Cultivating Self-Reliance and Resilience
The Grades 4 and 5 program at Seneca Hill, a standout among middle schools in Toronto, is designed to foster independence and resilience in our students as they continue to build on their foundational skills. Our dedicated educators encourage students to take responsibility for their learning, with a focus on developing problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and self-management skills. By gradually transferring the responsibility of learning to our students, we empower them to face challenges with confidence and rely on their own abilities to succeed.
Our Unique Grades 4 and 5 Program:
- Continued Small Class Sizes: We maintain small class sizes with a maximum of 16 students per class, allowing our educators to provide personalized attention and support to every child while fostering independence and self-reliance in learning.
- Project-Based Learning: Our curriculum continues to ignite children’s curiosity and creativity through project-based learning experiences. These hands-on, collaborative projects encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of subject matter while promoting independent learning.
- Integrated Approach: We embrace an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, integrating literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and the arts to create a well-rounded educational experience where concepts and skills are reinforced in multiple ways.
- Character Development: We place a strong emphasis on character education, fostering the development of empathy, kindness, mindfulness, and resilience. Our lessons in social and emotional learning help students build the skills necessary for thriving in a diverse and ever-changing world. We utilize the 7 Habits of Happy Kids (based on the book the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) as a framework to help reflect on and build crucial skills.
- Technology Integration: Our Grades 4 and 5 students continue to use age-appropriate technology tools that enhance their learning experiences and help them develop essential digital literacy skills. This includes advancing their formal typing lessons in our Digital Literacy classes.
- Strong Home-School Connection: We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is crucial for student success. Our online portal keeps families informed and engaged in their child’s learning journey through regular updates, resources, and opportunities for involvement.
Highlights of Grades 4 and 5:
- Advancing Literacy Skills: Our Grades 4 and 5 curriculum further develops students’ reading and writing skills, focusing on more complex literacy concepts, such as critical analysis, persuasive writing, and advanced vocabulary. Students engage in daily reading and writing activities that continue to promote a love for literature and develop strong communication skills.
- Deepening Mathematical Understanding: Our numeracy program in Grades 4 and 5 expands on essential mathematical concepts, such as algebraic thinking, data analysis, and geometry. Through regular practice, focusing on mental math skills, hands-on activities, and real-world applications, students continue to develop confidence in their mathematical abilities.
- Exploring Our World: Our social studies and science units in Grades 4 and 5 delve deeper into topics such as history, geography, physical sciences, and environmental awareness. These engaging lessons promote curiosity, inquiry, and a respect for the natural world while encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning.
- Expressing Creativity: The arts continue to play a vital role in our Grades 4 and 5 curriculum, providing opportunities for students to express themselves through visual arts, music, dance, and drama. These experiences foster creativity, self-expression, and a deeper appreciation for the arts while promoting independent thinking and problem-solving.
- Developing Leadership Skills: Our Grades 4 and 5 program emphasizes the importance of leadership and teamwork, providing opportunities for students to take on leadership roles in various school activities and collaborative projects. Students are encouraged to build self-confidence and develop strong interpersonal skills, which will serve them well in their future academic and personal endeavors.
Join us at Seneca Hill for Grades 4 and 5 as we cultivate independence, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility in our students. Together, we will support them in their journey towards self-reliance and instill a passion for lifelong learning that will serve them well in their academic and personal lives.
Ontario Grades 4 and 5 Curriculum Summary
The Ontario Grades 4 and 5 curriculum continues to build on the strong foundation established in the earlier grades while fostering greater independence and resilience in students. The curriculum is divided into several subject areas, each with specific expectations and goals. We continue to offer additional courses (Digital Literacy, Life Skills, Engineering) that we feel are instrumental in providing our students with a well-rounded education.
Here’s a breakdown of each subject area:
- English Language: The Language curriculum in Grades 4 and 5 continues to develop students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students delve into more complex texts and writing styles, focusing on critical analysis, persuasive writing, and advanced vocabulary. Oral communication skills are further emphasized, with opportunities for students to express their ideas and respond to the ideas of others in an increasingly independent manner.
