Lyonsgate Update Oct. 30, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families, and Happy Halloween Week!
We know that Halloween is a very exciting time for children. However, we ask that costumes and candy are not brought to school, and are saved for after-school fun with family and friends. Thank you.
Our Casa and Toddler students are also excited about their field trip to Puddicombe Farm tomorrow, and our Elementary students will be taking a trip to see the Brott Education Concert on Thursday.
As a Registered Early Childhood Educator working in a Montessori program I am at home with so many of the core values of my training. How Does Learning Happen, Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years shapes my day as children are viewed as “competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential. They grow up in families with diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. Every child should feel that he or she belongs, is a valuable contributor to his or her surroundings, and deserves the opportunity to succeed.”
The children are welcomed into Lyonsgate every morning through the lens of being valued members of our school community. They are encouraged and supported through self-help skills such as taking on/off their shoes and coats. (This may soon include mitts, snow pants, and boots!.) They take care of the classroom as they choose to mop up spills, seek out their own interests in the prepared environment, and then put their work away. At lunch we role model proper eating etiquette, scraping their plate when finished, and how to wash their face and hands. Children are afforded the time to try new skills, to make mistakes, and to try again.
Learning is viewed as an individual journey for each child and everyday we welcome the opportunity to be a part of it!
Vanessa Findlay.
Hello Casa Families,
I can’t believe we are already almost done our second month of school. We have been very busy in the classroom. We are all very excited for our upcoming field trip to the pumpkin patch on October 31.
In the classroom, we have been working on independence. Independence is very important to help children build their confidence. The children have been working on dressing themselves on their own when we are coming in or going outside, as well as when they need to change clothes. We allow the child personal pride in their skill to dress themselves. We also work on independence when eating by having the children serve themselves snack. Our whole day supports the child to do things independently.
“The child seeks for independence by means of work; an independence of body and mind.” — Maria Montessori.
The Casa Team.
Halloween
On Tuesday, the class will enjoy some Halloween fun in the classroom, learning about the holiday with some collaborative work and art exercises. Students celebrating Halloween should save their costumes for after school, and sweet treats for at home. Thank you.
Brott Education Concert — Thursday, November 2
On Thursday, the whole class will be traveling by chartered school bus to the First Ontario Concert Hall for this year’s Brott Education Concert: The Search for the Magic of Music. We will be attending the 11:30 a.m. performance, and returning to school for a late lunch and the afternoon work cycle. All students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt for this event!
LRS Conferences — Friday, November 17
Our next P.D. Day is Friday, November 17. Our learning resource specialist, Kim Fiocca, will be available for conferences with parents. If your child regularly works with Kim, you’ll receive an email to sign-up for a conference time slot in the coming weeks. Child care is available for students whose parents are in conference.
from the Classroom Historians
“This student was working on language work with the pronoun grammar boxes.”
“This is the carpet of beads. It shows all the times tables.”
“A first-year was working on decorating his art portfolio.”
“He is playing on the xylophone. I think he was playing Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.”
“This sixth-year is working on geometry with the box of sticks.”
Polly and Hugo.
Lyonsgate Update Oct. 23, 2023
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
For our Casa and Toddler parents this week:
- A new hot lunch menu will be in effect on Monday, Oct. 30. The lunch menu is available under your “Parents” tab: https://lyonsgate.ca/lyonsgate-lunch-menu/ (you can find out which lunch week it is on your Lyonsgate calendar)
- Please see the Casa section of last week’s update for details of an Oct. 31 field trip for Casa and Toddler students (RSVP is required): https://lyonsgate.ca/updates-announcements/lyonsgate-update-oct-16-2023/#casa
Elementary parents, please see the Elementary section for a number of upcoming important dates.
Thank you to all the families that were able to attend the Parent Education session last week. The topic was “Help Me to Do It Myself: The Role of Practical Life in the Montessori Classroom.” We talked about how to involve children in daily domestic tasks. It was especially wonderful to hear the great ideas for practical life in the home environment that were shared by the parents! One child is helping to prepare food and another is helping to feed the pet dog each day. Small children develop an enormous sense of pride by doing important work in their environment.
