COMPULSORY COURSES:

CGC 1WI—Exploring Canadian Geography (updated for 2024-2025)

This course builds on learning in Grades 7 and 8 in geography. Students will explore relationships within and between Canada’s natural and human systems and how they interconnect with other parts of the world.
Students will also examine environmental and economic issues, and their impact related to topics such as natural resources and industries, careers, land use and responsible development, and sustainability. In addition, students will understand the connections that diverse communities and individuals have with the physical environment and each other throughout Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives.
Students will apply geographic thinking, use the geographic inquiry process, and use geospatial technologies throughout their investigations.

ENL 1WI—English

This course is designed to develop oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills.
Students will analyze literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms.
Digital literacy/online portfolio are integral parts of the course.
Intended to prepare students for the grade 10 academic English course, which leads to university or college preparation courses in grades 11 & 12.

FSF 1DI—French (ACADEMIC)

This course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French with increasing independence, with a focus on familiar topics related to their daily lives.
Develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities.
NOTE—students enrolled in French Immersion should consult with their grade 8 guidance counsellor about program options or refer to program pathways within the WRDSB at https://www.wrdsb.ca/french/french-programs/

FSF 1OI—Core French (OPEN)

Introductory course for students who have little or no knowledge of French or who have not accumulated the minimum of 600 hours of elementary Core French instruction.
Begin to understand and speak French in guided and structured interactive settings. Develop fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through discussing issues and situations that are relevant to daily lives.
Develop an awareness, understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities in Canada.

MTH 1W1—Mathematics

This course enables students to consolidate, and continue to develop, an understanding of mathematical concepts related to number sense and operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data, probability, and financial literacy.
Students use mathematical processes, mathematical modelling, and coding to make sense of the mathematics they are learning
Apply your understanding to culturally responsive and relevant real-world situations.
Continue to enhance mathematical reasoning skills, including proportional reasoning, spatial reasoning, and algebraic reasoning, as you learn to solve problems and communicate thinking.

SNC 1W1—Science

Students will develop their understanding of concepts related to biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science
Relate science to technology, society, and the environment.
Develop and refine STEM skills as you use scientific research, scientific experimentation, and engineering design processes to investigate concepts. Apply your knowledge in situations that are relevant to your lives and communities.
Continue to develop transferable skills as you become a scientifically literate global citizen.

ELECTIVE COURSES

ARTS

ADA 1OI—Dramatic Arts

Connect with classmates in a fun, artistic & welcoming environment. Gain the confidence to shine in front of audiences.
Explore dramatic techniques (tableau, creative movement, comedy, improvisation), learn about the history of the stage, train on state of the art lighting and sound theatre equipment.
Work with professional actors and enjoy live theatre.
Develop acting and public speaking skills: trust, self-confidence, teamwork, creativity, expressiveness, self-reflection.

AMI 1OI—Instrumental Music (experienced)

Ideal for students who are experienced players on woodwind, brass or percussion instruments that you will play in class.
Develop your instrumental performance skills; you will play your instrument every day.
Learn to read and write standard music notation and complete listening and composition activities.
Play as a class and in small groups—you will be encouraged to perform in the Junior Band.
Prep Course/Experience: Grade 7 or 8 Instrumental Music/Band

AMI 1OX—Instrumental Music (no experience required)

Ideal for students with no experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. Starting as a beginner, you will learn to play an instrument.
Develop your instrumental performance skills; you will play your instrument every day.
Learn to read and write standard music notation while completing listening and composition activities.
Play as a class and in small groups, you will be encouraged to perform in the Grade 9 Band.

AMV 1OI—Vocal Music (no experience required)

This course is for you if you like to sing. Develop your vocal performance skills—you will sing every day.
Learn to read and write standard music notation while completing listening and composition activities.
Sing as a class and in small groups, you will be encouraged to perform with the LHSS Chorus.

ATC 1OI—Dance

Take a break from desks and chairs and explore your creativity and passion for movement in the grade 9 Dance course!
All levels of experience are welcome. Develop your technique and confidence in a variety of dance styles (Jazz, Hip Hop, K-pop, Contemporary, Ballet, etc.)
Create innovative choreography.
Experience live performances and learn from top dancers/choreographers in the industry.
Make friendships that will last a lifetime.

AVI 1OI—Visual Art

This course offers an overview of visual arts as a foundation for future study.
Become familiar with the elements and principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials through working with a range of processes, techniques and styles.
Develop a variety of artistic skills, including sketching, painting, sculpture and multi-media.
Learn and use methods of analysis and criticism while studying the characteristics of particular historical art periods and a selection of Canadian art and art of other cultures.

Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset provides students with an opportunity to learn what makes an entrepreneur thrive and the skills required to succeed in today’s business environment. Students will begin to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset, and learn why it’s important to take initiative, adapt to change, find creative solutions, and understand the financial considerations of entrepreneurship.

Students will use business software and applications to plan and develop their ideas and learn how to present them to a target audience. Students will enhance their communication skills, as well as develop and refine their project management skills, including goal setting, and time management and networking.

Here are examples of some activities within the course:

- Field trip to see real entrepreneurs at the St. Jacobs Market & or going to an Escape Room
- Building a budget
- Pitching an idea to potential investors
- Create a sample investment portfolio & learn about basics of stock market and investments
- Learning about key accomplishments of entrepreneurs
- Creating effective slideshow presentations
- Designing an innovative product or service-Dragon’s Den Pitch
- This course will be beneficial to help prepare students to write the new mandatory Financial Literacy test in grade 10 (new requirement in math)

FAMILY STUDIES

HFN1OI—Food and Nutrition

This course provides students with opportunities to develop food-preparation skills and learn how to make simple meals and snacks, like pizza, cookies and muffins, soup and salads, from scratch.
Learn how to work safely in the kitchen, and also how to prevent contamination and food borne illness.
Using Canada’s Food Guide, students learn to make nutritious food choices.
Students will investigate the factors that influence food choices, including beliefs, attitudes, current trends, traditional eating patterns, food-marketing strategies and individual needs.

GUIDANCE

GLS 1OI—SKILLS FOR SUCCESS

A strong grade 12 can only be achieved on a strong foundation. This course focuses on learning strategies to help students become better, more independent learners. The importance of building a solid foundation, focused on literacy, numeracy and the academic habits of successful students, will be emphasized in this course. Topics include:

Look at building habits of success (goal setting, reflective thinking, sleep hygiene, healthy technology use)
How to access homework help
Discovering your talents, gifts and abilities
Building a pathway of success, in high school and beyond
Reading for fun, communication and comprehension
Problem solving for math and mystery

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PPL 1O1—Healthy Active Living (Mixed)

A blend of fitness and sport, this course emphasizes the link between movement and play through a variety of fitness activities and traditional sport games.
Mix of our fitness-focused courses and our traditional sport-based program delivery—ideal for those who love all forms of movement and are looking to both train their personal fitness and learn more about athletic skills and strategies through game settings.
Health topics will include: personal safety & decision making skills, substance use & abuse, nutrition, and healthy growth & sexuality.

PPL 1OX (Open—Female) & PPL 1OY (Open—Male)

This course emphasizes regular participation in a variety of physical activities that promote lifelong healthy active living. Students will be introduced to a range of sports and activities with an emphasis on understanding and applying the skills and strategies required to confidently participate.
Sports and activities covered may include badminton, basketball, field hockey, fitness training, floorball/floor hockey, football, rock climbing, rugby, soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, wrestling, and a variety of others.
Healthy living topics help students develop skills to make healthy choices that lead to healthy lifestyles. Topics include substance use and related behaviours, healthy relationships, human development, personal safety, and nutrition.
Emphasis on developing critical thinking, communication, and social skills.

TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES

For students starting grade 9 in September 2024 or later, there is a new grade 9/10 technology credit requirement to achieve your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). In addition to the our 2 grade 9 technology options, students can also choose from a variety of grade 10 tech courses (no prerequisites for any subject area). For more information on grade 10 options, CLICK HERE.

TAS 1OI—Technology & the Skilled Trades (new for 2024-2025, replaces TIJ1OI)

This hands-on course enables students to further explore the engineering design process and develop other technological knowledge and skills introduced in earlier grades.
Students will design and safely create prototypes, products, and/or services, working with tools and technologies from various industries.
As students develop their projects to address real-life problems, they will apply technological concepts such as precision measurement, as well as health and safety standards.
Students will begin to explore job skills programs and education and training pathways, including skilled trades, that can lead to a variety of careers.
During this course, students will get to explore a variety of technology areas as they consider future courses and pathways.

TEJ 1OI—Exploring Computer & Engineering Technologies

This course prepares students for the exciting world of Engineering.
Students complete a series of projects, which may include an ancient trebuchet, complex electrical circuits, AutoCad and SolidEdge drawings, PowerPoint presentations, Desktop Publications, Spreadsheets, and/or PhotoShop Digital Art.
Students will develop solutions for problems using Physics, Math and Computer Modeling Techniques.
Using these skills, students design, build and test projects, such as an Engineering Vehicle Challenge and a cricket circuit board.
Students compare the physical outcome of each design with theoretical values, just like working engineers do.

Grade 9 Course Descriptions