Lyonsgate Parent Update May 15, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Parents,
Reminder: the Victoria Day long weekend is this week. Lyonsgate is closed for a PD day on Friday, May 19, and for the holiday on Monday, May 22.
See below for updates, including information about Elementary Parent Education and French plays.
Hello Toddler Parents,
We have been enjoying watching the construction vehicles moving and dumping dirt into the large bin behind our playground fence each day. We are so lucky to have this opportunity. Many of the toddlers were already interested in construction vehicles before our neighbour’s renovation project began but to see them up close is very exciting. We are naming the various machines and watching how they work.
As the weather warms up we might have cool mornings but by the afternoon we are experiencing summer temperatures so I will encourage you to dress your child in layers and provide a sun hat. Also, we will be using water bottles again while we are outside to keep the children hydrated. Please resume sending a water bottle. If you forget we have lots of water and cups so there is no need to make a special trip back home just for the water bottle. Please apply sunscreen for the morning at home before coming to school. We will re-apply sunscreen before the second recess. PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING. This saves time and confusion.
We hope to be able to witness our painted lady butterflies hatch early this week!
Ms. Gervais.
Spring Greetings from Casa,
It was a pleasure to welcome you into your children’s classrooms earlier this month. They were very happy to show you what they enjoy working with and share their school environments. While observing all the activity and enthusiasm it became evident that they all have grown and developed in many ways.
The work they chose to present may have been different, or the same, as your previous visit in the Fall indicating a new or further developed skill level. Fine motor skills have becoming more refined, impressions absorbed through work with concrete materials have led to more abstract thinking, and the ability to communicate has become clearer and more sophisticated.
In addition to all of the above tremendous growth these visits highlighted just how much all of the children have thoroughly adapted to their classroom environments, how secure they are in the physical space and more importantly how they have bonded with their classmates. These are spaces where they obviously feel comfortable and supported which in turn leads to discoveries about themselves and others.
Ms. Robinson.
The Elementary class was bursting with energy last week, with lots of work taking place both inside and outside the classroom. The students were excited to participate in a trading game exploring how the ancient Phoenicians connected and influenced different groups living around the Mediterranean Sea. They loved bartering their native resources for more exotic goods! This was followed by the “Story of Currency,” introducing students to the transition from bartering to a monetary system. In language work this week, the students happily returned to work with poetry, composing acrostics, cinquains, and odes to their mothers in celebration of Mother’s Day. There has been a lot of interest in plants and fungi lately as a result of our lessons in botany. Last Friday, three of our students were overjoyed to participate in a Montessori “going out” to the Bruce Trail to investigate local mushrooms and collect specimens for dissection. We look forward to another week of adventure ahead!
Warmly,
Marissa and Michelle.
- Please note that the date of the student French plays has been postponed to the afternoon of Tuesday, May 23. If you anticipate your child will be absent that day, please let us know with an email to elementary@lyonsgate.ca
- Parent Education Event – French in our Elementary Environment 3:30 – 4:15
Please join us after school on Thursday, May 25, for a parent education presentation with our French instructor, Anne. She will be speaking with you about how we approach second language learning, demonstrating some of the French materials for independent work, and sharing some footage of the French plays prepared using the A.I.M.
All Elementary students will be traveling to the HAAA at 3:20 that day ahead of the parent presentation. Students whose families are attending the parent education event will be included in aftercare until 4:30 p.m. All other students will be dismissed from the park between 3:30 – 3:45.
Lyonsgate Parent Update May 8, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
Here are a few dates to be aware of as we head towards the end of the school year:
- May 19 PD Day: BOTH LYONSGATE CAMPUSES WILL BE CLOSED. This is the PD day that leads into the Victoria Day long weekend. Lyonsgate will also be closed on Monday, May 22, for the statutory holiday.
- Friday, June 2: Lyonsgate will be closed to students for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
- Thursday, June 22: is the last regular day of school and Friday, June 23, is the year-end community picnic and Casa graduation at Dundas Driving Park.
Please keep an eye on your Lyonsgate calendar — https://lyonsgate.ca/lyonsgate-calendar/ — for other events before the end of the school year.
Hello Toddler Parents,
Thank you to everyone who came to visit our classroom last week during our show and share week. It was so nice to invite all of you in to explore with your children and experience their joy as they showed you all of the things they work so hard on.
On another note, our caterpillars are on their way to becoming butterflies! On Friday we noticed that they were hanging from the lid of the container and were beginning to pupate; they have now entered into their chrysalis so we moved them into the net where they will finish growing and emerge as painted lady butterflies in about eight to ten days. In the Toddler room everything is growing! We look forward to keeping you updated throughout the week!
Your Toddler Team.
It has been so exciting in the Casa classrooms this week. Thank you for joining us for show and share. The children have been working hard all year and it’s nice for them to be able to showcase their work to all of you. Each of our classrooms have had the opportunity to have caterpillars join the classrooms. We will be watching the caterpillars grow and turn into painted lady butterflies. We will then release them outside once they are ready.
I have had a great first week as the Casa North directress. The children have been eager to present their work to me and have welcomed me in with open arms. The transition has gone smoothly. I am looking forward to building a new relationship with the children and their families.
All the best,
Ms. Beach.
