New Homeschool Academy
Monday, History & World Geography Part II: 10-2:00 pm, $175 monthly,
Tuesday, Creative Writing/Montessori Grammar: 10-2:30 pm, $175 monthly, Chess Club 2:30-3:30 pm (10% off 2nd day)
Wednesday, Science Class: 10-2:30 pm, $175 monthly, Art Class 2:30-3:30 pm (20% off if a 3rd day)
* Plus Art fee of $20 per month, not discounted
Chess Club: $40 per month, (free for co-op students!)
Discounts: 10% Sibling discount, plus10% Multi-day discount
Active Police & Military Families receive a 10% discount
Each student has different supply fees. Most families choose to use Teaching Textbooks, which they purchase the program and do all week at home, on their schedule. Depending on what subjects your student will be working on in their workboxes, a few workbooks are typically needed. Several workboxes are classroom curricula.
*Co-op opens each year is September 1st! Labor Day is on the 5th this year, so most students will be starting on the 6th. We follow the Wake County Public School Traditional schedule for most vacations and holidays as well as the last day of classes.
Classes
Math
Incoming students will take a test to find where they need to start their math studies. They progress at a speed that works for them, to master their math. Lessons in fractions, decimals, mental math, and pre-algebra are taught using Montessori manipulatives. Children often find them fascinating and beautiful. The ingenious materials were designed to make new abstract concepts quick and easy to grasp for children, leading them to comprehend math on a deeper level. We use Teaching Textbooks for the daily practice sessions. Even those students who tend to choose math as their least favorite subject may be found cheery and engaged when using this program. It's taught online by a phenomenal math instructor. The program keeps track of your child's results, providing report cards and grades. Students have the option to use this curriculum all week at home as well.
The children learn strategies to advance their mental math abilities and memorization. Whether your child finds some aspects of math rather challenging, or is acutely gifted in math, this class is designed for all students to advance their math abilities, often at twice the speed of typical school classes, which are typically taught at group levels, not the individual student's level.
Social Studies and History
Ciao! Bonjour! Kon'nichiwa! Take a trip with us around the world, and learn about the diverse cultures of it's many countries. Together, we will emmerce ourselves into the aspects of daily life in each country. Students will get to experience things such as; each country's local cuisine, games, customs, native stories, artifacts, common phrases, and much more. Additionally, they will learn the history and government of each country, as well as the fundamentals in world government and civics. We may even have a native guest speaker or two!
If your student is ready to move beyond the states and capitals, and is interested in learning about World History, this class is just what they need.
English
This English and reading class is probably the best class in the school. The program was created by SRA and is a combination of four SRA reading programs. The first is the SRA Reading Comprehension Program, which is an essential skill for students. The second program is the Reading Laboratory Program, which is rich in at-level literature, yet in a short form, just enough to further develop an interest in reading. The third program is the SRA Special Skills Program. It teaches the mechanics of reading, spelling, vocabulary, and numerous other aspects that go into reading and writing. The workbooks are extensive, going from grade one to grade twelve. They form the perfect foundation for excellent, lifelong writing skills. The fourth tier is the Pilot Library Program. These are short versions of famous historical novels, short enough to read in one class period. They spark an interest in children for reading. One key to the success of these materials is that they are at the exact level of each student, advancing as the child advances. Students are further motivated by seeing their daily progress and accomplishments. This class is to be combined with the Montessori Grammar Class.
Geography
Starting with the Montessori geography curriculum, students quickly and easily learn the locations of world countries and continents. This year we study world countries, map usage, landforms, and world cultures. One example is Ancient Egypt. We have many beautiful artifacts from the Egyptian culture. Students will learn how to make papyrus, how mummification works, and other Anicient Egyptian arts. The Montessori geography curriculum brings geography to life, in a colorful, fun, and hands-on approach that all children are sure to enjoy. Students enjoy the Montessori Country Flags, and making their own flags using the art supplies. The beautiful Montessori Geography Curriculum is world renowned for the in depth learning it provides.
Science
We study a broad range of sciences. Zoology, Botany, Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Anatomy, Biology and more. The students will explore different scientific concepts through hands on expirements, study new species of creatures they have never heard of, learn how nuclear power and energy work, and what chemical reactions are. Can young learners learn these complex ideas? Yes, they can! When it is relative to their interests, and is a hands on learning activity that is engaging and fun, they are able to learn just about anything!
Our classes are taught by a certified Montessori Directress, using the Montessori method. This style is a Kinesthetic-tactile technique, in combination with visual and auditory learning. In our science class we use models of organs, microscopes, real plants and rocks, and other hands-on learning materials. We have used steam engines, built a model engine to learn how cars work, made batteries, a camera, built a record player, and a mock circulatory system so students could hand pump a mock heart & see red liquid moving through veins and arteries, or drop asteroids onto a moon type surface during our study of space. We step into the wonderful world of science, exploring it together as a class. Our young scientists analyzing data, make hypotheses, and conduct experiments. We learn in small groups, where each student has the opportunity to speak, engage, participate, and ask questions. This is unlike a public or private school that typically has 24-35 students a class, where children are not afforded the time to speak, share, participate in physical demonstrations, or ask questions. Our goal is for an optimal learning experience that ignites a passion for science and learning in students.
