Art by Nataya Age 8

The Elementary Years

In this stage of development exploration of the world tends to shift from the concrete to the abstract. During the elementary years the childs focus shifts from individual formation to development as a social being. Slowly the child is beginning to distance himself from his family and friends take on a new importance.

Physical changes are taking place as baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, legs grow longer and bodies generally become taller. Physical strength and stability gives the child stamina and energy. Elementary children are adventuresome and “rough and tough”. They enjoy facing challenges and overcoming obstacles.

Mentally, elementary children are capable of great effort and concentration. Their intellectual curiosity is limitless. They take in new information in order to re-form it and connecting it to what they already know. Research suggests that the frontal cortex of the brain is not a storage place but is in constant formation and re-formation. Now the childrens appetite for knowledge is huge. They are not satisfied with bits and pieces of isolated information; they want to attain the whole of knowledge.

Teachers: Carol Bremner, Erin Porter
Since elementary children love to explore and connect learning to real life situations, Carol teaches in a cross curricular manner integrating several subjects into each lesson. In a whole class setting Carol often gives the overview of a lesson and then students are encouraged to explore one aspect of the topic that interests them the most. Students are given the freedom to work individually, but they are encouraged to collaborate with a partner of their choice in order to foster team work and help meet the social needs of their age group. Students in Carols class are encouraged to research topics using as many different types of resources as possible, for example; books, interviews, observations, oral history, community archives and internet.

In order to meet the energetic, physical needs of this age group, Carol incorporates a physical education program into her daily class schedule including such themes as; ball skills, gymnastics, track and field, and co-operative play-based games.

Enrichment Classes
*Art, French, Music, Horticulture, Theatre are taught in the whole school, and multicultural celebrations and events happen throughout the year.

Art by Simon Age 9

Art by Tajo Age 9

Art by Sacha Age 8