Wow! The last year of junior high! To prepare for high school, Grade 9 students are required to take six subjects: English Language Arts, Health and Life Skills, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science and Social Studies. They can choose from additional optional subjects to round out their curriculum.
English Language Arts (REQUIRED SUBJECT)
I want to develop language and communication skills and experience success in ELA! Grade 9 students examine ideas, experiences and information from points of view that differ from their own. They discuss how different people take away different meanings from the same material. Using different sources of information, they continue to develop their own opinions and impressions.
Mathematics (REQUIRED SUBJECT)
Working with powers and polynomials. Your teen will solve problems involving powers and apply the order of operations, including exponents. They will solve problems involving operations on positive and negative fractions and decimals, and understand square roots of positive numbers. They will model and solve problems using linear equations and linear inequalities in one variable. They will also be introduced to polynomials and solve problems involving circle geometry and scale diagrams.
Science (REQUIRED SUBJECT)
Can you make sense of the periodic table? Students in Grade 9 Science work safely with chemicals to explain, interpret and extend their understanding of chemical theory. They also design, test and evaluate electrical devices that transfer and transform energy, and they explore the role of genes and DNA in the diversity of life. Students study space exploration and how science and technology are related.
Physical Education (REQUIRED SUBJECT)
What are the benefits of an active lifestyle? Your teen will take part in various activities that will help them to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. They will grow to appreciate the importance of physical activity, while discovering essential life skills, such as cooperation, leadership, fair play and teamwork.
Health and Life Skills (REQUIRED SUBJECT)
Who knew that my fun volunteering could help me get a job in the future! Students understand how their choices today have a long-term effect. Who they choose to look up to and which group they choose to be a part of play a role.
Career and Technology Studies (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
Your career begins with the choices you make early in life. Students in CTS will explore career possibilities and develop life skills to prepare for life outside of school. They can choose courses from five clusters (each cluster represents occupations with broad industry commonalities). Students in junior high can take the introductory courses offered in each cluster.
Art (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
Get creative! Junior high students use a range of tools, materials and media to express how they feel, to think artistically and to value art. They draw and create art, and they examine the art that others have made.
Music (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
I can express myself through music! Your teen may participate in instrumental music, choral music and general music. They may choose not to participate in each of these programs simultaneously but they have the option of doing so if they desire. In each of these programs, they will develop as a performer, listener, consumer and composer as they strive for musical excellence and explore various styles of music.
Drama (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
Lights, curtain, action! Your teen will explore acting, improvisation, movement and speech. They’ll develop confidence and learn about themselves and others. Your teen will discover how much work it takes, behind the scenes and on the stage, to put on a successful production.
Languages (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
Languages open the door to other cultures and other ways of seeing the world. A variety of languages are being taught throughout Alberta, including First Nations languages, French and other international languages. School authorities may choose provincial language programs or develop their own programs.
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Environmental and Outdoor Education (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
The world extends beyond the school walls. Your teen will experience the outdoors safely and comfortably while discovering how to treat the environment responsibly. Through one course or a sequence of courses, they will become aware of and appreciate all living things, including themselves.
Ethics (OPTIONAL SUBJECT)
I know what the options are, so which is the best option for me? Your teen will think critically about issues and consider other people when making decisions. They will examine issues in their own life, explore the role of values in ethics and understand that others may have values that differ from their own.