H.T.S. Crest Holy Trinity School
Grade 9 Foundations
Program Overview








Program Description:

Grade 9 Foundations is a unique program, designed to integrate curriculum and incorporate useful objectives from the Ontario government's Common Curriculum without sacrificing the important skills and basics provided within our regular courses. Foundations begins in the first term as a set of skills which are emphasized and integrated within our regular grade 9 courses. These skills are intended to provide all students entering the senior school with a common skill platform which they can then use to maximize their learning potential throughout the rest of their academic career at Holy Trinity School. Skills examined within Foundations include those associated with studying, researching, statistics and probability, as well as information technology.

In addition, the Foundations Program emphasizes areas intended to assist students in developing constructive, benevolent, and enthusiastic attitudes as they enter their high school years. Skills pursued to this end include environmental appreciation, utilizing media and appreciating current events, as well as the development of positive interpersonal-skills. Many of these skills are explored within the context of trips, workshops, and other activities throughout the year.

The final aspect of the Grade 9 Foundations program is a focus on cross-curricular learning. In this regard, a variety of cross-curricular projects are used to facilitate cognitive and affective connections between what might otherwise appear to be disparate academic subjects. More on this aspect of the program is examined within the "Program Rationale" section outlined below.




Rationale:

The rationale for Grade 9 Foundations comes from the objectives of the Common Curriculum:

Integrated learning occurs when the student makes connections among ideas, concepts, and various elements of reality. The goal of an integrated curriculum is to develop students’ ability to relate new learning to previous learning and to use ideas and information from many areas of knowledge in seeking solutions to problems. Integrated programs must:

  • focus on the achievement of the learning outcomes
  • make connections that are significant and natural - connections should not be forced
  • emphasize connections between learning experiences and students’ backgrounds, daily lives, and future plans
  • draw on a wide range of resources, including community resources. Extensive use of the library resource and technological education facilities should be encouraged
  • include a range of knowledge and skills from various subject areas. Programs should draw on the expertise of all teachers in the school
  • include a variety of integrated activities that enable students to apply the fundamental knowledge and skills of the various subject areas.

              (pg 33-34, The Common Curriculum)


Program Web Site:

http://www.newlearner.com/projects/foundations/


Skill Sets:



Please direct any questions or concerns regarding the Grade 9 Foundations program to
Art Lightstone, Grade 9 Coordinator, Holy Trinity School.

Return to Grade Foundations main index