Language Arts

( Natural Beach Living. (2016). 100 reasons why reading is important. Retrieved from  https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/reasons-why-reading-is-important/ ) The knowledge and skills that reading requires is one of the most important skills one can possess. Reading is not only fun, but it also helps the student develop their language skills as well as their understanding of the written word. Reading material comes in a variety of formats such as picture books, novels, graphic novels, audiobooks and should all be explored to allow the student to learn new things and discover what interests them. According to the Ontario Curriculum for grades 1-8 , there are four overall expectations students are meant to achieve: read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning;  recognize a variety of text forms, text features, and stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they help com

What Exactly is Media Literacy? Media literacy is the ability to identify different pieces of media and having the ability to understand the messages they portray. Whether it be on the internet or through TV, apps, magazines or newspapers, media is used in everyday life. Few people truly understand how the media they interact with affects them and those around them in society. Students need to think critically about what media they are consuming to make informed choices. Here is a great introduction to media literacy (CrashCourse. (2018). Introduction to media literacy: Crash course medi a literacy #1. Retrieved from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD7N-1Mj-DU ) The media literacy strand in the Ontario Curriculum for grades 1-8 has four overall expectations that students should be able to: demonstrate an understanding of a variety of media texts;  identify some media forms and explain how the conventions and techniques associated with them are used to create meaning; create