The phrase “Help me to do it myself” reminds us that they still need help on the journey towards independence. Think creatively about what parts of their routine they can participate in. Could they finish zipping up their jacket? Could they close the velcro straps on their shoes? Could they help to add ingredients to a baking project? It will most certainly take longer to accomplish the task but it promises to be more peaceful, and more fun.
Ms. Gervais.
Greetings from Casa,
Last Thursday, we held our first Casa parent get-together where we were happy to share our understanding and practice regarding the importance of “The Secret of Childcare.” In a word, this secret is really all about the practice and outcomes of consistency in the daily lives of your children.
We outlined how and why we work at maintaining consistent schedules and routines, particularly during transitions from one space or activity to another in our classrooms. These times of transition included: drop off, lunch, nap, recess, as well as toileting. The parents in attendance shared their own experiences at home, along with some great tips.
Briefly, we know that children adapt quickly to routines when they are consistently practised; they feel secure when they know what to expect and when boundaries are familiar. They may not always (or ever) express appreciation for them, but they do function much better when they are in place. Children settle into regular patterns, relax, and begin to make more and more intellectual, social, and physical progress.
Notes regarding clothing — please leave umbrellas at home, avoid knit gloves and mittens (water resistant are best), and check how independent they can be with dressing and undressing themselves. Please label everything.
We hope to see you at the next get-together,
The Casa Team.
Due to the P.D. Day last Friday, photos and captions from the Classroom Historians will be included in our next weekly update. Please read below for other announcements and dates to keep in mind. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!
Marissa and Michelle.
Scholastic
Your child recently brought home a Scholastic book flyer, offering discounts on books for families and encouraging a love of reading. If you would like to be included in our October shipment, please place your family’s online Scholastic order by Thursday, October 26th. Orders placed from the October flyer after that date will be included in our November shipment.
When you place an order online, your family’s order will be grouped together into one class shipment, and all the books will be sent to the school. We’ll let you know when your order has arrived. Please let us know if there are any surprise or gift items in your order you would like to be kept hidden from your child and we’ll set it aside for you to pick up discreetly.
Upper Elementary Outing — Thursday, October 26
Upper Elementary students are reminded to be prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, their Presto card, and comfortable footwear for this month’s outing. The students will be taking public transit up the escarpment and hiking back down to the lower city using the Bruce Trail. Students are welcome to bring along a simple nut-free snack and light-weight water bottle.
Brott Education Concert — Thursday, November 2
We are very excited for the upcoming Brott Education Concert! The whole class will be travelling by chartered school bus to the First Ontario Concert Hall for a morning with the orchestra and their special program, “The Search for the Magic of Music.” Students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts on field trips.
LRS Conferences — Friday, November 17
Our next P.D. Day is Friday, November 17. Our learning resource specialist, Kim Fiocca, will be available for conferences with parents. If your child regularly works with Kim, you’ll receive an email to sign-up for a conference time slot in the coming weeks.
Lyonsgate Update Oct. 16, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week: we have Parent Education events for both Toddler and Casa parents. Please see the Toddler and Casa sections for details:
- Toddler Parent Education: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 3:00-3:30.
- Casa Parent Education: Thursday, Oct. 19, 3:45-4:30 (RSVP is required).
This Friday, Oct. 20, is a PD Day and both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
Coming up:
- Casa and Toddler Families, please see the Casa section for details of a field trip on Tuesday, Oct. 31. RSVP is required.
Maria Montessori believed that each generation of children had an enormous potential to change the world and make it a better, more peaceful place to live. Our small Toddler Community is a microcosm of the wider world. It is the ideal place and time to learn interpersonal skills, respect for basic human rights, and how to communicate effectively to resolve conflicts. This part of the curriculum is referred to as grace and courtesy. It is invisibly woven into all of our interactions within the environment and it offers the opportunity to build a foundation for peace.
