Children's Peace Garden Classroom
Students: Ages 3-6 (Preschool-Kindergarten)
Sun Room Teachers: Bodil Eriksson, Abra Lerch
Moon Room Teachers: Matthew Chappell, Rehana Godil
Sky Room Teachers: Carina Sonora, Alyson Obert
Assistant Teachers:
Kia Phillips, Alejandra Zarzycki
In their early years, children�s natural senses of wonder, curiosity and imagination are cultivated. For them, learning is a fun, natural process that fosters independence, concentration, and physical coordination. The best environment for very young children is one in which they have an opportunity to safely explore and learn about themselves and the world. They learn from their relationships with friends and the environment. This leads to a growing awareness of, and appreciation for, life and the world around them.
In the Peace Garden, we believe that education is an art. To truly educate a child, his or her heart and will must be touched, as well as his or her mind. By honoring the child�s natural gifts, we believe we are being true to Maria Montessori's declaration, "Follow the Child," as well as fulfilling the complex needs of the modern student.
Our program offers a unique blend of Montessori and Waldorf philosophies as well as techniques gleaned from other educational approaches. Presenting materials and ideas in a variety of ways enables us to address the many different learning intelligences represented in the class. While a traditional Montessori approach offers a well-rounded preparation for academics, we feel it is balanced by acknowledging the child's needs for fantasy and imaginative creativity. Using aspects of various educational philosophies, we have developed a rich creative arts program to compliment the broad range of skills that Montessori education imparts.
- 8:30-9:00 AM: Arrival Social Bonding
- 9:00-9:30 AM: Morning Circle Time.
- 9:30-11:45 AM: Morning Work
- 11:30 AM-1:15 PM: Lunch and Recess
- 1:15-3:15 PM: Rest Time/Afternoon Work (Pre-School)
- 1:15-2:15 / 2:15-3:15 PM: Specialists /Afternoon Work
(Kindergarten)
- 3:15 PM: Clean up & Closing Circle
- 3:15-3:30 PM: Dismissal
Morning Circle Time
Each class gathers for a short ceremony, which may include the ringing of a Tibetan bowl, the lighting of a candle, singing a song, and honoring the silence within. This serves to set the tone of the day, and to help the children become aware of their personal power to control their voices and bodies. Circle time continues with the introduction of materials or a specific subject, singing, role playing, foreign or sign languages. During this time children may share their feelings and ideas and model peaceful ways of interacting with each other. On Fridays, the class attends Community Meeting, an all-school gathering.
Morning Work
Morning Work includes sensorial and academic Montessori materials, Practical Life skills (preparation of snack, care of themselves, care of environment), Music, Art, and Movement.
 Lunch and Recess
Lunch lasts an hour with recess either before or after lunch.
Rest Time/Afternoon Work (Preschool-PreK)
A small ceremony of music and story telling helps to quiet the preschool student. Rest time lasts about half an hour, or longer for the younger students who nap. For those preschoolers who do not nap, their afternoon work period begins around 2 PM and includes foreign languages, creative movement, arts & crafts, cooking, storytelling, creative play, gardening, nature walks and other outdoor activities.
Specialists/Afternoon Work (Kindergarten)
Some of the specialist activities include Foreign Languages, P.E., and Movement. Afternoon work activities include lessons, creative time, and preparing for upcoming festivals.
Clean up & Closing Circle.
This end of the day get together may include sharing and good-bye songs.
* The exception to the daily schedule is on alternating Thursdays, when field trips are scheduled in the mornings. For off-site trips, the class is usually out of the School from 9 AM – 12 PM. For in-school ‘trips’, programs are in the mornings in the School. |
