Equinox is based on teaching and learning principles that see the child as whole and that

nurture their sense of belonging, interconnected with one another and the land that
supports us all.

Jump to: Primary Years | Junior and Intermediate Years
 

Holistic Connections

Holistic education engages the head, hands and heart of the child. It is a curriculum that makes
connections – “community, earth, soul, subject and mind-and-body connections” – and it
develops intuition and inquiry.

Elements of Equinox Holistic Education 

Experiential, Integrated, Hands-on Learning

Mind-body Relationship and Self-awareness

Reverence, Connection to Natural World, and Environmental Stewardship

Community, Compassion, and Justice

Engaging with Spirit and Inner Knowing

Mentorship and Role Modeling

Reflection, Questioning, Critical Thinking

Circles, Celebration, Traditions

Storytelling and The Arts

School assemblies and traditions aim to centre Indigenous Knowledge and ways of knowing that encourage students in understanding all aspects of life are interconnected and that the world is an integral whole.

Six connections of the holistic curriculum  

Holistic or ‘whole child’ education is a philosophy of education that aims to teach all aspects of the child. The cognitive, physical, emotional, and soulful parts of students are given equal regard throughout the day.

“The focus of holistic education is on relationships: the relationship between linear thinking and intuition, the relationship between mind and body, the relationships among various domains of knowledge, the relationship between the individual and community, the relationship to the earth, and the relationship to our souls. In the holistic curriculum the student examines these relationships so that they gain both an awareness of them and the skills necessary to transform the relationships where appropriate.” ― Jack Miller

Earth connections

Equinox aims to support students in experiencing deep connectedness to the earth, seeing themselves as part of the web of life rather than separate from it. Spending learning time outdoors creates the conditions for moments of awe, as children make discoveries; calm, as children practice deep noticing and breathe fresh air; resilience and self-confidence, as children move their bodies, take risks, and experience the natural elements. Nature-based learning and outdoor education practices are foundational to the Equinox Holistic Curriculum. 

Honouring a reciprocal relationship with the land and all those who live on it means we respect and incorporate Indigenous knowledge, learn about local flora and fauna, and work hard to be caretakers of the land as well as being gratefully aware of the ways the land cares for us. 

Subject connections

Integrating subjects creates rich learning opportunities and strong cognitive links. At Equinox, our educators naturally integrate subjects, which are often braided together around broad themes. As an example, in one year-long inquiry, students measured salmon and studied their lifecycle. They painted salmon, and witnessed a salmon run in Humber Bay. Afterwards, they participated in a silent meditative walk, reflecting on gratitude for the salmon and the adventure they shared with them. They invited Roden students to join a “salmon dance” and as a school project, a documentary film was made. 

Intuitive connections

Holistic curriculum attempts “to restore a balance between linear thinking and intuition.” Educators may use metaphor and visualization prompts along with an inquiry-based approach in lessons by posing intentional, open-ended questions that encourage students to be curious and imaginative about the answers, and that create intentional space for spontaneity. This develops intuition, sparks curiosity, and encourages deep, creative, and independent thinking. There is no single “this is what holistic curriculum looks like” because the learning exchanges in holistic education are, by nature, organic, intuitive, emergent, and arise from the specific mix of individuals in a class community.

Many of the mindfulness activities practiced in the school - mindful movement, guided meditations, mindful listening outside - honour non-verbal experiences and also help to develop intuition.

Individual and community connections

Our school values community. Equinox students see themselves in relation to the community - the class community, the school community, the city, the global community - developing interpersonal skills and practicing mutual aid, environmental stewardship, and social action, and integrating cultural appreciation and anti-oppression learning throughout the year. We also use ritual and ceremony to deepen connections between students, staff, parents and guardians.

We aim to see, value, and cherish one another. We nurture community together so that we may also create a sense of sanctuary. 

Sanctuary is our school model ideal. As Jack Miller describes it: “In the sanctuary, people’s feelings are acknowledged, as well as their thoughts. Both teachers and students look forward to being at school, as they feel that their souls are nourished by the environment they find there. This environment is one of respect, caring, and even reverence. People feel validated as human beings and can speak authentically from their hearts. Love predominates rather than fear… In fact, in the sanctuary, people don’t just communicate or exchange ideas: they experience communion with one another… The sanctuary… also includes spontaneity and fun. It nurtures creativity, and there is holistic learning that integrates body, mind, emotions, and spirit.”

Mind-body connections

Embodied learning is one of the central aspects of holistic education. Equinox students are encouraged to explore connections between their bodies and emotions and to develop an understanding of what their bodies have to say. At Equinox, our teachers practice and teach varied mind-body approaches, which include mindfulness meditation, nature “sit-spots”, creative visualization, drama, role-play, dance, high-energy games and collaborative sports, and mindful movement. Our students benefit from exposure to a variety of mind-body practices through different educators over their years at Equinox.
 

The Holistic Curriculum

Primary Years

Jump to: Holistic Connections | Junior and Intermediate Years

Outdoor Kindergarten Program – Learn more

Primary students develop a connection to living things and nature through activities that enhance their sense of awe and wonder. Some examples include watching: a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly; winged migrations each year; salmon migration on the Humber River; and a plant growing. Nature stories help to form an image of the phenomena that the students observe.

Teachers introduce Math concepts through stories and natural materials. They may also practice math skills through music, movement, games and hands-on activities.

Real-life math activities connect math skills to the children’s lives, such as opening a class store to learn about money. Music, art, drama, and poetry enrich and enliven Language Arts lessons. Phonics and word-decoding skills are taught through imaginative stories. The school follows TDSB’s balanced literacy approach. Stories from different cultures reflect the identities of our diverse student body and help to educate students about social justice themes.

The Holistic Curriculum

Junior and Intermediate Years

Jump to: Holistic Connections | Primary Years

In the junior program, there is a growing independence and a gradual shift to more project-based learning activities. Students learn about food justice, and environmental and social justice issues. In these years, Social Studies, Environmental Science are often taught as integrated lesson units. For example, in grade 4, students may be introduced to Canadian geography through Indigenous art and storytelling about the land. Students learn about treaties and land rights and defenders, natural resources, the environment and sustainability. Students grow and build empathy towards each other through cooperative games and group learning activities. They are offered increasing enrichment opportunities, with “low floor, high ceiling” learning challenges. In the fall of Grade 6, students attend an overnight excursion at the TDSB Outdoor Education Centre which bonds the group and builds resiliency. 

Intermediate Years

The intermediate program at Equinox is designed to celebrate and reflect student’s interests, passions, and emerging identities. With awareness of the rapid developmental changes that students go through at this time in life, inclusion and safe risk-taking are central themes of this program. Students have authentic opportunities to engage in leadership throughout the school and the greater community. Students learn how to take action in the community and for the environment through “pay-it-forward” activities. Mentoring plays a significant role in these years as young teens share their knowledge of nature and learning with the younger generation of Equinox students. They do this through reading buddy partnerships, and leading seasonal activities, such as the Salmon Run games, Bird Festival learning activities, and Solstice lantern walks. Each year students produce and perform in a variety show that showcases their talents known as the “Equinox Coffee House”. It has become a fundraiser for a local food bank.

To keep up with the increased academic demands of the intermediate curricula, the outdoor time shifts to more immersive outdoor opportunities such as attending overnight camps, ski trips, and afternoons of learning in-the-park excursions. The students spend more time using technology and learning inside than in the primary years, however,  time is carved out each day in the morning, rain or shine to connect as a group, build relationships, and engage in movement activities and outdoor cooperative games.