Toddler Community Update
Since forming their community in September, the toddlers have become more comfortable and independent in the classroom.
They are taking work out independently, completing tasks and returning materials independently, and tucking in their chairs when they finish their work. At snack and lunch time, the children are setting up their own mats and cups at their table.
Some of the older toddlers have been introduced to flower arranging and glass polishing, while others have enjoyed spooning. Some of the younger toddlers have been practicing pouring water, squeezing a sponge, and simple food preparation (for example, cutting bananas). Through this work with practical life activities, the toddlers are learning about logical sequencing and control and coordination of movement.
Outside, the children have been engaging in a lot of gross motor movement; running, jumping, and using their arms and legs to move the trucks and cars. The children enjoy songs and movement games outdoors, as they learn about their environment.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
- December 2 - PD Day and Parent/Teacher Interviews
- December 21 - Winter concert and social
- December 23 - Last day of school (winter holidays begin)
- January 9 - First day of second term
Casa Update
This week in Casa we have seen children making beautiful floral arrangements.
This Practical Life activity requires many steps and an extended period of concentration, while also allowing the child to embellish his or her environment.
We have also noticed many of the math materials being chosen. Materials such as the addition work charts and the memory game of numbers give the children the opportunity to master operations and also extend concentration over a longer period of time.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
- December 2 - PD Day and Parent/Teacher Interviews
- December 21 - Winter concert and social
- December 23 - Last day of school (winter holidays begin)
- January 9 - First day of second term
Casa Update
We have seen an explosion of writing in the Casa classroom this week.
In the Casa classroom children are introduced to the movable alphabet (large individual wooden letters) when the child is able to identify a number of sandpaper letters. This Language activity gives further practice with linking letter sounds with letter symbols, and initiates word building. In order to build phonetic words, the child uses the skill of analysis to decipher the sounds in words. An exciting leap into self-expression, work with the movable alphabet enables the child to bring their thoughts to life and communicate through the written word.
This week the large movable alphabet has been taken out to give the children opportunity to create words with the individual sounds they recognize. Some children have been making their own booklets, labels and stories. Cursive writing is ever present as well - this is still very much a favourite.
Just a reminder: if you haven't already selected a time to visit the classroom for a scheduled observation next week, please sign up via the sheet outside of our classroom. Your child will enjoy having you visit the classroom, and it will be a wonderful opportunity for you to observe your child's learning in progress.
Elementary Update
The classroom exploded with an enthusiasm for math this week, with many students working on multiplication and measurement using the metric system.
Work in history continued with discussions of the fundamental needs of human beings and how people have met their needs for shelter, food, and clothing in the past and present. We also enjoyed a Community Outing to the Locke Street Library to select new sources for project research. The class is looing forward to having parents join us during our morning work cycle as fall term observations begin next week.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Achong and Mme. Prat-Kalonji
Elementary Update
The elementary class was a buzz of activity this week with many students completing independent research projects and making their first plasticene models to illustrate their studies.
Our weekly community outing investigated architecture and street art in the Kirkendall neighbourhood, followed by a visit to the studio of local artist and Lyonsgate parent, Dana Cowie. After a demonstration of painting with warm and cool colours, the students worked on their own pieces using acylics on canvas. We would also like to thank everyone who joined us to view our work at our Open House this week. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for Parent Observations!
Bon Weekend,
Ms. Achong & Mme. Prat-Kalonji
Toddler Community Update
Thank you to the moms who came out for our Toddler sing-a-long and story this week.
We enjoyed dancing and singing to various songs such as "Bonjour mes Amies", "Wheels on the Bus" and danced to "What are you Doing?" and other movement songs. We all had a great time.
The children continue to work very well in the classroom and are beginning to master some activities like the more challenging puzzles and setting up their own table setting for snack and lunch. Great job Toddlers!
Casa Update
Halloween was a key feature in our classroom this week, and we enjoyed learning all about pumpkins. We also saw a strong interest in the bells throughout the week.
Children are born with the ability to hear, but the ability to listen is learned. As children develop the ability to listen, they build the foundation for analysis of language and communication as well as learning proper enunciation and context. Activities in the Practical Life area, such as responding to a bell and the silence game, as well as activities from the Language area such as vocabulary enrichment and language training, develop the child’s ability for focused listening.
Upcoming Dates:
• Tuesday, November 15 – Clothing orders due
• Friday, December 2 – PD Day & Parent Teacher Interviews
• Wednesday, December 21 (tentative date) – Holiday concert and social (5:00-7:00pm)
• Friday, December 23 – Last day of school (winter holidays begin)
Weekly Update
Thank you to all of the parents who came out to our Parent Social & Education Nights. They were fun and informative evenings!
Due to a busy week with classroom activities and parent teacher nights, we have a short update on upcoming dates for you this week. Also, be sure to check your child's Seesaw account for classroom photos and updates.
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, October 26 - Elementary Community Outing: Casual Gourmet
- Friday, October 28 - Picture Day
- Wednesday, November 2 - Elementary Event: Art with Dana Cowie
- Thursday, November 3 - Toddler Sing & Share/Casa & Elementary Open Houses
- Friday, November 4 - PD Day (No School)
- December 5 - 9 - Casa Observations
- December 13-15 - Elementary Parent-Teacher Interviews
- Friday, December 16 - Elementary Reports
Elementary Update
The elementary students were thrilled to take their botany and history studies out of the classroom this week with a field study day at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Armed with clipboards and paper for sketching, the students spent the morning working in four of the smaller gardens in Hendrie Park. In the Scent Garden, students explored how fragrance, nectar, and pollen are used to benefit both plants and insects; in the Prehistoric Garden, they studied two tree specimens once thought to be extinct: the Dawn Redwood and the Gingko Biloba.
Afterward, the class turned to a discussion of the types of technology used by humans in the Middle Ages, spending time in the Medieval Garden examining how a sundial works. A final stop in the Medicinal Garden let them discover plants used for keeping different body systems healthy. After all their hard work, the children were happy to gather with the Casa students for lunch and recess in the RBG's natural playground.
Back at school, the class eagerly explored measurement in Math, began work with their spelling groups, and ended the week with the Great Lesson of Human Beings.
We look forward to sharing some of these lessons with you at the first Elementary Parent Education evening on Thursday, October 20.
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, October 19 - Community Outing: Locke Street Library
- Thursday, October 20 - Elementary Social & Parent Education
- Wednesday, October 26 - Community Outing: Casual Gourmet
- Friday, October 28 - Picture Day
- Thursday, November 3 - Elementary Open House
- Friday, November 4 - PD Day
Enjoy the beautiful autumn weekend ahead,
Ms. Achong & Mme. Prat-Kalonji