Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week’s classroom update comes from Lyonsgate’s Elementary program and is a beautiful illustration of the interconnectedness of human and natural life in celebration of Earth Day. Casa families can find sign-up for Show and Share, taking place May 5, 6, and 7, in the sections below. The Toddler class is also looking for some spring cleaning donations; details are below. Lyonsgate staff at all levels were busy observing classrooms at other Montessori schools on Friday morning before returning to share new ideas, innovations, and inspirations.
There is no photo gallery this week; our apologies.
This Week’s Classroom Update
The spring term is always a beautiful time in the Elementary environment, as warm breezes entice students into the outdoor classroom and toward new questions and discoveries in the natural world. The class has been busy investigating all forms of life the past few weeks, from preparing the soil in the garden and raising seedlings, to studies in plant and human reproduction.
Younger students are introduced to early work in botany through hands-on gardening and simple plant experiments to observe key concepts and learn about the scientific process. To investigate the fundamental needs of plants, a group took four viola specimens and created variable conditions for each, including a control plant. Each day the group met to discuss and draw their observations of the plants given either no water, no light, or no heat, as well as a plant that received all three. They were excited to see the impact of different conditions on their plants and, after a week of observations, the young botanists are now trying to nurse the plants back to health by providing their basic needs.
Older students continued their botanical studies by learning more about flowers, ovaries, and fruits, and had a lot of fun cutting up fruits to make botanical drawings, and eating their models afterwards. They then turned from Kingdom Plantae back to the animal world, learning about human conception, gestation, and birth in an O.W.L. workshop. They were thrilled to welcome a visitor to class, Lyonsgate parent Jackie Weatherill, who has a background in public health and midwife education, and brought along fun props including a plastic pelvis, fabric placenta, and a baby doll complete with an amniotic sac. The students had a great time learning about the process of birth, including the interaction between the pressure of the baby’s skull and the release of oxytocin to strengthen contractions for delivery.
In recognition of Earth Day, everyone in the class heard “The Story of Coal,” learning more details about the Carboniferous period and the origin of fossil fuels. This is the starting point for further conversations about compost and recycling, the historical and environmental impacts of fossil fuels, and the pursuit of cleaner energy sources for the future. Through studies of geology, botany, zoology, and human history, students discover the wondrous life cycles of our planet, where matter and energy are never lost, but rather become part of something new. From this idea of constancy and transformation, students discover the role they can play in conservation and stewardship of the natural world.
Please click the links below for important dates from your children’s levels and other valuable information:
Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates [find Flower Contribution sign-up links there too]
Elementary Upcoming Important Dates
Check your Lyonsgate calendar regularly for up to date events and information. You can add the school calendar to your own by clicking the “+” at bottom left on mobile or “Add to Google Calendar” on desktop.
Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information
- May 5, 6, and 7: Casa Show and Share. Please click here to select a Show and Share visit in your child’s class.
- Friday May 15: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates
- Toddler Donation Requests: If Spring cleaning is happening at your home there are a few things that our classroom would love to give new purpose to:
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- Our extra clothes bin could use replenishing: t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and pants size 18 months-3T; rain boots or a rain jacket would also be welcome as we use these to practice in the classroom.
- Magazines: travel, cooking, sports, gardening.
- Bars of travel size soap.
- Outside toys: lawnmowers, wheelbarrows, small play wagons or push/pull toys.
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- May 5, 6, and 7: Casa Show and Share. Please select a Show and Share visit date in your child’s class:
- Friday May 15: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
Casa Parent Observations: Casa North Observations | Casa South Observations
If you are able, please choose a week or two throughout the school year to contribute a bouquet of fresh cut flowers to your child’s class: Toddler | Casa North | Casa South
Elementary Upcoming Important Dates
- Monday, April 27: Food Drive Collection Bag Delivery. Students will be delivering grocery collection bags to nearby residences in preparation for the annual Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association Food Drive in support of Mission Services. Students are asked to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts while delivering the collection bags. Families who wish to contribute to our collection bag at school are welcome to send in nut-free goods by Friday, May 1.
- Tuesday, April 28: Upper Elementary Outing to Central Library. The Upper Elementary students have planned a return outing to Central library to make use of the Hamilton archives on site and conduct further research for their provinces and territories assignment or personal projects. They are planning to leave campus around 9:00 a.m., work at the library through the morning, and stop at the Farmer’s Market or food court for lunch. Upper Elementary students who wish to attend this outing are welcome to bring a packed lunch to eat on the outing, or money to purchase their lunch. Attending students are kindly reminded to bring their Presto card or bus fare for travel.
- Wednesday, April 29: P.E. at Soccer World. Students will return to Soccer World on Frid Street for a P.E. class on baseball. The class will be departing campus at the start of the afternoon work cycle and walking to and from the sports dome as a group. Students are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts and to tie back long hair.
- Friday, May 1: O.W.L. Workshop #8 – Decisions and Actions. Students in Years 4-7 will be attending an O.W.L. workshop about making healthy decisions related to intimacy and relationships through group discussion, self-reflection questions, and role play. They are kindly reminded to complete the reading assignment found at the end of their follow-up activity for Workshop 7 before class on Friday.
- Friday May 15: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
Elementary Parent Observations: Parents are welcome to email elementary@lyonsgate.ca to arrange a classroom observation time, at least one week in advance please. Observations take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 9:00-11:30. (Other days and times may be available if needed). You will be observing the whole Elementary environment and classroom, not solely your own child.