Understanding Nunavut report cards
Nunavut schools follow an approved curriculum that the Department of Education makes mandatory. It is bilingual, built on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit knowledge and ways of knowing), and organized in four strands. How your child's progress is reported depends on the school, so use your child's report card and conversations with the teacher as the guide.
The four levels
BeginningLevel 1 of 4
Official meaning: Practice shows a first understanding of the learning outcomes. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
In plain words: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
ApproachingLevel 2 of 4
Official meaning: Practice shows a partial understanding of the learning outcomes. Some answers are right on the first try.
In plain words: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
MeetingLevel 3 of 4
Official meaning: Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning outcomes. Most answers are right on the first try.
In plain words: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
ExceedingLevel 4 of 4
Official meaning: Practice shows a deep understanding of the learning outcomes, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
In plain words: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Source: These four steps are a plain practice scale, not a Nunavut Department of Education scale. Ask your child's school how it reports..
What else is on the report card
Four curriculum strands
Nunavusiutit covers heritage, culture, history, geography, civics and economics. Iqqaqqaukkaringniq covers mathematics, science, analytical thinking and problem solving. Uqausiliriniq covers language and communication. Aulajaaqtut covers wellness, safety and one's place in society.
Adopted and Nunavut-made guides
Nunavut uses curriculum guides adopted from other jurisdictions, such as Alberta for mathematics and the Northwest Territories for English language arts, together with resources made in Nunavut. A new made-in-Nunavut curriculum is being phased in over several years, starting in the early grades.
Core curriculum checklists
The Department has identified the core learning outcomes in each subject for Kindergarten to Grade 9 and provides checklists teachers can use to track what each student has achieved. Ask your child's teacher which outcomes they are focusing on.
Inuktut and bilingual education
Nunavut's Education Act and Inuit Language Protection Act call for bilingual curriculum and resources that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Many schools teach in Inuktut in the early grades.
Practice steps are not a Nunavut scale
Gradelings shows practice on four plain steps (Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding). Your child's teacher decides how progress is reported.
Common questions
We could not confirm one, so Gradelings uses four plain practice steps you can match to the words on your child's own report card. Ask your school how it reports.
Not yet. Gradelings is in English, with a few Inuktut words and names in Nunavut units, which need review by Inuktut speakers. It does not replace Inuktut language arts at school.
No. Gradelings shows how practice is going so you can see where your child is strong and where to practise. Your child's teacher decides how progress is reported.
Ask your child's teacher which outcomes to focus on, then try short, regular practice (10 to 15 minutes). Talk with your child about what they learn, and invite Elders and family to share stories and skills. Celebrate effort and progress, not just results.