An environment for kids that brings joy

It is vital that when educating our children’s brains that we do not neglect to educate their hearts. – Dalai Lama

8:30 School day starts: Our day begins with conversational Spanish (Monday and Friday), a class meeting (Wednesday), or our Morning Meeting (Tuesday and Thursday). Morning Meeting is a forum for the children, with the guidance of the teachers, to respectfully and seriously identify and solve problems, make suggestions and discuss local and world events. While the older kids’ activities are going on, the youngest group gets settled in their class and later they go to the playground for Obstacle Course (a set of age-appropriate physical tasks).

9:00-10:30 Language and Math: Children write in their journals and teachers introduce new concepts and reinforce skills in language and math.

10:30-11:15 Snack and outside play time.

11:15-11:45 Reading: Children read independently, to each other or to an adult followed by teachers reading to the class.

11:45-12:30 Academic and Creative Projects: Children work on special projects that may include art, cooking, math, science or social studies research and observations. Individual students can receive academic coaching from their teacher while the rest of the class works independently.

12:30-1:15 Lunch and outside play time.

1:15-2:15 Supervised independent activities: Children have a choice of activities. They may play chess, put on an impromptu play, use the classroom computers for educational games, do an art project, or build with Legos. In the afternoons we also schedule events such as recorder lessons, music circle, and presentations by visiting resource people.

2:15-2:30 Clean up: At SunFlower School, children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own environment, beginning with their classrooms. They help with a variety of chores to get school ready for the next day.

2:30 School Ends