This week, I began thinking about how aptly “Home, sweet home” captures the kind of classroom environment we want for our children—the place where they will spend half of their waking hours each school day. This isn't a Pollyannaish desire for everyone to be happy all the time. A sense of safety and belonging gives children the security to take intellectual risks, sustain effort, regulate themselves, and engage more deeply with both their work and their classmates.

Congratulations!  The classroom is beautiful, intentional, and inviting.  Record-keeping systems and initial lessons, activities, and materials are prepared.  We have created a plan for our own self-care and spiritual development.  We have prepared ourselves and our environment to be exciting and intriguing, inviting children into meaningful work.

Now what?