Our Curriculum
Horseshoe Mountain Village School's liberal arts curriculum offers children a rich and varied "generous feast" of learning.
Liberal Arts: Music, folk songs, artist and composer study, solfege, poetry, Shakespeare, myths, legends, and folk tales.
Academic Subjects: Reading/phonics, composition, handwriting, math, science, nature study, geography, and history.
Life-Skills: Gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, handcrafts, folk dance, art lessons, and service projects.
A Typical Week:
Mondays -Thursdays
The children arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 and start the day outdoors, weather permitting. During the morning hours, they explore folk songs, poetry, folk tales, 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).
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 2:15 with a read-aloud, tidying the classroom, and outdoor play.
We use a mastery approach, taking children where they are now to the next step. We use observation, products, and portfolios to assess and document children's learning.
Fridays
Fridays are reserved for excursions and special projects or classes. The children arrive between 8:45 and 9, and the day ends at 11:30. 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.
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.
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 fully formed people with immense potential. This view informs how, why, and what we teach. We treat children with respect and cultivate in them a love for nature, their fellow man, and the world. We work hard to create peaceful, safe classrooms where children learn to collaborate and respect one another.
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 consistent modeling. Children are given plenty of choice throughout the day and encouraged to choose projects and work that reflect their interests.
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.