For example: Opposites - Big/Small, High/Low, and using vocabulary associated with the concept of time - yesterday, tomorrow, last week, a long time ago...

This “work” is part of our general interactions with the children; it is intrinsically linked to the rhythm of our daily routine.

There are also certain formal events that foster language development. One such tool is SHOW & TELL– a huge favorite with the children! Each week the children are encouraged to bring in something special from home as their curious friends ask questions and comment on their prized possessions.

Another popular activity incorporated into the weekly routine is SIGN LANGUAGE. The children love to sign “play” “thank you” “I love you” and more!

STORY TIME

At Connaught we appreciate story time as an essential ingredient in supporting your child as they learn to focus, listen and understand.

All children benefit from a literacy-enriched environment and are better prepared to start kindergarten as successful and happy learners if they are read to frequently.

Our bilingual story times involve both being read to and helping the children create and “write” their own stories.

This is accomplished in a game format where one child provides a fact (a name perhaps), the next adds a place, the next an event...and so our stories unfold! Embedded in these exercises are a number of learning opportunities; some academic (logic, oral grammar, vocabulary etc.) and others just about learning how to calmly sit and listen to their friends.

Physical Science:

The children have the opportunity to explore concepts such as sinking and floating, balancing/proportioning weight.”

Earth Day, Earth Day, Comes once a year.
But we should make our message clear.
Love and clean our Earth each day.
Make that plan a plan to stay.
Earth Day, Earth Day,
Comes once a year,
Love and care for our Earth so dear!


“We like to look and listen
We need to touch and try
We want to smell and sample
And ask the question why?
Give us time to wonder
To imagine and pretend
Space to run and bend and stretch
Share secrets with a friend.
We want to hold and handle
We must play to understand
For we need to know so many things
we like to use our hands!
We’re not afraid of anything
Excited to be taught
We are master Scientists
Getting a head start at CONNAUGHT!!

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MATH

Our math program at Connaught benefits from our many excellent learning resources and games. The children learn by experimenting and experiencing numbers from 1 to 10 plus plus plus! (En français aussi!). The children learn to count and recognize numbers, they learn about shapes and are introduced to basic order concepts involving patterns and classification. Basic addition and subtraction exercises are integrated into much of our play.

Bilingual Program (English/French)

In September 2006 we launched our fully BILINGUAL program. The program is designed to accommodate the needs of Francophone, Allophone, and Anglophone families who seek to have a professionally structured, pedagogically sound, supportive, and FUN environment for their children. French is a fundamental part of our daily routine as the teachers address the class in both English and French. Through creative and engaging activities such as calendar and morning attendance, songs and interactive bilingual stories, the children at Connaught are exposed to French throughout the day & absorb the language like the sponges they are! Miss Melanie is a bilingual educator who has gone through the French immersion school system. She is equipped with a bilingual certificate and both Miss Melanie and Miss Megan are fully committed to ensuring a positive and enriching environment for your children. Our Connaught families receive regular updates on our ongoing activities, themes and vocabulary.

MUSIC

There is music everyday at Connaught! Singing is how we welcome each other, how we “tidy up,” how we prepare for our “collation” or "snack-time” and it is even how we say goodbye at the end of the day! Our themes are promoted through songs as well as we sing-along to Curious George’s “Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle” while encouraging our eco-friendly lifestyle or The Wiggles’ “Fruit Salad” (Yummy, yummy! J) when learning about healthy eating . The highlight of the music program is our weekly visit from the exceptional and multi-talented Vivian. From her “Jungle Boogie” song where they run & roar like animals, to the classic children’s tunes such as “Frère Jacques” and “Old MacDonald,” children absolutely love to play their instruments by her side. Our little Beethovens also get the chance to try out the class keyboard!

GYM, Dance and More!

It’s no surprise that the children at Connaught absolutely adore their weekly Gym Class! Our creative, bilingual activities employ a variety of important lessons such as taking turns, listening to instructions, trying your best, and especially being a supportive team player! The program includes games and also circuits using mats, trampolines, and beams to help them with coordination and balance development. Through this they also learn proper jumping and landing techniques, and different types of dance and stretch movements (the “rattlesnake” position is always popular!). Yoga has been incorporated into the Connaught routine and the children just love it! In our quiet smaller room, they have the chance to relax and really focus their energy on their own bodies, movements, and breathing.

COMPUTERS

Technology seeps into children’s lives at earlier & earlier ages … so we’ve brought it into the Connaught classroom as well! In the 2008 school year, we will learn about basic computer terminology, care and basic operation/navigation (arrow keys, space bar, mouse work). Drawing and typing programs, and non-commercial educational software is used to reinforce and support our academic program. Miss Megan’s passion for digital photography creates a sure way to have fun and learn about computers!

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BAKING

From fruit salad to pizzas, applesauce to muffins, Connaught kids are always up for making a tasty treat! Allergy-conscious chefs in our kitchen always use a dash of eagerness, a cup of enthusiasm, and a pinch of love in every recipe made.

These serve to foster understanding and awareness of human differences and strengths. Popular visitors included the “Mad Scientist,” where the children had the opportunity to create their very own dinosaur tooth mold, and “Reptizoo,” who taught the children about scaly reptiles. Our friend from the Ecomuseum graciously lent us a helping hand in understanding Biodiversity, and Blair Marshall the Magician who charmed us with an ever-lasting spell for curiosity.

The children also benefit from Fall and Spring visits to The Montreal West Library where we are greeted by the ever so cheerful and friendly Librarian, Mrs. Wishart. These special trips support our commitment to developing good listening skills as well as giving us the opportunity to teach the children about libraries and the wondrous world of books. Our walk back to school is happily delayed by a picnic and play in Strathearn Park.

SKATING

One morning a week during January and February we learn to skate at The Montreal West Arena. This FUN program is met with lots of success as the children learn to glide, slide … and get up! Warm cups of hot cocoa help in keeping up the smiles and enthusiasm!

VERBAL EXPRESSION

The children at Connaught are encouraged to express themselves through the use of words. We always try our best to remember to say “please” and “thank you,” “merci” et “s’il vous plait!” At snack time the children sit together in small table groups where they learn to take turns talking and listening to their friends… it’s a different kind of sharing and growing! They use their words to share their feelings with their friends while recognizing what makes them feel these different emotions.