Small children are offered lessons on how to respect the creatures in our aquarium by not tapping on the glass, how to move about a crowded room, how to greet a friend, how to observe someone while they are working, how to ask for a turn with an activity, how to tidy up after meal, how to place the bowl into the bin quietly, how to reset an activity and return it to the shelf with the next person in mind. These are all ways of being in the world that are other-regarding, and these lessons can begin the moment a child is born. We communicate with respect by the way we handle them and care for them and speak to them. They study us as we interact with each other in our environment and when they begin to participate in the world we gently guide them towards respectful ways of communicating. We are working towards a peaceful environment within the Toddler Community and we hope that one day these young children with their small daily gestures of respect for other living things might create a more peaceful world.
Ms. Gervais.
Parent Education
Topic: “Help me to Do it Myself” — The role of Practical Life activities in the Toddler environment.
Why are the children washing tables and mopping the floor and what does it have to do with education? These seemingly mundane domestic tasks actually help to develop the whole child and prepare them for academic pursuits in the future. How are these activities presented in the toddler classroom? How can this kind of work be incorporated as part of the routine at home?
When arriving for your Parent education event, please enter the school via the grey door off the parking lot (rain day door) and avoid the temptation to peek into the playground or pop by to wave before entering. Thank you.
My name is Ms. Kathy Canessa. I am the English assistant in Casa North.
It’s so hard to believe we are already half-way through the second month of school.
Time passes very quickly in our classrooms. The children consistently amaze us with their new skills and newfound independence. Maria Montessori knew what she was talking about when she said, “Play is the work of the child.” When children are given the opportunity to choose their activity, explore with time, and have their own personal space their learning potential explodes, not only academically but also sensorially, verbally, and they find their own sense of pride and confidence.
As we head into the colder months, we expect an explosion of independence with dressing skills. Some might even master their own zipper. Please remember to dress your child in layers so that it is much easier for the child to regulate their own needs for warm or cold. They can then choose to add a sweater or just wear a t-shirt in the class.
I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are looking forward to this school year and watching your children blossom before our eyes.
Ms. Canessa.
Parent Education
Topic: “The Secret of Child Care.”
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/D3ZhsQ22GU3R3XGA7
When arriving for your Parent education event, please enter the school via the grey door off the parking lot (rain day door) and avoid the temptation to peek into the playground or pop by to wave before entering. Thank you.
Field Trip, Tuesday, Oct. 31
Casa and Toddler students will be spending the morning at Puddicombe Farms where they will enjoy a train ride, a tractor ride, and a visit to the pumpkin patch.
Cost is $20/student.
Toddlers will require a parent or guardian to attend the field trip with them. Toddler families can meet us at Puddicombe Farms at 10:00 (the programming starts at 10:15). Toddlers can leave at 11:45 and return to Lyonsgate for 12:30 for lunch & nap, if you so choose.
Casa students will travel to and from Puddicombe by school bus. The bus will depart Lyonsgate at 9:30 a.m.
If your Casa child will not be attending the field trip, they may attend school for the afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m., if you so choose.
Please RSVP by Oct. 26 if your child will be joining us on the field trip using this form: https://forms.gle/C1z7LiH8nN7GjcL29
Be sure to check the weather forecast on the day of the field trip and ensure your child is dressed for the weather. This is a rain or shine event (no costumes please).
Each child will receive a gourd-size pumpkin.
Weekly Updates
from the Montessori Guides:
It was a pleasure to have so many families join us for our Parent Education discussion on “Freedom and Self-Discipline!” It was great to see parents sharing stories and strategies as we collaborate to support the children in developing these parts of their character. Don’t forget to save the date for our next Parent Education event on Thursday, February 15. Meanwhile, students have been busy with new literature circles, Hallowe’en songs, compasses and protractors, and investigating a wide variety of animals!
Marissa and Michelle.
from the Classroom Historians:
“A first-year girl is writing in her journal while her brother is writing in his journal next to her.”
