A week at Aspen Grove
The same shape every day, and a different kind of work each day
A rhythm children can lean on
Each morning follows the same order, and each weekday has its own work. Children know what comes next, so the day stays quiet without many words.
Stories told by heart
A teacher tells a story without a book, and the same story returns for a week. Then children act it out with felt, wool and cloth.
The order of the day
From the door to pickup
- 018:30 am
Step 1: Arrival
A teacher greets each child at the door. Children hang up coats and boots and settle in with beeswax modeling or quiet play.
- 029:00 am
Step 2: Play and the day's work
Indoor play with wood, wool and cloth, while the day's work takes shape: handwork, painting or baking. Children join in as they like.
- 0310:15 am
Step 3: Circle
Songs, verses and movement, with a few in Spanish. The same circle repeats through the month.
- 0410:45 am
Step 4: Snack
Soup, bread or fruit, prepared at the table and shared by everyone.
- 0511:15 am
Step 5: Outdoors
Time in the garden or on the trail behind the school. Rain and snow gear hangs by the door.
- 0612:00 pm
Step 6: Story and pickup
A story told by heart, then goodbyes. Three- and four-morning families pick up at 12:30 pm. Children on the long day stay for lunch from home, rest and quiet play until 2:30 pm.
Each weekday
Four days, four kinds of work
Monday: handwork
Finger knitting, felting and sewing with wool. Four-morning children only.
Tuesday: painting
Watercolors on damp paper, one color at a time.
Wednesday: baking
Children knead the dough, and the room smells of bread by snack time.
Thursday: mountain walk
A longer time on the trail, with a stop for a story outdoors.
See a morning for yourself
Tours happen while the children are at work, so you see the day as they do.