learning style

2019/09/13 by Natalie

Reading Buddies in Grade 1

This year, the Grade 6 class at Rowntree Montessori Schools partnered up with the Grade 1B class to participate in the Learning Buddies Programme. According to experts from www.edutopia.org from the George Lucas Educational Foundation, “Partnering with higher achieving peers can have a positive influence on a student’s learning, and students who are older, more capable readers can be these peers for young students.”

At the Academy Campus, this programme runs each Thursday, as Grade 6 students are paired with Grade 1 students, whether in the classroom or library, and together the students work through an educational reading activity. This programme initially began with the intention of being reading centered only, but when the teachers saw how well the two classes worked together, they decided to change to focus to learning in other areas as well. The activities each week may start with a reading exercise, but may also be combined with a larger themed activity, whether learning about personal identity, speech writing or even goal setting. The students often engage in activities based off of what events are happening in the school that week.

A grade six student helping a grade 1 student with reading

Here are some examples of activities that the students have completed:

All About Me booklets
Story writing
Themed crafts
Hour of Code
Goal setting and New Years resolutions
Speech writing
Speech presentations
Read aloud

Through these weekly peer interactions, the students have created meaningful relationships with children outside their grade levels. This has positively contributed to the social environment at RMS. The younger and older students get very excited when it is time for them to see their learning buddy outside of the regular Thursday morning schedule.

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 .

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2017/07/17 by Natalie

Encouraging Public Speaking

When RMS hosted its Annual Speech Night, it was a huge success! Our students’ faces glowed with confidence and pride because they knew that they had overcome their stage fright and were well on their way to developing their public speaking skills!

The students dress for the occasion at our Speech Night

When speech night was first introduced, panic washed over the faces of the Grade One students. The very thought of having to stand up in front of a crowd to recite a speech was petrifying. Understandably, this feeling is not unusual, public speaking can be an intimidating experience even for adults. As a first step, we worked on introducing ourselves to an audience. Once the students were comfortable with that, we started writing our speeches. We brainstormed possible topics and narrowed them down to our favourites. We made idea webs together, sharing what we would want to know about each other’s topics. The students asked each other questions that sparked imaginative ideas. They not only worked together as a team, but learned to contribute positively to another’s learning process. It was interesting to observe how these six year olds inspired each other to think from a different perspective, one that was not their own. After much thought and insightful discussion, we wrote our first draft, and what a success! The students were not only proud of what they had written but surprised at how well their speech sounded. Our speeches were ready for rehearsing.

Memorization was a huge concern from the beginning. Students practiced reciting their speech on a daily basis and with more practice came more clarity and expression. At the end of each practice, students offered each other feedback on how to improve their peer’s speech as well a “success sentence” about what they did well. As the much awaited day dawned, our brave and ever enthusiastic bunch were ready to take on the task of public speaking.

The words of encouragement that they offered each other were truly noteworthy. It was heartwarming to see their faces beaming with pride as they realized that they had achieved what they once thought was impossible!

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 .

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2017/07/10 by Natalie

A Tribute to Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the Post-Impressionism art movement, was the inspiration the Grade 1 students used to bring paint brush to canvas, in an effort to try their hand at this technique. The lesson began with a close observation of Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night”. Students had the opportunity to describe the painting and share their opinion and interpretation of this unique piece of art. They observed how Van Gogh used lots of swirling strokes and different shades of blue to represent the wind.

Stirred by Starry Night, each of our Grade 1 students took to the canvas to try their hand at painting, Van Gogh style! Swish, swash, small swirls, big swirls and soon our classroom was filled with many amazing creations. Here are a few of our budding, starry-eyed artists with their finished products.

Students holding Vincent van Gogh paintings — Proud grade 1 students holding their Vincent van Gogh paintings

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 9:00am-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 .

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2017/07/06 by Natalie

Real Estate Agents for a Day

Elementary math is not just about numbers and memorizing formulas. At RMS, we often use this subject in order to explain real-life scenarios, allowing students to live a day in the life of a certain profession. By doing this, we make this important and sometimes challenging subject relevant and fun. Recently each grade seven student took on the role of a real estate agent to sell properties to prospective buyers (other students) during the RMS Math Day.

The Grade Seven Real Estate Agents in Action

A lot of effort was put into each project, and by the time Math Day started, students were ready to display their work with pride. Students were very prepared for questions and to act the part, and as a result their clients were eager to purchase many properties. Aside from all of the hard work the students put in, teachers were able to see that the students really enjoyed stepping into the shoes of real estate agents.

The Real Estate Agents Selling their Properties

Students at the end of the day decided to write a song about their experience with Math: “Math is fun. When you learn math you get the job done. There are many types of math you need to learn. With these skills you will earn. A whole new level of education. And you don’t even have to be a mathematician.”

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 9:00am-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 .

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2017/03/07 by Natalie

Math Made Fun

Many schools teach Math primarily through numbers and textbook work. However, we believe that as times change, so should teaching methods. Today is Math day at RMS! It is a fun and exciting day for all ages, and allows us to provide a meaningful educational experience, that offers students the ability to engage in multiple hands-on activities using measuring tapes, counting objects and graphing tools. Our students are very engaged and glad to have the opportunity to use the many different math resources that we setup in the classrooms and around the school! They work as a team to successfully solve each problem they are given, while having a blast learning!

