Imagine a community where learners help each other navigate an outdoor play space with climbing structures that they’ve never challenged themselves to before. Imagine the excitement of going to new heights while keeping safety first for all. The usage of building materials such as wooden planks have endless possibilities that lead to careful planning and successful problem solving. The sandbox provides an area where creativity has the opportunity to grow. Cakes are baked, holes are dug, sand is sifted, tiger statues are designed…there is no end to the imagination.
Think of thriving older learners walking alongside younger learners to help them acclimate to their learning environment and inspiring joy deep within from their responses that illuminates throughout our circle times.
Imagine perfecting the sounds of individual letters as they roll off of the tip of their tongue. Learning each unique sound brings laughter and smiles to small group lessons.
This is just a glimpse of the joy found in Spark Studio. Read along to see what a learner-centered, self-directed, play-based environment looks like with our youngest learners.
Following the morning circle, learners jump right into their learning by focusing on literacy. Some learners choose to focus on their writing while others choose to go read and spell with the infamous reading drawers.
“I can’t believe I mastered orange drawer seven!”
The beauty of our learning design is that learners get to work at their own pace. If a learner needs more time practicing a skill or is just too excited about the story they’re writing, there is no rush to move on before mastery has been achieved or imagination has had the chance to be written out. Spark learners are learning how to learn and learning how to balance their learning.
After an hour of non-stop reading, writing, and spelling, learners get to switch gears from being readers to being mathematicians. Using a mix of Montessori and standard hands-on math materials, learners go choose a ‘work’ to focus on. Sometimes, they pick something in their challenge zone right off the bat, and other times they engage in a warm-up game with another learner or two before seeking out a challenge. Some learners prefer the hands-on materials while others like worksheets to apply their knowledge. Our math corner has all of these available for learners to truly be self-directed. But of course, a guide is always nearby to introduce a new skill or material and help talk learners through their thinking process.
“Last time it took me two days to do my hundreds chart. This time it only took me one day and I did even more numbers!”
The magic of the mixed-age studio is that learners get to not only learn from one another but guide one another. During morning work, older learners are eager to read to a younger learner, help a friend sound-out a word, demonstrate how to skip-count using a bead chain, or teach a new game.
It wouldn’t be a typical day in Spark without project time. Spark learners get split into a smaller group where they lead the investigations. Using the Reggio Emilia approach, learners lead the projects following their interests and curiosities. It starts with provoking thinking through loose parts, such as blocks, old cork, recycled applesauce tops, and even trash! From these provocations, ideas have been born that led to learners creating their own business, designing their own zoo, and building a model of the Washington Monument. Project time is not just for creating, but for learning how to collaborate and problem solve with other learners.
At the end of the day, Spark learners gather in our cozy ‘Book Cafe’ corner, anticipating the new book that will be read. This time is intentionally designed to spark thinking and inspire creativity. Learners study topics, ideas, or questions through the books, engaging in hands-on projects like churning fresh butter, making homemade applesauce, or sprouting seeds in plastic bags that hang in the window. But sometimes, we just enjoy simply reading with some of our favorite book characters, like Nibbles or Elephant and Piggie. Book Cafe time is extra special when Spark gets to read with their Adventure reading buddies or hear a favorite story from a “Mystery Reader.”
Every day in Spark Studio is different and brings new challenges but one thing remains the same: learners learn.
villageschoolnova.blog 