Bloomfield Junior Academy Montessori 1.91

Our educators offer lessons and experiences based on the five areas of the Montessori classroom following Maria Montessori’s lead, as she brought specially constructed materials into the classroom that guided the children’s interest and sense of wonder. Materials reflecting Math, Science, Geography, History, Reading, Language, the Arts, and social growth are carefully selected and arranged in two classrooms to reflect learning levels.

Area 1: Practical Life

In this area, the children practice the Montessori Philosophy of “learning by doing”. Through objects that have visible purpose, the activities of daily living are taught. Children learn to care for themselves, their classroom and the outdoors. The exercises build concentration, strengthen eye-hand co-ordination (indirect preparation for printing), and allows for success and perseverance.

Area 2: Sensorial

“The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.” Maria Montessori.

Children learn to make sense of their world through specifically designed manipulative materials, each focusing on the refinement of a specific sensory skill.

Area 3: Language

Language is developed naturally as children learn to listen and speak. They learn to write and read using the specialized Montessori materials when they are developmentally ready.

Area 4: Mathematics

Children begin counting (number recognition, numbers and quantities, etc.), and progress to work with the decimal system, extended linear and skip counting, and mathematical operations. All the materials are self-correcting and motivate the children to learn through hands on experiences.

Area 5: Cultural

Children are exposed to the studies of Science, Geography, Zoology, Botany, and History. They work with globes, maps, concrete materials, and hands-on-activities that enhance their understanding of the world around them, and all the living things that share their space in the world.

Additional Enhanced Programming: The Arts, French and Physical Education

Children experience colour, work with a variety of art mediums, and are introduced to famous artists from history and their work. The children learn simple phrases, numbers, colours, weather, songs and more, during daily French Circles. Our music programme engages children to be auditory learners as well as participants, as they are given instruments to manipulate and explore. The natural world is integrated into our school during outdoor play time, tending to their garden, and nature walks. We think globally and act locally by teaching children respect and care for our planet, by introducing the ‘reduce, re-use and re-cycle’ programme.

By offering a mixed age environment, a sense of community evolves and learning is further enhanced, as children teach one another, and in the process teach themselves. Remaining in the same classroom community in their junior years fosters confidence building skills and a sense of belonging. At first, being the youngest in the classroom community requires this group of children to be nurtured, but as they grow and have learned by example, they become the nurturers, all the while continuing to learn and care for themselves, learn at their own pace, demonstrate respect for others, and a genuine care for their environment. How proud can we be at that point, along with their journey, to have been a part of that process of growth!