The curriculum presented at March Academy is rooted in the Ontario Ministry of Education expectations as the underlying framework for activities.
The Academy uses students’ strengths and interests to help build and support the development or enrichment of academic skills in the areas of mathematics and language arts.
Science and social studies are taught as an integrated curriculum across the grade levels from grades one to six. The topics are theme based and involve large and small group as well as individual activities. Themes are based on the Ontario Ministry of Education topics and are adapted for student grade and ability level each year. Geography and science are taught as separate subjects with themes from the grade seven and eight Ministry of Education curriculum. Field trips and guest speakers augment both levels of curricula and are dependent upon the themes presented from year to year. Further Science and Social Studies themes are explored in all grade levels through specific Nature Studies classes each week.
Students participate in physical education sessions taught by a certified Ontario teacher. Lessons focus on fun and fitness, and are designed to encourage a student’s sense of self-esteem in their abilities. Students also participate in a Running Club, during the spring and fall months. All children have the opportunity to participate in our Cross-country Ski Club throughout the winter months using our large school yard.
Students participate in weekly martial arts lessons, TaeKwonDo, from a qualified instructor and are provided opportunities for belt testing when they are ready. The focus of instruction is on improving their self-confidence, agility and concentration.
Students benefit from weekly yoga sessions with a certified yoga instructor. Yoga lessons introduce students to the concept of relaxation, flexibility and increased body awareness.
It is important that the learning experience encompass the whole child. As such, music, art, drama are an seen as an integral a part of the March Academy program. All students receive weekly, individual piano and music theory lessons and participate in the March Academy school choir. Piano lessons culminate in an end-of-year piano recital, and the school choir has opportunities to perform on various occasions throughout the school year both at school related events and in the Ottawa community. In the past opportunities to visit the National Art Gallery and the NAC, as well as visits from guest local artists, have supplemented the arts curriculum.
The hidden curriculum in schools such as developing self-advocacy and other classroom skills are parallel key objectives to encourage students towards independence in learning in all subject areas. Working with others, showing manners and respect as well as communicating ideas, thoughts and feelings are essential life skills and, as such, are integral components of daily lessons.
Technology is used to augment and support in all subject areas and is integrated into the program in a purposeful way. Learning to use technology as a tool to both access information and to express the learning that has been attained is woven throughout the curriculum and through the school day. Simple block coding activities and challenges are provided at various times throughout the year.
French instruction is differentiated for student needs and emphasize conversational French. Lessons are engaging and reflect student interests and school themes.
March Academy participates in many additional activities through the school year which support and enhance the regular curriculum. Some of the activities that the Academy has participated in are the following:
- Skating at local area rinks and the Canal
- Trips to the Bonnefant Outdoor Education Center
- Trips to the March Highlands and Phinney’s Point
- Hip Hop and Square Dancing
- Pioneer Village Trips
- The Company of Fools Drama Company
- National Arts Centre and National Art Gallery
- Fencing
- Pottery
- Guest Artist in Environmental Art
- Guest Artists in Fabric Art
- Scientists in Schools
- Mad Science
- Orienteering at Richcraft Community Centre