What is a typical day in the classroom?

Preschool-kindergarten children (ages 3-6) come into the school, greet the guides, wash hands, hang up coats, and begin their day. Children move about the classroom from activity to activity, using a small rug for work on the floor or sitting at a table. They may be talking or working with a friend, choosing to work alone, or sitting back to observe if they wish. During the course of the day each child chooses materials of interest, may receive lessons from the guide on a new material, share snack with a friend, etc. Throughout the morning the children may gather to hear a story read aloud, share news, sing songs, recite poems, or work on group projects. Part of each day is spent outside. At the end of the morning the children help set up lunch. Half of the children are seated together for lunch while the other half play outside, getting to see friends from other classrooms. Then, the groups exchange places as the remaining children eat and the other half go outside.  Families signed up for a half-day schedule will pick their children up at 1pm from the playground. Full-day (“extended day”) children come inside after lunch and enjoy an afternoon that is very similar to the morning. Children who nap or rest will have an opportunity to do so.

Elementary learners (ages 6-12) start the day by greeting the adults and children in the classroom. They spend time writing in their journal and planning the day, being sure to vary the subjects and experiences each day and follow up on unfinished projects. Large and small group lessons as well as individual lessons are taking place through out the morning. The elementary classroom is lively and social and busy. Each day children eat lunch and spend some time playing outside. They have a read aloud time and a time to have snack. Weekly elementary children have PE, a meeting with their teacher, and circle of friends (a democratic conflict resolution meeting).

For children who participate in early care, after care, or camps, the routine is much the same.