Students may arrive at school between 8:00 and 8:15. During Explore, they choose activities in a variety of content areas at various work stations. They are expected to complete all the stations by the week’s end. Teachers are available for help.
Every other day each week, each student selects a book to read independently or with a teacher. On alternate days, students write independently in their journals.
We share a snack prepared and served by the cooks for the week (see Lunch, 12:15).
Students meet in small groups with teachers for math and language arts instruction. Additionally, each student is assigned skills work in math and language arts, which he or she can work on individually when not meeting in a group.
Weather permitting, children play outside. Otherwise they play indoors. Children can choose supervised free play -or participation in an organized game or activity. Cooks meet to finish lunch prep if lunch is to be served.
The children take turns as cooks, planning, preparing and serving family-style lunches once a week. This gives great experience in life skills—good nutrition, cooking and hospitality-and also application of math and problem-solving skills.
As children settle and finish their meal, a teacher reads to them from our current all-school book, usually a substantial children’s novel chosen because it relates to our theme.
Activities vary according to theme (e.g., the American Revolution, the. human body, “Around the World in 80 Days,” etc.). Activities include language arts, science, geography, and art projects.
Students clean their workspaces, do their weekly jobs (such .as doing the dishes or straightening the supply cupboard) and then are free to take part in their choice of activities including puzzles, crafts, and organized games or free play, either indoors or out.
We greet each other, do calendar-related activities, create a yearly number line that illustrates and teaches mathematical concepts, listen as students share personal news or items, and participate in group-building activities and problem solving.
One morning a week (usually Friday), the whole school participates in an athletic event, such as skating, skiing, bowling, and even indoor rock climbing.
We go on field trips related to the theme we are studying. The field trips are used as true learning experiences. Fieldwork is an integral part of our curriculum.
We take classes from local artists with expertise in a variety of media, including clay, watercolor, and mosaics, and also from local musicians. These artists and musicians share their passion and talents with the children.
Three times a year, the school holds a Soiree. The students may display theme related projects they have completed, perform songs and plays (including original plays), and read from their finished works. This is a chance for students to demonstrate their knowledge and talents to an appreciative audience, and a chance for families, friends, and community members to learn what is happening at the school.