Oct 23, 2026

Hello Grade 9 Families! 

Please see below for this week’s curricular updates. Weekly updates can also be found on the Sherwood Blog!

For homework this weekend, students are expected to read up to and including the Four Winds Chapter (page 79) of The Marrow Thieves. Some students brought their novels home, and a copy can also be found online (https://fliphtml5.com/rurlx/razz/The_marrow_thieves/). This link has also been posted on D2L. If students prefer, there is also an audio recording available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soloj7ttdsI&list=PLEawMOMiQigE2dr-dNKzAU0hfAM4ycXT7&index=7)

Curricular Updates

ELA: This week in ELA, students worked on reading The Marrow Thieves. We read Magic Words, Haunted in the Bush, Plague of Madness, and started Four Winds. Students are expected to have read everything up to and including Four Winds, which ends on page 79. Students will write a short quiz on Monday to ensure they have done their reading. 

Social Studies: This week in Social Studies, students continued watching Social Dilemma, reviewed paragraph expectations, and rewrote their law paragraphs today. Next week, students will wrap up the unit with review, Kahoot, and a unit test. 

Science: This week in Science, students learned how to name and write the formulas of chemical compounds. In addition, they learned about chemical reactions involving oxygen, such as combustion and cellular respiration. Next week, they will continue learning rules for naming compounds and how to write chemical equations of reactions.  

Math: In Math this week, students practiced calculating the volume of pyramids. They also looked at how to determine the volume of 3D shapes when they are combined or shapes with holes. Next week, they will have a test on Surface Area and Volume (Tuesday). After that we will be going back to exponents to look at how negative exponents work and how exponents are used in the science world with Scientific Notation. 

Tests & Quizzes

• Tuesday, Oct 27 - Surface Area and Volume Test
• Thursday, Oct 29 - Social Studies Unit 1: Government Test

Upcoming Dates & Reminders 

Friday, Oct 30: Students are welcome and encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to school. Please no masks or weapons. 

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ELA: In ELA this week, students worked on reading through Chapter 3: Story Part One in The Marrow Thieves. We used our novel notes template to discuss the novel using direct quotations. Students are working on the skill of collecting evidence from their reading to support the opinions they have. Next week, we will continue working through the novel. If students haven’t read up to page 32, they should. 

Social Studies: This week, we learned about lobby groups, cognitive and confirmation bias, and the referendum. Today, Grade 9 students held a mock referendum, and it will be interesting to see on Monday how their results compared to the provincial results. Next week, we will continue to talk about how media influences politics in our country and then wrap up the unit with a review. 

Science: In Science this week, students learned about rates of chemical reactions. They completed a lab investigating how temperature, concentration, and surface area affect how quickly a reaction completes. Next week, students will learn how to name and write chemical formulas of chemical compounds. 

Math: In Math this week, students continued practicing how to calculate the surface area of combined 3D shapes with a focus on pyramids and triangular prisms, and they wrote a short quiz on Friday. Next week, students will learn how to determine the volume of combined 3D shapes.

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Oct 9th, 2026

ELA: This week in ELA we began our novel study, The Marrow Thieves. We are so excited to work through this novel and find ways we can connect and learn from it. Each student has had a novel checked out to their account, so they are welcome to bring it home to read if they miss school or catch up. Students are responsible for their novel should it be lost. We have read the first two chapters. Next week we will continue reading and work through annotations strategies. We also wrote the School Wide Write this week, on the theme of adventure. It's a great snapshot of where students are at in their writing journey.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students wrapped up our law simulation with the passing of laws in our mock House of Commons. Next week we will study lobby groups, the impact of media on politics, and go over the upcoming referendum. We will be watching the documentary, The Social Dilemma (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-social-dilemma).

Science: In Science this week, students worked on their Element Baby Book that was due on Friday. Students that may have been absent or did not hand it in, should finish this weekend and submit on Tuesday, Oct 13th. Students also wrote a Chemistry mid-unit test on Thursday and grades have been updated in PowerSchool. Next week, students will learn about Rates of Chemical Reactions and participate in a lab. 

