Curriculum
Kindergarten
We offer both junior and senior kindergarten, full-day and half-day. Kindergarten is the first year some children are in a school environment, and we treat it as a transition year to the formal education process. The children at Olivet work on number, colour, shape, and language skills, which are balanced with a focus on social development among their peers and teachers. We also use this time to teach basic skills and interactive learning that help them succeed in reading and mathematics.
In kindergarten, we introduce foundational ethical ideas: helpfulness, teamwork, caring for the environment, respectfulness, and safety. Children this age are also delighted by conversations about heaven, the presence of a loving Creator, and the constant care He provides through parents and angels. This is a time to lay academic foundations in language and mathematics, but even more to instill joy in learning. We strive to make school fun by using movement, excursions to the creek and beyond, building and creating, telling stories, reciting poetry, and singing.
Our staff also work hard to help students experience and master the process of working toward success, rather than only focusing on the results. We do this by personalizing work to students’ individual interests and abilities, and avoid applying stress with high-pressure expectations. At Olivet, we use interactive learning techniques, such as encouraging participation in conversations, role-playing activities and technology, to ignite critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and a collaborative environment.
Primary (Grades 1 & 2)
The grades 1 and 2 classroom promotes questions, inquiries, and interactive learning. We cultivate a team approach between parents and teachers through regular communication and dialogue about student progress. Our staff begins teaching French from kindergarten, so our grade 1 and 2 students are already starting to use another language to describe the world around them and communicate with each other. As the children become increasingly socially aware, their teacher will spend time coaching them in communicating and building healthy relationships with their peers. We especially support the development of kindness and respect at this age.
As students learn pivotal math and language concepts, the grade 1 and 2 classroom also further develops their fine and gross motor skills. They typically continue to be very literal thinkers, so we purposefully ground their academic learning in tangible examples and experiences that support brain development and a thorough understanding of Ontario curriculum concepts. Our staff strives to not only cater to their individual learning styles, but also to encourage each child’s physical, emotional, academic, social, and spiritual growth.
As the scope of subject matter expands, we employ a holistic approach. Physical development continues through PE, recess and movement during academic lessons. Students work on the floor, at the board and at their desks, and regularly measure, interview or investigate throughout the building. Children stay engaged through activities that draw from interactive learning to help them better retain the material at hand as a result.
Junior (Grade 3)
In our junior classroom, we continue to use a holistic approach to education with interactive learning and by combining academic, social, emotional, and physical development. We strongly believe in encouraging and teaching all of these facets of the human experience—all of which are set within the additional concept of spiritual education.
This teaches students to:
- See themselves and others as having intrinsic, God-given value that transcends any flaws, differences and limitations
- Pursue purposeful contributions in life that go beyond personal gratification
- Recognize their connection and accountability to a higher being
With excellent teacher-student ratios, each child receives regular, individual attention and support to achieve his or her potential for academic excellence. We rely on our teachers’ adaptability to meet student interests and active engagement to with them to help deliver the curriculum. Our staff use interactive learning to encourage the children at this important junior level to use their imagination and logic to process information hands-on, make decisions, and work together.
Senior (Grades 4 & 5)
At our highest grades, we emphasize the ongoing, solid foundation of knowledge by catering to students on an individual level. Teachers provide detailed answers and discussion as questions arise through interactive learning with our students. This involves intertwining “real world” techniques, like using technology, having conversations, and emphasizing on teamwork as part of their education.
Children at this age are becoming more aware and are excited to learn about the world around them. Our staff simply encourage interactive learning that helps them experience first-hand perspectives and better understand the concepts we are teaching in an accessible way.
With an enriched Ontario curriculum in science, history, geography, literature, grammar, math, art and writing, we add Christian values that help students stay focused on the actual application of the knowledge they are gaining. Our staff work on the basis of how our students can make a positive contribution to their communities, their country and the world.