Homework Help & Online Resources

Presented by: Kristina Laperle, Brian Council CPF Rep. & M. Albert Etienne, Brian Staff Librarian

CPF - French Quiz Which of the following organizations consider French their

official language? (International Olympic Committee, The Red Cross, The UN, NATO, World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, UNESCO, The EU, International Court of Justice, Amnesty International, Interpol)

About How many people speak French in North and South America? (a. 5 million b. 10 million c. 15 million d. 20 million)

How many countries recognize French as an official language? (a. 5 b. 8 c.20 d. 33)

After English, what is the most-taught language in the world? (a. Spanish b. French c. German d. Chinese)

About what percentage (%) of federal service jobs are bilingual?

French Quiz - AnswersWhich of the following organizations consider French

their official language? All of them!!About How many people speak French in North and

South America? About 20 billionHow many countries recognize French as an official

language? 33After English, what is the most-taught language in

the world? FrenchAbout what percentage (%) of federal service jobs

are bilingual? 40%

TDSB Homework PolicyAvailable in 13 languagesCan be found under the TDSB website in the

Parents’ section www.tdsb.on.ca/Since September 2008: “The policy balances

time required to complete homework with extra curricular activities scheduled outside of the school day and activities that support personal and family wellness.”

Types of HomeworkThere are four types of commonly assigned

homework, each having a different intended outcome as shown below. CompletionPracticePreparationExtension

Homework Policy“Homework assignments shall be clearly

articulated and carefully planned…where appropriate, homework assignments shall be differentiated to reflect the unique needs of the child.”

“are designed to require no additional teaching outside the classroom and are engaging and relevant to student learning. Students understand what is expected of them before leaving school.”

Homework: Quantity JK-Gr.3

JK/SK – “Homework should not be assigned to Kindergarten students…families are encouraged to engage in early learning activities such as playing, talking and reading together in English or in the family’s first language.”

Grades 1-3 – “There is a strong connection between reading to or with …children every day in English or in one’s first language and student achievement. As a result, homework assigned… shall more often take the form of reading, playing a variety of games, having discussions and interactive activities such as building and cooking with the family.”

Homework: Quantity Gr. 4-6

In the late Primary and Junior grades, effective homework may begin to take the form of independent work. In both cases, homework assigned for completion, practice, preparation or extension should be clearly articulated and differentiated to reflect the unique needs of the child.

**You and your child’s teacher know your child best. If you want your child to get additional homework, ask your child’s teacher for advice.

School-life balance“…homework assignments shall be assigned…

using blocks of time so that families can best support homework completion by balancing the time required to complete homework with extra curricular activities…activities that support personal and family wellness.”

“Parents who have concerns with homework expectations for their child shall be encouraged to contact their child’s teacher or the school principal to discuss the situation.”

Roles & ResponsibilitiesTeachers

encouraging a partnership with family and students that promotes… communication and supports families in the homework process;

assigning homework… appropriate to the student’s age, developmental level, learning style, skills and individual needs

teaching the skills necessary… to complete the homework and become successful independent learners

Students

ensuring that he/she clearly understands the homework assigned, i.e. assignments, criteria, and timelines, and asks for clarification or assistance from the teacher when not clear regularly

Completing homework in a timely manner to the best of his/her ability

managing time and materials, e.g. by bringing home necessary materials.

Family Responsibilitiesreading in English, French (French Immersion)

and/or the family’s first language throughout the elementary years of their children’s education

providing an environment, i.e. workplace, block of uninterrupted time, usually in the home or in an alternative setting…for homework to be done

providing encouragement and appropriate support without doing the homework for their child

Family Responsibilities (con’t..)

providing a healthy balance between homework, co-curricular activities and family commitments

stopping their child from continuing to complete homework at bedtime, even if the child is not done

contacting the classroom teacher if their child is not consistently able to do the homework by him/herself or if challenges or questions arise.

English Quiz - Part 1Put the sentences into ‘regular - everyday - normal’ English.

1. It is fruitless to become lachrymose over precipitately departed lactose fluid.

2. Scinntillate, scintillate asteroid minute.3. Members of an avian species of identical

plumage congregate.4. Surveillance should precede saltation.5. The temperature of aqueous content of an

unremittingly ogled saucepan does not reach 212 farenheit.

English Quiz – Part 26. Neophite’s serendipity.7. The stylus is more potent than the claymore.8. It is fruitless to attempt to indoctrinate a

superannuated canine with innovative manoeuvers.9. Missiles of ligneous or petrous consistency have the

potential of fracturing my osseous structure, but appelations will eternally be benign.

