Classes at H.E.A.R.T.
H.E.A.R.T. classes are designed to round out your child's education by providing opportunities to work within a larger group, make messes, and be exposed to exciting areas of study.
Growing at H.E.A.R.T.
PreK & Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten (4 years old as of September 1): Pre-k students will experience a fun and meaningful classroom community where they engage in age-appropriate topics, including Bible, literacy, math, social studies, science, and character. They will learn through hands-on activities, songs, read aloud, and other types of play. Our goal is to point the students to God while enriching their learning and providing a loving social community.
Kindergarten (5 years old as of September 1): The kindergarten class provides a wonderful opportunity for 4 turning 5 and 5 turning 6 year-olds to experience learning in a group setting. We will be studying Spanish, sign language, music, science, literature, and math in a wide range of thematic units. Hands-on experiments, art projects, and centers will give children a fun way to learn about these concepts. Unlike 1st-8th grades, the kindergarten class will stay with their teacher the majority of the day.
PreK - K Art: Young students will have the ability and the freedom to explore and experiment with all different types of mediums. This allows for the students to learn new techniques and hone in on developing skills.
First - Third Grades
Art: Art classes draw inspiration from God’s Word, historical and contemporary artists, as well as foundational principles of art. Lessons include drawing, painting and mixed media. Students are encouraged to draw step-by-step to help them understand shapes, art elements, a variety of techniques and execute good craftsmanship. The goal for each class is to facilitate a studio environment that encourages a relaxed and calm atmosphere where skill development and individual creativity is celebrated and where students build one another up as they see artistic expression in their peers.
Free Form Fun: We have 3 rotations that we do twice throughout the year. We have board game/class games where we get to play with our classmates and challenge each other in different games. Another rotation is improv/drama. In this session we learn different vocabulary words about acting and drama, and then get a chance to create our own dramas throughout the session. Finally, we have Lego building! We work in teams to complete the different challenges of the day!
Music: In our music classes, we will develop our musical skills through activities to help become tuneful, beatful, and artful. Students will work on singing skills, playing games that encourage working together on a beat, play instruments, and will move and play to various styles of music. Our emphasis will be on developing the underlying foundation of seeing ourselves as musical people, and parents will be provided with ideas to continue weaving music through the week at home as well.
Physical Education: The goal of our P.E. class is to develop healthy children in mind, body, and spirit through quality sports skills instruction focused on sportsmanship, character building, role modeling in excellence, and training for fit, healthy bodies—all in a fun and safe environment.
Science: Science for grades one through three will allow the students to be young scientists. They will perform experiments, do hands-on projects, and practice making predictions and hypotheses. They will record their science words, Bible verses, observations, projects, and experiments in their own science journals.
Snack/Lunch: Each child must bring his/her own ready-to-eat food for a morning snack and lunch. We ask that children refrain from sharing their food with others due to food allergies (PEANUTS are NOT allowed at HEART). Your child MUST bring and use a water bottle each day.
Spanish for 1st-3rd: This year we will be using the Spanish for You! curriculum. Students learn vocabulary and expressions used in everyday life as well as several grammar concepts. Grammar concepts will include some verb conjugations. Cultural connections are made in order to connect language learning with a people. Classes are designed to develop the students’ ability to understand, speak, read and write Spanish. Classes begin with warm-up activities that allow students to listen, observe, and interact in Spanish with already learned vocabulary and concepts. New material is presented through games, activities, and direct instruction. Your child does not need any prior Spanish learning experience to begin at his/her grade level. The curriculum is specially designed to allow for new students to begin learning at their grade level along with students who have had previous experience. There is a home component to this program if you choose to use it. The homework will involve using a workbook, audio download, worksheets and assigned activities.
Unit Study: Each month, students are exposed to a new area of study with the help of parent volunteers. In the past, our children have experienced and enjoyed topics such as: chess, inventions, character building, public speaking, oceanography and entrepreneurship. This year’s unit study topics will be determined in July.
