Classes

Clear Spring School Block Curriculum 2022 -2023

Our curriculum is based on a trimester schedule that is an intense integrated curriculum that consists of 12 weeks in one thematic area. These blocks contain a mix of academic areas such as language arts, math, science and social studies. Each block may be more heavily weighted in one of these areas. Throughout the year the blocks balance out to provide a well rounded and full experience in all the academic disciplines.

As a progressive education institution we recognize that students arrive with different interests, academic abilities, strengths and challenges. We also recognize that students grow in spurts and plateaus, to meet this we group students by interest and ability, not necessarily age or grade level. On the lower campus, class groupings range from 1st to 4th grade, 5th-7th grade and 8th-12th grade.

This year's blocks center around community and engagement in the world around us. Students on the lower campus will participate in three blocks. These blocks will address developmentally appropriate needs, including academic needs as well as age appropriate travel experiences.

Charla Destry - Core Teacher

Pre-K & Kindergarten - The Pre-Primary is an open Montessori influenced classroom using hands-on lessons that teach concepts of numbers, geometry, science, language, and geography skills. The environment provides opportunity for independent learning, creative expression, and social interaction.

The program offers flexibility for families by offering half-day or full-day attendance for students ages 3 to 4 year olds. Kindergarten is full-day, everyday class. Daily accessibility and communication between families and teachers, as well as scheduled conferences, fosters an individual plan for each student’s success. The teaching staff includes a lead teacher and assistant.

The Pre-Primary curriculum integrates multiple intelligences with sensorial experiences. Use of the five senses, with movement, provides avenues for absorbing the phonetic sounds of the alphabet (i.e. sandpaper letters, songs incorporating hand signs, preparing and tasting food, dancing and creative movement). The prepared environment encompasses safety lessons, books and printed materials, care of self and environment, and with daily calendar and discussions to promote self-expression and a welcoming exchange of ideas and learning through sharing and listening. Students learn concepts by working with materials, rather than by direct instruction.

Aimee Tackett - Core Teacher

Reading & Roleplaying with Folklore Around the World

This course will focus on the history of storytelling and the impact of writing on humans, particularly through the lens of universal lessons found throughout folklore. Students will explore fables, myths, fairy tales, folk tales, ghost stories, tall tales, and legends within the genre. This course will develop the skills necessary to understand the author's purpose, central theme or message, and analyze characters and stories, reflecting on unique cultural identities and perspectives.

Brittany Osborne - Core Teacher

The Natural World

This course will focus on living and non-living things found in the natural world, both locally and within different biomes. We will specifically look at the needs versus wants of living things, our human effect on the plants and animals found in each introduced biome, and how adaptations occur through different effects and changes to our native environments.

Tammy Herzig - Core Teacher

Life Skills Block

This course will focus on learning the tools it takes to become an independent person. We will tackle what it is to become someone who isn't just living but thriving and contributing to our community. We will explore self discovery through creating healthy habits, cultivating hobbies and passions and our place in the world.

Caitlin Branaman - Core Teacher

Preservation Saves Stories

This course will focus on the history of Eureka Springs and its community and learn what they can do to continue preserving its rich historical identity. We will specifically look at the history of the town and surrounding area, their stories, The National Register of historic places and how it focuses attention on historic places that may have been taken for granted or ignored for decades. And how it can act as a catalyst for community revitalization.

Wisdom of the Hands Studio

A woodshop program in which every student participates founded on the belief that having the hands engaged in learning is important for all students and supports all learning styles. A woodshop program in which every student participates founded on the belief that having the hands engaged in learning is important for all students and supports all learning styles. The woodshop is now located in the new Phyllis Poe Hands-on Learning Center.
https://wisdomofhands.blogspot.com

Sewing Studio

This program led by Mark Hughes provides students with the opportunity to learn the skills of sewing and other fiber arts. The Sewing studio is located in the Phyllis Poe Hands-on Learning Center.

Visual Arts Studio

The new art studio in the Phyllis Poe Hands-on Learning Center offers our student a variety of art classes in different media.