“Two biology partners are sorting out labels that connect to photographs of sea creatures that don’t have backbones.”
“A third-year girl is painting many different colours with tempera.”
“This girl loves to read about fairies and she really likes this book!”
“A second-year student is drawing a pink kitty.”
Hannah J. and Caden.
Lyonsgate Update Oct. 10, 2023
Happy Monday Tuesday Lyonsgate Families,
Hope everyone had a fantastic long weekend.
- Elementary parents: be sure to check the Elementary section for details of your first Parent Education event of the school year, this Thursday, Oct. 12.
- Toddler Parent Education will take place next Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 3:00-3:30.
- Casa Parent Education will be next Thursday, Oct. 19, from 3:45-4:30.
- The next PD Day of the school year is Friday, Oct. 20. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
- Please remember to label everything. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving Toddler Families,
In the Toddler environment, the children are saying “thank you” in whatever way they can, and in new ways too. Throughout the day, and especially during meals, the toddlers are encouraged to say “please” and “thank you” to the best of their ability. Some young members of our community use sign language and some others are able to say “thank you” and some can now say “merci.”
We are grateful for all of their hard work everyday and we are also grateful for the honour to be able to spend time with them each day and watch them grow into thoughtful, good human beings along the way. The Toddler environment is an excellent place to begin to acquire the skills of grace and courtesy. It certainly makes for a more pleasant and peaceful place to be.
We have been noticing colourful leaves drift into the playground each day. If you find any interesting leaves in your travels with your toddler and they would like to bring them into the classroom we can press them in our leaf/flower press and perhaps use them in an art activity in the future.
I hope that everyone has had a restful and cozy weekend!
Ms. Gervais.
Bonjour Tout le Monde!
Je suis Mme Renée Perazzo, l’assistante française dans Casa South. C’est incroyable, nous voici déjà en mi-octobre.
I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.
It has been wonderful getting to know the new children and welcoming back our returning friends too.
At the beginning of the school year my primary focus is to help the children become comfortable and familiar with the routines and expectations of the classroom. I’m glad to say that the children are adjusting well. I’m looking forward to engaging them with more French lessons, stories, songs, and activities as we continue with our fall session.
Bonne semaine!
Everyone had a fantastic day at the Annual Charity Run at La Salle Park! The students demonstrated excellent sporting conduct in supporting their classmates in their personal goals, as well as celebrating the successes of children from other schools. Some of our students’ goals included the courage to participate, persevering through the whole course — 1.5 km for younger students, 2 km for older students — or improving their ranking from a previous year. The day was so much fun that many children are already training for next year.
All of the children are happily learning new songs to sing, creating impromptu bands with rhythm instruments, and finding friends who can read music on the staff to play a melody. The lower elementary students joyously ended the week with a P.E. class on cooperative games, while the upper elementary students had a lot of fun learning about media literacy and creating collages in their OWL workshop.
Warmly,
Marissa and Michelle.
From the Classroom Historians
“Two kids are sweeping the carpet. One of them is teaching the other one.”
“One girl is playing whiffle ball and the teacher is giving her tips.”
“One little girl is dusting the window and there’s another girl close to her that’s teaching her how to. People made Every Child Matters shirts.”
“There are a bunch of kids who worked on a little sea creature chart and they tried to remember names of echinoderms.”
“A little boy is learning to write in his journal by himself.”
Hannah J. and Caden.
Parent Education
Our first Elementary Parent Education event will be taking place after school on Thursday, October 12th from 3:30 – 4:15. Please join your Montessori guides, Marissa and Michelle, as they discuss the topic of Freedom and Self-Discipline in the Elementary Child.
Please note, 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 the aftercare program (with no charge) until the end of the event. These students will return to the Elementary campus at 4:30.
All other students will be dismissed from the HAAA park between 3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Please email elementary@lyonsgate.ca with how many adults are planning to attend, and whether you require Elementary or Casa child care that day, by Wednesday, October 11.
