One of those documents is the "Framework for Student Learning". The framework is represented in a graphic that illustrates "the relationships among literacy, numeracy, competencies and subject/discipline areas essential for students to become engaged thinkers and ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit".
As a Physical Education teacher, I am obviously very pleased to see that "Lifelong Learning, Personal Management and Well-being" is one of the seven included competencies. I also find the definition of literacy currently provided in the document as one of that shows promise for a more generous conception of literacy as a core component of the Framework.
In Physical Education we are talking more and more of the importance of physical literacy in the context of a student's development. It is my belief that the current definition of literacy offered in the Alberta Education Framework for Student Learning allows room to include the concept of physical literacy, as well as others.
To me, it is important for children to learn how their bodies move, adapt, and react to different stimuli and situations. It is key for children to learn the Fundamental Movement Skills (basic movements such as throwing, kicking, running, jumping, hopping and catching) that will allow them to experience success in a number of different activities and will in turn help them remain active (and healthy) for life.
Now the work lies in ensuring that both our decision makers at the Ministry and jurisdictional level see and understand the great value in ensuring that each and every student has the opportunity to develop their physical literacy alongside of the other competencies in the Framework. And it is equally important that teachers at all levels have the knowledge and tools they need to provide those opportunities to each and every student they work with.
Want to know more? Please check out the embedded links above. Also please feel free to comment if you have thoughts to share. Thanks for reading!
