Grade 4 to Grade 6
The curricula, at these levels, encourages the students to practise, refine, and integrate the numeracy and literacy competencies that were developed in the earlier grades into all subjects. In addition, there is more technological and scientific learning, combined with a larger focus on becoming a successful, respectful member of society. Students also start reflecting on future paths. Students explore and discover their interests, abilities, and passions; they start to identify goals. Children get access to a variety of tools that introduce them to the world of work as they broaden their knowledge of future possibilities.
Reading, writing, and speaking skills are taught across subject areas so that students may develop stronger communication skills through an inquiry-based approach. The inquiry-based approach is a teaching and learning approach that puts the student at the center of the learning experience, giving them opportunities to ask questions, generate ideas and make observations.
Teachers play a vital role throughout the process, fostering an environment where the ideas of others can be challenged in a respectful way, tested, redefined and improved. In a personalized, inquiry-based environment, the students work on integrated projects, asking questions and seeking answers, looking for solutions to big problems that require knowledge in the different subject areas. This process develops the core competencies as defined in the essential graduation competencies document. These competencies have been adjusted to reflect the developmental stages of the students in grades 4 to 6.
Grade 7 and Grade 8
Curriculum learning outcomes at Grades 7 and 8 emphasize the development of transdisciplinary skills, and promote an inquiry-based approach. The inquiry-based approach is a teaching and learning approach that puts the student at the center of the learning experience, giving them opportunities to ask questions, generate ideas and make observations.
Teachers play a vital role throughout the process, fostering an environment where the ideas of others can be challenged in a respectful way, tested, redefined and improved.
A student's schedule in Grades 7 and 8 is organized into two main blocks: the literacy block which includes language arts, social studies, visual arts, and personal and social development; the numeracy block which includes mathematics, technology and science. The other remaining subjects are taught individually.
The development of good communicators continues to be of great importance. To do this, reading, writing and oral communication skills are taught and worked in all areas. Learning activities are structured in such a way that inquiry is at the center of these activities, allowing students to ask themselves questions in order to search and find their answers within multidisciplinary projects.
In 2019/2020, there are 26 schools who are implementing renewed curricula in grades 7 and 8 with the intent that all schools will be offering the new competency-based, skills-focused curricula by the 2020/2021 school year. Full implementation will take place the following school
year.