Laurel Heights Secondary School Mathematics Department

Mathematics, Grade 9

Course Description
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 will use mathematical processes, mathematical
modelling, and coding to make sense of the mathematics they are learning and to apply their
understanding to culturally responsive and relevant real-world situations. Students will continue to
enhance their mathematical reasoning skills, including proportional reasoning, spatial reasoning, and
algebraic reasoning, as they solve problems and communicate their thinking.

Strands
Strand Description
AA Social-Emotional Learning Skills in Mathematics
A Mathematical Thinking and Making Connections
B Number
C Algebra
D Data
E Geometry and Measurement
F Financial Literacy
Summative
A comprehensive assessment that covers all of the course content.
EQAO
A portion of the Grade 9 EQAO evaluation may be included as a part of the final mark.

Essential Course Components

To be successful in this course you must be able to demonstrate all of the following skills.
❑ Demonstrate mastery of: order of operations (BEDMAS) involving integers and fractions,
Pythagorean Theorem and substitution into expressions
❑ Simplify expressions using exponent rules as well as by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
polynomials and collecting like terms
❑ Expand algebraic expressions using the distributive property
❑ Solve first-degree equations and simple second-degree equations
❑ Identify the characteristics of a linear relation, including rate of change and initial value; express
linear relations in words, as graphs, in a table of values and as an equation
❑ Calculate the slope of a linear relation in a variety of ways; identify and compare the slopes and
y-intercepts of linear relations in a variety of forms
❑ Graph a linear relation and solve real-life problems involving linear relations
❑ Create a scatterplot and analyse the relationship between the variables by determining the
correlation between the variables using different regression models; use the model to make
predictions
❑ Recognize and apply the properties and relationships involving two-dimensional shapes; use different
units and measurement systems to solve problems involving the perimeter and area of two-dimensional
shapes as well as surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes
❑ Demonstrate a working understanding of appreciation, depreciation, interest rates and budgets

Procedures
Key values of Laurel Heights Secondary School and the WRDSB include respect, responsibility, honesty, and
trustworthiness. Our expectations for student behaviour and academic conduct come from these core values.
In accordance with Waterloo Region District School Board guidelines outlined in the Assessment, Evaluation,
and Reporting Handbook, the following policies are in effect at LHS:
a) Late and Missed Assignments
Completing tasks on time has been shown to be a key part of school success. It is the expectation that
students will submit all required work by the assigned deadlines.
● If work is not submitted on time, next steps will involve student-teacher conferences,
parent/guardian contact and may include student referral to in-school supports.
● The teacher will determine a date after which he/she will no longer accept an assignment for
marks. In the absence of these student products, teachers will use professional judgement to
determine a grade based on evidence of learning available/seen to that point.
● If one or more assignments are not completed, students risk losing the credit for the course.
● The Learning Skills section of the student’s Provincial Report Card will be used to reflect incidents
of late and missed assignments.
Mathematics, Grade 9 Course Outline

b) Cheating and Plagiarism

It is the expectation that students will submit their own, original work for the purpose of demonstrating their
learning. Note that plagiarism includes both sharing original work and using work that is not one’s own. The
use of online programs or apps (such as Photomath) for submitted work is unacceptable and will also be
considered as plagiarism. In the event that cheating or plagiarism occurs, the following consequences may be
implemented, in consultation with administration, depending on the situation:
● The student who plagiarizes will be required to complete the LHS Academic Honesty Remediation
Tutorial.
● The student may be required to redo all or part of the assignment or assessment.
● The student may be required to complete an alternate assignment or assessment.
● Consequences may include a loss of access to academic awards and scholarship opportunities.
● Plagiarism will be reflected in the Learning Skills section of the student’s Provincial Report Card.
● Potential disciplinary actions may also include suspension.

c) Waterloo Region District School Board Policy for Provincial Report Card marks below 50%
In the following cases, a credit will not be granted;
Grades 9 and 10:
● 45% is the only mark that can be reported for a student achieving below Level 1
● A student may receive an I if there is insufficient evidence to determine a grade

d) Grading
Grades for class work will be recorded as levels according to the following scale:
Level 1: 50% - 59% Level 4- : 80% - 86%
Level 2: 60% - 69% Level 4: 87% - 94%
Level 3: 70% - 79% Level 4+ : 95% - 100%

Final grades will be converted to a percentage for the report card.

Though “marks” are formally reported to students and parents as part of and throughout each Mark Reporting
Cycle, teachers, students and parents are encouraged to informally and formally communicate on a student’s
progress on an ongoing basis.  This communication is key to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of a
student’s progress before submission of a final mark entry. Final grades, based on a teacher’s professional
judgement and stemming from a collection of a wide variety of evidence of student learning, are
non-negotiable upon the completion of a mark reporting cycle.  

LHS does not condone the practice of artificial mark increases as they are not in a student’s best interest.
Such increases may have negative impacts on future classes and/or pathways while also affecting the academic
integrity of one’s courses.

Classroom Culture
A focus for this course will be to develop a culture of learning and community building for all students.
Learning will take place in a positive, student-centered format, where students are encouraged to build
relationships with each other and the teacher, where mistakes are valued as learning opportunities, and
where the physical environment and culture invites risk-taking and diversity in approaches to problem-solving.
The goal is to have all students learn at their highest level so that they may pursue any post-secondary path
they aspire to.

Teacher Contact Information

The teacher for this course is Mrs. Marsh. She can be reached at (519) 880–9979 or anna_marsh@wrdsb.ca
I am always available for extra help. Book a time or find me in the Math Office or the classroom. For course
notes, handouts and other class information visit https://wrdsb.elearningontario.ca/.

Math and Science Help (MASH) is available from senior students daily. For more information visit
http://sjammash.wix.com/mash.

Materials
Bring your charged chromebook, notebook with lined and graph paper, a pencil, ruler and scientific calculator
to class daily.

Mathematics Contest Information

Date Written Registration Deadline
Pascal (multiple choice) February 22, 2023 February 6, 2023
Fryer (full solution) April 5, 2023 March 10, 2023

Please confirm you have read this course outline with your student by filling in this form (click).