Course Outline

King George, together with it’s two feeder elementary schools, is embarking on an exciting, educational transformation having been awarded the designation by the IBO as a Middle Years School since 2004. The five years of the Middle Years Programme runs from grade 6-10. This common programme provides continuity to the students and staff in the transition from elementary school as it works to provide a common framework for learning. The focus is on the interrelatedness of the subjects studied and intercultural awareness.
Students of the Middle Years Programme view learning through five lenses namely Environment, Community and Service, Homo Faber (Man the Creator), Approaches to Learning and Health and Social Education. King George has adopted the school-wide theme of “Sustainability” to weave connections in student learning in and outside the classroom. Over the last year this has provided phenomenal opportunities for the students of King George including Green Bricks and International opportunities in Cuba and England. Seeds have been planted and further opportunities for the coming year are sprouting each day.
The culmination of a student’s learning through the five areas of interaction is celebrated in their fifth year (grade 10) with the Personal Project. This awards students an extended period of time to tackle a project led by the student and supervised by a teacher.
In the Science 9 curriculum each unit lends itself more naturally to each lens. For example: Reproduction – Health and Social Education; Space Exploration – Environment; Characteristics of Electricity – Homo Faber. Approaches to Learning and Community Service will naturally encompasses the whole year. My aim is to view each topic through all of the five lens.
To find out more about the International Baccalaureate Organization visit their website at www.ibo.org

Student Responsibilities:
• Pens, pencils, paper, ring-binder, ruler, eraser and textbook should be brought to class each day
• You should arrive to class on time
• Paying attention in class is essential to understanding the course material
• Use Homework Central to keep current on homework assignments, tests and due dates
• Homework issued should be completed and handed in on time
• If absent, you will be expected to produce a written note explaining the absence on the day of your return
• Any work missed during an absence is expected to be made up – use HW Central!
• If you find yourself unable to attend school on the day of a test or quiz you must call me at school (604-713-8999) or you will not be given a makeup opportunity (your mark will be recorded as zero).
• Tests and assignments missed due to unexplained absences will receive a mark of zero
• Late assignments, homework and lab reports will not be accepted unless a reasonable explanation is provided
*******PLEASE NO FOOD IN THE LAB ********

Textbook:
We will be using BC Science 9 and it's accompanying workbooks. Students have a choice to either download and print the 200 pages from the website http://www.bcscience.com/bc9/ or order the booklet from me at a cost of $10.

Student behaviour:
You are expected to behave in a respectful manner to everyone in the class. That means no disrespectful behaviour, such as rudeness, unnecessary talking, and any other behaviour that would be disruptive to the class. When someone is speaking during a class discussion, please allow them to express their thoughts without interruption.
In essence, treat others as you would hope to be treated.

Punctuality:
Students are expected to be on time for all classes. Repeated tardiness demonstrates a lack of consideration for teachers and other students. The bell signals the start of class which means pen and paper ready and you are engrossed in the “Start up” or student presentation.

Student safety:
Students are expected to work and behave safely in the laboratory. It is important that students follow instruction closely and always pay attention to the safety rules of the class.

Extra help:
Please do not hesitate to contact me for extra help with homework, assignments, labs and test preparation. I am usually in the building by 8:00am and rarely leave before 4:00. These are good quiet times to clarify your questions and concerns.

Evaluation:
Each term marks will be distributed as follows
Assignments/Labs/Journal/Participation 30%
Tests/Quizzes 70%
The Final Report will be calculated as follows
Term 1 25%
Term 2 25%
Term 3 30%
Final Exam 20%

Updated grades will be emailed to you after major assignments/tests/time periods in order to keep you aware of where you stand. I will be asking you for your email address for my records.

Science 9 Course content:
It is expected that students will:


Processes of Science
A1 demonstrate safe procedures
A2 perform experiments using the scientific method
A3 represent and interpret information in graphic form
A4 demonstrate scientific literacy
A5 demonstrate ethical, responsible, cooperative behaviour
A6 describe the relationship between scientific principles and technology
A7 demonstrate competence in the use of technologies specific to investigative procedures and research
Life Science: Reproduction
B1 explain the process of cell division
B1 relate the processes of cell division and emerging reproductive technologies to embryonic development
B3 compare sexual and asexual reproduction in terms of advantages and disadvantages
Physical Science: Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
C1 use modern atomic theory to describe the structure and components of atoms and molecules
C2 use the periodic table to compare the characteristics and atomic structure of elements
C3 write and interpret chemical symbols of elements and formulae of ionic compounds
C4 describe changes in the properties of matter
Physical Science: Characteristics of Electricity
C5 explain the production, transfer, and interaction of static electrical charges in various materials
C6 explain how electric current results from separation of charge and the movement of electrons
C7 compare series and parallel circuits involving varying resistances, voltages, and currents
C8 relate electrical energy to power consumption
Earth and Space Science: Space Exploration
D1 explain how a variety of technologies have advanced understanding of the universe and solar system
D2 describe the major components and characteristics of the universe and solar system
D3 describe traditional perspectives of a range of Aboriginal peoples in BC on the relationship between the Earth and celestial bodies
D4 explain astronomical phenomena with reference to the Earth/moon system