CARRINGTON COLLEGE
Casa Class – Primary (3 – 6 years)
Children attending the Casa programme possess what Maria Montessori called ‘the absorbent mind’. She believed that a child was born with the ability to absorb all aspects of its surroundings without effort or fatigue, if given the freedom within that environment to explore at will. The teacher’s role is to aid the child during this period of self-construction. The following areas of activity cultivate the children’s adaptation and ability to express and think with clarity by allowing “hands-on” experiences to take place:
Plane of development
- Relatively stable period
- Period of ‘why’
- Age of creative imagination
- Passage from concrete world to abstract world
- Imagination world opened
- Physically – noticeable changes taking place;
losing baby teeth, baby facial features diminishing
- Reasoning skills beginning to develop
- Becoming boastful
- Beginning to enjoy peer interaction
- Not conscientious of how they look
- I don’t remember, I don’t know, I forgot;
sayings are quite common at this age
Practical Life Area
The Practical Life area helps to develop the powers of control, coordination, self-confidence, self-discipline, concentration skills, the ability to make small distinctions, as well as life skills. Exercises instill care for self, others, and for the environment. Many exercises may be familiar to the child as part of the daily routine at home, such as dusting, cleaning tables, washing cloths, sewing, shoe polishing, along with exercises of grace and courtesy. These exercises develop children’s muscular coordination, enabling movement and the exploration of their surroundings and concentration. Children learn to work from beginning to end, at their own pace, in a non-competitive environment, and at their own level. This area is most important as it builds an “I can do it all by myself” attitude.
Sensorial Area
The Montessori program embraces the thought that from birth the child is a “sensorial explorer.” Sensorial exercises refine the senses. (Auditory, Olfactory, Gustatory, Visual, Tactile, and Stereognostic) as a means of helping the child make sense of his environment. In strengthening the senses, a child is given keys to classifying, organizing, and making sense of things in the environment. As a result a child begins to organize his or her intelligence and ability to adapt to his or her environment.
The sensorial area helps the child learn through his or her own experiences rather than verbal instruction, leading the child to make abstractions and distinctions in his or her environment.
Language Area
The vital development of language is strengthened by enabling ample opportunities for oral expression. The Montessori classroom allows the child to experience conversations with peers and teachers, and allows for opportunities to read and listen to stories and poetry. Acquisition of reading skills begin by learning the phonetic sounds of the letters of the alphabet using the sandpaper material. This exercise has multiple functions allowing children the ability to link sound, symbol, and formation of letters effortlessly, as well as encourage the development of written expression and reading skills. Children learn to build a repertoire of sight words, how to compose sentences, and the purpose of words by introducing the parts of speech. Writing is introduced at an early age. With guidance, children learn to hold a writing instrument properly, how to place letters properly on the guidelines, the proper formation of letters, and how to compose a sentence using proper punctuation.
Mathematics Area
Exercises in this area help children learn and understand math concepts by manipulating concrete materials. Practise provides a solid understanding and foundation of basic mathematical principles, as well as prepares the child for later abstract reasoning and problem-solving capabilities. Much time is spent associating symbols and quantities for the first four hierarchical categories. Learning to linear count up to 9,999, and completing operational calculations using materials assist children in the process of memorizing their facts. A child works at their own pace and through repetition moves from concrete manipulation to abstract thinking.
Cultural Areas: Geography, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Art, and Music
These areas are presented as extensions of the sensorial and language exercises. Children learn about different cultures and people in other countries with an attitude of respect and admiration. Over the three year period, children become familiar with the lessons, thus, feel connected to the global human family. Presentations and first hand experiences with nature inspire a reverence for all life. Art and music lessons are comprehensive and provide every opportunity to enjoy a variety of creative activities as well as gain knowledge of the great masters from the past and present.
The casa program is challenging, but administered in a safe, fun environment.
Montessori Elementary – (Grades 1-3, Ages 6-9)
Plane of development
- Relatively stable period
- Period of ‘why’
- Age of creative imagination
- Passage from concrete world to abstract world
- Imagination world opened
- Physically – noticeable changes taking place;
losing baby teeth, baby facial features diminishing
- Reasoning skills beginning to develop
- Becoming boastful
- Beginning to enjoy peer interaction
- Not conscientious of how they look
- I don’t remember, I don’t know, I forgot;
sayings are quite common at this age
Overview
Students in the Lower Elementary classroom have the advantage of learning at their own pace and level. The advantage of the Montessori system is that it provides opportunities for students, in most instances, to move beyond the pace and level of traditional public and private curriculums. The curriculum is expansive, exciting, and involves bringing nature into the classroom, whenever possible. In the classroom, students are empowered to take charge of their learning and inspired to work to their potential.