Last week, the Elementary class was excited to continue their exploration of the ancient Phoenicians by learning about their trading partners around the Mediterranean Sea and beyond. Students have partnered up to prepare a trading post from a particular culture by researching and creating artistic versions of resources the Phoenicians procured from others. Once each trading post is prepared, some of our youngest students will take the part of the Phoenicians, and travel from post to post in their merchant ship to barter and trade. On Friday, the class heard the story of Siddhartha Gautama in recognition of Vesak Day, and enjoyed learning about the generous, temporary offerings Buddhists leave before statues of the Buddha in their own homes and community temples around the world.
Marissa and Michelle.
Lyonsgate Parent Update May 1, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
Primary Show & Share is This Week: From May 1-4, parents of Casa and Toddler students have the opportunity to participate in Show & Share in your child’s classroom. Show & Share is an opportunity for Montessori students to invite their parents into the classrooms to show you some of the materials they work with. Please click here to select the day of your Show & Share visit.
Hello Toddler Community,
We have some exciting news to share with you; we are going to grow and release some butterflies in the next few weeks and we are so looking forward to sharing this experience with the children. Each day, we will be able to watch them as they make their transformation right before our curious eyes which will make more great conversations.
We encourage all of you to take some time to talk about how important it is to take care of the natural world around us and how sometimes its best to leave nature in nature when you and your child are out and about on walks and to take care of the plants and animals around us, perhaps you can partake in a neighborhood clean up or take your child to a community garden and write down all the different life forms you can spot.
All the best,
Mme Craigie.
May we raise children who love the unloved things — the dandelion, the worms & spiderlings. Children who sense the rose needs the thorn.
And who run into rainswept days the same way they turn towards sun.
And when they’re grown & someone has to speak for those who have no voice, may they draw upon that wilder bond, those days of tending tender things…
…and be the ones.
(Nicolette Sowder)
———
In Montessori, we are constantly modelling the care and appreciation of all things, big and small. We are providing for the child a look at our version of happiness, by taking genuine interest in all the little details of daily life & the world that surrounds us. We encourage the idea of stopping to smell the roses — and more over, we want to question, explore, empathize, and take the time to consider the rose, as best we can.
As parents, when you demonstrate joy, you promote your child’s well being. When they observe you in states of concentration, fascination, and awe, they believe they can have that, too! When you offer yourself in front of them as a pure being, content to exist as you are — and happy to be yourself — they learn how to access their own joy.
At Lyonsgate, it also begins with the child watching us, and trusting that we have something they want for themselves. Our staff bring their authentic selves, their interests, and their joy to work each day to share with your children. Along with the support of the environment, materials, and open work cycle, your children are observing & experiencing everything that they need to unlock joy, passion, curiosity, confidence, and engagement each day that they spend in our Casa & Toddler classrooms.
Best,
Ms. O’Sullivan
The third term of school is often a wonderful time in the classroom as students demonstrate the growth they have achieved through the year and are eager to put into practice their new skills. The elementary years are when children develop their moral compass, their sense of justice, and the self-discipline to care not only for themselves but others in their community as well. Last week, the students were excited to prepare grace and courtesy skits about how to manage the daily conflicts of childhood, such as a fair-weather friend or establishing the rules of a game. The children worked in small groups with a given scenario to present a problem and how it could be solved without adult assistance. Their skits hit the right note of advice and humour, and were a delightful end to the school week.
Other activities during the week included botany explorations into the parts of flowers, the location of plant ovaries, and different types of fruit. The children were excited to investigate the inside of a tomato, bell pepper, honeydew melon, pineapple, and even broke into a coconut! They enjoyed sampling the different fruits and discussing how the different types of seeds use different migration strategies to new planting grounds.
We look forward to working more in our outdoor garden as the spring days warm up. Wishing you all a great week ahead,
Marissa and Michelle.
Elementary Summer Camp
Camp registration is open for this coming July and we encourage interested families to sign up soon. While each week of camp has a specific theme with different activities for campers attending both sessions, both sessions include a variety of classic camp activities, waterplay, and can be adapted to the interests of the campers. Please click here to register for summer camp! Payment can be made to accounts@lyonsgate.ca
- Week 1: July 10- 14 Art Explorers: Draw, Sculpt, Shoot!
Work with a variety of mediums, photography and video equipment to create a short movie. Clay, papier mache, and underwater filming are just a few things we have planned for this week!
- Week 2: July 17 – 21 Around the World: Exploring the Seven Continents
Gather stamps in your Montessori passport each day as we explore the seven continents. Learn how the Maori of Oceania dance the haka and cook over a hot rock pit, play outdoor games from Bangladesh and India, and try art techniques from Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
Lyonsgate Parent Update April 24, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
PD Day Reminder: The Elementary campus has a PD day on Friday, April 28. Please see the Elementary section for details. The Primary campus for Casa and Toddler students will be open as usual.
Primary Show & Share: From May 1-4, parents of Casa and Toddler students have the opportunity to participate in Show & Share in your child’s classroom. Show & Share is an opportunity for Montessori students to invite their parents into the classrooms to show you some of the materials they work with. Please click here to select the day of your Show & Share visit.
Welcome to Elementary — Parent and Child Orientation: Parents of students starting Elementary in September, please see the Elementary section for details of your orientation on June 14 [previously scheduled in May].
Please see the attached poster (in the email of this post) from Hamilton Public Health with free programs for families with children ages 0-6.
See below for updates.
Get Outside!
Hello Toddler Parents,
We are celebrating and embracing the splendor of Spring. Even though we have had some back and forth between warm and cool temperatures this week we know that the amount of daylight and warmth will increase every day going forward, and for some of us this can lift our spirits and offer us an opportunity to begin spending more time outside in nature.
