Learning Strategies 15
Course Outline
2015-2016
Ms. B. Turcotte
barb.turcotte@hfcrd.ab.ca
This course of study is designed to assist high school
students to develop an in-depth understanding of strategies
they can use to become successful learners. The intent is
for students to become more actively involved in planning, monitoring and
evaluating their own learning. Through explicit instruction, guided practice, and
ongoing feedback, students will investigate a broad scope of strategies to
maximize their learning and achievement. The course includes developing an
understanding of oneself as a learner, improving organization and management
of time and resources, developing a deeper understanding of the learning
process, increasing understanding of assessment and evaluation, and
advocating for personal learning needs.
Learning Strategies 15 is intended to support Alberta Learning’s development of Cross-curricular competencies
A competency is an interrelated set of attitudes, skills and knowledge that are
drawn upon and applied to a particular context for successful learning and living.
Know how to learn...
Think critically...
Identify and solve complex problems...
Manage information...
Innovate...
Create opportunities...
Apply multiple literacies...
Demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with
others
Demonstrate global and cultural understanding...
Identify and apply career and life skills...
Students will be encouraged to develop these competencies throughout the
course units.
Glenmary School will implement a coordinated school wide focus on developing an attitude of
perseverance in each of our students and our staff will model this characteristic daily.
o Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience and endurance.
o Perseverance is not repeating the same procedure over and over hoping that repetition
will be a successful strategy for every child.
LEARNER OUTCOMES
Learner Outcome #1:
Self-Advocacy and
Understanding Self as
Learner
Students will:






Learner Outcome #2:
Organization and
Management of Time and
Resources
Learner Outcome #3:
Understanding the
Learning Process,
Assessment and
Evaluation
Develop an understanding of learning preferences and styles
Apply knowledge as a student as a learner in both group and individual
situations
Identify elements which impede or enhance success in learning
Develop solutions to deal with barriers to learning and anticipate
consequences
Evaluate effectiveness of self-advocacy efforts
Apply knowledge of self as a learner in developing life-long learning
Students will:
 Develop an understanding of purpose and importance of
organization and management
 Demonstrate the ability to apply organizational and
management strategies and skills
 understand and manage a range of resources including human
resources
 demonstrate the ability to set goals and to establish,
implement, monitor, evaluate and revise a plan of action
Students will:
 develop skills and strategies to acquire and clarify information
for a variety of purposes
 develop skills and strategies to consolidate and remember
information for a variety of purposes
 develop skills and strategies to better demonstrate learning
for assessment purposes
 develop skills and strategies for success with test taking
Resources:
 “Make School work for You-Student Resource Guide, Alberta Education
 Calgary Roman Catholic Schools Learning Strategies 15 Program, and
Modules
 Various teacher developed Internet sources, DVDs, and handouts.
 Pearson Powerschool
Glenmary School will implement a coordinated school wide focus on developing an attitude of
perseverance in each of our students and our staff will model this characteristic daily.
o Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience and endurance.
o Perseverance is not repeating the same procedure over and over hoping that repetition
will be a successful strategy for every child.
Units of Study:








My learning styles/preferences-learning strengths, areas of growth. What makes a
successful student/person?
Organization/Time Management – binders, lockers, time management,
powerschool use, google classroom use
Goal setting and staying motivated-academic and personal goals, procrastination,
rewards
Study Strategies-homework, strategies, lessons learned
Note-taking methods-Cornell, chart, outline, technology use
Self-advocacy-problem-solving, communication skill development
Group-work development-games, strategies,
Test taking and memory strategies-essay, multiple-choice
Assessment:
Evidence of Learning
1. Assignments-Projects/Performance
Tasks/Reflections
2. Quizzes
3. Class Participation/OrganizationWork Habits, Contribution, Locker
& Binder Organization
80%
10%
10%
100%






Materials Required:
Writing materials
Loose-leaf paper
Index dividers
Binder
Plastic Insert sheets
USB or memory stick
Glenmary School will implement a coordinated school wide focus on developing an attitude of
perseverance in each of our students and our staff will model this characteristic daily.
o Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience and endurance.
o Perseverance is not repeating the same procedure over and over hoping that repetition
will be a successful strategy for every child.
Learner Expectations:
Students will be required to engage willingly and with interest in learning
strategies. They must use the opportunities given to identify aspects of their
learning they would like to improve upon and demonstrate a willingness to learn
about and experiment with a range of strategies for academic success. As
mentioned, students need to work diligently and collaboratively to identify and
pursue worthwhile projects during “guided practice” time in their strategies
classes.
A commitment to using the strategies class to maximize academic
achievement is crucial to success in the course, as is punctuality, regular
attendance, preparedness for class, tutorial attendance, completion of assigned
tasks and inclusive and respectful conduct.
As the focus of the strategies course is to help each individual student
develop strategies necessary for his/her academic and personal success, these
expectations are also competencies which will be assessed during the strategies
course.
Students are asked to use Power School to check grades regularly, review
vocabulary in the glossary, watch for “news” items and be prepared to use this
technology as a part of classroom work. All electronic work should be saved in
the student’s Personal drive or on a personal USB.
Parents, please note: Power School is on-line and can therefore be
accessed by any internet capable PC by going to the website:
https://powerschool.hfcrd.ab.ca/public/
Power school allows teachers to communicate with students in and out of
the classroom and provide a platform for parents, students and teachers to stay
“on the same page” regarding progress and expectations. The Pearson power
school app for IPHONE is also available. All student assignments are available
on the power school website.
Wireless Devices That Access A Mobility Network
Students will be able to access mobile devices for academic purposes only
during class time. These are only to be used when instructed by Ms. Turcotte.
Devices will be placed in the bin on the teacher’s desk and retrieved at the class
bell. Unauthorized use of Mobile Devices in class will be dealt with in the
following manner:
First Offense: The student will be asked to put the device away.
Second Offense: The device is taken away for the day and is to be picked up at
the end of the day from the office.
Repeat Offenders: The third time the device is taken away from the student, the
administration will be notified.
Glenmary School will implement a coordinated school wide focus on developing an attitude of
perseverance in each of our students and our staff will model this characteristic daily.
o Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience and endurance.
o Perseverance is not repeating the same procedure over and over hoping that repetition
will be a successful strategy for every child.
Hand-In Policies
All assessments are EXPECTED to be handed in on the day they are due!!
Student Name: __________________________
The final mark that I want to receive in this course is _____%
Do you have your own study place at home free of distractions? ____yes ____no
Are you linked to Power School? ____yes ____no
Are your parents linked to Power School ____yes ___no
Are you familiar with Google Classroom? ___yes ___no
Are you/parents a member of Glenmary School on facebook? ____yes ____no
Glenmary School will implement a coordinated school wide focus on developing an attitude of
perseverance in each of our students and our staff will model this characteristic daily.
o Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience and endurance.
o Perseverance is not repeating the same procedure over and over hoping that repetition
will be a successful strategy for every child.