Children registered as homeschoolers are welcomed into our nature school to access to high quality teachers and curriculum support, the opportunity to socialize with peers, to be community leaders themselves and role models to our nature preschoolers, and a chance to engage in collaborative learning opportunities. Homeschoolers may participate in all school events, field trips, and field days.
Homeschool Student Schedule Options (1st - 8th) :
September to June
2, 3, or 4 full days a week (8:45am-3:15pm)
We do not have a separate class for our homeschoolers. Rather, your child will join the age group that he/she best fits into based on information from you...aka the person who knows him/her best! Every child regardless of time at PONS receives the grade-level curriculum that allows him/her to continue progressing, whether this means learning 3rd grade skills as a 1st grader, or a 2nd grade skill replacement for a 4th grader.
Core Skills Workshops include: Mathematical investigations in Kindergarten through 8th grade driven by Illustrative Mathematics. All curricula are supplemented by literature, hands-on games, natural manipulatives, and additional teacher-curated curricula. Literacy foundations are built with Heggerty Phonemic Awareness and Fundations Phonics and Word Study, shared reading experiences, guided reading, and an artist's/writers' workshop approach to writing utilizing the Power of Pictures Writing curriculum for our Forest Kindergarteners and Kindergarten students, while our oldest students supplement this curriculum with Harvey Daniels' Content-Area Writing approach. All core skills are guided by the New Jersey Learning Standards, K-8.
Project Block : Independent and/or small group. Student-driven outcomes; teacher as mentor. Increased student autonomy as they age; known as "Guided Explorations" for our Foxes, "Supported Inquiries" for our Bobcats, and "Independent Investigations" for our Bears. A teacher may meet with small groups or individual children for supplemental skill building. Reading, writing, and research skills are blended into this 90-min block. Learning Expo to showcase projects scheduled every season.
Civic Engagement : ‘WE Schools’ Service Learning
Students take action on local and global issues while building skills like resilience, empathy and problem-solving.
Following the 5-Steps of Service Learning...
-
Investigation
-
Research
-
Action
-
Reflection
-
Celebration
students will question and discuss such topics as:
How rules and laws support the People. Resolving conflicts to support the Common Good.
Civic responsibilities. How actions of civil rights leaders contributed to social change. Immigrant process. Stereotyping. Prejudice. Conflict.
How human interaction impacts NJ & the environment. Resource availability.