Children of differing backgrounds come together in the Hobbits' class to create an environment where they all have input and share responsibilities.  They share, discuss and investigate ideas with other children, parents and teacher.  The physical arrangement promotes movement, choice and interactions.  The teacher in the Hobbits' class help students with their chosen or assigned projects, circulating from child to child and group to group.

Direct instruction is presented to individual children, small groups or to the whole class. Writing, conferencing, reading, reasoning and problem-solving are all seen as processes rather than just finished products.  Themes help to integrate all subject areas and allow the children to explore many aspects of the topics they are studying.