Curriculum
The following is the curriculum used at Aquinas Academy. However, because of the flexibility of our program, parents are free to use alternate curriculum they may prefer for any subject by simply exclusively homeschooling that subject. They can also, of course, supplement with any materials they like..
The following is the curriculum used at Aquinas Academy. However, because of the flexibility of our program, parents are free to use alternate curriculum they may prefer for any subject by simply exclusively homeschooling that subject. They can also, of course, supplement with any materials they like..
Religion - The religion curriculum is Ignatius Press' Faith and Life series. The program also utilizes the Bible, the lives of the Saints, and the Catechism. Students in the Rhetoric stage will also make use of documents of ecumenical councils and papal documents.
Reading / Literature - Students in early grades are taught spelling and reading using the text Classical Phonics. Explicit vocabulary instruction is given using the programs English from the Roots Up and Vocabulary from Classical Roots. The reading program is primarily based on literature, including authors like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and William Shakespeare, among others, and the Great Books in the Rhetoric stage. We also use the National Catholic Reader as a reading text through grade six. Poetry is another important component of the literature curriculum.
Writing / Grammar - Writing will follow the developmental level of the trivium. Children in the Grammar stage will construct properly formed sentences, paragraphs, and well-organized essays. We also use the Handwriting Without Tears program to teach proper penmanship - printing in grades one and two, and cursive in grades three and four. In the Dialectical stage, students are expected to synthesize information, demonstrate logical thought, and arrive at reasonable conclusions. In the Rhetoric stage, students will write papers that persuasively defend well thought out arguments, and will also engage in debate. We make use of the Writing Strands series and the Classical Composition series. Grammar is integrated in the writing instruction and is also taught using dictation, as well as the grammar series, Rod and Staff Grammar and The Great Editing Adventure.
Mathematics - The math curriculum spirals from basic arithmetic and number sense at the beginning of the Grammar stage, through calculus at the end of high school. It is taught through a variety of modalities with a focus on both conceptual understanding and repeated practice. We use Singapore Math's Standards Edition through sixth grade and then the Math U See series, beginning with pre-algebra in seventh grade. In the Dialectical stage, there is formal instruction in logic using Memoria Press's series Traditonal Logic.
History - History spirals through the three stages covering human history from ancient to modern times. There is particular emphasis on the study of Israel, Church history, and United States history. We generally follow the RC History program, supplemented with Map Skills for Today to help younger children develop geography skills, and Map Trek for the Dialectical stage. Our primary texts in the Grammar stage are: Time Travelers, The Turn of the Century, Evangelization of the New World, and How Our Nation Began. Our study of the ancient world consists mostly of hands-on activities. In the Dialectical Stage we use The Old World and America; Christ the King, Lord of History; and Christ and the Americas.
Science - In science, we spiral through biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. In the first and second grades, we use the series Real Science 4 Kids. Beginning in third grade, through eighth grade, we use the Noeo Science program, with the exception of fourth and fifth grades, in which we use The Book of Astronomy and Exploring Planet Earth, respectively, from Memoria Press. We also supplement with the program Astronomy for All Ages. Instruction is done in class, and these programs provide many hands-on investigations parents can do with their children at home.
Latin - Latin is offered to children in grades 3-8 and uses the series Latina Christiana. In high school the students transition to Spanish. No series has been selected for Spanish, as we do not yet have a high school program.
Art - Students learn about great artists and great works of art. They also create their own artistic masterpieces
Music - Students are exposed to the lives and music of the great composers. They are taught the basics of reading music and theory using the Let's Learn Music series and the recorder.
Drama - Drama is offered once a week. Students will participate in all aspects of putting on a play, which they will do twice a year, once for Christmas, and once in the spring.
Physical Education - Physical education is offered and our physical therapist can aid students with special needs. Though no competitive sports program is currently offered through Aquinas Academy, the goal is to eventually compete athletically against some of the local private schools, at least in exhibition games.
Classically Catholic Memory - Students in the grammar stage use the CCM series from Ignatius Press. Memory work is taught twice a week and covers topics such as religion, history, science, geography, and poetry.
Reading / Literature - Students in early grades are taught spelling and reading using the text Classical Phonics. Explicit vocabulary instruction is given using the programs English from the Roots Up and Vocabulary from Classical Roots. The reading program is primarily based on literature, including authors like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and William Shakespeare, among others, and the Great Books in the Rhetoric stage. We also use the National Catholic Reader as a reading text through grade six. Poetry is another important component of the literature curriculum.
Writing / Grammar - Writing will follow the developmental level of the trivium. Children in the Grammar stage will construct properly formed sentences, paragraphs, and well-organized essays. We also use the Handwriting Without Tears program to teach proper penmanship - printing in grades one and two, and cursive in grades three and four. In the Dialectical stage, students are expected to synthesize information, demonstrate logical thought, and arrive at reasonable conclusions. In the Rhetoric stage, students will write papers that persuasively defend well thought out arguments, and will also engage in debate. We make use of the Writing Strands series and the Classical Composition series. Grammar is integrated in the writing instruction and is also taught using dictation, as well as the grammar series, Rod and Staff Grammar and The Great Editing Adventure.
Mathematics - The math curriculum spirals from basic arithmetic and number sense at the beginning of the Grammar stage, through calculus at the end of high school. It is taught through a variety of modalities with a focus on both conceptual understanding and repeated practice. We use Singapore Math's Standards Edition through sixth grade and then the Math U See series, beginning with pre-algebra in seventh grade. In the Dialectical stage, there is formal instruction in logic using Memoria Press's series Traditonal Logic.
History - History spirals through the three stages covering human history from ancient to modern times. There is particular emphasis on the study of Israel, Church history, and United States history. We generally follow the RC History program, supplemented with Map Skills for Today to help younger children develop geography skills, and Map Trek for the Dialectical stage. Our primary texts in the Grammar stage are: Time Travelers, The Turn of the Century, Evangelization of the New World, and How Our Nation Began. Our study of the ancient world consists mostly of hands-on activities. In the Dialectical Stage we use The Old World and America; Christ the King, Lord of History; and Christ and the Americas.
Science - In science, we spiral through biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. In the first and second grades, we use the series Real Science 4 Kids. Beginning in third grade, through eighth grade, we use the Noeo Science program, with the exception of fourth and fifth grades, in which we use The Book of Astronomy and Exploring Planet Earth, respectively, from Memoria Press. We also supplement with the program Astronomy for All Ages. Instruction is done in class, and these programs provide many hands-on investigations parents can do with their children at home.
Latin - Latin is offered to children in grades 3-8 and uses the series Latina Christiana. In high school the students transition to Spanish. No series has been selected for Spanish, as we do not yet have a high school program.
Art - Students learn about great artists and great works of art. They also create their own artistic masterpieces
Music - Students are exposed to the lives and music of the great composers. They are taught the basics of reading music and theory using the Let's Learn Music series and the recorder.
Drama - Drama is offered once a week. Students will participate in all aspects of putting on a play, which they will do twice a year, once for Christmas, and once in the spring.
Physical Education - Physical education is offered and our physical therapist can aid students with special needs. Though no competitive sports program is currently offered through Aquinas Academy, the goal is to eventually compete athletically against some of the local private schools, at least in exhibition games.
Classically Catholic Memory - Students in the grammar stage use the CCM series from Ignatius Press. Memory work is taught twice a week and covers topics such as religion, history, science, geography, and poetry.