Literacy & Numeracy
When the June submission period is selected, a Lit./Num. button will appear on the OnSIS interface. Upon entering the number of literacy blocks, use the drop down Block Type field to select Numeracy, then proceed to enter the number of numeracy blocks taught over the course of the school's cycle. All grades in the school's table of grades will appear, however the Ministry is only collecting this information for grades 1 to 8 at this point. Any other grades should have a check mark in the the N/A box
Once this information has been entered, the data will be saved from year to year, requiring users to update only those fields that change between years.
Definition of Literacy/Numeracy Blocks of Time (from OnSIS Operational Notes):
This is an aggregate collection of the dedicated time for Literacy and Numeracy for students in grades 1 to 8; more specifically, the average number of blocks of time, per grade, per week for Literacy and Numeracy. OnSIS will NOT be collecting Literacy/Numeracy blocks for grades JK, K.
A Numeracy Block is a minimum 1-hour uninterrupted block of time that allows for intense, focused, mathematics instruction that engages all students in problem solving to learn. These learning blocks afford teachers the time to implement the components of effective mathematics instruction for student focused learning of mathematics. During these blocks of time, students make sense of problems, develop solutions using different representations and share and compare strategies, all in aid of developing mathematical understanding.
A Literacy Block is an extended, uninterrupted, protected block of time of at least 1 hour that allows for intense, focused, student-centred literacy teaching and learning. These learning blocks give teachers scope to implement the components of an effective literacy program, including on-going assessment, targeted instruction to address specific learning needs, purposeful talk (listening attentively, responding and building on the ideas of others) and relevant reading and writing tasks that promote higher order thinking.
OnSIS collects average number of blocks per grade per week. This calculation is done once per year based on the timetable for each class.
Note: If you have 80, 100 or even 120 minutes of uninterrupted time, it is still considered to be one block. There are no half blocks.
EXAMPLES:
1. A school has 1 grade three class. In the timetable, this class has 5 literacy blocks per week. Enter a 5 on the grade 3 row.
2. A school has 3 grade one classes. Their timetable shows the following:
Class A has 1 numeracy block per day = 5 blocks per week
Class B has 2 numeracy blocks per day = 10 blocks per week
Class C has 7 numeracy blocks in the week
Calculation: 5 + 10 + 7 blocks = 22 blocks รท 3 classes = 7.33. Enter 7.33 on the grade one row.