Daily Schedule

Arrival Time at Red Barn is a busy part of the day with children being brought into their classrooms.  Upon entering the room, children put away their packs, wash their hands, and check jobs for the day.  Some classes go to the playground or Big Barn first in their schedule.  Other groups do table activities before the meeting time starts.

Meeting Time means hearing about plans for the day, sharing news, and sometimes singing or hearing a book read by the teacher.  Much of our curriculum is based on the season of the year and what is happening in nature.  We also follow social and emotional themes such as kindness, sharing, conflict resolution, and learning how people are alike and different.

Activity Time for work and play includes both table activities and dramatic play activities.  We believe that children learn by participating in activities that are developmentally appropriate.  Table activities are where we learn to use our small muscles to do puzzles, pegs, writing, drawing, scissor cutting, bead stringing, painting, paper tearing, and lots more.  Developmentally children are growing from the inside out so sensory motor activities such as water play, finger painting, and playdough are very valuable.   A project that is art, science, math or manipulative and requires following directions is planned by the teachers.

Dramatic Play is an important time to learn to share and get along.  Housekeeping play and blocks are very popular but we also vary props so that children are able to enjoy everything from a pizza restaurant to a castle with princes and princesses.  A teacher is always close by to encourage that all children are included and that everyone gets a turn.  Small group board game play or floor puzzle making is included.

Snack is provided by Red Barn.  Generally snack is juice, water, or milk with whole grain crackers, cereal, or pretzels.  Twice per month, we have special snack which may involve preparation by the children.  Examples of this would be pumpkin muffins made in October or English muffin pizzas made in January.  When birthday snacks are brought for children, we encourage only nutritional ones such as fruit.

Music includes finger plays, active songs, dances, and marches.  Rhythm with sticks, hands, and body movements are important for learning literacy and numeracy.  Many transition songs are used as children move through the day.

Story and Library Time Library time, looking at books, is a transition into a listening time. Story may mean a book read by the teacher but also could be poetry, nursery rhymes, story telling, or dramatization of favorite books.

Outdoor Time may be spent on the playground, in the Big Barn, walking around the property observing nature.  Cooperative games may be played in front of the Big Barn.