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2012 Prince Edward Island
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Holman Centre 250 Water Street, Suite 101
Summerside, Prince Edward Island Canada, C1N 1B6 Tel: (902) 438-4130 Fax: (902) 438-4062
www.gov.pe.ca/education/
This work has been adapted from Curriculum Handbook for Parents, a publication created and owned by Alberta Education, Copyright 2009.
Picture credits: © Jupiterimages Corporation 2012, © Thinkstock 2012, © Philip Martin 2012
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Prince Edward Island Education
Introduction
Students learn in a variety of places—in their homes, schools and communities.
Parents/guardians, teachers, and community members form a partnership to assist in
this learning.
When parents/guardians know what children are studying at school, they can provide
better support in their child’s learning. The Curriculum Handbook for Parents and
Guardians is a guide designed to give parents/guardians a quick overview of what is
being taught in grade 9, and answer some questions that parents/guardians may have.
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IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT GRADE 9
What will my child learn in Grade 9? ................................................................. 5
How Grade 9 children learn ............................................................................... 24
All students have different learning needs ........................................................ 24
How do teachers assess student work? .............................................................. 25
How is my child doing in school? ........................................................................ 27
How can I help my child do well in school? ........................................................ 28
Homework in Grade 9 ........................................................................................ 29
The importance of culture .................................................................................. 30
Parental involvement ......................................................................................... 30
School to school ................................................................................................. 30
What can I do to help my child during this transition?....................................... 29
Important information from school ................................................................... 31
Questions from parents/guardians .................................................................... 32
Do you want to know more? .............................................................................. 32
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What will my child learn in Grade 9?
A curriculum guide is developed for each subject area and outlines what your child is
expected to learn in Grade 9.
Teachers base their classes on the provincial curriculum, which ensures that students
across Prince Edward Island are learning the same information. Here is an outline of
what your child will learn in each subject area in Grade 9.
Language Arts
Speaking and Listening
Students refine their communication skills by asking questions or presenting information in a convincing manner.
Students effectively communicate in various group settings or in presentation.
Students learn to respect the rights, needs, and feelings of others when speaking.
Students understand that language can have different meanings in different situations and cultures.
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Reading and Viewing
Writing and Representing
Students continue to use strategies to select, read, and view increasingly complex texts.
Students are able to access specific information to meet their learning needs.
Students learn to respond to texts by questioning, evaluating, and expressing their point of view.
Students learn to critically evaluate print and media texts.
Students choose language to create interesting effects in writing.
Students use different forms of writing to create texts for a variety of purposes and audiences.
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Students use and understand which prewriting, drafting, revising, edition, proofreading, and presentation strategies help them write or represent.
Students use information from various sources to construct and communicate meaning in their texts.
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Mathematics
Number
Patterns and Relations
Shape and Space
Students learn to solve problems involving exponents.
Students learn how to involve real numbers and square root in problems.
Students learn to work with linear equations and linear inequalities.
Students learn to work with polynomials.
Students learn to use the properties of circles to solve problems.
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Statistics and Probability
Students study the similarities among various polygons.
Students draw scale diagrams of two‐dimensional shapes.
Students understand linear and rotational symmetry.
Students learn how certain factors can affect the collection of data, such as bias and cost.
Students learn when to choose an entire population or a sample to gather data.
Students understand how society uses probability every day.
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Science
Life Science: Reproduction
Physical Science: Atoms and Elements
Physical Science: Characteristics of Electricity
Students learn about the fundamental processes of reproduction and genetics.
Students learn about the basic parts of atoms and common chemical elements and compounds.
Students learn about electric charges and electric circuits.
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Earth and Space Science: Space Exploration
Social Studies
Physical Environment
People and Culture
Students learn about the origin, evolution, and components of our solar system and the universe.
Students learn how their physical region and climate play a role in global markets and environmental issues.
Students learn how a region’s culture is shaped and changed by local and global forces.
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Economics and Trade
Challenges and Opportunities
Picture credit: © Thinkstock 2012
Students learn how Atlantic Canada’s industries and economy are affected by global factors.
Students learn how the Canadian economy, government, and society face both challenges and opportunities in a global world.
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Health
Wellness Choices
Relationship Choices
Life Learning Choices
Students learn about drug and alcohol dependence.
Students learn about the safety responsibilities of an employee and an employer in a workplace.
Students learn about sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives and responsiblities associated with pregnancy and parenting.
Students learn to identify abusive relationships and about different types of abuse.
