Course Communication

Mme Schurman
Berwick & District School
2011-2012

Course Communication

English Language Arts

English Language Arts is aimed at exploring the major areas of focus: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Viewing, and Writing and Other Ways of Representing. We will be exploring these areas of focus through the following units of study: Memoir/Personal Narrative, Short Stories and Science Fiction, Poetry, A Novel Study, How to/Comment faire and Human Rights. The students will be assessed using various methods such as written projects/assignments, oral projects/assignments, a writing journal and discussions.

Unit 1: Memoir/Personal Narrative

Unit 2: Short Stories and Science Fiction

Unit 3: Poetry

Unit 4: Novel Study – Three Cups of Tea

Unit 5: How to/Comment faire

Unit 6: Human Rights

Evaluation:

Grade 8:

A, B, C and D according to the criteria designed by the province.

Grade 9:

Projects 25%

Assignments 25%

Writing Journal 25%

Oral presentations 25%

French Language Arts

French Language Arts is aimed at exploring the major areas of focus: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Viewing, Writing and Other Ways of Representing, and Respect of the French Language. We will be exploring these areas of focus through the following units of study: La Francophonie, Étude de Roman, Poésie, Pièce de théâtre, How to/Comment faire, La Musique française, and Voyages et Vacances.

Unit 1: La Francophonie

Unit2: Étude de Roman

Unit 3: Poésie

Unit 4: Pièce de théâtre

Unit 5: How to/Comment faire

Unit 6 : La Musique française

Unit 7 : Voyages et Vacances

Evaluation:

Grade 8:

A, B, C and D according to the criteria designed by the province.

Grade 9:

Projects 25%

Assignments 25%

Writing Journal 25%

Oral presentations 25%

Mathematics

Mathematics 8:

Mathematics 8 is aimed at developing a mathematical culture within the student body by studying data management, probability, measurement, geometry, number sense, operation sense and algebra. Within lessons, mental math is incorporated each day, and an outcomes based journal will be assessed on a regular basis. The student’s knowledge in the above domains will allow the student to make well rounded decisions concerning the pursuit of his/her studies and daily life.

Unit 1: Data Management
Unit 2: Probability
Unit 3: Measurement
Unit 4: Number Sense
Unit 5: Operation Sense
Unit 6: Patterns and Relations
Unit 7: Geometry

Evaluation

Tests: There will be a test at the end of each unit.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz every two or three weeks (one to three per unit). Certain quizzes will be marked together as a class, others by the teacher.

Assignments: In order to assure the continuing progress of each student, assignments will be marked on a regular basis.

Mental Math: At the beginning of each class, about five minutes is dedicated to mental math. The exercises are kept in a separate file and after each notion there will be an evaluated test.

Journal: The math journal is outcome based and will be evaluated during each unit. It will contain student’s work and examples for each curriculum outcome that will help immensely when it comes time to study for an evaluation. When students complete class work early, they must work on this project. Also, it requires work outside class hours.

Homework: Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. It will be posted on the homework board, on our class website and on online homework. Although homework is not a curriculum requirement, it is a necessity to succeed in this course.

Mathematics 9

Mathematics 9 is aimed at developing a mathematical culture within the student body by studying data management, probability, measurement, geometry, number sense, operation sense and algebra. Within lessons, mental math is incorporated each day, and an outcomes based journal will be assessed on a regular basis. The student’s knowledge in the above domains will allow the student to make well rounded decisions concerning the pursuit of his/her studies and daily life.

Unit 1: Data Management
Unit 2: Probability
Unit 3: Measurement
Unit 4: Number Sense
Unit 5: Operation Sense
Unit 6: Patterns and Relations
Unit 7: Geometry

Evaluation

Tests: There will be a test at the end of each unit. 25%

Quizzes: There will be a quiz every two or three weeks (one to three per unit). Certain quizzes will be marked together as a class, others by the teacher. 20%

Assignments: In order to assure the continuing progress of each student, assignments will be marked on a regular basis. 15%

Mental Math: At the beginning of each class, about five minutes is dedicated to mental math. The exercises are kept in a separate file and after each notion there will be an evaluated test. 20%

Science

Sciences de la nature will be based on various units of study. We will be exploring two units from the grade 8 curriculum (Water Systems and Cell, Organs, Tissues and Systems) and two units from the grade 9 curriculum (Space Exploration and Electricity). The students will be assessed using various methods such as tests, quizzes, projects/assignment and presentations.

