Science 9
SAINT
MALACHY’S
MEMORIAL
HIGH
SCHOOL
MS.
TRENHOLM
TEACHER: Ms. Trenholm
Email: Meghan.trenholm@nbed.nb.ca
Website: http://trenholm.weebly.com
Phone: (506) 658-5361
Textbook: Nelson Science 9 by Nelson
COURSE OUTLINE: The program for Science 9 consists of four units: one Life Science, one Earth
and Space science, and two Physical science units. It is intended to help students prepare for selecting
optional science courses at high school.
OFFICE HOURS: Extra Help provided during the noon hours & afterschool Monday – Friday in room
002 upon request.
COURSE NOTES: All course notes, videos, and resources will be on placed online (see website above)
UNIT 1: PHYSICAL SCIENCE: ATOMS AND ELEMENTS
 Safety considerations and physical properties
Chap.1,2,3,4
 Chemical changes and reactions
 Atomic theory and the periodic law
UNIT 2: LIFE SCIENCE: REPRODUCTION
 Cellular processes and sexual and asexual reproduction
 Factors effecting genetic changes
 Sexual and asexual plant reproduction
Chap. 5,6,7
UNIT 3: PHYSICAL SCIENCE: CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTRICITY
 Static electricity
Chap.9,10,11,12
 Static electricity and electric current
 Series and parallel circuits
 Use of electrical power
 Electricity and the environment
UNIT 4: EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE: SPACE EXPLORATION
 The beginnings of the solar system
Chap. 13,14,15,16
 Composition and characteristics of the solar system
 Composition and characteristics of the universe
SCIENCE 9 MARKING SCHEME
Minor Assessment
Assignments – 10%
Labs- 10%
Observations- 10%
Major Assessment
Science Inquiry Research Paper –10%
Tests – 30%
Midterm – 10%
Final Exam – 20%
ASSESSMENT POLICY:
All Summative Assessments; including major tests/quizzes/ portfolio assignments/papers, midterms
and exams must be completed. If a student misses any of the above assessments, it will be written
upon the student’s return to school.
There will be Firm Deadlines for the previously mentioned Summative Assessments. If assessments are
not passed in on the due date, the following consequence will result: students will be assessed a 10%
penalty per day for the next four days and on the fifth day they will be given an Incomplete in the
course.
To this end, an individual Assessment and Grading Outline, indicating major Summative Assessments,
will be included in the course syllabus. All other Summative Assessments, i.e. a Summative Quiz, will be
assessed a 10% penalty per day for the next four days and on the fifth day the student will be given a
Zero.
A parent/guardian will be contacted prior to the implementation of the penalty process.
The Key Elements of Formative and Summative Assessment:
Formative- Assessment designed to provide direction for improvement and/or adjustment to a
program for individual students or for a whole class (i.e. quizzes, initial drafts/attempts, homework,
and questions during instruction.)
Summative- Assessments/evaluation designed to provide information to be used in making judgments
about a student’s achievement at the end of a period of instruction (ie. tests, exams, final
drafts/attempts, assignments, projects, and performance.)
Comparison of Formative and Summative Assessments
Purpose
Time of assessment
Types of assessment
techniques
Uses of assessment
information
Formative
To monitor and guide a
process/product while it is still
in progress.
During the process of
development of the product
Informal observation, quizzes,
homework, teacher questions,
worksheets
To improve and change a
process/product while it is still
going on or being developed
Summative
To judge the success of a
process/product at the end(however
arbitrarily defined)
At the end of the process or when the
product is complete
Formal observations, tests, projects,
term papers, exhibitions
Judge the quality of a
process/product; grade, rank,
promote
TESTING POLICY:
Students will be given reasonable notice of testing dates and test content at St. Malachy’s Memorial
High School. All students are expected to write the test on the assigned day unless they have a written
medical excuse from a doctor/parent. Should a student miss a scheduled test, the following steps will
be taken in order that the marked test can be given back to all students in a timely fashion;
1. The test will be written upon the day of return to school either in class (where appropriate) or during
the lunch hour.
2. Where a student misses the allotted make up time with their classroom teacher, they will be
expected to attend a test re-write session with an administrator in Room 110 on the following day.
3. Any student who misses the opportunity to write the test on these three occasions will meet with
an administrator and disciplinary action will be taken.
•Student
demonstrates a
desire to
observe,
question,
explore,
investigate and
understand the
scientific
concepts at hand
•Student
demonstartes
concern for the
safety of self and
others when
planning and
executing
activities
Critical Thinking
•Student is
actively
listening
without
distraction,
asking
relevant, nonredundant
questions and
maintaining
accurate and
detailed
written notes
Attitude
• Student can
contribute
to the
group and
remain on
task while
respectfully
considering
and
evaluating
the ideas of
others
Engagement
Collaborating
OBSERVATION ASSESSMENT: Observation assessments will be made on the following key
components during activities.
•Student
implements
rational
explanations
and considers
alternative
perspectives,
ideas and
reasoning
before
formulating
conclusions