In Richard Louv’s research, he encourages everyone to simply get outside. He writes, “Here is a deceptively simple treatment for improving physical and mental health, for stimulating learning, creativity, and a sense of being fully alive.” Vitamin N, The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life, Richard Louv.
Small children benefit immensely from time spent outside with adults. These shared experiences are an opportunity to connect and deepen our relationships. There are many physical and emotional benefits that result from excursions into nature. Young children are hard wired to explore with their senses, build their physical strength, and be curious about our world. These early experiences build the foundation for the child’s spiritual well being and sense of self. We can join them and reconnect to our own sense of wonder by observing and participating in the natural world alongside them.
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder …[they] need the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with them the joy, the excitement, and the mystery of the world we live in.” The Sense of Wonder, Rachel Carson.
Beyond simply immersing ourselves in nature and experiencing the many benefits of being outside, Maria Montessori encouraged us to help children build an understanding of the interconnectedness of everything in the natural world. This understanding quietly grows within young children as their experience and their knowledge of their world slowly expands.
Ms. Gervais.
Good Morning Casa Families!
I hope you’ve had a nice weekend and are ready for the week ahead! As the English language assistant, a big part of my role in the classroom is behavior management. You might think that it would be the most mundane, frustrating part of the job, and sometimes that’s true, but it’s also so much more.
All behavior is a form of communication. When babies cry they’re expressing a need and we do our best to oblige. When a Casa student is doing something that we find undesirable, it can almost be reflexive to try to correct it in the moment. Yet, when we pause to observe instead of react, we’re often presented with opportunities to connect, support independence, or redirect in constructive ways. Approaching a child who is upset and missing home becomes a conversation about what they miss, giving valuable insights into their life away from school; a pair of children excitedly running around the classroom turns into a game of phonetic eye-spy, giving them a chance to move their bodies without being disruptive; a disagreement between friends is an opportunity to practice social problem solving and cooperation.
Young children sometimes need help navigating moments when their emotions are running high and we get to make the choice how to meet them. Taking time to hear their words, observe their actions, and ask open ended questions is a great way to strengthen your bond and model positive behavior in a complex world.
Thanks for reading,
Ms. Dewey.
Weekly Update
Elementary students love to learn through stories that inspire their imagination. Last week, they were invited to travel back in time to hear “A Story of 12,000 Snails,” learning about how the ancient Phoenicians harvested sea creatures and developed a process to make a precious dye: Tyrian purple. With this process, these early sea merchants were able to dye fabric a vibrant purple, creating a valuable, luxury commodity coveted by the wealthy and powerful.
Students participating in literature circles are routinely invited to take on a variety of roles to support the group discussion. Many children were excited to share their hand-drawn maps and clay renditions of settings from The Littles Go Exploring, Charlotte’s Web, and The Girl Who Owned a City, while also learning to define new vocabulary words and make summarizing notes. Others were excited to lead their literature circle meetings, developing discussion questions and encouraging everyone to contribute.
Elementary students are always engaged in the challenging work of learning to work and socialize with their peers, and love to develop their social and emotional skills through dramatic scenarios and role-play skits. Groups of students were given an outline of a social situation they may encounter, such as managing a fair-weather friend or navigating two invitations to play at the same time. Each group discussed their scenario and worked together to create a fair solution to their problem. They have been working on skits depicting their situation and solution, and are eager to present their dramatic work to the class. We are expecting a high level of physical comedy and entertaining theatrics at these short performances!
Wishing you a great week ahead,
Michelle and Marissa.
Welcome to Elementary — Parent and Child Orientation
As our graduating Casa students prepare for new classrooms in September, we welcome those families joining the Lyonsgate Elementary community for the first time this fall to join us for a parent-and-child orientation on Wednesday, June 14th, from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Our new students will join the classroom assistants in a fun activity while parents can meet with the classroom guides, ask questions, and receive essential information on how to prepare for the transition to Elementary. Children moving up to Elementary in the fall are welcome to sign up for our Montessori summer camp in July, where they can meet some of their older classmates and get comfortable in their new environment [see below]. Our annual orientation for all Elementary families will take place in September.
LRS Conferences
The Elementary campus has a PD day on Friday, April 28. [The Primary campus for Casa and Toddler students will be open]. If you received a report from the Elementary Learning Resource Specialist, Kim Fiocca, please schedule a 30 minute conference for that day. Conferences are in-person, with child care available during the conference, but they can be held on Zoom by family request. Please click here to book an LRS conference with Kim.
Elementary Summer Camp
Camp registration is open for this coming July and we encourage interested families to sign up soon. While each week of camp has a specific theme with different activities for campers attending both sessions, both sessions include a variety of classic camp activities, waterplay, and can be adapted to the interests of the campers. Please click here to register for summer camp! Payment can be made to accounts@lyonsgate.ca
- Week 1: July 10- 14 Art Explorers: Draw, Sculpt, Shoot!
Work with a variety of mediums, photography and video equipment to create a short movie. Clay, papier mache, and underwater filming are just a few things we have planned for this week!
- Week 2: July 17 – 21 Around the World: Exploring the Seven Continents
Gather stamps in your Montessori passport each day as we explore the seven continents. Learn how the Maori of Oceania dance the haka and cook over a hot rock pit, play outdoor games from Bangladesh and India, and try art techniques from Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
Lyonsgate Parent Update April 17, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
From May 1-4, parents of Casa and Toddler students have the opportunity to participate in Show & Share in your child’s classroom. Show & Share is an opportunity for Montessori students to invite their parents into the classrooms to show them some of the materials they work with. Please click here to select the day of your Show & Share visit.
