PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

expectations for language in four areas: oral communication, reading, writing, andunderstanding of media materials. There is an emphasis on the importance of orallanguage as the foundation for literacy development.Reading Curriculum in the Primary GradesReading PolicyOntario has a language curriculum policy document for English-language students ingrades 1–8, which was revised in 2006, that identifies the expectations students are todemonstrate by the end of each grade. For English-language students, expectations forstudents are organized in four strands: oral communication, reading, writing, and medialiteracy. The French curriculum for French-language students was organized similarlywith four strands entitled communication orale, lecture, écriture, and littératie critique.Summary of CurriculumThe reading strand of the language curriculum document is divided into four areas:reading for meaning, understanding form and style, reading with fluency, and reflectingon skills and strategies. The 2006 revised French reading strand is also divided into fourareas: prélecture, lecture, réaction à la lecture, and littératie critique.The French-language curriculum is developed, implemented, and revised in parallelwith the English-language curriculum. A distinct feature of the French-languageeducation system is language planning, which is intended to support the French languageand culture in a minority setting. With respect to reading, the policy focuses on optimaloral and written language acquisition, as well as integrating cultural experiences into thedaily life of the classroom and school.Reading Instruction in the Primary GradesInstructional TimeIn Ontario’s public elementary schools, there are 300 minutes of instructional time perday. The Ministry of Education’s Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat recommends anuninterrupted 100 to 120 minute block of time per day for literacy learning.Instructional MaterialsThe Ministry of Education provides a list of evaluated and approved textbooks for useby students in Ontario classrooms. Textbooks approved by the Ministry must supportat least 85% of the curriculum expectations for the subject area. All textbooks that meetthe Ministry requirements are placed on a central list from which schools and schoolboards select textbooks that meet their local needs.PIRLS 2006 EncyclopediaSecond-language InstructionAll English-language schools offer programming, resources, and support to Englishlanguagelearners in Ontario, and all French-language schools offer programming,resources, and support to French-language learners. In the English-language system,about 20% of Ontario students have a first language other than English. 40 A new policyCanadaTIMSS & PIRLSInternational Study CenterLynch School of Education, Boston College 77