Theme Supreme

They say, “Art imitates Life” and so we like to incorporate ‘real-life’ themes into our Kindy classes. This way these young ones are not onlyl learning and enjoying performance skills but also interacting with real-world concepts in a fun and energetic way.

The last few weeks our classes exploded into the SPORT theme. How fitting for such a sport-mad country.

During the lessons teachers and students discuss the theme and share what they know and experience around the themes. Various activities then focus in on a number of skills. For example, during Movement we focus on balancing – students balance carefully while walking across a line like gymnasts; they even have to carry something on their heads for an extra challenge.

We also read and perform scenes from books. For this particular theme we use “The Sports Day” by Nick Butterworth & Mick Inkpen. Students live out the characters and scenarios from the story and bring the words and pictures to life in their unique way.

Rainbow Montessori's Kindy students just LOVED this theme

We also had great fun playing “Balloon Sports”. Using balloons allow the students to simulate ball sports without risking injury –or damage in the classroom J So much fun had by boys and girls alike!

It's Great To Be Back!

We got off to an immense start this week with new classes, regular classes, familiar faces and new smiles.

We're Back!

This week we shook off our holiday dust and got right down to business. 

Kindy classes started a new theme which teaches us about our bodies and how to use them at school, at home and on stage.

The Lower Primary group got to put together an improv using some holiday inspiration while the Upper Primary got stuck into new speech techniques. In movement both groups got to explore rhythm patterns proving to be loads of fun all-round! And don’t forget the Youth Theatre groups. These students upped their cool factors and started learning about building character collages.

So far it’s been a fun, learning, inspiring, dramatic week. A great start to the term and the new year.

If you missed out, don’t worry, there’s still time to get to a studio near you and enrol.

Monday:

Bellville                               Collective Arts Theatre                  CP 3:30-4:30 and YT 4:30-5:30

Stellenbosch                      Christchurch                                       CP 4-5 and YT 5-6

Tuesday:

Kenridge                              Kenridge Scouts Hall                       K 2-3, LP 3-4, UP 4-5

Paarl                                      Old Mill Theatre                               LP 3-4, UP 4-5, YT 5-6

Wednesday:

Durbanville                         All Saints Church                               LP 3-4, UP 4-5, YT 5-6

Somerset West                   HH Dutch Reformed Church        CP 3:30-4:30, YT 4:30-5:30

Thursday:

Kuils River                           Van Riebeeck Hall                            LP 3-4, UP 4-5, YT 5-6

DRAMA: A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Helen O' Grady, around the world has shown that drama creates the opportunity for students to develop their communication skills. 

We know that drama allows students to learn to communicate effectively. We have also found and experienced that drama is a great tool for students to learn and practice communicating in their second language.

As drama is taught in an active and interesting way students are exposed to words, expressions and discussions that they may not experience during a language lesson.

Adlibbing is a central part of our curriculum. Adlibbing, or informal language, asks that students create their own lines, sentences and conversations. This part of the lesson is an effective tool for language development, especially with younger students and students who use English as their second language.

Lower and Upper Primary students at the Paarl studio reveling in the Improv exercises.

The benefits of drama are endless.

Take a look at our website to find out more about how drama is key in developing Confidence, Creativity and Communication.