Curriculum

One of the most unique and beneficial features of White Mountain Schoolhouse is learners are met wherever they are. They are neither rushed, nor slowed down in their learning--only supported. Every child is unique and their learning pace should be, too.

In comparison, traditional school puts learning on a finite timeline. The focus is on one lesson for the day in each subject for the entire large group, in their current grade level's prescribed topics, no matter if a student is at a Kindergarten level or a 5th grade level. Why should it be a surprise that so many children are unsuccessful when education is done this way?

Here at White Mountain Schoolhouse, students will start the new academic year in Language Arts and Math at whatever their current level is, rather than the grade level they "should" currently be at just based on their age alone.

To determine these levels, the learner and guide will meet together in August to take simple placement assessments in Reading, Writing/Handwriting, Spelling/Phonics, and Math. To ensure accuracy of results, the guide will sit with the learner one-on-one for both the online and hands-on screening tests, depending on the subject. These results will determine which curriculum workbooks will be purchased in time for the first day of WMS in September.

If learners progress during the year and move up to a new level, new workbooks/curriculum will be purchased by WMS. White Mountain Schoolhouse is passionate about letting students go as fast or as slow as they need to go, believing that education is NOT a "one-size-fits-all" process.

Science and Social Studies will be hands-on for all learners, and they will decide on how they want to demonstrate their learning.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is built into WMS's daily schedule. Learners will have the opportunity to build their critical thinking and problem solving skills to solve real-life problems on topics that interest them. For 6 year olds, this may be as simple as "help the penguin get across the ice" and for 10 year olds, the task may be to design their own food truck, complete with a budget, expenses, menu, orders, and more. During this time, learner choice and autonomy is heavily emphasized and the process is valued just as much as the outcome.

Handwriting workbooks will be distributed to learners, but should be worked on daily at home. The guide will give guidance on handwriting progress through the writing they do at WMS.

All curriculum costs are included with tuition.

White Mountain Schoolhouse will primarily be utilizing the following curriculum:

• • Math: Math with Confidence (workbook) / MathSeeds (up to level 3: online) / CTC Math (level 4+: online)

  • Reading: Evan-Moor (workbook) / ReadingEggs (online)

  • Grammar: Simply Schoolgirl

  • Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser

  • Writing: Write Shop

  • Phonics: University of Florida Literacy Institute (small group) / Fast Phonics (online)

  • Science: Mystery Science 

  • Social Studies: Various sources

Learners should also be completing extra Enrichment Time activities outside of school hours. Because we have fewer hours than traditional school, enrichment time activities should be happening daily. These consist of self-directed "real-life learning" activities that may include reading independently or with a family member, listening to stories, practicing coding online, participating in sports, playing outside, exploring music and art, or advancing on their PBL projects they've been working on in class. Again, learner choice and autonomy is emphasized!

Note** The single most important thing a parent can do for their child at home outside of school hours for their reading abilities to progress is reading aloud to them. Please make this a part of your daily routine. There are several studies that can be found online that outline the benefits of reading aloud to children and the significant impacts it can have on their progress.