Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 9 The Arts
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of visual and performing arts through hands on practice and critical analysis. Students develop technical skills while exploring how art reflects and shapes personal and cultural identity.
01Visual Language and Composition
Students explore the elements and principles of design through drawing and painting to build a foundation for visual communication.
Investigating how different mark making techniques convey emotion and physical depth in two dimensional work, focusing on line and shape.
Exploring how artists create the illusion of three-dimensional form and manipulate positive and negative space on a two-dimensional surface.
Applying color relationships and value scales to create the illusion of three dimensional space on a flat surface.
Investigating how actual and implied texture add sensory experience and how value scales create contrast and depth.
Learning to organize visual elements using the rule of thirds, symmetry, and focal points to engage the audience.
Exploring how contrast creates visual interest and how unity brings disparate elements together for a cohesive artwork.
Understanding how artists guide the viewer's eye through a composition using rhythm, repetition, and implied motion.
Practicing observational drawing skills through still life arrangements, focusing on proportion, perspective, and shading.
Learning the fundamentals of one-point and two-point perspective to create the illusion of depth and distance in drawings.
02The Actor's Instrument
An introduction to theater arts focusing on vocal expression, physical movement, and the foundations of character development.
Developing body awareness and non verbal communication skills to build believable characters on stage.
Exploring how pitch, pace, and projection allow an actor to fill a space and convey subtext.
Practicing clear speech and articulation to ensure every word is understood by the audience, even in large venues.
Practicing the 'Yes And' principle to build collaborative scenes and develop quick thinking skills.
Exploring how characters' motivations (objectives) and challenges (obstacles) drive dramatic action.
Developing techniques to command attention on stage and establish a compelling connection with the audience.
Analyzing and performing short scenes to apply foundational acting techniques and understand dramatic structure.
Exploring techniques for accessing and utilizing personal emotions and sensory experiences to enhance character portrayal.
Understanding how to move purposefully on stage, including entrances, exits, crosses, and stage pictures, to enhance storytelling.
03Musical Structures and Soundscapes
Students analyze the building blocks of music and explore how sound is organized to create meaning and cultural identity.
Understanding the mathematical and physical foundations of time in music across various genres.
Examining how sequences of notes create emotional tension and resolution, focusing on melodic contour and phrasing.
Understanding how simultaneous sounds create emotional tension and resolution through chord progressions and harmonic relationships.
Exploring the unique sound qualities of different instruments and voices, and how they contribute to a musical soundscape.
Analyzing common musical forms (e.g., ABA, verse-chorus) and how they organize musical ideas over time.
Investigating how geography and history shape the instruments and scales used in music from African and American cultures.
Exploring the diverse musical practices, instruments, and theoretical frameworks from Asian and European traditions.
Analyzing how musical elements evoke specific emotions and how cultural context influences emotional perception of music.
Learning the basics of reading and writing musical notation, including notes, rests, clefs, and time signatures.
04Art in Context: History and Criticism
A survey of major art movements and the development of skills to interpret and critique works of art.
Analyzing how artists use their work to respond to political events and social injustices.
Comparing the transition from realistic representation to the subjective capture of light and atmosphere.
Exploring artists who pushed beyond Impressionism, emphasizing emotional expression and symbolic meaning.
Analyzing how artists broke down traditional forms and explored multiple perspectives and movement.
Investigating art movements that embraced the irrational, dreams, and anti-art sentiments.
Exploring how artists responded to mass media, advertising, and consumerism in the mid-20th century.
Exploring how museums choose what to display and the controversies surrounding cultural ownership.
Developing skills to interpret and critique works of art using formal analysis, focusing on elements and principles.
Surveying early human artistic expression and the foundational principles of art in ancient civilizations.
05Movement and Choreography
An exploration of dance as a medium for storytelling and the technical principles of body alignment.
Breaking down movement into space, time, force, and body to understand choreographic intent, focusing on space.
Exploring how tempo, duration, and rhythmic patterns influence the emotional narrative of a choreographic work.
Understanding how the quality of movement (e.g., strong, light, sharp, fluid) communicates intent and emotion.
Developing awareness of proper body alignment and engaging core muscles for stability, balance, and injury prevention.
Using symbolic movement to communicate specific stories or abstract concepts without speech.
Working in groups to create original sequences that balance individual expression with ensemble precision.
Exploring the origins and cultural significance of traditional dance forms from various global regions.
Tracing the development of modern and contemporary dance, focusing on key innovators and their artistic philosophies.
Learning and practicing effective warm-up routines to prepare the body for dance and cool-down exercises for recovery and flexibility.
06Media Arts and Digital Identity
Students use digital tools to explore photography, film, and graphic design in the contemporary world.
Understanding cinematography techniques, including camera angles, shots, and movement, to create compelling short form media.
Exploring editing techniques and the role of sound design in creating a cohesive and impactful film narrative.
Learning fundamental photographic composition rules, including rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing.
Understanding the principles of light, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to control exposure and creative effects.
Exploring the intersection of art and commerce through typography, icons, and layout.
Designing visual identities for brands, focusing on logo creation, color palettes, and consistent visual messaging.
Discussing the impact of photo editing and AI on our perception of reality and beauty.
Exploring responsible and ethical behavior in digital environments, including copyright, privacy, and online reputation.
Exploring basic animation principles like squash and stretch, anticipation, and timing to create believable motion.
07Interdisciplinary Arts: Connections and Careers
Students explore the intersections between different art forms and investigate career pathways in the arts.
Examining how emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive installations are shaping contemporary art.
Analyzing how artists use their creative practice to advocate for social and environmental change.
Exploring strategies for artists to market their work, build a professional presence, and promote their creative endeavors.
Guiding students in selecting, documenting, and presenting their best work for academic or professional purposes.
Investigating diverse career paths within visual arts, including fine art, illustration, graphic design, and art therapy.
Exploring professional roles in theater, dance, and music, from performance to production and arts administration.
Examining how arts organizations contribute to community development, education, and cultural enrichment.
Students apply their accumulated knowledge and skills to create and present a culminating art project or performance.
Exploring the historical and contemporary intersections between artistic practice and scientific inquiry.
08Creative Process and Self-Expression
Students explore various creative processes, develop personal artistic voices, and reflect on their journey of self-expression through art.
Learning various methods for generating creative ideas, including mind mapping, free association, and visual journaling.
Encouraging students to experiment with new materials, techniques, and approaches, embracing failure as part of the learning process.
Guiding students to identify and cultivate their unique perspectives, styles, and thematic interests in their artwork.
Practicing constructive critique skills and developing self-reflection habits to evaluate and refine artistic work.
Exploring the therapeutic benefits of creative expression and how art can be used for personal well-being and emotional processing.
Learning to articulate artistic intentions, processes, and influences in a written artist's statement.
Understanding the protocols and best practices for presenting artwork in galleries or performing on stage.
Exploring strategies and techniques to overcome creative blocks and maintain artistic momentum.
Investigating the benefits and challenges of collaborative artistic projects across different disciplines.