New learning activities, STEM games and extended math tutoring, plus emotional and learning support from TVOkids
As families across Ontario prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, TVO is providing a portfolio of curriculum-aligned resources and tools to support K-12 learning at home. Designed in partnership with Ontario educators to complement in-class learning or to be used on their own, these resources offer a free and effective way to address unfinished learning, learning gaps and ongoing progression through the Ontario curriculum during this second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From engaging, free STEM games and online high school courses, to personalized one-on-one math tutoring and youth-oriented mental health prompts, Ontarians can rely on TVO for relevant learning support when they need it.
“At TVO, we are focused on providing learning experiences that change lives and enrich communities, something that is especially important at this time,” says Jennifer Hinshelwood, COO of TVO. “The pandemic placed added stress on Ontario families last year, and we were pleased to hear from parents, teachers and students that TVO learning resources helped make a difference in what we were all going through. This year, we will continue to listen and to offer learning support with impact.”
While parents, students and educators have long relied on TVO’s digital learning resources, the unpredictability of the last school year highlighted the importance of relevant learning support grounded in the Ontario curriculum—support that allows all families and educators to seamlessly pivot from school to home whenever they need to.
The following TVO resources are available to bridge Kindergarten to Grade 12 learning gaps and further grade progression. Parents and educators are invited to bookmark these evolving websites and to return to them as needed.
TVOLearn.com Learning Activities (Grades 1-8)
Launched November 2020, TVO Learn provides parents and students with grade-specific resources to support at-home learning. TVO Learn has since expanded to include new Learning Activities for Grades 1 through 8 math, language, science and technology, and social studies, providing students with opportunity for adult-guided explorations of topics from the Ontario curriculum and what they’re learning in class. Additional activities will be introduced in the coming months. | tvolearn.com
TVO mPower STEM games (K-Grade 6)
With more than 60 games to help students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 boost skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), TVO mPower offers families an engaging way to connect with the Ontario curriculum. The offering continually evolves to reflect changes to the math curriculum, as shown with the new coding components added to the game Harmony Honey Farms. Until September 17, students can also participate in the TVO mPower Summer Challenge by completing 20 games for a chance to win prizes while building or reinforcing math skills. | tvompower.com
TVO Mathify math tutoring (Grades 6-11)
Tens of thousands of Grade 6-10 students have turned to TVO Mathify for free, 1:1 math tutoring from Ontario Certified Teachers, available online when they need the help. Starting September 20 and running until August 2022, Ontario students in Grade 11 will also be able to connect with TVO Mathify tutors and experience the benefits of a personalized math coach to help build math and problem-solving skills. An expanded bank of practice math questions will also be made available. | tvomathify.com
TVO ILC Open House (Grades 9-12)
High school students in Ontario can access 144 courses developed by Ontario Certified Teachers, all of which include interactive media elements that make online learning interesting and understandable. These not-for-credit courses are designed for independent study or study support and cover subjects like math, business, science, arts and more. | tvolearn.com/collections/courses
TVOkids videos and games (K-Grade 6)
When the pandemic arrived in Ontario, TVOkids responded with Power Hour of Learning. Available twice a day on TVOkids until September 8, and anytime on TVOkids.com, TVOLearn.com and YouTube, these fun, hour-long lessons feature Ontario teachers engaging directly with the curriculum students experience in class. This is one of many series TVOkids features to help prepare students for school and for life.
In August alone, TVOkids premiered the following to foster counting and vocabulary skills: Polkaroo Counts!, ABC with Kenny G, Count with Gabby, Wacky Word Songs and more. And because children are often experiencing more stress through the pandemic, TVOkids proudly offers How Do You Feel?, a series that helps young viewers work through their thoughts and emotions. It’s a relatable way to support your child’s mental health. | TVOkids.com
TVO current affairs
In addition to learning resources for students, TVO.org will continue to provide daily COVID-19 updates and insight on the status of Ontario schools, so parents can truly understand where things are at and how they are changing every day. One way to stay connected to all TVO has to offer is to sign up for TVO’s newsletters at TVO.org/newsletters. | TVO.org