Pinpoints Pinpoints Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 11

Something for
EVERY
!
An important and well used collaborative area, the upstairs hallway sometimes seems to Lower
Schoolers as an extension of their fourth grade commons.
The intentionally designed open and wide space
allows just as wide a variety of use, and has quickly
become the go-to place for exploration activities,
cooperative games emphasizing Mission Skills
Assessment traits, problem solving exercises, and
class meetings – all in just one day, practically.
Hallway gatherings often spill over to the adjoining
loft, and vice-versa, when loft groups need to spread
out a bit.
Because Mr. Platt’s room is only steps away, he
especially knows the goodness of the multi-use area.
As he says, “Indoor recess spreads all the way down
the hallway, and that’s a long hallway. On many,
many days, we have indoor recess, so it’s critical
space to us. Math and language arts groups of three
or four enjoy spreading out over there too, and we
have 12 to 15 different groups, so we keep it busy.
We’ve previously used the classroom as our debate
space, but now, getting students into a different
space elevates things. It energizes the kids. They feel
this is something special going on, something unique
and important. The entire fourth grade, including
The Learning Center, uses this hallway. It is a real
pleasure to have The Learning Center more fully in
the mix without their being at the other end of the
campus.”
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