École KLO
Middle School
Grade 9
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
BOOKLET
2015/2016
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École KLO Middle School
Grade 9 Course Descriptions
2015/2016
This booklet will provide parents and students with information about the grade 9 programs at
École KLO Middle School.
The purpose of middle school is to provide a school setting that takes into consideration the
transition period from childhood to adolescence. École KLO Middle School offers a program of
instruction that is geared to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs of the early
adolescent. This program varies in each of the three middle school years.
In grade 9, students begin to have elective courses available to them rather than exploratory
courses We also provide students with additional leadership opportunities and greater exposure to
technology and career programs. We recognize that this is a new experience for many of you.
Please take the time to review this package carefully as it will answer most of the general
questions you may have.
Do not hesitate to call an administrator or counselor if you have any specific questions.
Raquel Steen (Principal)
Rob Aviani (Vice-Principal)
Joan Ewing (Counselor)
Raelyn Larmet (Vice-Principal)
Every grade 9 student in the
English Program will take the
following courses:
Every grade 9 student in the
French Immersion Program will
take the following courses:
English 9
English 9
Health & Career Education 9
Health & Career Education 9
Science 9
Sciences 9
Social Studies 9
Sciences Humaines 9
*Math 9
Français Langue 9
*A PE Course
*Mathématiques 9
*Two Elective Courses
*A PE 9 Course
*One Elective Course
*See the following pages for option descriptions.
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES
In grade 9, Physical Education continues to be a required course. All students will
receive their PE program in English.
P.E. 9 (BOYS)
This course will review the fundamental skills of the major team sports and introduce some more
advanced skills. Fitness promotion and the development of a healthy lifestyle are major components of
this course. Emphasis will be on participation, attitude and sportsmanship.
P.E. 9 (GIRLS)
This course will review the fundamental skills of the major team sports and introduce some more
advanced skills. Fitness promotion and the development of a healthy lifestyle are major components of
this course. Emphasis will be on participation, attitude and sportsmanship.
PERFORMANCE TRAINING 9
This course is designed for elite athletes and those that play a variety of sports at a high-level all year
round. The course will cover the regular PE curriculum with a focus on activities designed to improve the
health-related and skill-related components of fitness. Students will develop a personal plan and
participate in activities that:
 maximize training time to improve strength and power.
 develop kinesthetic awareness, mobility, landing skills, and whole body strength.
 improve technical movement patterns of agility, balance, coordination, jumping, range of motion,
reaction time, running, and speed.
Classroom topics will include health & wellness, nutrition, mental training, and injury prevention.
Students will participate in fitness training, fitness testing, dance, and track & field units. Fees may be
required for optional activities. Students will be able to meet all the learning outcomes regardless of
participation in these optional activities. (Teacher permission is a requirement of this course. Application
forms are available at the main office)
FUNCTIONAL FITNESS 9
This course will cover the regular PE curriculum with a focus on activities that promote lifelong physical
fitness. Students will set personal goals in each of the five health-related components of fitness. Activities
may include walking, running, bicycling, swimming, yoga, cross training, and weight training, along with
some team and individual sports. Students will also participate in fitness training, fitness testing, dance,
and track & field units. Fees may be required for optional activities. Students will be able to meet all the
learning outcomes regardless of participation in these optional activities.
HOCKEY ACADEMY
The Hockey Academy is intended to provide students with an opportunity to further enhance their hockey
skills through on and off-ice instruction. A KLO teacher plus at least one certified hockey instructor will
be on the ice for each session. Off-ice instruction will include strength training, yoga (for flexibility and
injury prevention), reaction training, as well as referee training and optional certification. Students
enrolling in the program will receive credit for physical education at their grade level. If you are interested
in the Hockey Academy please speak to Mr. Valois or Mr. Aviani for information about fees and
application forms.
Note that due to student enrolment numbers, some PE classes may be co-ed (boys and girls).
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GRADE 9 ELECTIVE COURSES
Students in the grade 9 English program will receive TWO full year electives. Students in the
grade 9 French immersion program will receive ONE full year elective.
