Point Grey Course Planning 2021:The Grade 9 Year

Welcome!Ian Baxter

ibaxter@vsb.bc.ca

604. 713 .8220

Review of Counselling Services and Career Ed.

Daily Tutorial & Absence Protocol

Course Planning Process and Timeline for this year

Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9

Review of Grade 9 Course Choices

The Agenda

Academic counselling ( eg: course planning, scheduling)

Post-secondary and career counselling (eg: aiding students to meet graduation and post-secondary requirements)

Personal Counselling-- offer support to students and their families, accessing and liaising with services in the community

Counselling Services

Career Education is a course showing on each Report Card

A mark is earned based upon tasks done through counsellor visits in ‘Guidance’

For Career Education 9, one of two different counsellors will be noted--next year, Mr. Baxter

Career Education

Flex Time (quarter Schedule)

every morning 10:30 to 11:30

Time is available for students to connect with teachers, catch up on missed work, get forms signed, extra help with concepts covered in class, etc …

Absence Protocol

note from parent (or doctor) required

have all teachers sign the note and return it to the office-contact the school (me) if absence is more than 3 days

Flex Time Absence Protocol

Course Planning is done every January with Counsellors

Research is important, more so each year. Consider consulting and discussing with: family, counsellor, teachers, friends, older students, etc…

The Course Planning Guide used in presentations cannot be taken, but the document is available on-line any time on our school website.

Course Planning Process & Timeline

▪ Guidance Presentations available on TEAMS mid to late January

▪ Course Planning Form completed, signed, submitted by February 11, 2021

▪ Choices reviewed by Counsellor and discussions with students as needed February to April

▪ Student schedules randomly built based upon course requests May to August

▪ Timetabling conflicts resolved from June through to September

Making changes to courses selected will be limited, and if requested late, may not be possible due to course conflicts or courses being full.

Course Planning Process & Timeline

▪ Eight (8) courses will be selected for next year

▪ Generally, students will have: ▪ 5 Core Courses

▪ 1 Second Language/Skills course

▪ 2 other Electives

▪ Students will submit a signed Course Planning form to me by Thursday, February 11, 2021

Course Selection Requirements for Students entering Grade 9

English 9

Social Studies 9

Mathematics 9

Science 9

Physical & Health Ed. 9 orPhysical & Health Ed. 9 Enriched*

*To be considered for PHE 09 Enriched students must check the box on their Course Planning Form to declare their interest. If student/parent has questions about the course they should ask their PHE teacher.

Grade 9: Core Courses

Skills Development Centre

▪ Assists students in achieving their full potential in all academic areas.

▪ Students receive one-to-one assistance where skills and concepts are clarified, re-taught and reinforced.

▪ There is a focus on organization, time management, study skills, learning strategies. Classroom adaptations can be recommended.

▪ “Skills” blocks are assigned in consultation with teachers, resource team, student and parents. This usually takes the place of an second language, but may displace another elective course.

(Page )

Student placement in ELL classes is based on:

▪ English language proficiency.

▪ Comprehensive assessments of students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities throughout the year.

▪ The professional judgement of teachers in both regular and ELL classes, made later in the spring.

English Language Learners (ELL)

(Page )

ELL 2 → ELL 3 → Transitional → Regular

English Language Learners (ELL)

ELL Level 1-2Reading 2, Writing 2, Social Studies 2,ELL Science, grade level electives

ELL Level 2-3 English 3, Social Studies 3, English Tutorial grade level science, grade level electives.

Transitional JuniorTransitional English, Transitional Social Studies , grade level electives

(Page 10)

French 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 –follows the Ca Marche program from grades 8-10

to build student proficiency in communicating in French: speaking listening, reading and writing are emphasized each year. Topics vary at each level and focus on accurate communication rough an authentic cultural context.

Beginners’ Japanese 11 -intensive introductory course, emphasis on

listening, speaking, reading, writing, with more attention on oral presentation, many topics covered including Japanese media, and environmental issues.

.

Electives: Modern Languages(Pages )

Electives: Applied Design, Skills& Technologies

Foods 9/10 -this course alternates as Course A and Course B as it is a combined class.

Course A: focuses on food, culture and the culinary aspects of special celebrations; Course B: focuses on food preparation techniques and the relationship food plays with self, family, and different cultures.

Clothing & Textiles 9 -examines fashion and wardrobe planning to meet personal

needs. Small projects include: small craft items, bags, hoodies, pyjamas, simple dresses, pants or skirts.

Information Technology 9 -entry level course introduces students to computer

programming, 3d modelling, website design, learning resources may include: Scratch visual programming, Blender 3D, HTML and CSS, Snapl, Python, and JavaScript.

Woodwork 9 -introductory course appropriate for beginners, students learn and

demonstrate safe woodworking practices on a variety of hand tools, portable and stationary power tools. Basic joinery, design and wood finishing also introduced.

(Pages)

Electives: Fine Arts

Art 9 -drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture , students

encouraged to pursue self-expression and experiment with both techniques and materials.

Visual Arts 3-D 9 -focus on skill development and experimentation in

ceramics and sculpture using various materials. Modelling, casting, carving construction, in clay , wood, soapstone, plaster and more.

Graphic Arts 9 – foundational course that introduces tools, techniques and

processes of graphic design. Photoshop, digital and pinhole photography, animation, illustration, typography all introduced.

(Page )

Electives: Performing Arts

Beginner Band 9 -no experience necessary as students will learn the basics

of playing and musicianship, students will be able to select an instrument from a large variety of concert band instruments.

Concert Band 9 –best for students with at least one year of playing a band

instrument, continued emphasis on musical development while learning a wide variety of music. Includes concerts and other music related activities.

Junior Strings -open to students in grades 8-10, including those new to

Strings. Students will learn bowing techniques, orchestral ensemble, and performance skills.

Concert Choir 9 -large performing choir singing a range of music including

early classical to pop while learning vocal production, music reading and musicianship.

(Page 20)

Electives: Performing Arts - Drama

Drama 9 -full year course provides instruction on improvisation both

spontaneous and prepared, small group work in scripted scenes and plays, emphasis on vocal projection and building performance confidence.

Theatre Production 10 -open to grade 9 students as an on

timetable course, intended for students interested in production aspects of theatre: set design, computer drafting, lighting projection, sound scenic painting, invention and innovation.

(Page )

Course Planning FormPlease make sure you fill out ALL sections of the Course Planning Form.

Ensure you have read the course descriptions and requirements in the Course Planning Guide.

Ensure you and your parent/guardian sign the form, and that it is returned to my office by Thursday, February 11, 2021.