Elementary School Classes

Pre-School - 5th Grade

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSES

PRE/SCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN

Tutors: Leigh Born, Jen Swager, Heather Hackman

The children will have a number of classes outside the nursery combined with free play in the nursery. The subjects will consist of letters, nature study, crafts, and Montessori work combined with some Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

COST: $10

1ST/2ND GRADE

Tutors: Meghan Roelant, Sandy Fedewa,

The 1st and 2nd graders will be together and stay in one classroom for first and second hour. The day will be broken up into several “classes.” Some that we hope to include are nature study, poetry, and art. We will incorporate the faith, math, and writing practice into most subjects. Since we have a wide range of ages, all students are not expected to be at the same level as far as reading and writing--we will accommodate all students in that regard. Most of all, we will have fun learning! The fee for this class will cover supplies and any books we may use.

*NEW THIS YEAR*

Students in 1st/2nd grade will be taking NATURE STUDY as their science this year. For this class they will need:

Nature notebook - preferably 5.5"x8.5", spiral bound for ease of use, and containing mixed media pages in case we decide to explore water color. Something like this, or you can find similar at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Walmart.
Colored pencils - a pack of at least 24. Recommended brands are PrismaColor, Faber Castell, Staedtler, or whatever you have had success with. AVOID Crayola and Artist's Loft as these are very low quality and are prone to breakage. FYI, Walmart will often have PrismaColor on clearance during back-to-school sales. :)
Regular pencils for sketching
Pencil sharpener (small and simple is fine)
Small backpack or messenger bag to carry supplies for outdoor nature walks (eg. something like this, this, or this - or whatever you have on hand)
Optional supplies -- binoculars and/or magnifying glass. We will have some extras and students can share if your child doesn't have these. (You can find kids' binoculars on Amazon for around $20 or less, if you're interested in purchasing.)

COST: $30

ELEMENTARY ART & GYM (3rd-5th Grade)

Tutors: Amy Muehlhausen, Colleen Morgan

The idea here is to give the students something with a larger group that is harder to experience at home.

The kids will have both art and gym each semester—either divided into quarters, or alternating unit studies for the full year.

The art classes with feature assignments and projects from a variety of disciplines—mostly 2D but some 3D—that will encourage individual creative expression. I believe everyone can ‘do’ art and it is so good for the soul!

The gym classes will emphasize large motor movement, both for groups and individuals, with a mix of competitive and solo activities, outside as much as possible. I have a deep belief that it is essential for kids to move their entire bodies every day!

Class Materials:

gym shoes and socks for gym
nothing for art

COST: $60

ELEMENTARY HISTORY: Early Church and Early Medieval (3rd-5th Grade)

Tutors: Arlea Swager, Kristi Wolf

In this class, we will look at the creation of the early Church as well as its effect on the secular peoples around it. This volume focuses on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, how the early Church was affected by the cultural surroundings and times, as well as the effects that early Christians had upon the empire itself. Throughout the year we will be learning about church history through literature, projects, discussion and reading aloud, and rhyming.

We will be using the RC History, Connecting with History program as a Co-op. Each family participating in the program is required to purchase the Year 2 syllabus (licensing requirement).

Class Materials:

One spiral notebook (with three holes so it can go in a binder)
Founders of freedom textbook (by Newmann Press) $24.95
Highly recommended to also have the Rhyme-line cards early Medieval $7.95

More Info from the teachers can be found in this Word doc letter:

COST: purchase materials on your own; $15 supply fee.

ELEMENTARY SEWING (3rd-5th Grade)

Tutors: Melissa Shall, Jeselyn Basler

In this class we will be learning the basics of embroidery, hand sewing, applique, and machine sewing. We will be focusing heavily on hand work to develop their fine motor skills and to give them the skills to be able to complete projects at home independently. Projects will be open ended allowing for the students to use their creativity and add personal touches to each project. Some possible projects are a pillowcase, potholder, stuffed animal/monster, Christmas ornaments, and more! All projects will be very boy friendly!

Supply List for First Semester*:

3 spools ribbon any color
16" pillow form
1/2 yd (x2) coordinating pillow fabric pieces
1/2 yard fabric for Grocery bag Holder
1 Fat Quarter for Owl heating bag
1/2 yd (x2) coordinating fabric for Car Trash Bag
scissors
pins
seam ripper

*There will be a 2nd semester supply list that we will give to parents at the end of First Semester.

COST: $10

ELEMENTARY BOOK CLUB (3rd-5th Grade)

Tutors: Anne Shank, Robyn Thornburg

In this class, we will create a book club culture as we explore different literary genres as well as shorter and longer works. This class will involve reading at home (alone, with a parent, or listening to an audiobook), using a commonplace book, listening to read-alouds, using a dictionary, copywork/dictation/recitation and biographical studies of authors.

Book List:

SEPT: Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat
OCT: The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum
NOV: The VanderBeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
DEC: A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy
JAN: Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr
FEB: Amos Fortune: Freeman by Elizabeth Yates
MAR: Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman
APR: Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight
MAY: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Class Materials:

Spiral notebook (the 50 cent kind) or journal with lined paper
Sticky notes, book darts, or Post-It Flags, for marking places in a story
Dictionary (optional; to be kept at home for reference)

Where to find the books:

Amazon: new/used options, biggest selection
Library: we begin a new book each month, so plan ahead if you are borrowing from the library
Discount Stores: Thriftbooks.com, Abebooks.com, alibris.com, Betterworldbooks.com
Used Bookstores: we have two used bookstores in Kzoo (Friends, the KPL bookstore at the downtown branch and Kazoo Books on Oakland)
Audiobooks (if you haven’t ever used audiobooks, or have questions about how to use these sites/apps, please don’t hesitate to contact Anne or Robyn):
- Audible
- Librivox: FREE public domain audiobooks, recorded by pros and amateur volunteers from around the world; use the app on your phone or download to your computer
- OverDrive: Enjoy ebooks and audiobooks for free through your local public library or school; app for phone or use on computer
- Hoopla: Instantly borrow digital movies, music, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your library card

COST: purchase your own books and materials; $5 for misc. class needs

ELEMENTARY SCIENCE: Nature Study (1st-3rd Grade; 4th-5th Grade)

Tutors: Jani Amaro, Michelle Hendrix (1st-3rd grade);

Robyn Thornburg, Ericka Onderlinde (4-5th grade)

Seeking the truth, beauty, goodness, and knowledge of God's creation through nature study. We will be incorporating nature walks, journaling and sketching, art/artist study, poetry, crafts, and various projects all pertaining to a specific theme found in nature.

Class Materials:

Nature notebook - preferably 5.5"x8.5", spiral bound for ease of use, and containing mixed media pages in case we decide to explore water color. Something like this, or you can find similar at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Walmart.
Colored pencils - a pack of at least 24. Recommended brands are PrismaColor, Faber Castell, Staedtler, or whatever you have had success with. AVOID Crayola and Artist's Loft as these are very low quality and are prone to breakage. FYI, Walmart will often have PrismaColor on clearance during back-to-school sales. :)
Regular pencils for sketching
Pencil sharpener (small and simple is fine)
Small backpack or messenger bag to carry supplies for outdoor nature walks (eg. something like this, this, or this - or whatever you have on hand)
Optional supplies -- binoculars and/or magnifying glass. We will have some extras and students can share if your child doesn't have these. (You can find kids' binoculars on Amazon for around $20 or less, if you're interested in purchasing.)

COST: $10 for crafts and extras