THE DR. G.W.WILLIAMS SECONDARY SCHOOL
York Region District School Board
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
Subject Head: Ms. Armata
Ministry of Education Curriculum Document: Guidance and Career Education, Grades 9 and 10, 2006
Grade 10: Career Studies, Open
Teacher: Ms. Houston, Ms. Boyne
Course Code: GLC 20
Credit Value: 0.5 credit
Prerequisites: None
Course Description: This course teaches students how to develop and achieve personal
goals for future learning, work, and community involvement. Students will assess their
interests, skills, and characteristics and investigate current economic and workplace trends,
work opportunities, and ways to search for work. The course explores postsecondary
learning and career options, prepares students for managing work and life transitions, and
helps students focus on their goals through the development of a career plan.
Overall Curriculum Expectations:
- use a self-assessment process to develop a personal profile for use in career planning
- evaluate and apply the personal management skills and characteristics needed for school
success, document them in their portfolio and demonstrate their use in a variety of settings
- demonstrate effective use of interpersonal skills within a variety of settings
- use a research process to locate and select relevant career information from a variety of sources for
inclusion in a portfolio
- identify current trends in society and the economy and describe their effect on work opportunities
and work environments
- identify a broad range of options for present and future learning, work and community involvement
- use appropriate decision-making and planning processes to set goals and develop a career plan
- analyze changes taking place in their personal lives, their community, and the economy, and identify
strategies to facilitate smooth transitions during change
- demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to prepare for, the job-search process.
Course Resources:
Work Smart, Strategies for Career Success, Jessica Pegis, General Editor, 2009.
Accessing Course Outlines and Curriculum Policy Documents:
School Website: http://www.drgwwilliams.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/
Ontario Ministry of Education: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/
Print Resource: Guidance and Career Education, The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 and 10, 2006
UNITS OF STUDY
I. Who Am i?
Developing a personality profile, identifying essential skills and describing their importance,
verbal and non-verbal communication skills, teamwork and leadership skills.
II. What are My Opportunities?
Fields of work, researching career-related information, workplace safety, workplace trends,
identifying personal options, examining post-secondary options
III. Preparation for Transitions and Change
Producing a career plan, managing change, searching for work, (resumes, interviews,
cover letters, thank you letter etc.).
Assessment and Evaluation:





Assessment is the ongoing process of collecting information about the student’s achievement. A variety of
assessment tools may be used.
Assessment may be diagnostic, formative or summative. Diagnostic and formative assessments do not carry a
mark weight. Summative assessments count toward the final mark.
Formative assessment is the gathering of information about student learning during the progression of a course
and usually repeatedly, to improve student learning.
70% of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted through the course, while 30% will be based on final
evaluation administered towards the end of the course.
The evaluation of Learning Skills (independent work, team work, organization, work habits or initiative) will be
tracked and assessed throughout the course.
LEARNING SKILLS (abridged)
Works
Independently
Teamwork
• accepts
responsibility for own
behaviour
• follows routines
and instructions
without supervision
• responds and
participates in a
variety of learning
activities
• selects learning
materials, resources,
and activities
independently
• persists with tasks
• follows schedules
and uses planners to
organize time
effectively
• adheres to
established time
lines
• uses time
effectively
• listens to,
acknowledges, and
considers differing
opinions
• willingly works with
others
• follows classroom
and school procedures
• assumes
responsibilities in
groups, the classroom,
and the school
• considers both the
immediate and longterm effects of his or
her actions on others
• respects the rights,
property, and opinions
of others
• establishes positive
relationships with peers
and adults
Organization
Work Habits/
Homework
• organizes
information logically
and creatively and
manages it effectively
• notebook/binder is
organized,
chronologically by
date and unit of study
• use agenda,
calendar, or planner to
manage time and
assignments
• organizes work when
faced with a number of
tasks
follows specific steps
to reach goals or to
make improvements
• follows an effective
process for inquiry and
research
• uses appropriate
information
technologies to
organize information
and tasks
• follows directions
• puts forth a
consistent effort
• shows attention to
detail
• demonstrates
interest in and
enthusiasm for
homework
assignments
• begins work
promptly
• follows directions
and completes
tasks
• uses time
efficiently
• perseveres with
complex projects
that require
sustained effort
• attends to the task
at hand
• demonstrates
flexibility and
adaptability
Initiative
Responsibility
•welcomes new tasks
and seeks new
opportunities for learning
• responds to challenges
• seeks challenges and
takes risks
• observes, questions,
and explores
• volunteers answers
and participates in class
discussions
•demonstrates
leadership
• approaches new
learning situations with
confidence
• demonstrates a
positive attitude towards
learning
• generates questions
for further inquiry
• investigates and
obtains information
independently
•attends class
regularly and
punctually
• organizes school
related materials to
bring them to each
class
• submits
assignments on the
required due dates
• uses time efficiently
in class
• informs the teacher
in advance of a
planned absence
• makes
arrangements with
the teacher to catch
up on missed work
• takes care of
materials belonging
to the school,
classmates, and self
Course Evaluation:
Grading will be calculated according to the Achievement Chart categories. The weighting of the categories are as follows:
Knowledge/Understanding
20%
Thinking
15%
Communication
15%
Application
20%
70%
Summative Evaluation:
- Course Culminating Activity
Course Grade
100%
30%
Please contact your teacher via email at: beth.houston@yrdsb.ca
anne.boyne@yrdsb.ca
Your Name: ______________________
Home Phone Number : ______________
Parent Cell # : ______________
Parent Cell # : ______________
Parent Email Address:_______________________
THE DR.G.W.WILLIAMS SECONDARY SCHOOL
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT POLICIES
Attendance and Punctuality
Regular attendance is essential due to the cumulative nature of this course. Students who are absent are
expected to call their learning partner and catch up on the missed work before returning to class. This includes
having the homework for the missed classes completed upon returning to school. If this is not possible be sure to
see your teacher immediately upon your return to school to be able to catch up. Ensure that you seek extra help
from your teacher when needed. After a number of missed classes you may be required to complete an additional
assignment to make up missed time.
 Lateness for class is unacceptable. There will be consequences for repeated lates.
 Frequent absences are unacceptable. If students are absent, parents must call in to approve the
absence. Parents will be contacted if the absences are not approved.
Late or Missed Assignments
Students are expected to submit assignments promptly on the due date. Please talk to your teacher before the
due date if you anticipate that you will not be able to submit an assignment on time. If you have a specific conflict,
(e.g. field trip), you must tell the teacher before the day of a major evaluation (assignment, test, or presentation)
that you will be absent. Although you may have conflicts, you are still required to complete all work. If you are ill
the day of a major evaluation, you are expected to call the school (905)727-3131 (x ) and speak to your teacher
or leave a message stating the reason for missing the evaluation. Upon your return to school, you must have a
medical note specifying the nature of your illness. No note results in a grade of zero.
Student Responsibilities
 Students are to arrive in class before the bell rings with homework completed, the proper texts and
materials needed, ready to participate fully in class.
 Students are expected to keep neat, up to date notebooks. A separate binder is recommended.
 You are expected to treat all other students, as well as the teacher, with courtesy and respect. In return,
you may expect to be treated fairly and politely by your classmates and your teacher.
 It is highly recommended that each student have a learning partner. If you are absent, it is your
responsibility to contact your learning partner to find out what you have missed. Your learning partner will
collect all handouts on the day that you are absent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This has been prepared to inform students and their families about classroom expectations for this course so that students
can be successful. Please sign below to acknowledge that you have read and understood these expectations.
Student Signature ______________________________
Date: ____________
Parent or Guardian Signature _____________________
Date: ____________