Art
This art class was designed to promote confidence and creativity in the students, while advancing their design skills and artistic abilities, in a relaxed and fun environment. The visual art making process employs high levels of creative problem solving, likely the most intense level of cognitive creativity of any school subjects. Each mark on an artists canvas is entirely the artists own. They are responsible for the style of their piece, the energy, the tone. Physics and math are used, in the aspects of perspective and light. There is no right or wrong, and nothing to copy, in the true study of art. The students guidance is in learning how to use the materials, understanding design theory, employing perspective, light, and an overall thoughtfulness to balance. The goal is for these young artists to reach a level of full comfort in working with the materials, and complete confidence in their artistic abilities. This is when their creativity explodes out of them and onto their canvas!
Classes are held in the school art studio, which adjoins the co-op classroom.
Each student will be provided their own easel, table space, canvas, and much of the needed materials. Mediums used: acrylic painting, watercolor, pencil, pastels, graphite, charcoal, and more. All Ages
Music
Montessori Bells Curriculum
The Montessori Bells is a fantastic work that was designed to develop the ear for music. Childhood is the optimal time for strengthening neural pathways, in the developing brain of a child. Ear training provides a lifetime of enhanced appreciation for music and sound. The bells are hand made in Holland, by Nienhuis. The precise construction and quality craftsmanship ensures the bells hold perfect tone and pitch. They are an ideal instrument to train a child's ear to differentiate notes, even at the youngest of ages. Next, the children learn the basic aspects of reading and writing music. Speech and music are remarkable aspects of human cognition and sensory-motor processing. Cognitive neuroscience has focused on them to understand how brain function and structure are modified by learning. Doctor Maria Montessori was the first in her field to identify these discoveries, advancing the world of education.
Grammar
There is a high level of emphasis on grammar in the Montessori curriculum, but not as a long prescriptive list of complicated and arbitrary rules. Instead, children discover the natural rules of English by working with the language materials in the classroom. This process of discovery makes the exploration of grammar enjoyable. The Grammar Boxes are often a favorite material in the classroom.
The Montessori Grammar curriculum is a hands on learning experience. A classification of all the parts of speech is undertaken. After students master their basic grammar principal parts of speech, infinitives and participles are introduced, along with their advanced grammar symbols. By using these colorful grammar symbols, the study of style in writing comes alive visually for the children. Compound and complex sentences are studied and the classification of phrases and clauses is presented. Finally, the students will be introduced to the art of sentence diagramming.
Social activities:
Moms are encouraged to organize at least one optional activity a year: Activities may include: posting field trips, outings, special events, a play, a recital, a mother's group meeting or MNO, organizing a science fair, class demonstrations of special skills (violin/opera), a special lunch, or assisting with one of several class holiday parties. Families experiencing a new baby or major illness are not asked to volunteer additional time.
Curriculum:
This co-op is focused on providing at-level classes, using efficient learning methods. Students are able to advance educationally while socializing with peers and making friends. Families will continue to homeschool their children using their chosen curriculum. We do not assign homework, or use a curriculum that is studied throughout the week, as we use supplies that stay in the classroom. The students that are using Teaching Textbooks are the exception. They would be able to use their materials in their homeschool throughout the week, if they choose to do so.
Homeschooling:
This co-op is for registered homeschooling families only. Parents continue to be responsible for their child's education, testing, grades, attendance, and report cards. The New Homeschool Academy provides classes to fill gaps in a homeschooler's education, where a family may prefer to have outside educators teach a particular subject. Classes may offer access to otherwise cost prohibitive materials for families. Sometimes classes are needed in areas of struggle for a student. In other cases, a child may be particularly advanced in a subject, and benefits from the more targeted and advanced classes. We do not offer before or after care. Students are not required to use our curriculm on the days that they are not in the co-op. If a family would prefer for their student to continue with the math and Spanish curriculrm that we use, that option is available.
Assisting:
Once a family is accepted into the co-op, they will receive a password to access additional website pages where additional information is provided.
Parents are encouraged to host field trips, post invitations to events, and notices of homeschool activities. We have several special events and holiday celebrations throughout the year. Parents are required to volanteer for these events. They may bring in food items to share, help decorate, assist with the event, provide prizes, or assist with the planning. This is intended to bring families closer together in our shared mission of providing wonderful educational and social development opportunities for our homeschooled children.
Environment:
Our main goal is to provide a friendly and healthy place for our homeschoolers to grow socially and educationally. We have very small class sizes, which allow for time to encourage questions. Our outdoor space is a peaceful place where they can play in the sun, relax in the shade, make sandcastles, tend to their own personal garden space, and explore nature. The students often play games all together as a group, such as Red-Light Green-Light.
We provide Berkey filtered water to students throughout the day. A microwave and refrigerator are provided for lunchtime. We have charcoal and blue light air filters in the rooms, when needed. We ask that children refrain from wearing perfume or heavily scented lotions, as some children may be allergic or sensative to synthetic fragrances.
Food:
Many students strive to eat a healthy diet. We want to be a place that encourages children to be their best self and reach their goals. We also study the appropriate human body systems, and how the foods we eat feed the cells that determine our state of health and functioning. Bringing candy and unhealthy food into the classrooms would be counterproductive to this goal. ***We have a no soda, and no desserts food policy.*** Students typically like to have the same lunch items as their peers. Seeing the other students eating healthy food choices is a great opportunity to positively influence their eating habits. When one student comes in with a soda, most of the students will then request a soda from their paretns as well. We prefer to utilize this peer pressure in a positive way.
Co-op last day, inclement weather dates, and holidays generally commensurate with the jurisdictional public school of Wake County. The start date will be September 5th, 2023. Monday is Labor Day. Wednesday only students start on September 6th. Depending on the number of full time students vs part time students, it may be possible for all students to start on the 5th.