PODS CLASS DAILY SCHEDULE
Pods Daily Schedule 2019 - 2020
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8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. • Arrival at school
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. • Morning choice time
During this time, our inquiry learning literally comes into play! Students choose from various stations around the Exploration Wing to interact with each other, build their social-emotional skills, and dive deeper into their current topic(s) of interest.
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9:00 a.m. • Morning meeting
The Pods come together for morning meeting, where we greet each other, share how we are feeling, go over our schedule for the day, read aloud a short story pertaining to our I Care rules.
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9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. • Small groups
Students rotate through a series of 5 different stations prepared with developmentally appropriate literacy skills that are also aligned with our current inquiry unit. These stations include Guided Reading with the teacher, Read to Self, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading, and Word Work.
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9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. • Class break
Students have the option to get a snack, read, relax, converse, and/or do yoga during this break time.
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10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Focused Math
Whole class math topic introduction and application activities either as whole group, small groups, or individual. We will sometimes be working with the Sprouts..
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10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. • Class meeting
During our class meeting we will meet outside on the grass and check in on how everyone is feeling and I Care rules applied this morning. Once everyone has shared, students can play outside.
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. • Lunch & recess
After washing their hands, students choose their seat at our lunch areas. What they don’t finish, they can eat at afternoon choice time. Next, students have recess with the Sprouts and Blossoms at the red and blue park.*
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12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. • Read Aloud
The Pods gather inside to relax while listening to and participating in a story read-aloud.
12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. • Story / Quiet time
Students can lie down on the blue rug during read-aloud times. It is a student responsibility to find a good-fit spot where they can feel relaxed and focused on the story. Pods may also read with the Sprouts and Blossoms.
1:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. • Inquiry
Focus on finding answers to questions regarding a topic of class interest through projects, research, experiments, trial and error, risk-taking, and construction of knowledge that also includes incorporation of other personal experiences.
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1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. • Afternoon Choice Time
Our inquiry learning and play continues. As in the morning choice time, children choose from various stations around the Exploration Wing to interact with one another, build their social-emotional skills, and dive deeper into our current topics of interest.
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2:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. • Class meeting
Check in on feelings and I Care rules applied this afternoon.
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2:50 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. • Pack up
Pack-up to go home, meeting outside (weather permitting)
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*Experiencing the outdoors is important in every season, so recess is held outside throughout the school year. (We only stay inside during extreme weather.) In addition to the necessary physical activity, which improves retention and focus, children are practicing skills like listening, communication, and collaboration. Having time to explore their surroundings, invent games, and build physical fitness is crucial to meeting the needs of the whole child. Nature play has so many benefits. Parents should bring seasonally appropriate extra clothes for their child to keep at school, and change out their outdoor gear depending on the weather (layers of clothing for rain boots in spring and fall; snow boots, snow pants, waterproofs gloves, hats, etc.)
SPROUTS & BLOSSOMS
DAILY SCHEDULE
Sprouts & Blossoms Daily Schedule 2018 - 2019
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. • Arrival at school
8:20 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. • Restorative Circle
This is a community-building time. Topics discussed vary, ranging from expression and resolution of interpersonal or group issues to exploration of complex concepts related to inquiry units.
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8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. • Reflection
After reviewing the day’s schedule, each child and teacher sets and shares personal goals for the day, which help set the tone for a mindful, happy, productive, and successful learning experience. This is one the building blocks of supporting executive functioning skills that Bloom emphasizes.
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. • Listening to literature
The classes separate and teachers read aloud a developmentally appropriate novel, often selected to enrich the current inquiry unit, address particular social-emotional topics, or explore issues.
9:30 a.m. • Break
Breaks are important tools to help the children focus. Students choose between a physical (outside, when weather permits), cognitive (drawing, puzzles, board game etc.) or silent break. Having this autonomy helps students develop understanding of, and to recognize and manage, their needs.
9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. • Writing / Mathematics
Writing
Students write and draw in their journals. Some children address something different in their journals every day while others continue ongoing narratives. This daily dedicated writing time helps build stamina for sustained thinking and focus.
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Math
Each session begins with a math talk. Math questions and puzzles presented to the students help them practice specific math skills and support number fluency. These math questions usually invite multiple answers. The time is then spent applying math to real-world experiences and problems and building and practicing foundational math skills.
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. • Lunch
The entire school eats together and socializes.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. • Morning Recess
All Bloom students have recess together. Experiencing the outdoors is important in every season, so recess is held outside throughout the school year. (We only stay inside during extreme weather.) In addition to the necessary physical activity, which improves retention and focus, children are practicing skills like listening, communication, and collaboration. Having time to explore their surroundings, invent games, and build physical fitness is crucial to meeting the needs of the whole child.
12:30 p.m. • Quiet Reading
Children read books of their choosing. This independent reading time builds reading stamina and promotes a love of reading. Teachers can also assess growing student literacy levels and provide supports
1:00 p.m. • Inquiry
Inquiry units integrate subjects like science, social studies, math with skills such as reading and writing into a unified whole. With guidance, children conduct research to answer in-depth questions they have about the world around them. By engaging in the inquiry process (planning, research, synthesizing new and prior knowledge, creating a project, presenting projects, and evaluating the success of process), students develop 21st-century skills including self-motivated learning, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration communication, and information literacy.
2:15 p.m. • Daily Chores
The children take care of the school environment, which helps instill a sense of responsibility, independence, and pride.
2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. • Reflection
Each class gathers to assess their progress toward meeting their daily goals. Each student shares their own assessment and then receives feedback from their classmates. Self-reflection paired with peer feedback builds self-awareness and communication skills.
2:50 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. • Pack up
Having spent our afternoon reading, questioning, researching, sharing, reflecting, and caring, we end the day outside, enjoying each other and our community.