Lyonsgate Update Oct. 2, 2023
Happy Monday Lyonsgate Families,
Next Monday, Oct. 9, is the Thanksgiving Holiday and both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
Please see below for photos and updates from your children’s Montessori environments:
Toddlers are on the move!
Toddlers are naturally inclined to be on the move. Physical movement helps to develop the brain, build strength and coordination, and it encourages an awareness of other people. Movement is a part of every moment of every day in the Toddler Montessori environment. The children work to perfect their movement with a purpose in mind. They enter the school and climb a set of stairs, then they use their fine motor skills to unclip their backpack, reach and hang it up on a hook, after which they find their indoor shoes and switch them for their outdoor shoes. Inside the classroom, the children participate in the daily work of watering the plants, mopping the floor, and moving the furniture when it is time to transform the room for snack time. These movements of practical life and met with enthusiasm and have many benefits. I often find myself moving a table with two or three other children! By performing intelligent work with a purpose behind it children build strength and coordination in their bodies, and develop a strong sense of self by forming a connection to their community.
“All natural work like this has a higher purpose. It develops character. We must understand that if we give children this active life with a great many motives of activity, activities that have a useful purpose, the children perfect their movements… You cannot have effort without interest and purpose. There is no interest if the intelligence does not cooperate. The person must be interested. If the person is not unified he will not be interested. So we must have interest first and then work with an intelligent purpose, work that is freely chosen by the individual.” Movement and Character, Maria Montessori.
Ms. Gervais.
Bonjour,
My name is Fatia Murati and I’m the French language assistant for Casa North. This will be my eleventh year at Lyonsgate.
It has been exciting starting a new school year, getting to see our returning students and how much they have grown over the summer, and also meeting all our amazing new students.
Only a couple of weeks have passed since the start of school and I can confidently say that our students have already made a lot of progress. The first-year students who made those big eyes when I just said “Bonjour” at the beginning now feel much more comfortable hearing French and are all able to answer, “Bonjour, comment ça va?” with “Ça va bien!” They are also really enjoying French songs.
It fills my heart with joy every single day to see the second and third year students helping, encouraging, and translating for the first years. C’est juste formidable! I couldn’t wish for a better crew.
Looking forward to a wonderful school year!
Mme Murati.
Thursday, October 5: Annual Run for Charity
The whole class will be traveling by chartered school bus to La Salle Park in Burlington for an Annual Run for Charity hosted by Fairview Glen Montessori School. This year’s event will be in support of the Red Cross Canadian Wildfire Relief, with Lyonsgate making a donation on behalf of each elementary student. Additional donations are always welcome.
On the day of the event, students will be grouped with others of the same school year and gender from five different Montessori schools to complete a fun trail run through the woods. Staff from each school will be along the well-marked route to guide students and offer encouragement along the way! Following the race, the students will enjoy an outdoor lunch and playtime at the park before a short awards ceremony. Students will return to school for the remainder of the afternoon. Please help your child remember to wear their red Lyonsgate shirt that day, along with packing a healthy litter-less lunch and full water bottle.
Weekly Update
Last week students were busy studying and researching different forms of life. They classified organisms from the five classes of the animal kingdom and compared different types of invertebrates. They learned about the characteristics of different species of humans.
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our younger students heard the Anishinaabe creation story of Turtle Island or explored the meaning of the seven sacred teachings. These stories were the creative inspiration for an art display of paper orange shirts decorated by the children to affirm that every child matters and an appreciation for the traditions, history, and modern experience of Indigenous peoples. Older students worked with the Timeline of Canadian History to explore when Europeans first arrived here, who returned as settlers, and important differences between European and Indigenous cultures. They participated in a discussion of the government’s intended purpose in establishing residential schools, and some of the harms that Indigenous children experienced as a result.
The Upper Elementary students were thrilled to begin navigating the city using public transit, travelling to the Westdale branch of the public library. They were delighted to browse the larger collection, test out the children’s learning software, and even stage a few puppet shows.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!
Marissa and Michelle.
