The staff and directors of Lakeview Montessori School are dedicated to providing the best possible education for as many children as possible.

We provide a Montessori education setting for children 18 months to 13 years of age (equivalent to preschool through Great 8). Enrolment in all ages groups is increasing and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. When classes reach a maximum enrolment, waiting lists are maintained in order of the date the applications are received.

THE CURRICULUM

Practical Life  (18months to 13 years)

The practical life area is designed to attract children’s attention to work, help them develop a sense of order, coordination, concentration, and independence, while indirectly help them acquire new practical skills.

Sensorial (18 months to 13 years old)

The sensorial area focuses on helping children to refine and understand their senses in a systematic way through the use of the materials specially designed by Dr. Maria Montessori.  Children will learn to discriminate, describe, and put in order categories such as size, shape, sound, taste, and smell. The sensorial materials also indirectly prepare children for language and mathematics.

Language (18 months to 13 years old)

The language area stimulates self-expression and confidence.  Through a phonetic approach, a firm basis in spelling and reading is developed.  Phonetic sentence structures and grammar are taught, followed by phonograms and non-phonetic grammar.  In addition to using the advanced Montessori materials for language, elementary students prepare monthly book reports, read and discuss classic novels, and practice effective oral communication through presentations.  Creative writing is a daily activity in Elementary classes.

Math (2 to 13 years old)

Our mathematics curriculum allows students to develop an in-depth and concrete understanding of mathematical concepts. Students are actively involved in problem solving, and gaining a concrete understanding of mathematical principles. The use of self-corrective manipulative materials allows the students to gain complete understanding of the math processes with ease and to build their own foundation of mathematical thinking.  Manipulation of Montessori materials allows the students repetition and an opportunity to work at their own pace while receiving individual and small group lessons.

History (3 to 13 years old)

The study of history begins in the Casa with personal time-lines and continues through time-lines of the development of the Earth, man, and civilizations, as well as other particular subjects such as transportation, inventions, musicians, and others.  Independent study of the history of a particular country is undertaken by the Elementary students.  A global approach is taken to the study of “cultural subjects” (history, geography, science, music) so a country or area is studied in its entirely (e.g. its landmarks, history, gamous people, language, etc.)

Geography (3 to 13 years old)

The study of geography begins in the Casa classes with the use of many well-prepared apparatus such as the world puzzle maps, sandpaper globe, flags of the world, and models of landform.  Dr. Montessori emphasized the study of geography because it is a subject area important to everyday life.  The Elementary students continue their study of geography through independent projects on peoples, countries, cultures, and economies.

French (30 months to 13 years old)

At Lakeview, French language is introduced to children as young as 30 months of age through a variety of age appropriate activities such as games, songs, sorting objects, crafts etc. There is a sensitive period to acquire language, and the Montessori programming recognizes that by offering French at the perfect time in a child’s life.

The young child learns new languages very quickly and is especially interested in practicing what is learned.

Casa children and Junior Elementary students (JK to grade 3) are involved in 30 min. lessons every day.

Upper Elementary students (Gr.4-8), follow Ontario FSL curriculum program enriched by cultural projects and events related to French and French – Canadian culture and history. These older students are also involved in dramatic art performances, on an annual basis, during our Spring Concert.

Technology (3 to 13 years old)

Children, beginning at Casa are introduced to the use of computers.  Casa students use the computer to reinforce letter and number skills and to generally become familiar with the computer and its functioning.

Preparing our students for the 21st century, our elementary students learn keyboarding skills as well as general program and application skills.  Intermediate students are introduced to the operation and functions of interactive software.  Senior students utilize their technical skills and investigate elements of design, application of the internet and various multimedia programs, through research and development projects.

Art (18 months to 13 years old)

Art materials are provided in every classroom. Art education helps beginning learners see and think in new ways and builds bridges between the verbal and nonverbal, and between logic and emotion. In some disciplines only one correct response is acceptable; however, art encourages exploration, diversity, and teaches students that sometimes there may be more than one “right” answer. The Visual Arts Program embraces and emphasizes the uniqueness of the entire process by which art is created.  The process promotes and inspires innovative thinking and subscribes to a curriculum that fosters the development of creative, caring, discerning, knowledgeable, self-disciplined, inquiring, and motivated individuals.

Music (18 months to 13 years old)

The Montessori approach to music is a five-faceted one: singing, music appreciation, ear training, notation, and playing instruments.  Musical lessons begin in the Toddler classes with singing and dancing.  Music appreciation and ear-training exercises start in the Casa classes and continue through the Elementary classes with the study of notation and playing instruments.  Since 2008, LMS Toddler and Casa classes are holding their annual concert in December, while the Elementary classes have theirs in the spring.

Physical Education (18 months to 13 years old)

Since physical education is a vital part of the development of the total child with which Montessori education is very concerned, physical activities are a part of everyday at LMS.  Toddlers participate in different physical exercises throughout their weekly schedule.  Casa and Elementary students have physical education lessons twice every week.  And all Elementary and full-day/afternoon Casa/Pre-School students participate in ice-skating sessions in the winter at Tecumseh Arena and gymnastics classes in the spring at Rose City Gymnastics Club.

The Going-Out Program

The Going-Out program is a fundamental cornerstone of Montessori Education. The students go out to understand the world they live in through their own experiences and perspectives. In groups of two to four, they go out into the world and explore what they cannot explore in the class whether it be to interview an artist for a research project they are working on or to glean insight about a culture in its natural environment. A Montessori education is about preparing the student for his/her entire life  – going-out is a crucial component for the child to be able to find where he/she fits into society and he/she needs to be prepared to take his/her place within it.

The Great Lessons

There are five Great Lessons – each one meant to captivate and set the student’s imagination on fire with the thirst of wanting to know more. The first Great Lesson, The Creation Story, gives the child the grandest picture of the creation of his world and the laws that govern said world. The second lesson, The Coming of Life, describes how both plant and animal life developed on Earth with the introduction of a special creation appearing at the end. The third Great Lesson, The Coming of the Human Being, describes how special and unique human beings are and why we need to treasure each person. The fourth and fifth Great Lessons – Communication in Signs and The Story of Numbers introduce the child to the history of the English language and of Mathematics