Elementary School
The summer home of Canada’s foremost humorist, The Stephen Leacock Museum & National Historic Site, is situated on a 9.5 acre site on the shores of Lake Couchiching. This historic and natural site provides an ideal setting for Curriculum-based programs in Science, Language, Social Studies, Visual Arts, English, History and Drama.
Our programs offer students and teachers the opportunity to engage in experiential learning where students are active participants in learning through observation, exploration, hands-on experiences and interaction with their peers.
Program Information:
- Price: $2.00 per student
- Program Length: 1.5 hours
- Parking: bus parking is available
- Outreach: Museum staff can deliver a program in your school for an additional fee. Call for more information.
For More Information and To Book:
Call Fred Addis 705.329.1908 ext. 803
|
Kindergarten
—”This is the House I Built Long Ago…” |
- Curriculum Links: The
Kindergarten Program—Personal and Social Development,
Language, The Arts Students will explore Leacock’s house and
listen to a story about the museum.
|
THE
ARTS |
Grades 1 to 6 —
”LOOK SEE PAINT!” |
- Curriculum Links: The Arts, Science
- Using the natural environment as
inspiration, students will engage in an introduction to
watercolour painting. Students will take their paintings home.
- *Additional fees apply. $7 per
student.
|
Grades 7
& 8
—”Interpreting Leacock” |
- Curriculum Links: The Arts:
Drama
- Students will explore
Leacock’s works and the importance of humour. Using scripts
adapted from Leacock’s stories students will act out plays
using a stage and costumes.
|
SOCIAL
STUDIES ANDHISTORY |
Grade 1 —
”Leacock & the Community” |
- Curriculum: Social Studies
- Through an exploration of the
historic house, artifacts and photos students will discuss
Leacock’s contributions to the local community and how
Orillia has changed over time.
|
| Grade 3 —
”Urban & Rural Communities” |
- Curriculum Links: Social
Studies
- Students will explore
Leacock’s life in Simcoe County, Toronto and Montreal to
compare variations between rural and urban life. A tour of the
site will highlight how Leacock spent his summers away from
the city.
|
| Grade 8 —
”Canada: A Changing Society” |
- Curriculum Links: History
- Students will explore
Leacock’s home and analyze primary documents discussing key
issues in pre-1918 Canada, including the suffrage movement,
imperialism and Canada’s role in World War I.
|
| LANGUAGE |
Junior (Gr. 4-6) and Intermediate
Program (Gr. 7 &  ”It’s Humour!” |
- Curriculum Links: Language
- Students will explore the museum
and read some works by Stephen Leacock. We will discuss the
importance of humour as a means of expression. Students will
have the opportunity to compose their own humorous work.
|
| CHRISTMAS:
(Nov. 21 to
Dec. 19 only) |
Kindergarten
-Gr. 6 —”Christmas at Old Brewery Bay” |
Plan a visit to the Leacock Museum and experience an old fashioned Christmas at Old Brewery Bay. Stephen Leacock’s 1928 home is decorated for the holiday season with festive boughs, wreaths and greenery
harvested from local gardens.
Leacock House takes on a special atmosphere at this time of year and we want young learners in the Orillia area to experience it first hand.
Students will have an opportunity to tour Leacock House with special emphasis on winter in Orillia. They can make a holiday craft, enjoy a treat of juice and cookies and sing holiday songs by the living room hearth.
The museum staff and volunteers will ensure your class has a memorable visit.
Our Christmas at Old Brewery Bay program is ideal for students from K – Gr. 6. |
| SCIENCE:
*These are outdoor
programs. Rain dates may be possible, but please dress for the
weather.
Offered from April to June, and September to November. |
Grade 1
—”Characteristics & Needs of Living Things |
- Curriculum Links: Science
- Through inquiry and discussion
students will explore the native flora and fauna, and the interactions with the environment.
Students will have the opportunity to record and analyze their
findings.
|
| Grade 3 —
“Growth & Change in Plants” |
- Curriculum Links: Science
- Students will explore the plant
life in our natural habitat and garden. Learn how Leacock grew enough food in his gardens to
sell at the local market. Help us in our gardens and plant a
seed to take home.
|
Grade
4 —”Habitats & Communities” |
- Curriculum Links: Science
- Explore the plants and animals
on our 9.5 acre lake-side habitat. Students will classify
organisms in a food chain and examine the interactions and
dependence of plants, animals and humans in this environment.
|
| Grade 6 —
”Diversity of Living Things” |
- Curriculum Links: Science
- Students
will examine and classify organisms in our lake-side habitat.
Based on first-hand observation, students will organize
species into their proper classifications and investigate the
interrelationships of organisms.
|
Grade
7 —”Interactions With Ecosystems” |
- Curriculum Links: Science
- Through investigation students will explore the interactions of
plants, animals, and micro-organisms in an ecosystem. Students
will examine evidence of how changes like ecological
succession and human development
impact upon the habitat.
|
The Writer’s Study is where Leacock found solace for his creative writing. Surrounded by books and overlooking the lake, it was arguably here where he wrote most of his fishing stories, including “My Fish Pond” and “Bass Fishing on Lake Simcoe with Jake Gaudaur”.
Leacock obtained his Ph.D. in political economy and political science from the University of Chicago in 1903. Some of his degrees hang above the bookcase.
The centre portrait was taken in 1908 upon his appointment as Chairman of the Department of Political Science and Economics at McGill University, Montreal.
Writing with a straight pen, using multiple bottles of ink, he plotted his story lines and cast-off his manuscripts, word-by- word, in order to assure a perfect fit in the final printed book.
I Keep the wolf away from the door by shooting ink at him. Stephen Leacock
