elementary classes

The crux of our program takes place on either Tuesday or Friday mornings as we engage our 300+ students in an alternative educational system that uses a unit study approach to learning. Our core focus is fostering learning through history, as our students engage with history through several facets.

We perform an archeological dig and build Samarian ziggurats as students study ancient civilizations; we build and launch a thirty-foot catapult and have visits from nobles and monks during the middle ages; we fight the Battle of Bunker Hill and use quill pens to sign the Constitution during the early years of America; we apply for U.S. citizenship and re-create trends of the twentieth century as we study modern times.  These activities, and more, enrich the learning outcomes as our students get to immerse themselves in the historical narrative.

Students explore various musical styles and instruments as they learn musical history and perform pieces that correspond with the historical time frame.  We recognize music as a fundamental foundation of civilizations and seek to teach our students the story music has to tell about the people, cultures, and events of a historical era.

Through studies of historical figures, students explore the character traits of the people who have made a difference in their respective eras.  We encourage them to evaluate the decisions and actions of these world changers with an eye towards developing their own character and leadership so they can make a meaningful impact within their own communities, both now and in the future.  

While learning the fundamental elements of art, students paint, draw, sculpt, construct mosaics, build maps, make stained glass, explore clay through various forms of pottery, and create various other artistic pieces as appropriate to explore the art of the historical time period.  

Students work in teams to brainstorm, plan, build, and test a variety of projects.  This class seeks to teach teamwork, creative problem solving skills, organization, design, and basic presentation skills.