learning style

2016/10/01 by Natalie

Learning to Lead

As teachers and parents, we strive to develop our children as a whole, ensuring they flourish academically and develop all aspects of their personalities. We provide our students every opportunity to grow as individuals, both in school and in the real world.

Every year, our Grade 7 and 8 students participate in the Leadership Program at the YMCA Camp Ki-Wa-Y. This opportunity allows students to experience independence and responsibility on this three-day, two-night trip. On a daily basis, students are given the chance to develop their leadership skills through a variety of activities and daily chores, from setting the table to taking on the high ropes courses. This combination of freedom and responsibility, while providing them with a structured program, allows students to experience leadership in an environment conducive to individual growth.

Students testing their abilities and pushing the boundaries of their comfort zones

Every camp experience is reflected upon and talked about as a method of development, and students write a personal reflection of their time at camp. Reflection plays a large role as it allows the students to stop what they are doing, sit down in a beautiful location, and quietly contemplate why they are at the camp. They focus on what they have learned, and they analyse their own strengths and weaknesses.

Reflection time at camp. Students contemplate on what they have learnt

Using teamwork skills to build a shelter in the woods

From a teacher’s perspective, I found this camp to be a great life experience. Watching our students go through new experiences, and watching them push themselves is what makes this camp so amazing! Watching the students descending from the high ropes with smiles on their faces allowed me to see that these students believe in themselves and that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. These are the moments that make being a teacher so rewarding. Year after year, this YMCA Leadership Camp provides our students with the skills they need to succeed and the opportunities to step out on their own and experience personal success. It is a true pleasure to watch as our students develop and grow into the achievers of tomorrow.

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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2016/09/01 by Natalie

Fraction Fruit Fiesta!

Students in Math enjoying the Fraction Fruit Fiesta!

We learn by doing. The human brain is wired for hands-on interaction with the physical world.

Acquiring a solid foundation in mathematical concepts at an early age is critical to a child’s future learning and development of math skills. Some concepts are more easily absorbed than others, and the concept of fractions is one that often makes it to the “I don’t get it!” list. Despite its presence in our daily lives, fractions can be a challenging unit for some students to fully comprehend. The use of manipulative materials, when teaching these concepts, is an effective method that has proved to be highly enjoyable and interactive, and thus successfully helps students of all age groups to absorb and consolidate mathematical concepts.

The Fruit Fiesta! — Students in Math enjoying the Fraction Fruit Fiesta!

Recently, the Grade 3’s treated themselves to a fraction fruit party when they brought in fruit to cut up into various fractions. The classroom was filled with excitement as the activity commenced. In fact, for a moment, the idea of this being part of a math lesson was forgotten, especially by those students who generally showed little interest in the subject. The students were given pieces of fruit of various fractions and each group was assigned the task of comparing fractions, and modelling equivalent fractions and mixed numbers using the pieces of fruit. The most enjoyable part of this activity was of course the chance to eat the fruit, but that opportunity came with one last task which was to guess the fraction with a blind-fold on! Surprisingly enough, by the end of the activities, all of the students were able to accurately guess most of the fractions by simply feeling the shape of the pieces of fruit.

Group involvement during a practical Math lesson

Introducing activities of this nature in the classroom changes the perception that some students may have of this usually confusing concept. Hands-on fraction activities allow students to engage directly with fractions. These types of learning tasks serve a dual purpose: students get to interact with fractions in a tangible form, and they gain a clear knowledge of the relevance of fractions in the real world. Introducing challenging concepts with familiar everyday items, especially the edible kind, is sure to infuse a zest for math in students who sometimes fear the subject and withdraw from it because of a notion of not being able to grasp theories. Whatever the case may be, the Fraction Fruit Fiesta was more than just a fun and engaging activity. It not only cemented the concept, but it also satisfied the fruit cravings of a class full of fruit lovers!

Demonstrating the importance of practical based group work — Demonstrating the importance of practical-based group work

Rowntree Montessori Schools continue to take great strides in our efforts to consistently and conscientiously develop our programs to meet the growing needs of a wide range of learners in a rapidly changing world!

Stay connected, to learn more about the fun and exciting activities that ignite our students’ passion for learning!

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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2016/08/21 by Natalie

Setting Our Kids Up For Success

As a parent and teacher of middle school aged children, I am constantly reminded that one of the best gifts we can give our kids is a safe learning environment that sets them up for success. By helping our children to navigate the learning process successfully, we help them to ensure that they become resilient, life-long learners. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we protect them from disappointment or failure. Rather, it means that we create the conditions where they can experiment with new knowledge and understanding without fear of failure, and that when they do fail, they are able to learn from their experiences!

