Grade 9 is a transitional time for many students across Canada. In most provinces, grade 9 marks the start of secondary school or high school. Students go from being the oldest in their elementary, junior high, or middle school, and are suddenly the youngest in a much larger school community. There are a whole new set of social pressures, higher academic expectations, and the postsecondary years looming closely ahead. At the same time, grade 9 is an exhilarating time of self discovery, new friendships, and the wonder of shifting from adolescence into young adulthood.
As exciting as this moment in life can be, students must continue to be focused on their studies. And while it may seem unfair to be so focused on getting good grades in science while so much in your life is changing, it is important to remember that you are still building a foundation of knowledge and academic achievement that is critical for your senior years in secondary school and beyond.
If you are a student with a love for chemistry and science class, and are looking to pursue chemistry-related studies in college or university, you will certainly want to start strong in your grade 9 courses. You may want to think of your grade 9 chemistry and science courses as a warm-up before you start taking the courses that will show up on transcripts for university applications. And while this may seem like an opportunity to take it easy, keep in mind that these intermediate courses will help you to establish the study habits and scientific knowledge you'll need to be successful in grades 11 and 12.
Let's take a closer look at the ways you can study and prepare yourself for grade 9 chemistry.
Wondering what science and chemistry will be like in secondary school? Not sure what to expect when you start grade 9 science? The reality of secondary school chemistry may be much less daunting than you think.
How Will the Chemistry Teacher Support My Learning?
Your chemistry or science teacher can play a significant role in your success as a student in grade 9. A strong science teacher will be organized, have a long-range plan for learning, and be able to differentiate instruction for students with diverse needs. They will use a variety of teaching tools to reach students of all learning styles and offer opportunities to build collaboration skills with your peers. Ideally, they are also passionate and highly knowledgeable about the subject matter and will get you excited about learning chemistry!
Strong science teachers will also ensure that you have access to the resources you will need to be successful in the course through tests, assignments, exams, and other assessments. If you don't feel equipped enough to be successful, it is a good idea to communicate with your teacher about how you are feeling about the learning. Being able to advocate for your needs as a learner is critical to your academic success. Perhaps you would like your teacher to provide more explicit instruction on what the success criteria for learning is; maybe you need to have certain concepts presented in a different format so you can have a clearer understanding. In any case, if you can get help directly from your teacher, you will be in a much better position in your chemistry class.
Is it Possible to Take Chemistry Online?
It is absolutely possible to take science and chemistry courses online, but it is always important to remember that learning online takes a different set of study skills to be successful. Online learning isn't for everyone: those that learn best through face-to-face collaboration and discussions may find virtual learning to be quite challenging and isolating.
To find out if online chemistry courses are indeed available, you will need to check the website of your school board. Here are some of the learning skills and behaviours you will want to have in place before taking secondary chemistry lessons online.
Strong Reading and Literacy Skills
Much of virtual learning takes place through assigned readings and self-guided exploration, so you will want to be fairly adept in consuming information and identifying key points. Much learning will take place on virtual boards, chat rooms, research projects, and the submission of written work, so you will also want to make sure you have solid writing skills.
Independent Learning Skills
Online learning can mean having a lot of flexibility and freedom with your time, especially since you will not have to commute or get ready in the morning. Unlike in person learning, there is no teacher to remind you to stay on task or put away your phone. As such, you may find yourself easily distracted by your surroundings or even tempted to play games or watch videos instead of following the class. This is where having strong independent learning skills fit in: you will need to be disciplined and committed to your learning online to ensure that you keep up with the work.
A Passion or Strong Interest in Scientific Inquiry
Learning science or chemistry online will mean that you do not have access to all the lab resources in the classroom. Therefore, to make science come to life and to understand the content better, you will need to be creative in your home. Use your kitchen, outdoor space, or even a bathroom as a place to conduct simple experiments so you are not only reading, listening, or watching chemistry but becoming an active participant in your learning.
Starting secondary school is no walk in the park, especially if you are pursuing studies in chemistry. Learn more about balancing your academic learning and all the stressors that come with grade 9!
What are the Best Ways to get Chemistry Help?
It is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by your chemistry and science courses in secondary school. Expectations for learning can be rigorous and challenging, and many students often find themselves feeling lost or behind in their work. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to get up to speed in your learning.
Start by using the resources you have right in front of you: a textbook, a set of assigned readings, or notes from class. Connect with a classmate who is keeping up, and ask them what they are doing to stay on top of their assignments and readings. Talk about what you are learning with your classmates, and see if they can help clarify some concepts or ideas you are struggling with. If there is someone at home that is strong in the sciences, ask them for help. You might be surprised to know how many resources you have in your surroundings!
What exactly will you learn in grade 9 chemistry? Find out everything you need to know about intermediate science and chemistry classes.
Is it Easy to Find Chemistry Help Online?
The internet is a vast trove of information, and you will find no shortage of science videos, summaries, explainers, and articles that can help you to better comprehend what is happening in your classroom. Should you be consulting the internet for answers, make sure you are using trusted sites or check a variety of sources to ensure that you are getting the most accurate information. Bookmark the sites you find the most useful so you can come back to them whenever you need help.
Thinking of hiring a chemistry tutor? Read all the benefits of hiring a tutor for your science courses in secondary school.
What are the Benefits of a Chemistry Online Tutor?
If you are finding that simply searching answers on the internet is not enough, you may want to consider hiring a private science or chemistry tutor. A tutor can work with you online or safely in person to review new learning or tough concepts, prepare you for major tests or assessments, and provide feedback on research projects and papers. Tutors can provide valuable one-to-one support that is simply impossible to get in busy classrooms where the teacher may not have the time to work with every student individually. You can work with a tutor to identify learning goals that are right for you, at times that align with your extracurricular schedule or family commitments.
Wondering what courses to take once you are finished grade 9 science coursework? Find out more about the academic pathways in chemistry you can choose from.
How Can I Find a Chemistry Tutor Toronto?
Looking for a chemistry tutor in Toronto? You are in one of the best places in Canada to find someone to help you with Science work. Toronto is a vast multicultural city with so many tutors at varying levels of expertise and different skillsets. To find the right chemistry or science tutor for you, check out the Superprof Canada site. You can use the search tool to browse through dozens of tutors in Toronto, and message them through the site to determine whether or not they will be a good fit for your or your child's needs.
Find a chemistry tutor on Superprof today!
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