The K-4 Foundational Learning Progressions align directly to the English Language Arts and Math curriculum and describe what proficient students look like when they are demonstrating foundational skills in reading, writing, oral language, and math. Achieving proficiency in these skills is important for further learning and long-term success both in and out of school, and the Ministry has prioritized supporting teachers to develop these important skills through the BC Learning Pathways.
The Foundational Learning Progressions were developed by BC teachers and support teachers to identify where students are at in their learning and provide teachers with a clear developmental sequence of foundational skills in the English Language Arts and Math curriculum. While the Foundational Learning Progressions are useful for all teachers, special attention was given to supporting new teachers by providing clear definitions of terminology used in both the Learning Progressions and the Learning Standards of the curriculum.
The K-4 Foundational Learning Progressions represent important foundational learning in English Language Arts and Math. While these skills are crucial, cross-curricular thinking and communication skills can also be developed alongside the foundational skills of reading, writing, oral language and math. These skills are outlined in the K-12 Cross Curricular Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions and intend to support teachers in all areas of learning to develop cross curricular literacy and numeracy skills.
K-4 English Language Arts Foundational Learning Progressions
The K-4 English Language Arts (ELA) Foundational Proficiencies support the development of reading, writing, and oral language skills and are intended to support teachers in building vital language and communication skills. The ELA Foundational Proficiencies include descriptors of proficient in relation to key aspects of the ELA curriculum, including oral communication, phonics, grammar, and vocabulary. The Foundational Proficiencies describe proficient reading, writing, and oral language skills at each grade level, help teachers to understand end-of-year goals, and provide a point of comparison to track students’ development towards end-of-year goals. Using the K-4 ELA Foundational Proficiencies can help teachers identify both areas of strength as well as areas for additional support or possible intervention towards meeting end-of-year proficiency.
K-4 Mathematics Foundational Learning Progressions
The K-4 Mathematics Foundational Learning Progressions support the development of mathematics skills and are intended to support teachers in building students’ vital thinking skills in Mathematics. The Mathematics Foundational Learning Progressions include descriptors of proficient in key aspects of Mathematics, including number concepts, understanding operations, patterning, geometry, data literacy, and financial literacy. They help teachers to understand end-of-year goals and provide a point of comparison to track students’ development towards end-of-year goals. Using the Mathematics Foundational Learning Progressions can help teachers identify both areas of strength as well as areas for additional support or intervention towards meeting end-of-year proficiency.