Lyonsgate Update Sept. 25, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week:
- Casa and Toddler vaccine history forms are due back to Lyonsgate today. Thank you.
- This Friday, Sept. 29, is a PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
Free Cars!
- Lyonsgate has three of these little cars that are available to good homes on a first-come, first-served basis. Please let us know at admin@lyonsgate.ca if you would like one:
[Please note: back to school germs have hit staff as well as kids; we’ll have more Toddler photos next week]
Greetings Toddler Families,
This week in the Toddler community, we welcomed a new member to our classroom. We invited Kelly the snail to live in our aquarium along with our beta fish, Oscar. She has been delighting us and surprizing us all week. She is very graceful and peaceful. The children in the classroom have been observing as she explores the tank and eats the lettuce floating on the top of the water. “She is moving!” She is a lot more active than we anticipated.
Our small community has begun to feel like home and we are starting to find a nice flow. Many of our new friends are arriving at school with enthusiasm and joyful spirits, ready to explore. We are enjoying all of the helping hands throughout the day. Toddlers are almost always enthusiastic to help with the daily routine. We include them in trips to the kitchen to carry bins of dishes, or select items for our snack, they help to rearrange furniture before lunch and help to lift and stack the beds at the end of the day. All of these tasks help to build their sense of belonging in our small community and also help to build their gross motor strength at the same time. By doing important work in the environment, a small person can begin to build self esteem.
“In reality it is useful to repeat. It is only their bodies that are small, not their minds or ability to do things.” Understanding the Human Being, The Importance of the First Three Years of Life, Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro, M.D.
Ms. Gervais.
Good Morning Casa Families!
My name is Jessica Dewey and I’m the English Assistant for Casa South. This will be my fourth year at Lyonsgate and my second year in Casa South full time. It has been lovely reconnecting with our returning students and getting to know each new child in the class.
In early education we talk a lot about the developmental phases that children go through: critical learning periods, physical growth and needs, what to expect, and what to watch out for. Each age has its own joys and challenges but I have to say that the three years a child is in Casa are my favorite. Each little person has their own unique interests and abilities, yet they do tend to follow certain patterns which can be especially apparent at the start of the school year.
The oldest children who have usually been in this class for two years exhibit a comfort with the routines and staff, settling into working and learning quickly. Many take to leadership easily and will help and mentor younger students. While they’re often hungry for new, difficult work, it’s not unusual to see them practicing foundational skills from time to time.
The middle group, typically second year students, are also quite comfortable returning but may need reminders about classroom etiquette. This age group is quite focused on their social development. So many of their skills are tied to peer interactions: verbal communication, social problem solving, collaboration, competition, sharing interests. For adults, it’s important to recognize this driving need and guide it appropriately.
Finally, our youngest students, whether new to the school or moving up from the Toddler class, always bring fresh personalities to the classroom. For these children everything is new. They may feel eagerness or trepidation, but I would say their first weeks are most characterized by the wonder of discovery. Many need extra care and patience as they become accustomed to the pace and expectations of the classroom, but they all find a welcome place in our community.
It is a teacher’s privilege to observe these patterns over years and become closely acquainted with each child and family in our care.
Thank you for trusting us and thank you for reading,
Ms. Dewey.
[Casa North Families: please note that there is a cinnamon allergy in Casa North; please ensure if cinnamon is enjoyed for breakfast that hands are washed before arriving at school. Thank you.]
Thursday, September 28 — Upper Elementary Outing
Upper Elementary students will be traveling by city bus to the Westdale branch of the public library. They will have a tour of the library and lessons with the librarians on how to effectively use the catalogue system. Please support your Upper Elementary child in developing a system at home to remember their red Lyonsgate shirt and bus fare or Presto card for Upper Elementary outings.
Thursday, October 5 — Annual Run for Charity
The whole class will be traveling by chartered school bus to La Salle Park in Burlington for an Annual Run for Charity hosted by Fairview Glen Montessori School. This year’s event will be in support of the Red Cross Canadian Wildfire Relief, with Lyonsgate making a donation on behalf of each Elementary student. Additional donations are always welcome.
