West Island Montessori School
10432 Blvd Gouin O H8Y 1W7 Montreal, QC, Canada

Each child in the Casa has their own activity drawer where they keep their work, finished or in progress to take out the next day. No labels necessary, as they learn quickly where their drawer is. In a classroom where almost everything is communal it’s their own little place to keep their treasures: an art project, a math work-sheet or a button they have sewn. They are responsible to keep track of their work and love to do so. Maria Montessori emphasized the child’s sensi...tivity to order in their early years and this includes taking care of their personal belongings. #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool

Beautiful sunny day here on the playground! #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #daycare

Yesterday’s visit from #SantaClaus himself! #montreal #montessori #garderie #christmas #christmastree

Our annual Holiday Turkey Lunch was Today! Turkey, gravy, roasted carrots, squash, pumpkin, onion and garlic, bread, fries and side salad. It was a very smooth nap time today.

Jeunes jardiniers d'interieur. @nutritower #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #hydroponics #nutritower #gardening #prek #gardener #vegetables #childdevelopment #montessorium #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool

Les enfants ont apprecié mettre leurs plantes dans la @nutritower . #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #hydroponics #nutritower #gardening #prek #gardener #vegetables #childdevelopment #montessorium #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool

After planting seeds and observing them in the class for a month, last Friday the children were able to transplant their little plants to the @nutritower and they absolutely loved it! #montessori #gardening #montreal #daycare #planting #nutritower #hydroponics #earlychildhoodeducation

The Care of the Environment activities in the Montessori classroom teach children important life skills at a young age. From folding clothes to washing windows, watering plants, sweeping, setting the table, polishing and even changing the water of a flower arrangement, children are very capable. If we set a good example and teach them how, they learn to respect their space and find joy in keeping their possessions cleanly and orderly. Do your children love to help around the house? #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #lifeskills

Activité de science magnétique. #magnet #montessori #montreal #education #earlychildhoodeducation

Beautiful! We absolutely adore our new sun and seasons mat from @wasecabiomes At many Montessori schools including ours, the Birthday Walk is a Montessori tradition to celebrate a child’s birthday. We talk about the sun and it’s importance to all living things on our planet. We explain to the child the earth takes a whole year to orbit around the sun. Starting at the month she was born, she walks slowly around the sun with the globe in her arms the amount of years she is... celebrating. This seasons mat is a fantastic addition to the activity as the child sees the beautiful wilderness scene change throughout the course of her orbit. Sometimes parents bring in past pictures of the child when they were previous ages and place them down after each circle. After her last orbit, the child can blow out the candle or use a candle snuffer. As parents you know, your children cannot wait for their birthday, it makes them so happy. Thus not only does this activity make your child feel extra special on her birthday but it gives her an impression of the cycle of time in a year. Some of our teachers have even done the walk . We can’t wait to try it out this coming week! #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #childrensbook #birthday #birthdayparty #birthdaycake

Practical Life is an education of daily life skills and is one of the five core subjects at West Island Montessori Academy. At this age, it is arguably the most important education for your child, as it is one for life, and unfortunately often taken for granted. The great thing about all these activities, is that most children love to do them as they strive for independence. At our school, Practical Life consists of Care of Self, Care of the Environment, Grace and Courte...Continue reading

Qui a hâte pour le repas de l’action de grâces demain?

Des purées d'automne pour la chambre des bébés #puree #babyfood #nutrition #montessori #montreal

One last slide before the weekend! Enjoy everyone! Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool

Here we have three custom made Nomenclature Shelves in three separate Casa’s that house our Nomenclature Cards. Nomenclature cards are a fantastic tool for language development. While the child matches the pictures they are enriching their vocabulary, practicing pronunciation and developing their skill of classification. Simple Nomenclature being types of and Scientific Nomenclature being parts of. For example types of trees vs parts of the tree. In addition, their are Nomenclature Cards for Rhyming, Go-Together, Opposites and Logical Puzzles. Half of our cards are in French and the other half are in English.

Vue a Vol D’Oiseau des Quantities Associees aux Symboles. Wow, c’est beaucoup de travail! Pour cette activite l’enfant met des quantites et des symboles selon leur propre categorie et voit tout le systeme decimal. Elle est si fiere et nous aussi! 1 #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschoolactivities

31-8-1870. Today, August 31st, marks Maria Montessori’s 150th birthday. In the late 1800’s in Italy, in a time when women were not allowed into medical school, Maria fought her way in . Her only option was to do her dissections alone, after class, by candlelight . Maria then dedicated her life to early childhood development. Philosophies and educational materials she created a century ago are still precious today. Arguably the most influential contributor to early ch...ildhood education to ever live, Maria Montessori respected children and their reality above all. She recognized their potential and wanted to guide them. The montessori flame still burns bright all around the world and we are honoured to be a part of that flame! Happy Birthday Maria! #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #childrensbook

Projet de propagation et de plantation #planting #propagation #montessori #montreal #casa

As the Montessori child strives to make sense of the world around him, the beautiful geography and corresponding cultural material in our Casa makes this fun and easy. #montessori #Montreal #map #globes #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #childrensbook #storytime

Qui aime l'eau colorée? #montreal #montessori

Mani’s all around in Casa 2! Who’s ready for the weekend? #montessori #montreal #manicure #manipedi #love #diversity #garderie

