How to Navigate De-Streamed Courses
Ontario’s math curriculum has recently transitioned from academic and applied streams to simply one course for all grade 9 students to mitigate learning barriers in classrooms.
Although this can seem like a significantly large change with the elimination of previous courses and the subsequent introduction of a brand-new course, the tips below are sure to help your child succeed in their new courses!
Understand the Course Expectations
During the first week of your classes, make sure you understand course syllabus!
The syllabus outlines all curriculum expectations and a prerequisite checklist required for your success in the course.
As you look through this, specifically the prerequisite checklist, ensure that you can understand the academic skills you need. If anything on the checklist seems confusing or unfamiliar, revisit your course work from the previous grades to re-learn content you may have forgotten.
Complete all Beginning of the Year Review Packages
Before beginning curriculum work at the start of the school year, your teacher will hopefully review important topics covered in previous courses (grades 7 and 8).
To supplement this, your homework will likely consist of review packages to ensure you understand the material and are ready to dive into the current course work.
If while working through the review, you find yourself having some difficulty, do not ignore this! Ask your teacher or peers for help to ensure you completely understand the concepts to avoid difficulty in the upcoming months.
Create a Study Plan
Assessments and evaluations will occur throughout your de-streamed courses, so you must have an excellent understanding of course materials.
It will be helpful to create a study plan and follow-through before major assessments. Refer to your course syllabus and/or unit outline before assessments to make sure you meet all outlined expectations.
Review course content each day and prepare for tests/quizzes well ahead of time. Leaving all your studying last minute might create unnecessary stress.
Your unit outline is likely to have homework questions following each in-class lesson. These are great resources for you to check your understanding and determine if you need additional help with certain aspects of the unit section.
Do Not be Afraid to Ask for Help
Courses in secondary school can progress at a faster pace than you may be used to. You must stay up-to-date on your homework and curriculum expectations. This will help you determine if you need any additional assistance with any aspect of your current unit.
If you do, do not be afraid to ask your teacher for help! Remember, your teachers want to set you up for success! Teachers have multiple resources that they can often provide for students who require some additional assistance, which will ultimately improve your grades!
Form a study group.
To help with understanding the course content, form a study group with your peers! This is a great opportunity to help one another with the course material.
A study group is also a wonderful way to prepare for assessments by completing unit-review packages together, comparing answers, and testing one another through creative ways (e.g., flashcards, math games).
In addition to study groups, attending tutoring sessions where you get to work one on one with a tutor will also help improve your understanding of concepts.
Remember, if you feel you are struggling, odds are you are not alone!
© Sabrina Morgan