Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
This coming weekend is the Easter (very) long weekend. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed on Good Friday, April 18, and on Easter Monday, April 21.
Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:
Hello Toddler Families,
Flower Arranging is an integral part of the Montessori pedagogy. This activity is steeped in sensory learning as children feel the stiff stems and soft petals of the flower, delight in filling up pitchers with water, and choosing which colourful blooms to put together. The child then takes a doily and finds a special place in the classroom to place their arrangement, enjoying the flower’s scent as it fills the classroom. This activity aids in the development of hand-eye coordination and refinement of fine motor skills. A sense of order and joy are instilled in the child as they feel purpose in taking care of and beautifying their environment. Thank you to our families for signing up for flower donations; it is a meaningful activity that is enjoyed and appreciated by all.
Vanessa Findlay.
Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions
April showers bring… Sometimes snow!
It’s hard to believe we are halfway through April. Where did March go? The children have been excited to tell us about their March break adventures and the upcoming long weekend. The classroom has returned to its regular hum, and the children happily work on activities they missed during the break. They have grown and become more independent with dressing skills, social interactions, and problem-solving.
With the weather changing daily, we encourage dressing in layers and looking ahead to the weather forecast. Snow pants are great for keeping warm but not good when it’s wet out. Splash pants are great for the rain but aren’t usually very warm. Sometimes, light little gloves can help keep their hands warm when it can be chilly in the morning. It’s a challenging season for dressing our children, but we will do our best to ensure they are comfortable throughout the day.
I’d also encourage families to take time out and look around. The grass is turning green, crocuses have come up from the ground, and trees have many buds. We have also seen the activities of the squirrels around us and listened to the birds as they prepare their nest to hopefully have babies when the weather gets a little warmer.
Thank you so much for sharing your children with us and allowing us the privilege to watch them grow.
Ms. Canessa.
Click to book a parent observation in: Casa North | Casa South
Click to view and/or sign up for flower contributions in: Casa North | Casa South
The students had a wonderful time last week working on their stick-handling skills at their first P.E. classes with Raya, enjoying relays, games such as knock-out or treasure hunters, as well as an around-the-world challenge. Studies in ecology also continued, with explorations of biodegradability and air pollution, and the study of different types of maps. The children were delighted to hear stories of the first Passover, and to learn a song about the ten plagues of Egypt. We are looking forward to some spring crafting this week as we head toward the long weekend and celebrations of Passover and Easter. Crocheting and knitting continue to be very popular in the classroom, and we will happily accept donations of any stray balls of yarn leftover from family projects to keep their needles working!
Warmly,
Marissa and Michelle.
Wednesday, April 16: Upper Elementary P.E. Outing – Ultimate Frisbee
The Upper Elementary students will travel by public bus to visit Dundas Valley Montessori School for a fun-filled day of community building and ultimate frisbee. Students in Years 4–6 should come prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, litterless lunch and water bottle, and Presto card or bus fare. The group will leave campus at 8:45 a.m. sharp to travel by public bus to Dundas, and will not return to campus until dismissal time.
Wednesday, April 23: Upper Elementary Outing – LIVELab at McMaster University
The Upper Elementary students will be visiting the LIVELab at McMaster University, a research-based performance theatre with acoustic controls to replicate different types of venues, as well as technology to measure the neurological activity and physical responses of performers. Students in Years 4–6 should come prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, and Presto card or bus fare.
