News

2017/10/10 by Natalie

WE DAY Kenyan Boys Choir

Last week the Academy campus Grade 8 students were fortunate enough to participate in WE DAY as part of celebrating the values of the Free the Children foundation. Academy students were also visited by the Kenyan Boys Choir and watched them perform live! This team of talented singers and musicians is an African traditional and contemporary male choir. The group is based in the city of Nairobi, Kenya, yet travels the world doing performances. Since Rowntree Montessori Schools is a participant in WE Day activities throughout the year, we were given the great honor of seeing the spectacular choir perform live.

Our students were very excited to see this talented group sing and dance. They performed multiple songs for students and teachers, some of which were new to the students and some of which many recognized and could follow along with. We are all very appreciative of the performance and hope to see the choir perform again in the future.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/09/25 by Natalie

Teaching in the Age of Technology

Teaching children who are born into a highly advanced age of technology can be a challenge. Students need to feel excited about their learning, and they need to be taught in ways that address their different learning styles. With technology rapidly changing our world, teachers are now faced with the task of preparing students for jobs that are yet to exist! Analysts claim that students of the future will be using technology that has yet to be invented, to solve problems that do not currently exist. It goes on to say that the amount of technical information has been doubling every two years. In addition, some of the jobs most in demand right now, did not even exist ten years ago, such as: app developer, web experience designer, social media manager, and chief listening officers. So, how can we help students prepare for their futures? The video below shows a young student using the interactive whiteboard to share her answer with the class.

Thus there is a very important need to incorporate technology into our curriculum, in a variety of ways. Enhancing lessons using different types of media such as video, websites, interactive activities, and even video games are a few of the ways this need can be achieved. Research shows us that surgeons who play video games make less mistakes, and perform surgeries more quickly (Dobnik 2004). In addition, students should also be taught how to use these media for their own purposes by creating their own videos and online media for assignments. Students should be comfortable navigating these types of technologies to suit their purposes.

Grade 7 students at Rowntree Montessori Schools in class on their computers — Grade 7 students using new computers to complete an exercise

Teaching our students Digital literacy and Citizenship is equally necessary in order for them to thrive and survive in the world of technology! Much like media literacy, digital literacy refers to understanding how these technologies are used, and how they may influence us. It also involves questioning what they are seeing online. Digital citizenship refers to how people relate and respond to online content. It is their own online presence. With more and more interactions taking place online, students need to learn things such as email etiquette. Students also need to learn about keeping themselves safe online. That means not mentioning in their Facebook status where they are going that night, or taking pictures where identifying information can be obtained. Students also need to learn that everything they post online becomes part of their digital footprint which will follow them. It needs to be made very clear that their online interactions will affect them in the ‘real’ world. In addition, it has now become common for potential employers to search their candidates on social media before hiring them. As a result, it is important students learn how to represent themselves appropriately.

Our advances in technology require that we as teachers, change our teaching styles and cater to the recent changing and developing needs of the generation. By doing this we are helping our students learn the skills they need to succeed so that they can successfully shape their futures.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/09/14 by Natalie

Practice Makes Perfect

“Practice makes perfect” is a phrase that most of us have probably heard at some point in our lives. At the very least, we have been told that in order to improve a skill or talent, the key word is PRACTICE! Music is a great way to develop the discipline of practice. It can influence the way a child progresses in developing other skills as well. Even though this skill is dependent on the individual student, it is important to establish a regular routine to allow development of that particular skill or talent.

Playing a musical instrument or developing the ability to sing requires consistent practice in order to improve. As a music teacher, one of the biggest challenges is to ensure students routinely practice. Introducing practice schedules can be a challenge. The life of a student revolves around school work, extra-curricular activities, social networking and of course they need FAMILY TIME!

Students practicing the recorder in music class at RMS private school in Brampton — Students practicing in music class

Establishing a schedule for practice times gives students the chance to get it done BEFORE the homework starts. Some students find it easier to do in the morning before going to school. Others may even practice after homework is completed every evening! Usually students find it easier if the schedule is divided up into smaller durations of time throughout the day. Practice charts usually work well, especially for younger children, and stickers can be VERY motivational.

There are many ways to encourage students to practice, and goal setting is a great way to ensure they have something to work towards an exam, recital, concert, or even preparing a song for family and friends will help motivate a student.

Parents, teachers and coaches need to find a way to motivate their students in both a fun and productive way, and to always strive to do their very best.

Consistent practice will facilitate the development of a student’s skills and talents, and will establish the foundation for self-discipline – something that we all know is an important life value.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/09/05 by Natalie

Creative & Innovative Classrooms

The classroom is a space where minds are nurtured and nourished. Devising creative and innovative ways to teach concepts and consolidate knowledge is one of the primary goals of a teacher. In light of this fact, fun and games can come into play to accomplish a set goal. Games help children to think strategically, solve problems creatively and develop social skills which require them to follow rules, and await their turn.

Education in the early part of the 20th century tended to focus on the acquisition of basic skills and content knowledge, like reading, writing, calculation, history or science. Many experts believe that success in the 21st century depends on education that treats higher order skills, like the ability to think, solve complex problems or interact critically through language and media.