This approach to nurturing today’s young learners can, and should, apply not only to the academic environment, but to day-to-day situations as well. This is why I was so thrilled to be involved in Rowntree Montessori Schools’ sleep-over for grades five and six.

Students dining together at the Grade 5 & 6 Sleep over in preparation for camp

One of the key objectives of this event was to allow students who may not have had the opportunity yet to sleep away from their parents and/or extended family, to experience what it is like to be away from home. These students participated in a limited one night sleep-over which was close to home, in a familiar environment, and with their classmates and teachers. In doing this, these students were bridging their experiences with what was expected of them while on a three-day leadership camp outside of the city later in the spring.

Students set up activities and games for all to play

On the evening of the sleep-over, after the post-school supervision had finished, the students came together and completed a number of chores. First, they set up their sleeping quarters. The boys took one of the large classrooms, and the girls had the library. Next, they were called down for a pot-luck dinner where not only did they eat together, but they also set up and helped clean up their dining area. This pitching-in part of a collective group to complete a set of chores is extremely important in setting a child up for success as an adult. In an on-line article for Business Insider’s Career page, Drake Baer and Rachel Gillett wrote about elements that science indicates can be used to predict kids’ success as adults. The top item on this list was kids doing chores. In the article they talk about how Julie Lythcott-Haims, former Dean of freshmen at Stanford University and author of “How to Raise an Adult” stated in a TED Talks Live event that ‘kids raised on chores go on to become employees who collaborate well with their coworkers, are more empathetic because they know firsthand what struggling looks like, and are able to take on tasks independently.’[1]

Students & teachers participating in team games at the sleepover

In the same article, the number two thing that helps children succeed as adults is to learn social skills. In a large study tracking over 700 students, published in the American Journal of Public Health in November of 2015, there was a connection made between learning social skills at a young age and success as an adult. Kristin Schubert, director at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who funded the study, stated that “This study shows that helping children develop social and emotional skills is one of the most important things we can do to prepare them for a healthy future.”[2] During the sleep-over, a key focus was on building community and strengthening the students’ social skills. Not only did this occur between the students and their fellow class-mates, but also between the students and the grade seven and eight student leaders who directed most of the activities. What better way to get used to interacting with other people than to spend a night in the same room as a large group of your peers with all of the different personalities, bedtime routines, and sleeping habits? Social skills were also worked on through a number of games and fun activities in which the students participated. The most interesting and exciting of these games for the students was “Hunger Games”. In this, the student leaders of the school converted both levels of the school into a maze where they directed the younger students in a type of freeze-tag using cotton snowballs. They also enjoyed challenging the teachers in King Cone.

Finally, I feel that this is a great event as, not only does it benefit students in the ways already mentioned, but it also helps us as teachers see the kids in a different light. By engaging with the students outside of the regular classroom, the teaching staff is able to build a stronger connection with the students, and to discover more about them. This allows us to be more effective in the classroom. And in the end, it will not only set up our students for success on outings away from home, but it will also be another experience to support them on their journey towards adulthood.

[1] Baer, Drake and Gillett, Rachel. Science says parents of successful kids have these 11 things in common. Business Insider. November, 2015. Web. March 10, 2016.

[2] Ibid

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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2016/07/25 by Natalie

Active Body = Active Mind

We are all aware of the importance of being a healthy and active individual in terms of our physical health, however, many overlook the important relationship between physical health, mental health and academic achievement. Through my experiences as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Rowntree Montessori Schools, I would like to highlight the important role physical activity plays in academic success.

Students actively participating in the gym

I was a child who grew up reading “…is encouraged to slow down when completing assignments.” or “…loses focus during class time and becomes distracted easily.” Despite these comments, I maintained honours-level grades year after year. It wasn’t until later in life that I was diagnosed with ADHD, and at that time I chose to speak with my parents and previous teachers about my elementary and secondary academic career. It was after conversing with them that I realized a direct correlation between my grades and my active participation in sports, both in and outside of the classroom. The whole picture then became crystal clear!

Combining physical Health with written work

The relationship between my ability to focus on things like studying and assignments and how often I participated in sports became clear as I progressed through university. I began to make sure that I integrated daily physical activity, regardless of my work load, because I knew that taking a single hour out of my time to play squash or hockey would ensure that when I got to work, I was able to focus and maintain a higher level of critical thinking.

Students who are physically active, stay mentally active too!

