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While every day is unique at QACS, the following sample schedule has been created to give a sense of how a typical day might unfold at our school:
Morning Work - the activities the children engage in during this time are designed to allow them to 'wake up' their brains and bodies for the day. Teachers design activities that can be completed independently and allow the children to make choices over content and process.
Group Meeting - teachers and children share news, welcome back students who were previously absent, plan for the day ahead, introduce volunteers or visitors, discuss issues or concerns, follow up on questions from the previous day, etc.
Writing - the children work on creating fiction or non-fiction 'books' of their choosing. They could be working on a story plan, dictating words to an adult, independently writing the first draft of an adventure novel, illustrating pictures or typing their writing on a computer for final publication. This is a time where children develop strong independence and a passion for writing and literature. They relish hearing each others' stories and sharing their work with their friends. It is a wonderful learning and community building time in each of our classes.
Math - we strive to make math fun and engaging, and have each child come to love the challenges and rewards inherent in becoming mathematically literate. We approach math in a way that involves the use of many concrete hands-on materials, real-life problem-solving questions and applications, and the chance for the children to talk as their learn. In our Kindergarten class, this might involve children building towers out of unifix cubes or handing out 'cups of tea' from the water table. In Third Grade, this might involve children designing the layout of furniture and resources in their classroom, then presenting and defending their plans to the class.
Lunch/Recess - this is a much-loved time of each child's school day. It is a time for the children to talk, play, move and solve problems together. It is also a time when Pre-K to Fifth Grade children come together each day, to learn from each other and make new friends. As often as possible, the children recess at one of several neighboring parks - giving them access to a larger outdoor space to move, play and explore.
Reading - this is a naturally quiet part of our day (unless a story is being read aloud!), in which all children are assisted in choosing an engaging variety of appropriately challenging reading materials. Across all grades, time is devoted daily to the sharing and discussion of books and other reading materials. Children also have extended periods of time for independent reading.
Integrated Studies - this is the part of our day when the children participate in extended activities based around our current theme. This is our dedicated project-based, experiential learning time. Visitors to our classrooms during this time might see children excitedly transforming their room into an enchanted forest, deep sea ocean habitat or a futuristic space station. Whatever the activity or theme, there will likely be a great deal of noise, movement, discussion, problem solving and creating!
Choice Time - this is a time when the children can spontaneously choose their own groupings and activities. Some children might choose to construct a ramp using wooden blocks, others might draw with a friend or paint at the easel, and others might join in an impromptu play in the dress-up area. Whatever the activity, each child knows that this is a time when they have freedom of 'choice' over what they engage in. Choice is a MUCH loved part of the children's day at QACS!
Shared Book & Community Diary - this is a calm and reflective time of our day, when the children come together to enjoy literature of various kinds, and record their thoughts in their Community Diary (which, as its name suggests, is used by each class group to record insights, exciting features, questions or quotes from their day together).
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