Students making their own creative and innovative games at RMS private school in Brampton — Students teaching other students

In our quest for developing well-rounded learners we strive to apply innovative ideas to solidify skills and ignite a creative edge in our students. Last year our Grade 6 students developed their very own original games to play with the students of Grades 1 and 2. It was rewarding to watch the students of different ages and grade levels interact with each other and cooperate with ease, following rules and taking turns to solve word problems in Math. The younger students showed no fear of failing when the answer was incorrect. The older students who lead the activity displayed patience and dedication in their efforts to help their younger peers to succeed.

Incorporating creative games into everyday learning strengthens students’ focus and keeps them consistently involved in the learning process. Seeking innovative ways that will spark a passion for learning is an ongoing goal that Rowntree Montessori Schools is proudly committed to accomplishing.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/08/23 by Natalie

Student Initiated Critical Thinking

Education has evolved tremendously over the last two decades, and so has the approach of the teacher. Visualize a classroom in the 1980’s, where teacher-centered learning was the focus and students relied heavily on teacher directed learning. Textbooks were, in most cases, the main source of information. Critical thinking was probably the teacher’s job. Memorization of facts was the primary method of learning. Well, this was the story in the past! Welcome to the 21^st century classroom, where students initiate the learning, create and collaborate with each other to come up with new ideas and hence become independent learners! Learning is not confined to textbooks. Students and schools such as our private schools, are now more resourceful than ever, both technologically and academically.

Teacher in group setting teaching students about lego robotics at RMS private schools — Students and teacher working on interactive learning activity

The learning environment at Rowntree Montessori Schools provide opportunities that facilitate this process of developing critical thinking skills, which has becoming an essential part of learning. This all important skill is intricately embedded into all our activities and across all learning areas, and students are encouraged to use their reasoning skills, logic, imagination and innovation inside, as well as outside.

By applying a series of critical thinking skills, students develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the processes which they can employ whenever they encounter problems, unfamiliar information, and new ideas. The practice of using thinking strategies increases students’ motivation for their own learning. They become more confident and independent problem-solvers and thinkers. Challenges of the 21^st century – with its complex environmental, social, and economic pressures – require young people to be creative, innovative, enterprising, and adaptable.

KM students at RMS private schools hard at work at their desks — Young students working on a math activity using shapes

Following is just one example of how students in Grade One employ 6 steps of critical and creative thinking through discussions, analysis of texts, and through the creation of their own written texts which require logic, imagination, and innovation in Language Arts.

Knowledge (recall of information): Students recalled all the information about story writing and steps involved.
Understanding (selecting facts or ideas): Students understood that character, setting, plot, middle, and end are important components of story writing.
Applying (use of facts and ideas): Students used artists story board to make up their own story frameworks.
Analyzing (describe and compare): Students then described their story framework and compared with the one they had read with the teacher.
Synthesizing (combining their ideas to form new whole): Students then combined ideas from their artists story board and wrote their stories.
Evaluating (assess their peers ideas): Students then evaluate their peers stories using rubric.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/08/22 by Natalie

Open House featuring Robotics Tue Aug 29, 6pm-8pm

Come and take a look at some Robotics activities, and discover the opportunity you can provide your child to succeed Now and in their Future. Our Tuesday Evening Private School Open House is a perfect opportunity to tour our campuses and meet our teachers, particularly if you are unable to take advantage of our Open House ANYTIME opportunity. It’s your chance to see our campuses when it might be more convenient for you!

Take just a few minutes to come by our Private School Open House on Tuesday Aug 29, 2017 (6 pm – 8 pm) at our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses and discover the opportunity and possibilities for your child to love learning and excel. Your visit could be your first step in empowering your child’s journey towards their dreams!

Students using robots at RMS for Open House on June 3, 2017 — Students using Dash & Dot robots

Apply NOW for September 2017! Click here to find out more.

Here’s a map which illustrates the locations of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses.

We will gladly take the time with you and your family to:

Tour the facilities (typically takes 15-20 minutes)
Provide you with the opportunity to meet teachers and administrators
Outline our enriched educational programmes
Inform you about the wide variety of before and after school activities available
Discuss registration options for Pre-Kindergarten (starting at 2 years 8 months old as of September 2017) to Grade 8

…and of course, children are most welcome.

We look forward to seeing you because we want to share with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/08/17 by Natalie

The Magic of Music

Introducing children of all ages, especially the younger ones to music playtime has proven to be extremely beneficial to their learning skills, creativity, and their ability to express thoughts and ideas. During music time, it is interesting to watch how students explore and experiment with a range of musical rhythms, songs, and instruments. It shows how valuable music is to a child’s learning and development.

Children at RMS Private School Playing music on Xylophones — Students experimenting with sounds on the xylophones

Students are taught how to play a variety of percussion instruments and they also learn about the technical elements of music itself. They learn about types of sounds and the structure of sound including tempo, beat, bass, pitch, volume, etc. Further, the students also learn about the different components of a song, such as chorus, bridge, and introduction. Above all, they are fascinated by how the instruments can be combined in harmony to create a wonderful piece of music.

