More than "just" History
If all of education is a wagon wheel, history is the hub. Many other fields of knowledge eminate from the historical study - literature, art, language, music, government, Christian Worldview, etc. We use Tapestry of Grace (Redesigned) curriculum for our studies in these subjects. Kardia's study rotations repeat on a four year cycle allowing the student to study each time period of history, literature, and art at various points in their academic development. Also, this arrangement eases the parents' difficult task of teaching multiple grade levels in the home simultaneously.
See:TapestryOfGrace.com
YEAR ONE
The History of Redemption
Ancient Civilizations: From Creation through 1000 BC - studying civilizations including Hebrews, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans
YEAR TWO
Between Ancient & Modern
Middle Ages and Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, including Printing, Building, Art and Exploration
YEAR THREE
The Nineteenth Century
North American Colonization, American Revolution, Westward Expansion Civil War & Reconsturction Eras
YEAR FOUR
The Twentieth Century
French Revolution, American Industrial Revolution, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, & 20th CenturyWars
Science
For Primary and Grammar Classes (grades 1-6) we offer two 15-week units per year:
Year 1 (2023-2024) Astronomy, Geology
Year 2 (2024-2025) Oceanography, Weather & Meteorology
Year 3 (2021-2022) Human Anatomy, Botany
Year 4 (2022-2023) Animal Kingdom, Physical Science
For Dialectic Classes (grades 7-8) we teach General & Physical Sciences.
For Rhetoric Students (grades 9-12) we offer*:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Anatomy
- Physics
- Marine Biology
*Available to minimum class sizes
Reading
“Clearly one must read every good book at least once every ten years.” -C.S. Lewis
While we encourage plenty of reading at home, students will read classic literature together at Kardia. Grammar students may read three or four per year to learn to model the writing or just enjoy the story together. Our Rhetoric students could read twelve or more books in Literature class along with a huge side serving of discussion.
Communication
We give our students plenty of opportunities to practice good public speaking skills. From Preschool to Rhetoric, all of our students are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones and participate in these opportunities. All students present age appropriate speeches several times throughout the school year including: Demonstration Speeches, Memorized Recitations, Dramatic Readings, Book Reports, Debates, and multi-media presentations.
Composition & Writing
Using curriculum provided by Institute for Exellence in Writing, Kardia teaches composition to all our Grammar and Dialectic students. Our instruction teaches students to express themselves using various means of summarizing and narrating. Students learn to put their thoughts and ideas on paper presenting stories, reports, and finally research. Each week students receive feedback from their "writing mentor," who assists in their writing development. Rhetoric students learn to express more complex thoughts and information by mastering the essay. At this educational stage, students must be able to present a variety of viewpoints and learn to argue their position on paper. New curriculum selections are made each year providing for variety and challenge. Writing mentors provide feedback on each assignment.
Art
Corresponding with the current history year, we use Tapestry of Grace as the backbone of our art studies. Our focus is to help students interpret what they see in the art and architecture of the time period using a Christian worldview. Art technique and terms are studied in conjunction with student art projects completed in a variety of media. Our goal is to encourage every student to appreciate and decipher the beauty they see in the world around them!
Music & Drama
Throughout the year, Kardia students in grades one through eight have the opportunity to participate in drama and music presentations. Playing handbells, younger students are introduced to music theory and put it in to practice. Upper level students learn the foundations of vocal technique, harmony, acting, and staging. The school year culminates with a Spring performance, whose theme correlates with the history focus of the year. This program, which incorporates choral songs and drama, provides an excellent avenue for honing the skills of public speaking and singing.