Grade 8 Parent Night

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