Grade 8 Parent Information Session
Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
Soon you will be a
GATOR… Welcome
to the SWAMP!
Learning Goal
By the end of this presentation you will…
…have an idea of what Grade 9 will
consist of for your child and learn
how we can support your student
to achieve their goals.
Secondary School Environment
8:40 am – 2:40 pm

 Homeroom each semester




75 minute periods
5 minutes between each
class
40 minute lunch
60% of school rides
a bus
 Late Bus: Mon –
Thurs
Week 1 and Week 2
Week 1:
Period 1 Period 2 LUNCH
Period 3 Period 4
WEEK 2:
Period 2 Period 1 LUNCH
Period 4 Period 3
What is secondary school all about?
 Courses = 1 CREDIT each
 4 credits/semester
 Full credit semester system
Semester 1: Sept to Jan.
Semester 2: Feb to June
Ontario Secondary School Diploma

30 Credits to graduate



18 Compulsory
12 Optional
40 Hours of Community Involvement
 Start the summer of grade 9 year…more information to
follow in the spring
 Provincial Literacy Requirement
 must pass to graduate – LOTS of support and prep!
Outline of Credits
18 Compulsory Credits
4 Credits
English (1 credit per grade)
1 Credit
French as a second language (unless you are french exempt)
3 Credits
Mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
2 Credits
Science
1 Credit
Canadian History
1 Credit
Canadian Geography
1 Credit
Arts
1 Credit
Physical and Health Education
0.5 Credit
Civics
0.5 Credit
Career Education
Outline of Credits
Compulsory – Optional Category
1 additional credit
selected from..
The Arts (art,
drama, music)
Business Studies
Physical and Health
Education
Co-op Education
1 additional credit
selected from..
Canadian and
World Studies
English
Social Science
3rd Language
Co-op Education
1 additional credit
selected from…
Science – Grade 11
or 12
Technological
Education 9 – 12
Co-op Education
Choosing the Right LEVEL!
 Consult with teachers (report card), SERT, Guidance…
 Difference between lack of understanding and
lack of effort
 Suggested Ranges
 Failing current courses – locally developed
 50 – 60% - applied
 70% - academic
 Between 60% and 70% is a grey area
 NOT ALL COURSES HAVE TO BE AT THE
SAME LEVEL
Locally Developed
• fills in the GAPS missing from
Grade 8
• develops knowledge and skill
• potential option to upgrade to
applied
Applied
• covers the essential concepts of a
subject
• focus more on knowledge in reallife situations
• designed for students who likely
have gaps in subject specific
subject area
Academic
• covers the essential concepts of a subject
• draws heavily on theory and abstract
examples/problems
• designed to meet the needs of the
independent learner who has limited to no
gaps in subject area content
Academic vs. Applied: Math
Academic Math
Applied Math
The equation H = 300 – 60t
represents the height of a balloon
that is initially at 300m and is
descending at a constant rate of
60m/min. Determine
algebraically and graphically how
long the balloon will take to reach
a height of 160 m.
Integers – 1 day!
Construct a table of values and a
graph to represent a monthly cell
phone plan that costs $25, plus
$0.10 per minute of air time.
Integers – 8 days!
Academic vs. Applied: English
Academic
Applied
Select one character from one of the You are to imagine that a character
major pieces of literature we studied from the novel Crabbe and a
this semester. You will create an All character from one of the short
About Me scrapbook album for that stories have become close friends.
character. Each written piece must
They have decided to create a time
be approximately 250 words in
capsule together to mark their
length. All pieces will be assembled friendship. Choose two characters
more
information
tohave something in
into an album For
that you
will create.
which speak
you believe
Each page willMr.
be enhanced
All pieces of
writing must
Beggs,with
Englishcommon.
Department
Head
graphics and art work that reflect the be approximately one paragraph (6 –
personality of the character you have 8 sentences). Each piece of writing
chosen and the content of the
should have its own page clearly
written pieces.
marked with its title.
Grade 9 Compulsory Subjects
Subject Area
Academic
Applied
Locally Developed
English
ENG 1D1
ENG 1P1
ENG 1L1
French
FSF 1D1
FSF 1P1
Canadian Geography
CGC 1D1
CGC 1P1
Mathematics
MPM 1D1
MFM 1P1
Healthy Active Living
Education (Female)
PPL 1O4
Healthy Active Living
Education (Male)
PPL 1O3
Science
SNC 1D1
SNC 1P1
MAT 1L1
SNC 1L1
Grade 9 Optional Subjects
Pick one from…
Description
Code
Drama
ADA 1O1
Instrumental Music
AMU 1O1
Vocal Music
AMV 1O1
Visual Arts
AVI 1O1
and one from…
Description
Code
Information Technology in Business
BTT 1O1
Exploring Technologies
TIJ 1O1
Choosing Classes
 All course selections are done through CAREER
CRUISING COURSE PLANNER
 To choose classes your child has to:
These
instructions
 SELECT classes on Course Planner
are for our
 SUBMIT choices
Family of
 PRINT a copy of your classes
Schools
Only
 Parents SIGN the sheet
 RETURN the signed copy to GRADE 8 teacher
An INCOMPLETE Course Planner
This is an incomplete example
of a COURSE PLANNER.
Every box MUST have a
selection.
Electives: Choose a Tech or
Business AND an Arts Course
AND a Physical Education Class
Alternates: Choose another
Tech or Business AND another
Arts Course
A COMPLETE Course Planner
This is a COMPLETE example of
a COURSE PLANNER.
Every box has a selection.
Electives: Every box has a
selection.
Alternates: Every box has an
alternate selection.
After hitting
SUBMIT, PRINT this
form, SIGN it
RETURN it to your
child’s Grade 8
Teacher!
Academic Supports
need help?
 Guidance Counsellors!
 Subject teachers
 Special Education for
IEP students
 Peer tutors
 Grade 9 classrooms
 Private Tutors for Hire
 Credit Rescue
 After School Help for
subject specific
courses
Extra Curricular Activities
 Athletics – badminton,
basketball, baseball, curling,
football, golf, lacrosse, rugby,
volleyball, soccer, swimming,
track & field, hockey
 Clubs – Chess, Cultural
Mosaic, Environmental, GSA,
Gator Gazette, Pen Strokes,
Robotics, Run Club, SASS, STAR,
White Pine, Ski/Snowboard,
Weight Training…
 Student Leadership –
Relay for Life, Student Parliament,
SLAM!
 Music – Band, Choir, Jazz
 Drama – Sears Festival, One-Act
Plays
 Art – Arts Preview Night, Craft
Club
Grade 8 Class Visits
January
Grade 8 Parent Night
February 13th, 7:00 PM
Wilson Tour
May 2012
Grade 9 ONLY Day
September 3rd
Lots of Activities!
JUST FOR GRADE 9s