Students create a learning plan to use during their transition to high school.
Students create a portfolio to take to high school.
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Visual Arts
Safety
Level 1
Students learn to care for themselves and the tools, materials, equipment, products and workspaces they use.
Students learn to demonstrate growth in their own style when creating images.
Students learn about artwork from the prehistoric and ancient period.
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Level 2
Music
Musical Concepts
Students use different artwork techniques to produce pieces such as drawings, painting, sculpturing or printmaking.
Students learn to explore and talk about Renaissance art.
Students explore phrases of even and uneven lengths.
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Create and Perform
Listen and Perform
Read and Perform
Students experience short musical pieces using theme and variation form.
Students identify phrases and cadences in music.
Students identify dynamic changes with good tone quality and intonation.
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Physical Education
Active Living
Skillful Movement
Relationships
Students learn the importance of and how to be active for life.
Students will learn to move in a variety of ways and in a variety of activities.
Students will continue to interact with others in a safe and respectful way.
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Communication Information Technology
Students learn to evaluate information and its source for reliability.
Students learn to convert and import various image formats.
Students use various tools and functions to improve the quality of a product.
Students learn to perform calculations in a spreadsheet.
Students use various forms of technology to collaborate as a class.
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Home Economics
Food and Nutrition
Students learn to transfer files to and from web servers.
Students demonstrate responsibility for personal hygiene and proper handling of foods.
Students demonstrate the safe preparation of foods.
Students will read and interpret recipes.
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Textiles
Students will accurately measure ingredients.
Students will demonstrate personal responsibility when making healthy food choices.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical significance of food.
Students will explore careers related to the food industry.
Students demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively use hand tools to create a sewing project.
Students will demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively use sewing machines and related equipment to create a sewing project.
Students will demonstrate inventiveness and innovation when working with materials.
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Technology Education
Safety
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical significance of textiles.
Students will explore careers related to the textile industry.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of general safety practices and policies.
Students will demonstrate an ability to practice proper safety procedures when working on student activities.
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Skills
Design
Students will demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively use hand tools to complete design briefs.
Students will demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively use stationary and portable power tools to complete design briefs.
Students will demonstrate inventiveness and innovation in their use of materials when solving design briefs.
Students will demonstrate ability to produce technical drawings.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of an engineering design process.
Students will communicate ideas and information about technological solutions.
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Career Awareness
Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate an awareness of the value of transferable skills and knowledge to future career choices.
Students will analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of both their own and others' technological solutions.
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How Grade 9 children learn
Grade 9 students learn in different ways. They learn by listening, doing, and sharing.
They work alone, in small groups, and together as a class to explore new ideas and to
build upon what they already know.
Grade 9 students use books, computers, and other equipment to support their learning.
They work cooperatively with their teacher and with other students in their class to
achieve goals.
Picture credit: © Thinkstock 2012
All students have different learning needs
Schools on Prince Edward Island are committed to helping all students reach their full
potential as learners. Most students have their learning needs met by regular teaching
in the classroom. Sometimes, in order to achieve success, students may need
adaptations (e.g., be given extra time to finish an assignment), or modifications which
alter the curriculum outcomes. Educational interventions can range from short term
strategies to an in‐depth program. If a student requires adaptations/modifications or
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additional support, teachers and parents/guardians explore the option of an
individualized educational planning (I.E.P.). Together parents/guardians and teachers
choose the best educational program to support the student’s needs.
How do teachers assess student work?
In the classroom, teacher uses a variety of means to assess their students’ learning
throughout the school year. Your child’s assessments are based on their overall
understanding and achievement of curriculum outcomes.
Classroom assessments identify students’ strengths and weaknesses in specific skill
areas. Throughout the year, a teacher is responsible for assessing their students’
achievements based on the learning outcomes in the curriculum. This information is
provided to parents/guardians through report cards and/or meetings.
Here are some examples of assessments used in Grade 9:
Discussion
Teachers have discussions with students about their work. This allows teachers to
better understand your child’s thinking and learning.
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Teacher observation
Teachers write notes about a student’s progress. The teacher shares this
information with students on a regular basis and with parents/guardians during
parent/guardian‐teacher interviews, meetings, telephone conversations, etc.
Students showing what they know
Teachers have students apply what they learn by making projects or drawings,
and doing experiments.
Creating a portfolio
Teachers help students choose their best work to build a portfolio or collection.
