We’ve had an amazing first two weeks in the Red Room, and we’ve been hard at work establishing routines and getting to know each other. We wanted to share a glimpse into a typical day in the Red Room. You can also use this post as a guide for asking your child about their day. Even better, show them this post and have them tell you about their day!

Arrival

At 9:00am , we open the doors and children get started on their arrival steps:

We make the steps available for your children to check in with as they go, just like Iris did below!

Depending on the day, we might have shorter “Morning Choices” before moving into Morning Meeting. Other days, we might go right into Open Time.

Morning Meeting

Meetings are a time for us to gather as a group and build community among us. We usually begin with a greeting. (Ask your kiddos to tell you about our special Shoe Greeting we have every Friday! ) We read a Morning Message, incorporating literacy elements like Choral Reading. And finally, we end with a special activity that aligns with each day of the week!

Mindful Mondays – We practice a mindfulness exercise.

Turn & Talk Tuesdays – The kids turn and talk to a partner and answer a question about themselves.Our first Turn and Talk, “What is your favorite ice cream flavor?”

Would you Rather Wednesdays – Each child gets to answer a silly Would you Rather question and share it with the group. When it’s each kid’s turn to share, they get to hold Waddles, our class stuffy!

Thankful Thursdays – Each child gets to share what they are thankful for.

Fun Fridays – We play a fun game, like Follow the Leader.

Open Time

At Open Time, children work in centers and small groups. Teachers set up various activities and provocations that target learning goals and child-centered curriculum topics, and children work collaboratively and independently. Teachers interact, observe, or lead small group activities.

If you haven’t received one yet, keep an eye out for an individual StoryPark post that will give you a peek into what your kiddo has been up to during Open Time!

Snack

Usually after Meeting we move into a family-style morning snack, where children serve themselves from a couple of different snack options. Usually fruits, vegetables, cheese, and/or “crunchy snacks” like crackers.

After snack, we have “book time,” where children read independently or with partners.

Specials

Each week, Red Room kids participate in the following Specials classes, some of which are done in half-groups…

Mondays: Science with Kim and Movement with Kyleigh

Wednesdays: Art with Jim and Music with Meghan

Fridays: Pottery with Dave

Gross Motor

Movement is an important part of our day, so we carve out ample time for visits to the gym, track, roof, or eventually, local playgrounds. This happens most mornings around 11:00, and again after around 2:00.

Work Times

Some days, we have Work Time, which is a catch-all for various curriculum-related activities, like deciding upon a class name, which will be happening soon!

Work Times can also include “Letter Time,” where we incorporate specific literacy-based activities, or “Math Games,” where we introduce specific counting or number-related games.

Lunch

Lunch is a great time for conversation and connection. On Fridays, we have pizza! After lunch, we have Journal Time before transitioning to Rest.

Rest

During Rest, children sit or lie on their mats, listen to calming music, and do quiet activities. On Fridays, we get to listen to audiobooks!

Goodbye

At the end of our day, we gather for our Goodbye Meeting. First, we count up the days of school. Then, we cross off the day of school that we just finished on our calendar. And finally, we close with a reflection activity or a song, before packing up our things to say goodbye. One teacher escorts children to Enrichment, and the other kids are dismissed at the door.

We can’t wait to share more about our classroom and curriculum at Back to School Night!