Welcome to Aldergrove Community Secondary School!

At ACSS we aspire to create a learning community that offers a wide range of learning opportunities for our students. We want our students to be able to pursue their passions and explore the multiple pathways and options available to them as they progress through their secondary school years, and plan their post-secondary futures.  Grade 9 course planning and course selection usually occurs in the February prior to the start of a students’ grade 9 year (middle of Grade 8).  ACSS partners with Betty Gilbert Middle School to conduct both an informational event and course planning event directly with their Grade 8 classes in late January-early February.

Download full Course Guidebook: Course Planning Booklet Grade 9 2024-2025

GRADE 9 COURSE SELECTION

How to use this guide:
Course descriptions for CORE REQUIRED COURSES are first, ELECTIVE COURSES are second.

Required Courses for Grade 9 Students:

• English 9
• Social Studies 9
• Mathematics 9
• Science 9
• Physical Health Education 9*
• French 9 or Japanese 9
• Life Education 9 (Outside Timetable, done with other classes)

*Students have the opportunity to earn their PHE 9 through Hockey Academy or High Performance PHE.
**Some students may choose not to continue with their language learning.  ACSS offers Japanese and French to fulfill post-secondary entrance requirements (Language 11)

***Life Education 9 is a course that fits outside students’ regular timetable.  The Life Education teacher works with students periodically throughout their Grade 9 year to reflect on school experiences, set short and long-term goals for the future, and gain greater self-awareness of personal interests and strengths.  Life Education 9 has an emphasis on student advocacy and involvement in their personal life and school community.  Students are encouraged to develop their own skills and knowledge by participating in events like Take Our Kids To Work Day, Lunch and Learn career information sessions, extra-curricular teams and clubs, and volunteering.  Learning, reflecting on, and sharing core competencies is a central aspect to the course, using the online platform, Spaces.

Additionally, Grade 9 students have the opportunity to choose 2-3 electives (depending on whether they take French 9 or have learning support blocks in their schedule).   Our music department also offers two courses outside the timetable; Jazz Band 9 and Concert Choir 9.

Elective Courses for Grade 9 Students

• Computers 9
• Concert Band 9
• Drama 9
• Foods 9
• Media Arts 9
• Woodwork 9
• Video Production 9
• Visual Arts 9
• AVID 9 (by application only) 

 GRADE 9 CORE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

English 9  (MEN- -09)

The Big Ideas of Grade 9 are: Language and story can be a source of creativity and joy, understand self and making connections with others and the world, worldviews and perspectives influence identity, social, culture and history influence self too, questioning leads to educated and engaged citizens.

This course is designed to expand on the range of concepts covered in previous grades. Students will explore essential questions concerning individual identity and the factors that influence it by analyzing and interpreting literary, informational and graphic texts, and creating spoken, written, and digital texts for various purposes. Reading strategies, language features, and conventions will be used to inspire growth in student comprehension and composition of diverse texts. Students will think critically and creatively in grappling with their sense of individuality and connectivity to others and the world. Throughout these explorations, students will be led to experience the joy and inspiration characteristic of language and story.

Mathematics 9 (MMA-09)
Students will extend many of the topics and ideas studied in Mathematics 8. Students will continue a contextual approach in the investigation of mathematical concepts and work towards understanding in numeracy. This course prepares students for both grade 10 Mathematics courses. Course Content: scale factors and similarity, surface area, rational numbers, powers and exponents, polynomials, linear relations, data analysis and probability.

Physical and Heath Education 9    (MPHE-09)

Grade 9 PHE will include an introduction and exposure to a wide variety of physical and health practices. Classes may include sports offered by our Totems Athletics program, weight training/fitness sessions, goal setting, nutrition, mental and social health, field trips, and guest speakers. There will be a strong focus on developing a holistic view of health and wellness, including an emphasis on developing students’ social responsibility.

