Language Arts

Throughout the grades, reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are developed primarily in the context of social studies themes. A variety of cultures and time periods are brought to life through storytelling, writing projects, drama, poetry, and art forms. This integration of the humanities builds an artistic, poetic sense of the English language, from which the students can draw in their high school years. It also cultivates an intimate experience of a larger world and lays the foundation for a lifelong respect for other people and ways of life. To supplement this theme-oriented approach, students keep journals for writing and illustrating their own stories. Language arts skills including grammar, spelling and handwriting are practiced and refined through projects and exercises.

Mathematics

Through mathematics, students experience relationships in the world around them. By hearing stories, working with movement and rhythm, drawing form and colour patterns and exploring with concrete objects, students gain an active and deep-seated understanding of mathematical concepts. They begin to see patterns all around them and apply the many skills they learn to other aspects of their work. 

In this way, the ground is laid for the flexible and reversible thought needed for higher mathematics, and for the understanding of form and pattern needed in geometry. In all grades, mathematics skills are practiced and refined in skill-building projects, exercises and drills. Beginning with an introduction to the four processes and progressing through regrouping for addition and subtraction and thoroughly learning multiplication tables, students continue to master a high level of skills and mathematical thinking appropriate to each grade level. By the end of grade 6, students are well practiced in algebraic and geometric thinking in preparation for junior high mathematics.

Science

The science program encourages students to see the world through their own eyes and to stand in wonder and appreciation of what they see. In the earlier grades, story, poetry and the visual arts bring the students an imaginative and lively description of the processes of nature. The children experience the natural world directly through nature walks and projects arising from the various topics being covered. In the middle grades, students actively participate in farming and building projects and explore topics related to these themes. Students learn about animals and plants through direct observation and independent research, as well as through stories and the arts. In grades 5 and 6 emphasis is on direct observation and independent research areas such as botany, climate and insects. 

Steps in the scientific process are practiced along with a study of optics, acoustics, mechanics and astronomy. These experiences keep alive children's natural sense of wonder, inquisitiveness, and caring for the world around them. They also lay the foundation for the observation and analytical skills that form the core of science studies in the high school years.

French Language

Beginning in Primary, students have a living experience of the French language and culture through daily French lessons. French language is woven into the daily life of the classroom through instructions, greetings, poetry and song. As they progress through the elementary grades, students develop proficiency in conversation, reading and writing, hands on activities, games and dramatizations.

Projects and Crafts

In our projects and crafts time, students bring form to what they are learning in other areas. The youngest children may recreate a story or an excursion in beeswax and wood, silk and stone, wool and felt. They may knit animals to inhabit their creation or knit full-size scarves and hats to warm them on their journeys. Older children may build sheds or playhouses, or weave a quiver for their arrows. They may work with clay to build pyramids, or use papier-mâché to construct a diorama of a mining town. Students create together in small groups and also work on independent projects.

Movement Arts/Physical Education

Activities that develop rhythm, balance, coordination and spatial awareness are integrated into academic areas of the curriculum on a daily basis. Exercises, games, sports, movement verses, expressive movement and folk dance all provide support for successful academic, artistic and social learning. While many of these activities take place within the classes, grades Primary to 6 have gym periods with the Althetics Director, Mr. Craig Janc.

Visual Arts

The visual arts are woven into the curriculum on a daily basis. Students draw and paint to articulate their experience of social studies, mathematics and science. Through the grades, students progress from rich experiences in colour and movement to work with more structured and planned forms. These experiences encourage them to notice the subtle moods and forms in the visual world around them, while giving them a first-hand knowledge of the artistic laws and possibilities that they will draw upon in later years.

Music

Music is an integral part of all academic areas, bringing the curriculum content to life. Daily musical activities, including group singing and recorder playing in the early grades, develops into more complex rounds and beginning harmonies in the later grades. Grades 4, 5 and 6 also have two music classes per week with a specialist and have the opportunity to join a performing group on an instrument or voice.