Multi-Age Programs

May 10, 2021

We believe the mission of École Riverview School is to create a positive learning community which encourages creativity and enables individuals to become active, cooperative learners and responsible citizens.

Philosophy

Where possible, children should be grouped over 2 years with the same teacher
Teaching should be child-centered, based on individual progress along the continuum of development
Children and teachers should take active roles in the learning process
Individual learning styles and strengths should be embraced
Children should have the opportunity to guide their own learning and take responsibility for their learning
The community plays an integral role in the child’s learning
Children should be given opportunities for mentoring and leadership
An atmosphere of collaboration enhances the sense of community

Practice

Using provincial curricular outcomes as a framework, best teaching practices will be implemented within an environment of collaboration, inquiry, and theme and activity-based learning, while developing children’s ability to self-assess and take responsibility for their learning.

Insofar as possible, children will be grouped with one teacher over 2 years
Balance among teacher-led, shared, and student led inquiry processes, while integrating curricular outcomes and content
Teachers are facilitators of learning throughout the inquiry process
Focus on integrating curricular subject areas into theme, experiential and activity–based learning through differentiated instruction and multiple intelligences
Nurturing of the sense of community within the classroom, the school, and the larger community through celebrations, cross-groupings, community speakers, etc.
Opportunities for mentorship, leadership, peer support and cooperative learning
Fostering of an appreciation of the arts and their use as a vehicle for expression
Atmosphere that values literacy and literature
Assessment of and for learning to drive instruction and growth
Active involvement of children and teachers in the assessment process to promote ownership of learning, intrinsic motivation and goal setting
Parents encouraged to participate in their child’s learning and to support the learning community.

Benefits

Children become lifelong learners
Sense of secure and comfortable environment given 2 year timeline with same teacher
Uninterrupted continuum of learning over 2 years
Less adjustment from year to year
Home-school connection is enhanced to support learning
Increased opportunities to lead and to follow, to collaborate and to make stable peer connections