Welcome to the Lab School!
A Day at SGMLS
Visitors to the Lab School find themselves immersed in the busy, happy hum of activity. During our three-hour program children participate in a balance of self-selected, child-directed learning experiences and teacher-facilitated learning experiences. Every day offers a range of educational opportunities including large and small group activities focusing on math, science, art, literacy, sensory, construction/block building, dramatic play, gym, and outdoor play.
Arrival
8:30 – 8:45 am or 12:30 - 12:45 pm
During this time children receive a brief health check from the Health and Safety Person. Children and parents are greeted by the teachers.
Indoor Play and Gym
8:45 – 9:45 am or 12:30 – 1:45 pm
During this time, children may choose from a number of activities made available for the day. This time may include, but not be limited to: art, math, science, problem solving activities, books, blocks, dramatic play, cooking, construction activities, large motor play and sensory activities such as play with water or sand.
Clean-up and Large Group Time
9:45 - 10:10 am or 1:45 - 2:10 pm
This time may include music and movement experiences, stories and dramatizations, concept development and, as the children are ready, group discussions.
Snack
10:10 – 10:25 am or 2:10 – 2:25 pm *
This time is used for informal conversations, concept development, literature, or playing learning games, as well as a nutritious snack.
*As the year progresses, some classes will incorporate snack into playtime ("open snack"), where children choose to sit down and eat whenever they are hungry.
Small Group Time
10:25 – 10:50 am or 2:25 – 2:50 pm
This is the part of the day when 5-7 children meet with one of the teachers to study and learn about topics that are of particular interest. Small group studies or projects may include examining books and literature, drawing and use of other types of art media, recording data, watching and discussing relevant videos, field trips, and guided small group discussion.
Dressing and Outdoor Play**
10:50 – 11:15 am or 2:50 – 3:15 pm
Children choose from a variety of activities in the outdoor learning environment or large motor room (Room 40) including climbing, running, digging, dancing, biking, woodworking, exploration of the natural world.
Our OUTDOOR PLAY POLICY:
Children play outside except during extremely cold or rainy weather and should be dressed appropriately to avoid discomfort. Our general policy is that all children who are in school will go outside if their class goes outside. If parents do not want their child to go outside following a bout of illness, they may come early to pick up their child at the time the rest of the class goes outside.
If a child suffers from ongoing respiratory distress when exposed to very cold air, parents can obtain a written note from the doctor indicating the reason why their child cannot participate in outdoor play and specific temperature guidelines for us to follow. The Health and Safety Person will supervise children who are not able to go outside until they can join the rest of their class for inside dismissal.
Departure
11:15 am or 3:15 pm
Goodbyes and brief parent-staff communications.
Note:
Because the Lab School is a half-day program, naps and rest are not part of the daily schedule. Should a child need rest, they can nap on the classroom couch or in the school office.