Physical and Health Education 9  – High Performance  (MPHE-09H)

This course is designed for students who enjoy high energy, competitive activities and sports and want to increase their fitness level. Students who take this course are involved in school or community sports as this class will focus on school sports (basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.) and minor games. Students will also participate in challenging strength training, speed agility and quickness, cardio and core strength programs. Through discussions and presentations, students will gain an understanding of nutrition, physical, mental and social health. This course is taken instead of PHE 9.  Note-This course is for students that are willing to work hard and have fun. You are an “A” student and must be referred by a previous PHE teacher and approved by the PHE Department.

Science 9 (MSC-09)
Students enrolling in Science 9 will have the opportunity to learn about four major fields of science: cellular reproduction, atomic theory as it relates to the Periodic Table, the production and distribution of electricity and Earth’s major spheres. Within these studies, there will be a closer look at DNA, mitosis and an introduction to inheritance, an introduction to chemical reactions and lab procedures, circuitry, methods of generating electricity (emphasis on BC’s role in this), and how the water and carbon cycles are related, particularly within the scope of current climate issues. While exploring these big ideas, we are also focusing on helping students learn the science skills of questioning, predicting, planning, conducting, processing, analyzing, evaluating, applying, innovating and communicating.

Social Studies 9   (MSS-09)

What divides and unites us?  Students completing Social Studies 9 will be able to tell a more complete, more inclusive story about Canada and have a sense of their own place in Canada’s past, present and future.  Students will analyze disparities in power, the creation of nations, the impact of revolutions and understand more about the balance between individuals and society.

GRADE 9 ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Modern Lanuages:

French 9   (MFR-09)

French 9 is an introductory course for beginning learners. Students will become familiar with basic sentence patterns and pronunciation through familiar conversation topics. There will be an emphasis on spoken French. Students will explore the Francophone cultures and practices in various regions.

Note: A Grade 11 or 12 second language is an entrance requirement into some post-secondary institutions; for others it is recommended.

Japanese 9 (MJA-09)

Japanese 9 is an introduction to Japanese language and culture open to grade 9 students. Students will be introduced to Romaji (Japanese phonetics), Hiragana (the Japanese phonetic alphabet), and some Kanji (traditional Chinese characters). Students will build a foundational knowledge of basic conversational skills, everyday vocabulary, and be introduced to a variety of Japanese traditions, cultural perspectives, traditional stories, and social nuances.

Fine Arts & Applied Design Skills and Technologies:

Concert Band 9  (XBA – – 09)

This course is designed for band students who have had two to three years’ of experience at the elementary or middle school level. Students will continue to develop their musical skills and knowledge while participating in class and in performance. This is a performance-oriented class and students are expected to participate in concerts and festivals.

Drama 9   ( (MDR-09)

Drama 9 is a continuation of a students’ introduction to dramatic exploration. Students are given the opportunity to develop the basics for understanding and performing characters, as well as the self-discipline to control their bodies and voice while in the role. Interpersonal communication and self-confidence are developed through numerous theatrical activities ranging from improvisation scenes to the introduction of basic script work. Student evaluation is carried out daily, depending on the student’s positive class participation and creative growth. There is some written work involved, including a bi-weekly journal entry.

Video Production 9   (MADM09G)

If you are curious about how various forms of film media are produced, from Hollywood films to digital shorts, this course will offer a window into the methods and tools that filmmakers use during video production. By watching example films, and by learning to utilize various types of film technology, students will learn more about the basics of video production and what tools they already have at their disposal to create video projects. The projects students undertake will take the form of short experimental films, or larger projects such as music videos or short films. The hope is that students become creators and not just consumers of film media, and that they begin to critically examine how film media affects an audience.

Food Studies 9   (MADFS09)

In this course, students will learn and develop basic cooking and baking skills that are required to make a dish or a meal. Recipes that students will make will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert menus. As a result, students will be able to plan a daily meal.

Computer Studies 9 (MADIT09)

This course is an introduction to the various things that can be done with computers. We will be looking at the basics of animation, coding, computer logic, graphic design, and game programming. Throughout the course, students will work with industry-standard programs and equipment as they solve problems, create their own designs, and gain important transferrable skills with technology.