10.Individuals who make their abode in vitreous edifices would be advised to refrain from catapulting petrous projectiles.

English Quiz - Answers1. No use crying over

spilled milk.2. Twinkle, twinkle little

star.3. Birds of a feather, flock

together.4. Look before you leap.5. A watched pot never

boils.

6. Ignorance is bliss.7. The pen is mightier than

the sword.8. You can’t teach an old

dog new tricks.9. Sticks and stones can

break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

10.People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

The Secret = Prior Knowledge

The English Quiz was difficult if you tried to translate every word.

Once you realized that all the sentences were proverbs, the task was much easier to complete because you could rely on your prior knowledge of proverbs to help you understand.

By helping your children build knowledge in each subject area (math, science, social studies, etc…), they will understand and learn better because this will reinforce what they learned in class.

Academic Support & Curriculum Knowledge

Visit TDSB website for Curriculum documents and sample activities www.tdsb.on.ca Look for “Overall Expectations” and “Specific

Expectations”Buy workbooks appropriate to your child’s grade

level – available at Scholastic, Indigo, SonsuhWebsites with graded activities (see links under

“Elementary Subjects” on the TDSB library website)Make it FUN by adding experiential learning

activities at Toronto’s many attractions

School Library Website www.tdsb.on.ca/libraries - The following links on the TDSB

Library website are particularly useful for Elementary School students. See your “The Inquiry Journey” bookmark for Logins and Passwords where necessary.

E-BOOKS > Bookflix ELEMENTARY SUBJECTS

Language > Storyvalues Mathematics > Coolmath4kids Mathematics > Math Homework Help

ONLINE DATABASES > OERB (Ontario Educational Resource Bank)

IMAGES & MEDIA > Learn360

OERB Ontario Educational Resource Bank

Access through the TDSB Libraries website or directly through https://resources.elearningontario.ca/

More than 27000 resources & interactive activities in English and French, many created by teachers!

Organized by topic, grade, curriculum expectations, learning style, etc…

Search tips: Use “Browse by Curriculum”, select “grade” and “subject”. Do NOT select by “strand” or “French language”. This greatly

limits options Kids love “Interactive Learning” under “Resource Filter Types”

on the left side panel.

Learn360 – Great videos!Access through the TDSB Libraries website or

directly through www.learn360.com BROWSE BY: “Subject Area”, “Grade Level”,

and/or “Media Format”Search tips:

Choose your preferred subject area and grade level

Kids love “Full Videos”Video length listed below the video thumbnail

CPF Online ResourcesSpecifically for homework in FRENCH:Canadian Parents for French Ontario

www.cpfont.on.ca -Contains many helpful links, especially Homework Toolbox & “Yes, you can help!” (listed below)

Homework Toolbox www.fslhomeworktoolbox.ca

“Yes, you can help!” by the Government of Alberta, Ministry of Education education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/youcanhelp.aspx

Practice what you want to perfect…

TDSB has moved to a more balanced curriculumMultiple intelligencesMeet the needs of the whole child – language, art,

math, science, physical education, etc…What kinds of activities does your child do

regularly outside of class? Do you want to spend extra-curricular time on sports? Arts? Academics?

Support your child at home where you feel it’s most necessary by adding your own “curriculum enrichment” using the TDSB resources

The “Plan” for Curriculum Enrichment at home

Plan your extra-curricular support time, just like you would any other activity and put it in your calendar, ie. 1 hr./day, or Sunday afternoons, or Monday evenings

Academic Enrichment takes time, like any other extra-curricular activity

Change your subject of focus daily / weekly / monthlyLet your child chooseReward with field trips or educational games

Make it FUN in English or French!

Go to the library for books, books with CD, or videosPlay educational gamesLook for themed books, TV shows, movies or Youtube

videosGo on family field trips – see examples below

NATIVE LIFE & EARLY SETTLERSCrawford Lake & Conservation Area, Black Creek Pioneer

Village, Royal Ontario Museum, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, etc…

Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, Dances with Wolves, Pocahontas, etc…(Check the library)

Additional Help… At Brian PS – Mini workshops & discussions:

Feb. 9: “Pronunciation for Parents & Camps” Mar. 25: “Listening & Speaking” Apr. 26: “Online Fun in French” May 16: “French in the Summer”

Questions can also be e-mailed in advance to: CPFatBrianPS@gmail.com

 Adult French Classes – several locations At Fairview Library – French Storytime Blessed Kateri French Activities – Thursdays FOR MORE INFO: http://brianpsparentcouncil.webs.com

Thank you!Merci!

We hope to see you at our Mini-Workshops for more “parent learning opportunities”