We had an amazing day Friday with our visiting animals. It is absolutely enchanting to see how engaged and enthusiastic the children were to interact with and learn about them. Thank you to our families who shared their pets with us for the day!...
The lower elementary classes took a trip to the Royal Ontario Museum and the upper elementary class visited Arcadia Earth this week. Both trips were fun and informative! Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped supervise the children....
We honoured the brilliant Maria Montessori this month with a variety of work and discussions. Casa children created beautiful crafts based on the Montessori materials and the elementary students did various Montessori-inspired projects and activities, but the highlight was surely the Italian lunch!...
Here are a few photos from the upper elementary’s recent visit to Main Street Terrace. We are so proud of this relationship and see such value in the lessons and empathy that the children learn from their time spent with the senior residents there....
Shoe polishing is a favourite Montessori practical life activity for casa children, designed to foster independence, fine motor development and order through a structured, multi-step process. Children learn to clean, apply polish, buff and care for their own belongings, usually using a small brush, polish and cloth on a designated mat. This calming activity builds confidence, concentration and responsibility for their environment....
In a Montessori casa classroom, children often work individually. However, some lessons are given and some activities are done with a partner, which the children love! Working together on tasks builds community, fosters social development, allows older children to mentor younger ones and encourages collaboration, problem-solving and shared exploration of the materials....
The upper elementary students tried sumi-e ink painting as part of their study of Asian art. Sumi-e, originating in China and later introduced to Japan, uses black ink on rice paper to create minimalist images and focuses on the spirit of the subject rather than precise detail....
Montessori dressing frames are practical life materials designed to foster independence, self-care and fine motor development in children by isolating and practising specific dressing skills, such as buttons, zippers, snaps, buckles and laces, in a manageable, hands-on format. By allowing repeated, focused practice, they build dexterity, hand-eye coordination, concentration and confidence....
In the Montessori classroom, help is always nearby. It’s one of the best gifts of a mixed-age setting. With mixed ages comes mixed abilities. The help that’s provided by a mixed-age group of peers is magical and genuine....
Last week, our upper elementary class had their first visit of the year to Main Street Terrace, a local long term care facility. We have a longstanding relationship with Main Street Terrace as the upper students visit the residents there monthly. We are really proud of this intergenerational partnership that forms a warm relationship between the children and elderly people and the experience is invaluable. The students develop empathy, respect and social responsibility. The residents look forward to their visits each month and the children enjoy their company. During their visits they usually play games, paint, colour, chat and sing together!...
Our whole school was rooting for the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. After the tough game 7 loss, some of our lower elementary students wrote uplifting letters to the players and team to show their support. Here are a few…...
“He does it with his hands, by experience, first in play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.” -Maria Montessori...
A few photos and videos from the Independent Schools Athletic Association cross country meet last week, where several of our elementary students competed. They performed very well and showed incredible sportsmanship and support for their fellow runners. Go Kew Park!...
Spooning is an exercise within the Practical Life area of a Montessori classroom. One of the first lessons introduced in casa, this work develops focus, concentration, visual and fine motor skills....
Our first year casa students went to Riverdale Farm this week for their very first field trip. They had a beautiful day to walk around the farm. They especially enjoyed seeing the pigs, turkeys and riding on the big yellow bus!...
