April 2024

Welcome to the 2024 School Year! 

Welcome to the new faces joining us this year.  We hope you have a fun and rewarding experience with us!  Welcome back to our returning students.  We hope you continue to enjoy learning in our unique educational environment! 

Here is the calendar for the first half of this year.  Remember to double check your class days and times, as there have been some changes to the new schedule!

Culture Corner:  Cherry Blossoms in Canada

    Cherry blossom trees are not native to North America.  The majority of the cherry blossoms in Canada were gifts from Japan.  In the 1930s cherry trees were given to the city of Vancouver from the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama.  They were given to honour the Japanese-Canadians who served in World War One.  You can view them at the war memorial in Stanley Park.  On April 1st, 1959, the Japanese ambassdor to Canada; Hagiwara Toru, presented 2000 Somei-Yoshino sakura trees to the people of Toronto.  This gift serves as a symbol of the lasting friendship between Japan and Canada.  You can view these cherry trees in Toronto's High Park.

Left: Cherry trees in Toronto's High park

Below:  Cherry trees in Vancouver's Stanley Park.

Teacher's Corner

Riddle of the Month:  "What kind of bow is hard to tie?"

To find out the answer, please ask Leo teacher.

Inside the Classroom:  

This month, let's have a look at what our new first grade students will be learning this month in Everybody Up 1.  In Unit 1 we practice talking about things we use at school.

Q:  What is it?

A: It's a/an ________.

 Let's practice using the picture below.

Adult Corner

This month we're having a look at capitalism and diving into detail about aspects that don't get talked about much.  Have a look at the video (click on the link below), and answer the following questions.

Why You Don't Actually Own Anything Under Capitalism

Questions About the Video:

1.  What is the view of personal vs. private property?

2.  What is one example the narrator gives about media?

3.  What does the narrator explain about housing?

4.  What is the narrator's attitude toward capitalism?

5.  What are the pros and cons of a rental / subscription service system, according to the video?

Discussion Questions:

1.  What do you think about the ideas presented in the video?

2.  Which parts do you agree / disagree with?

3.  What is your opinion about subscription services?

4.  What do you think about home ownership?

5.  Do you think capitalism is a good system?  Why?  Why not?

    We're finally back after a long break.  Here's a look at the schedule from April to June.  Let's get fit and have fun together!