Saplings Nature School ACADEMICS & EXTRACURRICULARS
Curriculum
Curriculum approach at Saplings Nature School: Progressive, Reggio Emilia
Saplings Nature School has a Progressive, Reggio Emilia approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Liberal Arts, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).
Saplings Nature School has a Reggio Emilia approach to supplementary curriculum.
Reggio Emilia programs are offered by some schools at the preschool and elementary level. The approach aims to develop curiosity and problem-solving skills through the liberal use of projects (as opposed to activities or lessons): teachers design projects for children around their demonstrated interests. Projects can be geared to an individual student, a small group of students, or the class as a whole. They can last from a few days to the whole year. Art is strongly emphasized and is typically incorporated into every project. Teachers actively participate in projects alongside students, rather than sitting back and observing. The philosophy calls for a high degree of parent involvement as well, particularly when forming curricula and project plans (which happens throughout the academic year).
What Saplings Nature School says about their overall curriculum and approach:
Our curriculum is project-based, and so is aimed to teach students a variety of skills and content relevant to their lives and interests. Projects aim to integrate components of literacy, math, science and the arts into each topic, thereby drawing the connections between the content and the core competencies as outlined in the BC curriculum. As student interests guide project inquiries, teachers provide explicit instruction in processing information and interacting intellectually through research, analysis, and thinking skills. Students are encouraged and supported to delve deeply into their learning through dialogue and experience.
Approach
Focus | Special needs |
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Nature-based | Special needs , Gifted |
Pedagogies and subject courses:
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Mathematics
Mathematics approach at Saplings Nature School: Equal Balance
Saplings Nature School has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math, Discovery Math approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]What Saplings Nature School says:
Our math curriculum seeks to prepare students to apply their skills in a variety of real-life, approachable situations. Embedded within our project inquiries, students learn the connections between mathematical concepts and the real world. Students learn math skills including, but not limited to, graphing, measurement, arrays, functions, comparison, and patterning through interaction with physical and visual representations and introductions to more complex mathematical concepts as students become ready. Supported by student-lead class initiatives (class economy, fundraisers, and design projects etc.), math centres, complex reasoning games, differentiated math groups based on readiness and ability, and skills development lessons. Students practice math skills daily during various indoor and outdoor activities as well as specialized pull out skill-building sessions with a staff member. Our overall math curriculum is supplemented by the Singapore Math system.
Textbooks and supplementary materials:
Singapore Math
Calculator policy:
This information is not currently available.
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Early Reading
Early Reading approach at Saplings Nature School: Phonics-intensive
Saplings Nature School has a Phonics-intensive approach to Early Reading (as opposed to Whole Language, Balanced Literacy approach).
[Show: About Phonics-intensive?]What Saplings Nature School says:
Our literacy program is designed to engage students in and aid their understanding and use of a variety of communication skills including writing, reading, image reading, and oral language use to understand and convey meaning. The aim is to help students understand that language is a system whose parts work together. This approach is supplemented by UFli, a phonics program to help early literacy students recognize letters, sounds and sound pairings. Supported by a variety of activities including, but not limited to: literacy component of inquiry projects, daily quiet reading, differentiated reading and writing groups, oral storytelling practice, student read-alouds, sounds of the week for early learners, literacy centers, book studies for more ready learners, and journal writing.
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
What Saplings Nature School says:
PlayRoly, Dolch Pre-primer and primer
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Writing
Writing approach at Saplings Nature School: Equal balance
Saplings Nature School has an Equal balance approach to Writing (as opposed to Systematic approach, Process approach approach).
[Show: About Equal balance?]What Saplings Nature School says:
This information is not currently available.
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Science
Science approach at Saplings Nature School: Inquiry
Saplings Nature School has an Inquiry approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Inquiry?]Teaching approach:
Our science curriculum is designed to support our students’ growing connection to the world around them, specifically our outdoor classroom areas. With an abundance of natural processes apparent and available to the students during the 3-4+ hours they spend outside daily, science is approached live in action. Inquiries surround what is going on at the time combined with the students’ observations and interests. Our outdoor classroom space contains forest, stream, and more urban areas and so provides a rich diversity of experience. Students discuss conservation, sustainability, responsibility, and reciprocity, and gain awareness that we are all part of one large system. Supported through daily free and guided inquiry sessions, frequent discussions, as well as the Learning in Depth program.
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
Literature approach at Saplings Nature School: Equal Balance
Saplings Nature School has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]What Saplings Nature School says:
This information is not currently available.
Program covers:
Subject Offered Canadian lit American lit European (continental) lit World (non-Western) lit English lit Ancient lit Social Studies
Social Studies approach at Saplings Nature School: Expanding Communities
Saplings Nature School has an Expanding Communities approach to Social Studies (as opposed to Core Knowledge, Thematic approach).
