Cardinal Leger Secondary School
Academic Resource Department
Course Name:
Course Code:
Level:
Learning Strategies-Skills for Success in Secondary School
(Technology based)
GLE1OT
Grade 9 Open
Course Overview:
This course focuses on learning strategies to help students become better, more independent learners
with a focus on using assistive technology. Students will learn how to develop and apply literacy and
numeracy skills, personal management skills, and interpersonal and teamwork skills to improve their
learning and achievement in school, the workplace, and the community. The course helps students build
confidence and motivation to pursue opportunities for success in secondary school and beyond.
Students will become familiar with Kurzweil, Inspirations, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Microsoft word,
Publisher and PowerPoint.
This course will help students address the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation that they
become self directed, responsible, life-long learners who think reflectively and creatively to evaluate
situations and solve problems.
Curriculum Strands and Overall Expectations:
Personal Knowledge & Management Skills
 Student Interest Information
 Features of a Good Notebook
 Tools of the Active Learner--The Agenda
 How to Improve Your Listening Skills
 The Qualities of an Active/Passive Learner
 Paragraph Writing and Novel Responses
Learning & Thinking Skills





Learning Modalities/Styles-Visual, Auditory, Tactile/Kinesthetic
Reading Strategies
Learning How to Skim
How to Find the Main Idea
Active Reading
Literacy and Numeracy
 How to Improve Your Reading Skills
 What are Signal Words & How are they used.
 Reading Method--The S.Q.4R. Method
 Power Reading--SQ4R assignment
 Anatomy of a Textbook
 Reading Graphs
Writing & Editing Skills
 The Writing Process
 Strategies for Revising and Editing
 Proof Reading for Grammar & Spelling
 Creative Writing Assignment
Development of Memory Skills
 Explore various methods of Memory Techniques
 Short Term and Long Term Memory
 Tips for Organizing and Remembering Facts
Preparing for Tests and Exams
 Strategies and Tips for Developing Study Skills for Tests & Exams
Page 1 of 3
Cardinal Leger Secondary School
Academic Resource Department
Curriculum Strands and Overall Expectations:
Students will:
1. Learn to use all assistive technologies (Kurzweil, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspirations)
2. Prepare and edit all homework assignments.
3. Learn how to improve their reading and writing skills.
4. Learn how to organize their work.
5. Produce quality assignments using the computer.
6. Learn how organize their notes and notebooks.
7. Learn how to organize their time so that they can complete all assignments and prepare for tests.
8. Learn how to prepare for tests and exams.
9. Improve their research skills for projects and assignments.
10. Improve their thinking and problem solving skills.
11. Students will have access to computers and the assistive technology programs.
Students will be responsible for bringing the following items to class daily:
1. A notebook (3-ring binder with dividers)
2. Sufficient 3-ring lined paper to complete all class work.
3. A pen (blue or black) and pencil
4. A pen/pencil eraser
5. A ruler
6. Agenda Book
7. Books/binders/homework from other classes
8. USB
Page 2 of 3
Cardinal Leger Secondary School
Academic Resource Department
Evaluation:
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced and the skills displayed.
Term Work
70%
Knowledge and Understanding
25%
Thinking
25%
Communication
25%
Application
25%
Final Assessment
30%
Culminating Task
30%
Course Total
100%
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Responsibility
Organization
Independent Work
Collaboration
Initiative
Self-Regulation












E= Excellent G=Good S=Satisfactory N= Needs Improvement
Fulfills responsibility and commitments.
Takes responsibility for and manages own behavior.
Devises and follows a plan and process for completing tasks.
Establishes priorities and manages time
Independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to
complete tasks and meet goals.
Uses class time to complete tasks.
Accepts various roles and an equitable share of work in a group.
Builds healthy peer-to-peer relationships.
Looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities.
Approaches new tasks with a positive attitude.
Sets own goals and monitors progress towards achieving them.
Seeks clarification or assistance when needed.
Missed/Late/Incomplete Assignments
It is the student’s responsibility to address missed, late, or incomplete assignments. Students are
expected to complete assignments and to adhere to assignment deadlines as follows:
Due Date
A due date is set by the
teacher.
10% Penalty Zone
1 school day late – 3%
2 school days late – 6%
3 school days late – 10%
Maximum penalty of 10%
Closure Date
Once the closure date has
passed, work is considered
incomplete and a mark of
zero applies.
Page 3 of 3