Art

Creative expression is an important outlet for students. The Art curriculum aims to inspire students to express feelings, ideas, and issues using a variety of mediums. Students learn to apply the critical analysis to communicate feelings, ideas, and understanding of socio-cultural and historical contexts.

Christian Studies

Bishop Hamilton Montessori School offers a Christian based Montessori program. We believe that each child has a spiritual potential and need. The spiritual growth of each child is nurtured by Christian instruction of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Christian Adolescent Curriculums. The Good Shepherd program has its pedagogical foundation in the Montessori philosophy which is deeply rooted in the Bible.

The Good Shepherd Catechesis is:

• Based on God’s unconditional love
• Gives the student the teachings of Christianity
• Allows the student to experience God’s presence in a prepared retreat-like environment
• Invites the student to encounter God through Worship gatherings
• Encourages the student to participate in Worship through leading the student body in readings, in Biblical dramas, in the choir and in preparing Powerpoint presentations for Worship gatherings.

As a result of the Christian teachings and time in prayer students develop a natural desire and knowledge to:

• Understand that they are loved unconditionally by God
• Develop and grow in their relationship with God through prayer
• Grow in further knowledge about their faith
• Develop community mindedness
• Bring and share one’s gifts with the community
• Be in relationship with a community in which one can lean on
• Pray with one another in a community context
• Develop a moral responsibility
• Be conscious of and harmonious toward the common good
• Contribute to society

Casa Program

Our Good Shepherd Atrium is a child-sized, prayerful environment where students are able to use hands-on religious materials to learn about and encounter God in an experiential way. The Atrium gives students a place to come to pray and worship with other children.

Our school year begins with lessons on prayer, the Bible, the Altar, the Liturgical colours and the Liturgical calendar. We then move into the Advent season and focus on lessons of the Prophecies and narratives of Jesus’ birth and the geography of Israel at Jesus’ time. This is followed by lessons on the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

Our focal presentations center on the love of God as seen in the parable of the Good Shepherd. During the Lent and Easter seasons, students receive presentations on the Last Supper and the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. We draw the year to a close with our lessons and celebrations around Pentecost.

Elementary Program

Worship sessions in our Atrium begin with prayer and Christian meditation. Prayer is composed by the students and consists of prayers of thanks, praise and petition.

Christian meditation helps students to be calm, focused and helps them to be aware of their body and breathing. This ‘listening’ type of prayer gives the students a sense of wonder, for it is in this time of silence that they experience God’s peace and love. Christian meditation ends with reflection and journaling.

God’s covenant relationship with humanity is fundamental to Biblical studies. This is the great ‘reaching out’ and ‘unconditional love’ God has for each one of us. The hands-on study of the ‘Gifts of God’ shows that God created our world with an abundance of gifts so the earth would be fully prepared for human kind.

The students see that it is our special role to care for all around us. In the New Testament, we study the historical events of Christ’s life, in particular his birth, death and resurrection. We also look at the important images Christ portrayed during His life, such as: the Good Shepherd (who “calls his sheep by name and the sheep listen to His voice”), Christ the Light (“I am the light of the world”), and the image of the True Vine (“I am the vine, you are the branches).

These parables help the student to experience the love of God and their relationships with those around them. The Moral Parables offer a way for the student to examine and compare their behaviour with that of the Pharisee, the Tax Collector and the Good Samaritan. The parables of the Found Sheep, the Found Coin and the Prodigal Son help the student to know God’s unconditional love and forgiveness.

Our synthesis work looks at comparisons in the Bible. The students find connections within events and stories, such as the Infancy Narratives and the Kingdom of God parables. All of the presentations go hand in hand with the Liturgical Year.

Junior High Program

The foundational work of our Christian Studies program centers on God’s Covenant: “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Other scriptural passages studied are along the themes of family, peers, community, authority and issues of social justice.

Students are called to see that they are part of God’s family and that they are called to a relationship of responsibility within their families, circle of friends, communities at large, and also with the earth. Prayer and meditation are a core part of our gatherings, along with individual art and journaling, which give the students the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with God and others.

