G L E B E M O N T E S S O R I S C H O O L

Helping Children to Teach Themselves

Preschool and Elementary Programs

Discover the importance of a GMS Montessori education.

Selecting a school is one of the most important decisions a parent canmake. We invite you to learn more about Glebe Montessori Schooland how we can help your child realize his or her full potential. Visitour school and discover what a Montessori education would mean foryour child. We think it could mean everything.

Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female physician, created arevolution in childhood education with her Montessori method, basedon her scientific research and observations of the developing child.The Montessori method encourages the child’s natural tendencytowards self-teaching and is based on the premise that children learnbest by doing. A basic Montessori tenet is that a child thrives in anenvironment that supports the individual and offers appropriatematerials and guidance for each stage of development. Advocating the“whole child approach,” Dr. Montessori’s goal was to assist the child toreach full potential in all areas of life.

Why are the preschool yearsso important?

“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies,but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. The more fullythe needs of one period are met, the greater will be the success of thenext.”—Dr. Maria Montessori

It is before the age of six that much of a child’s cognitive, sensory andphysical development occurs. The Montessori primary programaddresses the young child’s eagerness and enormous capacity forlearning. In a Montessori classroom, preschool children enjoy anenriched environment, providing them with unlimited opportunitiesto explore language, mathematics, music, science, practical life,sensorial education, physical education, geography, history and art.Through “hands on” learning, GMS’ preschool children enhance theirgeneral knowledge, social skills, concentration, independence,coordination and sense of order.

“Our aim is not merely to make the childunderstand, and still less to force him tomemorize, but to touch his imagination so as toenthuse him to his inmost core.” —Dr. Maria Montessori

There is genuine excitement in a Montessori classroom. You willdiscover a wide range of activities as children of different age groupswork independently and cooperatively. You will observe students whohave the discipline, the confidence, and the willingness to applythemselves to a chosen task. The classroom reflects an environmentspecifically tailored to each child’s needs.

Throughout the classroom are attractive Montessori materials that aredesigned to be self-teaching, self-correcting and progressivelychallenging. The Montessori teachers act as facilitators, encouragingactive learning and determining which new lessons and materialsshould be presented to each child. You will find that the Montessoriclassroom is a place where the joy of learning comes naturally.

What makes a Montessori classroom special?

... the discipline, the confidence, and the willingness to apply themselves to a chosen task.

The importance of self-esteem for future successcannot be over-emphasized. Because the Montessoriprogram is based on self-directed, non-competitiveactivities, children naturally develop healthy,positive self-images, and greet challenges andchange with confidence and optimism.

From the start, Montessori children are given the opportunity towork independently or in groups, make decisions, learn to managetheir time, and develop strong communication and academic skills.

These skills, along with a sense of social responsibility, respect forothers, and an awareness of one’s own value and uniqueness, willlast a lifetime.

Will a Montessori education prepare my child for the future?

The importance

of self-esteem

for future success

cannot be

over-emphasized.

Why is the Montessorielementary program unique?

Dr. Montessori observed that the child between the ages 6 and 12exhibits an explosive period of social and intellectual growth. Shebelieved that the elementary program should be responsive to thechild’s intellectual energy and imagination during these criticallearning years.

While ensuring that students gain a firm foundation in the “three Rs”(our students consistently achieve high scores on standardized tests),Dr. Montessori recognized the importance of creating a stimulatingeducational environment in which elementary students learn muchmore than just the basics.

Language arts and mathematics, central to the elementary curriculum,are reinforced through the integrated study of science, technology, finearts, music, great literature, history, world geography, civics,economics, and anthropology. Our students also participate inspecialist classes, including music, art, theatre, and physical education.

The Montessori elementary classroom and materials are designed toprovide students with the tools for self-directed learning under theguidance of their teachers. In an educational environment that focuseson the process of learning, rather than on a simple accumulation offacts, the student applies knowledge gained through critical thinking.Through independent work and cooperative social interaction,students strengthen their self-discipline, self-motivation, andorganizational and social skills.

At GMS, French is introduced at the preschool level through thecolorful and interactive Dimoitu and AIM (Accelerative IntegratedMethod) programs. Gestures, plays, songs and dances are used to teachFrench.

At the elementary level, our extended French program offers studentsdaily French language instruction in small classes and the opportunityto work one-on-one with French staff on research projects. Studentsalso gain oral and written proficiency and an appreciation for thelanguage through additional classes taught in French, such as culturalstudies, workshops, theatre and music.

How is French integrated into GMS programs?

Glebe MontessoriSchool past andpresent…

Glebe Montessori School (GMS) firstopened its doors in September 1995 inresponse to community enthusiasm toestablish a Montessori school in TheGlebe.

The school found an ideal location inGlebe Saint James United Church, withits spacious grounds and facilities. Overthe years, GMS has become renownedfor its high academic standards, lowstudent-teacher ratios and strongcurriculum, balancing each child’sphysical, intellectual and creative needs.

GMS’ dedicated teaching staff isMontessori (AMI and AMS) certified.In partnership with parents and thecommunity, our faculty is committed tonurturing each student’s personal andacademic growth, to inspiring a love oflearning and to providing the best in aMontessori education.

We invite you to come to GMS and see for yourself !

GMS Director/Founder: Dijana Bate, MA, holds an AMI Teacher’s Certificate from the Washington, D.C. AMI Institute

and has 12 years Montessori teaching experience.

G L E B E M O N T E S S O R I S C H O O L

650 Lyon St. South, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3Z7 (Glebe St. James United Church)

One of the best ways to learn more about Glebe Montessori School is to schedule a meeting and a tour.

Please contact us at (613) 237-3824 www.glebemontessori.ca