What is a course plan and why is it important?
The vision of the Grade 9 science course is for students to acquire and develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world. As discoveries and innovations in STEM increasingly impact our lives, science continues to adapt and evolve. A central component of this curriculum is safe, practical, hands-on, experiential learning that will support students in becoming successful and discerning individuals who are scientifically literate.
A course plan outlines and organizes curriculum expectations. It is a living document that is revised as educators become increasingly aware of the abilities, strengths, needs and interests of their students.
A thoughtfully developed course plan:
- ensures that instruction is sequenced in a manner that aligns with research about learning science;
- allocates the appropriate time for concepts and skills so that students have multiple opportunities to focus on the overall expectations in the course;
- connects concepts and skills to other strands within the curriculum, to other subject areas, and to the lives of students;
- ensures that all specific expectations are addressed at least once within the course; and
- recognizes that some expectations need to be revisited several times throughout the course.
Note:
These sample course plans outline a possible sequence of instruction for the course. There are many ways to structure an effective plan for learning.
