WELCOME
in SCIMATICS 9
Mrs. Ferris
Room #
Please feel free to contact me at any time:
dagmar.ferris@yesnet.yk.ca
Mrs.Ferris
Room # 21 a.k.a. Chem Lab 
Course Description: Scimatics 9 is a mandatory course, that introduces new concepts which heavily rely on and expand
upon students’ knowledge of science and mathematics from K-8 grades. The course allows students to develop new and
deepen already existing skills and competences. The emphasis is put on numeracy, effective communication, critical
thinking, problem solving, appropriate and new ways of technology use, literacy, reading comprehension, and
cooperation. Ethical aspects of scientific discovery and technology use are also discussed. Diligent work in and outside of
the class time in this course will help students transition into mandatory math and science semestered courses in grade
10.
Timeline of Course:
Month
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
Mathematics Topic
Multiplication and division of decimals, factors, mixed numbers and integers. Factors,
prime factors, and numerical radicals. Rational and irrational numbers and expressions.
Long division, multiplication tables, mental math and estimation.
Two-variable linear relations, graphs, rates of change, functions and relations. One and
two-step equations with rational coefficients and solutions. Linear equations involving
distribution.
Exponents. Polynomials. Operations with polynomials. Multi-step one-variable linear
equations and inequalities.
Multi-step one-variable linear equations and inequalities.
Pythagorean theorem. Surface area and volume of composite solids. Volume of prisms,
pyramids, cones, and spheres. Review for the midterm exam.
Primary trigonometric ratios.
Primary trigonometric ratios with applications. Surface area and volume of prisms,
pyramids and composite solids, and volume of cones and spheres when angles in inscribed
triangles are known.
Rates of change, linear and non-linear graphs of relations and functions, graphing linear
relations revisited. Applications of linear relations in science and economics - budgeting
and planning. Types of income. Simple budgets and transactions.
Multi-step one-variable linear equation and inequalities and their application. Probability
and statistics.
Review for the final exam.
Month
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
Science Topic
Reproduction – sexual and asexual reproduction in microorganisms, plants and animals.
Mitosis and meiosis. Human sexual reproduction. The impact of microorganisms in the
human body. Review of the layers of Earth. Earth as a composition of its layers and four
interacting spheres.
The impacts of microorganisms on other components of Earth’s biosphere, soil formation
and fertility and their connections to processes in hydrosphere, lithosphere and
atmosphere.
Atomic theory – protons, neutrons, quarks, electrons, and leptons. Properties and relative
size of subatomic particles.
Properties of elements – energy and arrangements of electrons and atomic size decide the
properties and behavior of elements. Ionic compounds.
Properties of elements – continued. Endothermic and exothermic processes. Review for
the midterm exam.
Periodic table. Bonding of atoms of different elements and compound formation. Covalent
compounds.
Periodic table. Models of the atom. Chemical reactions.
Forms of carbon and the carbon cycle. Hazardous chemicals.
The nitrogen cycle. Hazardous chemicals. Electricity and electric circuits. Application of
probability and statistics in science.
Consequences of the interactions among Earth’s spheres and cycling of matter. Review for
the final exam.
Resources required:
Mathematics
Science
Student workbook: Theory and Problems for
Student workbook: BC Science 9 student workbook
Mathematics 9, Mickelson
 Supplied by our school
 Available for purchase in class
Textbook: BC Science 9
 Available for a year against a deposit of $25
 Available for in-class use only
Worksheets and handouts
Magazine and newspaper articles when applicable
Videos and movies related to chosen topics
Simple scientific calculator (a very limited number of calculators can be borrowed from the library)
Assessment and Evaluation Plan:
1.
Mathematics and science will be assessed sometimes in combination of the two and separately on other
occasions.
2.
Test topics and dates will be announced in advance. Tests will be completed at the end of each topic with
review and preparation before the set date. Students are encouraged to make an arrangement with their teacher to
write a missed test as soon as they return to school after their excused absence.
3.
