Zeynep Uluç
Karayel group teacher · school readiness
With nearly twenty years of experience, she knows the move to primary school best. She brings letter and sound games into the forest.
In her pocket: chalk, a stone, an hourglass
KarayelAge 5–6 (60–72 months)
Ready for primary school: a long road, big responsibility.
The oldest at school. In Karayel children show the younger ones the path, present their own projects and prepare for the move to primary school. Pre-reading, number sense and attention work happen in nature, through real tasks.
At most 14 children, 2 teachers; a 2.4 km walk every day.
Karayel: the strong, sharp north-westerly wind.
Karayel is the final year at school. The aim is to prepare the child for primary school not with "lessons" but with attention, patience and confidence. The hand muscles needed to hold a pencil grow with the saw and drill, listening with birdsong, number sense with cones and stones.
Once a week Karayel children guide the Meltem group. Helping the little ones with their boots, pointing out the trail marker and explaining the rules makes responsibility concrete.
Risk assessment
In Karayel children do their own assessment before climbing a tree: is the branch strong, is the ground soft, how will I get down? The teacher asks the question; the decision is the child's.
The outcomes and indicators of the Ministry of Education Preschool Programme are followed throughout the year; families receive a development report at the move to primary school.
Weekly rhythm
- MondayGuide day: a joint walk with Meltem
- TuesdayLong exploration (2–3 km)
- WednesdayWorkshop: a building project
- ThursdaySchool readiness: letter, number and sound games
- FridayPresentation circle and camp kitchen
The Karayel teachers
Kerem Tok
Karayel group teacher · safety
He leads the school's risk-benefit assessments and first aid drills. The guide on long exploration days.
In his pocket: a first aid kit, a radio