[Show: About Expanding Communities?]What Saplings Nature School says:
This information is not currently available.
Foreign Languages
Foreign Languages approach at Saplings Nature School: Equal Balance
Saplings Nature School has an Equal Balance approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual, Communicative approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]What Saplings Nature School 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
Fine Arts approach at Saplings Nature School: Equal Balance
Saplings Nature School has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive, Creative approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]Program offers:
Subject Offered Acting Dance Drama/Theatre Graphic Design Music Visual Arts What Saplings Nature School says:
This information is not currently available.
Computers and Technology
Computers and Technology approach at Saplings Nature School: Light integration
Saplings Nature School has a Light integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Heavy integration, Medium integration approach).
[Show: About Light integration?]What Saplings Nature School says:
Along with the computer lab in the classroom, we also offer access to our STEM space which has 3D printers and Lazer cutters for the children to access while working on projects.
Program covers:
Subject Offered Computer science Robotics Web design Physical Education
What Saplings Nature School says:
This information is not currently available.
Sex and health education
What Saplings Nature School says:
This information is not currently available.
Preschool/K Curriculum
Preschool/K Curriculum approach at Saplings Nature School: Play-based
Saplings Nature School has a Play-based approach to Preschool/K Curriculum (as opposed to Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Academic approach).
What Saplings Nature School says about their preschool/K curriculum approach:
Saplings mission is to foster a sense of wonder, vitality and joy into the young students educational experience by supporting their fundamental need to explore and discover. By taking students outside the classroom and into a dynamic natural environment. Students deepen their relationship with nature, resilience, practice balance, and enjoy social growth. Saplings seeks to grown and support the every changing child with our dynamic curriculum based in experiential education. By fostering a students sense of wonder that promotes life-longing learning and interests we aim to ensure that every student, as is their right, will experience the natural world as part of their education now and into the future.
Language
Learn about Saplings Nature School's languages of instruction and enrolment.
Saplings Nature School offers English as the primary language of instruction.
Language of enrolment include: English
Curriculum Pace
Curriculum Pace approach at Saplings Nature School: Student-paced
Saplings Nature School has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched, Accelerated approach).
What Saplings Nature School says about their curriculum pace:
We aim to meet students where they are at and grow their knowledge, skills, and abilities from there, taking time to address their social and emotional needs at any given time.
Flexible pacing style
Type | Offered |
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Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
Differentiated assessment |
What Saplings Nature School says about their flexible pacing:
Students are encouraged to work at their own pace in order to grow their skills and abilities in a supportive environment.
Academic Culture
Academic Culture approach at Saplings Nature School: Supportive
Saplings Nature School has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).
What Saplings Nature School says about their academic culture:
This information is not currently available.
Developmental priorities
Primary Developmental Priority:
What Saplings Nature School says about their developmental priorities:
This information is not currently available.
Special needs support
Saplings Nature School is a Special needs school
Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more special needs.
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Learning disabilitiesDyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.DyscalculiaThis is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.DysgraphiaThis is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.Language Processing DisorderThis is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor DeficitA characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
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DevelopmentalAutismRefers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).Asperger's SyndromeOn the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.Down syndromehis is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.Intellectual disabilityThis is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).Williams syndromeThis is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
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Behavioral and EmotionalTroubled behaviour / troubled teensroubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.Clinical DepressionThis is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.Clinical anxietyThis is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.Suicidal thoughtsThis involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.Drug and alcohol abuseThis involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
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PhysicalMultiple sclerosisThis is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.Cerebral palsyhis refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.Spina BifidaThis is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.BlindnessVisual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."DeafnessHearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).Cystic FibrosisCystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.Multiple physicalAccommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Academic support
Type | Offered |
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Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Mild but clinically diagnosed learning disabilities
Type | Offered |
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Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Additional support
Type | Offered |
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Social skills programs | |
Occupational therapy | |
Psychotherapy | |
Speech-language therapy |
Gifted learner support
Curriculum Delivery: This information is not currently available.
In-class adaptations
Program | Offered |
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Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
What Saplings Nature School says about their gifted learner support:
This information is not currently available.
Extracurricular Activities
While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, or clubs. Involvement in extracurriculars helps stimulate students in their studies, makes them more motivated to learn, and can make school more enjoyable and fulfilling. Extracurricular activities can also provide students with a much-needed break from the stresses of academics, while helping them to develop skills and allowing them to take part in valuable social situations.
Sports offered
Saplings Nature School competitive and recreational sports information not available.
Clubs offered
Saplings Nature School clubs and programs information not available.
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