Classes

Clear Spring School Block Curriculum 2021 -2022

Our curriculum is based on a block schedule. Blocks are an intense integrated curriculum that consists of 6 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 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 6th grade and 7th to 10th grade.

This year's blocks center around community and engagement in the world around us. Students on the lower campus will have each teacher for six weeks in these integrated blocks. Two blocks out of the year the students will be in a class based on their age and travel abilities. These blocks will address developmentally appropriate needs, and are when the larger travel trips will take place.

Charla Destry - Core Teacher

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.

Rigdon Irvin - Head Teacher

Rigdon Irvin - Head Teacher

Art is Life - Eureka Springs is a town of approximately 2,000 residents. Over 400 of those residents are artisans that make their living or supplement their living through art. Many more of our residents incorporate art into their lives to add to their pursuit of happiness. This will include engaging in the making of art and or attending and supporting local art events.

This block is intended to develop a greater understanding of Art and the role it plays around the world, our community and in our daily lives. The students will learn how art affects them in their daily tasks, economically, socially and emotionally.

Essential Questions :
● What is art?
● How does art improve our daily lives?
● How can we communicate through art?

Smaller Essential Questions
● Where do we see art around us?
● How can art contribute to our economy?
● How do we celebrate art in our community?

Chris Barner - Core Teacher

Chris Barner - Core Teacher

Keep it Local - Eureka Springs is a community made up of small businesses. Our very survival leans much of its weight upon the local business community. Eureka is the perfect place for students to take a hands-on approach to learning not only how our community survives, but how we can continue to enrich our small town for future generations.

Students tour the trials of starting and/or running a small business. The class will learn how to discern want vs need as well as goods vs service.
After meeting with many small business owners within Eureka and the surrounding area, students will embark on creating their own start up business for the school. Younger students will work more with how to stock and package inventory whilst older students will learn to budget, keep track of inventory, reach out to distributors and establish relationships with them, etc.

Each block, students will continue to grow the store which will culminate into a makers market style fair at the end of the school year. Bringing each student back to see all of their hard work come to fruition.

Essential Questions :
● What is my role?
● How do I grow?
● How to improve my home?
● What is my passion?

Smaller Essential Questions:
● What does it take to start a small business ?
● How do you structure your business?
● How do I repay those who have helped me?

Sam Faulkner - Core Teacher

Sam Faulkner - Core Teacher

Eureka Springs History - Our community has a rich and colorful history for our students to explore. From the beginning when Native Americans sought out the healing water of the abundant springs, to the post Civil War era when it became a booming spa town, and into the 20th century with its development into an artist community and refuge for society’s fringe population. We will begin with a study of karst terrain and the geological factors that provide the area with its rich healing waters and the First Nations who sought them out. Then we will delve into the colorful characters who developed Eureka into a spa town and gave it the aesthetic that we enjoy today. We will conclude with learning about the factors during the 20th century that gave rise to the community that we know and love today.

Essential Questions:
● Why am I here (in Eureka)?
● Why build a city here?
● Why do people live and work in Eureka?
● What makes our town flourish?

Juanita Crider & Ginny Garber - Core Teacher

Juanita Crider & Ginny Garber - Core Teacher

Ozark Naturalist - This 6-week course will focus on our local Ozarks ecosystem. Through observation and study we will learn about the flora, fauna, fungi, waterways, and landforms of the area. Students will engage in hiking trips, learn wilderness and survival skills, and discuss the merits and methods of sustainability and nature conservation.

Essential Questions :
● What is my role in nature?
● What is the makeup of our ecosystem?
● In what ways is water vital to life?
● How can I contribute to the well-being of the environment?

Wisdom of the Hands Studio

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.

Heath & Wellness

Heath & Wellness

Students are in yoga class learning about self-care.

Beekeeping & Gardening

Beekeeping & Gardening

Students learning from resident beekeeper and gardening instructor, Bethany Smith.

Visual Arts Studio

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.