Science Department
IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Course Code: SNC 1D1
Course Name: Grade 9 Academic Science
Course Overview:
The overall aim of the secondary science program is to ensure scientific literacy for every secondary school graduate. This aim
can be
achieved byof
meeting
three overall
for everyExpectations
student. The secondaryinclude:
program, from Grade 9 through Grade 12, is
Strands
Study
and goals
Overall
designed to promote these goals:
- to understand the basic concepts of science
- to develop the skills, strategies and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry;
- to relate science to technology, society and the environment
Course Expectations:
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.
Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
A1. demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and
recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating);
A2. 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.
B1. analyse the impact of human activity on terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and assess the effectiveness of selected initiatives related to
environmental sustainability;
B2. investigate some factors related to human activity that affect terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and describe the consequences that these factors
have for the sustainability of these ecosystems;
B3. demonstrate an understanding of characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the interdependence within and between ecosystems, and
the impact humans have on the sustainability of these ecosystems.
C1. analyse how properties of common elements and/or simple compounds affect their use, and assess the social and environmental impact associated
with their production or use;
C2. investigate, through inquiry, physical and chemical properties of common elements and simple compounds;
C3. demonstrate an understanding of the properties of common elements and simple compounds, and general features of the organization of the
periodic table.
D1. analyse the major challenges and benefits of space exploration, and assess the contributions of Canadians to space exploration;
D2. investigate the properties of different types of celestial objects in the solar system and the universe;
D3. demonstrate an understanding of major astronomical phenomena and of the principal components of the solar system and the universe.
E1. assess the major social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of using electrical energy, distinguishing between renewable and
non‑renewable sources, and propose a plan of action to reduce energy costs;
E2. investigate, through inquiry, the properties of static and current electricity and the cost of the consumption of electrical energy;
E3. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles of static and current electricity.
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to ensure these
expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including
video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of
print sources. The textbook will be distributed to
students during the first week of the course. The text
and all other resources assigned to students are the
responsibility of the student. Any damage incurred will
result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost
for the text will be posted in the classroom.
UNITS OF STUDY:
Biology – Sustainable Ecosystems
Chemistry – Atoms, Elements and Compounds
Physics – The Characteristics of Electricity
Earth and Space Science – The Study of the Universe
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge & Understanding
Thinking & Investigation
Communications
Application
TEXTS AND RESOURCES:
Nelson Science Perspectives 9
25 %
35 %
15 %
25 %
The above is reflected both in the term work (worth
70% of the final mark) and the summative work
(worth 30% of the final mark). Summative work
consists of the Final Exam (20 %) and a Culminating
Activity (10 %).
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in process &
evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be utilized. Student
marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific skills and key words used to
determine student competency in the different categories.
Category
Knowledge/Understanding: Knowledge of
content and understanding of content.
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Limited display of:
knowledge of content
Some success in:
knowledge of content
Considerable display of:
knowledge of content
Thorough understanding of:
knowledge of content
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing
and planning skills
and strategies with
limited effectiveness
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing
and planning skills and
strategies with some
effectiveness
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing and
planning skills and
strategies with considerable effectiveness
uses creative thinking
initiating, processing and
planning skills and
strategies with a high degree
of effectiveness
Communication: Expression and organization
of ideas and information and use of conventions
vocabulary, and terminology of the discipline in
oral, graphic, and written forms.
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology,
organizes ideas and
information with
limited effectiveness
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology, organizes
ideas and information
with some
effectiveness
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology, organizes
ideas and information
with considerable
effectiveness
communicates, uses
conventions and
terminology, organizes ideas
and information with a high
degree of effectiveness
Application: Application and transfer of
knowledge and skills; Making connections
between science, technology, society, and
the environment.
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills
to unfamiliar contexts
and proposes courses
of practical action
with limited
effectiveness
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills
to unfamiliar contexts
and proposes courses
of practical action
with some
effectiveness
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
proposes courses of
practical action with
considerable
effectiveness
Thinking: Use of planning skills, processing
skills and critical/creative thinking skill.
transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
proposes courses of
practical action with a high
degree of effectiveness
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like RESPONSIBILITY, ORGANIZATION, INDEPENDENT WORK, COLLABORATION,
INITIATIVE, and SELF-REGULATION are assessed independently from student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating
specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues
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LATE ASSIGNMENTS The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The teacher will
establish a deadline and each day late after this date an appropriate penalty will be established. The exact conditions and penalties can be
obtained from the school handbook.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the rubric
or evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS . Teachers will give the class ample notice for up-coming tests/evaluations. It is the responsibility of the student to make
arrangements for an alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with the teacher before the scheduled time for the
test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the day of the student’s return) from a
parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher indicating that the parents are aware the student has missed a test. If a test is missed as
a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with no opportunity for a re-write.
PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark that is determined by the administration in collaboration with the
classroom teacher. Further information can be obtained from the school handbook.
ATTENDANCE It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, at all classes and scheduled
activities. Students who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work when
absent.