OLC4O: The Ontario Literacy Course (Open)
PREREQUISITE: Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
GRADE: 12 (Open)
AVAILABILITY: Spark Asher Academy Online
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM: English
Course Overview
OLC4O online is a literacy course tailored to help students meet the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) requirements necessary for graduation. This course equips students with the skills to effectively read and analyze various types of texts including informational, narrative, and graphic texts. Students will also develop writing skills across multiple formats such as summaries, informational paragraphs, opinion pieces, and news reports. Additionally, students will maintain a portfolio to document their reading experiences and showcase their writing samples, reinforcing their learning and progress.
UNIT ONE
Graphic Texts
Essential Question: How can we effectively use graphic texts to convey information?
In this unit, students will focus on understanding and analyzing graphic texts, which play a vital role in everyday communication. They will explore various examples of graphic texts, learning to interpret and derive information from them. This skill set is crucial for success in the OSSLT and will enhance students’ ability to process visual and textual information in unison.
UNIT TWO
Writing Summaries
Essential Question: How do we effectively summarize information and why is this skill critical for literacy?
Students will engage with a variety of non-fiction texts to practice extracting key details and condensing information into coherent summaries. This unit will strengthen students’ ability to discern main ideas and supporting details, a fundamental component of literacy as assessed by the OSSLT.
UNIT THREE
Informational Reading & Writing
Essential Question: What defines an informational text and how can we effectively communicate its content?
This unit delves into the analysis and writing of informational texts. Students will learn to identify the structure and key elements of informational writing and apply these in creating well-organized informational paragraphs. This skill is essential for academic success and for informed engagement with a wide range of real-world texts.
UNIT FOUR
Writing News Reports
Essential Question: How do we craft news reports that effectively communicate the essentials of an event?
Students will learn the specific requirements of news report writing, including the importance of objectivity and clarity. Through analysis of example texts and writing practice, students will learn to report facts, provide clear context, and summarize events succinctly. This unit is designed to refine students’ ability to convey information in a structured, journalistic format.
UNIT FIVE
Series of Paragraphs
Essential Question: How can we construct a coherent series of paragraphs to express detailed insights and opinions on a topic?
In the final unit, students will focus on developing a series of interconnected paragraphs that effectively communicate a detailed argument or opinion. This involves structuring ideas logically, using appropriate transitions, and supporting assertions with evidence. This skill is valuable for both the literacy test and future academic writing tasks.
Through these units, OLC4O online not only prepares students for the literacy test but also enhances their overall communication skills, critical for academic and personal success.
For more details on final exams and the exam fee, please consult to us directly via contact page. Additional information can be found in our download section in courses page.
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