The province is implementing some changes to the draft K-6 curriculum

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Sunny South News

By Jaxon McGinn
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Sunny South News

Three subjects in the Alberta government Kindergarten to Grade 6 draft curriculum will be subject to changes starting next fall.

Education Minister Adriana Lagrange took to the podium Monday afternoon to announce that starting in September 2022, the new curriculum in English, Math, and Physical Education will begin.

She stated the provincial government decided to “slow down” implementing the entire curriculum after receiving a lot of feedback.

The province also noted a new draft design blueprint would address feedback received related to the age and developmental appropriateness of the Social Studies curriculum and layout a plan to make content changes.

Further engagement and the blueprint will inform a new draft, which the province says will “continue to ensure students learn historical content, build civic skills, explore First Nations, Metis and Inuit and Francophone perspectives and learn about different cultures and communities.”

Additionally, changes have been made to English Language Arts and Literature, Physical Education and Wellness, Fine Arts (Music) and Science curriculum to add clarity, strengthen content, and expand on topics such as positive body image, climate change, and learning about Dinosaurs.

While Alberta Education has made some content changes to these subjects, areas are still not addressed, such as changes related to First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and Francophone perspectives in subject areas outside of Social Studies.

“There is a lot of work ahead of us. They still don’t have curriculum right; students are still learning in oversized classes. Funding cuts are looming in the spring budget. And the government opened a whole new front last week in the attack on public education. We will continue to stand for education,” said Jason Schilling, Alberta Teacher Association president

In January and February, there will be further opportunities for Albertans to share their feedback on updated draft content, as well as the draft design blueprint for Social Studies.

Input will be used to finalize the Social Students design blueprint, develop the corresponding draft Social Studies curriculum, and further revise all subjects in the draft K-6 curriculum.

For further information about the draft K-6 curriculum, you can visit the Alberta