understanding ontario’s health & physical education (hpe) curriculum, 2015 an overview for...

Understanding Ontario’s Health & Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum, 2015

An Overview for Elementary Parents

And How it Will be Taught in Catholic Elementary Schools

2

“In Catholic schools, Ontario’s new HPE curriculum is an opportunity for parents and teachers to talk to students about a distinctively Catholic view of human life, sexuality, marriage, and family.”

- Institute for Catholic Education


3

Background

o In February, 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Education released revisions to the Health & Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum

o 24 of the 27 (90%) expectations were already addressed in our Catholic schools through our existing Family Life Curriculum, approved by the Bishops of Ontario

o Additional lessons have been developed to support teachers as they address the additional expectations in Catholic classrooms


4

Objectives


1. Provide information about the Ministry’s curriculum review process, and the changes made to the HPE curriculum.

2. Explain how Ontario curriculum is written.3. Describe how the expectations in the HPE

curriculum connect with our current Family Life Program.

4. Reassure Catholic parents that the learning that takes place in our Catholic classrooms will continue to be consistent with our Catholic teachings.

4HPE 2015

Health & Physical Education Curriculum A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario


5

A Changing World

HPE 2015

Ontario’s Health & Physical Education Curriculum was last updated in 1998.o We now live in a digital world

– widespread access to internet, social media, and electronic devices.

o Children are maturing physically at an earlier age and engaging with the world at increasingly earlier ages


6HPE 2015

An Overview of the HPE Curriculum


7

Learning in Catholic Classrooms and the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

HPE 2015


8HPE 2015

“A Catholic world view is a way of looking at the world through a Catholic Church lens. This world view is derived from Catholic Church teachings, scripture and Catholic Church traditions. These teachings, scripture and traditions form the basis of what is taught in Catholic schools.”

~ Catholic Curriculum Cooperative of Ontario, Writing Catholic Curriculum, 2006, p.7

Lens of Faith


9

Family Life Curriculum

HPE 2015

A part of the educational landscape in Ontario Catholic classrooms for more than 30 years


10

The Fully Alive Program

HPE 2015


11HPE 2015

In Catholic Schools HPE is taught within the Family Life Curriculum


12

Understanding Ontario Curriculum

HPE 2015


13

A Closer Look – An Example from the Grade 3 Curriculum

HPE 2015

The Ministry’s expectation for student learning is:

C3.3 describe how visible differences and invisible differences make each person unique, and identify ways of showing respect for differences in others

In Catholic schools:

This expectation is covered in Theme A in the Family Life (Fully Alive) Curriculum:o students explore what it means to be known and loved by God, known so well that

God calls each of us by nameo students find out about what it means to be a person – to be unique, but also alike in

many wayso students explore what it means to have feelings and to make choices about the way

we express themo students explore what it means to have talents and gifts we need to develop, and

discover when we share our talents and gifts with one another, we are sharing ourselves


14

HPE 2015

When Will This be Taught?

Timing The themes within the Fully Alive program which deal most directly with issues of Human Development and Sexual Health are typically taught in the Spring.

Advance Notice – Letters Home Your child’s teacher will send home a letter for each of the themes of the Fully Alive program before beginning to teach each section.


15

HPE 2015

The Role of Parents

“Parents and guardians are the first and most important teachers of their children and no place is this statement more true than in the areas that are introduced and explored in family life education….Catholic schools seek to do all they can to support families as they fulfill this awesome responsibility.”

- Education Commission, Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario


17

If you have concerns about any part of the curriculum or classroom learning activities, the concern should be discussed with your child’s teacher and/or principal as an important first step.

Consider the following: • Meet with your child’s classroom teacher in person to discuss your

concerns.• Review the curriculum with the teacher and/or principal.• Ask your child’s teacher to share the Fully Alive program teacher

resource manual with you.• The option to remove your child from specific lessons has always

been available to parents, however it is our hope and intent that all of our students experience the curriculum fully.

Communication is Key

HPE 2015


17

A Shared Mission

HPE 2015

“We know that Catholic teachers will continue to presentthe issue of human sexuality within the fullness of our faith-based family life curriculum that teaches the content of our faith, the value of persons, human relationships, commitment, and social responsibility. It is through this shared commitment to our faith, and to our Catholic schools, that we remain steadfast in our call to serve and honour God.

- Education Commission, Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario


18HPE 2015

Resources to Help Catholic ParentsUnderstand the HPE Curriculum


19

Need more information?

HPE 2015

Institute for Catholic Education www.iceont.ca

Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario http://www.acbo.on.ca/

Ontario Ministry of Education http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/health.html


understanding ontario’s health & physical education (hpe) curriculum, 2015 an overview for...

Documents

ontario curriculum

catholic parents

ontario catholic schools

catholic teachings

new curriculum

catholic education ice

curriculum remainscurrent

catholic classroomsan