Quizzes may not be announced in advance. There will NOT be an opportunity to “make up” a missed quiz. A
grade of zero will be scored for a quiz missed due to lateness or unexcused absence. A student with an excused absence
on the day of the quiz will not be penalized. Quizzes will be based solely on material presented in class. The purpose of
quizzes is to indicate to the student, as well as the teacher, whether more review is needed. Quizzes can have a written,
oral, or a hands-on form.
4.
Assignments, projects and in-class work will be checked regularly, and may be collected without prior notice.
5.
Answers to homework questions, handouts and science workbook will be posted either in our classroom or on
teacher’s website.
6.
Assignments, lab report, posters and projects submitted in a timely manner will earn the opportunity to
resubmit corrected and improved work for a better mark.
7.
Assignments, lab reports, posters and projects that are submitted later than 5 days after the deadline will not
be accepted unless a very serious reason for lateness exists.
8.
Midterm exam will be given at the end of January during the school-wide exam period. It will be cumulative,
from the beginning of the school year, as new learning especially in math builds upon existing skills and knowledge.
There will be one midterm test consisting of both mathematics and science topics.
9.
Attendance and behavior expectations for quizzes, tests and midterm, are the same as the school’s expectations
of students for final exams.
10.
Copying other’s work, enabling others to copy one’s work, and using unauthorized material during quizzes and
tests or while completing assignments is considered plagiarism. Plagiarism is a sever offence and it will be taken into
consideration during student’s evaluation.
11.
Students are expected to clearly identify all the resources and references they use to complete any given
project and assignment.
12.
*Conversations among peers and with a teacher are essential components of assessment and evaluation. Peer
talks and small group and whole-class discussions will be used to determine the level of understanding, to emphasise
connections with already known and mastered material, and to allow students multiple opportunities to communicate
their understanding and to voice their questions in a safe environment.
13.
*Students’ ability to work independently, to effectively and respectfully cooperate with others, to assess their
own work and the work of their peers, to set goals, and to plan strategies to achieve the goals will be observed, assessed
and evaluated.
14.
Students with an excellent attendance record and work habits will be given opportunities to rewrite tests and
quizzes with a low mark.
15.
Final exams will be given in June during the school-wide exam period. Review time will be given before the
final exams. There will be a separate two-hour mathematics test and a two-hour science test. These tests are designed
to help students prepare for mandatory provincial math and science examinations in grade 10.
CALCULATION OF CLASS WORK MARK:
Science skills and process *
10.0%
Science labs, projects and assignments*
20.0%
Unit math tests
15.0%
Science quizzes and tests
15.0%
Midterm exam
10.0%
Math quizzes
10.0%
Math assignments, projects and class work* 20.0%
Total
100.0%
FINAL MARK:
Class work
Final exam
Total
80.0%
20.0%
100.0%
Specific policies/procedures for this course:
 Students are expected to show respect for their classmates and teacher(s) by arriving to class prepared and on
time.
 Cell-phones, laptops, i-pods, i-pads and other electronic devices are not to be used by students while in class.
 Students are expected to maintain the necessary work habits in order to adhere to the course schedule. It is the
student’s responsibility to seek help during class or, by prior arrangement, outside of class time.
 Homework is an essential component of the course. Much assistance with homework is available to any
student: Morning, lunch-hour, after-school peer tutoring and assistance from a Skills Room supervisor will be
available. Please refer to Skills Room hours of operation.
 Students are responsible for work missed due to absence. Extra help with missed material will be available
after the student has obtained and attempted the missed material.
 Assignments, due dates, and study information will be available on my teacher page. Go to the school website,
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/vanier/ and click “Teacher Websites”, and then Dagmar Ferris.
Answer the following questions in as much detail as possible:
1. What do you expect from this course?
2. What do you expect from your teacher?
3. What are your specific goals in this course? For example, what does succeeding in scimatics 9 mean to you?
Please be specific.
4. How are you going to achieve your goals? Please be specific.
Information on pages 1 to 4 is to familiarize students and parents/guardians with the expectations for this course. Please
sign and return. Thank you.
Student’s full name: _____________________________________ Student’s signature: __________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________ Date: __________________________________