Building Strong Foundations in Literacy for Lifelong Success

Our goal is to foster a love for reading, writing, and communication, rooted in our Catholic values, for all students. We are committed to supporting literacy development from the earliest years, through to graduation. This includes helping our youngest learners develop a strong foundation for reading and writing, building upon these skills throughout the elementary grades, and consolidating them for success in high school and beyond.

The new Ontario curriculum, implemented in September 2023, is designed to give students the foundational skills they need to succeed. It emphasizes a structured and explicit approach to literacy development, focusing on four key areas:

• Foundations of Language: This area focuses on core skills like oral language, word-level reading and spelling, and phonics. Students learn the relationship between sounds and letters, and how to apply the patterns of language to become confident readers and writers.
• Comprehension: Students are taught strategies to understand and respond to a wide range of texts, including traditional books, digital media, and oral presentations. This includes critical thinking skills to analyze information and make connections between what they read and the world around them.
• Composition: This section of the curriculum focuses on writing as a complex process. Students learn to plan, research, organize, and create their own texts for various purposes and audiences.
• Literacy Connections and Applications: This is where students apply their literacy skills across all subjects and in their daily lives. It includes developing digital literacy skills to interact safely and responsibly online.

How to Support Your Child’s Literacy at Home

The Ministry of Education has provided a Parent’s Guide to Language, Grades 1-8 that offers valuable strategies. You don’t need to do everything; choose the strategies that work best for your family and commit to supporting literacy development on a regular basis.

• Talk and Listen: Engage your child in daily conversations. Ask open-ended questions and listen carefully to their responses. This helps build their oral language skills, which are a strong foundation for reading and writing.
• Read Together Every Day: Reading aloud to your child, even as they get older, is one of the most effective ways to build their vocabulary and comprehension. Choose a variety of materials like stories, poems, magazines, and graphic novels.
• Make Writing Fun: Encourage your child to write for real-life purposes. This could be creating a shopping list, writing a thank-you note, or keeping a journal.
• Be a Role Model: Show your child that you read and write for your own purposes. Let them see you reading a book or newspaper, or writing an email.
• Stay in Touch: Maintain an open line of communication with your child’s teacher. They are your partner in your child’s education and can provide specific advice on how to support your child’s learning.

Supporting Your High School Student’s Literacy

The high school English curriculum is designed to help students build on their foundational skills and succeed in a rapidly changing world. The Ministry of Education has provided a Grade 9 English Course Guide for Parents that offers insight into high school literacy development and considerations for parents. You can continue to support your teen’s literacy development with these strategies:

• Be a Curious Partner: Show interest in what your teen is learning. Ask them open-ended questions about news, community events, or social media content to encourage them to share their thoughts and make connections.
• Model and Encourage: Continue to be a reading and writing role model. Encourage your teen to read a variety of materials, from classic literature to graphic novels and online media. Reading the same books or articles can spark great discussions.
• Connect Learning to Life: Help your teen connect what they are learning in school to their interests, strengths, and future goals. Discuss how language and literacy are essential in various careers.
• Communicate with the School: Stay in touch with teachers and guidance counselors to better understand your teen’s progress and how you can offer support.

By working together, we can ensure that every student develops the literacy skills they need to thrive, both academically and in their daily lives.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a provincial test administered by EQAO which is designed to measure whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Students will write the OSSLT during their grade 10 year, with administration dates typically occurring in the fall and again in the spring.

Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Your child’s teachers and school principal will ensure you are well informed about testing dates and preparation activities. The best preparation your child can engage in is to attend school regularly, participate fully in all class activities, and to use feedback from their teachers to continuously improve their work.

We encourage you to review Navigating EQAO Assessments: A Friendly Guide for Parents and Guardians to learn more about the OSSLT.