Comparison of a Saskatchewan’s and Manitoba’s 11th grade Biology curriculum document.

Saskatchewan – Environmental Science 20:
https://www.curriculum.gov.sk.ca/bbcswebdav/library/curricula/English/Science/environmental_science_20_mar10_2017.pdf

Manitoba – Biology 11: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/science/found/gr11_bio/gr11_biology.pdf

The documents have overall similar content but are different. Most obviously the Manitoba document is 430 pages or ten times longer than the Saskatchewan one which probably reflects slightly different purposes in their writing.

Manitoba has a section describing how science used to be taught and how they now want it to be taught, which is more explicit than our literacy definitions and scientific thought goals but may also cause teachers to be more defensive.

They have a similar emphasis on science as related to technology as a foundation of understanding. They do not have explicit BALs and CCCs like we do. Instead they have learning goals related to science such as Nature, Science and the Environment, and Attitudes which includes safety and the like. Their units are divided into outcomes the same as ours though and give much more detail about what is in each unit compared to our curriculum.

They do not have exemplar indicators like our documents but they do have more examples of lessons and activities. They also have a very in depth resource on engaging students, properly planning activities, instructional methods, the learning process, and unit development which are documents seem to lack.

I think that I prefer the clear and concise formatting of the Saskatchewan curriculum but that Manitoba is superior for teachers who are unfamiliar with teaching and biology. I think that our curriculum could have much more resources on the specific units within in a course but for quick reference, planning, and specific course goals I prefer the Saskatchewan document.