Learning requirements are defined for three
grade levels: Primary to Grade 6, Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12. Each level
has required courses and different goals and objectives.5
Primary to Grade 6 (Elementary School)
In the early elementary years structured or focused play, guided and facilitated
by teachers, allows students to develop social skills and to use language
meaningfully. In later elementary years the play becomes more sophisticated
as students are able to deal with abstract concepts, generalize experiences,
learn from texts and work independently. The elementary program should
offer all students the following experiences on a daily basis:
- Explore experiment and make approximations.
- Make choices, and reflect upon the decisions they make.
- Work in a variety of groups.
- Use many different communication modes: e.g. writing, drama, sculpture,
drawing, dance, talk and music.
- Learn through play and games.
- Manipulate a wide variety of materials across all subject areas.
- Reflect on and articulate what and how they have learned.
- Describe their efforts and accomplishments.
MARITIME FUNDING
In the 1996 edition of Education Indicators for
Atlantic Canada, the costs of education within the Atlantic Provinces
were analyzed in five comparative lights: Direct Instruction and Support,
Administration and Operations, Capital Debt Service/Construction,
Excluded Costs, and Operating Expenditures. The study showed that
between 70-80% of Department of Education finances, for each province,
are spent on instructional and support activities. Nova Scotia expends
the most finances per student and PEI the least. Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick have lower administrative costs than PEI. By introducing
measures like shared administrative support services for student transportation.
building maintenance, information technology services, human resources
and financial services, attempts are being made reduce administrative
costs in each of four provinces.6
Grades 7-9 (Junior High School)
The junior high public school program must offer support for adolescent
growth and socialization, while developing a successful learning culture
in a safe and healthy environment. The aims of the junior high program
are to instill confidence by facilitating creative exploration in a variety
of activities through independent and collaborative learning. The program
strives to build understanding of the principles of social justice; human
rights and democracy; racial, gender, ethnic and cultural equality and
respect for and sensitivity to differences in abilities, values and lifestyles.
Students in junior high should be given opportunities to:
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