Curriculum Corner: 'New basics for a new year'
"Curriculum Corner," a bi-weekly column by Blue Mountain School officials, returns for the new school year.
By Shareese Castillo and Lynn Bryant, Blue Mountain School Jade Teachers (6- and 7-year olds)
As a new school year started at Blue Mountain School, we began wondering together, "What makes a classroom family?" As we entered into our first full week, we returned to that conversation with a new question: "What does it mean to care for one another?"
The children shared their ideas and experiences as we began thinking more deeply about what care might look and feel like in the community we are building together. Books have been companions in this wondering, too. Throughout the week, we shared stories including "Words Are Like Faces" by Barbara Baer and Rebecca Teis, "Bear’s New Friend" by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman, "Who Wants a Hug?" by Jeff Mack, and "Peaceful, Peaceful Panda"" by Mary Wiley. Each offered another opening for thinking together about friendship, words, boundaries, peace, and what it means to be in relationship with others.
602 East Main Street
Floyd Virginia
540-745-8686
That question seemed to travel with us into Music and Movement with Kris and Julia. Kris shared “Tulo Tulo,” a traditional Luganda lullaby from Uganda, whose lyrics include the beautiful idea that “the light in the sky sees you”— the moon or stars watching over a child. It offered yet another way into our growing conversation about reverence, care, and paying attention to the world around us. The children were especially taken with the rhythmic sound of the word Uganda.
Later, several carried it back into their own play, spontaneously creating a chant around the word. We love noticing moments like this — when something encountered in one part of the day travels with the children, is played with and transformed, and becomes part of their own expression.
By Wednesday afternoon, we could tell that our first full week was beginning to catch up with some tired bodies. Rather than pushing through, we slowed our afternoon down and gathered for some yoga together — a chance to stretch, breathe, reset, and listen to what our bodies needed. Part of learning to live together is learning to notice when our community needs a different pace.
Family-owned HVAC installation and services.
25 years of experience. Committed to excellence.
Financing available with approved credit.
540-745-4912
436 Floyd HWY S
Throughout the week, we also spent some quiet one-on-one and small-group time getting to know each child as a learner through a few beginning literacy and math experiences. These aren't about scores or comparing children to one another. Instead, they offer another window into what each child already knows, how they approach a challenge, the strategies they use, and what they may be ready to explore next. Much of this happened in playful, low-key ways — playing pattern-making games together, dancing and moving as we counted, and exploring early literacy through conversation, sounds, letters, and stories. Alongside everything we learn through play, conversation, observation, and our daily life together, these glimpses help us thoughtfully shape experiences that meet children where they are while offering possibilities for continued growth.
We rounded out the week with another big question: "What is the purpose of rules?" Rather than beginning Jade with a list of adult-made classroom rules, we are beginning the slower work of co-creating our own Jade community agreements. We are listening for the children’s thinking about care, safety, belonging, boundaries, voice, repair, and how we care for the spaces and living things around us.
As part of that work, we practiced a new boundary song together today, giving the children simple words they can use when something doesn't feel comfortable or they need more space: “Please stop, I don't like that. I'm feeling uncomfortable. I need more space... That's just a boundary.” We talked about how someone else's boundary isn't something to take personally — it is information that helps us know how to care for one another. Our hope is that these kinds of concrete tools, alongside the children's own thinking, will help us arrive at a small set of agreements that sound like our children and can continue to grow and change as our community does.
The old school building converted into three floors of almost all types of fabrics available, and craft supplies! Plus - an extra building of upholstery fabrics and supplies!
220 N. Locust St., Floyd VA
(540) 745-4561
sfabrics@swva.net
“Curriculum Corner” is a bi-weekly column written by Blue Mountain School teachers to share insight and school happenings.
Know a child who belongs here? Blue Mountain School is enrolling for next year — contact@bluemountainschool.net. Blue Mountain School is a progressive, contemplative school in Floyd where intentional curriculum planning is part of the everyday.