- Mathematics: The Mathematics curriculum in Grades 4 and 5 deepens students’ understanding of numeracy concepts, with a focus on algebraic thinking, data analysis, and geometry. Students engage in problem-solving and critical thinking activities that help them apply these concepts in real-world situations and develop greater independence in their learning.
- Science and Technology: The Science and Technology curriculum in Grades 4 and 5 encourages students to explore the natural world through inquiry and hands-on experiences, with an increased focus on independent learning. Topics include understanding matter and energy, earth and space systems, structures and mechanisms, and life systems. Students learn to ask questions, make observations, conduct investigations, and communicate their findings.
- Social Studies: The Social Studies curriculum in Grades 4 and 5 helps students develop a deeper understanding of their place in the world and their relationship with others. It covers topics such as heritage and identity, people and environments, and the concept of citizenship. Students explore local, national, and global communities, as well as the relationships between people and their environments, while developing greater independence in their learning.
- The Arts: The Arts curriculum in Grades 4 and 5 encompasses visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Students continue to express themselves creatively and develop an appreciation for various forms of artistic expression. They explore elements and principles of design, create and perform in various artistic disciplines, and develop critical thinking skills through the analysis and interpretation of various art forms.
6. Health and Physical Education: The Health and Physical Education curriculum in Grades 4 and 5 focuses on developing students’ physical and emotional well-being, with an emphasis on independence and personal responsibility. Students participate in various physical activities to develop their movement skills, understand the importance of healthy living, and learn how to make informed decisions about their personal well-being.
7. French as a Second Language (Core French): In Grades 4 and 5, French as a Second Language programs continue to develop students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in French. They engage in various communicative activities and explore cultural aspects of the French-speaking world, while building independence in their language learning.
8. Life Skills: The Life Skills curriculum for Grades 4 and 5 students continues to focus on practical skills relevant to their daily lives. Students build on their knowledge of basic financial concepts and age-appropriate life skills, such as personal hygiene, self-care, time management, basic household chores, healthy eating habits, conflict resolution, culinary, and teamwork. The curriculum emphasizes independence and responsibility in their personal development.
9. Engineering: The Engineering course in Grades 4 and 5 builds upon the earlier introduction to engineering concepts, promoting hands-on learning experiences for students. Through engaging activities and projects, students apply their knowledge to design, build, and test various structures and mechanisms. The course emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills, as students work collaboratively on engineering challenges and present their projects to their peers. Greater independence is encouraged as students utilize the Engineering Design Process as a framework when building projects.
10. Digital Literacy: The Digital Literacy curriculum for Grades 4 and 5 expands on the foundational skills learned in the earlier grades. The four strands remain: a) Privacy and Security, teaching online safety and responsible digital citizenship; b) Health and Safety, promoting healthy habits and balance in technology use; c) Coding, exploring more advanced programming concepts and critical thinking skills; and d) Computer Productivity, focusing on more sophisticated computer tools, keyboarding skills, and multimedia presentations. Students are encouraged to become more independent in their use of technology and digital tools.
The Ontario Grades 4 and 5 curriculum is designed to foster greater independence and resilience in students while building on the strong foundation established in the earlier grades. Our mission at Seneca Hill is to support our students in their journey towards self-reliance, nurturing a passion for lifelong learning that will serve them well in their academic and personal lives. With a focus on independence and responsibility, our Grades 4 and 5 program lays the groundwork for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in middle school and beyond.
Contact us
We invite families to get in touch with us and learn more. We would be happy to arrange for a private tour to see our campus and facilities, arrange a call, or set up a video conference with our principal.
To book an appointment please contact us at 416.499.8790 or [email protected].
Directions: We are located at Don Mills and Lawrence, adjacent to the Shops on Don Mills.
Address: 33 Overland Drive North York, Ontario M3C 2C3
Tel: 416.499.8790
Email: [email protected]