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Classical Curriculum

All Saints Academy believes a Classical Education model offers a rich and complete foundation for learning for all students.

Classical education is a model of education, which dates back to medieval times.  It consists of two parts:  the Trivium and the Quadrivium.  The Trivium refers to the first three instructional stages of this educational model, which correlate to a child’s natural cognitive stages of development.  All of the Trivium emphasizes the use of reading the “great books.”  It places a priority on words as the foundation of thought.  The mastery of words is gained through the careful study of highly inflected languages such as Greek and Latin.

Planned 2011 - 2012 School Year Program 
 

Religion

K-8

Formal religious instruction Monday-Thursday using Ignatius Press Image of God (K-2) & Sadlier-Oxford We Believe (3-8).  Catechism of the Catholic Church and Bible used in all grade levels.  

Friday supplemental classes include: 

PreK-2 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium  

K-2 Character Education using B&H Publishing Group Manners Made Easy Jossey-Bass Publishing Ready-to-Use Social Skills

3-8 Apologetics using Ascension Press Friendly Defenders Catholic Flashcards and San Juan Catholic Seminars Beginning Apologetics 

Reading / Literature

K-8

Limited use of readers and phonetically controlled books only at very early stages of learning (for K-2 – Stone Tablet Press Little Angel Readers).  Selected books and anthologies including:  anthologies of poetry and short stories, saint books, non-fiction, historical fiction, and novels.  Literature choices match historical time period being studied that year.

Phonics

K-3

 

Vertical Phonics (grades 4-8 as needed)

Grammar & Composition

1-8

Seton Educational Media English for Catholics
Loyola Press Voyages in English & Exercises in English 
Institute for Excellence in Writing: Teaching Writing – Structure & Style

Spelling

K-8

1 – 3:  Lists taken from Vertical Phonics 3000 MOO (most often occurring words in English language) correlated to phonograms being studied.

4 – 8:  Lists taken from Vocabulary curriculum or Seton Catholic Spellers

Penmanship

K-3

Emmanuel Books Writing Can Help 
*All students learn cursive in 2nd grade.  Students entering in older grades are also taught and use cursive in all classes. 

Vocabulary

4-8

Sadlier Oxford Vocabulary Workshop and Wordly Wise Series (Educators Publishing Service)

Math

K-8

K-3 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Saxon Math

4-8 Sadlier-Oxford Progress in Mathematics

Saxon Math Adaptations & Teaching Textbooks used for students with modified curriculum needs

Latin

3-8

3-4 Classical Academic Press Song School Latin 

5-8 Classical Academic Press Latin for Children 

History

 

K-8

2011 – 2012 Cycle:  Ancient History 

Peace Hill Press Story of the World Volume 1:  Ancient Times  and Veritas Press 

Selected Resources to follow 4 year cycle:  Ancient, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Modern.  History study always includes map study related to time period/historical events.  Other resources include:  Usborne History of the World, Kingfisher Encyclopedia of History

Science

K-8

2011 – 2012 Cycle:  Biology w/ Lab using Gravitas Publications Real Science 4 Kids 

Selected Resources to follow 4 year cycle: Life Science, Earth Science & Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics.  Resources include:  field guides, Kingfisher Encyclopedia of Science, experiment books, nature studies, etc.  Science study includes related experiments, observation, & recording of data.

Computers

5-8

Cross-curricular training on keyboarding skills, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, computer graphics, and using the internet

Art

K-8

Art comprises both study of artists as well as a variety of artistic technique and media. 
Drawing with Children for grades K-4, performing arts, and sketching electives for Grades 5-8.

Music

K-8

Includes choral singing, composer study, instrument study, movement (for younger students), and music appreciation 

Physical Education

K-8

Includes sports, skill development, healthy competition, good sportsmanship, and FUN!

 
 
Resources:
  1. Google the article:  “The Lost Tools of Learning” by Dorothy Sayers
  2. The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education by Jessie Wise & Susan Wise Bauer