Grade 9 course descriptions

Grade 9 Academic Program

Math
The course is designed to prepare students for both the regular or advanced mathematics and science programs in grade 10. During the first term, students focus on: spatial sense, relations, the Pythagorean Theorem and algebraic calculations. In the second term, topics include: area and volume of solids, linear relations, composite transformations and statistical analysis.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

• learn how to use algebra to generalize situations
• apply their knowledge of geometric figures
• develop the ability to analyze statistical data

English
This course emphasizes analytic reading, writing, oral communication and thinking skills that students not only need for success in secondary school academic programs but also their daily lives. Students will study and interpret texts from contemporary and historical periods using novels, poetry, short stories, short essays and articles. They will also investigate and create media projects. An important focus during this course is the correct and effective use of spoken and written language.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

• increase overall literacy in terms of reading and writing
• emphasize critical thinking skills as an integral part of reading and writing
• be immersing themselves in some formidable works from different periods and cultural perspectives
• understand the effect of specific elements of style in a variety of literary and informational texts
• expand the student's vocabulary and literary repertoire

Science
Grade 9 science is an introduction to human biology . "Biology of Ourselves" is the text book upon which much of the theory component of the course is based. The following topics are covered: the nervous system, sensory organs, blood and circulation, respiration, diet and nutrition, digestion, excretory system, genetics, reproduction, managing human waste, mammal dissection, bones, and skin.

Application of the course material to students' understanding of achieving optimum health is a significant focus. Overall, the students will get a sense of the complexity of the human body and its interconnectedness with the various systems.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

• understand the complexity of the human body
• appreciate some considerations for maintaining optimum health
• conceptualize various systems and how they function together
• develop independent study and test-taking skills
• to make links to various social realities in the world

Beginner French 9
This is an introductory French course that allows learners to be exposed to and develop skills in the fields of speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing. The course goal for those students who remain in the programme for more than one year is to acquire enough skills to eventually integrate into Core FSL.

The goal of the Beginner French course (from the Québec Education Program) is to develop the student's capacity for oral (speaking and listening) and written (reading and writing) communication so as to enable them to express their view of the world. They will then be able to communicate with young people and adults from near and far and acquire and transmit cultural knowledge.

French Second Language (FSL)
Objectifs

• Le cours de français vise à aider l'élève à développer des compétences langagières, à communiquer de façon cohérente et structurée en exerçant les quatre compétences : l'oral, l'écoute, la lecture et l'écriture.
• Un tel apprentissage vise à donner les outils nécessaires à l'élève pour devenir un citoyen capable de participer pleinement aux échanges d'idées et à l'évolution de la société.
• Dans un second ordre, l'apprentissage de la langue englobe aussi la connaissance d'une société et d'une culture, de leur compréhension et au développement de celles-ci.

Comme aucun cahier d'exercices n'est requis dans le cours de français, l'utilisation de Destination 3 sera complétée par l'usage de d'autres outils tel la recherche internet sur divers thèmes choisis par l'enseignante. On retrouvera aussi la lecture de livres, des dictées, des exercices divers, des exposés oraux, des jeux, des films de pays francophones, de la musique francophone, des projets, des sketches, des sorties culturelles, etc.

PLM
Encompassing Moral Education, Personal and Social Development and Career Choice Education, this course focuses and encourages students to address issues related to what we value as humans, and our responsibilities to each other and the planet. Social and personal components of life are addressed from the standpoint of striving to achieve personal and community balance in our lives. Students will explore these issues through lecture, discussion, activity, group and project work.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

• allow the students to be self-reflective in relevance to the topics
• immerse students in some of the major ethical issues of our time
• take a realistic look at the effect of drugs and alcohol on individuals, families, and society
• look at solutions to achieving balance in the personal and social realms
• look at how different groups around the world structure their belief systems and act according to moral systems
• appreciate the importance of taking care of the physical, mental and emotional self

Grade 9 Introduction to Technology
Comprising two distinct phases, Introduction to Technology first introduces theoretical and practical components requiring students to use logic and creativity. The second phase is primarily a practical one in which students are required to harness their imagination, initiative and labouring skills to design and create several technological products.

This course will assist and encourage students to:

• discover the technological principles of construction and mechanics through practical work and theory
• understand the function, operation, and workings of a variety of technical products
• understand how technical products influence our lives
• use and apply logical, step-by-step problem solving methods as well as design systems
• learn the basics of graphic design and communication
• use inventive ability and sense of form and design in the creation of a technological device to solve a practical problem (invent, design, create, patent an ianvention)
• practice construction techniques that are useful in everyday life
• learn to produce a variety of technical drawings and design a floor plan of a house to scale
• to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in this course, in the design, and the construction of a variety of models and technological products
• to work effectively as part of a team in the design and creation of the class project

Art
The study of art at Sedbergh is the introduction to a discipline. The students will acquire basic technical skills necessary to the execution of art and be exposed to examples of historical art styles. Through this course they will develop a recognition and appreciation of the role of nature in art and the artist's role in society.

The overall objectives of the program are:

• to develop familiarity with art vocabulary and studio procedures
• to develop technical skills
• to develop an understanding of the principles of good design
• to promote an understanding of the part played by art in man's history

The units of drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture and media are designed to provide an exploration of the elements and principles of design through a problem solving process geared to the various age levels. Each student maintains a sketchbook throughout the year to monitor progress. The classroom work is supplemented with demonstrations by working artists and visits to the National Art Gallery, Ottawa and Le Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.