Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^that's when they usually do it in the US too.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
I agree with SGC … know and understand your child, inside and out, and make your decision based on what you feel will be best given their personality, etc. :k: This even applies to the other topic on child care options.
As for the Ontario curriculum, they start exposing kids to discussions on different body parts in grade 1. Same sex families are taught from grade 2-3 and the topics get more advanced as the child progresses through elementary school. The catholic school board kicked up a huge fuss, but nothing was really changed. It’s a bit silly to compare the UK public schools to North American schools. The set up is totally different. UK schools are structured more like private schools, at least when I attended elementary school in London several years ago (i.e. wearing uniforms, proper lunches, I was way advanced in reading compared to my peers of the same age in Canada, etc.).
I don’t think anybody is criticizing teachers. If anything, the ratio of teachers per child has been criticized and the curriculum of each school board, not individual teaching styles. The set up and learning curriculum is completely different between public schools and private schools. Kids are exposed to far more topics in private school at a much earlier age than the same kids in public schools. We know the public school teachers do not have a choice. If anything, a lot of teachers here are upset about the cut-backs but they don’t have a say in the matter.
Again, if your child thrives in a public school environment, maybe that will work for them. Maybe you have great public schools in your district where you don’t need that option of a private school. That comes down to individual choice. If you are content with your kids going to public school, then that’s ok. Personally, I’m not, but I have other factors to consider - cost being the primary one.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
one more thing that I realized was so important for me......
the fact that private schools require uniforms.
I hated the thought of my daughter coming home one day and saying to me that she didn't feel like she fits in cuz her friends are wearing mini-skirts and halter tops in summer and she is not permitted to.....this was one pressure that I was able to save her from by ensuring that she has a uniform to wear.
seems like a small thing.....but I've grown up in the west and in public schools.....I have seen what goes on.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
By middle school or earlier tho, even with uniforms, the issue of the skirt length, leggings or no leggings, etc will come up. I am embarrassed to admit that I was one of those girls who would come to school and role up her skirt so it didn't hang so much lower than all the others.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
By middle school or earlier tho, even with uniforms, the issue of the skirt length, leggings or no leggings, etc will come up. I am embarrassed to admit that I was one of those girls who would come to school and role up her skirt so it didn't hang so much lower than all the others.
Yes I have thought of that....which is why my daughter uses more dress pants than the kilt in her uniform. She prefers that anyway because she is often working on the carpet with her mat rather than at a desk and with trousers her knees are covered and comfortable.
Of course those issues will come up eventually but I believe it will be easier to handle when she is old enough and has a good grasp of her religion and culture. These subjects are harder to explain in the early years.
And Sahar, it's not just about exposure....its about brand names and competition. I find that there are fewer issues when everyone has to wear the same uniform bought from the same supplier in the same fabric, colour and quality. No child is coming in wearing $250 sneakers or toting a $150 backpack.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ That's pretty much what happened for me. By high school I was more comfortable in my skin, and was happily covered. But Middle school is pretty tough for most kids.
And in my private school, the lower school uniform was strict but by upper school there was more variety, which meant more opportunity for people to show off their pricey purchases. But that's all part of growing up.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
All public schools, primary and secondary in the UK have school uniforms. In some schools even Nursery children (3 year olds) have to wear uniform.
Even with uniforms that are the same brand/fabric/school logo there is still so much competition in schools with regards to footwear (well, at the school where I currently teach). It's the boys and their silly smelly trainers. Our head teacher is constantly sending out letters with regards to wearing appropriate uniform but parents don't seem to care either.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
I went to a public high school and most of the girls wore kilts. I had my gray pants. In fact, a lot of public high school in toronto are now making uniforms mandatory. I didnt mind it. My mom loved it, for the fact that I never bought or wore western clothes throughout high school. There were a few muslim girls that did wear the kilt. So again, most of this stuff had to do with family and religious values that were instilled in me at home, instead of a private school.
i think the biggest competition for clothes woudl be whose kilt was the shortest, who had the coolest school bag (i went to school with italians, and those invicta bags were oh so popular).
i think it might be a combination of everythign that makes a person the way they are...nature and nuture.
what about when these kids hit university/college? they will all be merged into one anyways. the class sizes will he huge and there is a lot of "learnign on your own" in university as well.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ But you can't say "oh they'll have to deal with it later, so why not let them deal with it now." Their developmental stages need to be considered. We don't ask three year olds to write essays, eventho they will need to do so later. You provide different kinds of support and scaffolding, depending on present needs and future expectations.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
oh ok. true.
this is a great thread..and glad to see so many opinions...especially teacher's!
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
what about when these kids hit university/college? they will all be merged into one anyways. the class sizes will he huge and there is a lot of "learnign on your own" in university as well.
another reason not to smother and be all crazy mama on your children. both uni and jobs don't mollycoddle individuals, and will have to know how to make it thru periods of zero or even negative appreciation and special attention being thrown their way.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ very valid point......and this is another thing that I kept in mind.....
the Montessori method provides a lot less hand-holding when it comes to accomplishing tasks.....the kids do things on their own and at their own pace but not without deadlines.....when they need attention/guidance the instructor provides it.....as compared to regular method where I've seen teachers chasing kids for assignments, following up to make sure that its done....then when the kids hits uni they are all lost because there is nobody telling them to do this tonight cuz it will be due next week and you won't have time to finish it......maybe I've just seen too many kids crash in first year university cuz they were mollycoddled by their high school teachers........
here's another example from the montessori school......
the junior high class is expected to "earn" their living.
at the beginning of the year these living expenses are identified and tabulated on a monthly basis...this includes the cost of preparing lunches and snacks etc as well as any field trips, class materials etc.
once identified the class is expected to come up with ideas on how to raise these funds.
they go grocery shopping to get their supplies and work to prepare the lunches for everyday consumption.
during the year the junior high class has projects running where they grow certain vegetables for consumption and sale on the school ground......they make crafts and sell them as well as other items.
all of this is incorporated into the board required curriculum using the regular subjects.
the children are taught practical methods of living.....
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Completely agree…I went to catholic schools from grade 1-12 and I loathed the uniform for many reasons…it got slightly better in HS since we were given more options but now I understand the benefit of uniforms…and am totally pro-uniform.
Haha. Same here sahar, same here 
I remember in 9th grade, my skirt fell all the way down to my ankles. I was so embarrassed and never got to hear the end of it…meanwhile I see girls who go to jewish schools…that wear skirts that long and its a different story.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
How can we find out if the montessori school is public or private?
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Ask them? :p
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
How can we find out if the montessori school is public or private?
Usually the official school website gives this information.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Are public ones free? Or subsidized?
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ you mean public schools? in ontario they are free, I think there are some exceptions though(if I remember correctly) in some case when you opt to go to out of area school you have to pay some min. fees...
In canada the public schools are almost free..
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ I had no idea that one could "opt" to go out of the area........really? interesting.
and what do you mean by "almost free".....are there fees now for public school in Canada?
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ Public schools have before and after school care (until 6:00 p.m.) at a cost.