Elementary (grade 7 and 8)

Erdkinder is elementary school for grades 7 and 8.

The goal of the Montessori Erdkinder (“Children of the Earth”) program is to provide an educational environment that nurtures the early adolescent’s unique developmental needs. Maria Montessori emphasized that this stage in life presents a special opportunity for adolescents to develop and express their own passions and interests. The Erdkinder teacher seeks to foster and encourage the student’s search by assisting the student in identifying his or her place in our local community in two ways. Firstly, through experience with the land and in volunteering in our community. Secondly, all students are given time to reflect upon their role in the larger world community and to develop the skills required to thrive in it.

Whilst facilitating personal growth and individual expression, the Erdkinder Program provides a rigorous academic experience which is based upon Montessori philosophy and is rooted in the rich history, ecology and culture of Huntsville and Muskoka. It is our hope that students will reach their full potential as scholars while learning to be self-reliant, responsible members of their community.

Students are encouraged to move towards 1) proficiency in critical problem solving and 2) integration into future schools, careers, and civic life.

Outdoor education and community involvement

The Erdkinder students spend a lot of time outside during the week, and they also spend the full day every Friday participating in outdoor education activities. These activities include:

volunteering (for the local soup kitchen, local farms, etc.)
training (every two years we try to do: Red Cross First Aid, Canada Boater's Licence, Red Cross Babysitting Course)
hiking
canoeing (technique, portaging, rescues)
swimming
alpine and nordic skiing
skating
team-building games
bush skills (rescues, fire-building, tarp shelters, quinzhees, etc.)
climbing and static ropes course (Climb Muskoka, YMCA Camp Pinecrest, Treetop Trekking)
team sports

Odyssey trips

In addition to their weekly outdoor education activities, the Erdkinders participate in two overnight Odyssey trips each year. These trips are designed to provide a challenging, educational journey that builds relationships and personal strength and resilience.

Normally every two years the trip involves other Montessori students.

Here are some examples of past Odyssey trips:

2-night Ottawa trip (question period, RCMP musical ride, river cruise, ninja course, spelunking, hiking, museums)
3-night Climate Change Summit hosted by Strata Montessori (with other Erdkinders from around Ontario, speakers, workshops, outdoor education)
2-night Algonquin canoe camping trip
2-night New York United Nations trip (with other Erdkinders from around the world, meet with UN delegation, NY site seeing)
1-night Big East River stand-up paddle-board trip