Each classroom is set up with learning centers or interest areas that contain related materials presented in such a way as to focus children's play and exploration around specific activities, skill areas, or themes. For example, a block area with mathematically proportioned unit blocks; a dramatic play area with props and dress-up clothes; a library or book area; multi-purpose tables used for manipulatives, games, art activities, as well as snack and/or lunch; and a rug used for quiet activities and for group meetings. Depending upon space or the age of the children, some classrooms also have a listening center, a science shelf or table, a computer center, a drawing/writing center, a water/sand table, and a light table. In addition, the 4s and 5s classrooms have shelves containing materials with color-coded circles (yellow dot = small motor development, green dot = math, red dot = visual discrimination and language arts.

The majority of the curriculum takes place during Activity Time where children select from a rich variety of materials and activities set up in "interest areas" or "learning centers." Teachers select and set up learning materials in these areas to enable children to work independently. At the same time, teachers are available to help children make choices and to focus, redirect and solve problems when needed. They also guide and reinforce learning by encouraging children to talk about their work, by asking questions that challenge thinking, by praising their efforts, and by providing information and resources to sustain children's explorations and deepen their understanding.

There is at least one whole group meeting time daily. Children go to the music room at least twice a week. They spend a minimum of one-half hour at outdoor play (or indoor activity areas set up during inclement weather). Also included in the program are a weekly Chapel program and once-a-month afternoon storytelling assembly. Cooking experiences take place in classrooms as well as the kitchen.

To provide opportunities for small group and individualized instruction and assessment, and to ensure that children experience all of the curriculum areas, the 4's and 5's classes have a half-hour period set aside as "Dot Time." Math, language arts and fine motor materials are color-coded and the children work within that particular color, so they would be given the math color one day, the language arts color another, and the fine motor color another. This assures that children devote adequate attention to these important areas and gives the teachers the opportunity to work with children in small groups.

Because children learn best within the context of meaningful activities, teachers also develop curriculum strands around selected themes, units and projects. When these reflect the interests of both children and teachers, they offer possibilities for in-depth learning, as well as providing an exciting context for skill learning in other areas (e.g., math or language arts). Some projects last a week or two, while others last a month or more, depending on the interest of the children or relationship to the seasons. Some projects for the older children include broader conceptual topics and last over a period of several months. For example, Growth and Change included hatching butterflies, planting seeds and children's growth.

The majority of the curriculum takes place during Activity Time where children select from a rich variety of materials and activities set up in "interest areas" or "learning centers." Teachers select and set up learning materials in these areas to enable children to work independently. At the same time, teachers are available to help children make choices and to focus, redirect and solve problems when needed. They also guide and reinforce learning by encouraging children to talk about their work, by asking questions that challenge thinking, by praising their efforts, and by providing information and resources to sustain children's explorations and deepen their understanding.

There is at least one whole group meeting time daily. Children go to the music room at least twice a week. They spend a minimum of one-half hour at outdoor play (or indoor activity areas set up during inclement weather). Also included in the program are a weekly Chapel program and once-a-month afternoon storytelling assembly. Cooking experiences take place in classrooms as well as the kitchen.

To provide opportunities for small group and individualized instruction and assessment, and to ensure that children experience all of the curriculum areas, the 4's and 5's classes have a half-hour period set aside as "Dot Time." Math, language arts and fine motor materials are color-coded and the children work within that particular color, so they would be given the math color one day, the language arts color another, and the fine motor color another. This assures that children devote adequate attention to these important areas and gives the teachers the opportunity to work with children in small groups.

Because children learn best within the context of meaningful activities, teachers also develop curriculum strands around selected themes, units and projects. When these reflect the interests of both children and teachers, they offer possibilities for in-depth learning, as well as providing an exciting context for skill learning in other areas (e.g., math or language arts). Some projects last a week or two, while others last a month or more, depending on the interest of the children or relationship to the seasons. Some projects for the older children include broader conceptual topics and last over a period of several months. For example, Growth and Change included hatching butterflies, planting seeds and children's growth.