Fern Grove Cooperative Learning

Q: What does the structure of the day look like?
A:

9:00 Arrival, Game, Snack, and Free Play

10:00 Opening Circle, Activity #1

11:00 Hike, Activity #2 in Location

12:00 Lunch + Free Play

1:00 Circle Time + Reading

2:00 Hike Back/Activity #3 (Ferns)

2:30-3:00 Free Play + Pick-Up

Q: What is Emergent Learning?
A: Emergent Learning is exploring children’s interests through ongoing and intentional learning experiments and projects. Depending on how interested the group is in a certain subject area, we may expand our learning in that area to encompass all subjects of learning!

Q: How are academics integrated into programming?
A: We integrate academic concepts throughout our day, including emergent learning interests, group academic goals, and play-based learning. Our activities will center around child-led, emergent curriculum while incorporating concepts such as language and literacy, mathematics, scientific knowledge, history, arts, and culture. We value the funds of knowledge within our community and acknowledge that there are diverse ways of doing, being, thinking, and knowing; this means that we are open to learning from one another as we learn as a group. We will also be planning monthly field trips to learn from our greater community.

Q: What is anti-bias education and why is it important?
A: Anti-bias education is an optimistic pledge to support young children living in a diverse yet still inequitable world. We are all alike, we are all different. By providing children with opportunities to share their identity, culture, and language(s), as well as to see themselves represented in books and materials, we provide “mirrors” that help strengthen and value identity. Conversely, providing “windows” into diverse ways of being, doing, thinking, and knowing, demonstrates that diversity is also valued. This creates dialogue about fairness, equity, and justice. In turn, this prompts children to speak up and act against injustice, moving toward a more equitable world for their future.

Q: What is location-based learning?
A: We love to learn from the world around us, and with so many different habitats to visit here in Santa Cruz County, we aim to learn as much as possible about each location. From flora and fauna to directional awareness, this encompasses a lot of learning opportunities! Certain locations we run from are optimized for specific projects as well, such as measuring the velocity of the creek at Henry Cowell.

Q: Can I bring in a book/activity/etc. to do with the class?
A: We value others’ funds of knowledge, and would love to schedule a time for you to share something relevant to your culture, home life, or other interests. Email us and we can schedule a good time for you to help us integrate learning in the outdoors!

Q: When can I bring my child back to program after they are feeling unwell?
A: 24 hours after their fever and major symptoms have subsided, without medication. Doctor’s notes will also do! Read more here.

Q: What do you do if the weather is unsafe to be outdoors?
A: Dependent on what kind of inclement weather is occurring, we will attempt to move to a safer location, or call off the program for the day. Read more here.

Q: What happens if there is an emergency while onsite?
A: We will first do what we can to help your child/children. We will call family and/or emergency services, depending on the severity of the situation. We will move the other children away from the emergency to protect your child’s privacy.

Q: Where are you located?
A: We will change locations in a nomadic rotation, month-by-month. Check out Our Locations for possible sites, and Our Calendar for locations by month.

Q: What happens if my child is being bullied?
A: Unkindness and injustice are two things we are firmly against at Fern Grove. While children are still learning to be kind to each other despite their own strong feelings, we will walk them through a check-in with their peer. This usually includes asking the questions: “Are you okay?” and “How can I help you feel better?” This promotes helping someone we’ve hurt by doing something that they decide will help, prompting action. Taking action against injustice and unkindness is also a part of our anti-bias curriculum, so it is always relevant to our learning.