Students heading back to class in the fall will explore a new language curriculum, a new technology course, and learn about mental health.
As part of the new language curriculum, students between Grades 1 and 9 will begin learning a new language curriculum that puts a focus on “time-tested practices” such as phonics, cursive writing, digital literacy, word processing, and critical thinking skills.
The province has also included a minimum of 30 minutes of “daily protected and dedicated time for reading instruction.”
Officials have previously described the changes as a “massive overhaul” of the English and French language curriculums, which uses a new strand structure involving foundational reading and writing, digital literacy and connections to diverse voices.
Instead of taking a computer studies course, Grade 10 students will study “Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World.”
In this class, students will learn “computational thinking” and will explore the impacts of technological innovation and cybersecurity on their daily lives. They will also develop an understanding of modern hardware devices and software applications, while building on coding skills learned in previous grades.
New mental health modules will be launched on Sept. 9 for students in Grades 7 and 8 as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.
Students will learn practical strategies to manage and reduce stress, such as mindfulness, as well as explore how to recognize mental health issues. The module will also provide resources on how to get more support for mental health.
After overhauling the math curriculum in 2020, the government is investing an additional $71 million to boost math performance through the use of “Math Action Teams,” which will be deployed to priority schools and boards to improve math achievements
The province will double the number of math coaches working in Grades 3, 6 and 9, and establish a “Board Math Lead” for each school board.