Learning Skills and
Work Habits
September 19, 2011
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Clip
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9LLZJFBW
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Learning Skills and Work Habits
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Responsibility
Organization
Independent work
Collaboration
Initiative
Self-regulation
The Ontario Ministry of Education has drawn on
its research, as well as on findings from Human
Resources and Skills Development Canada
(HRSDC) and the Conference Board of Canada’s
list of employability skills. The above habits and
skills also support the Ontario Skills Passport
(OSP).
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Context:
The development of learning skills and work
habits is an integral part of a student’s
learning. Students develop and consolidate
these skills with the support of their parents
and teachers. By separating learning skills
and work habits from the achievement of the
curriculum expectations, the teacher is able
to provide information to the parent that is
specific to each of the two areas.
Learning Skills and Work Habits
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It is expected that teachers will work with
students to help them develop the learning
skills and work habits identified in the table
on page 11 of Growing Success. For each of
the skills and habits, the table provides
examples of associated behaviours, which are
designed to guide teachers in the instruction,
assessment, and evaluation of the learning
skills and work habits. The sample
behaviours are intended to assist but not
restrict teachers in their efforts to help
students become effective learners, and will
look different at the various grade levels.
Growing Success, p. 10
Learning Skills and Work Habits
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Learning skills are determined through
ongoing assessment of student
behaviours. The report card should reflect
the time period in which the skills are
being developed, strengthened, and
recorded. Based on daily interactions with
students, teachers describe the skills
which are demonstrated most consistently
and most recently.
Learning Skills and Work Habits
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In the Learning Skills section, the teacher
comments on strengths and next steps for
improvement. Teachers may include a
concrete example to elaborate on the
student’s demonstration of the learning skills.
Comments are precise and personalized and
should only reflect the current reporting
period. Comments also encourage students
to set goals for learning and assist parents in
supporting learning at home.
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Parent Resource:
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Why is more prominence and
emphasis being given to learning
skills and work habits?
◦ Research shows students need to learn
more than just facts if they want to
succeed in postsecondary education
and the world of work.
◦ Ontario’s students are also learning to take
initiative, work independently, be self-reliant and
work in a team. Schools are teaching critical
thinking and problem solving skills in order to give your
child the ability to seize every opportunity for jobs and
growth in the new knowledge economy.
Learning Skills and Work Habits
BIPSA Monitoring
Pathways and Community, Culture and Caring, K-12
Community,
Culture and
Caring
Pathways
BIPSA
&
SIPSA
SMAR
T Goal
Learning Skill
/ Work Habit
Measureme
nt
Collaboratio
n
% at G
or E
% at N
73%
7%
73%
7%
74%
8%
75%
2%
% at G
or E
% at N
65%
12%
65%
12%
65%
13%
70%
5%
Responsibili
ty
% at G
or E
% at N
66%
13%
67%
12%
66%
13%
72%
7%
SelfRegulation
% at G
or E
% at N
63%
14%
63%
13%
64%
13%
69%
7%
Initiative
November
2010
(El. Progress
Report &
Sec. Sem. 1
Midterm)
February
2011
(El. Report 1
& Sec. Sem.
1 Final)
June 2011
(El. Report 2
& Sec. Sem.
2 Final)
Target
for
2011
BIPSA
Talk time:
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How do we improve students’ LSWH?
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Activity
Teachers work collaboratively to brainstorm ideas/
experiences related to one or more of the following
questions:
How will we work with students to help them develop the six
learning skills and work habits?
 How could these new learning skills and work habits contribute to
a safer, more respectful, and fully inclusive learning environment?
 How are students involved in the creation of the success
criteria related to the learning skills and work habits?
 How do we currently instruct, assess, and evaluate learning
skills?
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◦ How much evidence do we collect?
◦ How often?
◦ How is the evidence documented (e.g., teacher, student)?
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What other strategies might we consider?
How might we use the sample behaviours (Growing Success p.
11)?
Learning Skills and Work Habits
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Teachers will indicate achievement for all 6 learning
skills and work habits on each elementary report.
Teachers will use professional judgement to
determine which skills and habits as well as how
many, they will comment on.
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Possible discussion items:
 How do we determine which skills and habits we will
focus on?
 Is equal time over the year, given to all 6?
 If a student continues to achieve an ‘N’ in one or two
particular skills/habits, do I only comment on these?
Learning Skills and Work Habits
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Ministry resource:
◦ Self-regulation Sample Look-fors
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HPEDSB Website:
Learning Skills and Work Habits