our FAST program are positioned to participate in more discussion-heavy school classes confidently, progress into the world of debate, or delve deeper into critical thinking with our RAPS or Mentorship programs.
Course Highlights:
Perfect for:
In this course, students will
G3-G6
In this course, students will gain the necessary tools to recognize and access credible sources. Students will be able to gather and collect data and information. They will be able to evaluate and synthesize information from various sources to assist their analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Through case studies, students will be able to analyze successful and unsuccessful models to skillfully identify, conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information from a variety of media. The goal of the course is to teach students how to empathize with and define problems in an ever-changing world. It teaches them how to brainstorm, design, test, and re-test solutions to those problems.
Course Highlights:
Perfect for:
(G3-4 RAPS) In this course, students will
(G5-6 RAPS) In this course, students will
G7-G9
Foundations of Argumentation, Speech, and Thought course introduces students to foundation-level critical thinking and presentation skills. Students will gain useful world knowledge and hone their analytical abilities by applying them to Capstone-created case studies and authentic sources such as The New York Times and the BBC. In addition to gaining analytical abilities, students will apply those skills to an oral presentation at the end of the lesson. Students who have completed our FAST programs are positioned to confidently participate in more discussion-heavy school classes, progress into the world of debate, or delve deeper into critical thinking with our RRAPS or Mentorship programs.
Course Highlights:
Continued growth of students’ overall academic proficiency through challenging exercises and assignments that teach advanced techniques.
Perfect for students who:
In this course, students will
G7-G9
Research, Rhetoric, Analysis and Problem-Solving will continue to have students utilize critical thinking skills to tackle increasingly complex topics. With a heavy discussion component, the course will build on students’ critical reading/media analysis, argument formation, public speaking, and problem-solving. Course content comes from a wide range of sources, including media outlets such as The Guardian, technical papers, and Capstone-created case studies. After processing, questioning, and analyzing complex information, students in this course are then expected to synthesize, critique, and present their thoughts on what they have learned within various contexts, such as mock trials, boardroom meetings, town hall meetings, debates, and formal presentations.
Course Highlights:
Continued growth of students’ overall academic proficiency in critical thinking and speaking skills through challenging class exercises and course assignments that teach advanced techniques.
Perfect for students who:
In this course, students will:
G10-G12
Writing, Discussion, & Thinking (WDT) is designed to prepare students for both the academic rigor and discussion-driven learning environment of upper secondary school and university. WDT draws on elements from Capstone’s Academic Writing and Scholars courses to provide high school students with a comprehensive educational experience. Writing assignments contain heavy elements of independent research and demand initiative and an inquisitive approach. Students will revise and workshop their essays with both their teacher and their peers, and in doing so, will develop good habits of drafting and editing that are vital to success at university and beyond. Throughout the course, students will be expected and encouraged to raise questions, challenge opinions, and utilize their critical thinking skills to lead discussions of their own. All of this will be set within a lively academic setting where students will engage intellectually with a wide range of carefully selected and challenging materials from the humanities and social sciences, including philosophy, ethics, and politics.
Course Highlights:
Class assignments are designed to improve students’ writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills through challenging and engaging content.
Designed for students who:
After the course, students will: