About the Curriculum2016/2015 Themes:
The HPAS theme this year is ‘Food for Thought’.
hunger, poverty, inequality, discrimination, water rights, indigenous rights, trans rights and more …
many current injustices may spark the activist voice of our students
Themes are taken primarily from the social studies or science strands of the curriculum.
Language Arts:
A large block of time each morning is dedicated specifically to literacy skills development. Students participate in shared writing activities daily and independent journals. Our spelling program is teacher created and related to student grade/ability and integrated within our classroom activities. *Media Literacy taught by Lillian
The curriculum focuses on students' ability to:
- communicate ideas and information for specific purposes and to specific audiences;
- write materials that show a growing ability to express their points of view and to reflect on their own experiences;
- produce pieces of writing using a variety of forms;
- understanding form and style, language structures (grammar), vocabulary and conventions (capitalization, punctuation, spelling).
Mathematics
The areas of number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra and data management and probability are covered with large and small group lessons and activities, individual written practice and homework. Remember that a strong knowledge of all strands, not just number sense and numeration, is key to a full understanding of the program. A strong focus is problem solving, with students thinking through answers and explaining understanding using Words, Images and Numbers (it’s a “WINing” strategy!).
Science and Technology & Social Studies:
While both grades work together on a common theme and learn about both the grade 1 and the grade 2 strands, the focus for each grade is determined by the specific curriculum expectations. Students work on understanding basic concepts, developing skills of inquiry, and relating learning to real life experiences.
Year B (2016/2017)
Life Systems:
Grade 1 “Needs and Characteristics of Living Things”
Grade 2 “Growth and Changes in Animals”
Earth and Space Systems:
Grade 1 “Daily and Seasonal Changes”
Grade 2 “Air and Water in the Environment”
People and Environments:
Grade 1 “The Local Community”
Grade 2 “Global Communities”
Year A (2017/2018)
Structures and Mechanisms
Grade 1 "Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures"
Grade 2 "Movement"
Matter and Energy:
Grade 1 "Energy in our Lives"
Grade 2 "Properties of Liquids and Solids"
Heritage and Identity:
Grade 1 Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities
Grade 2 Changing Family and Community Traditions
Physical Education:
Healthy Living, Fundamental Movement Skills and Active Participation. There is swim once every 10 school days.
The Arts:
Curriculum covers knowledge of the elements, creative work and critical thinking. The students learn to express their ideas effectively, to understand form and explore meaning through dance, music , visual arts and drama.
Ontario Curriculum Documents and Exemplars can be accessed online
The HPAS theme this year is ‘Food for Thought’.
hunger, poverty, inequality, discrimination, water rights, indigenous rights, trans rights and more …
many current injustices may spark the activist voice of our students
Themes are taken primarily from the social studies or science strands of the curriculum.
Language Arts:
A large block of time each morning is dedicated specifically to literacy skills development. Students participate in shared writing activities daily and independent journals. Our spelling program is teacher created and related to student grade/ability and integrated within our classroom activities. *Media Literacy taught by Lillian
The curriculum focuses on students' ability to:
- communicate ideas and information for specific purposes and to specific audiences;
- write materials that show a growing ability to express their points of view and to reflect on their own experiences;
- produce pieces of writing using a variety of forms;
- understanding form and style, language structures (grammar), vocabulary and conventions (capitalization, punctuation, spelling).
Mathematics
The areas of number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra and data management and probability are covered with large and small group lessons and activities, individual written practice and homework. Remember that a strong knowledge of all strands, not just number sense and numeration, is key to a full understanding of the program. A strong focus is problem solving, with students thinking through answers and explaining understanding using Words, Images and Numbers (it’s a “WINing” strategy!).
Science and Technology & Social Studies:
While both grades work together on a common theme and learn about both the grade 1 and the grade 2 strands, the focus for each grade is determined by the specific curriculum expectations. Students work on understanding basic concepts, developing skills of inquiry, and relating learning to real life experiences.
Year B (2016/2017)
Life Systems:
Grade 1 “Needs and Characteristics of Living Things”
Grade 2 “Growth and Changes in Animals”
Earth and Space Systems:
Grade 1 “Daily and Seasonal Changes”
Grade 2 “Air and Water in the Environment”
People and Environments:
Grade 1 “The Local Community”
Grade 2 “Global Communities”
Year A (2017/2018)
Structures and Mechanisms
Grade 1 "Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures"
Grade 2 "Movement"
Matter and Energy:
Grade 1 "Energy in our Lives"
Grade 2 "Properties of Liquids and Solids"
Heritage and Identity:
Grade 1 Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities
Grade 2 Changing Family and Community Traditions
Physical Education:
Healthy Living, Fundamental Movement Skills and Active Participation. There is swim once every 10 school days.
The Arts:
Curriculum covers knowledge of the elements, creative work and critical thinking. The students learn to express their ideas effectively, to understand form and explore meaning through dance, music , visual arts and drama.
Ontario Curriculum Documents and Exemplars can be accessed online