PD: Supporting Cultural and Gender Diversity

PD: Supporting Cultural and Gender Diversity

Breakwater believes that the diversity of our school community enhances our ability to implement our Mission. We are fully committed to developing a continual, productive dialogue that encourages students and faculty to talk openly and effectively about complex, sensitive and sometimes difficult issues. To open an intentional dialogue around how teachers and administrators actively acknowledge and support each child, faculty recently engaged in two professional development trainings around culture and gender diversity.  Read more...

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Our Toddlers are Growing... and so is our Program!

Our Toddlers are Growing... and so is our Program!

In response to the growth of our exceptional program and the needs of our community, Breakwater's early childhood division will add a second toddler classroom for the 2017/18 school year! Grounded in intentional, integrated and research based teaching, Breakwater’s toddler program guides young children through play based, emergent curriculum rooted in a celebration of the natural world. This is the "Breakwater Way" for our youngest friends. Read on for more information about our program and application instructions…

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Learning Through Meaningful Experience

Learning Through Meaningful Experience

Experiential learning integrates the classroom and the real world. Our programs optimize student engagment through immersion, helping children feel the learning experience is truly theirs to own. Breakwater’s overnight field trips, a yearly opportunity provided to students in grades 3-8, provide children with deep, meaningful experiences with the outside world and their peers, as well a invaluable information about themselves. Watch the grade 3/4 video of their recent overnight adventure and read more.....

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Earth Week: No Child Left Inside

Earth Week: No Child Left Inside

At Breakwater, we go outside. A lot. We understand that children need access to nature the same way they need good nutrition and adequate sleep. During Earth Week we bring children in purposeful and playful contact with the natural world, inspiring them to listen, look, question, feel, guess, discuss, and love the things they find all around them. Lots of photographs of the week's adventures...

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Faculty Professional Development: Growing our Math Minds

Faculty Professional Development: Growing our Math Minds

What happens when math and a growth mindset meet? Magic! (and, apparently, some fun alliteration.) This year Breakwater teachers, from toddler through 8th grade, are taking a deep look at mathematics. How does math literacy develop? What practices best support this development? Can we inspire all kids to embrace mistakes, celebrate challenges, and self identify as mind-expanding mathematicians? Read more....

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MECA at Breakwater: Student to Student

MECA at Breakwater: Student to Student

“Children are also teachers. Through experience we learn from each other.” From September 12 - October 3 Maine College of Art Master of Arts in Teaching graduate students take up short term residency. Breakwater's focus on developmentally appropriate practices and educating the whole child makes us a rich site for preparing art teachers. How do the innovative pedagogical models of our programs overlap? Read on....

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