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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Casa Montessori
The Casa Montessori classroom creates a learning environment for young children enabling them to acquire new skills through exploration and manipulation of classroom materials. The children are free to choose their own work and set their own work pace. This method has proven to enhance the children’s independence and the desire to reach their maximum individual learning potential. The classroom age ranges from 2.5 to 6 years, which provides the children with the opportunity to learn from each other by observing and asking questions. The teacher’s job in the classroom is to foster and satisfy the curious minds of her students. The areas of study include: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Culture and Art.
French
The Casa children have a daily French program. The children are introduced to vocabulary, salutations, songs and stories.
Music
The children are introduced to songs and percussion instruments during circle time. Appreciation of classical composers and their music is also taught in the classroom.
Field Trips
The Casa children go on two excursions off campus. (i.e. a farm and Center Island ) In addition, special guests come into the school to speak and do demonstrations for the children. (i.e. TSO, Lenny Graf, Fire Dept., Police, Humane Society etc.)
Physical Fitness and Play Time
A healthy mind needs a healthy body. The Casa children have one and a half hours of outside play every day. On days when the weather does not permit outdoor playtime the children use the gym. The school has also integrated a skating program that runs through second term. Once a week, the children are bused to the local skating rink where Instructors with ‘Breakaway’ teach them to skate.
Academic Evaluation
There is a strong emphasis placed on the academic standings of our students. Academic progress is charted daily and progress reports are given to parents twice a year.
Homework
A gradual introduction of homework begins in our Casa classes. Once a child is reading they will be given a reader to take home nightly. In addition, extra worksheets will be sent home if extra work is needed.
Elementary Montessori
The Elementary years take the children to a new level of learning. Here the children take their acquired skills from Casa and apply them to further Language and Mathematics concepts. The children begin their transformation from concrete to abstract thinking. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on History, Geography, Botany and Zoology in the way of projects, and science experiments. Using a universal approach to learning, the children learn through research and small group lessons.
Academic Evaluation
There is a strong emphasis placed on the academic standings of our students. Academic evaluation is continuous and progress reports are sent to parents twice a year.
Homework
A gradual introduction of homework begins in our Casa classes. In Elementary, the children will have daily homework, which includes: Reading, Spelling Words, French Dictee Words, Extra Work sheets (when necessary) and unfinished work.
Sports / Physical Education
This biweekly program takes place either in the gym or outdoors. It includes: hockey, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball etc. In addition, golf, skiing and tennis have been incorporated into the curriculum.
Art
Art History is taught within the Montessori curriculum. As a supplement to the theory a hands on program has been integrated into the curriculum. The children learn about two- and three-dimensional art forms through work with different mediums such as clay, cloth, paint, wood and charcoal
French
This program advances the children to a new level of the French language. Here they learn further comprehension and communication skills and begin delving into grammar, verb conjugation and dictee.
Music
The music program incorporates Orff, Kodaly, Dalcroze and Music Therapy. Utilizing these methods in combination with an introduction to playing instruments and reading notation, the children develop an understanding and appreciation for music that they create and listen to. Composers and instrument families are also studied.
Field Trips
In an effort to bring the childrens experiences to "life", field trips are incorporated into many of the children’s studies. Trips include: The Science Centre, ROM, Theatre, Library and Lake George's 3–day overnight.
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