As a member of a variety of sports teams, across a variety of levels of sport, I learned the life skills I needed to succeed in my academics. I was able to develop time management, leadership, communication, and co-operation skills through my interactions with my many teammates; these are skills I would have not learned otherwise, being so unable to maintain focus in the classroom. All of those essential skills were developed through a means which I enjoyed and as a result I learned how to implement them into all aspects of my life; my body and my mind were thoroughly exercised each and every day. Of course as a child I didn’t recognize that I was developing critical life skills, but that is what makes sport such a great medium for children to develop a solid academic foundation!

Demonstrating their physical skill in various ball activities — Demonstrating their physical skills in various ball activities

Sports have also helped me, as a child and as an adult, recognize the relationship between practice and hard work, and my eventual success in anything I chose to do in life. I understood at an early age that in order to improve at anything I had to practice, and that included my academic subjects like Math and English. As a Physical Education teacher, I pride myself in my ability to recognize my own learning in life and infuse my experiences into my teaching. I work each and every day to foster each student’s enjoyment of physical activity because I recognize the importance of sports and physical activity in one’s academic success. As a coach of many teams at this school, I use that time to develop not only the skills required for our teams to succeed in their sport, but also the skills they will need to progress through life. My personal teaching philosophy relies on the foundation that students need to develop proper life skills in order to succeed at a high level, and I believe that sports and athletics play a large role in the development of those skills!

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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2016/07/13 by Natalie

Teamwork

Team building workshops have been an important part of learning at Rowntree for the past several years. In order to allow our students to come together in various team working scenarios, we have participated in numerous workshops.

Working together as a group to solve tasks

We feel that it is very important to foster an understanding and respect for every member of the class, and to take our team building skills to the next level. Of course, during lesson time, there are always plenty of opportunities to work in groups and teams to achieve academic goals. However, we wanted to take this concept further. A number of external and internal workshops were set up in order to achieve this goal.

Students working together to solve problems in class

Our first team building activity was an internal workshop delivered in February. Students worked in teams as architects and designers to create strong structures. Their hands on, practical skills were tested.

Grade five went on a journey to the wilderness centre. Here, they were able to exercise and demonstrate their team work and leadership qualities in different outdoor activities, bringing the class together as one unit.

Students at leadership camp demonstrating their teamwork skills on the low ropes

The Grade 5 students had a very creative and highly engaging workshop with ‘Skills Ladder’. Skills Ladder organizes interpersonal communication skills enhancing workshops for school children. Students worked on enhancing their Interpersonal communication skills in Active Listening, Getting Involved, Right Body Language and Conflict Resolution.

All of these skills may sound very ordinary, but are very desirable leadership and resilience building skills. These skills are rarely taught, but are required when working in a team environment. It was great to see Grade 5 students working with their teams and enjoying being a part of it. They had many opportunities to explore their Interpersonal communication skills while participating in the workshop. They learned how to listen, compliment and encourage each other while respecting different ideas. Most importantly, they learned about conflict resolution -a skill many adults struggle to master.

Students recognise the importance of working together — Students recognize the importance of working together

Students in grade 5 joined forces with our grade 6 class at leadership camp this year. This year’s camp focus was on the environment and energy conservation. Camp Ki-Wa-Y was held over 2 days and set up by the YMCA. The students took part in many outdoor activities with energy conservation as their focus. Students developed their teamwork skills through whole class, team, and small group activities that focused on recognizing each other’s strengths, exploring different ways of positive communication, and encouraging others to accomplish individual goals.

Our culminating teamwork challenge came in the form of a tree top trekking course set in the tree line of Heart Lake Conservation area. The students had to work together in order to complete the obstacle courses set up in the trees. Students showed tremendous respect and concern for their grade members, along with skills they have learned throughout the school year.

Click the link below to watch a clip of our students demonstrating their teamwork skills during a spirit day assembly

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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2016/06/20 by Natalie

Making Learning Come to Life!

What better way to engage children in learning than to let them get their hands dirty, while using the material taught in class to produce a finished product? Because, let’s be honest, kids love the hands-on stuff!

Recently, students in one of the grade 1 classes made pancakes as a hands-on way to apply their language, science and math skills, all based upon topics currently being taught in class.

The students were presented with a simple recipe, and were instructed to work as a team to complete the instructions, thus checking their reading comprehension. Together, they measured and poured all of the ingredients, under the watchful eye of their teacher.