RMS Private School students dancing and playing musical instruments — Students enjoying themselves while they dance to the beat

At RMS, children in Grade 1 play percussion instruments to accompany poems, short stories and songs. They also are introduced to the families of instruments through listening and class activities. The introduction of basic music notation, terms and symbols are also introduced. From then on, we continue to develop the student’s knowledge and love for music. Overall, children need an alternative to the traditional classroom setting and methods of learning. Providing children with a space to creatively express themselves gives them a chance to let loose and take a break from a structured routine. They enjoy these creative forms of learning. Music time is almost a magical moment where students delight themselves in discovering and developing their hidden skills and talents.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/08/14 by Natalie

Succeeding with Guided Reading

In our Prep-ONE classes we place a large emphasis on guided reading. During these Language periods, the students are not only encouraged to strengthen their reading skills, but the group setting helps to engage the children into the context of the story. During guided reading periods children are “reading for meaning”, which means that the students are using their critical thinking to decipher the text. It promotes more purposeful and thoughtful conversations about the text that is being read by the group. It prompts questions and reflection, which lead to a better understanding of the material being read. This activity also embeds early inferencing skills that will strengthen over time.

RMS private school students reading in a circle — Prep-One (SK) students at the Mayfield Campus reading as a group

Guided reading groups not only help to develop students as individual readers, but they also have the support of their peers and teacher if needed. This gives children the opportunity to take on a leadership role while assisting their classmates. Students gain practice reading aloud, which in turn builds confidence and ease in the fluidity of their speech and oral presentations. This activity gets a thumbs up for igniting a passion for reading!

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

2017/08/09 by Natalie

Making Math Meaningful

Rowntree Montessori Schools are committed to keeping learning fresh and exciting for our students, and as part of these efforts, the students from Grades 4 to 8 organized a fun filled afternoon of Math by hosting a shopping event titled, “Shop Until You Drop”. The classrooms were transformed into a variety of shops – a grocery store, a clothing store, a toy store, a book store, an arcade, and a bank – in addition to math activity centres!

Students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 were given 40 RMS dollars in bills and coins and an RMS debit card with a deposit of 40 dollars. Each student was responsible for their wallet that contained these important materials for the Math related shopping event. The Kindergarten students were paired with Grade 5 students who helped them to purchase items at these stores. All of the students had a fantastic time, especially the younger ones!

Private schools student at RMS using RMS math money to purchase items at school — Student showcasing his RMS money

There were many sensible purchases made, as well as some extravagant ones. It was entertaining to watch how students spent their dollars using their developing Math skills of course! Some of our kindergarten students were so carried away by the thrilling atmosphere in the toy store that they paid very little attention to the actual size of the items they were purchasing. It seemed that our little shoppers had only one goal in mind as they cashed out their oversized packages. If there was a will, there was certainly a way.

A few shoppers in the clothing store even insisted that they try on the clothes before making a decision! They explained to the employees, “Every time we go out shopping with our mommies, they always try on the clothes before buying them.” Of course, our courteous store associates were more than happy to assist the shoppers, who eventually purchased the clothes and even wore their purchases for the rest of the shopping day!

Students doing a math activity on the interactive whiteboard

It was indeed rewarding for the staff to see the positive energy and exhilaration in the mall that afternoon. RMS Academy Mall was just a big, fabulous buzz! This event surely changed the perception of Math in the minds of those students who might have had some anxieties about the subject. Our mission at RMS, to make learning fun and engaging was certainly accomplished!

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/08/04 by Natalie

Technology in the Classroom

Many years ago chalkboards were the primary teaching tools in a classroom. It was fascinating to watch our teachers as they chalked their lessons across the board. Using coloured chalk was the most exciting part! Since then, teaching tools have evolved remarkably, some beyond our wildest expectations. Thanks to the advancement of technology, teachers and students alike can now enjoy a whole new range of high-tech tools in the classroom.

Students working together with technology — Kindergarten students working together on Google Chromebooks

The introduction of Smart Boards in our classrooms was welcome with some reluctance. But the notion that these pieces of technology came with complications were soon swept away as we began to explore the many options they had to offer. Students enjoy their learning as teachers are able to enhance their lessons using a wide variety of tools available on these machines. Teachers are also able to monitor student learning and give instant feedback on their progress.

We also leverage Dash & Dot robots in the classroom as early as Pre-Kindergarten to teach programming and coding, as these skills are becoming increasingly more relevant for the future careers to our students. Also, through the use of Chrome Books and Google accounts, students have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers online to complete class projects and homework assignments. With this type of virtual communication, the need to visit a friend’s home to work on a project is also minimized and the goal is conveniently achieved!

Problem solving using technologyProblem solving using technology — Problem solving using technology

One of the biggest benefits of using technology to teach concepts in the classroom is that students can manipulate them with ease, thus ensuring increased focus and consistent engagement in the lesson. Teaching students to drive their learning through the use of technology and collaborative learning experiences is surely setting them up for a successful and rewarding future.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

News

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Footer