Our Classroom
Located on the edge of Burlington Central Park, where our students spend most of their all-important recess, the learning environment at ELEVATE is very special. Designed specifically for students with ADHD, students are encouraged to learn strategies that help them self-regulate and advocate for this when needed. This might mean a quick jump on the indoor trampoline, sitting on a wobble chair, bouncing their feet up and down on the bouncy band on their chair, or taking some quiet time on the sofa under a soft blanket. To allow for flexibility, all desks at ELEVATE are moveable and can be raised or lowered so students can stand or sit at their desks when they are working. Larger tables allow students to work in groups on specific projects.
At ELEVATE, we also recognize that not all learning takes place in the classroom. We connect fully with our community, exploring our environment and the people within it. Field trips are an integral part of ELEVATE. Trips in 2021-22 included:
- Brantwood Farms
- Dundurn Castle for Christmas
- Food 4 Life (Monthly trips to volunteer at the Food Bank)
- Walking trips to the Central Library across the park
- Weekly swimming for 6 weeks at Goldfish Swim School
- Vermicomposting and sustainability at EcoHouse
Finally, at ELEVATE, our students learn empathy and the importance of caring for others with the help of our program pets:
- Phoebe, the dog
- Bluey, the Beta fish
As you can see, this is not your regular classroom!
A Day At ELEVATE
Sample Schedule Subject To Change- Bell Work – printing/cursive practice, finishing worksheets, independent reading
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – Zones of Regulation, SuperFlex, learning how to recognize and identify emotions and how to stay safe and regulated at school and at home.
- Literacy – Daily reading, written dictation 2-3 times per week. New concepts are introduced when previous concepts are mastered, so students do not become overwhelmed or frustrated.
- Movement/Snack Break
- Numeracy
- Lunch – Includes an outdoor recess that can include the Central Park field, as well as the two playgrounds in the park. Students are given the chance to run, play, and build strong connections with each other.
- Flex Block – Depending on the day, this time can include Science, Social Studies, Art, or other activities.