Students worked through their task by applying their knowledge of fractions to measure the ingredients, ensuring they would make the most scrumptious pancakes in all the land. Prior to their chef experiences, we reviewed natural and raw materials, and how we can combine them to make new substances, in Science. Making these pancakes was a perfect example of how we can take raw materials of various states and combine them to make something new. We even used the butter we had made in a prior Science lesson!

Under the close watch of their teacher, they even cooked their pancakes! While they were cooking, the students had a quick Health and Safety lesson, on the importance of only using cooking appliances under the supervision of an adult.

After the cooking lesson, they all enjoyed digging into the fruits of their labour! The children each had so much fun engaging in this hands-on activity that they did not even realize that they were using so many skills taught in various different subjects!

The students enjoying the fruits of their labour

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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2016/05/08 by Natalie

Each Child: Unique and Wonderful Just As They Are

A philosophy of teaching that I truly believe in and follow in my practice is providing children with an inclusive education. Each day, I teach a diverse group of learners. I do as much as I can to make my students feel that they are included and accepted just as they are. Personally, as a student who always looked for acceptance and inclusion from my classmates and teachers, I truly believe it is important to take time to meet the needs of each student every day.

In my own life, I always had challenges learning Math. When discussing these challenges with my parents, they told me that I began to have difficulties in Math as early as Kindergarten. I always wondered if my teachers ever did anything to help me to overcome these challenges. From Grade 8, I have one memory that always comes back to influence the way I teach my students. The majority of my Grade 8 class was really good at finishing Minute Math very quickly. However, I would never be able to finish all the questions in time and this caused me to become very upset. Later on, I remember my Math teacher giving me a multiplication table for Minute Math time and a few more minutes to complete the worksheet. This boosted my confidence a great deal because I was able to complete all the questions, and I got a much better mark!

Students perform excellently using the Montessori methods in class

When I reflect on the positive effect that particular teacher had on me, I tell myself that I need to have the same positive effect on my students too. Each child is a unique and wonderful person who will succeed in anything as long as they have the right support. At RMS, the Montessori materials in my classroom allow me to ensure that my classroom is inclusive by meeting the needs of all my students. For Math, children at all levels are able to use the Montessori materials to enhance their learning from the books, whether it is to help them better understand the material or provide students with a challenge. Each student learns best with a material they really enjoy using. In the following video, one student understands addition best when using the addition board and another using the stamp game.

Visual and Kineasthetic aids to learning in the Montessori classroom — Visual and Kinesthetic aids to learning in the Montessori classroom

The images in this article are just a snapshot of how the Montessori method creates an inclusive classroom for my diverse learners using different materials that best suit their learning style. Each child, unique and wonderful just as they are, is included and accepted within the classroom and is taught in ways that will help them learn and thrive!

-Written by a RMS Kindergarten teacher

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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2016/04/18 by Natalie

An Apple a Day

Children learn best through their everyday experiences with the people they love and trust, and when the learning is fun. And the best place for these experiences is outdoors, in the natural world. – Center for Families, Communities, Schools and Children’s Learning

The first school trip for our Kindergarten Montessori to Grade 2 children was a trip to Albion Orchards. Before we all went on the trip, we all talked to our “Rowntree Family” about what they will see and do at the Orchard. We spoke to them about behaving in an appropriate manner, respecting the environment, and taking care of each other. The children were asked to take responsibility for their belongings, such as their bags and outdoor clothing. We even gave them some background information and taught them how to properly pick apples and how apples grow!

How do Apples grow anyway! — How do Apples grow anyway?

Once we reached the apple farm, our children were very polite, inquisitive, and respectful to the guides. The tour guides were amazed to see our kindergarten children picking apples and reciting, “Eye to the sky, twist and turn!”

At Albion Orchards, our children learned the basics of how trees grow from seeds and how they need water, soil, and sunlight to grow. They learned how bees help the trees through pollination, and they were very happy to throw their apple cores on the ground near the trees because they knew it would be compost for the trees.

Our Kindergarten students enjoying an outdoor learning experience

Upon returning from our trip, just in time for recess, a number of children decided to colour and draw. With great enthusiasm, the students brought their pictures to me and I was really amazed to see that they drew pictures of seeds growing into apple trees with the help of the sun and rain.

The students really enjoy being outdoors and learning about the natural world

All in all, I can say that our students really learned a lot from the field trip. We can’t wait for the next one!

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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2016/04/14 by Natalie

Is Play-Based Education Alone, Enough for Your Kindergarten and Elementary Children?

