3, 4 & 5 Year Olds - The Quietude Classroom

The Quietude mood expresses wishes, emotions, and possibilities. As an aspect of grammar, it allows us to propose and imagine different outcomes and qualities contrary to the way things are. It allows us to consider how things are related, and how those relationships might have otherwise taken shape.  The Quietude Room is a place where we learn how to think about what we do, and how we see the world, in different and evolving ways. 

Throughout the morning the Quietude children have the opportunity to play outside, eat a healthy snack (provided by a different family each week) and participate in large and small group activities.  At Morning Meeting we talk about the emerging interests of students, introduce new information, share our creations and listen to others thoughts on subject matters.  Leaving meeting, each child makes their first choice or has the opportunity to practice their gross motor skills in the gym.  Morning choices are divided into areas--Study, Writing Center, Project Studio, Construction, Discovery and Dramatic Play.  Our room provides students with a variety of related tools to explore and work out ideas and interests, together and independently. It forms a context of interaction in which to frame questions about how we treat each other, and how we are situated in the larger world.  45 minutes to an hour is dedicated to choice time and then it is off to lunch.  At our family style meals the children are seated at mixed age tables with some of the oldest students at the school who help them by modeling appropriate language and manners.  Lunch is followed by a rest and read period.  Upon waking up from nap the children enjoy another snack and gather for a final meeting to reflect on the day.    

We have introduced various themes in our classroom over the years, ranging from seasonal topics to student inspired studies.  Although we learn many new things, one topic has been a common thread, cooperation and collaboration.   

Our main objective has been to inspire in each child the value of working and playing cooperatively.  Through books and stories (often ones they create) the children are able to connect to the basic concepts of cooperation.  Throughout their day they are encouraged to practice respectful language and explore the necessary problem solving tools that will carry them through life.  Working collaboratively gives the children the opportunity to recognize similar interests their friends may have, leading to new social scenarios based on these special interests.  

2008-09 The Progression Of A Study

One example of this work began with a discussion of the senses at morning meeting.  While many of the areas were filled with materials related to this topic, a small group of students expressed an interest in coordinating a school wide survey on eye color.  Clip boards and questions ready, the group gathered and recorded the data, then returned to the whole class to report their findings.  Eye color paved the way to a color study where students learned about primary colors and color mixing.   The Shadow Monster photos below show another group's experiment with visual perception through light and shadows.  These pictures made their way into the studio where the children did black & white pencil drawings of the "monsters".