Resources and Curriculum Updates
Chemistry 30 and Physics 30
The 2009/2010 school year will be the last year that the old Diploma Examinations in Chemistry 30 and Physics 30 (1994) will be available. All students currently enrolled in the new programs of study (2007) must write the Diploma Examinations designed for the new courses. Information about the Chemistry 30 and Physics 30 Diploma Examinations is available here: www.education.alberta.ca/admin/testing/diplomaexams/exambulletins.aspx.
Social Studies
This September is the final year of implementation of the revised program of studies for social studies. The revised curriculum focuses on citizenship and identity, including a strong focus on Canadian History throughout K–12. Students learn about our country’s origins, Canada’s role in significant world events, and the ways in which our cultural mosaic has shaped our society by incorporating multiple perspectives, including Francophone, First Nations, Métis and Inuit. More information about the revised program of studies can be found at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/socialstudies.aspx.
Revised mathematics curriculum
The provincial roll-out of the revised math curriculum, which began last fall, continues this September in both English and French in Grades 2, 5 and 8, with optional implementation in Grades 3, 6 and 9. For more information about the revised math curriculum, visit www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/math/programs.aspx.
Support resources are also available in English and French at www.learnalberta.ca.
Language learning
Benefits of learning a second language go beyond being able to speak it. Research affirms the importance of second language education on intellectual potential, scholastic achievement, first language skills, citizenship and the economy.
The Cree Language and Culture Nine-year Program (Grades 4-12) is available for September 2009. More information on the resources can be found at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/fnmi/resources.aspx.
New international languages programs of studies implemented in 2009 include Spanish, Ukrainian, Italian, and Chinese. For details as to levels, please see www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/interlang.aspx.
Planning Tools for Chinese Language Programs consists of 100 instructional and assessment tools for teachers of Chinese language arts and Chinese language and culture programs. The resource is available on Education’s website at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/interlang/chinese.aspx.
Authorized resources for international languages programs are available on the Authorized Resources Database at www.education.alberta.ca/apps/lrdb/.
Tips for Parents, a brochure for parents to support and enhance language learning in the home and the community, is available online at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/resources/learnlang/parents.aspx.
Students with Vision Loss Initiative
Alberta students with vision loss can now access online resources, training and support through one window – the new Vision Education Alberta website at www.vision.alberta.ca.
Education Standing Offers
Alberta Education, in consultation with stakeholders, has established a series of Education Standing Offers for technology products. For more information, visit www.lrc.education.gov.ab.ca.
Come Learn, Teach, and Play with LearnAlberta.ca
LearnAlberta.ca provides online learning and teaching resources directly correlated to what Alberta students are learning in the classroom. Accessible in both English and French, LearnAlberta.ca contains a variety of multimedia resources. Check with your school for current username and password details to gain access to all the resources available on the website at www.learnalberta.ca.
Tools4Teachers
Learn EveryWare (distributed learning) resources are available for September in mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, physics and CTS (Financial Management, Information Processing, and Health Services strands). For a complete listing of resources, visit Tools4Teachers at www.tools4teachers.ca/t4t.
Learning Resources Centre (LRC)
Provides you with easy, online access and customer support services to a wide array of learning and teaching resources supporting the Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum, including Education Standing Offers and specialized services for Alberta students with visual impairments and perceptual disabilities. Explore and stay connected to the latest news at the LRC and within other areas of Alberta Education by visiting our website: http://www.lrc.education.gov.ab.ca/.
New Early Learning Resource
Working with Young Children who are Learning English as a New Language is intended to help early childhood professionals, such as Early Childhood Services (ECS) teachers, playschool teachers, day-home operators and day-care workers, better understand:
- how young children learn a second (or additional) language;
- the relationship between learning the English language, and maintaining and developing the home language and culture; and
- how to develop effective programming that enhances English language learning for young children.
Copies will be mailed to all elementary schools with Early Childhood Services/Kindergarten programs and all approved Early Childhood Services operators before September. For more information, visit www.education.alberta.ca/parents/ecs.aspx.
Early Learning Orientation Sessions
For school jurisdictions and approved private Early Childhood Services, these sessions will provide an opportunity to learn more about services and supports that are available in communities serving children 0-6 years of age and their families. Locations include: Peace River (Sept. 9), Red Deer (Sept. 11), Calgary (Sept. 16), Lethbridge (Sept. 17) and Edmonton (Sept. 21).
