Cottage
kindergarten
At the Cottage, students share, learn, experiment, design, create, discuss, and play together! Our class size typically maintains a ratio of thirty children to four teachers. The children’s learning experiences may also be enriched by visitors throughout the year which bring the children a variety of experiences. To date, we have had some incredibly interesting visitors including a sheep shearer, firefighters, a cellist, an airplane pilot, and a gemologist.
Our Rhythm of The Day
Rather than a strict schedule we opt for a routine which we call the “Rhythm of the Day”. Our approach to having a daily rhythm allows for a predictable flow of each day while still providing the children with time and space to accommodate conversations and deep involvement in working and learning.
Here is our daily rhythm:
-
1. Arrival
Arrive to the Outdoor Classroom to socialize, tinker, and get ready for the day.
-
2. All-Group Morning Gathering
Once everyone is settled, we do announcements, birthdays, and calendar activites. Then the class participates in a teacher-directed time that includes Poem of the Week (phonics concepts and fluency), Joke of the Day (Shared Writing), a read-aloud, and other literacy components.
-
3. Inside Work Block
Child Initiated with purposeful invitations to play and learn.
-
4. Class Snack Time
Parents pack a healthy snack following our school Snack List each day. The children sit in small groups to eat their snacks and visit with peers.
-
5. Outdoor Classroom
As they finish enjoying their snacks, the children move outside to participate in different experiences that interest them. From building ramps and mixing potions to swinging and running, this 45-60 minute time in the Outdoor Classroom is extremely valuable academically, emotionally, and socially.
-
6. Small Group
Teacher directed group time that can include Math, Science, Social Studies, Instant Challenges, or Creative Experiences. Children are then dismissed for the end of end.
Ideas on Paper
Until handwriting becomes fluent (and even afterwards), children can be found dictating their stories, observations, and ideas to a teacher. Getting ideas onto paper is crucial for confidence, building connections, and self-expression. We make time for all of these things as part of our daily learning.
Share Boards
Share Boards are child-appropriate research projects. They are another engaging and valuable way we support interesting and authentic learning at Marvelously Made. Through the use of Share Boards, the children become the teachers as they share information about a topic which interests them with the class. From brainstorming and research to presenting their information and asking and answering questions Share Boards build so many important skills!
Story Plays
Story Plays are another unique part of our Language Arts curriculum at Marvelously Made. Children dictate stories which are turned into plays and are acted out with classmates for the younger children at school. Our Story Plays bring stories to life in a fun and engaging way!.
Marvelously Made is truly a school that makes learning fun,
meaningful, and interesting!
We would love an opportunity to show you the Marvelously Made Difference!
Schedule A Visit!