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How We Teach

The Maple Bear program is dedicated to developing lifelong learners through an immersive, hands-on approach to education. We believe that every student can thrive with a balanced learning environment that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and academic skill. Our curriculum, based on Canadian educational standards, is designed to inspire students to explore, inquire, and make meaningful connections across subjects like literacy, reading, math, science, technology, and sustainability.

By combining direct instruction with experiential learning, we equip students to engage with the world around them and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for future success.

Research shows that children learn best when they are preparing their own educational sessions and present it to others.

Class

5%

Reading

10%

Audiovisual

20%

Demonstration

30%

Group Activities

50%

Learn by doing

75%

Teach others

90%

Immersion Learning

Learning English Language the Maple Bear Way

Maple Bear uses an English immersion model, meaning students are fully surrounded by the English language throughout their day, engaging with it in real-life situations and meaningful interactions. Children learn English just as they learned their native language – not through formal lessons, but by participating in a wide variety of activities that make language come alive. This method ensures they naturally absorb vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, leading to fluent English proficiency as they progress.

Defining Immersion

For Maple Bear students, immersion means they are “completely involved in something that surrounds them” – the English language. Starting in Early Childhood, children are immersed 100% in English, interacting in an environment full of music, stories, hands-on activities, and interactions with teachers and peers. This comprehensive exposure continues to engage them in a supportive and interactive learning environment, which gradually leads to natural language mastery.

How is English Language Acquired?

Scientific research confirms that language acquisition is a process that happens in well defined stages.

  • Listening.

  • Listening and Understanding.

  • Listening, Understanding and Speaking.

  • Listening, Understanding, Speaking and Reading.

  • Listening, Understanding, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Children initially focus on listening and understanding. They then begin to connect sounds to meanings and use simple words to express needs and desires. As their comprehension deepens, they start recognizing written words, laying the foundation for reading and writing skills. Each stage builds upon the previous, culminating in comprehensive language abilities.

Our students learn English the way they learn their native language, through natural interaction.

Student-Centered Learning

Student-centered learning is at the heart of the Maple Bear immersion program. This model places each child at the core of the educational experience, tailoring learning to individual strengths, interests, and styles. Unlike the traditional model, which often views students as passive recipients of standardized information, Maple Bear’s approach sees students as active, curious learners who engage directly with material, explore their own questions, and take an active role in shaping their learning journey.

Embracing Individuality and Learning Styles

At Maple Bear, no two students are seen the same way. Teachers recognize that “one size does not fit all” in education. Students bring unique backgrounds, abilities, and learning profiles, so teachers create flexible, inclusive learning environments that accommodate varied needs. Whether through additional practice, quiet spaces, visual aids, peer support, or differentiated assignments, students receive the specific tools they need to flourish.

“We teach the whole child” – cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically—building a foundation that respects each learner’s development stage and personal strengths.

Differences Between Traditional and Student-Centered Models

In traditional classrooms, learning often progresses through rigid, textbook-centered lessons, focusing on basic skills. In contrast, Maple Bear’s student-centered model emphasizes big-picture concepts that link learning with real-world applications. For example:

Traditional

Curriculum follows a fixed sequence, with heavy reliance on memorization and testing.

Student-Centered

Curriculum is flexible, responsive to students’ questions, and often includes hands-on, interactive activities that allow students to make meaningful connections.

In Maple Bear’s student-centered classrooms, assessment is ongoing and integrated with learning, using methods such as observations and projects to measure understanding, rather than relying on tests alone.

Features and Benefits of Student-Centered Learning

Features

Active Participation
Students engage in interactive, hands-on activities that align with real-life experiences.
Ownership of Learning
Students make choices, contribute to lesson design, and work at their own pace.
Voice and Choice
Maple Bear allows students to explore topics they are passionate about, fostering a lifelong love of learning

Benefits

Higher Engagement
By pursuing interests and setting their own learning pace, students become more motivated.
Improved Academic and Social Skills
Students learn collaboratively and build connections with peers and teachers.
Enhanced Confidence and Independence
Students take pride in their achievements, creating a foundation for lifelong self-directed learning.

