Ontario - Language 8

Strand A: Literacy Connections and Applications

Overall Expectations:

Throughout this course, in connection with the learning in strands B to D, students will: 

A1. Transferable Skills

demonstrate an understanding of how the seven transferable skills (critical thinking and problem solving; innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship; self-directed learning; collaboration; communication; global citizenship and sustainability; and digital literacy) are used in various language and literacy contexts

Specific Expectations:

A1.1 Receptive and Expressive Communication

analyze and explain how transferable skills can be used to support communication in various cultural, social, linguistic, and domain-specific contexts, and apply them when reading, listening to, viewing, and creating texts of various forms

MediaSmarts Resources

A1.2 Student Voice and Engagement

evaluate and explain how transferable skills help them to express their voice, be engaged in their learning, and implement a plan to develop their capabilities and potential

MediaSmarts Resources

A2. Digital Media Literacy

demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills needed to interact safely and responsibly in online environments, use digital and media tools to construct knowledge, and demonstrate learning as critical consumers and creators of media

Specific Expectations:

A2.1 Digital Citizenship

evaluate and explain their rights and responsibilities when interacting online with appropriate permission, and make decisions that contribute positively to the development of their digital identity and those of their communities

MediaSmarts Resources

A2.2 Online Safety, Well-Being, and Etiquette

demonstrate an understanding of how to navigate online environments safely, manage their privacy, personal data, and security, and interact in a way that supports their well-being and that of others, including seeking appropriate permission

MediaSmarts Resources

A2.3 Research and Information Literacy

conduct research, considering accuracy, credibility, and perspectives, with a focus on misinformation, disinformation, and curated information, to construct knowledge, create texts, and demonstrate learning, while respecting legal and ethical considerations

MediaSmarts Resources

A2.4 Forms, Conventions, and Techniques

evaluate the use of the various forms, conventions, and techniques of digital and media texts, consider the impact on the audience, and apply this understanding when analyzing and creating texts

MediaSmarts Resources

A2.5 Media, Audience, and Production

demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between the form, message, and context of texts, the intended and unintended audience, and the purpose for production

MediaSmarts Resources

A2.6 Innovation and Design

select and use appropriate digital and media tools to support the design process and address authentic, relevant, real-world problems by developing and proposing innovative solutions 

MediaSmarts Resources

A2.7 Community and Cultural Awareness

communicate and collaborate with various communities in a safe, respectful, responsible, and inclusive manner when using online platforms and environments, including digital and media tools, and demonstrate and model cultural awareness with members of the community

MediaSmarts Resources

A3. Applications, Connections, and Contributions

apply language and literacy skills in cross-curricular and integrated learning, and demonstrate an understanding of, and make connections to, diverse voices, experiences, perspectives, histories, and contributions, including those of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, communities, groups, and nations

Specific Expectations:

A3.1 Cross-Curricular and Integrated Learning

analyze and explain how the knowledge and skills developed in this grade support learning in various subject areas and in everyday life, and describe how they enhance understanding and communication

MediaSmarts Resources

A3.2 Identity and Community

demonstrate an understanding of the historical contexts, contributions, lived experiences, and perspectives of a diversity of individuals and communities, including those in Canada, by exploring and analyzing the concepts of identity, self, and sense of belonging in a variety of culturally responsive and relevant texts

MediaSmarts Resources

Strand C: Comprehension (Understanding and Responding to Texts)

C1. Knowledge about Texts

apply foundational knowledge and skills to understand a variety of texts, including digital and media texts, by creators with diverse identities, perspectives, and experience, and demonstrate an understanding of the patterns, features, and elements of style associated with various text forms and genres

Specific Expectations:

C1.2 Text Forms and Genres

analyze and compare the characteristics of various text forms and genres, including cultural text forms, and provide evidence to explain how they help communicate meaning

MediaSmarts Resources

C1.3 Text Patterns and Features

compare the text patterns, such as problem-solution in a letter to the editor, and text features, such as a glossary and infographics, associated with different text forms, including cultural texts, and evaluate their importance in helping readers, listeners, and viewers understand the meaning

MediaSmarts Resources

C1.4 Visual Elements of Texts

evaluate how images, graphics, and visual design create, communicate, and contribute to meaning in a variety of texts

MediaSmarts Resources

C1.5 Elements of Style

identify various elements of style in texts, including voice, word choice, word patterns, and sentence structure, and analyze how each element helps create meaning and is appropriate for the text form and genre

