Pre K + Kindergarten Class Offerings

PREK (3-4 YEAR OLDS) - Lynsie Oswald

What a precious age your child is at right now! Learning the basics can be important but at this age we are going to focus on learning through play. This class will be all about being creative, exploring, and making learning fun. I plan to use Playing Preschool as a starting point for my class. While we will learn all the letters of the alphabet, numbers up to 20, shapes and colors, etc. I will do this by creating fun interactive play learning. Examples of things we will do in the classroom include (but are not limited to): reading books, asking and answering many questions, singing songs, journaling, learning activities, sensory bins, crafts/art, making friends/creating bonds, and having a great fun time together.

One thing I am implementing this year is notebooking. Part of your supply fee ($20) will go towards buying each child their own preschool notebook that will be kept in class. Each week there will be a journal prompt or fun little activities to do related to the topic, letter or number we’re working on. At the end of the year, your child will get to take their notebook home, they will be so proud of the work they’ve done over the year and you can see the growth they have made as well.

Each week I will be sending home worksheets that will relate to the topic, letter, and/or number that we’re working on that week. It is optional if you have your child work on them throughout the week but it will help solidify what they’re learning, if you do. They are not required to return these to class.

 

KINDERGARTEN -  Stacy Kangar

This year in our Kindergarten and First grade homeroom classes we will be learning about the seven continents.  We will be spending 3-5 weeks on each continent.  Along the way we will learn about the geography, animals, and the unique biomes of all these different areas of our world.  We will also explore the people and different cultures in each region. For our literature component this year we will be reading some of the different folk tales found around the world. Both the kindergarten and First grade Homeroom will study all of these topics.  In classic homeschool unit study  style we will vary the difficulty level of the studies and go into more details for the older children.

 

SPANISH (PreK - K) - Alexis Girling

My goal in teaching Spanish is to inspire kiddos to have fun exploring and learning something new. Many of my students are not usually exposed to other languages and cultures, so teaching them a new language that makes them think about different cultures and countries in the world we live, feels like a win to me. I like to make learning fun, but also hope to challenge the students to say things out loud in a language that is foreign to them, this is a lot easier with the younger grades, but really awesome when my middle schoolers and high schoolers get excited and want to try it too.

 

SCIENCE (K-2) - Brittany Watts

This year, we’ll be using The Good and the Beautiful’s Fields and Flowers unit to dive deep into the fascinating world of trees, plants, and the critters that live in our magical forests and fields.

Our young explorers will get the chance to:

Observe hardworking ants as they build intricate tunnels underground

Discover the vital role worms play in keeping our soil healthy and our ecosystems thriving

Learn through hands-on experiences, immersive activities, and real-life encounters with nature

Whenever possible, we’ll take our learning outside to spark curiosity and engage those eager learning brains through meaningful, nature-based exploration.

Our classroom supply fee will help cover the cost of our class pets and the additional materials needed to support these exciting, hands-on lessons.

We can’t wait to see your child’s wonder and excitement grow as we explore the beauty and complexity of the natural world together.

 

BEGINNER ART IN NATURE (K - 2) - Jerusha Betzold

Art, nature, and the work of our hands have always been important parts of my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share them with you this year. From a young age, I have loved the beauty of God's creation and the creativity He placed within each of us. Whether sketching a flower, observing the tiny details of a leaf, or learning a new skill with my hands, I have always felt a deep connection between these activities and the wonder of the world God made.

My love for these subjects grew through my own education, especially during my time in a homeschool co-op. In those years, I had the blessing of being surrounded by people who encouraged a love of learning, beauty, and careful observation. We spent many happy hours studying great works of art, exploring the outdoors, and learning the traditional skills that generations before us have practiced. These experiences not only taught me knowledge and skills but also helped me develop patience, attention to detail, and a lasting sense of wonder.

Art Study has taught me that great works of art are not just beautiful images — they are windows into the heart of the artist and the times they lived in. Learning to look carefully, to notice colors, brushstrokes, and meaning behind the work has made me a more attentive and thoughtful person. I believe that studying art together will help us all slow down and truly see the beauty around us, not just in museums but in everyday life.

Nature Study has always been especially close to my heart. Being outdoors, observing the plants, animals, and landscapes that God has created, reminds me of how much there is to discover and appreciate in the world. It is through quiet walks, sketching in a nature journal, and noticing small seasonal changes that I have learned some of my greatest lessons about patience, gratitude, and awe. I look forward to exploring with you, helping you to sharpen your skills of observation, and hopefully deepening your own love for the natural world.

Handicrafts are another special passion of mine. I have enjoyed learning skills like knitting, sewing, weaving, and other traditional arts that not only create beautiful and useful things but also teach persistence, care, and creativity. Handicrafts give us the chance to work with the gifts God has given us — our hands, our minds, and our creativity — in a way that is deeply satisfying and meaningful. I hope to encourage each of you to approach these crafts not only with a spirit of excellence but also with joy and purpose.

Throughout this year, my hope is that through Art Study, Nature Study, and Handicrafts, you will grow not just in skill and knowledge, but in your appreciation for the beauty and order that God has placed in the world around us. I pray that this class will help you slow down, look carefully, and take delight in the good work of learning, creating, and observing together.

 

PICTURE BOOK LITERATURE, EXPLORING THE WORLD OF AWARD WINNING PICTURE BOOKS (K-2) - Ellie Johanek

In this engaging literature class, designed for our younger learners, we will dive into a world of award winning picture books. Each week, we’ll explore rich, age-appropriate stories through lively discussions and hands-on creative activities.

Students will explore essential character traits like kindness, integrity, courage, and empathy. They’ll also have opportunities to respond to the tales through art, storytelling, and personalized lap books. Whether your child is just beginning to read or already reading independently, this class meets them where they are—inviting every learner to enjoy and explore great stories in their own way.

Goals: Foster a love of reading, strengthen comprehension and promote character development, and encourage creative expression through literature.

Materials: There will be a $15 supply fee to cover in-class materials. A list of books will be provided ahead of time for families to source from the library or a place of their choosing.

Expectations: Occasional story exploration and project assignments at home will be encouraged but not required between classes.

Books for Exploring: -

Wilfred Gordon McDonald

The Seven Silly Eaters

When I Was Young in the Mountains

Brave Irene

Last Stop on Market Street

Ameila Bedelia

Metal Man

Where the Wild Things Are

Authors for Exploring: -

Jonathan Bean

John Burningham

Mem Fox

Loren Long

Robert McCloskey