The short week flew by, and it seems that we jumped from Easter to summer overnight! We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and getting extra time outside in the fresh air. One great thing about the warm weather is the opportunity to have our afternoon snack outdoors. It is always an adventure picnicking with the Toddler community and then enjoying some water-based activities on the playground. We love to paint the fence with water and brushes, and enjoy splashing and cooling off in the process. There is a small playhouse on the playground that the Casa children had decorated with chalk and the toddlers, never failing to see an opportunity, responded by promptly cleaning it off with their water and brushes. We are looking forward to more fun in the sun, but hoping the hot hot days hold off for a little while longer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Davis.
“Look what I found!”
Spring is my favourite time of year. The weather is warmer, and the students are excited to tell us of all the new things they see emerging from the ground, flying by their eyes, and smelling in the air. They are using their five senses to experience the world around them. They are building their independence to decide whether to wear a coat or not, to play in the shade or sun. They are showing us what they find interesting, yucky, comfortable, or irritating… they are showing us who they are & what they know.
As nature around us is changing & evolving, we, as teachers, are taking a moment to reflect on the growth in our little individuals. Our 3rd years have grown into leaders and helpers, and have developed the individual personalities that make them who they are. They are quickly approaching the significant milestone from Casa to Elementary or Primary, and are very confident in the foundations they have laid. The 2nd years are practicing and building upon those same leadership skills, their confidence with activities, and their social skills. The 1st years, who once welcomed the help of our 3rd years, show pride in their independence (their new talents of buttoning buttons, zipping zippers, getting ready faster and without help). They are now used to the classroom routine and the new world of 25 children to play with. These 1st years stand a little taller, more capable, and more confident to voice their needs; they no longer feel they are unable, but they feel the inner strength & desire to try.
All the children have transformed, and as teachers we celebrate these stepping stones & feel privileged to walk alongside them. They have found their voices, their helping hands, their sense of adventure, and we have a feeling of community that makes our classroom a fantastic, safe place to be.
The 3-year Casa program is so exceptional for this reason! Not just for your children, but for us, as educators; we are allotted the time to nurture them, have patience with them, and watch them grow! I, personally, have found my hope for the future in these little humans — I have no doubt they will move mountains!
Best,
Ms. Canessa (for our Casa teams)
Springtime on the Elementary campus leads to a renewed interest in biology and working in the garden! Through the botany curriculum, students learn about the basic needs of plants, as well as the physiology and function of the leaf, the stem, the root, and the seed. Following this early work, they practice caring for a variety of plants throughout the classroom, sprout seedlings, conduct experiments and sketch their observations, and explore the history and evolution of plants through the Timeline of Life. As students learn about the important interactions between plants and other aspects of their environment, they discover how distinct biomes support different webs of interdependent life. Members of the Year 4 cohort are currently researching different biomes and how animal species have adapted to succeed in conditions such as freshwater or saltwater, coastal habitats, woodlands, rainforests, or deserts. As students develop their research and reporting skills, they may need to go out of the classroom to seek out new resources and experiences. Many students were excited to see two senior students plan an independent “going out” to the Royal Botanical Gardens during the school day to gather research from the recent Frogs! exhibit. This type of “going out” opportunity encourages initiative, requires self-discipline and responsibility, and promotes a sense of independence, capability, and confidence.
Camp registration is open for this coming July and we encourage interested families to sign up soon. While each week of camp has a specific theme with different activities for campers attending both sessions, both sessions include a variety of classic camp activities, waterplay, and can be adapted to the interests of the campers. Please click here to register for summer camp! Payment can be made to accounts@lyonsgate.ca
Week 1: July 10- 14 Art Explorers: Draw, Sculpt, Shoot!
Work with a variety of mediums, photography and video equipment to create a short movie. Clay, papier mache, and underwater filming are just a few things we have planned for this week!
Week 2: July 17 – 21 Around the World: Exploring the Seven Continents
Gather stamps in your Montessori passport each day as we explore the seven continents. Learn how the Maori of Oceania dance the haka and cook over a hot rock pit, play outdoor games from Bangladesh and India, and try art techniques from Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
Wishing you a happy week ahead,
Marissa and Michelle.
LRS Conferences
The Elementary campus has a PD day on Friday, April 28. [The Primary campus for Casa and Toddler students will be open]. If you received a report from the Elementary Learning Resource Specialist, Kim Fiocca, please schedule a 30 minute conference for that day. Conferences are in-person, with child care available during the conference, but they can be held on Zoom by family request. Please click here to book an LRS conference with Kim.
Lyonsgate Parent Update April 11, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
A new lunch menu will come into effect on Monday, April 17. You can always find the lunch menu under your “Parents” tab here: https://lyonsgate.ca/lyonsgate-lunch-menu/ Check to see which week it is of the 4-week rotating schedule on the Lyonsgate calendar, also under your “Parents” tab: https://lyonsgate.ca/lyonsgate-calendar/
Also, a reminder to please not send children into the school with food such as snacks or breakfast foods. We have a number of children at both campuses with various anaphylactic allergies. Thank you.
Happy Day Toddler Families!
We sincerely hope that you enjoyed the beautiful long weekend and that some of you had a chance to connect and relax with family. We are seeing so much more energy in the classroom now that the weather has turned around and the sun is finally shining on us once again; with that being said, we encourage you all to check the weather each morning and send your child with the appropriate outside gear so they can be comfortable when we are having our recess.