2020 can definitely be crowned the year of the tomato here in Montreal! Tomatoes thrive in maximum sunlight and that’s what we continue to receive this summer. Speaking with gardeners all around the city everyone is having amazing harvests. The old proverb you reap what you sow is definitely applicable to our young gardeners who have worked hard all summer watering and weeding in the garden plot. It’s beautiful to see how invested they are. And we are not done yet! ...#growlocal #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #garden #tomato #tomatoes #gardening @ West Island Montessori School

La superposition de formes est une activité d’habilité et de motricité et par la même occasion un mini projet d’art. Nous introduisons cette activité à 3 ans mais les enfants adorent et continuent cette activité pendant des années. L’objectif des enfants est de faire correspondre et de coller les différentes formes d’autocollants à une feuille de papier bien définie. #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #childrensbook #storytime @ West Island Montessori School

This Monday was the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan which celebrates the love and bond between siblings. Thus our chosen children’s book this week was Thread of Love by @kabir.cc which follows two sisters who make their brother a rakhi, a decorated bracelet. We love how this colourful book is written to be sung in the classic melody of "Frère Jacques" which was familiar to our children. At the end of the book with the directions in the back we were able to make rakhi’s o...f our own to give to our classmates. #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #childrensbook #storytime

Aujourd'hui vs le 5 juin dans le jardin. #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool #jardin #gardening #tomatoes

A couple weeks ago, our lovely Ms. Linda passed all of her final exams with flying colours, completing her Montessori training in the Casa. This MACTE accredited and internationally recognized diploma covers over 600 activities for children 2-1/2 to 6 years of age. Our school is a training location for the program because of our fully prepared environment. Congratulations Ate, you are an inspiration to all of us Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool

This weeks book suggestion is I LOVE MY HAIR! by @natashatarpley Keyana’s hair sure hurts when here mama is combing out the tangled parts but mama tells her how beautiful it is and how lucky she is to be able to wear it in so many styles. We especially love how the illustrator E.B. Lewis creatively blends the different hairstyles with nature. This is a short, very sweet and empowering book for children with similar hair. Moreover, a good tool to educate young ones to see the beauty in all different hair types and styles. #westislandmontessoristory @ Centennial Park

Dr. Montessori preferred that children use their imagination for exploring reality rather than fantasy. Here We Are, notes for living on planet earth helps children at a young age make sense of this planet, things on it and beyond into space. The planet is basically made up of two parts. says @oliverjeffers describing our earth, both land and water. That sounds a lot like the sandpaper globe in the Montessori Casa, where these two distinct parts of earth are isolated by touch and sight. We love these notes and the art they are paired with Plus, the jacket of the book folds out into our solar system! #westislandmontessoristory #childrensbooks #hereweare

Le Cabinet De Géométrie se compose d'un plateau de présentation et de 6 tiroirs avec 6 cercles, 6 rectangles, 6 triangles, 6 polygones, 4 figures curvilignes et 6 quadrilatères. Le cabinet initie l'enfant à la géométrie simple. Le cabinet aide l'enfant à construire son esprit logique et à devenir de meilleurs explorateurs de l'environnement. #Montessori #classroom #pinktower #learning #education #montreal #senses #prek #childdevelopment #montessorium #écolemontessori #montessorimaterial #sensorial #montessorikid #mtl #westisland #garderie #teachingtools #kids #preschool #kidsplay #montrealkids #montrealfamilies #children #preschool

During the Montessori mornings, an array of social encounters occur throughout the classroom. Between activities, friendships are blossoming but even at young age there is exclusion. We love this book The Invisible Boy by @trudyludwig and Patrice Barton. It is a great example of a shy but strong child who finds friendship through his kindness and talents. #westislandmontessoristory

Our children really enjoyed the Organic Basil Harvest this week from the @nutritower We did a lesson on leaves: those you can eat, those you can’t and those that are poisonous. We showed the children how to delicately pick the leaves without damaging the plants. We also did a 3 period lesson by sight, smell and taste! One of our four year olds smelled the mint and said oh it’s gum! lol #montessori #montreal #garderie #daycare #nutritower #botany #plants #ece #pinktower #basil #organic #harvest @ West Island Montessori School

Starting today, every Friday, we will post a new book from our library with the hashtag #westislandmontessoristory We are going to share books that our children loved being read to. For our very first book we have chosen Buffalo Bird Girl, A Hidasta Story by S.D. Nelson. We thought it was fitting because the biography talks about how Buffalo Bird Girl and the women in her tribe did the farming and for the first time this year we have a garden plot that our children lov...e to tend to The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning and with a lesson geared towards our older and kindergarten children we opened their eyes into a world that once was, here in North America. Maria Montessori talked about the importance of children respecting and being in nature and that is how the Hidasta people lived. Furthermore parents, we would love to hear from you either in the comments section or DMs about some of your children’s favourites at home! We can add them to our library or even borrow them for story time. Et bien sûr des suggestions des livres en français s'il vous plaît! Passez un bon weekend! #montessori #education #montreal #pinktower #childrensbook #storytime

The children are really enjoying our new garden plot so far :) Can’t wait to see the progress next week! Have a wonderful weekend everyone. #montreal #montessori #gardening #children #school @ West Island Montessori School

Although our school, both staff and children, is widely multicultural and the culture curriculum is held in the same regard as math and language, we are taking this time to reflect and research. We educate our children on different cultures, and celebrate their differences but we could do more. It is disgusting to see what is still happening to black people, and to think that the black children in our school will experience racism and maybe violence has many of us in tears. Whether it is through story books, nomenclature cards or discussions we want to enrich our materials and knowledge on race relations in an ECE setting (age-appropriately, of course). If help and salvation are to come, they can only come from the children, for the children are the makers of men. -Maria Montessori.