Elevate Learning Centre ACADEMICS & EXTRACURRICULARS

Pedagogies and subject courses:

• Mathematics

  Equal Balance

  Mathematics approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Equal Balance

  Elevate Learning Centre has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math, Discovery Math approach).

  [Show: About Equal Balance?]

  Our Kids definition: These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Mathematics with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Equal balance - 70%
    Traditional math - 25%
    Discovery math - 5%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Elevate’s programming follows the Ontario curriculum’s overall expectations in mathematics focusing first on numeracy and number sense, with the primary focus of lessening any gaps in each student’s learning. Key topics are explored clearly and explicitly, with lessons and activities differentiated for each student’s individual level. All learning in math builds on earlier concepts. If students do not have a strong base in addition, they will struggle with subtraction. If they do not understand equal groups, they will not be able to understand multiplication and division. We help students to master the foundational skills that they will need to unlock higher levels of math in high-school and beyond.

  Textbooks and supplementary materials:

  Multi-Sensory Math Jump Math Ontario Curriculum spiralized to lessen learning gaps and build foundational skills

  Calculator policy:

  Students are encouraged to use learning tools and manipulatives.

• Early Reading

  Phonics-intensive

  Early Reading approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Phonics-intensive

  Elevate Learning Centre has a Phonics-intensive approach to Early Reading (as opposed to Whole Language, Balanced Literacy approach).

  [Show: About Phonics-intensive?]

  Our Kids definition: Systematic-phonics programs teach young children to read by helping them to recognize and sound out the letters and syllables of words. Students are then led to blend these sounds together to sound out and recognize the whole word. While other reading programs might touch on phonetics (either incidentally or on a “when needed” basis), systematic phonics teaches phonics in a specific sequence, and uses extensive repetition and direct instruction to help readers associate specific letter patterns with their associated sounds.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Early Reading with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Phonics-intensive - 44%
    Whole language - 2%
    Balanced literacy - 54%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Elevate follows a structured literacy approach toward reading and reading comprehension, using multi-sensory, explicit evidence based approaches to support the specific needs of students with diverse learning needs. Many of our educators are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach focusing on direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy when reading, writing, and spelling does not come easily to individuals, such as those with dyslexia. We also use Wilson and UFLI to assist in our reading lessons.

  DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  We monitor progress using a variety of tools including Dibels and Woodcock Johnson standardized assessments.

• Writing

  Equal balance

  Writing approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Equal balance

  Elevate Learning Centre has an Equal balance approach to Writing (as opposed to Systematic approach, Process approach approach).

  [Show: About Equal balance?]

  Our Kids definition: Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Writing with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Equal balance - 79%
    Systematic approach - 9%
    Process approach - 12%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Students develop their ability to compose writing by building their skills over time. All learning is scaffolded so students do not become overwhelmed and can feel confident in their ability to create. Each of these approaches is evidence-based and has been proven to help neurodiverse learners to become strong, confident readers and writers. We also recognize that many of our students come to us with difficulty with both printing and spelling words. We believe that spelling and reading are closely connected and learning how to spell words accurately and automatically helps students to read fluently. During their time with us, students will learn: Cursive writing Printing Common spelling conventions and patterns to “decode” the language Paragraph composition Grammar conventions Proofreading

• Science

  Inquiry

  Science approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Inquiry

  Elevate Learning Centre has an Inquiry approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Equal Balance approach).

  [Show: About Inquiry?]

  Our Kids definition: Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Science with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Inquiry - 27%
    Expository - 5%
    Equal balance - 68%
  

  Teaching approach:

  Science is taught in the afternoon during our FlexBlock. Topics are generated from the Ontario Curriculum and overall expectations are covered. We learn through inquiry and experimental learning, using hands-on experiments and student-guided investigation. With multiple grades, we split students into smaller groups so that they are following their own curriculum expectations. We also group together similar concepts so that students can work together across grades collaboratively.

  
  

  Treatment of evolution:

  Subject	Offered
  Evolution as consensus theory
  Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
  Evolution is not taught

  
  

  Topics covered in curriculum:

  Subject	Offered
  Biology
  Chemistry
  Ecology
  Geology
  Meteorology
  Physics
  Physiology
  Zoology

• Literature

  Equal Balance

  Literature approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Equal Balance

  Elevate Learning Centre has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).

  [Show: About Equal Balance?]

  Our Kids definition: These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Literature with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Equal balance - 76%
    Traditional - 21%
    Social justice - 3%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  We incorporate both of these approaches. It is so vital for students to be able to decode and understand the purpose of a text for their reading comprehension and written composition. Many of our students struggle with written expression and our goal is to help them identify written elements and apply them to their own work. However, we want our students to think critically about what they're reading and to form their own opinions. We want our students to feel competent and confident taking on literature.