We love seeing and hearing all of the signs of spring and summer that we are experiencing each day which makes for rich and wonderful conversations with the children, from hearing the different birds that are emerging to the buds and early spring flowers we spot on the ground and on the trees. Take time out of your day to really encourage your child’s natural curiosity of the world and for a moment try to live from their point of view, because just like the tulip bulbs that are beginning to blossom, so are your beautiful children!
With gratitude,
Mme Craigie.
Salut tout le monde!
Printemps est finalement arrivé!
I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend.
We have been looking at signs and hearing the sounds of the new season. We have been noticing the warmer weather, birds singing, insects, flowers…
On another note, we all know that reading to your child has many great benefits. Books are great resources to help expand imagination, vocabulary, knowledge, conversation, and bonding. If you have children’s French books at home and would like to share them with your child’s classmates, it would be greatly appreciated!
Bonne semaine!
Best regards!
Mme Renée Perazzo.
Last week, the children were excitedly discussing the many celebrations that this April brings: Passover, Easter, and Eid. The children enjoyed hearing the story of Passover, and were very excited when an upper elementary student brought in some matzah to share. We hope everyone was able to enjoy the long holiday weekend with friends or family.
All the Elementary students are excited to experience the sun and warmer weather that come with spring. The backyard area is a popular choice for students during the work cycle! We are grateful for the rain that is helping to prepare the soil in our garden for our spring planting. Unfortunately, with this rain comes mud, and lots of it! If your child regularly comes home with sopping socks or mud-caked pants from outdoor time, please encourage them to pack any extra clothing that might make the afternoons more comfortable.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead,
Michelle and Marissa.
LRS Conferences
The Elementary campus has a PD day on Friday, April 28. [The Primary campus for Casa and Toddler students will be open]. If you received a report from the Elementary Learning Resource Specialist, Kim Fiocca, please schedule a 30 minute conference for that day. There are also a few afterschool spots available on Thursday, April 27, and Monday, May 1. Please click here to book an LRS conference with Kim.
Lyonsgate Parent Update April 3, 2023
Welcome Back to School,
We hope everyone had the restful or adventuresome March Break you wanted. Easter is following closely on the heels of March Break and Lyonsgate will be closed on Friday, March 7, and Monday, March 10, for Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.
We have a quick reminder to ask that parents please do not share photos from your children’s classroom Seesaw to other social media platforms; some families have requested that photos be shared to Seesaw only. Thank you.
Please see below for updates, including information about LRS conferences for Elementary families.
https://youtu.be/LEQY6raVr70
Hello Toddler Families,
Welcome back and welcome spring!
We are observing signs of spring in our environment and signs of rapid development in the toddlers, specifically language development. Somewhere between 16 months and 2 years, most children exhibit a period of language explosion. This is an amazing period of rapid development and in Montessori we call this the sensitive period for language.
“Between birth and adulthood children learn around 60,000 words, an average of 8-10 a day.” The Guardian, ‘Psychologist explains secret of children’s word explosion.’
This is a universal phenomenon. Children acquire language around the same time of development, in the same way, across the globe, no matter how complex their native tongue happens to be. This is all possible because of the nature of the absorbent mind, something that Maria Montessori identified.
Children begin with naming the people and things that are dear to them to being able to use language to express their needs and desires. Around the time of the language explosion you will notice young children exhibiting an understanding of concepts such as “open,” “closed,” “empty,” and their ability to string words together in short phrases increases: “Mrs. Gervais, would you please open that door?” is my favourite from last week. As the child approaches the age of three, story telling and more complex conversations can be enjoyed.
It is remarkable how quickly, and seemingly how effortlessly, young children can master complex languages during this stage of development. We can support and enrich their developing lexicon by providing them the opportunity to hear a rich and nuanced language in their environment — expand on their interests, find out more about construction vehicles, dinosaurs, how the appliances work, whatever tickles their fancy. You might even learn something new along the way!
Ms. Gervais.
Bonjour tout le monde!
Bienvenue au 3ème trimestre scolaire.
Nice to see everyone back; we heard lots of lovely stories from our students. It sounds like everyone had a wonderful March Break.
We are all waiting for the sunshine of spring. The sun is still hiding in the morning so we need our students to be dressed for the weather. Please keep sending your children with hats, mittens, and splash pants in their backpacks.
The students are working on hot/cold activities in French. Spring is the perfect time to talk about the weather:
“Madame, il pleut aujòurd’hui — plic-ploc, plic-ploc” while pointing to the tops of their heads (plic-ploc).
“Il fait chaud” (it’s hot!).
“Il fait froid” (it’s cold!) – Brrrr!
Self-care/Weather
We are giving our students the tools to be more independent and the tools to solve small problems on their own. When the child expresses being too hot or too cold, we encourage them to think of ways they could solve their discomfort.
It is wonderful when they have a t-shirt under their sweatshirt to dress down when they are too hot.
If they have mittens in their pockets and their hands become cold they can slide them on.
By giving them the tools and encouraging conversation with them to care for themselves they become more independent and confident within themselves.
Best regards,
Mme Murati.
The Elementary students were excited to return to school last week, catching up with their friends and re-engaging with their work. The students dove into making booklets, calculating circumferences, and working on fairy tale plays in French. They loved ending the week with a mac-and-cheese community lunch before their final cricket lesson with Coach Stu. We look forward to learning more about Passover, Easter, and Eid throughout the month of April.
