The Classroom as a Community of Learners

At the Fox Hill School, the classroom is more than just a learning space—it is a vibrant community where children and teachers come together with shared values of respect, responsibility, safety, and trust. As members of this community, teachers model these essential principles and guide children in developing important social and emotional skills. Through daily experiences, children learn to solve problems, take pride in their work and environment, and offer kindness and support to their peers.

The classroom environment is intentionally designed to foster independence and curiosity. A key feature of our approach is the use of interest centers—clearly defined areas of the classroom where children engage in hands-on, meaningful activities that reflect both developmental goals and individual interests.

 

These centers include: Blocks, Puzzles & Games, Dramatic Play, Art & Collage, Woodworking, Math & Manipulatives, Writing & Language, Sensory Table, Science & Discovery, Library & Listening, Kitchen/Cooking, and Outdoor Exploration.

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Teachers and children collaboratively shape the content of these centers throughout the day. For example, the Science & Discovery center might feature a real pumpkin or freshly picked apples. A teacher may begin by guiding children in cutting open the fruit to explore what’s inside. As interest grows, this simple activity can evolve into a self-directed learning experience—children might examine the fruit with magnifying glasses, sketch what they see, count the seeds, compare textures, or label parts of the fruit.

Through these organic, play-based experiences, children engage in rich, multidisciplinary learning—connecting science, math, language, art, and sensory exploration in meaningful, developmentally appropriate ways.