SNC1D – Science
| Course Type : | Academic |
| Credit Value : | 1.0 |
| Prerequisite : | None |
Course Description
This course enables students to develop their understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics, and to relate science to technology, society, and the environment. Throughout the course, students will develop their skills in the processes of scientific investigation. Students will acquire an understanding of scientific theories and conduct investigations related to sustainable ecosystems; atomic and molecular structures and the properties of elements and compounds; the study of the universe and its properties and components; and the principles of electricity.
Outline of Course Content
Unit
Titles and Descriptions
Time and Sequence
Unit 1
Biology
● Ecosystems are dynamic and have the ability to respond to change, within limits, while maintaining their ecological balance.
● People have the responsibility to regulate their impact on the sustainability of ecosystems in order to preserve them for future generations.
27 hours
Unit 2
Chemistry
● Elements and compounds have specific physical and chemical properties that determine their practical uses.
● The use of elements and compounds has both positive and negative effects on society and the environment.
24 hours
Unit 3
Earth and Space Science
● Different types of celestial objects in the solar system and universe have distinct properties that can be investigated and quantified.
● People use observational evidence of the properties of the solar system and the universe to develop theories to explain their formation and evolution.
● Space exploration has generated valuable knowledge but at enormous cost.
24 hours
Unit 4
Physics
● Electricity is a form of energy produced from a variety of non-renewable and renewable sources.
● The production and consumption of electrical energy has social, economic, and environmental implications.
● Static and current electricity have distinct properties that determine how they are used.
32 hours
Final Evaluation
The final assessment task is a three-hour exam worth 20% of the student’s final mark.
3 hours
Total
110 hours
A: Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration
Assessment is a systematic process of collecting information or evidence about student learning. Evaluation is the judgment we make about the assessments of student learning based on established criteria. The purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. This means that judgments of student performance must be criterion-referenced so that feedback can be given that includes clearly expressed next steps for improvement.
The assessment will be based on the following processes that take place in the classroom:
| Assessment FOR Learning | Assessment AS Learning | Assessment OF Learning |
|---|---|---|
During this process the teacher seeks information from the students in order to decide where the learners are and where they need to go. | During this process the teacher fosters the capacity of the students and establishes individual goals for success with each one of them. | During this process the teacher reports student’s results in accordance to established criteria to inform how well students are learning. |
| Conversation | Conversation | Conversation |
Classroom discussion Self-evaluation Peer assessment | Classroom discussion Small group discussion Post-lab conferences | Presentations of research Debates |
| Observation | Observation | Observation |
| Drama workshops (taking direction) Steps in problem solving | Group discussions | Presentations Group Presentations |
| Student Products | Student Products | Student Products |
| Reflection journals (to be kept throughout the duration of the course) Check Lists Success Criteria | Practice sheets Socrative quizzes | Projects Poster presentations Tests In Class Presentations |
Tools of varying complexity are used by the teacher to facilitate this. For the more complex evaluations, the criteria are incorporated into a rubric where levels of performance for each criterion are stated in language that can be understood by students.
anecdotal | tests |
quizzes | culminating activities including: |
labs/performance tasks | – labs/performance tasks |
presentations | – research reports |
research | – presentations |
labs | – portfolios |
Assessment is embedded within the instructional process throughout each unit rather than being an isolated event at the end. Often, the learning and assessment tasks are the same, with formative assessment provided throughout the unit. In every case, the desired demonstration of learning is articulated clearly and the learning activity is planned to make that demonstration possible. This process of beginning with the end in mind helps to keep focus on the expectations of the course as stated in the course guideline. The evaluations are expressed as a percentage based upon the levels of achievement.
The evaluation of this course is based on the four Ministry of Education achievement categories of knowledge and understanding (25%), thinking (25%), communication (25%), and application (25%). . The evaluation for this course is based on the student’s achievement of curriculum expectations and the demonstrated skills required for effective learning.
The percentage grade represents the quality of the student’s overall achievement of the expectations for the course and reflects the corresponding level of achievement as described in the achievement chart for the discipline.
A credit is granted and recorded for this course if the student’s grade is 50% or higher. The final grade for this course will be determined as follows:
- 70% of the grade will be based upon evaluations conducted throughout the course. This portion of the grade will reflect the student’s most consistent level of achievement throughout the course, although special consideration will be given to more recent evidence of achievement.
- 30% of the grade will be based on a final exam administered at the end of the course. The exam will contain a summary of information from the course and will consist of well-formulated multiple-choice questions. These will be evaluated using a checklist.
Unit
Description
Evaluation Weight
KICA
Unit 1
Strand 1: Scientific investigation skills and career exploration
Strand 2: Biology
Quiz 3%
Assignment 5%
Test 9.5%
Total 17.5%
25/25/25/25
Unit 2
Strand 1: Scientific investigation skills and career exploration
Strand 3: Chemistry
Quiz 3%
Assignment 5%
Test 9.5%
Total 17.5%
25/25/25/25
Unit 3
Strand 1: Scientific investigation skills and career exploration
Strand 4: Earth and Space Science
Quiz 3%
Assignment 5%
Test 9.5%
Total 17.5%
25/25/25/25
Unit 4
Strand 1: Scientific investigation skills and career exploration
Strand 5: Physics
Quiz 3%
Assignment 5%
Test 9.5%
Total 17.5%
25/25/25/25
Culminating activity
10%
25/25/25/25
Final Exam
20%
25/25/25/25
The percentage grade represents the quality of the students’ overall achievement of the expectations for the course and reflects the corresponding achievement as described in the achievement charts and will be 70% of the overall grade for the course; the Final evaluations will be 30% of the overall grade, incorporating a student/teacher conference and final exam.
Percentage of the Mark
Categories of Mark Breakdown
70%
Assignments (20%)
Tests (38%)
Labs and Quiz (12%)
30%
Culminating Activity (5%) and In Class discussion and presentations (Observations and Conversation (5%)
Final Exam (20%)
Main Resources
Textbook
- Nelson Science Perspectives 9 © 2011
Potential Resources
- Lab simulation software
- Various internet websites