On the day of the event, students will be grouped with others of the same age and gender from five different Montessori schools to complete a fun trail run through the woods. Staff from each school will be along the well-marked route to guide students and offer encouragement along the way! Following race, the students will enjoy an outdoor lunch and playtime at the park before a short awards ceremony. Students will return to school for the remainder of the afternoon. Please help your child remember to wear their red Lyonsgate shirt that day, along with packing a healthy litter-less lunch and full water bottle.
Weekly Update
From the Guides
Following stories of the creation of the universe and the emergence of life on Earth, the children receive the third Great Lesson: The Coming of Humans. This oral tale emphasizes three distinct gifts possessed by humans that have enabled them to thrive and develop complex cultures: the head, the hand, and the heart. The children are asked to consider the many ways in which they use their mind: to wonder, to imagine, to think. Attention is called to the special role of human hands, freed to work and create, thanks to our ability to walk on two limbs instead of four. Finally, the children honour their heart, not only as an organ to circulate blood, but as a symbol of their great human ability to love. The children were then presented with the Timeline of Early Humans, learning about other members of the genus Homo, and how they met their needs thousands of years ago. We look forward to many more investigations of the diversity of life on Earth.
Marissa and Michelle.
From the Classroom Historians
Some students made a model of Pompeii.
Others use the slappers to slap the word Anne said in French.
This is when a 5th year student is reading to her sister and best friend. They like the pictures.
A reading circle with Danielle sharing the story of The Littles.
“I made a dinosaur and a tree. To make those leaves I usually make a ball and then squish it down and make the shape I want it to be.” – Edmée
Pippa and Edmée.
Lyonsgate Update Sept. 18, 2023
Happy Monday Lyonsgate Families,
The school year is well underway and Lyonsgate students are settling back into the school routine. A couple of reminders:
- Casa and Toddler students’ Public Health vaccine history forms are due back to Lyonsgate on Monday, Sept. 25
- The first PD Day of the school year is on Friday, Sept. 29.
Please check your Lyonsgate calendar regularly for up to date events, details, and information.
Greetings Toddler Parents,
In the Toddler classroom, we have been observing both new and returning toddlers adjust to the routine of coming to school each day and all of their hard work has begun to pay off. Many children are actively taking part in their day by putting their backpack on the hook, placing their outdoor shoes in their cubbies, and retrieving their indoor shoes. They are taking care of themselves and keeping track of their personal items.
Small children feel most comfortable in an environment when they are included in the daily routine. At this point of the year, we are talking a lot about what is coming next in the routine. It is reassuring for our new toddlers to be informed about what is happening.
Thank you to all of the toddlers who are doing the hard work of adapting to a new environment. Thank you to all of the returning toddlers who are helping to take care of the environment and model the routine for their new friends, and thank you to all of the parents and caregivers who continue to trust us. Thank you for believing in your children and their ability to do hard things!
Ms. Gervais.
Hello Casa Families!
We had another busy week in the Casa classrooms. It was a great first week as a full class. Many new friendships have been made in the classroom and on the playground. Our returning students have been great at helping the new children in our class with our daily routine, showing them activities around the classroom, and making sure they feel included and welcome.
We have been practicing a lot of grace and courtesy this week and getting back into our routines of the classroom. We have been working on using our manners, tucking in our chairs, not interrupting others, and covering our mouth when sneezing and coughing.
We had a very successful picture day. It was wonderful to see the children’s beautiful smiles. We are looking forward to continuing getting to know your children and making memories with them this year!
The Casa Team.
The class had a wonderful week making connections between geography and biology. They received the second Great Lesson, which introduces the emergence of unicellular life in the oceans, and the need for balance between the elements. Many students received safety training for the science materials, and were thrilled to be given a lab license for conducting experiments.
Marissa and Michelle.
From the Classroom Historians
Last week we did the second great lesson, and it was on the coming of life. After that lesson we learned about birds and flying. Some other people worked on geometry with angles. The fourth years learned about the story of elements. To end this week we did a huge human knot with everybody.