Children as Active Participants in Learning

Student-centered learning views children as thinkers and active participants in their own education. For example, when students show interest in a topic like bees, the teacher may encourage them to dive deeper through various creative projects: researching, presenting, or creating multimedia projects, rather than passively memorizing facts.

In this environment, learning is not passive. Students actively explore, question, and connect ideas in ways that resonate with their own experiences and knowledge.

Gradual Release of Responsibility

This method builds essential life skills, as students gain independence, critical thinking, and resilience by taking increasing responsibility for their learning.

Maple Bear’s teaching approach follows a Gradual Release of Responsibilitymodel, transitioning students from guided learning to independent mastery. This concept is foundational to Maple Bear Pedagogy. The approach develops their confidence and capability to tackle complex tasks on their own, while teachers progressively shift from being the “sage on the stage” to a “guide on the side.”  The stages include:

1

"I do"

Teacher models and demonstrates
The teacher begins the lesson by modeling the writing process, thinking aloud about possible topics and selecting one. As they jot notes on chart paper, they demonstrate key strategies, such as skipping lines for future edits, allowing students to see their thought process in real-time. This helps students understand how to start writing and develop their ideas.
2

"We Do"

Teacher demonstrates, and students participate
The next step moves to a shared writing project, transitioning from “I Do” to “We Do.” The teacher guides students in collaboratively creating a poem, recording shared ideas on chart paper. Students actively contribute, while the teacher oversees and encourages participation to develop the writing piece together.

3

"You Do, I help"

Students work guided and supported by the teacher
Not all students are ready to write independently after the “We Do” stage. At the “You Do, I Help” stage, the teacher remains actively engaged, providing individualized support as needed. Students work in quiet spots to begin their writing, while the teacher moves around, closely monitoring progress and helping.

4

"You Do"

Students work independently
In the “You Do” step, most students write independently while the teacher acts as a guide, circulating to monitor, support, and celebrate progress. This approach allows the teacher to assist students who still need help while fostering opportunities for independence.

Through gradual release, we empower students to become lifelong learners, capable of mastering new challenges independently.

Literacy

Maple Bear emphasizes literacy as a foundational competency across all levels, enabling students to engage deeply with language for effective communication in daily life. Through Balanced Literacy instruction, students engage in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, underpinned by a focus on oral language development, which forms the base for literacy. In early childhood, activities like story read-alouds, song, and rhyme play foster these skills in interactive ways. Teachers use a scaffolded approach with strategies like guided and independent reading and writing, gradually building students’ confidence and abilities for lifelong literacy.

Reading

Reading at Maple Bear is cultivated from a young age to instill both skill and enjoyment. With a gradual introduction that prioritizes language comprehension, children progress from shared and guided reading to independent reading. Maple Bear teachers create a rich literary environment, exposing students to books daily and introducing them to literary concepts such as author roles, genres, and thematic discussions. Through diverse strategies, such as interactive and shared reading, students improve fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, building a foundation for critical thinking and lifelong learning.

Mathematics

Math instruction at Maple Bear is designed to make the subject meaningful by connecting mathematical concepts to students’ everyday experiences. Initially, students explore math with tangible objects, gradually moving to abstract problem-solving as they grow. With an emphasis on problem-solving, model-building, and collaborative learning, students engage in activities that challenge them to think critically and develop logical reasoning. Workshops involving parents also help integrate math learning at home, fostering a supportive learning environment that emphasizes the relevance of math in real-life situations.

Science

In Maple Bear’s science curriculum, curiosity-driven learning begins in early childhood, encouraging students to observe, question, and experiment. From exploring natural phenomena to conducting simple experiments, young learners engage in hands-on, inquiry-based science activities that spark their curiosity and foundational scientific skills. Science instruction evolves to incorporate the scientific and design processes, fostering a spirit of discovery and critical observation. Maple Bear’s environment – labs, libraries, and collaborative spaces—enables students to develop scientific understanding and apply it to real-world challenges.

Technology

Technology is seamlessly integrated into Maple Bear’s curriculum to enhance learning and develop essential digital literacy skills. Students use multimedia tools for projects, learn foundational coding and computational skills, and benefit from platforms like Google Classroom for research and quizzes. Under teacher supervision, students learn to use technology safely and purposefully. The emphasis on responsible, guided use of tech tools ensures that technology supports educational goals across subjects, including robotics and collaborative multimedia projects, while fostering digital citizenship.

