Orthodox Curriculum

Children’s Garden of the Theotokos

 

A Kindergarten and Primary Curriculum for Homeschool, Sunday School, and Catechism

Scope

The Church, our Guide

Our school year revolves around the life and rhythms of our holy Orthodox faith, and particularly the Church calendar. Our opening lesson, on Sept. 1, teaches the children that the Church is our Mother, guiding us always toward Christ. This theme is kept central throughout the Kindergarten year.

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Looking to the Holy Fathers

The Orthodox worldview, as articulated by the Holy Fathers of the Church, undergirds the curriculum. We read and considered Sts. John Chrysostom, Theophan the Recluse, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Isaac the Syrian, and many others for their guidance in raising children and families of faith, as we were writing the curriculum. Particularly, the lives of the saints and the rhythm of the liturgical year (its feasts and fasts) are central in The Children’s Garden.

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Educating Experientially

Kindergarten is all about learning through experience. The main framework of this curriculum is the life of the church, yet we often wonder if our young children are connecting during liturgies and services. Our objective in The Children’s Garden is to bring the liturgical and sacramental life alive for young children on their own level. Activities are particularly designed for the young child to live his faith experientially, to participate in the movements of the church life and the wondrous world around him. In essence, it is an experiential catechism for children.

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Nurturing Imagination in the 3 R’s

Basic knowledge about reading, writing, and arithmetic begins at this age with experience. Gently and imaginatively, the teacher introduces the letters, numbers, colors and shapes in a measured way throughout the year, choosing from a variety of approaches those which best fit the children concerned. Coloring, painting, movement, rhymes, poetry, and other creative ideas may be used. For those wishing a more Classical or academic approach during Kindergarten, pre-math and pre-phonics programs are reviewed and recommended.

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Treasury of Orthodox Childhood

The curriculum has many original, explicitly Orthodox poems, songs, finger-plays and stories which feed the imagination of the child such as this song:.

Monday Song

Monday Song, Children’s Garden,mp3

O holy angels and archangels
mighty brave and strong.
We ask you please to pray for us
and help us as you hear our song.
Make a circle all around us
with your shining golden wings.
Keep us safe from every danger
as we worship God our King.

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Age and Setting

The curricula is written for children from about 4 to 10 years old. The scripted lessons and suggested art projects are most appropriate for this age group. However, the subject matter can be easily adapted for older children by adding discussions, readings from Scripture and the Fathers, more complex artwork, and writing assignments. It can still work well as a catechism spine for large families or homeschooled children out of the target age range.

Although originally conceived of for homeschooling families, it has also been used by parents and teachers in a variety of settings:

• parochial Orthodox school program for Kindergarten or pre-school
• informal pre-school parish groups
• Sunday school
• after-school catechesis for children in public or private school

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Structure

A unique daily and weekly rhythm is established by the parents/teachers to fit the needs of their children. Including prayers, chores, lessons, and activities tailored to their family or classroom, the lessons from The Children’s Garden are then regularly woven into this schedule from the two primary texts: Seasons of Grace and Treasury of Feasts.

Prayers of the Hours for Children is supplied as a starting point for family prayer throughout the day. This can be expanded in subsequent years. Guidance and sample schedules are provided to help families new to homeschooling establish a good rhythm for their school day.

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Components

Prayers of the Hours

A booklet for praying 5-minute “hours” throughout your school day. Includes daily songs commemorating saint of the day.

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The Teaching Guide

 

has a threefold purpose:

• explaining how to use the curriculum
• articulating our basic philosophy of education for the primary grades
• offering an appendix of helpful tools for Orthodox educators

The guidebook covers topics concerning homeschooling in particular and education in general, specifically from an Orthodox perspective. While not exhaustive, there is enough substance to help the teacher build some confidence and a sense of direction for nurturing children spiritually and ushering them into a solid understanding and experience of the liturgical life of the church. Both first-time and seasoned teachers will find inspiration and tools to help nurture this spiritual life in our children.

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Seasons of Grace

 

A collection of 5 Unit Studies to be used throughout the year:

• Book of Days (Sunday through Monday)
• Book of Creation
• Nativity Vowel Poems
• Orthodox 12 Days of Christmas
• Lent to Pentecost

Each scripted lesson is 5-10 minutes long and is accompanied by an art project. The art projects are collected into a blank book with script added by the parent or older sibling for a memorable keepsake the children will treasure.

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Treasury of Feasts

 

A collection of saint’s lives and major feast days (3-4 per month) and activity suggestions to help bring them to life for your children. When possible, “liturgical offerings” are emphasized, in which the children can prepare something to be shared at the festal Liturgy. This helps to build an experiential bridge for them directly into liturgical life.

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Children’s Garden CD

 

20 songs to be used throughout the school year. Most are original melodies and words, a few are standard Troparia: Obikhod or simple Byzantine melodies. Single voice, no accompaniment. Anyone can sing them!

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Book of Days Template

A cardstock booklet used with Unit 1 in Seasons of Grace.

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3 Waldorf-style Blank Books

Used to collect artwork for 3 of the Unit Studies. (Those ordering a digital copy must provide their own blank books. They can be ordered from Paper, Scissors, Stone or A Child’s Dream Come True.)

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The Heavenly Garden: The Story of Adam And Eve in the Garden of Eden

A small supplemental children’s book which is used in the program. (Those ordering a digital copy must get this book separately from St. Nectarios Press.)

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Cost and Ordering

Printed Full Program

includes shipping and tax: $80

All components as listed above printed, spiral coil bound, and sent via USPS Priority Flat Rate.

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Digital Full Program

includes CD in mp3 format: $50

All components as listed above EXCEPT the Waldorf blank books and The Heavenly Garden are transmitted to you via digital files through email.

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Extras

Extra Consumables for Siblings (3 Waldorf blank books; 1 Book of Days): $8

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Tin of 8 Waldorf beeswax block crayons: $9

Payment Options

Preferred: Post your payment for either product through Paypal, using the buttons above
Accepted: Personal or Cashier’s Check sent to:
(Shirley) Macrina Lewis
3110 San Juan Ave.
Port Townsend, WA 98368

Payment Plan

If a payment plan is needed, please contact us through the comment form below or the Contact button on the homepage to set up a payment plan for you. There is no extra charge for this but we ask that you only use the option if it is necessary.

Need-based “Scholarship”

Please contact us directly if you or someone you know would really like the program but would need a scholarship.