Cottage School
(ages 4+5)
"...my object is to show that the chief function of the child--his business in the world during the first six or seven years of his life -
is to find out all he can, about whatever comes under his notice, by means of his five senses...”
― Charlotte M. Mason
Heritage Christian Academy offers a unique experience for those children ages 4-5 years old of current Heritage Families who already have older students enrolled in grades K-12, and/or current HCA faculty.
Families who follow the Charlotte Mason method of education do not begin formal schooling until the age of 6,
but there is a feast of activities that we offer to the younger siblings of current students!
The HCA Cottage School runs concurrent to all other HCA classes and the rotating list of activities that your children will participate in over the course of the school year will include:
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Poetry and nursery rhymes
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Folk songs, hymns and memory verses
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Classic picture books and stories with subsequent activities and crafts
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Cooking projects
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The sharing of nature discoveries from the previous week
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Games and activities to build the habit of attention, self control, respect and obedience
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Listen to (and learn) the Pledge of Allegiance
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Listen to stories and poetry with rich, literary language
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Nature walks (in all but the most inclement weather) and learning the names of the local plants, birds and insects they encounter
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Becoming familiar with common bird calls
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Notice the position of the sun and shadows, locating cardinal directions, learning to follow maps, physical geography games, noticing how water runs, etc.
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Tend a garden (indoor or outdoor, as weather permits)
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Develop observation skills and vocabulary through "sight seeing" adventures around the facility and grounds
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Creative play
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Listen to classical music and learn about one classical composer per term
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Examine nature themed fine art pieces as well as the works of one classical artist per term
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Simple crafts/introduction to handiwork