Foundations
Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Year 1
Children in Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory and Year One will begin the Early School level in Foundations and will remain at this level for three years or until each student has been deemed ready to move on to Lower School B. This foundation level does not fit within the historical divisions laid out for the remaining levels. Only when your student has moved to Lower School B, will students begin to work through the programs according to historical time period divisions. At that time, your students may then move into the Program # which corresponds to the time period your family will study for the year, but in the Lower School B level.
For children in Years 2 +, please see the program guide of your choice.
For more information about the programs, please see the notes and sequences which can be found on the Curriculum by Programs page.
Step 1: Outline Guide
Foundations: The Outline Guide for Early School
Foundations will include the complete book lists for all of Early School, which includes Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory and Year One. Teaching notes pertinent to the Early School levels as well as suggestions for art, handcraft and music study are also contained in this guide.
This guide is all that you will need for Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory, since expectations are gentle and flexible for these years.
If you wish to add one of the natural history guides to the Preparatory level (such as Farm Life), then feel free to purchase Foundations Lesson Guide -Year One in advance, since all four natural history guides are included -especially if you plan to continue on into Year One.
If you do not require lesson plans and other supportive resources, then you may complete your purchase after this step.
If you would like to add the complete lesson plans to accompany Year One, then go on to Step 2.
If you wish to add a natural history guide and may not continue on to Year One in subsequent years, then go on to Step 3.
Step 2: Lesson Guide
Foundations: Lesson Guide for Year One
Foundations: Lesson Guide for Year One contains the lessons which accompany Year One. This guide will include pre-reading notes, teaching notes, narration prompts, natural history investigations and much more.
It is assumed that Foundations: The Outline Guide for Early School has already been purchased.
This guide will include all four guides for natural history for this level: Seed Dispersion, Weather, Farm Life and Woods, Fields & Forests. You will not need to purchase any of these guides individually if you plan to purchase or have purchased this guide.
If you're student is in Year One and you would like to add a supportive resource, such as the book of fairy tales, then go on to Step 3.
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Step 3: Supportive Resources
Preparatory
If you wish to add one of the natural history guides to the Preparatory level (such as Farm Life), then you may complete that step here.
Foundations Year One
Fairy Tales
A Mind in the Light introduces the new Finding Faerie series with two separate volumes of fairy tales.
Spinning Straw: Tales to Elicit Enchantment (Vol. 1) compiles the best versions of fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, Andrew Lang and the Brothers Grimm. This volume is used in Foundations Year One.
Into the Forest: Enchanted Explorations (Vol. 2) continues the compilation and is used in all of the Lower School B programs.
Transcription
Coming Soon! Transcription or copywork selections based on Year One Books.
The Arts
Students may choose from two options with regard to music appreciation. Option 1: Use Introduction to Music. which is based off of the Classics for Children CD and coordinating picture books.
Option 2: Families who prefer may go on to individual composer study. A different composer should be studied each term.
Art appreciation is designed so that families may choose a different artist each term.
Highly Recommended: Introduction to Music [Counts for 3; Already Included]
Recommended Artists: Cassatt, Renoir, Degas or Landseer[Choose 3]