Academics

Curriculum

A One-Room Schoolhouse primarily uses The Good and the Beautiful curriculum. This curriculum is described as a comprehensive “non-denominational Christian” program with a robust emphasis on “faith, family, nature, and high moral character.” At times, as the education director deems appropriate, she might recommend to a family that supplementary material is used, especially in the high school years. For a full description, please view The Good and the Beautiful curriculum website.

Subject Areas:

Language Arts: includes phonics, reading, writing, spelling, literature, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, art, and geography. Handwriting, typing, and listening comprehension are also practiced during this period.

Math: emphasizes a multi-sensory, balanced approach to math instruction including direct instruction, hands-on activities, and exploration.

Social Studies: multi-age, classroom-style, Bible-based curriculum focusing on principles of freedom, God, civics, character, and traditional principles of government.  Social Studies is taught on a four-year rotation with each course going from ancient history to modern history stopping at different points each year for in-depth unit study. All instruction is completed at The Schoolhouse. 

Science: multi-age, classroom-style curriculum focusing on hands-on unit studies in the areas of Physical Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Earth Science, Space Science, and Health & Safety. Twenty-one units are taught on a four-year rotation with adaptable assignments across age and ability. All instruction is completed at The Schoolhouse. 

Physical Education: a minimum of one hour of daily, active, outdoor (if possible), unstructured play which is supervised by the education director and parent assistant.

Elective Study: consists of nature study, arts and crafts, and music appreciation. At the secondary level these can be customized.

Field Trips: offered monthly and will coordinate with either the science or history unit study.

Weekly Schedule

	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
8:15 to 8:30	Arrival	Arrival	Arrival
8:30 to 9:00	Morning Time	Morning Time	Morning Time
9:00 to 10:30	Language Arts	Language Arts	Art
10:30 to 11:00	Snack and Recess	Snack and Recess	Snack and Recess
11:00 to 12:00	Math	Math	Music Appreciation and Instruction
12:00 to 1:00	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess
1:00 to 1:45	History	History	Read Aloud
1:45 to 2:30	Science	Science	Nature Studies
2:30 to 2:45	Dismissal	Dismissal	Dismissal

Thursday Elective Cluster

Thursdays function like a traditional homeschool co-op. Activities are all multi-age level and focus on elective-type classes. These classes may change from time to time as new curriculum is released from The Good and the Beautiful and as the education director follows students’ interests.

Field trips are done at least once a month and support what is being taught in the science and history unit studies. These field trips, however, will be of significant value even if your student is not participating in our unit studies. One parent must attend all field trips and provide transportation for their student. Admission fees will likely be reduced based on group and educational rates, but each family will be required to pay admission. Non-enrolled siblings are welcome to attend.

Learning at Home

Traditional homework is not given by A One-Room Schoolhouse. Parents, as the principle director of their child’s education, should dictate how studies outside A One-Room Schoolhouse are completed. The following recommendations should be considered

Elementary Students

• Academics: Three language arts lessons and three math lessons will be assigned to be completed at home. The Good and the Beautiful curriculum is an open-and-go, parent-friendly curriculum that moves easily from The Schoolhouse to the home.
• Fire Safety: In order to complete the Pennsylvania state requirement regarding fire safety, it is recommended that each family purchase and complete The Good and the Beautiful’s Safety unit. It can be purchased here. Make sure to keep work samples from this unit to submit in your student’s end-of-year portfolio. If this unit is not completed, your family will need to submit other work samples showing your completion of the fire safety requirement.
• Read Log: Since a reading log is needed for the homeschool portfolio, all outside reading material should be logged and submitted to the portfolio.
• Record Keeping: At the end of the school year, homeschool students are required to have a portfolio reviewed by a homeschool evaluator. Parents and students should keep a portfolio of their academic progress and keep a record showing they have completed the 180 days or 900 hours of homeschooling.
• Science Fair: Students have the option to participate in the yearly science fair.

Secondary Students

• Academics: Three language arts lessons and three math lessons will be assigned to be completed at home. The Good and the Beautiful curriculum is an open-and-go, parent-friendly curriculum that moves easily from The Schoolhouse to the home. At the secondary level, students will often have lesson extensions in science and social studies. The extension work will increase as the grade level increases.
• Fire Safety: In order to complete the Pennsylvania state requirement regarding fire safety, it is recommended that each family purchase and complete The Good and the Beautiful’s Safety unit. It can be purchased here. Make sure to keep work samples from this unit to submit in your student’s end-of-year portfolio. If this unit is not completed, your family will need to submit other work samples showing your completion of the fire safety requirement.
• Read Log: Since a reading log is needed for the homeschool portfolio, all outside reading material should be logged and submitted to the portfolio.
• Record Keeping: At the end of the school year, homeschool students are required to have a portfolio reviewed by a homeschool evaluator. Parents and students should keep a portfolio of their academic progress and keep a record showing they have completed the 180 days or 900 hours of homeschooling.
• Science Fair: Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the yearly science fair.
• Health: It is recommended, at an age-appropriate time, that families complete The Good and The Beautiful’s Maturation and Sexual Reproduction unit. It can be purchased here. Evidence can be submitted in the end-of-year portfolio in the health section if desired.

Education Director

Genevieve Peterson is currently serving as the Executive Director for A One-Room Schoolhouse. As Director she oversees teaching, planning, curriculum, classroom management, and assessment. Genevieve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an educational professional for over 20 years. She holds degrees and credentials in elementary education, math education, and special education along with national certification as a school psychologist. Outside of A One-Room Schoolhouse, she has spent time working on humanitarian efforts in Nepal, teaching Sunday school, and volunteering with her church youth group. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children exploring the great outdoors, running long-distance races, and eating her husband’s culinary creations.

School Calendar

For the 2023-2024 calendar, click here to download.