The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: Language, 2023 is based on the belief that all students can succeed by developing language and literacy knowledge and skills. Strong foundational skills in both oral and written language are essential for supporting more complex skills like critical thinking and problem solving. This curriculum offers educators a comprehensive guide to fostering the development and growth of these vital skills in every student.
In Grade 8 Language, students focus on using the seven transferable skills in language and literacy, developing digital media literacy, applying their language and literacy knowledge in various contexts, and engaging with texts that promote understanding of diverse identities, experiences, perspectives, histories, and contributions. Across all elementary grades in the language program, learning in this area is integrated with the study of Foundations of Language, Comprehension (understanding and responding to texts), and Composition (expressing ideas and creating texts). Literacy Connections and Applications should be assessed and evaluated within these contexts. The content learned in Grade 8 Language establishes the foundation for students entering their first year of high school and Grade 9 English.
The language curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 was updated, and teachers began teaching the revised curriculum in September 2023. This revision was part of Ontario's initiative to modernize the education curriculum, ensuring that all students developed the foundational and transferable skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing world, with a focus on early reading interventions. The previous update to Ontario’s elementary language curriculum had been in 2006.
Sources:
https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/curriculum/elementary-language/grades/grade-8/home
Students utilize transferable skills in reading, listening, viewing, writing, and speaking across diverse cultural, social, and linguistic contexts. They learn to articulate their online rights and responsibilities, make informed decisions to enhance their digital identity and reputation, and positively contribute to online communities. Additionally, they demonstrate an understanding of the historical contexts, contributions, lived experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals and communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, by analyzing culturally relevant texts.
This knowledge is integrated into the other three areas of the curriculum.
Students assess and apply listening skills and strategies to enhance comprehension and analyze the purpose and audience for speaking. They identify and employ oral and non-verbal communication strategies, including culturally specific variations, and use precise and descriptive word choice, syntax, and grammar in both formal and informal communication. They leverage their knowledge of word meanings for reading and spelling, and apply their understanding of sentence types, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation in reading and writing.
Students analyze and evaluate a range of literary and informational texts, including cultural forms, explaining how their characteristics convey meaning. They examine how visuals like images and graphics contribute to meaning. They analyze elements of style and literary devices, explaining their role in communication. They use comprehension strategies and critical thinking skills to deepen their understanding of diverse perspectives and cultural elements in texts, drawing conclusions. Finally, they assess the effectiveness of their critical thinking skills in text analysis and set goals for improvement.
Students maintain fluency in cursive writing and use advanced word-processing skills to create texts. They generate and develop ideas on challenging topics, synthesizing information and content. They produce complex texts in various forms and genres, establishing a distinct voice and employing varied language, stylistic elements, and tone. They revise and edit their work to enhance accuracy and style, using a variety of techniques and tools, including digital design and production tools, to produce final texts. They publish and present their texts using diverse media and tools.