Chavitos! Nature School
Chavitos Elementary
Chavitos Elementary
I feel like I can not say this enough but thank you for everything you do! While reading the newsletter I started to cry. Our family is so happy that we found Chavitos for A -and one day our little ones. There is no other place that takes the time like this and cares so deeply. We are so grateful to be a part of the Chavitos Family.
Tiarra-Mother of a Kindergartner
Our classrooms are varied and mostly outside. We have a 16 foot geodome that we use when it rains. We converted a garage into an art studio that holds our library, work spaces, and supplies. Our hallway functions as a mudroom to strip off wet layers before heading to the geodome or to the outside classroom spaces.
We have a rolling table that comes out of the art studio expanding our space for cooking, art, and math work. Our bathroom, sandbox and additional outdoor work space are ready to use at any moment! Loose parts are organized and invite the students to explore and learn during two dedicated movement times during the day.
Chavitos On the Hill
Our new Elementary program
Chavitos On the Hill
Our new Elementary program
Our elementary program, is at a second location. We currently are searching for new land to call home.
Chavitos Elementary is lead by Meag. She uses her Montessori skills of a multiage classroom to teach a small group of Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.
We are committed instruction being taught by a fluent Spanish speaker. Currently one of our teachers speaks Spanish during the morning elective 3 hours.
Class are flexible and follow the flow and interests of the children. If the students are curious about our chicken and their eggs, but it's Spanish class time the class will continue with just a shift into more specific Spanish teaching. Maybe they start to learn the words for egg, feather, beck or learn phrases like "The chicken is red."
During academic block Meag and the co-teacher use their teaching and Montessori background and experience to follow the child's needs. Some students might be working on a play to perform to parents and others might be working on a book to donate to the class library. We believe there are many ways to learn and we will honor the individual style of your child. We do this while using the common core standards to plan and communicate lessons and progress with parents. Rigor and excellence are also a value we hold.
We have three different options for Chavitos Elementary.
1. Elective option. This is run like a cooperative. Classes are offering Monday-Friday 9:00-12:00. You can enroll your child for as many or as few days as your family needs. Each class is $10. The classes we will be offering are Spanish, art, social justice, marimba and dance, cooking, and science. Classes are limited to 15 students with a student teacher ratio of 2:7.
2. Academic block. This is run like a tutoring session. It will be taught as a multi-aged class. The classes are Literacy and Math. There will be whole group lessons such as read aloud and calendar. Also, there will be small group lessons which are decided by the needs of the students and will be focused on the skill and standards those students are ready for. There will also be individual lessons to meet each child's unique needs. The commitment is for five days a week 12:00-3:00. This is offered to grades Kindergarten through Sixth. Spanish is sprinkled into songs, numbers and concepts, but English is the main language for these lessons.
3. Full day. This is best for students under the age of 8. At age 8 students must be declared either homeschooling or enroll in a public or private school. For this option the student participates Monday-Friday 9:00-3:00 for a full day of both electives and academic block. If over 8 students are welcome to come a maxim of 3 days/week.
Students over 8 years old may puzzle together their schedule. They may come to all elective classes and 3 days/week of academic support. Or to all academic support and 3 days of elective classes. We've found there to be a lot of different options within these requirements so please reach out to problem solve together.
Students over 8 years old may not come to our school full time.
Chicken care
Chicken care
We have three chickens that the students love to take care of. We save our food scraps for them and check on their water and bedding needs daily.
Lake Walk
Lake Walk
Every morning we take a lake walk. It's been really amazing to see the lake change throughout the year. Our pathways have been covered with water, the lake froze, and we have done our botany science lessons around the lake! We love being connected to the seasons through the changes the the lake.
Literacy
Literacy
Kindergarteners and First graders play with our moveable alphabet to build words from the -ap word family.
Cooking Class
Cooking Class
Every Wednesday we cook together from what is in season. We use math to measure, double and estimate during cooking as well as learning how to use special cooking techniques and also be introduced to new foods.
Cooking Class
Cooking Class
We choose simple recipes that allow us to practice new Spanish words and the physics and chemistry we learn from our science lessons.
Loose Parts
Loose Parts
We leave out loose parts that invite the children to use their imaginations, create in new ways, and tap into the magic of engineering and math.
Math
Math
We allow movement and exploration during math time. The K-1 have a class together and then transition to literacy. We use state standards to guide our instruction and find ways to make it fun and hands on at the same time.
Math
Math
Grade 2-5 work on their math work books through Singapore math. The curriculum includes a daily lesson, workbook practice and fun games.
Math Art and Games
Math Art and Games
We include math art project and practical life applications for the math standards.
Literacy
Literacy
We have small group lessons that include using an acronym called IPICK to find a "good fit" book. We have time to share our thinking in front of a group, to do partner shares, and practice daily to read to self, read to others, listen to reading and work on writing.
Reading to Self
Reading to Self
Daily we have time to practice reading. Both age groups had whole class lessons about the three ways to read a book. 1. Read the Pictures. 2. Read the Words. 3. Retell the story. These three ways honor all readers and also validates that pictures give us a lot of very important information.
Writing
Writing
We take time daily to learn new writing strategies and then have time to put those strategies to practice. A volunteer shares their work to the whole group and the audience learns how to give feedback through celebrating what they did well, offering suggestions and asking questions.
Cultural Bag
Cultural Bag
Each child and teacher has an opportunity to share about their ancestry and culture. The student presents through photos, stories, and guests about what makes them unique. By learning about ourselves we have more tolerance for others. By learning about others we find connections and create community. Here Neil and Lena taught us about their hanboks that are worn in Korea during the Fall harvest festival of Chuseok.
Harvest Celebration
Harvest Celebration
We learn about seasonal celebrations which include the equinoxes and full moons. Here we celebrated the season of fall by enjoying a harvest festival dish of Korean stirfry called JapChae.
Spanish Class
Spanish Class
Twice a week we have a Spanish class taught by teacher Alicia. She has been teaching colors and animals. We use Spanish throughout the day in our songs and lessons.
Marimba
Marimba
Twice a week we also have marimba class taught by teacher Jeff. The classes are divided into two groups of 6 students. Each child has a marimba which they learn rhythm and new songs on.
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch is outside, distanced and slow! The students take the time to connect, share stories, and relax.
Tuition
Tuition
Interested? Click to find out about the cost of each program.
Daily Chavitos Elementary Rhythm
This will be updated for the Fall of 2022.
Daily Chavitos Elementary Rhythm
This will be updated for the Fall of 2022.
