Sample Schedule

8:00 am Arrival

8:15 am Morning circle 

8:30 am Outdoor adventures 

9:30 am Return to the indoor space

11:30 am Outdoor adventures

12:00 pm Closing circle and pick up

Arrival

Class begins outside in the nature play space. The adult dropping off the child will make sure the child has used the restroom and put away their backpack or other belongings. The adult then takes their child to the outdoor play area (dressed for the weather) to join the educators. 

Outdoor Adventures

Children play in the outdoor play area. Play-space activities include climbing, water play, sand play, snow play, fort building, digging, and gardening. The class might also take walking field trips to nearby natural areas for exploration and observation

Morning Circle 

Children take part in conversation, greet one another, and learn about the day’s topic. We will sing some songs, and tell or read stories.

Indoor Montessori Time

Children have time to choose an activity among the different interest areas of the indoor or outdoor spaces. This allows children time to develop and grow in developmental areas through focus and gained competency with an activity. Children may choose activities that include but are not limited to: practical life activities such as washing and polishing, sensorial materials like the pink tower, color tablets and metal insets, early literacy work and learning letters, early math work and counting. In a Montessori Forest Classroom there is a robust science area with found objects and the botany puzzles and cabinet. All lessons are individually given to students to maximize their concentration, independence and coordination.

Closing Circle

We may gather on the sun porch to say goodbye before families pick up the children. Or it could be outside, where we assemble under the maple tree, sing a song, say goodbye and await families to pick up and sign out the child.