Academic Resource
OSSLT resource booklet additional practice
At St Marcellinus Secondary School, all students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) are assigned a Resource Teacher who monitors and supports the
students' needs. The Resource Teacher collaborates in the implementation, teaching and review of programs for students with special education needs.
Resource teachers meet with their students to outline the support resources available and to support the students in understanding their varied learning
styles and needs. It is encouraged that students also enrol in Learning strategies courses to support use of the IEP.
The Resource Room (Room 226) is available all four periods and is staffed with a qualified Special Education Resource Teacher. Students are encouraged to access the Resource Room for academic support as outlined in their Individual Education Plans (IEP). Access to the Resource Room is voluntary, but highly recommended. To access the Resource Room for test support, students are required to sign up at least 24 hours in advance. Students who require use of technology are encouraged to sign up for such accommodations at least 3 days in advance so that the electronic version of tests can be prepared for use on test day.
Accommodations and Resource Assistance
Accommodations refer to the teaching strategies, supports and/or services that are required in order for the student to access the curriculum and demonstrate learning.
Accommodations do not alter the provincial learning expectations for the grade level. Examples of individual accommodations may include:
· Provide students with extra time to complete classroom assignments, and tests/exams
· Provide students with various learning tools, such as calculators or computers, laptops etc. to assist them when completing an assignment
· Provide students with supportive software like text to speech such as "read and write" or Kurzweil
· Provide preferential seating for a student
· Provide an alternative work place to complete assignments or to write tests/exams
Resource Room: Students Working on Assignments during class
1. When students have class time to work on assignments, students are permitted to access the Resource Room for academic support and computer/assistive technology use. Students must sign up at least 24 hrs in advance or through special arrangements made by subject teachers.
2. Students must come to the Resource Room prepared to work with all materials: pencils, calculator, formula sheet, handout, assignment, textbook, etc.
Students Writing Tests in the Resource Room
1. Students sign up with a Resource Teacher in a binder located in the Resource Room at least 24 hours in advance to write their tests in an accommodated setting. Classroom teachers may need to remind students to make these arrangements in advance. If an electronic version of the test is required, students must make arrangements at least 2 days in advance of the test/quiz etc.
2. On the day of the test, students are to go to their regular class for attendance.
3. Extra time – students are entitled to double time to complete a test. In this case, students may miss portions of the period either before or after the test period. The resource teacher will call these classes to ensure that the student is not deemed late or absent.
4. The subject teacher is always the subject expert and the best person to support the needs of a student. We therefore encourage students who are writing tests for such subjects as French, Math, Science, Tech and Computers to write their tests with their subject teachers unless assistive technology, use of a computer is a factor. If a student with an IEP requires extra time we welcome the student in the Resource Room to complete the test.
Test & Exam Study Notes
Only those students with the accommodation of using "memory aids" on their IEPs are allowed to use study notes during tests and exams. Memory aids/study notes must not be denied if they are recommended in the IEP. It is recommended that teachers review and sign the study notes at least two days prior to the test/exam. The teacher should collect the prepared and approved study sheet, make a copy for the student to use while studying, and deliver the original "memory aid" to the resource room (it will be attached to the student's test/exam.) Please note that the memory aid will be handed in to the subject teacher along with the test.
Study notes must be created by the student and can be typed or written. They may include names, dates, places, maps, diagrams, formulas, key words, graphs, charts, mind maps, acronyms, synonyms, short forms, highlighted areas, colour codes, and other visuals etc. but should not be exact replicas of teachers' notes or textbook material.
| Grade Level of Course | Study Note Requirements |
| 9 -12 | 1 piece of paper, 8.5" X 11", Double sided, teacher signature |
Tips and Strategies
Reading Strategies
Before reading
· Look over the text.
-titles
-pictures/graphics/tables/charts
-headings and subheadings
-captions (writing under the pictures)
-words in italics (slanted writing), bolded words
· Read the questions.
· Recall what you already know about the topic or subject.
During reading
· Divide the reading into smaller chunks (by sub heading or paragraph, etc.)
· Read a chunk and think about what you read and write a brief one sentence summary in the margin.
· Continue this process until reading is complete.
After reading
· Read each question carefully.
- Go to the reading to look for the answers.
Time Management
People who manage their time well get things done when they are supposed to be done. Time management is the skill that allows people to distinguish between activities that are important, those that are urgent, and those that are neither important nor urgent. This is called prioritising and planning.
Many people have trouble setting aside time for things that are important, but not urgent. Long-term goals, such as getting in better physical shape are often the things that we have difficulty finding time to do.
We need to schedule things into our lives in order to get them done.
SOME TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS:
· Spend time on important things before they become urgent.
· Don't be ruled by urgency. Your life will feel very stressful if you are constantly leaving activities/responsibilities until they become urgent.
· Number your tasks in order of their importance. Complete them in that order.
· Use a daily and monthly agenda.
Study Tips
1. Find a quiet place to prepare and study for exams where you cannot be distracted.
2. Do not leave your studying to the last minute. Spread out your reviewing over a long period of time such as 2 to 3 weeks.
3. Use a calendar to schedule study time into 30 minute blocks. Schedule at least 30 minutes for reviewing material the night before.
4. Instead of trying to study everything all at once, study one subject at a time.
5. Manage your time wisely. Spend 20 to 30 minutes studying for one subject and then move on to studying for another subject so that you give your mind a break.
6. To prepare for each subject, you should create study notes for each major unit including diagrams, maps, graphs etc. Then use your study notes to study from when you are preparing for exams. Try to predict what questions may be asked on the test/exam and then use your study notes to help formulate an answer.
7. Take a break from studying when you feel tired or unproductive. Do not overwork yourself.
8. Be sure to manage your time wisely and get enough sleep.
10. Be sure to include time to eat a healthy breakfast in the morning before your exam.
LET EVERY SPIRIT SOAR