There is a rich environment of materials for students to explore, and there are abundant opportunities for learning through experience.
Activities most often arise from the needs and interests of the group. When commercial materials are used, they must be made available in ways that protect student responsibility for their own learning.
With guidance from the teacher, students plan their own activities, drawing from a range of relevant choices.
Each child is free to explore an interest deeply and is also free to disengage when an activity no longer seems appropriate.
Typically, there are a variety of activities going on simultaneously with each student working in ways best suited to his or her interests, talent, and style.
There are few obvious barriers between subjects with much of the learning being interdisciplinary.
There is a minimum dictation by the clock. A flexible schedule permits learning according to individual rhythms of engagement and disengagement.
Student learning is a cooperative with dialogue and student projects.
All forms of expressive representation are important.
Student groupings are flexible and shift with the changing needs and interests of the children. They are not based on IQ or reading level.
The teacher serves as support to students by structuring the environment. He/she is an observer/participant in classroom life.
