We believe that a child’s interest, strengths and needs should drive learning. Through effective observation strategies and questioning, teachers come to understand the unique characteristics each child brings: their passions, skills and needs. The Sharon Cooperative School curriculum brings together the ideas, skills and experiences of children, educators and families when designing activities and creating programming. It can best be described as played based and child driven. It is a fluid, dynamic curriculum that builds on the passions, skills and needs of the children and based upon the following key principles: Developmentally based: children at all developmental levels can access each activity. Activities are open-ended with a variety of possible outcomes. What is important is the process, not the end product. Team planning: each educator contributes to the planning of the daily activities in all classrooms. Families are encouraged to contribute their own personal skills and hobbies as well as their cultural and personal identities to enhance and extend classroom activities and to plan enrichment programs that will be open to children enrolled in the school. Child centered: With a thorough understanding of individual children’s interests and readiness, educators select activities that are relevant and exciting and that encourage exploration and discovery while enhancing children’s emerging skills. Educators monitor the level of engagement and will extend activities if a particular subject emerges about which the children show a great deal of interest. Field trips, special visitors and all school family events are planned to enrich daily classroom activities and to develop a family support community within the school.