By doing so, they are able to see the progress each child has made throughout
the year. They are also able to share this collection of work with
parents/guardians during parent/guardian‐teacher interviews.
Tests/Quizzes
Teachers may use tests or quizzes to assess student understanding. These tests or
quizzes are kept short and infrequent in Grade 9. Tests and quizzes help teachers
assess how students work independently.
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How is my child doing in school?
Your child is given a report card several times in each school year. This report card
provides details on how your child is doing in each subject area.
By attending meetings and/or parent/guardian‐teacher interviews, you have an
opportunity to speak to your child’s teacher with only your child in mind. The teacher
can offer important information on your child’s progress and how you can help your
child succeed in Grade 9.
Helpful advice:
To get the most out of a parent/guardian‐teacher interview or meeting with your
child’s teacher, prepare yourself ahead of time. Read your child’s agenda, notes,
and report card when he or she brings them home.
As you help your child with homework, notice areas where further support is
needed.
Make a list of questions you would like to ask the teacher about how your child is
doing in school, and use your list during the meeting.
Arrive on time to ensure you can take full advantage of the time set for your
interview.
Ask the teacher how you can help your child do well in school.
Try not to focus only on marks; how your child interacts with the teacher and
fellow students is also important at this grade level.
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How can I help my child do well in school?
Talk with your child. Ask about the day at school. Share ideas. Be positive and
encouraging.
Help your child set realistic goals.
Discuss progress in an encouraging way.
Sleep and healthy food helps your child do well at school. Set a regular bed time.
Make your child a healthy breakfast.
Read with your child. Talk about what you are reading.
Practise speaking with your child at home.
Help your child to solve everyday problems.
Help your child to make decisions by offering choices.
Include your child in everyday activities like cooking, shopping and cleaning. Help
him/her to take responsibility for small tasks.
Exercise and play are important to keep your child healthy. Provide opportunities
for children to walk, stretch, hop, jump, run, dance or skip both inside and
outside the house.
Celebrate and encourage your child’s efforts.
Help with homework when you can.
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Homework in Grade 9
Your child will often have homework to do in Grade 9. Here are some examples of
homework your child might be assigned:
Write a short story.
Read a chapter from a book.
Find information on a topic.
Solve a set of interesting mathematics problems.
Work on a project.
Try to set a time and place for your child to do homework every night.
The importance of culture
Speak, read and sing to your child in your language(s). This helps your child understand
the importance of your culture while he/she continues to learn new information at
school.
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Parental involvement
Your child’s teacher and other school staff encourage parents/guardians to attend
events, meetings, or activities going on within the school. Some schools may also need
volunteers to work in the schools for various tasks. If you would like to get more
involved in your child’s school, contact the school’s administrator or school secretary.
School to school
Moving from school to school can be a very positive experience for both you and your
child. This transition may cause many changes in your child’s life, for instance:
Your child will have several teachers.
Your child may change classrooms for each subject, instead of staying in the same
classroom all day.
Your child might be moving to a different school, and making new friends.
Your child might find there is more work to do than in elementary school.
Your child might feel they have more freedom than in elementary school.
School activities may be different than in elementary school, such as having
dances in the evening.
What can I do to help my child during this transition?
Encourage your child to talk about the transition.
Listen to his/her problems or successes in the transition and offer your support.
If your child will be walking to a new school, help him/her learn the new route
before the start of the school year.
If your child is having many problems during the transition, talk to the homeroom
teacher or the principal.
Help him/her understand that they are not alone in the change that is happening.
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Important information from school
Your child will be bringing home information from the school. It is important to carefully
read this information. If you have any questions regarding this information, simply call
the school for clarification.
Some information such as permission slips must be returned to school with your
signature. It is very important that these forms be returned to the school in order for
your child to be able to participate in these school activities.
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Questions from parents/guardians
Parents/guardians often have questions relating to their child’s education.
If you have unanswered questions relating to your child’s education, do not hesitate to
contact the school for information.
Do you want to know more?
Additional information about the curriculum and learning resources can be reached
through:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/index.php3?number=1025821&lang=E
http://www.gov.pe.ca/education
Contact your child’s teachers and/or school administrators.
In Prince Edward Island, the provincial curriculum is organized into curriculum
guides. There is a separate curriculum guide for each subject, in each grade level.
They are documents that outline what students are expected to learn and the basic
principles about how students are to achieve the required knowledge, skills and
attitudes. Teachers use the curriculum guides to ensure that students meet
provincial standards of achievement.
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website contains
additional information on learning from the early years to adolescence.
