Resources by Subject → Junior

A Guide to Effective Literacy Instruction (Grades 4 – 6) Volume 7 Media Literacy (2008)

Volume 7, “Media Literacy”, builds on the research findings and best practices in Literacy for Learning: The Report of the Expert Panel on Literacy in Grades 4 to 6 in Ontario. It provides a framework for the expectations in the Media Literacy strand of the Language curriculum (2006). It emphasizes the importance of developing a critical awareness of the media and describes effective ways of teaching about and using media. Media literacy instruction can be woven into all areas of the curriculum not only the learning expectations in all the Language strands (Reading, Writing, Oral Communication, and Media Literacy) but also other curriculum subject areas.

A Guide to Effective Literacy Instruction (Grades 4 – 6) Volume 7 Media Literacy

Guide to Effective Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume 1 (2006)

The Guide to Effective Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume One: Foundations of Literacy Instruction for the Junior Learner presents the knowledge, skills, and principles of effective instruction.

Guide to Effective Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume 1, 2006

Guide to Effective Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume 3 (2006)

Guide to Effective Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume 3: Planning and Classroom Management. Planning for literacy instruction, classroom environment, and resources.

Guide to Effective Literacy Grades 4-6 Volume 3, 2006

Role Cards for Literature Circles

These reproducible role cards briefly explain each literature circle member’s role and there are prompts for each member to respond to when they participate in the discussion.

Role Cards for Literature Circles

Anchor Chart for ‘Just Right’ Texts

This chart explains the five-finger method for choosing a book. When trying to select a book a student should open the book to a random page and begin reading. If he or she comes across five words they do not understand then the book is too difficult.

Anchor Chart for ‘Just Right’ Texts

Content Literacy

This document from the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat’s Research into Practice series addresses the question: how can we teach content literacy to elementary students? It discusses the challenges that students face when it comes to reading informational texts that contain vocabulary and concepts that are foreign to them. The author presents teaching strategies and tips to assist teachers in helping students to overcome those challenges.

Content Literacy

Learning Blocks for Literacy and Numeracy

This article, from the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat’s ‘Reasearch into Practice’ series discusses the importance of having 100-120 minute blocks for literacy learning and 60-70 minute blocks for numeracy learning. Emphasis is placed on the fact that learning blocks allow for differentiated learning. The author also suggests tips for planning a classroom timetable in addition to outlining a sample instructional sequence for learning blocks.

Learning Blocks for Literacy and Numeracy

Balanced Literacy Diagram

This diagram shows the main components of balanced literacy program as well as the main features of each component.

Balanced Literacy Diagram

Using Bloom’s Taxonomy in Reading Instruction

This is a one-page graphic representation of how to connect Bloom’s Taxonomy with reading instruction.

Using Bloom’s Taxonomy in Reading Instruction

The Ontario Curriculum Exemplars Grade 1-8 Writing (1999)

The Ontario Curriculum Exemplars are intended to provide a model for planning, assessing, and improving student work across Ontario. The exemplars give Ontario teachers the opportunity to view graded student work that is based on tasks that were designed with the curriculum expectations in mind and assessed according to the four levels of achievement outlined in the curriculum. The specific goals behind publishing the exemplars are: to show examples of student work at each of the four levels of achievement; to work toward consistency in assessment across the province; to demonstrate an approach to student learning that is based on clear criteria; and to highlight the links between the curriculum expectations and assessment.

Ontario Curriculum Writing Exemplars Grade 1-8