  
  

  Program covers:

  Subject	Offered
  Canadian lit
  American lit
  European (continental) lit
  World (non-Western) lit
  English lit
  Ancient lit

• Social Studies

  Expanding Communities

  Social Studies approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Expanding Communities

  Elevate Learning Centre has an Expanding Communities approach to Social Studies (as opposed to Core Knowledge, Thematic approach).

  [Show: About Expanding Communities?]

  Our Kids definition: The Expanding Communities approach organizes the curriculum around students’ present, everyday experience. In the younger grades, students might learn about themselves, for example. As they move through the grades, the focus gradually broadens in scope: to the family, neighbourhood, city, province, country, and globe. The curriculum tends to have less focus on history than Core Knowledge programs.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Social Studies with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Expanding communities - 29%
    Core knowledge - 38%
    Thematic - 33%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Social Studies is taught in the afternoon during our FlexBlock. Topics are generated from the Ontario Curriculum and overall expectations are covered. Imagine your child is motivated to learn, not just for marks, but for the love of learning. Authentic learning ignites student interest and joy in learning by connecting what is taught in the classroom to real-world issues, problems, and applications. “Learn by doing” is the core of the Elevate as students practice foundational skills, whether they are engaging in authentic activities similar to a scientist, an artist, an engineer, or a writer. Future-ready skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, observation, asking questions, and note-taking are consistently reinforced during authentic learning.

• Humanities and Social Sciences

  Pragmatism

  Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Pragmatism

  Elevate Learning Centre has a Pragmatism approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism, Equal Balance approach).

  [Show: About Pragmatism?]

  Our Kids definition: Pragmatism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes making learning relevant to students’ present-day experience. Assignments tend to centre around projects and tasks rather than argumentative essays; these projects will often have a “real-world” application or relevance. There might be more of a social justice component to a pragmatic program, though that isn’t always the case. Subjects like history and philosophy are still covered/offered, but they play a less prominent role in the overall program than in the case of perennialism. The social sciences (contemporary geography, sociology, psychology, etc), meanwhile, might play a more prominent role in pragmatic programs. The key goals are to make learning progressive and relevant, while teaching students real-life skills and critical thinking.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Humanities and Social Sciences with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Pragmatism - 10%
    Perennialism - 7%
    Equal balance - 83%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  One of the best ways to help students learn is to make meaningful connections to real-world experiences. This can help them to contextualize what they've learned and then apply the learning in their own way.

• Foreign Languages

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  This information is not currently available.

  
  

  Language instruction offered in:

  Subject	Offered
  Chinese-Cantonese
  Chinese-Mandarin
  French
  German
  Greek
  Italian
  Japanese
  Hebrew
  Latin
  Russian
  Spanish
  ESL

• Fine Arts

  Equal Balance

  Fine Arts approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Equal Balance

  Elevate Learning Centre has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive, Creative approach).

  [Show: About Equal Balance?]

  Our Kids definition: These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Fine Arts with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Equal balance - 65%
    Receptive - 2%
    Creative - 33%
  

  
  

  Program offers:

  Subject	Offered
  Acting
  Dance
  Drama/Theatre
  Graphic Design
  Music
  Visual Arts

  
  

  Visual studio philosophy:

  Expressive
  Disciplined

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Our students spend time exploring their abilities in the fine art of music and visual art each Friday afternoon. We have explored the Art Gallery of Burlington for a morning program with this feedback from their staff: "You should feel so proud of your students, I was totally blown away by our critical discussion of the art, their thoughtful consideration of the space and their conduct - it was just an absolutely pleasure to host your group."

• Computers and Technology

  Light integration

  Computers and Technology approach at Elevate Learning Centre: Light integration

  Elevate Learning Centre has a Light integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Heavy integration, Medium integration approach).

  [Show: About Light integration?]

  Our Kids definition: Computers are used in the classroom from time to time, but integrating technology into everything students do is not a dominant focus. Digital literacy is understood to be a legitimate skill in the 21st century, but not one that should distract from teaching the subject at hand, or more fundamental skills and literacies. The idea is today’s students, being “digital natives”, are likely exposed to computers and new media enough outside the classroom: the role of the school, rather, should be to develop competencies that may otherwise get missed.

  Compare Elevate Learning Centre's Computers and Technology with other schools on OurKids.net:

    Light integration - 18%
    Heavy integration - 30%
    Medium integration - 52%
  

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Computers are used for assistive technology, inquiry and to directly teach typing skills. We use computer games to compliment our math teaching.

  
  

  Program covers:

  Subject	Offered
  Computer science
  Robotics
  Web design

• Physical Education

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  Physical Education is taught outside in our beautiful park setting. We have access to fields and equipment. Student swim at Goldfish Swim School once a week during the last term of the school year.

• Sex and health education

  What Elevate Learning Centre says:

  This information is not currently available.