Students who select Concert/Jazz Band 9 should be aware that this course MAY take place
before school in the morning. If Concert/Jazz Band 9 is scheduled in the morning, music students
will be able to take advantage of other elective choices as the class will count as an EXTRA
course. A morning Concert/Jazz Band 9 class will allow these students to fill their schedule with
other electives during the school day. Final enrollment numbers for all music classes will be the
determining factor for timetable placement of Concert/Jazz Band 9.
The following elective courses will be offered and scheduled if there is enough demand for the
course. As well, some of these courses will have a goods and services fee attached to them for
project costs. These costs are for projects that the student will take home. Details of these costs
will be provided by the course teachers.
ART 9
This course offers experiences with clay, paint, printmaking processes, drawing,
design, sculpture and more. Students will be encouraged to problem solve, be
creative and original, and to try new things. They will be exposed to many different
kinds of art, and will keep a personal sketchbook that will help to improve general
drawing skills, observational skills and the use of their imagination. Many creative
strategies will be encouraged which contribute to the development of a well rounded individual.
Art will be displayed publicly at various times, both in the school and the community.
CONCERT BAND 9
Concert Band 9 is designed to be a continuation of Concert Band 8. Continued emphasis
will be placed on developing playing techniques, articulation, dynamics and ensemble
playing. Emphasis will also be placed on theoretical and historical aspects as they occur
within the ensemble music as it is being rehearsed. This is a performing arts course;
therefore, attendance at concerts, assemblies and festivals will be an integral and
required part of the curriculum. Jazz Band will be offered outside of school time.
CONCERT / JAZZ BAND 9 – POSSIBLE MORNING CLASS
(This class may be scheduled as an extra elective. If scheduled as a morning class, students will
still need to fill their timetable during the school day.)
This course covers both Jazz Band and Concert Band repertoire. Students will participate in
musical styles, festivals and performances that are applicable to both bands. This course will take
place in the morning, and students will be expected to make all rehearsals.
COMMUNITY ACTION LEADERSHIP (CAT)
Are you the type of person who wants to make a difference? Then this course is for you! In this
course we will work to make a difference in our community, as well as developing a broader
world vision. Students in this course will form the core of the Me to We activities in our school.
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We will promote social justice activities in our school such as International Human Rights Day,
Pink Shirt Day, Harmony Day and the Holiday Toy Drive. Gaining an awareness of some of the
many community service organizations in Kelowna will also be part of this course. Grade 8 & 9
students will work together in this course.
DIGITAL MEDIA INQUIRY 9
In this course, students will learn valuable 21st century skills through fun, exciting and
meaningful project and inquiry-based learning situations. Students will gain a stronger sense of
self as well as a sense of community, both global and local. The work in this class will be handson with digital media and art integrated throughout. There will be a focus on digital citizenship,
arts integration and self and cultural reflection.
DRAMA 9
Drama 9 is a course for those students who are interested in theatre, performing and
in gaining self-confidence and public speaking skills. Activities will include drama
games, improvisation exercises, monologues, group skits, and whole class plays.
Students can expect to perform publicly at various times during the year.
Imagination, creativity and teamwork are key elements of this course.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP 9
The main goal of this course is to connect students with the ecosystem they live in. In this course
the students will learn:
 how to protect different habitats in the Kelowna area, including our own
Fascieux Creek
 how to restore the school grounds with native trees, plants and shrubs
 how to monitor a bluebird trail to help increase the bluebird population
 how to live in a more sustainable way and make environmentally friendly
choices
 how to make our school a greener and healthier place to learn
This course will include many activities and field trips outside of the classroom. Grade 8 & 9
students will work together in this course.
FOODS AND NUTRITION 9
Do you want to bake cream puffs, and roll sushi? This course will focus on food
preparation, nutrition and presentation. Students will learn how to plan and prepare
a variety of dishes. Cooking our way through the food groups will allow you to
experience a wide range of products and recipes. A favorite unit is Christmas
Baking. Learn to make the food that you love to eat.