Math: Students learned about the Surface Area of 3D shapes this week, and how the surface area changes when multiple 3D shapes are connected. Next week, there will be a short check-in on Thursday and they will start learning about the volume of 3D composite shapes. 

Tests & Quizzes

• Thursday, Oct 15th: Check-in on surface area of 3D composite shapes

Upcoming Dates & Reminders 

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10/02/2026

ELA: This week in ELA, students worked through writing their personal land acknowledgements and commitments to reconciliation. It was great to see students take some ownership of the impact they might be able to have. On Monday, students will begin our first novel study, The Marrow Thieves. 

Social Studies: In Social Studies this week, students worked on their research skills looking for evidence to support their proposed laws. Students then worked through a persuasive paragraph planning sheet, to learn how to synthesize their ideas into a cohesive piece of writing. 

Science: In Science, students learned more about the Periodic Table and the structure of the atom. They also started a project, The Elemental Baby Book, where they picked an element from the Periodic Table and read information to learn about it. Next week, they will compile the information and create a “Baby book” to display what they have learned. 

Math: In Math, students wrote an exponents test on Tuesday; tests have been marked and grades are in powerschool. Next up is Geometry, where students will be learning how to calculate the surface area and volume of combined 3d shapes. 

Tests & Quizzes 

• Thursday, Oct 8th: Mid-unit Chemistry test in Science

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9/25/2026

ELA: This week in ELA, students worked on a reading comprehension task surrounding Treaties 6, 7, and 8. We also worked on writing our Land Acknowledgement. Next week, students will have time to finalize their Land Acknowledgements and learn the pronunciation of the Indigenous groups in our area. 

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students worked in their political parties to propose laws for further study. We went through the first two readings in our mock House of Commons. Next week, students will have time to research some questions surrounding their proposed laws, and we will have further debate on whether they would meet the needs of all Canadians. 

Science: This week in Science, students finished writing their Chemical Reactions Lab and learned about the Periodic Table, how it is organized and how to read it. We also learned about the structure of the atom and how it related to the Periodic Table. Next week, students will start a project on the Periodic Table, where they will pick and research an element. 

Math: This week in Math, students worked on order of operations and problem solving with exponents. In addition, the test that I had planned for Thursday was postponed until Tuesday next week. On Thursday, the students will start a new unit on Geometry, focusing on surface area and volume of 3D shapes. 

Tests & Quizzes

• Tuesday, September 29: Math Exponents Test 

Upcoming Dates & Reminders 

• Tuesday, September 29: CBE Orange Shirt Day - Please wear an Orange shirt! 
• Wednesday, September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - No School

9/18/2026

ELA: In ELA this week, we finished our study of the story How to Make a Friend with learning on the plot diagram and a lesson about theme. Next week, students will work on creating their personal Land Acknowledgment as we move toward the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students learned about the Political Spectrum and began to identify where different ideologies fall. We then formed mock political parties and next week we will begin the process of passing our own laws. 

Science:  In Science, students completed a chemical reaction lab and recorded the evidence of chemical change that they observed. They will finish their lab writeup next week. In addition, students will also learn about the Periodic Table and the structure of the atom.  

Math: In Math, students continued to practice problems involving exponent laws. They also started to investigate the order of operations, and how problems must be solved in a particular order. Students will have a test on exponents on September 24th.

Test & Quizzes: 

• Math Test on Sept 24th (Exponents)

Upcoming Dates & Reminders 

• Spirit Week, please check Instagram
• Thursday Sept 24: Sherburger
• Friday Sept 25: Invite-only Parent Conferences

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9/11/2026

A reminder of the importance of attendance on Fridays. Students missed a written task in ELA that they will have to make up at lunch on Monday, and a Science Lab that they will have to make up at lunch on Tuesday. 

ELA: In ELA this week, students read the short story “How to Make a Friend”. We used this story as an introduction to how to use the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) model to answer questions. Next week we will wrap up this with a discussion of plot and theme. 

Math: In Math, students learned about exponent laws and completed a short concept check on Wednesday. Next week, students will continue practicing problems using the exponent laws and ones that involve order of operations. 

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students learned about the three branches of government with a focus on the legislative branch. Next week, we will examine the electoral system and political parties in Canada. 

