This class size is possible because the children stay with the same teacher for three years and much of the teaching comes from the children and the environment. Our teachers spend a lot of time during teacher training practicing the many lessons with materials in all areas. She must pass a written and oral exam on these lessons in order to be certified. Ideally, there are two 2-3 hour, uninterrupted, work periods each day, not broken up by required group lessons or lessons by specialists. Adults and children respect concentration and do not interrupt someone who is busy at a task.
Groups form spontaneously.
There are no grades, or other forms of reward or punishment, subtle or overt. Assessment is by portfolio and the teacher's observation and record keeping. The test of whether or not the system is working lies in the accomplishment and behavior of the children, their happiness, maturity, kindness, and love of learning and work. There are no academic requirements for this age, but children are exposed to amazing amounts of knowledge and often learn to read, write and calculate beyond what is usually thought possible for a child of this age. This particular is recommended by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner in his theory of multiple intelligences.