Academic Strategies for Independent School Learning
This course provides direct instruction in the effective use of skills and strategies to support independence, especially in the areas of goal setting and action-planning, organizing materials and time, literacy, numeracy and content-area learning.. As well, instruction will focus on applying and transferring the skills and strategies learned to student’s content-area work so that they can become more effective and Independent School learners.
This course is designed to meet the needs of students who meet Min.of Ed. designation criteria for Learning Disabilities or who have learning differences that impede their access to or engagement with grade level curriculum. These students will benefit from comprehensive supports including those outlined within their IEP or Learning Plan as well as this course which provides direct instruction in learning strategies through a gradual release of responsibility model.
*Understanding one’s own learning profile helps inform personal planning and goal setting *Understanding classroom curriculum ‘learning targets’ makes them more achievable Actively engaging in planning and goal setting increases independence and success *Finding solutions in circumstances that feel challenging requires persistence and focus *Key learning strategies provide insights that are transferable
Through application and transfer of learned skills and strategies, the goal of this course is to support students to become Independent School, strategic, self-directed learners. In doing so, the course supports students in navigating their enrolled content-area classes.