Life Skills
As part of a school community, students are encouraged to develop self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Students become involved in every aspect of the classroom, school, and community: its preservation, conflict resolution with peers, planning of class events, completing assignments, and development of leadership skills encompass this area.
Language
Literacy is developed through hands on experiences leading to reading, writing, and verbal communication and listening skills. Students are encouraged to develop their penmanship, punctuation, and spelling skills. Poetry, research, and creative writing exercises are introduced at an early age as a means of enabling self-expression and to strengthen imagination. Students also develop knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, analysis of sentences, and reading comprehension skills. Daily reading allows for both fluency and comprehension to develop.
Mathematics
Students are encouraged to develop their mathematical mind. Working with the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, students progress from concrete manipulation of the materials to abstract memorization. Money work, measurement, fractions, pre-algebra, reading/writing large numbers, Roman numerals, geometry, and graphing reveal math concepts through the manipulation of materials.
Cultural Studies (Geography, History, Science)
The cultural areas help students make sense of how everything is interrelated, thus, the curriculum is presented and organized as such.
History
Through the use of various materials, students develop an understanding and appreciation of past events. Some of the topics studied include ancient civilizations, evolution, and the history of Canada and the world. Independent study units are researched, presented, and discussed.
Geography
This area includes the study of the universe, countries/cities of the world, flags of the world, and the physical study of the Earth. Students also enjoy learning about nations and the needs of societies and humans. Students work independently and with peers to complete exercises in this area, which inspires inquisitiveness and the drive to learn more about the world in which they live.
Science
Through visual and hands-on experiments, students gain an interest for the study of botany, zoology, and the physical science areas. Some topics include: the evolution of life on Earth, characteristics and needs of living things, classification of animal and plant kingdoms, properties of matter, everyday structure, and energy from wind and moving water. Outdoor exploration is pertinent and helps bring this area of study to life. Research is encouraged as erll sd independent and group study units.
Art, Physical Education, Music
Art
Appreciation for art is developed through the exposure of various art mediums in order to produce individual ‘masterpieces’. Colour, three-dimensional figures, and elements of art are introduced. Projects include seasonal creations, painting, drawing, modeling clay, and designing. Students are exposed to famous artists and have an opportunity to observe and compare paintings through library resources.
Physical Education
A healthy body and healthy mind is encouraged. Health and nutrition education is introduced in combination with physical activity. Students enjoy cooperative games and the development of basic sports skills, body awareness, and coordination in an atmosphere of friendly competition.
Music
A musical specialist guides the development and appreciation of oral expression and instrumental instruction using the recorder when readiness is demonstrated. Students are encouraged to learn and use musical terminology, to read notes, and develop an ear for specific notes. Students enjoy preparing for various performances using dance, drama, and vocal development.
French Second Language
Students in the elementary class receive French instruction by a specialized teacher. During the 2 ½ hours of class time each week, students develop reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. Students learn to express themselves orally and to write short assignments apart from weekly activity worksheets.
Computer Technology
Elementary students become familiar with computer terms and the use of a computer. Familiarity with basic word processing, research, and publishing capabilities of a computer is encouraged. Typing with all fingers is reinforced and progressed through typing tutorials. When a child demonstrates readiness, opportunities for supervised Internet access for research assignments is encouraged. Internet safety is monitored and introduced.
Blended Elementary Program – (Grades 4-6, Ages 9-12)
Plane of development
- Period of how, when and where
- Enjoy the company of friends
- Peer pressure apparent
- Expresses definite likes and dislikes
- Become judgmental towards friends
- Push the limits of set boundaries
- More competitive
- Looks become important
- Have mood swings
- Forgets manners
Overview
Students in the Upper Elementary classroom have the advantage of learning at their own pace and level. The advantage of the Montessori system is that it provides opportunities for students, in most instances, to move beyond the pace and level of traditional public and private curriculums. The curriculum is expansive, exciting, and involves bringing nature into the classroom, whenever possible. In the classroom, students are empowered to take charge of their learning and inspired to work to their potential.
Life Skills
As part of a school community, it is encouraged to continue and build on life skills commenced in the lower elementary level with the addition of managing an allowance, obtaining a Baby Sitting Course and First Aid Certificate , and taking responsibility for specific responsibilities at home, school, and the community.
Language
The development of language involves building skills in the areas of oral language, reading, writing process, and handwriting that began in the lower elementary class. Opportunities are provided to present projects, experiences, and to resolve problem-solving situations. Students continue to develop language skills through literature circles, novel study units, writing opportunities, and research topics. Students continue to develop knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, analysis of sentences, and reading comprehension skills. The use of appropriate punctuation and spelling is encouraged and guided. Students focus on the development of cursive writing and formalizing their projects with the use of a computer. Students are encouraged to read a minimum of 20 minutes each day. Reading is strengthened through novel study units, independent research units, and the continuation of analysis of written material from various genres and poetry that complement the history and geography sections of our curriculum.