Unit 1: Water Systems
Unit 2: Cell, Organs, Tissues and Systems
Unit 3: Space Exploration
Unit 4: Electricity

Evaluation:

Grade 8:

A,B,C and D according to the criteria designed by the province

Grade 9:

Tests 30%

Quizzes 20 %

Projects/Assignments 25%

Science Labs 25%

Social Studies

Sciences Humaines will be based on various units of study. We will be exploring two units from the grade 8 curriculum (Citizenship and Challenges and Opportunities) and three units from the grade 9 curriculum (Physical Setting, Culture and Economics). The students will be assessed using various methods such as tests, quizzes, projects/assignment, presentations, Current Events Portfolio and Portfolio Canadien.

Unit 1: Citizenship
Unit 2: Challenges and Opportunities
Unit 3: Physical Setting
Unit 4: Culture
Unit 5: Economics

Evaluation:

Grade 8:

A,B,C and D according to the criteria designed by the province

Grade 9:

Tests 25%

Quizzes 15 %

Projects/Assignments 25%

Current Events Portfolio 25%

Portfolio Canadien 10%

Healthy Active Living

Healthy Active Living will be based on the following areas of study: Healthy Self, Healthy Relationships, Healthy Communities and The Real Life. The students will be engaged in many different learning situations, such as independent and group work, oral presentations and research projects.

Unit 1: Healthy Self
Unit 2: Healthy Relationships
Unit 3: Healthy Communities
Unit 4: The Real Life

Evaluation:

Grade 8:

A,B,C and D according to the criteria designed by the province

Grade 9:

Tests 30%

Quizzes 20 %

Written Projects/Assignments 25%

Oral Project/Assignments 25%

Grade 8 Assessment Criteria

Grade	Description
A	The student consistently demonstrates achievement of the expected learning outcomes addressed during the current reporting period. The student’s work may exceed program expectations.
B	The student demonstrates achievement of most of the expected learning outcomes addressed during the current reporting period. The student’s work meets program expectations.
C	The student demonstrates achievement of some of the expected learning outcomes addressed during the current reporting period. The student’s work approaches program expectations.
D	The student rarely demonstrates achievement of the expected learning outcomes addressed during the current reporting period. The student’s work does not meet program expectations.

General Expectations

All work should be done neatly. Assignments will be checked periodically.

Participate in class and keep your work up to date – it may be checked without notice!

Be on time and prepared for class.

Use class time wisely. Students are expected to be ready to start at the beginning of class, required to work until the end of class, and any remaining work is to be finished at home. If finished early, the student is expected to review previous material or work quietly on other school work.

Tests and quizzes may be open or closed notes, students will be informed before the assessment.

No food or drinks in the class, with the exception of water.

Students are to use the washrooms during break and before class.

Students are to adhere to class rules based on respect for self, respect for others, respect for environment and respect for education.

Electronic devices are not to be used, or to be visible, in the classroom. If students are carrying cell phones, digital cameras, mp3 players, iPod’s, etc.; they must be turned off and kept in lockers.

Extra help will be available before school and lunch (by appointment is best).

Procedure when Absent…

…from a regular class: If you have been away from a regular class, you are required to obtain missed notes and assignments from a fellow student. Students are to collect any handout in the folder at the back of the classroom. In the case of a prolonged absence you must make arrangements to collect missed notes and assignments. The teacher may be consulted prior to an absence for assistance or missed assignments. Absenteeism is not a valid excuse for missed assignments. Assignments and notes are your responsibility.

…from a quiz or test: If the absence is excused, then you will write the quiz or test at the earliest possible date (at the teacher’s discretion).

…from a homework check: You must show the assignment on the day of your return. It is your responsibility to show the teacher the completed assignment. The teacher is not going to come to you for the assignment.

* Excused absences require a note from home*

The information found herein could change if it is necessary to keep the class in a well functioning order. Please sign below to show that you and your parents have read and understand the information in the syllabus. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Mme Schurman
8/9 Immersion Française
Berwick and District School
schurmanj@staff.ednet.ns.ca
(902) 538-4720

L’élève : __________________________ Le parent/gardien : __________________________

Date : __________________________

Merci et bonne session à tous / Thank you and have a great year