Environment

We are a COMMUNITY of learners working to build social, emotional and academic skills needed in order for all members of our team to THRIVE.  Our learning COMMUNITY is special because it is made up of INDIVIDUALS with unique gifts, talents and needs. We encourage a balance of independent work and group learning.  Our school is special because instruction is designed based on the needs of the individual and delivered within the context of community.  We recognize that children in our community are also members of other learning communities (including virtual classrooms) and we are happy to assist with this learning if it falls during our school day.  Our goal is for each and every child to LOVE learning and literacy, feel valued and honored, and to develop the skills ready for future learning.  Our teaching team is uniquely qualified to support this special learning environment.  

We seldom have snow but when we do, we find many ways to learn about it. Look what happens when you add food coloring!
We are ready for our littlest learners!
Trace a foot then measure it with blocks!
Children practice many skills at the sensory table. Negotiation, collaboration, communication and imagination are just a few of the things stretched today.
We are backed by a nature park so we enjoy exploring and learning about local plants and animals!
When children love to read it changes everything! We match books with readers.
The outdoors is brought in as we build with natural materials.
Students enjoy old favorites and books hot off the presses. All this reading leads to lots of writing too!
Our curriculum is child driven. We build on each student’s interests so we are co-learners as we bring in books on the topics they love.
Students organize materials in a variety of ways.
These cool beads were fun to sort by color, shape, size and favorites.
Books help us learn about MANY things!
Kids love to create books then share with friends.
Children use a range of tools to build letters and words.
It may look like brothers in a box but this is house (or a bobsled, or maybe firetruck, or race car).
Children build and create individually.
Children build and create collaboratively.
There is a story being told in each area of play.
There is a story being told in each are of play.
Comparing towers builds language. We can describe height, color, shape, size, number and more!
We were honored to support Comprehensive Distance Learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
Sharing stories with a peer is a fabulous motivator for writing!
Outside play time is always fun!
Does it sink or float?
How many Pete the Cat books did we read this year?
Fine motor skills are built in a variety of ways.
Oral language development is built as we describe and play with things in our learning environment.
How many stripes did you count on the pumpkin?
When our pumpkins got gushy, we buried them in a planter in the backyard. We observed the decomposition process throughout the winter and watched as the gourds outer shells slowly disappeared then seeds sprouted in the spring. We observed the animals that helped with the composting process. Science is all around us!
Mixing paint to create new colors is fun!
Puzzles are fun!
Gardening
Counting Stepping Stones
Dramatic Play-Fire Station-

Children have a quiet time to after lunch. They read around the room or have the option to rest or read on cots during a short quiet time. We work together with families to set expectations for this time.
Our backyard easel is one more place kids can create and explore!
Pattern blocks (big and small) provide practice with exploring attributes of shapes.
Art Lesson with Lynn

We grow strawberries in our garden. The deer and rabbits LOVE them!
Can we see the wind blow?
Curl up in a cozy spot with a book and a friend—it doesn’t get much better than this!
Exploring!
Learning through our senses is AWESOME!
We read and discuss books every day!