Courses

Grades 5 and 6:

At HGI, students in grades 5 and 6 participate in curricular delivery in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, French, Physical Education, Health and Art. 

Grade 5 students have one homeroom teacher who delivers the core content. All grade 5 students participate in a Music Program. Students have specialist teachers for French, Physical Education and Music. 

Grade 6 students are placed in a homeroom. During grade 6, students begin to switch teachers for their core classes. Grade 6 students participate in both Art and Band and are then asked to make an informed choice about which program they will continue in grade 7. Teachers assist students at this grade level to gain independent and personal management skills to organize time, assignments and activities.

Grades 7 and 8:

Students in grade 7 and 8 participate in curricular delivery in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, French, Physical Education and Health. Students are placed in homerooms and travel as a group to core and specialist classes. 

In these grade levels, students choose between Art or Band. Applied Arts are introduced in Grade 7. Students have experience in Graphics and Sewing in Grade 7; Graphics and Cooking in Grade 8. 

Typically the cores subject are taught to grade 7 and 8 students by two or three teachers. Specialist teachers add to the number of teachers a grade 7 or 8 student sees in one day. Personal organization of time and materials becomes increasingly important. Teachers work with students to assist in the development of personal management skills.  

Grade 9:

The high school credit system begins at grade 9. The expectation is for students to achieve 8 credits during their grade 9 year. Students are grouped in homerooms for the core subjects of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Health. 

Even though Physical Education is a compulsory credit, it is aligned with option block. Students will be in a different grouping for Physical Education and for each of their options. Enrolment in these option credits is dependent on student choice. Delivery in a semestered program proved difficult as the pace is quick. There are so many outcomes to cover, students experienced difficulty retaining content. To remedy this for the introduction to high school credits, HGI switched to a non-semestered program a number of years ago. The exception are the two half credits; one is taken by students in the first semester, another in the second semester. Students pick two full credit options and two half credit options from the list of options offered. Half of the Jazz Band option and all of Choral are offered outside the timetable allowing students to achieve additional option credits at HGI. 

Time management becomes a critical factor at grade 9 as students balance the increased number assignments and assessments and quick pace of instruction. Teachers are available for extra help. Students are expected to ensure they schedule time for completing work, especially if they are balancing extracurricular activities. 

Grade 9 Options:

Click Here for more information about the Grade 9 Option Courses