In the morning, the West Wing children make appointments for themselves using their photos and a board divided by spaces: Building Space, Exploration Area, Communication Center, Mini Studio, House Area, Sand Area, Atelier, Front Yard. The teachers are rotating the children through each space for exposure during their first weeks and are keeping them in their flower groups with their main teacher. For practice, they put their photo in the space in which they are requested. In the afternoon, the Daisies arrive to friends playing in the front yard. They gather on the steps, sing a song, and make their appointments in the same way when they enter the classroom for circle time.
The children are beginning to make relationships and are requesting that they put their own photo next to their new friends’ photo within their space.
As time goes on, children will begin to choose spaces to continue work, to connect with friends in other flower groups, and to explore materials in which they’ve become interested. – Kristin