Stephen Leacock Museum

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 or
Email leacock@transdata.ca

	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.
THE ARTS	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 AND HISTORY	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 & 8) ”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.