Rich Performance Tasks are authentic activities, exercises, problems or challenges that require students to show what they know and what they can do. Performance tasks lead students to demonstrate their understanding by applying their knowledge and skills to real life situations or scenarios.

The Rich Performance Tasks developed by the London District Catholic School Board are based on the WebQuest format, and are designed to meet cross-curricular expectations of the Ontario Curriculum.

Each Rich Performance Task consists of:

• Student Page (the task);
• Teacher Page (the curriculum and assessment details); and
• Parent Page (RPT background information).

The Importance of Language

Whether they are studying literature or history, or learning science, students need fundamental language skills to understand information and express their ideas.

In planning language programs, teachers should aim to help students acquire varied and correct language through instruction combined with interesting and purposeful activities in reading, writing, and the use of oral language.... Teachers will therefore plan programs that will enable students to broaden their knowledge and skills by combining the study of language with the study of other subjects.

(Excerpt from pg. 4 of The Ontario Curriculum: Language Grades 1-8, 1997)

The Importance of Mathematics

An information- and technology-based society requires individuals who are able to think critically about complex issues, analyse and adapt to new situations, solve problems of various kinds, and communicate their thinking effectively... Through mathematical activities that are practical and relevant to their lives, students develop mathematical understanding, problem-solving skills, and related technological skills that they can apply in their daily lives and, eventually, in the workplace... As students identify relationships between mathematical concepts and everyday situations and make connections between mathematics and other subjects,they develop the ability to use mathematics to extend and apply their knowledge in other curriculum areas, including science, music, and language.

The mathematical processes that support effective learning in mathematics are as follows:

• problem solving • reasoning and proving • reflecting • connecting
• selecting tools and computational strategies • representing • communicating

(Excerpt from pg. 4 of The Ontario Curriculum: Mathematics Grades 1-8, Revised 2005)

The Importance of The Arts

Education in the arts is essential to students' intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth. Through the study of music, visual arts, and drama and dance, students not only develop the ability to think creatively and critically, but also develop physical coordination and the ability to work both independently and with others

Students learn to link the study of the arts with the study of history, geography, language, culture, and human interaction, and gain an appreciation of the great importance of the arts, both as sources of enjoyment and as means of communication, in cultures around the world.

(Excerpt from The Ontario Curriculum: The Arts 1998; page 6)

The Goals of Science and Technology Education

Students must develop a thorough knowledge of basic concepts which they can apply in a wide range of situations. They must also develop the broad-based skills that are so important for effective functioning in the world of work: they must learn to identify and analyse problems and to explore and test solutions in a wide variety of contexts.

The goals for students are:

• to understand the basic concepts of science and technology;
• to develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry and technological design; and
• to relate scientific and technological knowledge to each other and to the world outside the school.

These goals are equally important. They can be achieved simultaneously through learning activities that combine the acquisition of knowledge with both inquiry and design processes in a concrete, practical context. At the same time, these learning activities must enable students to develop the communication skills that are an essential component of science and technology education.

(Excerpt from pg. 4 of Science & Technology, The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8, 1998)

The Goals of Social Studies / History & Geography

The focus of teaching and learning in the social studies, history, and geography curriculum is on the development of essential knowledge and skills. Students must develop a thorough knowledge of basic concepts that they can apply in a wide range of situations. They must also develop the broad-based skills that are vital to success in the world of work: they must learn to evaluate different points of view and examine information critically to solve problems and make decisions on a variety of issues.

The goals of the curriculum are to enable students to:

• understand the basic concepts of social studies, history, and geography;
• develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for effective inquiry and communication, and for the application of the basic concepts of social studies, history, and geography to a variety of learning tasks;
• relate and apply the knowledge acquired through social studies and the study of history and geography to the world outside the classroom.

These goals are equally important. They can be achieved simultaneously in a concrete, practical context through learning activities that combine the acquisition of knowledge with the application of various skills, including inquiry/research, communication, and map, globe, and graphic representation skills.

(Excerpt from pg. 4 of Social Studies / History & Geography, The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8, 1998)

"Literacy is about more than reading and writing – it is about how we communicate in society. It is about social practices and relationships, about knowledge, language and culture. Literacy ... finds its place in our lives alongside other ways of communicating. Indeed, literacy itself takes many forms: on paper, on the computer screen, on TV, on posters and signs...."
(UNESCO, Statement for the United Nations)

Teaching and Learning Math: The Report of the Expert Panel on Language in Grades 4-6.