Our Montessori summer camp registration is OPEN for this coming July, and we encourage interested families to sign up soon. While we always include a variety of classic camp activities and waterplay, as well as adjusting our plans to camper interests, each week will also focus on a specific theme. Please click here to register for summer camp! Payment can be made to accounts@lyonsgate.ca
Week 1: July 10-14 Art Explorers: Draw, Sculpt, Shoot!
Work with a variety of mediums, photography, and video equipment to create a short movie. Clay, papier mache, and underwater filming are just a few things we have planned for this week!
Week 2: July 17 – 21 Around the World: Exploring the Seven Continents
Gather stamps in your Montessori passport each day as we explore the seven continents, learning about distinct biomes and human cultural developments such as games, art techniques, spices, and foods!
Wishing you a great week ahead,
Marissa and Michelle.
LRS Conferences
The Elementary campus has a PD day on Friday, April 28. [The Primary campus for Casa and Toddler students will be open]. If you received a report from the Elementary Learning Resource Specialist, Kim Fiocca, please schedule a 30 minute conference. There are also a few afterschool spots available on Thursday, April 27, and Monday, May 1. Please click here to book an LRS conference with Kim.
Lyonsgate Parent Update March 6, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
March Break starts next week. Lyonsgate will be closed March 13-24. We have a couple of notes for both before and after March Break:
- The Elementary Open Classroom is today, Monday, March 6, from 3:15-4:15. This is an opportunity for family members to visit the classroom and see samples of their child’s work.
- Casa Graduation Photos: Casa students in their third year and who are finishing the Casa program in June will have graduation photos taken on Friday, March 31.
See updates below from your children’s Montessori levels.
Hello Toddler Families,
This week, we have had the great pleasure of having some snow and ice stay on the ground, which has opened up many opportunities for fun and maximum effort. We noticed many children were eager to get outside and explore with their hands and, of course, the shovels, which gave us the idea to move all of our snow from one end of the yard to the other, and that meant many children were engaged in some serious gross motor development! We also made little paths by breaking up the ice and clearing it away so friends could easily navigate themselves around the yard, which led to watching how water flows and how ice and snow melt. Many children discovered that they do not like the sensation of how the cold snow feels on their hands and became more insistent on wearing their mittens outside (and keeping them on). This weekend, try and take advantage of the coming snow and allow your children to get outside and experience how much fun winter can be by letting them help you shovel, build a snow fort, taking a sleigh ride, or simply just reveling in the beauty of it all.
Mme Craigie.
Peer learning can take many forms. These forms may include observation and imitation, peer tutoring, and collaborative learning. These types of learning are inherently a part of a Montessori environment. Here, children are free to work together and often do, especially as they become older and more socially inclined.
Research (and personal experience) shows that children often learn from observing and then imitating others. The hands-on nature of Montessori work enables learning by observing and then taking steps to repeat what they have seen and heard. All children in a Casa environment, whether they are two, three, four, five, or six, are aware of what their classmates are doing and constantly adapting their behaviour and interaction as they observe each other.
Situations in which children learn from their peers are beneficial to both the tutor and the child being tutored. Children who actively teach others gain a better understanding of the topic or activity, as well as become more engaged and interested. Teaching always involves learning; learning allows a child many opportunities to teach. This is a great strength of our mixed age classrooms.
Children participating in collaborative learning engage in higher levels of reasoning, gain knowledge of different perspectives, and of course also enjoy the pleasure of working in a partnership or team. While these interactions are not without bumps along the way, they always result in plenty of cognitive, social, and frequently, physical development.
The teaching and learning that we observe and share in are non-stop!
Ms. Robinson.
This week’s update is from our wonderful physical education teacher, Damien Bouquin! We look forward to seeing everyone after school today at our Open Classroom event. Please join us anytime between 3:15-4:15 to explore samples of the children’s work this term.
The Importance of Movement
We need to take care of our bodies as this is the only place we will ever live in.
In our Physical Education classes, emphasis is put on developing gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, balance, cardiovascular endurance, teamwork, persistence, as well as good sportsmanship in a positive and enjoyable environment.
Creating foundational physical movement skills for future and/or current sport activity is a component of our classes. Students have been introduced to Track and Field, in which they were able to practice gross motor skills and build resilience, interest, effort, and stamina. Over the course of the sessions, times were recorded and students were impressed with themselves as they witnessed the progress they made. Within Physical Education classes, I work on transmitting and fostering a genuine interest in physical activity. I provide students the tools they need to build critical skills such as hand-eye coordination, foot-eye coordination, spatial awareness, as well as control of the body.
Creating a safe and positive environment is the number one priority. It is important that all students feel comfortable while exercising. I work at the level of each child, creating exercises to grow their independent skills alongside their peers. Our physical education lessons are not built to be competitive. Instead, the main goal is to develop skills and healthy habits. Nevertheless, it can sometimes happen that games include opposition. I ensure all students congratulate each other at any opportunity, to support the development of self-confidence and good sportsmanship.
On campus, students are able to access a variety of physical education materials such as skipping ropes, basketballs, exercise dice, and soccer balls. Giving the opportunity to practice exercising on a daily basis and throughout the day is critical, as it allows students to make responsible choices and helps them regulate their energy when necessary. During the winter, most of our physical education sessions are happening indoors, whether that may be held at Karate Dojo, Indoor Rock Climbing, Cricket (at Soccer World), or Dancing at McMaster.
“Movement, or physical activity, is thus an essential factor in intellectual growth, which depends upon the impressions received from outside. Through movement we come in contact with external reality, and it is through these contacts that we eventually acquire even abstract ideas.”
