Hello Lyonsgate Families,
We have a busy couple of weeks this week and next. Here are your reminders and link information, and please see your Lyonsgate calendar for details:
- Nov. 27-30: Primary (Casa and Toddler) Show & Share. If you still need to sign up for a Show & Share visit, please find the link in your update email.
- Wed., Nov. 29, 3:30-4:15: Casa-to-Elementary Orientation. Casa parents interested in learning more about our Elementary Montessori program are invited to an information event at the Elementary Campus. See the calendar for details and to schedule an Elementary observation. Or, check the Elementary section below.
- Fri., Dec. 1: Elementary Rock Climbing (year 3-6 students). Please see the calendar or Elementary section for details, and click here if you need to complete Gravity Climbing Gym’s waiver.
- Mon., Dec. 4, 3:15-4:15: Elementary Open Classroom. Family members are welcome to arrive at the Elementary campus anytime between 3:15 – 4:15 to see displays of the children’s work.
- Wed., Dec. 6: Elementary Field Trip. Elementary students will travel by school bus to the W.J. McCallion Planetarium at McMaster University during the morning work cycle.
- Fri., Dec. 8: Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed to students for Parent-Teacher conferences. Childcare is available during your conference timeslot. Please see your recent “Lyonsgate Update” emails to select a conference timeslot.
Hello/Bonjour,
I want to start off by saying how wonderful each one of your children are. It’s been wonderful getting to know them and working with all of their unique personalities. For those of you who may not be familiar with me I am Ms. Craigie/Mme Craigie and I will be helping guide your children in their French language acquisition this year. Here in the Toddler community, we focus our attention on introducing a second language as we know that the sensitive period for spoken language is from 7 months to 3 years, with the entire sensitive period for language being from birth to age 6. We are currently learning new words and phrases in French such as “Merci” “peux-tu laver les mains” “au revoir” “bonjour” and many more. We are also singing a few songs that some our second year toddlers remember from last year, and it’s been really lovely to see the first years joining in, c’est merveilleux!
I look forward to spending the year being a part of the children’s day, and getting to know all of you as well.
Ms. Craigie.
The north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow, and what will the children do then…
The feel of winter is in the air! The excitement is building toward the holiday season. We have even heard the rumblings of holiday carols in our cloakroom. With the change in season comes the addition of hats, mittens, sweaters, snowpants, and boots. Please try to have your children’s items labeled so we can ensure they are dressed for the cold weather in the clothing you have sent in. The children have been busy practicing zippers and independently putting on hats and mittens. The older children have enjoyed helping our younger students and assisting them with dressing for outside.
Show and share is next week, and we are all very excited to welcome you into our classroom. The children are very excited to show you their favourite activities. This is a very special time to share this special space that the children call theirs. They will be excited to tell you about their activities, share their knowledge, and maybe teach you a thing or two. Their ability to complete these activities with independence and skill is breathtaking. Their pride will be notable through their smiles and confidence.
We look forward to seeing you all and welcoming you into the “Casa Dei Bambini” (Children’s House).
Ms. Canessa.
Wednesday, November 29 — Casa-to-Elementary Information Event
Casa parents interested in learning more about our Montessori Elementary program are invited to an information event on Wednesday, November 29, from 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. at the Elementary campus. Join Montessori guides Marissa and Michelle to talk about the transition from Casa to Elementary, take a tour of the campus, and learn more about the benefits of a Montessori approach to the elementary years. Childcare for Casa students will be available at the Primary campus for families attending the event.
Parents of children in their final year of Casa are encouraged to arrange an observation of the Elementary classroom in action by emailing elementary@lyonsgate.ca for available dates. Observation time slots are typically available Mondays through Thursdays, during the morning work cycle from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Friday, December 1 — Rock-Climbing at Gravity Climbing Gym
Students in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be having morning P.E. classes at Gravity Climbing Gym. Please remember to complete the climbing waiver for your child in advance, and send in a printed paper copy with your child to school. Students in Years 1 and 2 will continue with their regular afternoon P.E. class.
Monday, December 4 — Open Classroom
Please join us in the classroom after school on Monday, December 4, for our first open classroom of the year! Family members are welcome to arrive at the Elementary campus anytime between 3:15-4:15 to see displays of the children’s work from throughout the first term.
Wednesday, December 6 — Class Field Trip to W. J. McCallion Planetarium
All Elementary students will be travelling by chartered school bus to the W.J. McCallion Planetarium at McMaster University to learn more about our solar system. The field trip will take place during the morning work cycle, with students returning to campus for outdoor time and lunch. All students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts for the trip!
Friday, December 8 — Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parents are invited to sign-up for a conference with their child’s lead guide. Child care is available during your conference.
from the Classroom Historians
“3 and 2 years have been working on planet projects and 1 years have been working on plasticene projects. Uppers have been working on thier math – like flat bead frame, geometric forms, and peg board, and all of the uppers have been doing Element Research. 3 & 2 years have been doing bead frame and racks and tubes.”
Akasha and Cohan.
“These students are sketching a comic book.”
“My friend is using the adverb grammar box.”
“A first-year is cutting out the letter W to practice how to recognize it and how to draw it.”
“Working on the large bead frame, expanding the multiplicand to multiply by units and tens.”
“This person is playing the theme song from Super Mario. I can’t get it out of my head!”
photo captions by – Matteo