Media Arts 9   (MADMA09)

This introductory Media Arts course will focus on developing the skills needed to design, create, and publish different types of media. The goal of the course is to explore communicating and storytelling through the principles of design, and assessing trends in traditional, digital and social media. This course will act as an introduction to mediums used by today’s graphic designers and media artists, using a variety of tools and software, including Adobe Express & Photoshop, MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel), Minecraft Education, video editing, and web design applications.

Visual Arts 9   (MVA-09)

“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” Bob Ross

Do you enjoy drawing, painting, and sculpture? Do you want to improve your skills in visual arts? Are you a doodler, hobby artist or interested in a possible career in the arts? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Visual Arts 9 is for you! Sign up now and be prepared for a semester of creativity!  Please Note: Students will be required to purchase a sketchbook for this course.

Woodwork 9     (MADW-09)
This course is designed to build on previous experiences in a technology shop setting with the exploration of technologies and production methods that affect your everyday life. We will continue to explore the traditional methods of construction in the woodwork shop, while being introduced to some new technologies; vinyl plotters/cutters, laser cutters, and 3D printers. Students’ progress from teacher directed projects that introduce new skills to self-designed projects as the semester progresses.

Physical and Heath Education ACSS – Hockey Academy – (MPHE-09I)
The Aldergrove Hockey Academy has been offered at ACSS since 2001. We are the longest running Hockey Academy in the Province! This co-ed program focuses entirely on the development of hockey skills and is open to all students that play hockey of any skill level. Specialized, professional instruction is offered for players and goalies on and off the ice. We have former Abbotsford Heat captain and ACSS grad Matt Keith and Paul Whintors of Complex Hockey as our lead on ice instructors. For goaltenders we also offer specialized training and have even had, when available, Wade Flaherty of the Winnipeg Jets join us on the ice.

We have had many graduates move from House to Rep Hockey and from Rep Hockey to MML and the Junior ranks. As long as your goal is to improve your skill at whatever level you are at, this is the program for you! Approximately 35-40 ice times are offered during the first semester. The cost of the course is $750 per student that can be divided into four equal payments of $187.50, (less than $20 per session!) which covers the cost of the ice and specialized instruction. For more information please contact Mr Dan Renaud at drenaud@sd35.bc.ca or Mr Nelson Spring at nspring@sd35.bc.ca. This is 2 blocks of course time (1 instead of PHE; 1 Elective space)

Outside Timetable Courses:

Concert Choir 9  (XC – – – 09)

Choir is made up of students from grades 9 to 12. Choir students will learn to read music, use their voices correctly, and appreciate good music in any style. They can expect to sing in many musical styles, including pop, folk, classical, gospel and jazz. Intermediate choir students will build on their previous skills by developing their solo capabilities, demonstrating leadership and preparing music on their own. Since this is a performance-oriented class, choir students will participate in 2 or 3 concerts or festivals per term.

Jazz Band 9   (XBA- – – 09J)

This course is designed for band students who have had two to three years experience at the elementary or middle school level. Jazz band requires three hours of rehearsal each week, a variety of performances during the year, and entry into competitive festivals.

AVID PROGRAM

AVID 9   (XLDCC-09)
Prerequisite: Students must formally apply for and be accepted into AVID before they can enroll in the course.
AVID’s core principles include developing a growth mindset to equip students to achieve academic success through developing writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading skills (WICOR). In AVID 9 students will be introduced to several strategies for success.

Acceptance as an AVID candidate will be determined by a committee of teachers who will consider your record of achievement, attendance, citizenship, personal circumstances, and desire to make the personal commitment to using the strategies promoted in the AVID program to maintain a high academic standard. Corequisite: Since AVID’s goal is for students to take the most rigorous courses to keep as many opportunities open for post-secondary consideration, a second language like French 9 is recommended.

• Learn to use proven academic strategies for success, participate in discussions and project work that challenge you and deepen your understanding of various topics while helping you improve your performance in other courses as well.
• Gain a competitive advantage by building your scholarship portfolio early by learning the importance of volunteering in your school and community, and developing leadership skills, and completing required service hours.
• Participate in class field trips to post-secondary institutions.

Application forms can be obtained from the Counselling office or the main office and must be submitted by February 28^th, 2024.

Contact Ms. Luteijn (nluteijn@sd35.bc.ca) for more information.