Science: In Science, students kicked off the chemistry unit with a lab investigating the physical properties of various substances. Students who missed the lab on Friday, should come see me for Tutorial (Tuesday Lunch). Next week, they’ll continue with another lab on chemical reactions and begin learning about the periodic table. 

Tests & Quizzes: 

• Thursday, September 17: Social Studies Quiz

Upcoming Dates & Reminders: 

Athletic tryout forms and sexual health consent forms have been sent home. Please check with your student to get these signed and brought back ASAP. 

• Tuesday Sept 15: Senior Boys Basketball Tryouts
• Friday Sept 18: Terry Fox Run 
• Thursday Sept 24: Sherburger
• Friday Sept 25: Invite-only Parent Conferences

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9/4/2026

We had a great first week with our grade 9 students! Please see below for details of what we did this week and what’s coming up! 

ELA: This week in ELA student started working in the journal we will be using throughout the year. Students started an introduction to poetry with some creative writing. We also started our word work, with a review of the parts of speech. Next week we will start with a short story exploration and reading comprehension. 

Math: In Math this week, students started learning about exponents and how to calculate the values of them. They also learned how to evaluate powers with negative numbers. Next week, they will have a short assessment on Wednesday on these concepts and will start to learn the Laws of Exponents. 

Social Studies: In Social Studies this week, students began their study with a discussion of issues found in their communities. We went on a community walk where students were able to identify problems they saw and evidence of where the government has an impact. Next week, we will dive deeper into the federal government and its structure. 

Science: In Science this week, students learned about lab safety and WHMIS and they put these skills to the test by completing a penny drop experiment. Next week, students will start their first unit on chemistry discussing how they classify matter and describe its physical properties. There will also be a lab to apply these concepts in. Students received a lab safety contract this week, they need this signed by both themselves and their parent/guardian before they can participate in labs. 

Tests & Quizzes: 

• Math Quiz on Wednesday, Sept 9

Upcoming Dates & Reminders: 

Athletic tryout forms and sexual health consent forms have been sent home. Please check with your student to get these signed and brought back ASAP. 

• Wednesday Sept 9: Picture Day 
• Thursday Sept 10: Senior Boys Basketball Tryouts 
• Tuesday Sept 15: Senior Boys Basketball Tryouts
• Friday Sept 18: Terry Fox Run 
• Thursday Sept 24: Sherburger

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8/27/2026

Welcome to a new school year at Sherwood! We are so excited to welcome your child to Grade 9 and to have the opportunity to learn and grow together this year.

The Grade 9 teaching team is as follows. Please reach out at any time with questions or concerns! 

Our First Day

Our first day of school is Monday, August 31, 2026. You will receive an email from your student’s homeroom teacher with what homeroom they are in and what classroom to meet in on Monday morning. 

Supervision begins at 7:40 a.m., and school starts at 7:55 a.m. Grade 9 students will enter and exit through the West Foyer Door. 

Arrival and Dismissal

Our regular school hours are:

Monday to Thursday: 7:55 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:55 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Morning supervision begins at 7:40 a.m.

Supplies 

Students in grades 7-9 are expected to bring their own school supplies to school and to class each day. Here is the essential list to start the year.  A pencil case they can carry their supplies in will be helpful. Please let us know if you require support in obtaining supplies. 

• Pencils
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Binder
• Dividers
• Lined paper
• Hilroy lined journal (for learning lab)
• Scientific calculator (please label with student name) 
• Dry erase markers (Thin tip)

Throughout the year, students may also require: 

• Pencil Crayons
• Pencil Sharpener
• Fine-tip Sharpie
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Graph paper

A water bottle students can bring from class to class is also helpful, and all students REQUIRE indoor shoes for PE; Crocs or slippers are not permitted. 

Staying Connected

Grade 9 is a very important and fun year as we get ready for high school and celebrate the time students have spent at Sherwood. The Grade 9 team will regularly update the Grade 9 blog with what we are learning, classroom activities, important reminders, field trips, upcoming events, and dates to remember. Please reach out whenever you have a question, concern, or something you think would help us better support your child.