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FRENCH 9
French 9 is a continuation of French 8. Emphasis will be placed on speaking and listening skills
while developing the students' abilities in reading and writing. The goal of this course
is to increase the communicative level through an interactive approach along with the
acquisition of language structures and expansion of vocabulary. Developing an
understanding of and an appreciation for French culture in our country and in other
parts of the world will also be explored. French 9 is a prerequisite to French 10; and it
is a stepping-stone to completing the second language entrance requirements for
students considering university.
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HOME ECONOMICS 9
Do you want to learn how to make your own hoodie and gym bag? Or maybe you would like to
sew your own creation. Do you want to bake cream puffs, and roll sushi? You're going to learn to
make food you love to eat. This course is a combination of Foods 9 and Textiles 9. During this
course students will focus on food preparation, nutrition and presentation as well as learning how
to plan and prepare a variety of dishes. Students will also focus on sewing and textiles,
constructing projects based on the concepts of design and color. You will learn to hand and
machine-sew your own creations.
TECHNOLOGY 9
We make cool stuff and do cool things! We ask “How?” and “Why?” and try to find answers that
make sense.
We “do”:
• CAD – (AutoSketch and Google Sketchup)
• we use the vinyl sign cutter
• we use AXYZ Millennium CNC machine (Computer Numerical Control)
• CAMM – we have a 3D printer!
• Electronics
• Robots -- and then take our team to the RoboCup Challenge!
• OUC’s Spaghetti Bridge Contest for over 12 years, and have won
THOUSANDS of dollars!
• Chairs to sit in, and boats to paddle -- out of cardboard!
• Water “bombs” out of paper -- and calculate all sorts of stuff about
them so that principals, teachers, and parents are actually impressed.
• Wrought iron, and then welding with the MIG welder.
• We usually end the year with water balloons and balloon launching
systems – student designed, of course!
Students are expected to be active participants in all aspects of the course. This course is
supposed to be fun, but it is not for slackers. Expect to take notes, apply your mathematical and
language skills, and make some really neat things. Students may be required to pay for some
project materials as the course progresses. It is highly unlikely that this cost will exceed $20.00
over the entire year.
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WEB LEADERSHIP 9
WEB Leadership 9 is a course designed to train students to be
effective school leaders and mentors for our incoming grade 7
students. Students participate in activities aimed at developing
leadership, problem solving, team building, peer mentoring
and decision-making skills. WEB Leadership students also
contribute to KLO’s school culture through event and spirit
day planning as well as through volunteering in the school, in
the School Store and Lunch Program, and in the community. Leadership students learn the
importance of creating positive, memorable moments for the entire KLO community. Leadership
students are required to dedicate some morning, lunch, after school, and evening hours to this
course. Leadership students also take an active part in the creation and presentation of regular
assemblies at KLO and our feeder elementary schools.
WOODWORK 9
This course is intended to give the student an appreciation of various woodworking hand skills
and techniques. Students start out learning important construction techniques and will be
required to make several assigned projects like a spoon, box, and dish (using the lathe). We learn
to use virtually ALL of the machines in the shop, and students ARE EXPECTED to use them.
The type of projects to be constructed at this level should incorporate the use of leg and rail
construction (like a chair or a small table), or containers (cases, boxes, cabinets). Many grade 9’s
choose to build a longboard, chair, or table as their first major project! Students can choose from
approved projects (usually there’s an example in the WW room), or consult
with the instructor on suitable alternatives. Motivated students may design a
project that will incorporate the AXYZ Millennium CNC machine (Computer
Numerical Control) to create a 3-dimensional object out of wood or plastic.
Students may be required to pay for some project materials as the course progresses,
but many cool and useful projects can be made for no cost. Students rarely spend more than
$20.00 over the entire year, and often students can sell their work at a profit!
YEARBOOK JOURNALISM 9
This course will introduce students to real world skills in design principles, marketing, teamwork
and time management. Students will work collaboratively to produce a creative, innovative KLO
Yearbook. They will be exposed to a variety of learning opportunities, which will include such
things as planning, organizing, reporting, editing, selling, creating effective layouts, and taking
digital photographs. Students will be expected to take a leadership role in this class.
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