MediaSmarts Resources

C1.6 Point of View

analyze the narrator’s point of view, including limited, omniscient, or unreliable, in a variety of texts, explain how it is communicated, and suggest alternative points of view, giving reasons

MediaSmarts Resources

C3. Critical Thinking in Literacy

apply critical thinking skills to deepen understanding of texts, and analyze how various perspectives and topics are communicated and addressed in a variety of texts, including digital, media, and cultural texts

Specific Expectations:

C3.1 Literary Devices

analyze literary devices, including, irony, satire, and allusion, in a variety of texts, and explain how they help create meaning and are appropriate for the intended purpose and audience

MediaSmarts Resources

C3.2 Making Inferences

make local and global inferences, using explicit and implicit evidence, to explain and support their interpretations about various complex texts

MediaSmarts Resources

C3.3 Analyzing Texts

analyze complex texts, including literary and informational texts, by evaluating, synthesizing, and sequencing relevant information and formulating conclusions

MediaSmarts Resources

C3.4 Analyzing Cultural Elements of Texts

analyze cultural elements that are represented in various texts, including norms, values, social hierarchy, past times, language, and taboos, by investigating the meanings of these elements, making connections to their lived experience and culture, and considering how the inclusion of these elements contributes to the meaning of the text

MediaSmarts Resources

C3.5 Perspectives within Texts

analyze explicit and implicit perspectives communicated in various texts, evaluate any evidence that could suggest bias in these perspectives, and suggest ways to avoid any such bias

MediaSmarts Resources

C3.6 Analysis and Response

analyze how various topics, such as diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, are addressed in texts, respond to the insights and messages conveyed, and identify different positions presented

MediaSmarts Resources

C3.8 Reflecting on Learning

assess the effectiveness of the critical thinking skills they used when analyzing and evaluating various texts, and set goals to improve their use

MediaSmarts Resources

Strand D: Composition (Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts)

D1 Developing Ideas and Organizing Content

plan, develop ideas, gather information, and organize content for creating texts of various forms, including digital and media texts, on a variety of topics

Specific Expectations:

D1.1 Purpose and Audience

identify the topic, purpose, and audience for various texts they plan to create; choose a text form, genre, and medium to suit the purpose and audience, and justify their choices

MediaSmarts Resources

D1.2 Developing Ideas

generate and develop ideas and details about challenging topics, such as topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to other subject areas, using a variety of strategies, and drawing on various resources, including their own lived experiences

MediaSmarts Resources

D1.3 Research

gather and synthesize information and content relevant to a topic, using a variety of textual sources and appropriate strategies; evaluate the currency, quality, bias, and accuracy of information; verify the reliability of sources; and cite the sources of all content created by others

MediaSmarts Resources

D1.4 Organizing Content

classify and sequence ideas and collected information, selecting effective strategies and tools, and identify and organize relevant content, evaluating the choices of text form, genre, and medium, and considering alternatives

MediaSmarts Resources

D2 Creating Texts

apply knowledge and understanding of various text forms and genres to create, revise, edit, and proofread their own texts, using a variety of media, tools, and strategies, and reflect critically on created texts

Specific Expectations:

D2.1 Producing Drafts

draft complex texts of various forms and genres, including narrative, persuasive, expository, and informational texts, citing sources, and use a variety of appropriate media, tools, and strategies to transform information and communicate ideas

MediaSmarts Resources

D2.3 Voice

establish an identifiable voice in their texts, modifying language and style to suit the text’s form, genre, audience, and purpose, and express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the topic clearly

MediaSmarts Resources

D2.4 Point of View and Perspective

explain the explicit and implicit points of view, perspectives, and bias conveyed in their texts, evaluate how various audiences might respond, and suggest ways to acknowledge other perspectives

MediaSmarts Resources

D2.5 Revision

make revisions to the content, elements of style, patterns, and features of draft texts, and add, delete, revise, and reorganize sentences to improve clarity, focus, and coherence, using various strategies and seeking and selectively using feedback

MediaSmarts Resources

D3 Publishing, Presenting and Reflecting

select suitable and effective media, techniques, and tools to publish and present final texts, and critically analyze how well the texts address various topics

Specific Expectations:

D3.1 Producing Final Texts

produce final texts using appropriate techniques and tools, including digital design and production tools, to achieve the intended effect

MediaSmarts Resources

D3.2 Publishing and Presenting

publish and present texts they have created, using various media and tools, and evaluate how their choices helped them communicate their intended message

MediaSmarts Resources