~ Maria Montessori – The Secret of Childhood
“Children develop their brains as well as their bodies through movement, and in the process of concentration, self-discipline, and perseverance with an active interest, the foundations of character are laid. To give our children a fine start in life we must see that their surroundings satisfy their need for activity and development, remembering at the same time that our own part is not that of instructor and interferer but of helper and friend.”
~ Maria Montessori – Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents
“The child seeks for independence by means of work; an independence of body and mind.”
~ Maria Montessori – The Absorbent Mind
M Bouquin.
Lyonsgate Update Week of Feb. 20-24, 2023
Good Morning Lyonsgate Community,
Elementary families:
- A reminder that your Parent education session was moved to this Thursday, March 2, from 3:30-4:15. You will learn about the different aspects of our Arts program and how art is used as a medium for exploration of all subjects. Please RSVP to elementary@lyonsgate.ca
- Also, see the Elementary section for info about the Open Classroom event next Monday, March 6.
[Sorry, no Toddler photos this week]
This week in our toddler community we experienced a very chopped up week with family day and a snow day. It was difficult to get into the flow and it seemed as though the children were a bit discombobulated. Young children really rely on a predictable routine.It makes them feel safe and secure to know what is happening next. Of course life is always tossing us unexpected disruptions and it is good to find a way to cope with changes as they come. Small children benefit from being kept in the loop. We had some conversations with the toddlers today about how strange it was to be away one day and back the next. Then we spoke about our daily routine, about what was coming up next in the course of our day and how we would be going home for the weekend at the end of the day.
Changes in routine can be challenging. We can make things easier on young children by being prepared. We can prepare them before hand for alteration in their routine by explaining what will happen and also by being prepared ourselves.
If you are thinking about introducing a new routine of toilet learning to your toddler you can prepare the environment in the bathroom by having a small container with extra clothes to change into when their clothes become wet or soiled and a few books to look at for when they are sitting on the potty or toilet waiting for something to happen.
Here are a few tips for toilet learning the Montessori way to help guide those who might be beginning to introduce this as part of their routine at home.
Toilet Learning — The Montessori Way
1. Prepare the environment — get organized, set the bathroom up for maximum independence. Have lots of extra underwear, clothes, clothes that allow for independence, a small basket in the bathroom with clothing, a potty, a stool to be used for getting dressed or for climbing up to the toilet, a hamper to place soiled clothing, a small basket of books to look at while waiting for something exciting to happen.
2. Dress for Success — No tight clothing, nothing with complicated closures like buttons or snaps, elastic waistbands are best, something that they can manage to put on and take off easily without assistance.
3. Invite your child to use the potty, (Toilet learning becomes the choice of the child after 24 months). Once you have had some success invite them to wear underwear throughout the day. Diapering during nap and at night for sleep. Sleep is sacred! Once you notice a dry diaper after nap or night you will know that they have gained control during sleep.
4. Create a routine — observe and take note of when your child is dry, what times of day they tend to have bowel movements etc., remember that establishing new routines can be challenging but it is temporary. Every 30 to 40 minutes invite your child to sit on the potty, we can assist them if their clothes are wet or soiled, get cleaned up and wash their hands. There are many independence skills being gained all at once!
5. Focus on the Senses — Toddlers are sensorial learners. “I see that you are wet, let us get you into some dry clothes.” Do not leave them in wet or soiled clothing — we want to establish the desired state is clean and dry.
6. No rewards or punishment — The acquisition of a new skill has its own personal rewards — let them own it. You are not potty training — your child is doing the work of toilet learning.
7. Keep it upbeat and positive — no pressure, no stress — Involve the child — resist the urge to jump in and finish the job, competency with dressing takes time and practice. Assist when needed In Montessori we say things like, “You did it!” and “Look at you!” Allowing them to take credit for the experience.
8. Don’t get discouraged. It will soon be a distant, hopefully fond memory. Interruptions in a child’s routine or health can cause disruptions but once things stabilize you can get back to the collaborating with your child on these independence skills.
Have a delightful week!
Ms. Gervais.
Hello again!
We have completed one full cycle of Casa Weekly Updates. If you have been following along, you have now heard from each member of our Casa team, on both sides of the hallway (Casa North and South).
Creating a united voice from our Casa team has been an important part of collaborating, overlapping, and mirroring both Casa programmes here at Lyonsgate. Our students have started to connect more frequently with one another this term, whether it’s writing letters to one another & delivering them via shared mailbox, or assisting our Toddlers during transition times.
This same spirit of collaboration aligns itself fully with the Montessori approach to cosmic education. We are always striving to foster the development of “the universal child” — meaning, Montessori aims to create children of their world, who not only recognize their role in their immediate community (their family, their classroom), but their greater surroundings (their school community, their city, their country) and their planet, as a whole.
This is why our Practical Life materials reflect things in the home or things that are purposeful and valuable in today’s society, to provide students with “keys to the world” around them; why our Culture area includes both physical and political geography (exposure to continents, countries, capitals); why we give exposure to art, music, instruments, books, poems, songs, photographs, animals, botany from all around the world.
We are challenging our students to look beyond their immediate surroundings and to connect with any & all human beings as a united force. Perhaps modelling these opportunities for collaboration — amongst our Casa staff or our students in both Casa classroom (and Toddler, too) — can act as a gentle reminder to engage, think, care about what’s across the hallway, around the corner, in the next town or city over, or world’s away…
Ms. O’Sullivan.
