Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week, we have the first update from our Elementary class for you, as well as an upcoming special Thanksgiving lunch for Casa and Toddler students.
This Week’s Classroom Update
It has been a beautiful start to the school year in the Elementary environment! The classroom is buzzing with activity and the sound of children collaborating and creating together. Through September, students received three of Montessori’s Five Great Lessons, a series of stories that invite children to use their imaginations in pursuit of understanding how their world came to be, with wonder, awe, and gratitude.
On the first day of school, they heard a tale of “The Coming of the Universe,” which lays the foundation for explorations in geology, physics, and chemistry. This led to further lessons on the Big Bang, volcanoes, the elements, and even molecular models.
During the second week, students were invited to a story about “The Coming of Life,” which reflects on the emergence of life in the oceans, and how life adapted and diversified over millions of years. From discovering invertebrates like trilobites and geoducks to deeper investigations of mammals, the children’s passion for learning about other creatures is evident! They’ve been busy researching and recording facts, drawing diagrams, and are now beginning to construct models and dioramas of interesting marine mammals and marsupials.
Most recently, they continued with “The Coming of Humans,” which helps them identify the most important gifts of humans: their ability to use their minds, their emotions, and their hands to achieve great things. They were called upon to use their imaginations to think about how early humans lived, from Homo habilis and Homo erectus to the Neanderthals. We focus on the importance of human invention, compassion, and collaboration to achieve our common goals, and our role in caring for each other and our planet.
On Thursday, the students were eager to join together with more than 250 Montessori students at an annual Charity Run raising funds for the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. While many were excited about the athletic challenge of the day (completing a 1 km or 2 km race), all of our students took great pride in their social goals for the day: supporting friends and classmates, celebrating students from other schools, and mentoring younger children. They brought tremendous school spirit and camaraderie to the event, and we couldn’t be prouder of their focus on good sporting conduct and enjoying a beautiful day together.
Please click the links below for important dates from your children’s levels, other valuable information, and for recent photos of Lyonsgate’s Montessori students at work:
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
- Monday, Oct. 13: Thanksgiving Holiday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Park Play Day. Lyonsgate families are encouraged to meet up at Beulah Park after school for socialization and play.
- Friday, Oct. 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Sat./Sun., Oct. 4 & 5: Telling Tales Festival. Canada’s largest children’s book festival. 9:45-5:00, Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Park. Admission is free, register here: https://tellingtales.org/festivals-events/telling-tales-festival/
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates
- Friday, Oct. 10: Thanksgiving Lunch. The lunch caterer, Wholesome Kids, will be providing a special Thanksgiving lunch on Friday, Oct. 10. Students will enjoy sliced roasted turkey with gravy, peas & carrots, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, whole wheat baguette, and fresh fruit (all appropriate allergy replacements will be provided).
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Park Play Day. Lyonsgate families are encouraged to meet up at Beulah Park after school for socialization and play.
- Friday, Oct. 31: Casa and Toddler field trip to Brantwood Farms. [Toddler Parents: please plan to attend the field trip with your toddler student].
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
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Park Play Day. Lyonsgate families are encouraged to meet up at Beulah Park after school for socialization and play.
- Friday, Oct. 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
