Course Outline:  Science, Grade 9 SNC1DW

Teacher: 

Ms. Quinney

Teacher Contact Information

email: laura_quinney@wrdsb.ca

Website:

https://teachers.wrdsb.ca/quinney/1d/

Google Classroom: 

https://classroom.google.com

SNC1DW-05 (Block D) class code – r2upi2t

 

Course Description:

This course enables students to develop their understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics, and to relate science to technology, society, and the environment. Throughout the course, students will develop their skills in the processes of scientific investigation. Students will acquire an understanding of scientific theories and conduct investigations related to sustainable ecosystems; atomic and molecular structures and the properties of elements and compounds; the study of the universe and its properties and components; and the principles of electricity.

 

Essential Learnings

Summative Assessments 

*Missing critical evidence of learning may result in loss of credit*
Term (70%) Final (30%)
Demonstrate scientific investigation skills in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating). Major Lab Reports Pre-IA/Lab Practical (10%)
Identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study, and identify scientists, including Canadians, who have made contributions to those fields. STSE Project
Assess the social, environmental and economic impacts of: 

  • Human activities on sustainability of aquatic and/or terrestrial ecosystems
  • The use of common elements and compounds
  • Space exploration 
  • Production of electrical energy from renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of:

  • Courses of action intended to remedy or mitigate negative environmental impacts.
  • How electrical savings can be achieved
 STSE Project
Investigate through inquiry:

  • Human activity that affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
  • The physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds
  • The properties of a variety of celestial objects visible from Earth in the night sky
  • Properties of static and current electricity and the quantitative relationship between potential difference, current, and resistance in electrical circuits.

Lab book

Wrigley Corners field trip
Demonstrate an understanding of:

  • Dynamic nature of ecosystems
  • Properties of common elements and compounds, and of the organization of elements in the periodic table
  • Major scientific theories about structure, formation, and evolution of the universe and its components
  • Principles of static and current electricity

Unit tests

Quizzes

 Written Exam (20%)

Seventy percent (70%) of the final mark will come from term work and thirty percent (30%) will come from final evaluations.  Student work will be evaluated using a balance of the Ministry’s four achievement chart categories: knowledge & understanding, thinking & inquiry, application and communication.

Please see school website for detailed School Assessment & Evaluation Policy.

 

Learning Skills

The Learning Skills and Work Habits section of the provincial report card is an integral part of a student’s learning.  Students will be assessed in the following areas:

  • Responsibility
  • Independent Work
  • Organization
  • Initiative
  • Collaboration
  • Self-Regulation

The following scoring system is used for Learning Skills:    E=Excellent; G=Good; S=Satisfactory; N=Needs Improvement

 

Missing Work

Students are expected to submit all evidence of learning by the assigned date.

  1. The Learning Skills will be used to reflect incidents of late and missing work. 
  2. At the time of entering a report card grade, students with missing evidence of learning may receive an “I” (“I” = insufficient evidence) on their report card and will not receive a credit (Grades 9 and 10), or may be assigned a failing mark and will not be granted a credit for the course (Grades 11 and 12).

 

Cheating and Plagiarism

Students are expected to submit their own original, best work to demonstrate their learning.

  1. The Learning Skills section of the provincial report card will be used to reflect incidents of cheating and plagiarism.
  2. Students caught cheating on tests or assignments will receive an “I” (“I = insufficient evidence), and will be required to demonstrate their learning through an alternative evaluation.

Students who plagiarize may be required to re-do all or part of the assignment (or evaluation) or complete an alternative assignment (or evaluation).  The student’s work may be treated as Missing Work (see above). As well, potential consequences for plagiarizing include disciplinary action (e.g., suspension) and loss of access to academic awards and scholarship opportunities

 

Absences

Absences must be validated and missed work completed outside of class time. If you miss a test/quiz or lab for a valid reason, be prepared to complete it on the day you return. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up after being absent. If you know ahead of time about an absence make arrangements beforehand!

 

Extra help is available– your teachers are pleased to assist you! The Science Office is Room F434; please make arrangements with your subject teacher or visit peer tutoring in room A202 if extra help is needed. 

 

Course Specifics:

In order to be successful it is important to be organized and prepared for each class.  You will be expected to have the following items with you in class each day:

  • textbook:  Mc-Graw Hill ON Science 9 
  • pens and pencils (at least 2 different colours is helpful),  eraser, ruler
  • calculator (cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted)
  • binder with plenty of lined paper, dividers (to separate units), index cards (optional)
  • student planner or personal organizer
  • earbuds that can be used with the chromebook!