Younger students using tanograms (geometric shapes) during Math Day 2017

Today the students completed over 10 activities throughout various stations setup around the school. They had the opportunity to attend a toy and book store where they used play money to purchase items, teaching them about currency, addition and subtraction. They also completed math trivia, multiple math games which included a fun physical fitness element in the gymnasium, and learned how to calculate real estate agent commission when purchasing a new home – among many other activities. These activities allow students to understand how math is not just a subject we teach, but a life skill that plays a vital role outside of the classroom, helping prepare them to solve everyday obstacles they may encounter.

Student purchasing books from another student using play money

Our elementary students study math at one grade level ahead (for example Grade 2 students study Grade 3 math). This keeps our student challenged by introducing new concepts and procedures in a timely manner. Our students are often asked to prepare and present solutions to their math challenges. For example, today we had junior students presenting their Real Estate projects to other students and teachers, explaining the sale price between agent and buyer, making sure to explain how commission rates are calculated.

A proud student explaining how commission is calculated when buying a new home

Our students were thrilled with their experiences on Math Day and will now engage in learning new math concepts from a different perspective – one that is both educational and fun!

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 .

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2017/03/04 by Natalie

Building Character for the Future

Children require and deserve a well-rounded education. We believe that a warm, loving, safe and welcoming school is the foundation for great academic and personal achievement and growth. We offer each child who walks through our school doors a chance to grow and develop into a well-rounded and loving individual – one who will excel in challenges that he or she undertakes and experience great personal as well as academic growth throughout their time at RMS. With a focus on each individual student’s potential, we allow each child to explore, interact and collaborate with classmates for greater learning opportunities.

Click here or on the picture below to preview a video of our students singing during a February Spirit Day celebration.

Students singing a song about the value of being kind to others

Children in our Kindergarten Montessori programme (Junior Kindergarten) are encouraged from a young age to express and develop their creativity. They are introduced to and guided towards mastering concepts in math, science, geography, language arts, music, art and French daily. Each student is accustomed to the routines and demands of school in the coming years. They are taught how to socialize, collaborate with other children, and how to be a good citizen. We encourage each student to achieve his or her goals, and guide each child in the right direction, doing so with positive reinforcement and praise. Building a strong foundation and exceptional character is fundamental to us all! Attending school and adjusting to life away from home are a part of each child’s healthy development. Thanks to our unique approach to teaching, our students are eager to join their supportive classmates and teachers and excited to learn more each day!

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 .

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2017/01/26 by Natalie

How Big is a Foot?

Relating real-life situations to mathematics is crucial, not only to the solidification of math concepts, but also in trying to make math more fun. Throughout the school year, we teachers are always creating and implementing unique and hands-on ways to teach. We can not only make math fun, but also electrifying and exciting!

One such example is relating the story “How Big is a Foot?” by Rolf Myller to the topic of measurement. The story is about a king who wants to have a bed made for his queen as a birthday present, but beds had not yet been invented. The carpenter and his apprentice, not having seen a bed before, were not sure of how big a bed should be. They asked the king, who decided to measure the queen’s height and width using the size of his foot. The queen’s measurements were then passed on to the carpenter and his apprentice who concluded that the bed must measure 3 feet wide and 6 feet long (including the crown, which she sometimes liked to wear while sleeping).

It turned out that the bed they made was much too small for the queen. The story poses the question, “Why was the bed too small for the queen?” We discussed this question in class and have the students use critical-thinking skills to solve this problem, which they did of course.

Once the story was finished, the students broke into groups, traced their own feet on to paper, and cut them out. They would use their foot as a measurement tool to measure certain objects and areas around the school, such as desks, hallways, the interactive white board, or even themselves! At the end of the class, we came back to discuss and compare the lengths and widths of various items while thinking about how students may have different or similar measurements. Reading and discussing “How Big is a Foot?” was a great way to introduce the concept of measurement!

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 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

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

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2017/01/20 by Natalie

Congratulations Mathletes!

Rowntree students are among the top Mathletics performers in the country! We wanted to take the time to recognize their engagement and achievements in math.

In the summer of 2014, RMS introduced Mathletics, an online learning resource, into our curriculum for Grades 5 to 8. We have found that Mathletics is a very valuable asset, both in the classroom and as a homework tool. It allows the students to consolidate their learning and further extend their Mathematical knowledge and skill. We were recently been recognized by the Mathletics Corporation as one of the top performing schools in Canada.

We are always so proud of our students’ hard work and dedication, and even more so when they are recognized for their accomplishments beyond our school.

We will be celebrating the students’ Mathletics achievement in several ways:

We will build a ‘Wall Of Fame’ in our classroom and post achievement certificates each week.

We will host an assembly and recognize the top Mathletes and most improved students.

We will feature students and a picture of their Mathletics Avatar in the school newsletter!

