Happy Monday Morning Lyonsgate Families,
Just a few things as we embark upon the last week of school before the winter break:
- Registration for the 2024.2025 school year is due today for returning Lyonsgate Montessori students and any siblings that may be starting school. Please see the email “2024.2025 Lyonsgate Registration” sent Dec. 5 for the registration form link and info.
- This Friday, Dec. 22, is the last day of the fall term. The winter term begins on Monday, Jan. 8. Have a fantastic time together with family, friends, and your wonderful children.
- Please drop off any items for the Salvation Army toy drive by the end of the day today. New, unwrapped toys, games, puzzles, or books are very much appreciated for the holiday season.
Hello Toddler Parents & Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well during this festive season. As we embrace the joys of the holidays, we wanted to share the enriching experiences and learning moments your children have been enjoying in our Montessori Toddler program.
Exploration and Independence: Our Montessori environment continues to foster a love for exploration and independence among our young learners. Through carefully curated materials and guidance from our teachers, the children are encouraged to follow their interests, develop their skills, and discover the world around them at their own pace.
Music:
“Music is key for refining a child’s auditory sense. The Montessori sensorial curriculum begins this work, but music brings much more complex stimuli, teaching a child to understand different qualities of sound: colour, volume, tone. This enhances other aspects of brain development, especially language and communication, as well as mathematical thinking. Creating music, whether through singing or instrument play, also integrates the mind and body and enriches our motor skills – which, as we know, is the foundation of building human intelligence.” — Leila Smeyatsky Jacobs, “Music for the Montessori Child”.
Music is a powerful component to our children’s learning and we have been practicing a very simple French version of “Jingle Bells” to help us get into the spirit of the holidays. We have added the lyrics so you can sing along with your child.
Vive le Vent (to the tune of jingle bells)
Chorus
Vive le vent, vive le vent,
vive le vent d’hiver
qui s’en va sifflant, soufflant
dans les grands sapins verts.
Vive le temps, vive le temps,
vive le temps d’hiver
boules de neige et jour de l’an
et bonne année grand-mère.
Wishing you all merry holiday and a JOYful new year!
The Toddler Team.
Good Morning Casa Families!
Every year, the autumn term seems to fly by, yet September feels so long ago. At this time of year we spend time reflecting on how far our students have come, what they’re interested in, and who their friends are.
In Casa South, our students are doing so much language work these days. In September, many children shied away from this type of work, seemed to lack confidence, and needed some lessons refreshed. In December, we see them with sound games, writing lists and booklets, or reading aloud to one another, and to us. It’s beautiful to see such blossoming confidence, curiosity, and a hunger for more difficult work. We see this attitude carry over into other areas as well: exploring sensorial extensions, diligently helping clean the classroom, seeking new challenges in the math area. It’s lovely to see the motivation and enthusiasm in our young friends.
As we look ahead to the new year, we begin to plan an academic path forward for each child, but as the year comes to a close we wish you all a joyous, restful holiday.
Ms. Dewey.
Thursday, December 21 — Upper Elementary Outing
Upper Elementary students will be travelling by public transit to view some seasonal decorations and stop in at the Art Gallery of Hamilton to visit the Bruegel-Bosch Bus, by Kim Adams. Students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt and to bring either their Presto card or bus fare for the trip.
Friday, December 22 — Class Party
To celebrate the final day of school together before the winter break, the kids will enjoy a class party with games and crafts, followed by a special community lunch: pizza delivery! After outdoor time, the students will enjoy some sweet or salty treats and have the option to watch a short video. Students may bring something nut-free to donate to our treat buffet if they wish, and everyone will be welcome to select some treats to eat.
from the Classroom Guides
It’s hard to believe that the first term of the school year is almost over. We’ve had a wonderful fall exploring the solar system and its elements, the diversity of animal life on Earth, and the achievements of early humans. The children have shared stories and songs, created beautiful works of arts, investigated gardens and woods nearby, and solved dozens of math problems! In their leadership role as class elders, Nash and Sam hosted a charity bake sale in support of Kids Sport Canada, raising $221 in cookie sales and another $60.50 in donations to help other children in Hamilton gain access to sports programs in their community. Thank you for bringing your appetites and generosity to the bake sale! Our classroom is always a hive of activity, thanks to the joyful enthusiasm of your children. We wish you all a wonderful winter break together, and look forward to welcoming the children back to school in the new year.
Marissa and Michelle.
from the Classroom Historians
Amica and Abby.