Over recent years, there has been a significant swing of the educational pendulum in the direction of play-based learning for kindergarten and early elementary school children. Much research and publication effort has also been dedicated to extolling the virtues of play-based education, all for very good reason! It is well-known that some of life’s best lessons are learned through play, and in fact, much of the learning that is characteristic of Maria Montessori’s famous model is founded upon activities rooted in play. The question for us at RMS, and for you as parents is: Will play-based learning alone be enough? Our answer is: Perhaps not.

Play Based learning can take many different forms!

In her article “Does play-based kindergarten help children academically?” http://www.research.utoronto.ca/does-play-based-kindergarten-help-children-academically/ author Jenny Hall notes the work of OISE professor Angela Pyle while observing the play-literacy interface in classrooms. As in the RMS “Math Day”, Pyle observes children setting up a bank in their classroom, following the teacher having taught the group directly about money. With the fundamentals having been provided through teacher-directed instruction, the students are then enthused to move forward on their own with extension activities, and the teacher must have the good sense to step back and switch into a “facilitator and provider”, rather than a “teacher and director” mode.

An example of teacher directed learning that incorporates play based learning — An example of teacher directed learning that incorporates play-based learning

Like many of us who spend a good deal of time thinking about educational efficacy, Pyle is interested in the balance between “developmentally-appropriate practices like play-based learning, and the academic learning that we are expecting from young children”. I am always impressed when I visit our youngest classrooms, by how enthusiastically our children approach structured, teacher-led activities such as calendar, weather, and phonics classes. It is also rewarding to witness early reading stages and emerging numeracy, typically resulting from direct instruction. This does not, however, diminish the vital importance of lessons learned through play, especially as can be seen when original ideas and activities are encouraged, and concepts are reinforced by imaginative and creative play, where the teachers’ role is focused upon retaining safety and an atmosphere of mutual respect.

The teacher facilitates the learning rather than providing directed instruction or dictation during a STEM activity

In some ways, notes Pyle, teachers are in a bind. “We know that play is good for things like self-regulation…and learning to compromise and negotiate, but on the other hand, for play to work for academic learning, teachers may have to be more involved in guiding it.”

Clear instructions and demonstrations are given before the experiments can begin

At RMS, we embrace the balance. All of our students need to be equipped with the fundamental skills and knowledge for ongoing academic success, and also with the ability to naturally and independently interact with others in their “circle”. Development of all of these attributes depends upon the knowledge and flexibility of the RMS teachers and leaders to understand when each model, or something in between, is appropriate, and having the courage to “Nurture Tomorrow’s Achievers” in the way that is best suited to their present and future needs.

Students are learning the importance of strong structures at a young age

Clear instruction and structure provide the basis of this lesson, before the play based learning can begin — Clear instruction and structure provide the basis of this lesson, before the play-based learning can begin

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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2016/03/29 by Natalie

Science Rules!

Contrary to what we were all brought up to believe, textbooks are not the only way to teach students new concepts. Sometimes the visual and tangible can be the best way to accomplish teaching goals! A component of the Ontario Kindergarten Science Curriculum is plants… and so much fun can be had when using a hands-on teaching technique to teach students about plant life. The Kindergarten teachers at RMS thought and thought about how we could allow these youngsters to get their hands nice and dirty, all while learning. So why not grow a vegetable plant in our own classroom we pondered. This way, students would get first hand exposure to what nature really does for us.

Our kids were ecstatic to learn that they’d be able to get involved and actually be a part of the planting and maintenance process as the seeds grew into plants. Each group was given a small pot; a bowl of soil, and a handful of seeds. We began the experiment by ensuring that each student knew what the expectations were, and we explained that in order to have a plant grow, it needed to go through a number of steps. The students started off by filling their pots with soil and then they made holes in the soil for their seeds to be placed in. The kids were then given seeds to be placed in the holes; finally, they covered the seeds with the surrounding soil. The students were then reminded of the importance of proper watering and sunshine, without which the plants would just not grow! Each morning, all of the students were eager to water their personal pots and they anxiously waited for the fruits of their labour to poke through.

Students are very eager to pant their seeds — Students are very eager to plant their seeds

As a teacher, it was so exciting to come back to school on Monday and see all of their pots filled with sprouting plants! The joy that spread across our students’ faces upon entering the room that day was indescribable. They could not contain their pride and excitement when taking the plants home to show their parents what they had accomplished. After a few days, many of our students’ parents let us know that care for the plants was continuing at home. This was more than just a great hands-on experience for the children – it was also a skill that they could carry forward through life.

To see more posts about Science 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 .

learning style

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

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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.

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

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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