Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm offers birth –3rd grade education and Farm and Forest Summer Camp based on the Waldorf philosophy on a working farm in Essex, NY.
Open Houses Allow Community To See Our Programs
By Maeve Taylor, Lakeside School Administrator
Have you ever wondered what actually goes on at that little yellow school house up on the mountain above Essex? Are you looking for an alternative education opportunity for your young child? Do you know someone looking for a day care? The faculty at Lakeside School would love to help you learn about our programs.
Lakeside School, a non profit school offering Waldorf education, is opening its doors to our community once a month to provide insight into our classes. Tomorrow, Wednesday November 16, the public is invited to come view our Farm and Forest Kindergarten, our Sprouts Day Care Program, and our 1rst through 3rd grade Elementary program. Each Open House runs from 8:30 to 10:30am. RSVPs are required to Maeve Taylor (admin@lakesideschoolinessex.org or (518) 963-7385.) Future Open House dates include December 5, January 19, February 7, March 9 and 29, April 27, and May 23.
If you are visiting the Farm and Forest Kindergarten wear your hiking shoes and woolies, because this class adventures out on the forest trails daily. After play time and morning circle (featuring seasonal songs), and a visit with the chickens, the Kindergarten hikes to one of their forest classrooms. These favorite play areas feature twisty vines for swinging, boulders, giant trees, and logs for clambering, mud to dig in, and a plethora of materials for fort building. Come witness the learning power of creative free play in nature!
The Sprouts program stays closer to school to meet the needs of our one to three year olds. Their day schedules around eating, resting, and potty time – but there is also plenty of time for outdoor play. While our sand box is always a favorite play place, the logs, trees, rocks, and forts in our play yard beckon our smallest students with adventure. This play space allows them to do their daily work of exploring the world and making neural connections. The Sprouts also observe the older students in their games and lessons, and hold these inspirational models close to heart!
Our one room Elementary Program, with first, second, and third graders begins indoors with a morning circle – featuring seasonal songs and poems. The students then dive into their Main Lesson – which currently is focused on mathematics. The lesson is multi-layered, to meet the needs of each grade level. The students are currently working on word problems with all four match functions. The oldest students are learning about measuring. Each activity includes a hands-on component and multiple ways to solve problems are encouraged. Our Main Lesson blocks alternate every six weeks between English language development, math, and cultural history. The rest of the day in elementary class includes two long recess breaks, movement and games class, forest adventures (building the foundations for science education), farm work, handwork such as knitting and carpentry, art, language study (this year the students are learning French, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, and German in six week blocks), and story time.
Come visit Lakeside School to learn more about our programs and our community!
Lakeside School
6 Leaning Road, Essex NY 12936
(518) 963-7385
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