Congratulations to all the students in Grades 5 to 8

To see more posts about Math related activities at Rowntree Montessori Schools, click here .

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 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

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

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2016/11/25 by Natalie

Fostering a Growth Mindset

We live in an age of rapid technological advancement that has changed how we learn, communicate, and problem solve. Almost every day, new programs and applications emerge, all intended to stimulate the minds of our students. Technology has also entered the classroom through electronic white boards and the use of devices such as laptops, Chromebooks and tablets. As a teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience, I must admit that this is a learning revolution with no precedent.

Students now have instant and abundant access to sources ranging from scholarly articles to online math tutoring. This technological revolution is a blessing for both students and teachers, alike, as it allows teachers to offer different learning strategies, aimed at the unique learning styles of their students. Keeping all of this in mind, one would assume that this generation of students is smarter and more agile than its predecessors. Perhaps this may be true to an extent, but there is a worrying trend among employers and professors who are struggling to teach these very students: while students excel in memorizing and performing on assessments, they lack vital soft skills such as problem solving and critical thinking. To put it simply, many students lack the ability to learn independently and apply their learning to real-world situations.

Examples of how we "Foster a Growth Mindset" — Examples of how we “Foster a Growth Mindset”

Fortunately, we can encourage the necessary skill development within our students by encouraging them to adopt a growth mindset, a term popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck that is gaining increasing use within educational circles. Individuals with growth mindsets are not afraid of failure; instead, through hard work and motivation, they continuously self-improve. When faced with difficult situations, they are more inclined to take on the task, regardless of the initial result. In comparison, individuals with fixed mindsets prefer to stay within their comfort zones and become accustomed to the acknowledgement they receive for tasks in which they excel. A student with a fixed mindset who is struggling in math class might think of him or herself as not being smart or not being “good at math”, while a student with a growth mindset understands that accomplishment comes with practice and effort, and that he or she may not be good at math yet.

In a world in which the job market is becoming increasingly saturated with candidates holding multiple university degrees, the adoption of a growth mindset may just be the differentiator your child needs. The beauty of a growth mindset is that it can easily be encouraged and adopted, and as educators and parents, we need to nurture our students and children to foster this positive approach. Although technology has improved many ways in which students learn, one can argue that it may not necessarily nurture some of the most fundamental learning skills that were previously developed through hard work and perseverance. Over-reliance on technology can lead to complacency, and by encouraging students to tackle difficult situations and improve on their mistakes, we can help them develop a growth mindset that will serve them well throughout their lives. In an ever-changing world, the most important lesson a student can learn is how to become successful through self- improvement and growth.

For further information regarding the growth mindset, you may find the following resources to be valuable:

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/06/the-s-word/397205/

http://mindsetonline.com/

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 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-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.

2016/10/13 by Natalie

Let’s Flip the Page and Learn About Flipped Classroom Teaching

A current new topic in education is the notion of “The Flipped Classroom.” Essentially, the idea of flipped classroom teaching is for students to take a portion of their learning into their own hands. The students then apply this self-acquired knowledge in a guided, teacher-directed environment. In a flipped classroom, students are asked to do some of their learning in their own time or at home, so that they come to school with the background knowledge necessary to engage in group learning experiences. For example, students may be asked to do research on a topic, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or complete background reading outside of class, so that the actual time spent with the teacher can be spent in teacher-student conferences, group discussion, peer group analysis, collaborative work, or involvement in hands-on activities.

There are a number of positive outcomes relating to flipped classroom teaching. Advocates say that flipped-classroom teaching provides students with pride and ownership over their learning. It makes learning, rather than teaching, the centre of the student experience at school. It allows students to come to class much better prepared with the knowledge necessary for the lesson being taught that day, and it gives teachers more one-on-one time with students who require further explanation. For students who have a firm grasp on the background knowledge, they can explore further learning opportunities, and the flipped classroom provides differentiated learning opportunities. Students can work at their own pace, asking questions when necessary, and moving forward with additional projects once the necessary knowledge has been obtained.

Students armed with the flipped classroom information working collaboratively

There also some potential negatives of the flipped classroom that have been identified. Some educators argue that this model limits the vital role of teachers in delivering information to students in a meaningful way. Also, some students are left to continue their schoolwork without teacher observation at home, thus taking away the opportunity for the teacher to observe and contribute to the full learning process. Further, some argue that flipped classroom teaching can erode family time as well as the opportunity for students to engage in extra-curricular activities.

We believe in a well-rounded approach to our teaching methods and standards. Our teaching team continuously assesses and embraces new and better ways to augment our students’ learning experience. The flipped classroom approach is one to consider, as a complement, not a replacement, for our current teaching practices. Asking students to complete research at home, or watch a teacher-created video in order to provide background knowledge on a topic prior to a lesson being taught, is a great way to advance student independence. This practice continues to be implemented when and where needed, provided that it results in better academic outcomes for our students.

The flipped classroom philosophy — The Flipped Classroom philosophy

For further information on the flipped classroom experience, please refer to the diagram below and to the website:
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7081.pdf

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 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

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

learning style

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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