HSC Montessori School Information Booklet

FIND JOY

IGNITE PASSION

ExPLORE POTENTIAL

MONTESSORI SCHOOL Beginning at 18 months through to age 9.

The ordered and nurturing environment of the Montessori classroom builds safety and security, allowing for purposeful and personalized learning while students confidently master age- and stage-appropriate skills in preparation for their life’s journey.

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL believes that children who are guided through student-centred

experiential learning and hands-on activity are best able to reach their full potential. Through personalized curriculum and self-directed learning, students develop a sense of responsibility, build independence and self-esteem, and follow their individual interests and passions.

Montessori fundamentals emphasize respect for self, others and community. At HSC we take pride in and celebrate our community and diversity. Our connection to the globe is always expanding, becoming broader as students move through the Toddler program, to the Casa classrooms, and then through the Elementary levels for six to nine year olds.

MATERIALS

PRE TECHNOLOGY

AGE & STAGE

Your child’s fundamental needs will be met in an environment led by certified Montessori teachers and Early Childhood Educators who are trained to embody trust, respect a child’s uniqueness, and foster the development of academic, social and emotional skills.

PERSONALIZED CUrriculum

The Montessori curriculum is designed to develop the whole child by attending to their academic, social and emotional needs. This personalized course of learning allows each child to work on tasks geared to both their development level and interests. Students make purposeful work choices and engage in meaningful tasks.

Our curriculum includes a series of lessons that teach students how to be productive and cooperative members of a community, with important messages on how to care for the environment and how to support the needs of others.

In our multi-age classes, our older students help younger students in developing self-esteem, they set an example and assume a leadership role. Younger students also benefit from our older students being role models and peer mentors.

• A love of learning • Intro to botany, zoology, history, geography • Numeracy study of quantity and symbol • Language Phonetic approach to reading and writing • Exploring math operations

All student curriculum includes the following elements:

CHOICE

When students have a connection to their work by choice, interest, developmental level an engagement to task is heightened. This leads to improved concentration and enhanced work habits. Our students build an inner discipline they are able to apply to their studies. Personal choice builds a child’s motivation to master skills and enhances their drive to succeed.

• Build the individual first, so each child can be a positive member of the community and make responsible choices.

• Emphasize respect, grace and courtesy in decision making.

• Foster a sense of perseverance.

• Guide students as they understand their own capabilities.

Busy hands=busy brains!

Montessori materials are the fundamental tools with concrete, sensorial impressions used for learning in each developmental stage. The materials come with built-in assessment tools, allowing for self-correction by the student.

Through these multi-sensory activities, students can empower themselves through the choice of their own tasks, and can take risks.

The materials are concrete examples of abstract concepts designed for the young child to master. As the student’s progress, the concrete component of the material lessens so the older student can explore in the abstract.

Examples of materials: • • • • • • • •

Cylinder blocks The Pink Tower Red rods Binomial & Trinomial cubes Knobless cylinders Colour tablets Golden beads 1-1000 Stamp game

The young child learns best by exploring concrete hands-on materials. Manipulating materials, while grounding the child in the concrete, prepares students for technological skills needed for 21st century learning. The sequence and order embedded in our math and sensorial materials builds the logic needed for computer use. The selfcorrecting nature of the exercises also develops the problem solving and trial and error skills needed in pre-coding and coding in IT. Experiencing making meaningful decisions and seeking independent answers also builds the critical thinking that is so much a part of IT. Building fundamental visual and spatial skills will support future technological and analytical skills.

When IT is introduced at age 6, age and stage appropriate computer skills will be explored, focusing on the following elements: • Pre-coding and coding (sequencing, exercises and robotics programming) • Research • Publishing • Learning Microsoft Office Suite • Other computer literacy lessons, including mouse and keyboard skills, and developing technological communication techniques

Toddler, ages 18 months—2 years • • • •

Independence Language development Motor skills – fine and gross Ways to connect to the world CASA, ages 3—5

• • • • • •

Finding order and understanding Lengths, sizes, colours, shapes Classification Numeracy Phonics Writing skills ELEMENTARY, ages 6—9

• Using their understanding of the world to make new connections • Big picture is taught first • Stories, timelines and presentations are made using materials • Social science curriculum allows students to explore individual aspects of a lesson that speaks to their interests • Curriculum without a ceiling • Exploration of four math operations with exchange and borrowing • Numeracy to the billions and beyond • Individual work choices that meet skill level and passion • Engagement in research process • Building reading comprehension and understanding of word function • Foster writing skills • Encourage questions, problem solving and risk taking

The HSC Learning Journey Begins Here Hillfield Strathallan College Montessori School

We have been providing exceptional early education programs in our Montessori School for decades. Our curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning, and to provide a great beginning for our youngest students as they embark on their educational journey.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL INFORMATION

Montessori School

The Montessori School would be happy to assist you with questions or book a private tour for you.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 905-389-1367.

Danielle Hourigan ’82 Montessori School Principal ext. 138 Montessori School Assistant ext. 193

The Montessori learning experience at HSC begins at 18 months in our Toddler program. The classes engage our youngest students and prepare them for our 3–5 year old Casa classrooms and our further 6-9 year old Elementary level.

Our Toddler and Casa learning environments are led by certified Montessori teachers and Early Childhood Educators who are trained to embody trust, respect a child’s uniqueness and foster their independence. Through the use of Montessori materials and our personalized curriculum, children refine their senses, explore language, coordinate their movements, and take joy knowing that they are capable of accepting new challenges. Our students are encouraged from the youngest age to make choices and connect with their learning.

The ordered and nurturing environment builds safety and security, allowing for purposeful learning while students confidently master age and stage appropriate skills in preparation for their life’s path.

For more information about the Montessori School, please visit: www.hsc.on.ca/MontessoriSchool