Aquinas Learning Center--Month 1

Our St Croix Valley Learning Center just celebrated our 1st "luniversary." In the mornings, we start with Chapel Time. My goals for this time are to help the K-6 children connect with the catechism & virtue lessons for the week, and to present an example of a saint whose feast day we celebrate that week who in some way exemplifies those virtues. So far we have talked about St. Andrew Kim Taegon, St. Vincent de Paul, Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, and St. Teresa of Avila.

Following Chapel Time, the children separate into K-3 and 4-6 groups. Both groups practice memory sentences in eight areas: catechism, virtue, history, science, civics, grammar, geography and Latin. The goal is to learn the memory work in a variety of ways, including songs and games.

After the memory work hour, it is snack time and time for oral presentations. Even the kindergarteners spend time preparing presentations! The focus for these presentations is to learn public speaking skills. Presentations are followed by discussions of a work of literature or story.

After discussions, the K-6 students re-group and alternate between music class and science investigations, depending on the week. So far, we have been learning a method of chant, and dissected a chicken leg (as part of our anatomy studies).

Lunch and recess are next.

In the afternoon, we have decided to combine the kindergarteners with the 3 year olds. (We don't have any 4 year olds, but if we did, this would be their place too.) The 5 year olds seem to do much better with a more relaxed afternoon schedule. They have nature walks, art or science, and cook their own afternoon snack. This is followed by group games and then free play till it is time to go back to their moms.

The K-3 group work on copy work, handwriting, spelling, basic composition skills and then have individual learning centers. The 4-6 graders work on composition skills, grammar and then have critical thinking games.

So far, I think the year has gone wonderfully. Everyone seems to really pitch in and help out, despite a high number of young babies! I am eager to see how the Center will grow throughout the year.