The Wolfpack Classroom is a multi-age group of students ages eight to ten who spend their days in a learning environment that encourages creativity, risk taking, problem solving and mindful thinking. Our multi-age grouping not only has proven academic benefits, such as heightened language and cognitive development, but also lends to creating an atmosphere of respect and leadership.
Students enter the class each morning and spend time socializing with their peers, playing games, and completing small academic math or literacy components known as “Morning Work.”
From there, we begin our day with a very special Morning Meeting time at our circle carpet. Here, students greet one another, share stories, complete calendar work, and discuss the agenda for the day.
Our Morning Meeting time sets the tone for the day and creates a safe space for children to share and ask questions; it transitions students from home to school and establishes the foundation for respectful learning.
Our morning academic time is spent focusing on literacy, grammar, and math. Students in the Wolfpack are taught individually or in a small group setting to ensure each child is moving at their own academic pace. One of students’ favorite time of day is known as, “Chill Zone.” This quiet time happens after recess and lunch: the lights are dimmed and students are read an age-appropriate novel. This unique portion of our day, though only twenty minutes, lends to a deepening of reading comprehension skills and prediction making, as students are engaged, asking questions, and understanding the various components of a story.
Additionally, our days are intermixed with a blend of “Specials” and our Science and Social Studies curriculum, which follows the Core Knowledge guidelines. “Specials” include art, music, physical education, and foreign language. Finally, our days end the way they begin: at the circle carpet. At Greenbrier Community School, we come together at the end of the day and reflect upon our time together at our “Closing Circle.” Here, students prepare for the transition to homes and find a peaceful closure to their day.
