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Enrollment
The school has one class of each grade level. The average class size is 20 children with an equal ratio of boys and girls where possible.
The Mabin Program
Our innovative curriculum stresses integration, inquiry and reflection and is organized around the developmental levels and interests of our students. It allows us to accommodate each child’s different learning needs while continuing to provide a rich, hands-on educational experience that always meets and often exceeds Provincial guidelines.
Classroom, resource and specialist teachers work together to deliver integrated and child-centred learning adventures, promoting themes that are of intrinsic interest to the students. Children inquire, investigate, develop theories and build knowledge in the core subject areas of Math, Language, Social Studies and Science that, wherever possible, integrate with Art, Music, Technology, Phys. Ed and French. The students take an active role in contributing to the progression of the themes around which skills are learned.
From Kindergarten through to Grade 6, our students are given the “tools” and language for self-reflection and goal setting, making them true participants in their own learning. Students are also taught good study habits, research skills, time management and test taking strategies.
The development of strong personal character is an integral part of our curriculum. Throughout the school day, students are engaged in outreach initiatives, mentoring and leadership opportunities, and the cultivation of conflict resolution skills. The goal is to develop a sense of community where respect for oneself and others is valued.
Language
The Language Arts curriculum is shaped by the ways in which reading, writing, speaking and listening interconnect. Reading and the study of literature are used to teach writing skills as well as to model formal oral language and develop good listening skills. Conversely, as a student becomes a fluent writer, reading abilities are enhanced. Language is central to a student’s intellectual, social and emotional growth and must be seen as a key element in the curriculum. It is a tool for learning in all areas, a source of pleasure and an important medium for recording and communicating ideas and information.
Language expectations are organized into three strands as outlined in the Ontario Language Curriculum: Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication.
Math
Our Math program consists of five strands representing the five major areas of knowledge and skills in the Ontario Math Curriculum. The strands are Number Sense and Numeration, Measurement, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Patterning and Algebra, and Data Management and Probability. Throughout our JK to Grade 6 program, classes use a variety of mathematical activities to introduce and reinforce concepts outlined in our curricular expectations. Our program enables students to explore and develop many strategies for solving problems in order to foster mathematical understanding. Emphasis is placed on open-ended, real life and relevant experiences, cooperative learning tasks and assessments that ask students to reason and support their strategies for answering problems.
Art, Music, Computers, Science, Physical Education and French are regarded as essential elements of a child’s learning experience and are introduced in Junior Kindergarten. All these subjects are taught by our specialist teachers.
Art
Taught through an experiential, multimedia approach, Art is viewed as a form the child uses to communicate ideas, feelings, and perceptions. All children have art at least once a week. Whenever possible, Art room activities are integrated with classroom themes. Children work with a variety of materials which ultimately lead them towards achieving visual literacy. The process is valued more than the product.
Music
All grades follow the pedagogical approach of Carl Orff, learning about pitch, rhythm and form through imitating, exploring, innovating and improvising. In addition to studying movement and drama, students use a variety of instruments including voice, percussion, xylophones, keyboards and computers. Wherever possible, the Music curriculum relates to emerging class themes.
French
All students from JK to Grade 6 participate in our French program. Music, drama, storytelling, games and movement are all part of a curriculum designed to enrich the students' language development. The gesture approach, created to help students learn and remember important vocabulary, is an integral part of the program. Emphasis is on oral French in the lower grades, leading into more written work in the upper grades.
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Designed to generate interest and excitement among students from JK to Grade 6, our CSI program uses an integrated approach that embeds, where appropriate, technology supported inquiry into the ongoing classroom themes. Computer studies integrate with many of the classroom projects supporting the development of a strong set of information literacy skills. Lessons are taught in the classroom and our well-equipped science and computer labs. Each classroom is equipped with computers. In addition, students have access to the computer lab and sets of wireless laptops. Computers within the school are organized on a network and have access to the Internet.
Resource
Our Resource teachers work with our core classroom teachers to diagnose, develop strategies and accommodate individual or small groups of students that require enrichment or remediation in specific subject areas.
Library
The Jenny Ord Resource Centre is staffed by our librarian and contains a fully catalogued and well rounded selection of books for all grades. Primary grades learn to use the library through weekly visits; junior grades use the library to practice their information skills and as a place for some quiet time and solitary reading.
Communication and Reporting
The school has two report cards per year. These written documents, along with at least two formal parent-teacher interviews, provide feedback on academic and social progress. Parents are encouraged to meet with our teachers whenever an issue arises that may need attention. Our teachers also keep parents apprised of their child’s social, emotional and academic progress on a more informal basis whenever appropriate.
Stude nt Portfolios are used to provide a comprehensive record of growth and development over the years. In student-led conferences, the students share their goals and progress with parents through their portfolios.
In the autumn, there is a scheduled curriculum night for each grade. Teachers highlight plans for the students’ year and discuss the curriculum and the students’ social and emotional development.
Each week, a newsletter is sent home to keep parents informed about activities and plans as well as current educational topics. This website is also a valuable resource for information.
Parent Participation
Voluntary parent participation is encouraged. Our parents participate in a variety of ways: helping in the classroom or library, accompanying class trips and organizing different events including fundraising projects. All parents are members of our Parents’ Association. The Parents’ Association Executive is involved in coordinating various events throughout the school year.
The Annual Fund
The Mabin Annual Fund was created to ensure our students receive the best education possible. Sustained by the generous contributions of Mabin families, the annual giving fund assures ongoing support for our facility and the continuing purchase of educational enrichment programs for students and teachers.
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