Sample Day

Hours 8:00-3:00 pm

8:00: Arrival/Sign In  
Parents or other caregivers sign in, communicate any necessary information to teachers, help their child get ready for their morning by assisting them in putting their clothes, lunch etc. in cubbies and on hooks, washing their hands, applying sunscreen if necessary and seeing that they are settled with a teacher or activity. 

8:00-10:45 Free Choice/Play
Our classroom is set up to facilitate exploration and experimentation, encouraging independence and the children’s ability to make appropriate choices. Their interactions with the environment, materials, peers and teachers foster creativity, socialization and self-regulation. Through their play and other experiences children develop the cognitive, physical and social/emotional competencies that provide the strongest and broadest foundation for their growth, joy and self confidence.

9:30-9:50: Morning Meeting
We gather as a whole group in our meeting area - the stone circle on campus or large rug in our classroom.  This time is used to practice mindful listening to the bell, discuss the day’s activities, introduce new concepts, share thoughts, move a little and ideas and collaboratively solve problems that may have arisen. 

10:00-10:45 Snack
Children are invited to enjoy a nutritious snack from home. Typically we eat outdoors. Children sit together in small groups and experience chatting with friends, playing I spy, noticing the birds/ bugs/ weather and share ideas. Teachers sit with the children and model prosocial meal time habits.

11:20-11:35: Clean-up
Teachers and children work together to clean up the morning’s activities.

11:15-12:00: Outdoor play @ the CCC playground

11:35-12:00: Story Time & Songs & Rhymes
A teacher leads the children in a whole group story time reading books from our classroom library. We also sing songs & move together and practice finger rhymes. On Wednesdays our Chilmark children’s librarian Caroline facilitates this session. Bi-monthly on Tuesdays we substitute this gathering for a children’s yoga session in the school foyer - teachers vary. Later in the school year we meet violin teacher Becky Barca Tinus for Suzuki method violin lessons for 10 weeks.

12:00-12:45: Lunch
Children will bring lunch to school or sign up for school lunch - school lunch is free for all students this year. To order lunch parents sign their child up at drop off in the morning before 9am when the orders are taken to the elementary school front desk. 

1:00-2:00: Rest
Children nap or rest. Children who choose not to sleep or awaken early will be offered quiet activities (e.g., books, puzzles, manipulatives). The school provides mats or rugs for rest time. Children bring a special blanket, small sheet and lovey/ stuffy soft toy if needed for quiet time. 

2:00-2:30: Indoor activities and table top games - We encourage children to delve into puzzles, play dough, beading, matching, building or collaborative board games. Fine motor skills, social and communication skills as well as creativity and problem solving are all developed by these activities.

2:30-3:00: Departure/Sign Out - Children pack up their own belongings, get dressed for outside and put their bags next to the fence for pick up. We will play outside and read until parents/ care givers collect their child.