Beck and Colin.
Lyonsgate Update Sept. 11, 2023
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
We regularly publish general updates from each of our Montessori levels to keep you up to date on what’s going on in the classrooms and the school in general, as well as reminders and other bits of important school info. You will also find a gallery of photos from the previous week so you can see what the students have been up to in all of the classrooms.
What a fantastic week in the Toddler classroom!
It was lovely to welcome our returning students. We are thankful for their help in role-modelling the routine and the materials to our new students.
The half day visits with the new toddlers were a great success.
We look forward to this week when we will all be together in engaging in purposeful work & joyful learning.
Please remember to send indoor shoes,extra clothes (please label everything!), and send us a digital photo of your family for our family album.
Mrs. Elise Gervais.
Greetings Casa Families,
We’re off and running into a new school year with plenty of smiles, a few tears, and no doubt some early nights. It’s been so good to welcome returning faces and greet new ones, to see how much children have grown, and how happy they are to join their classrooms.
The returning children are really stepping up to fulfill their role as mentors and guides for their newer classmates. We have already observed connections in the making, sharing of knowledge, and helping hands in action. Learning to lead and leading to learn are truly processes we witness (and do) on a daily basis.
This week, we will welcome our remaining students to complete our classrooms and form our micro-communities in both classrooms as well as the larger one that includes all our Casa children. The outdoor space is a whirlwind of activity with all those energetic bodies interacting and making up games as they build strong bodies and friendships.
As always, we thank you for all your support, especially at this time of transition, and look forward to getting to know all of you more throughout the year.
See you at the gate,
The Casa Team.
The Elementary class had a wonderful first week of school! They welcomed six children moving up from Casa, conducting small group interviews, drawing life-size posters, and presenting their new friends to the rest of the class. They’ve enjoyed team-building exercises such as relay races and obstacles courses, returned to daily practice in reading and writing, and were eager for new lessons in math and geometry. The whole class came together for the dramatic telling of the first Great Lesson: The Creation of the Universe, sowing the seeds of interest for further study of the laws of physics, the planets, and the composition of our own Earth.
As part of the students’ rotating contributions to their classroom community, our weekly update will sometimes include a description and photographs prepared by our classroom historians. Please continue reading below for your weekly update from Colin and Beck.
Marissa and Michelle.
From the Classroom Historians
This week Danielle taught a couple first years how to use the basketball material in the backyard. Some of the fourth and fifth years made an indigenous village out of plasticine. Danielle gave everyone a physical education lesson. (Everyone agreed it was very fun). The snack that day was very tasty. Kim gave lots of people lessons and everybody loves Kim. Two of the fourth years did a huge math problem on the checkerboard, trust me it was huge, it got up to the trillions. That is the stuff that has been happening this week.
Colin and Beck.
Welcome to the Lyonsgate 2023.2024 School Year
Hello Lyonsgate Montessori Families,
We wish to extend a genuine, warm welcome to all of our new and returning students and families for the 2023.2024 school year. We hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer and are ready to embrace the school year ahead.
We have been excitedly preparing the school and classroom environments to welcome and inspire your children. The staff are now eagerly waiting to greet new students and to see how much the returning students have grown and changed over the last two months. We always marvel at the progress the children have made over the summer holidays!
We know how special a time it is for a child when they start school. New teachers and new faces can be overwhelming at first, but with consistency and patience you will see a transition to comfort, confidence, and joy in learning.
As always, we thank you for entrusting us with your precious children, and we appreciate the opportunity to work alongside them, learn together, and marvel at their progress as they blossom into the special people they are meant to be. We hope you and your children are looking forward to this school year with great eagerness. We certainly are!
Thank you,
Rachel Lyons, principal
Sarah Kennedy, vice-principal
Last Day of School Visitor
We had a beautiful surprise visitor for the last day of school today. A fledgling bird that is also taking its first steps, and flaps, into the wider world came to visit during recess:
