OUR CURRICULUM
The Montessori philosophy of learning is based on respect for the child, respect for the environment, and respect for the individual learning styles of each and every child. This unconventional thinking offers an “outside the box” learning environment with extensive training in all areas of the curriculum.
A Curriculum Plan has been implemented by NORTHRIDGE to ensure that our Directors and Directresses are covering the Montessori Curriculum along with the Ontario Curriculum.
Parents will receive one progress report (mid November) and report cards mid February and a student led conference at the end of June evaluating and assessing their child’s progress to that point. Parent/teacher interviews follow the mid-year report card (February), and are available upon request throughout the school year.
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS:
- 5 full days for children from 18 months to 6 years old
- Bright and spacious classrooms, small in size with a low child-teacher ratio
- Multi-year age span in the classrooms
THE CASA / PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Practical Life: This involves everyday-living exercises including pouring, sweeping, tying, zipping and buttoning
- Sensorial: This focuses on helping children to refine and understand their senses in a systematic way. The sensorial materials also indirectly prepare children for language and mathematics.
- Language: This includes introduction of the Montessori ‘sandpaper letters’ which associate each spoken sound with its symbol (letter).
- Math: For the younger students, this involves use of self-corrective manipulative materials. Older students are actively involved in problem solving.
- Geography: This begins with the use of many well-prepared apparatuses such as the world puzzle maps, sandpaper globe, flags of the world, and models of landform
- French: This is introduced through a variety of age appropriate activities such as games, songs, sorting objects and crafts
- Art: This helps beginning learners see and think in new ways and builds bridges between the verbal and nonverbal, and between logic and emotion
- Music: music appreciation, Improvisation, Composition and music-making
- Physical Education: regularly throughout the week
- Educational Field Trips
- Technology: students are introduced to the use of computers to reinforce letter and number skills.
In addition to our academic program, we also offer YOGA classes to our students.
Yoga helps kids to:
- Develop body awareness.
- Learn how to use their bodies in a healthy way.
- Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement.
- Build concentration.
- Increase their confidence and positive self-image.
- Feel part of a healthy, non-competitive group.
Our Northridge Montessori education emphasizes:
- Learning through the use of concrete educational materials developed by Dr. Maria Montessori.
- Education based on individual progress according to the abilities of each child.
- Learning through real life experiences (field trips are important as well as projects of cooking, sewing, planting, etc.)
- Assistance of the child in becoming an independent, competent and confident individual.
- Respect for the developing person in each child.
- The staff and directors of NORTHRIDGE Montessori School are dedicated to providing the best possible education for as many children as possible.
