*FOR ALL COURSES OF STUDY, SMALL GROUP SIZES ENHANCE
INDIVDUAL ATTENTION,HIGHER LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT,TEAMWORK, SOCIAL INTEREST,AND A
GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OTHERS;PEER RELATIONS, HENCE GREATER MOTIVATION FOR
LEARNING….
We are not affiliated with any particular
faith and welcome all faiths, as well as non-faith families.
Although our curriculum is Montessori-based, we do have bible-study
(ie. history, creation, biblical characters and events,
character-building through bible-study ) in order to further enhance
Montessori’s ‘THE GREAT LESSONS’(ie.Creation, Coming of Lfe, Coming of
Human Beings…)
Maria
Montessori proposed “Let us give them (Elementary children) a vision of the
whole universe; COSMIC EDUCATION”….she stated that for the elementary child,
“the power of imagination is what educated.”
She
designed five major stories and numerous minor ones to introduce the universe to
the children.
Each
story carries the children into further detail and arouses interest and
curiousity along the way. They give
just enough to create the beginning of an interest.
The interest expands and grows as the child develops each year.
Time-lines
are used and various concrete learning materials are left for
the student to research and write about.
Freedom
is given for students to explore more, the areas which are of most interest to
them.
The elementary
materials represent “KEYS TO THE UNIVERSE”.
SCIENCE
(through Occupations)
“A
Farming Community”
spirit of the hills…
“…work
on the land is an introduction both to nature and to civilization and gives a
limitless field for scientific and historic studies..”
MARIA
MONTESSORI
SHEP
plans to enhance the study of the following curriculum areas through duties
performed on hobby farm and excursions: zoology,
geology,physics,ecology,chemistry,meteorology,history,and archaeology,anumal and
plant behaviour,environmental science.
‘The
Farm’provides hands-on learning experiences in all areas of study and helps
the child to learn what it means to make a contribution to society.
The
emphasis is to be on the young persons own “practical experiments..to study
the earth and loving nature…human progress…”
Maria
Montessori
“To develop
understanding in mathematic education must continue to connect the hand and the
mind.”
MARIA
MONTESSORI
Problem-solving
and reasoning skills are gained through the farming experience combined with
Maria Montessori’s own concrete mathematical learning materials.
Areas
of study are:
-Mathematical
Operations (using bead, boards, charts)
-Geometry
(Planes,fractions,angles,geometric shapes and solids)
-Algebra
Montessori regarded the development of language “as a part of the personality itself”. She considered words as “the natural means to express an idea and consequently to establish understanding between human beings.”
Free/open communication is demonstrated in a Montessori classroom and the study of literature, advanced grammar and composition as well as the origin and history of words is continued.
(FRENCH)
This curriculum area covers basic information for beginning learners.
Other languages may be available for small group work, upon request, depending on personnel availability.
Elementary students, Montessori believed, have a great need for creative expression, as a means for self-expression and self spiritual discovery. Because they lack confidence, they need encouragement and opportunities to talk, express, and create.
SHEP has a qualified dance instructor, music instructor, (famous Montessori bells…Montessori suggested “the study of composers and their periods, as well as the study of instruments both in solo and orchestral performance), art instructor (studio art-drawing, sculpting, painting) and may be able to access a photography instructor, and Tai Chi instructor too!
*Christian-based Montessori Education allows time for
silence, reflection, cultivation of awe and wonder, marveling at this beautiful
creation, and, in doing so, respecting nature, caring for the earth,
understanding and accepting others and fostering virtues such as kindness,
compassion, and peacefulness…
At a farm school, physical work, is of course, integral to daily living.\
It involves chores that require body exertion (ie.animal feeding, stall cleaning (horse farm), planting, harvesting, etc.)
Sports: Coached team sports will be available based on season and student interest.
Other areas include:
Walking, dance, horseback riding, yoga, Tai Chi.
SHEP aims to provide a place where students make a contribution to the community and gain skills in financial management and economic independence. We will assist students in attending a Marketplace (within walking distance from school) in which they will sell fresh vegetables, perhaps assist in the production of maple syrup, care and use of the farm animals and school events.
Students are in charge of practical life and maintenance of farm house and grounds. Students cook all meals and snacks, are involved in maintenance jobs and wood-working (renovating loft area).
The students may also do service work in this close-knit community!
If we are to have boarding students here either in loft area upstairs or in apartment with supervisor next door, the following would be a part of the students residential life and farm experience:
-evening and/or weekly bible-study groups
-morning chores
-after-school fitness
-meal preparation
-evening group study
-laundry duties
-special week-end outings: cultural events,skating, sports, library, shopping, nature, fishing, camping….
OUR
SPECIALIZED METHODS OF MONTESSORI EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION ARE BASED UPON PROVEN
EVIDENCE DEVELOPED BY ‘THE
EVALUATION
THERAPY
RESEARCH
AND
OUTREACH
CONDUCTS
MONTESSORI EDUCATION WORKSHOPS ON MONTHLY BASIS WITH EMPHASIS ON ‘MONTESSORI
APPLIED TO THE AT-RISK’ CHILD WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES.
“A community where young people learn how to live as a productive society, develop virtues of respect, kindness, and trust, protect human rights and freedom in independent learning and group studies.”