Wauhatchie Forest SCHOOL K-5
Locations and SCHEDULE
Wauhatchie Forest Kindergarten is located at two sites in the Chattanooga area:
Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center at the foot of Lookout Mountain
Audubon Acres in East Brainerd
Wauhatchie Forest Grades 1-5 is located at one site in the Chattanooga area:
Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center at the foot of Lookout Mountain
Monday through fridaY 8:30-3:00
The day to day schedule varies depending on weather, children’s needs, guest artists, and children’s supported interests. The schedule below is our typical guide.
8:30 | Hike to first site and Sit Spots
8:50 | Waldorf style story telling and morning songs
9:15 | Free play and exploration
10:40 | Snack and circle time
11:00 | Curriculum engagement (Forest School style)
12:15 | Lunch and literacy
1:00 | Arts enrichment (Forest School style)
2:45 | Reflection and closing circle
Age Requirements
Kindergarten: 5 by August 15
1st Grade: 6 by August 15
2nd Grade: 7 by August 15
3rd Grade: 8 by August 15
4th Grade: 9 by August 15
5th Grade: 10 by August 15
K-5 TEACHING PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM
Curriculum Overview: Wauhatchie School promotes a nature-immersion education, inviting the integration of literacy and mathematics into the students’ discoveries in the forest. We use an emergent curriculum model pioneered by Reggio Emilia practices. Follow-up lessons and activities that connect to what the children have discovered during their nature explorations are used to enrich and enhance their outdoor learning. Curriculum is carefully and thoughtfully planned out based on observations and assessments of the children’s play, ideas, questions, and discoveries. Teachers incorporate reading, writing, mathematics, sciences, arts, and language into the daily happenings in the forest. Small teacher-child ratios allow for differentiation to support individualized growth.
Assessment: Parents will receive quarterly reports focused on whole-child development—how students are meeting academic learning standards, as well as social, emotional and physical development. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled at least twice a year and as needed throughout the school year.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Children must be able to follow directions carefully, show respect towards other children and their teachers, and be able to communicate effectively. Children must be toilet-proficient in order to attend. They must be able to know when they have to go to the bathroom and be able to communicate that.
Dressing Appropriately
Appropriate clothing for Forest School is CRITICAL to the success of the program. “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices.”
Family Involvement
Weekend events will be planned at Wauhatchie School to provide a continuation of the Forest School experience for the entire family.