Grimsby Secondary School Mathematics Department

Grade 9 Academic Mathematics: Course Information

Homework Website: www.GrimsbyEagles.com

Course Description
The Grade 9 Academic Course is intended for those students who are ready to learn through abstract
reasoning. The course provides opportunities to develop a higher level of algebraic skills. This course
enables students to develop understanding of mathematical concepts related to algebra, analytic geometry,
and measurement and geometry through investigation, the effective use of technology, and abstract
reasoning. Students will investigate relationships, which they will then generalize as equations of lines and
will determine the connections between different representations of a relationship. They will also explore
relationships that emerge from the measurement of three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional shapes.
Students will reason mathematically and communicate their thinking as they solve multi-step problems.

Students enrolled in this course typically have a strong ability in mathematics, a high level of achievement, a
positive attitude towards mathematics and excellent work habits (eg. making effective use of class time and
completing homework daily).

Learning Skills
A student’s ability to work with others, to attend class regularly, to be punctual, and keep up with the work
and to maintain an accurate and complete notebook is very important and has an impact on student
achievement. The report card allows these skills to be recorded. Therefore, teachers will continue to record
information on these skills and assign a value to them on the report card.

Course Textbook: “Principles of Mathematics 9”, Nelson Education, 2008.

Students must return the textbook issued to them, in the condition that it was received, or they will be
charged a replacement cost of the text. Textbooks lost during the year must be paid for before a replacement
text will be issued.

Your Mathematical Toolkit

You will need to bring the following supplies to class every day: Blue or black pen, red pen, pencil, eraser,
ruler, scientific calculator, 3-ring binder with lined paper, graph paper and a positive attitude.

Units of Study
Unit Estimated Number of Periods
1. Diagnostic Assessments & Rational Numbers 10
2. Powers & Polynomials 10
3. Linear Relations 10
4. Linear Equations 10
Mid-Term Review and Assessment 2
5. Analytic Geometry 10
6. Investigating Relationships 9
7. Properties of 2-D Figures 8
8. Measurement 10
Review & EQAO Assessment 5
Total 84
Course Evaluation Policy
Assessment Instrument Percent Category Focus

Knowledge/Understanding
Unit Summative Assessment(s) 30
Communication
Knowledge/Understanding
Mid-Unit Assessments Quizzes/Assignments 20
Communication
Application
Performance and Rich Tasks 20 Thinking
Communication
Total Term 70%

Exam 20 Knowledge/Understanding
Application
EQAO 10 Thinking
Communication
Total Final Summative 30%

Final Mark 100%

Components of the Term Mark (70% of the Final Mark)

1. Unit Summative Assessments - This category represents assessments that occur at the end of a unit.
These may be tests, culminating tasks or a combination of both.
2. Mid-Unit Assessments - This category represents smaller assessments, which address a couple of
expectations, and may occur throughout the unit. These assessments may include quizzes, small
assignments, mid-chapter reviews, achievement checks, etc. The teacher may decide that some mid-unit
assessments may be better suited to use for “assessment for learning” and not included in the evaluation.
3. Performance and Rich Tasks - Performance tasks provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate
understanding of a concept in familiar or unfamiliar situations and are typically not strictly paper and
pencil in nature. Rich Tasks are more open ended problems that require students to connect multiple
related concepts in familiar or unfamiliar situations.
Components of the Final Summative Assessment (30% of the Final Mark)
1. Final Assessment - The final assessment for this course includes a formal written exam. This exam will
include questions which address all strands of the course.
2. EQAO Provincial Assessment – This Provincial Assessment is administered in-class over a two day
period at the end of the course. Every student in the province enrolled in Grade 9 mathematics is required
to take part in this assessment.

The following components of the EQAO Assessment will be used:

 Multiple Choice
 Extended response

Missed Tests and Re-Test Policy

If a test is legitimately missed, the student will write the test the first day that the he/she returns to school. If
a student is absent for an extended period, then a summative replacement test, or the final exam mark, will
serve as the substitute. Under no circumstances can a test be re-written.