Curriculum

Our Curriculum

EXPLORATIONS/REAL LIFE LEARNING

"All children are born with the seeds of their own brilliance.
   To be successful, we need to help them find, nurture, and sustain
the passion that leads them to brilliance."
--Resa Steindel Brown   A CALL TO BRILLIANCE

We come together to experience and expand in our wonderful, changing Universe. Each day is student-directed....so, we shall do what we are guided to do....learn a foreign language, organic cooking, creating puppets, diving into our passions... starting a business...whatever it is, will be...and we will grow...and we will learn...

We focus on choice, passion projects, journeys, and service learning.

Children choose what they want to learn about. All subject matter flows from the chosen theme and is developed independently by each student. Passion projects stem from each child's inner passions. The children explore the topics that interest them. "Journeys" are trips to experience what we are learning about. Most journeys are directly related to the theme and passions being explored. Service learning is available. Students have the opportunity to contribute back to the community.

Based on the children's passions throughout the year, math, language, social studies, reading, science, sensory and intuitive skills are naturally blended into the day-to-day learning. Animals, gardening, the arts, including the healing arts, and other outside activities are integrated into the child's passion exploration. As the children's passion is explored, a time of reflection becomes a part of their experience. The children and mentors discuss how the topic/passion affects them. Throughout the exploration, there is a discussion about any changes that happened around them or within them. The culminating experience may be a journey and project connected with the focus/passion that gives back to the community. This helps the students visualize their connection to the outer world. The student may also choose to create their own business. A portfolio of each child's work is kept throughout the year.

Mixed-age grouping provides a sense of community and allows for cooperative learning. Children learn through discovery as we come together to experience and expand in our wonderful, changing Universe. We strive to include the entire family in our Center. We believe that family and community connections are essential for growth.

Mentors from the community are invited to the Center to assist the children's learning about their passions. Enthusiastic community experts are present to guide the children. Both the children and mentors benefit from this experience.

Meet Our STAFF

Resources

The Call to Brilliance by Resa Steindel Brown
www.projectautism.com

Awesomism by Suzy Miller
www.sanctuarylv.com