Literacy

Literacy for the 21st century learner encompasses a broad set of skills and competencies, integrated across the Kindergarten to Grade 12 programs of  study. These skills are manifested when students are engaged in authentic, relevant and meaningful learning contexts. Each student must develop competency in reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, representing and numeracy as foundational skills for 21st century learning. Literacy learning involves effective use of:

• Personal and social skills such as collaboration, communication, leadership and  self-direction
• Digital age literacy that includes cultural competence, global awareness, accessing information from a variety of texts and effective use of technology and tools
• Learning and thinking skills such as inquiry based learning, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, number sense, higher order thinking, meta-cognition and and intellectual engagement.

The 21st century learner embraces the pluralism of the contexts in which these skills are applied.    

The 21st century literacy encourages student interaction with a community of learners and promotes self-directed learners.  

Quality assessment and instruction are paramount to the teaching and learning of literacy in language and in all other curricular areas.

Technology

Laurier Heights School is pleased to offer a wide variety of technology-integrated learning experiences to students:

• Staff and student have access to a brand new Library Learning Commons, utilizing programs and internet-based resources to accompany regular curricular activities.
• We are fortunate to have six full Chromebook carts for our students to enhance their learning.
• With full Wi-Fi access, students are encouraged to bring their own Wi-Fi capable devices to school to enhance their learning experience.
• Many of our classrooms are equipped with interactive Smart boards and document cameras which bring a new dimension of learning to our classrooms.