In preparation for their introductory cricket lesson, the class learned about the history of cricket. The children were eager to discover the rules or “laws” of cricket, and enjoyed learning about the roles of various members of a cricket team. They were thrilled to watch a few highlights from professional cricket matches, and to discover the names of professional cricket teams in Canada. Most children agreed that while a five day test match was too much cricket, Twenty20 matches, lasting about 3 hours, would be a lot of fun to watch. Last week at their first cricket lesson, they learned to cup and bat. We look forward to another cricket lesson before the March break!
Parent Education
We would like to welcome you to join us this coming Thursday, March 2, from 3:30-4:15 p.m. for a Parent Education session. We are excited to talk about the different aspects of our Arts program and demonstrate how art is used as a medium for exploration of all subjects.
Open Classroom
The children are eager to welcome their families to our Open Classroom event on Monday, March 6, between 3:15-4:15. This is an opportunity for family members to visit the classroom and see samples of their child’s work.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Warmly,
Marissa and Michelle.
Lyonsgate Update Week of Feb. 13-17, 2023
We hope everyone had a very enjoyable Family Day long weekend.
Elementary Parent Education is this Thursday, Feb. 23, from 3:30-4:15. Please see the Elementary section for details.
Elementary Summer Camp: please also see the Elementary section for details about summer camp weeks for elementary students, including those joining the Elementary program in September.
We would like to start off by thanking everyone who was able to make it to the Parent Education on Thursday. After a couple years of Covid protocols it is still a treat to welcome everyone into the classroom.
We had a great week enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and even had the excitement of watching an excavator in action in a neighboring yard during recess time. The newest members of our community are settling in nicely and our classroom has never been livelier. We hope that you have a wonderful long weekend, and a relaxing Family Day.
Mr. Davis.
Good Morning Casa Families,
Music is an essential part of life and it plays a vital role in child development. It is a fun and engaging way to learn language, express emotions, develop creativity, improve cognitive abilities, and appreciate different cultures.
The first year I worked at Lyonsgate, we weren’t allowed to sing in the classrooms due to COVID precautions. We would use a small stereo to listen to music occasionally, but it wasn’t the same. Children have an inherent love of music and are driven to learn and create. My favorite tool during transitions is to sing to the waiting children or invite them to lead a song together. We have such diverse tastes in our classroom. Most of our students love a silly song to make them laugh (“The Goldfish” by The Laurie Berkner Band), many want to hear songs that their parents listen to (“Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club), some request educational songs (“Preparing for Winter” by Sara Jordan), a select few have become quite fixated on the song “Northwest Passage” by Stan Rogers.
They’re also fascinated by songs in other languages, whether Madame is singing to them in French (“Dans Mon Sac”) or we’re exploring languages from other countries (“Hello to All the Children of the World” by Wee Sing). It always impresses me how they identify the feelings or message of a song without understanding the words.
At recess, we’ve been listening to the song “Marble Machine” by Wintergaten, which has no words at all. The children will dance and move their bodies in time with the music or share the message they think the melody is telling.
Whether learning a new song, sharing a favorite, or creating something of their own, music is an important part of every day in our classrooms.
I hope you’ve had a lovely family day weekend and look forward to the coming week,
Ms. Dewey.
In a Montessori classroom, groups of children are often working on different topics within a subject area. Last week, the Elementary students explored several distinct but related topics in geography. Some are learning about the Work of Water, exploring how glaciers and rivers shape our land. Some are continuing their exploration of the Composition of the Earth, particularly how the layers of the atmosphere help to keep the Earth warm. The children studying the Work of Air performed an experiment to explore how land and sea breezes are created. As the children gain knowledge of a subject in different areas, they are often eager to share what they have learned with their classmates, giving them the opportunity to both learn from one another and to practice communicating what they know to others. This leads to some amazing conversations in the Elementary classroom!
Parent Education
We would like to welcome you to join us this coming Thursday, February 23, from 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. for a Parent Education session. We are excited to talk about the different aspects of our Arts program and demonstrate how art is used as a medium for exploration of all subjects.
Please note that all elementary students will be dismissed from the HAAA park on Charlton Ave. Students whose parents are attending the event are welcome to join the aftercare program and remain at the park until 4:30 p.m. When you arrive at the HAAA for pick-up please remember to sign out with the supervising staff.
Please email elementary@lyonsgate.ca to let us know if you are planning to attend the parent education session, and whether your child will be staying for childcare during the event. Thank you!
Summer Camp!
We are thrilled to announce that registration for our Montessori Summer Camp is now available! This July, Marissa and Michelle will be hosting two weeks of camp open to current and in-coming Elementary students.
We invite campers to join their friends for daily yoga, science, active games, and water play during both camp sessions. Each week of camp has a distinct theme with different activities for campers attending both sessions.
Please click here to register for summer camp!
Week 1: July 10- 14 Art Explorers: Draw, Sculpt, Shoot!
Work with a variety of mediums over the week to create a short video, as well as enjoying nature science, outdoor games, and visits to the HAAA splash pad!
Week 2: July 17 – 21 Around the World: Exploring the Seven Continents
Learn about the natural science and human history of each continent with experiments and stories, as well as enjoying art projects, outdoor games, and visits to the HAAA splash pad!
Essential Information
• Drop-off 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 am. / Pick-up 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
• Program runs from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• $325 per week, payment due upon registration by e-transfer or check made out to: Lyonsgate Montessori School Inc.
• Bring your own nut-free lunch and snacks, as well as a refillable water bottle
• Footwear with a closed toe is recommended! Swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes should be brought to camp daily by children choosing to get wet.
We look forward to summer adventures together!
