Another Peek into a Kindergarten in Switzerland

 The sheer hanging drape was painted by the children and then used as a room divider.  The teacher told me she purchased the drape from IKEA.

I love how they used so much wood and natural tones.  You do not see a lot of plastic!

Now this is a market!  Look at all the details and items in this center!

A large circus style top hung over the whole group area.

The yearlong theme in this kindergarten was "buildings."  These are paintings the children created.  Below the paintings you can see their reflective strips that they wear to walk to school.  

A helper chart with visual images.  The children's names are on clothes pins.

This is their Birthday House.  On meet the teacher night, each child decorated a "window" (notice the one window that is not open yet).   On their birthday, the window is opened.  I love this idea!

For more information about Switzerland's early childhood education, here is an article: Teaching and learning in early childhood in German-speaking Switzerland

A Peek into a First Grade Classroom in Switzerland

Here is a little tour of a first grade classroom I visited in Switzerland.  There were so many great ideas.  Outside the classroom this sun greeted students with their names.  

This is the helper "chart" if you will.  I love this idea!

The Magical Alphabet chart!  I have made my own version of this.  Each letter has doors that were opened to reveal the letter.  

 

Here is a detail of those delightful "letter" windows!  I love how the children helped to create it.

Swiss first grade classroom - so well designed.  

• Peek back at the wonderful sink in the right hand corner.   
• Notice how the chalkboard is on a sliding track - it moves to reveal whiteboards and bulletin boards.   
• Also - check out the little zippered bags on the desk behind the girls.  These are school supply pouches that are masterfully crafted.  I wanted one but quickly found out in American $ it would cost nearly $75.  I regret not buying one!

 

Detail of the number line.  I love this and made my own.  Take a look at how they used natural occurring number images like spider for 8, bowling pins for 9 and so forth!  Do you see the grid on the chalkboard?  Oh how I love these details!

This is the left side of the classroom - huge open light windows looking out to a lush wooded area!

 This art mural by the students was on the right side wall.  Look at the wonderful birds they created.

Here is a close up of those adorable birds.  Do you see the great patterns the children painted?  I wonder if they made painted papers first and then constructed their birds. . . .