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When the Grade 8 class produced and performed in a production of Fiddler On The Roof, they were doing much more than entertaining a crowd—they were learning.
Even the backdrop for the play, designed and painted by the students in the style of the late artist Marc Chagall—with help from their visual arts teacher Anna Gruda—was incorporated into an overall lesson.
"By studying the biography of Chagall in art class, we were able to learn more about the time period in Russia when the play took place," says Simon, a 14-year-old student. "We all helped paint this huge canvas with colours and images Chagall used in his work."
The result was quite spectacular and the project helped the students relate to the characters they were playing on stage.
At Toronto Waldorf School, in Thornhill, Ontario, students spend three-week intervals focusing on one main lesson, while a number of their other classes, including art, support the subject they're learning.
"It allows the students to really immerse themselves in something specific," says Gruda.
When Grade 8 student Jimena, travelled to Marseilles, France earlier this year to compete in an international gymnastic competition, it changed her opinion about learning French.
"It was my first time in Europe so it was a great experience to see how different things are," she says.
Jimena was grateful for the opportunity to practice what she has been learning in the classroom at St. Jude's Academy, in Mississauga, Ontario, since almost everyone she encountered on her trip spoke French. This experience made her decide to take her learning of the language to the next level.
"When I came back to Canada, I was inspired to learn French so that I can speak fluently," she says. "I finally realized that there was a point to learning another language."
Justin, 15, is learning about William Shakespeare by participating in a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream in which he's playing the role of Demetrius.
"My character is really snobby and stuck-up," he says. "It's fun playing different personalities."
Each year, the Grade 9 and 10 students from Venta Preparatory School, in Ottawa, Ontario team up with the Grade 2 class to bring Shakespeare's plays to life.
"You literally want to become your character on stage," says Justin. "You have to speak and think like him."
The school is also involving students in the younger grades. Justin notes that the children in Grade 2 will play the fairies.
"They don't have many lines, but they love to dance around in their costumes, he says.
The step to Grade 9 is widely seen as unique, and it is. That said, the move to middle school is important, too. Perhaps even more so. [Read more]
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Waldorf Academy offers programs from childcare to grade eight in downtown Toronto. Its average class size is 18 students.
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École secondaire francophone privée pour jeunes filles située à Outremont, Qc. Les frais de scolarité sont de 4 500 $ par année. Elle offre les profils Éducation internationale, Danse-études et Musique-études.
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Children absorb multiple languages, music & develop sports skills VERY easily. Momentum Montessori is a multilingual school exposing kids (1.5 - 6 yrs) to multiple languages, sports & music like no other program.
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The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for his/her uniqueness and is taught accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program.
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B.E.N. is an engaging, caring learning community. The focus is on qualities and skills alongside the Ontario Curriculum. Small class sizes, outdoor activities, art classes and workshops. Parenting workshops are offered.
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Canada Royal Arts High School is a certified dual-stream, co-ed, private school offering Grades 10 to 12 and adult learning programs. We provide an Arts-oriented curriculum to students interested in applied arts.
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ArtsCalibre Academy empowers students through creativity, mindfulness and leadership. We offer Preschool to Grade Eight in 2017/2018, adding one grade per year through to Grade 12.
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Burlington Royal Arts Academy offers private arts-academic secondary school programming for Grades 9-12. Small class sizes, arts focused programming with outstanding faculty and industry professionals.
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