Our Curriculum
Horseshoe Mountain Village School's liberal arts curriculum offers children a rich and varied "generous feast" of learning. To see samples of our curriculum, visit the Alveary.
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Inspirational subjects: Bible stories and verse, hymns, folk songs, artist and composer study, solfege, poetry, Shakespeare, myths, legends, and folk tales.
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Academic Subjects: Reading/phonics, composition, handwriting, math, science, nature study, geography, history, foreign language, and logic.
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Life-Skills: Gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, handcrafts, paper sloyd, folk dance, art lessons, and service projects.
A Typical Week:
Mondays -Thursdays
The children arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 and start the day outdoors, weather permitting. During the morning hours, they explore Bible stories, hymns, folk songs, poetry, and history together before moving to smaller groups for science, geography, and differentiated reading and math instruction. Lessons are short, engaging, and lively with beautiful books, rich discussion, and daily opportunities to share what they've learned (narration).
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In the afternoon, the children spend ample time outdoors playing, acting out stories, or working on projects. They enjoy lessons in art, sewing, handcrafts, and paper sloyd. The day ends between 2:00 and 2:30 with a read-aloud, tidying the classroom, and outdoor play.
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Although we do not administer standardized tests, we monitor children's growth through daily observation and notation, weekly communication with families, quarterly exams, and end-of-year portfolios.
Fridays
Fridays are reserved for excursions and special projects or classes. The children arrive between 8:30 and 9, and the day ends between 11:30 and 12. Examples of excursions include hiking Canal Creek Canyon, attending a play, going to cut down a Christmas tree, or visiting a local artisan or rancher.
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Examples of special projects or classes include planting seeds in the garden, baking bread, harvesting tomatoes, woodworking, building forts, or inviting a local artisan to teach a class.
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Our teachers spend Friday afternoons preparing materials, reviewing and reflecting on children's learning, and participating in professional development.
Our Methods
How and Why We Do What We Do
Image of the Child
We see children as image bearers of God, with immense potential. This view informs how, why, and what we teach. We treat children with respect and cultivate in them a love of God, their fellow man, and the world.
The Power of Narration
After every lesson, children are asked to narrate or tell back what they know -- orally and through writing, art, or drama. We conduct exams at the end of each term, and children receive a portfolio at year's end documenting their growth and learning.
Building Habits
Before learning can take place, children must gain habits of attention, diligence, and excellence. We form these habits through modeling, short lessons, narration, and consistently supporting children's best work.
The Role of Technology
Our method is rooted in real books, real relationships, and real-life experiences. We don't use screens or computers with the exception of occasional use for research and writing papers.