This socially minded student thrives on the active group work of drama, group discussions, debates, group and teamwork challenges. This approach helps them to learn about God and scripture in a dynamic format.

French

The study of French is of utmost importance at Bishop Hamilton Montessori School. Students begin their daily French language study while still in the Casa program. As students progress, their mastery of the language improves along with their understanding of Francophone culture and literature.

The French program conducts field trips, culminating in annual trips to visit the nearby Francophone cities of Montreal and Quebec. By the time students graduate Junior High, they will have successfully completed the immersion program that is introduced in grade 10 in the public school system.

Casa 

In the Casa program, the primary focus is on oral language. Daily lessons are presented naturally, humorously, imaginatively, and without English usage. Stories, rhymes, mime, games, songs, art activities and puzzles are integral to the program.

Junior Elementary 

In Junior Elementary classes, French lessons continue on a daily basis. The classroom provides a rich background for learning a new language. A living dictionary surrounds the child.

Senior Elementary 

In the Senior Elementary classes oral proficiency continues to be the main focus. Listening and reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, and phonograms are introduced. Students are encouraged to write using concepts learned.

Third year students travel by train to Montreal for one day to visit the sites and practice their French.

Junior High 

At the Junior High level, French is taught with an equal emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing. The learning and application of French is achieved through formal and informal conversation, daily homework, interactive activities, projects, and a variety of exercises to stimulate usage of the language. The students take a four-day trip to either Montreal or Quebec City. They use this trip to practice French, enjoy the French milieu and experience Canadian history through visits to historical sites.

Music

Beginning in the Casa level, students are gradually introduced to music theory and expression. In grade 4, students begin exploring different musical instruments and are integrated into the school band. Additionally, vocal skills are honed and refined through learning and performing choral music.

At Bishop Hamilton Montessori School, we have a passion for music and performance. Our annual concerts bring together students of all ages. Some recent productions include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The King and I, and Annie.

At the end of the Music Program, students have:

• Achieved basic instrumental skills on a variety of instruments including soprano recorder, alto recorder, flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone.
• Learned choral singing skills and the essentials of vocal ensemble performance.
• Achieved intermediate level of solo and ensemble instrumental performance on one wind instrument.
• Learned the fundamentals of mounting a Broadway-style production, including set design, lighting, sound, costumes, drama, singing and dance.
• Learned the Level 1 Rudiments of Music Theory according to the Royal Conservatory of Music standards.

Physical Education

High energy classes are scheduled three times a week with a focus on physical activity versus athleticism. Structured lessons build skills at age appropriate levels with a focus on developing strength, flexibility and overall fitness.

The objective of Physical Education classes is for students to remain active their entire lives. The program helps students develop social skills including personal motivation, leadership, teamwork and dealing with adversity. These are fundamental to building character and they are highly valued in the program.

Science

The BHMS Enriched Science Program covers every department of science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science and Engineering.

Our Approach

• An integrated curriculum
• Cooperative learning
• Limitless scientific studies enhanced through Going Out experiences and participation in science exhibitions and science fairs from school level to national level
• Knowledge, skills and habits of mind required for safe participation in science and technology hands-on / minds-on activities
• Creative laboratory work followed by comprehensive laboratory report writing
• Scientific language to communicate effectively through oral and written presentations

Outcomes 

Students will develop an understanding of science and technology and relate them to society and the environment.

• Skills – Students will develop the skills required for scientific and technological inquiry, for solving problems, for communicating scientific ideas and results, for working collaboratively, and for making informed decisions.
• Knowledge – Students will construct knowledge and understandings of concepts in life science, physical science, earth and space science, and apply these understandings to interpret, integrate, and extend their knowledge.
• Attitudes – Students will develop the attitudes that support the responsible acquisition and application of scientific and technological knowledge for the mutual benefit of self, society, and the environment.
• Preparedness – Students will have a stronger foundation for the Ontario high school science.