Common Essential Learnings

The incorporation of the Common Essential Learnings (CELs) into the instruction of the Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) offers many opportunities to develop students' knowledge, skills and abilities. The purpose of the CELs is to assist students with learning concepts, skills, and attitudes necessary to make the transition to post-secondary education, career, work and adult life.

The CELs also establish a link between the Transition-to-Work dimensions and Practical and Applied Arts curriculum content. The Transition-to-Work dimensions included in the PAA courses are: apprenticeship, career exploration/development, community project, employability skills, entrepreneurship, occupational skills, personal accountability, processing of information, teamwork, and work study/experience. Throughout the PAA Curricula, the CELs objectives are stated explicitly at the beginning of each module. The CELs are coded in this document, as follows:

COM = Communication

NUM = Numeracy

CCT = Critical and Creative Thinking

TL = Technological Literacy

PSVS = Personal and Social Values and Skills

IL = Independent Learning

It is anticipated that teachers will find additional ways to incorporate the CELs into their classroom instruction.