The sunlight is streaming in through large windows, and natural objects are carefully arranged alongside art supplies and other materials around the classroom. Throughout the room is evidence of the children's work: photographs of children working on projects, transcripts of conversations, stories, paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Each day is a new chance for exploration - you never know what will happen, or where the children will lead. The current project began with the children's interest in flowers. A group of children really wanted to pick flowers to give to one another in bouquets. After several conversations with the children and with each other, the teachers decided that this was worth exploring.
Over the weeks, the flower project had taken them to a local Lavender Farm on a field trip, to a florist shop, and to the library, where the class checked out many books on flowers. In the classroom, the project has splintered into several groups - one group of children is very interested in planting and growing flowers, another is building a florist shop out of cardboard boxes, and a third group has veered off and become interested in creatures that live underground, especially worms.
The classroom is ever-changing, to meet the needs and interests of the class. A work table is set up in the room where a small group of children are examining seeds, digging in soil, and watering plants. A vermicomposting centre (worm composting) has been established, and two girls are working with a teacher there, examining worms and gently turning the earth. In the center of the room, a group of five children are painting a massive cardboard box structure - soon to be the flower shop.