Wellness 10: A Curriculum Guide for the Secondary Level (April 2004)

Saskatchewan Learning

Resource-based teaching and learning is a means by which teachers can greatly assist the development of attitudes and abilities for independent, lifelong learning. Resource-based instruction is student-centred. The opportunity to make choices in an environment rich in resources, where the thoughts and feelings of students are respected, is vital to the development of autonomous learners.

Some guidelines for incorporating resource-based learning in Wellness 10 include:

• use the objectives of a unit as starting points for selecting resources that represent a strong curriculum fit
• use Wellness 10: A Bibliography, the annotated bibliography that complements this curriculum guide, as a starting point for choosing resources
• use a variety of resources in classroom teaching, showing students that you are a lifelong learner who constantly seeks out reliable sources of knowledge
• discuss with students the use of libraries, government departments and other agencies, and electronic information systems in their research
• encourage students to draw upon appropriate resources, including human resources, in their own communities.

Questions most often asked about resource-based learning are listed below.

How can I give the same lesson and assignments when the students do not all have the same resource?

Different types of activities on the same topic can be occurring in the classroom at the same time, with students using various resources. (See Instructional Approaches: A Framework for Professional Practice from Saskatchewan Learning and the Instructional Strategies Series from SIDRU/SPDU for information regarding instruction.)

Note: It should be emphasized that choice of resources affects planning for instructional strategies and assessment techniques for each lesson.

How can I have a variety of resources available to the students?

Various strategies for acquiring resources can be employed. Some ideas are listed below:

• The annotated bibliography for Wellness 10 provides an “other uses” category so that schools can obtain resources that meet the needs of more than one specific grade or subject area. For example, a title that supports a unit in Wellness 10 may also support units or modules in Life Transitions, Physical Education, Social Studies, English Language Arts, or Health Education.
• Media Group provides videos at a nominal fee of one dollar per program plus the cost of a blank videotape, shipping, and applicable taxes.
• People are a resource. Often there is someone knowledgeable on a certain topic in the community who may be willing to speak to the students. Guest speakers can also be located by contacting the Health Promotion contact person within the health region.
• Free or inexpensive items can sometimes be obtained from provincial or federal departments listed in the blue pages of the telephone book.
• Some schools circulate resources to other schools in the school division where teachers want to use the material when teaching a unit during a different week or month than other teachers.
• Networking can be useful in sharing ideas, within a school or between schools. Co-operative planning with a teacher-librarian or fellow teacher can provide ideas for using resources already available within the school or elsewhere in the school division.
• E-resources for Wellness 10 are available through the Evergreen Curriculum.