Curriculum Overview

Learning styles are reflective of the way children think and relate to learning experience. The developing right and left hemispheres of the brain carry on continual interaction during the student’s learning experience. Although the hemispheres are specific and specialized in function, both are essential for any skill learning process.

The developmental educational framework of The Progressive Schoolhouse includes planning and activity in the following curriculum areas, disciplines and skill areas. Learning is developmental and sequential within all curriculum areas. The skill acquisition process begins with foundation learning and is progressively enhanced with concepts and related learning activity at consecutive grade levels. The ideal nature of the school’s developmental philosophy ensures each student the opportunity for proficiency, mastery and successful progression in their studies.

All programs are planned and individualized for successful skill acquisition. Skills are presented sequentially and reinforced with additional learning activity and materials. Vocabulary, patterns, strategy and mechanics provide a strong foundation in all programs. Project work integrates the student’s skills with an application process that provides reinforcement and practical meaning.

Mathematics is a comprehensive program where students receive independent instruction. The student’s progress is continually assessed, evaluated and strengthened to enhance skill acquisition. All students work to maximum proficiency. The student’s study of mathematics is structured with daily assignments, comprehensive review, and periodic assessment and evaluation.

Reading

Many of the pre-reading skills characteristic of the kindergarten student become essential building blocks as they formally begin a reading program based on symbolic and phonetic constructs.

During the initial phases of the student’s skill acquisition in reading, the student is instructed to decipher the phonetic mechanics of the English language and encouraged through developmentally successful learning activity to develop a working foundation for both reading and writing. The language arts program continues to emphasize phonics and vocabulary building, spelling, penmanship, and reading and writing programs.

Literature is chosen to enhance skill development. As students continue to strengthen their working foundation, they are introduced to a variety of award winning children’s literature recognized for both illustration and story content.

In addition to reading independently with a teacher each day, younger students participate daily in a shared language building group time termed simply ‘library’. Reading comprehension and vocabulary building skills continue to be strengthened as library time associates the expressive integrity of literature with an inspiring array of concepts prose and dialogue.

Throughout the school year, all student groups are introduced to diverse selections of literature-based readings including fairy tales, legends, fables, myths, fiction and non- fiction works, poetry, songs and scripts. Students are also taught how to effectively utilize a dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, almanac, encyclopedia and internet-based resources in their varied learning activities. All reading programs are structured to promote optimal development of skill and inspire the student to read for interest and pleasure. In addition to in class reading, study and research, all students are requested to read a minimum of thirty minutes to one hour at home each evening.

Writing

As soon as the young student acquires a working foundation in symbolic and phonetic recognition, learning activity is introduced which encourages the formal development of the writing process. Although writing programs are individualized, they are all comprehensive and structured for optimal development.

Students work individually with a teacher to edit their current writing activity and receive new instruction. Progress is continually monitored and also provides an accurate assessment tool for individualized tutorial. Writing programs are continually assessed, planned and implemented to ensure the student’s acquisition of structure, mechanics, comprehension and awareness of style and format. Spelling, penmanship, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and successful mastery of skills related to written assignments compliment the student's creative writing process and learning activity which integrates reading, research, oral and illustrative presentation skill.

Instruction introduces and strengthens the elements of writing as well as the student’s original thoughts, ideas and expression.

Science

Even the oldest student enjoys discovering for themselves fact and explanation for the natural world they live in. Since students are active participants in the learning process associated with the study of sciences, the programs are comprehensively planned to enhance the student’s acquisition of science concept with hands-on project work, experimentation, mentorship and field study.

All science concept, vocabulary and related learning activity is introduced sequentially. A strong working foundation of science knowledge includes factual information, the ability to comprehend and relate science concept to concrete experience, and the ability to acknowledge, abstract and perceive the association of mathematics, scientific method and historical data with the scientific learning process. Formal instruction in the study of sciences is implemented during a class period known to the students as “group time.” The topics and concepts addressed during this period are based on a full school year’s planning.

All students complete a minimum of one science project and present them at the school’s annual science fair each year. The intermediate and advanced student is required to spend twelve weeks on their project. Students spend most of this time actively researching a topic of interest. They utilize books, periodicals, interview process, computer technology and collect data from their experiments and projects. Upon completion, students present a research paper, a presentation board illustrating their project, and a three-dimensional model or demonstration piece that further illustrates the student's personal understanding of their project’s concepts.

Students are presented with instruction on varied concepts in a comprehensive format that includes discussion, writing and reading assignment, trivia and other games of related significance, project work and experimentation, field study and assessment.

History and Social Studies

Primitive cultures and civilizations began a sequential series of studies depicting a time line approach to the student's ultimate comprehension of the word's diverse cultures and historical record.

The youngest students enjoy learning about historical subject matter through award winning selections of literature. They also learn that their own family has a history that can be told in story form. Studies of continents, landforms, and geography provide them with the structure to later associate new information about animals, environments and human cultures. Assigned research projects provide the students with opportunity to focus on their own interests and study. Historical studies are often integrated with reading, writing, research, foreign language acquisition, field study and many related art projects.

At least twice a year, our school enjoys environmental living programs in some of California’s preserved State Parks offered to us on a lottery basis. Our school has enjoyed these programs for many consecutive years. The programs provide the students and their families the opportunity to simulate the life style of the culture that endowed the area with its historical record. Students are encouraged to be in character and work to solve the many different problems that characterized the historical time period in California. Instruction and comprehensive learning activity in current events, government, economics, foreign language, public speaking and debate enrich the intermediate and advanced student’s curriculum. Their knowledge of both world and American history allows them the ability to associate, comprehend and structure new constructs for advanced concepts of study.

Community and World Studies

Even though dramatic and creative play may be more readily observed in some of the earliest developmental stages, all children are continually influenced and inspired by role models throughout childhood.

Experiential education and integrated studies recognizes the learning potential of each individual student and provides a variety of diverse and enriching opportunities for the student to observe, explore and perceive.

Children find and imagine themselves in a variety of roles through childhood. Imagination is not a limiting factor. Through active participation and observation, children integrate and develop relationships with their surroundings.

Importantly, travel experiences, mentorship, internship, integrated field studies and projects provide students with opportunities to assimilate, discover and learn about their world.

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