Planning Guides

Guiding Principles for Curriculum: 

• We "backwards map". Start by planning the end of the unit. Ask yourself, What will the kids have learned? How will they celebrate that learning? 

• Our activities generally focus around a question that allows us to zoom into a topic. The topic of "flowers" transforms into, "What's inside a flower?" or "Why does a plant have a flower?"

• We plan a number of different activities that explore that question/topic from different angles: art, music, science, dramatic play, literature, math, inventing, building, etc. 

• We provide materials that allow children to explore these questions openly. We stress process over product. There is space for kids creativity and personality in each activity. 

• Our activities generally work for a variety of interests and ages. However, we add notes that will give other teachers ideas to scaffold or extend an activity for younger/older children.