New curriculum builds on existing learning program
As a parent of an elementary student, you’re probably wondering what changes you’ll notice in your child’s education as a result of the new provincial curriculum.
The new curriculum, released in late June, provides specific grade-by-grade expectations for language and math for grades 1 to 8. All of the expectations are mandatory, and they are the same across the province. The new curriculum is also intended to help prepare students for the new four-year secondary school program.
The Ministry of Education and Training has told school boards that elementary curriculum for other subjects is also being developed. Science and technology curriculum will be next, and the government has said that the remaining subjects will be ready by the end of the school year.
Grade-by-grade expectations organized into main topics
The language curriculum organized expectations into three "strands" or three main areas of language use - writing, reading, and oral and visual communication.
The math expectations are organized into five strands or major areas of math knowledge and skills - number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra, and data management and probability. The math curriculum requires students to understand a range of math concepts, memorize necessary math facts, learn and practice standard math procedures and apply math in real-world situations.
All strands of mathematics require students to engage in problem solving. In solving problems, students are expected to use technology effectively, develop the ability to work with others, and learn the benefit of talking about math.
Student progress will be rated based on four levels of achievement
The curriculum documents contain two elements: expectations and achievement levels. The expectations for each grade describe the knowledge and skills students are expected to develop and demonstrate.
The achievement levels are descriptions of four possible levels of student achievement. Level 3 is achievement that meets the expectations specified for the grade. Levels 1 and 2 identify achievement below the expectations, and Level 4 is achievement that surpasses expectations.
The new curriculum is linked to the new provincial report card that is being introduced by the province during the 1997-98 school year. The new report card will report on the achievement level students have attained. A number of schools in Peel will begin to implement the new report card.
What will be happening in your child's classroom?
As a parent, you’re probably wondering what differences you’ll notice in your child’s classroom learning program. Well, many things will remain the same.
As the ministry has said, the new curriculum will begin to be implemented over the course of the 1997-98 school year. Your school is part of the implementation process.
The new curriculum builds on what teachers are already doing. New expectations for each grade will be integrated into the existing teaching program.
In the classroom, children will continue to work on their own and in groups to solve problems. Even though the curriculum lists expectations by subject, teachers will continue to combine - or "integrate" - different subjects in their classroom programs. As the curriculum points out, students use language skills in all areas of study. They also use math in many curriculum areas, such as science and music.
Teachers will also continue to consider the development and unique learning needs of each child - not all children will learn the expected skills and knowledge in the same order or at the same time.
As well, teachers will keep on using many strategies to assess student progress. They will continue to use tests and quizzes, observations, assignments, oral presentations, portfolios and many other methods to determine how well students are meeting the expectations in the new curriculum.
What about special education? What about English as a second language?
The new curriculum affirms the belief that all children can learn. The curriculum states that the expectations for each grade are the expectations for all students.
However, special education students will continue to have an individual education plan (IEP) to meet their individual learning needs. The new curriculum states that ESL students need to be given time to develop their skills in English before their achievement can be assessed by the criteria used for other students.
Parents' role is vital to child's success
The new curriculum recognizes the vital role of parents in helping their children be successful in school.
The first step is awareness. There are a number of ways you can learn more about the new language and math curriculum.
- Speak to your child’s teacher or principal to find out more about what is happening in your child’s classroom and school.
- In the months to come, watch for other fact sheets that will provide more information about specific topics such as:
- -meeting the needs of ESL/ELD students in Peel schools
-the new report card
-assessing student progress
-what to do if your child’s achievement does not meet the expectation
These fact sheets will come to you from your child’s school.
- -meeting the needs of ESL/ELD students in Peel schools
- Look at the curriculum yourself. Copies are available for you to look at in your child’s school. You can also request your free copy of the two curriculum books by calling the Ministry of Education and Training, 416-326-5300 or 1-800-668-9938 or www.edu.gov.on.ca
- Your school has a video of a speech by Pauline Laing, director of the curriculum branch of the ministry. This 30-minute video introduces the new curriculum to teachers. Speak to your principal if you wish to borrow this video.
