Embedded Files
What is the Concept Project?
Throughout the new K-6 Alberta curricula are concepts that are central to student learning. Many of the concepts are subject or discipline related such as "punctuation" or "lake."
Other concepts areas are broader and cross subjects or disciplines. Change is an example of one of those concepts. Students examine "change on Earth" in Science, "change in pattern" in Math, "changes in the body" in Physical Education and Wellness, and "character change" in English Language Arts and Literature.
This document is meant to be a reference to all of the main concepts, specific and broad, in the new Alberta Curricula. While the focus is on Science, concepts from other curricula including Social Studies are being added.
Keep in mind that broad concepts are transferable so many concepts in this site are applicable to multiple disciplines.
Why the Concept Project?
Concepts are key to deeper and transferable learning. Individual concepts can be linked to each other in relationship, and in doing so create an understanding (generalization) which has a meaning that is more than just the individual concepts. The "Understandings" in the new curricula are examples.
This resource is intended to help teachers who want to leverage concepts in their classrooms to create authentic, rigorous, and engaging learning activities that support transfer.
What is In This Resource?
Concept Definitions
Some of the concepts are defined in the Knowledge column of the curricula. Other concepts require reference to other sources such as dictionaries or encyclopedias.
Definition Source
Some of the concepts are defined in the Knowledge column of the curricula. Other concepts require reference to other sources such as dictionaries or encyclopedias. Yet other require a sysnthesis of definitions from several sources.
The source of each concept definitionsis identified as 1) Alberta Education if the definition is in the curriculum 2) Other Source if another source such as an on-line dictionary is used 3) ARPDC if ARPDC staff created a definition after reviewing several sources.
Introductory Activities
Sample activities are provided for some of the concepts.
The activities are intended to be surface level , introductory activities. In other words, they are meant to be used to introduce the concept to students. Other learning experiences will need to be made for students to deepen their understanding of the concepts and recognize the concepts in multiple different contexts.
Where possible, the activities are designed to allow for inductive thinking by looking at examples and non-examples of the concepts.
These activities can also be used for formative or summative assessments.
Finally, the activities are downloadable and editable so that they be be tailored to better suit classroom needs.
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