Mathematics
Students continue advanced work and are encouraged to further develop their mathematical mind through the in-depth study in the arithmetic areas of algebra, problem solving, short and long division, geometry, data analysis, geometry, and square and cube roots to name a few. Progression from one level of difficulty to another is introduced when the student demonstrates readiness. The Montessori math materials will lead the student from concrete manipulation to abstract learning with the belief that process and understanding must preceed before memorization can take place.
Cultural Studies (Geography, History, Science)
It is in this area of the curriculum that the relatedness of the between subjects can be observed. This enables students to see the ‘whole’ picture. As in prior years, presentations are conducted on an individual basis, in small groups, and with the whole class. Students enjoy the opportunity to study extensions of previously learned lessons.
History
Students are involved in an in-depth study of Canada. Topics of choice are researched and presented to the class. Earlier studies introduced in lower elementary are revisited and continued in greater detail. Some of the topics of study include the Evolution of the Earth, History of Man, Ancient Civilizations, and Canadian history/government.
Geography
Some of the topics studied in this area include geographical structures, an in-depth study of Canada and opportunities for independent and group research topics. Students also continue to review the numerous exercises studied in order to retain the vastness of information learned.
Science
In the Uupper Eelementary class, science is covered as a class, for the most part, and involves experiments and explorations in group situations and individual basis. Students have opportunities to organize and conduct experiments and to formalize them in written form using the Scientific Method. Some of the topics covered include the human systems, energy, space, electricity, biomes of the world , food chains, periodic table of elements, the study of vertebrate and non-vertebrate animals.
Art, Physical Education, Music
Art
Appreciation for art is developed through the exposure of various art mediums in order to produce individual ‘masterpieces’. Colour, three-dimensional figures, and elements of art are introduced. Projects include seasonal creations, painting, drawing, modeling clay, and designing. Students are exposed to famous artists and have an opportunity to observe and compare paintings through library resources.
Physical Education
A healthy body and healthy mind is encouraged. Health and nutrition education is introduced in combination with physical activity. Students enjoy cooperative games and the development of basic sports skills, body awareness, and coordination in an atmosphere of friendly competition.
Music
A musical specialist guides the development and appreciation of oral expression and instrumental instruction using the recorder when readiness is demonstrated. Students are encouraged to learn and use musical terminology, to read notes, and develop an ear for specific notes. Students enjoy creating their own musical compositions and preparing for various dance, drama, and vocal performances.
French Second Language
Students in the elementary class receive French instruction by a specialized teacher. During the 2 ½ hours of class time each week, students develop reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. Students learn to express themselves orally through drama skits, reading out-loud, and completing short assignments and lesson worksheets.
Computer Technology
Elementary students become familiar with computer terms and the use of a computer. Familiarity with basic word processing, power point, research, and publishing capabilities of a computer is encouraged. Typing with all fingers is reinforced and progressed through typing tutorials. Students have opportunities for supervised Internet access for research assignments. Internet safety is monitored and introduced to the students.
Camps
Coming Soon
Before and After School Care Programme
Offered from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Before and After School Programme enables your child to play in an unstructured setting building creativity with activities chosen that provide pleasure and interest. Items can be brought from home (with approval) or a variety of building, gross motor, and creative play items are available. The after school and before school programmes operate from our full-size gymnasium to provide ample movement for the children.
Clubs: (Children 4 – 6 years)
Lego Club
Casa aged children love to build, take apart, and rebuild – Lego is perfect! From our observations, Lego provides enjoyment of building, improvement in the fine motor skills of the children who consistently attend, and provides positive social skills building essential skills such as the concept of creativity, teamwork, cooperation, and following directions.
Monkeynastix Club
Monkeynastix is a fun and challenging fitness movement education programme developing gross motor and physical literacy in children. Every week, children enjoy new lesson to inspire a healthy active lifestyle from a young age.
Mad Science Club
Children of all ages are intrigued by Science and Technology and Mad Science provides educational programmes in an entertaining manner that sparks imaginative learning. The children complete a hands-on item to bring home.
Taekwondo Club
Fun, energy, self-discipline, and positive defense techniques encourages confidence, collaboration, and body awareness/control. Children perform for parents throughout the year and receive upgraded belts.
Programmes are offered according to interest of the children enrolled and can include other clubs such as art, baking, dance.
Past Clubs (Grades 1 to 6)
Mad Science
Computer Club
Robotics (new)
Chess
Baking
Art
Languages (new)
When numbers warrant Mandarin, Spanish, or Italian are offered.