Sustainability

Maple Bear integrates sustainability into daily school life to cultivate environmental awareness and social responsibility. Through hands-on projects like gardening and resource-saving practices, students learn about recycling, conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources. By engaging with nature directly, students develop respect for life and an understanding of sustainability beyond the environment – as a broader societal commitment to collective well-being and resource equity. This approach aims to inspire students to become conscientious global citizens, invested in making a positive impact on their world.

MyMapleBear – a Gateway to Learning Success

Every learning journey begins with a strong foundation – one that’s designed to boost our Maple Bear students’ potential. At Maple Bear, our teaching approach is centered around creating an engaging and effective learning environment for students. The student is at the heart of the Maple Bear journey. Whether in the classroom or at home, their growth, curiosity, and excitement for learning are at the center of everything we do. MyMapleBear is integral to this mission, providing innovative resources and tools that enhance the educational experience.

An innovative learning ecosystem that enriches the academic journey for Maple Bear students worldwide.

Digital tools, resources, and content to support our student-centred approach.

In line with Maple Bear’s commitment to high-quality education by combining hands-on, inquiry-based learning, and bilingual immersion education.

MyMapleBear is a comprehensive educational ecosystem that combines academic resources, enriched learning materials, and innovative teaching methods. It features Student Learning Materials and Digital Learning Environment and offers:

Engaging Learning Ecosystem

The platform integrates digital tools to create a dynamic and enjoyable learning journey for students, teachers, and parents.

Visibility and Transparency

Parents gain greater insight into their child’s learning journey, fostering a stronger home-school connection.

Access to Resources

Safe access to high-quality, research-backed educational materials supports both in-class and at-home learning.

Student Learning Materials

Our Student Learning Materials are designed to reinforce key concepts and enhance student understanding through engaging exercises. These materials include:

Activity-Based Learning

Aligned with the Maple Bear curriculum, these materials focus on hands-on, inquiry-based learning to boost student engagement and comprehension.

Curriculum Coverage

Comprehensive resources in Math, Science, and English Language Arts ensure a well-rounded educational experience.

Digital Student Learning Materials

Digital Libraries

A rich repository of English language eBooks and interactive content that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Students have access to a diverse library of over 2,700 eBooks, supporting independent reading and literacy development.

Learning Applications

Interactive applications that enhance various subjects, providing opportunities for students to practice and explore concepts in an engaging way.

By integrating MyMapleBear and our Student Learning Materials into the educational process, we ensure that students receive a high-quality education that is both effective and enjoyable. This approach not only supports academic success but also fosters a lifelong love for learning.

The Role of the Teacher

At Maple Bear, teachers do far more than simply instruct – they build strong, supportive relationships that anchor students’ educational experiences. Effective teaching is deeply relational, particularly within Maple Bear’s student-centered approach, where knowing each learner personally and academically is essential to their development. In this nurturing environment, teachers are allies in their students’ journeys, understanding their interests, learning styles, and individual challenges. These connections empower teachers to create meaningful, differentiated learning experiences that resonate with students, fueling both their confidence and engagement.

The Maple Bear Classroom

The “Third Teacher”

In the Maple Bear philosophy, the classroom itself is viewed as a “third teacher”, a dynamic learning environment designed to stimulate curiosity, interaction, and exploration. Every item – from furniture to books and games – is intentionally chosen to enhance the learning experience and reinforce the purpose of each activity. Maple Bear classrooms are tailored to encourage student-centered learning, interaction, and independence, promoting both social and cognitive development.

The Learning Centers

Each classroom includes a variety of Learning Centers where students engage in hands-on, experiential learning. These centers are thematic areas, each dedicated to a specific subject or skill, like mathematics, science, or language arts, and they provide children with opportunities to explore and practice concepts in meaningful, tangible ways. Learning centers promote engagement, collaboration, and differentiated learning, allowing students to work on tasks that match their individual skill levels, often independently or with peer support. Additionally, these centers create opportunities for targeted, small-group instruction, giving teachers a valuable chance to work closely with students on specific skills or challenges.

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