Starting this fall, Alberta school divisions will begin implementing the new K-3 curriculum in the subjects of English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL) and Math. In addition, students in grades K-6 will be receiving the new Physical Education and Wellness (PEW) curriculum. As the topic of the new curriculum has been widely reported and debated in the public realm, Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to ensure parents are well informed about how the new curriculum rollout impacts their child. If you have any questions after reading through this documentation, please bring them forward to your classroom teacher who can provide you with additional information and resources.
Within Prairie Rose Public Schools, the following grades will be receiving the new curriculum:
Kindergarten (ELAL, Math, PEW)
Grade 1 (ELAL, Math, PEW)
Grade 2 (ELAL, Math, PEW)
Grade 3 (ELAL, Math, PEW)
Grade 4 (PEW)
Grade 5 (PEW)
Grade 6 (PEW)
Subject Abbreviations
English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL)
Mathematics (Math)
Physical Education and Wellness (PEW)
Note: A small number of Prairie Rose teachers will also be participating in the 2022-2023 optional implementation of the 4-6 English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL) and Math curriculum, as well as the K-6 Science curriculum pilot. If your child's class is participating in the implementation or pilot of any of these subjects during the 2022-2023 school year, you will be informed of your child's participation directly by your classroom teacher.
Below you will find important links to the Curriculum or Programs of Study used by Alberta Education. In addition, we have put together a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ that parents may have and a timeline for the rollout of future subjects and grades.
Implementing a new curriculum is an exciting opportunity and an important part of the evolving practice of teaching. Curriculum implementation is a process and PRPS teachers have already been planning and preparing, and will continue to be well supported with professional learning opportunities throughout the upcoming school year.
Will there be gaps in my child’s learning from content or material being moved from one grade to another?
Regardless of the curriculum being taught, teachers continuously work to meet each student where they are at in their learning. While curriculum is grade-specific, many concepts are revisited each year, giving students ample opportunity to build on their previous knowledge or be introduced to new material.
How much is different? What is the same?
While the curriculums are new, a significant amount of the content has been carried over from the previous Alberta Programs of Study.
Will PRPS be buying all new library books/resources/etc.? Does PRPS have funding for this or will parents/guardians need to fundraise for these new resources?
Teachers will continue to use existing resources where they align with the new curriculum. Alberta Education has provided school districts with some funding to purchase new resources where required. In Prairie Rose Public Schools, the Board of Trustees requested that the 2022-2023 budget included funds to support teacher professional development and resources for the implementation of the new curriculums.
Is the curriculum developmentally appropriate for K-3 children? Is there too much to cover in the new curriculum? Will there still be time to play/be creative/take breaks?
Teachers work to plan the delivery of curriculum content in ways that are engaging, creative, and inspiring for students. Personalizing learning to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed to the best of their ability continues to be important work for PRPS schools.
How much of what my child does at school every day is directed by the new curriculum? How much memorization/fact recall is required?
The curriculum outlines what students are expected to learn. The PRPS Education Plan, and other documents and strategies such as a school’s School Development Plan, provide insight on the PRPS’s approach to how students learn.
Throughout the year, you will be encouraged to attend celebrations of learning, parent teacher conferences, meetings and discussions with your child’s teacher, and events at your child’s school. These events help demonstrate what your child is doing at school and start conversations about their learning.
Alberta Education has developed a series of resources for parents on their website, curriculum.learnalberta.ca. We encourage you to explore these resources and learn more about the content and structure of the new curriculum.
Will support for children change?
No, teachers continuously work to meet each student where they are at in their learning and supports will not change as a result of the new curriculum.
Will Grade 6 Students participate in Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs)?
For the 2022-2023 school year, students participating in the small-scale optional implementation of Grade 6 English Language and Literature (ELAL) and Math, and the Grade 6 Science pilot, will not be writing PAT exams for those subjects. If your child is part of the optional piloting of these courses during the current school year, you will be informed of this by your classroom teacher.