Fourth - Eighth Grades
Jesus Trials: This class is designed to help students succeed in public speaking and defending their faith. In the first semester, students will learn the foundations of speech and debate. To demonstrate learning, students will have the opportunity to prepare speeches and participate in topic-appropriate debates. In the second semester, we will build on the foundations learned and move toward apologetics. Students will understand and apply Biblical doctrine in the context of reflecting and communicating their faith in a culture of competing worldviews.
Physical Education: The goal of our P.E. class is to develop healthy children in mind, body, and spirit through quality sports skills instruction focused on sportsmanship, character building, role modeling in excellence, and training for fit, healthy bodies—all in a fun and safe environment.
Snack/Lunch: Each child must bring his/her own ready-to-eat food for a morning snack and lunch. We ask that children refrain from sharing their food with others due to food allergies (PEANUTS are NOT allowed at HEART). Your child MUST bring and use a water bottle each day.
Spanish: This year we will be using the Spanish for You! curriculum. Students learn vocabulary and expressions used in everyday life as well as several grammar concepts. Grammar concepts will include some verb conjugations. Cultural connections are made in order to connect language learning with a people. Classes are designed to develop the students’ ability to understand, speak, read and write Spanish. Classes begin with warm-up activities that allow students to listen, observe and interact in Spanish with already learned vocabulary and concepts. New material is presented through games, activities, and direct instruction. Your child does not need any prior Spanish learning experience to begin at his/her grade level. The curriculum is specially designed to allow for new students to begin learning at their grade level along with students who have had previous experience. There is a home component to this program if you choose to use it. The homework will involve using a workbook, audio download, worksheets and assigned activities.
Bible Study: Our children are bombarded daily with competing messages. Every song, movie, book, TV show, blog, and game is full of ideas – ideas about God, people, truth, beauty, and right and wrong. Not all of these ideas are true. Some are deceptive and even destructive. We will learn to discern the truth by using God’s Word as a lens through which to view the world around us, to see everything the way God sees it.
Leadership: Is there a leader in everyone? In this elective, students will explore what leadership means, identify good leadership qualities, and discuss leadership challenges. We will also take time to peek into scripture to view leadership through key Biblical figures. Throughout the elective, students will have the opportunity to develop and exercise their leadership skills.
Strategic Games: Who doesn’t like games? This fun lunch time elective, allows students to interact with each other while having some friendly competition playing a variety of different games.
Choir: Our choir will spend time developing both personal vocal skills and group choral skills like building blend and singing in harmony. We will focus on several different pieces and look forward to a culminating performance at the end of the semester.
Cor Opus (Yearbook): Help to create the HEART Yearbook! Students will help to create the layout, do interviews, write up articles, and take pictures! The yearbook will be published in the summer and each student will receive one.
Bread Baking: Few things smell quite as lovely as fresh baked bread. In this class you will learn to bake a variety of breads from quick breads to flat breads and many in between. We will bake sweet breads and learn to work with yeast. If you love bread this class is for you. No prior kitchen experience is required, but be sure to bring your apron!
Creative Crafting: Bring out your creative side while we create a variety of projects using certain skill sets and techniques. We will be working with an array of materials, ranging from yarn to paper machè, to beads and clay. You will leave class learning new skills and with many new projects!
Classic Cooking for Family and Friends: From comfort food to classic snacks, this class will teach students to use common pantry staples to make delicious meals and scrumptious snacks.
Handicrafts: You might be asking, what exactly is a handicraft? While similar to arts and crafts, handicrafts are created for a specific function or use, as well as often being ornamental in nature. They are items made completely by hand or by using simple tools. They are not limited to crafty type items, but can include life skills as well. Handicrafts take a child back to the roots of how things were once created. In this class, we will be working on handicrafts such as candle making, weaving, crocheting, homemade toiletries, and projects using paper, wool, clay, and items in nature. The students will also learn about knot tying, setting a table, flower arranging, calligraphy, and much more!
Folk Dancing through the Ages: Get your dancing shoes on! ;) In this class, students will “travel” around the world to learn about historic folk dances from a variety of countries and will practice the dance steps as well. For certain dances, students will make props or parts of the traditional costumes.
Fundamentals of Design: Learn the basic elements of visual design to create pieces of art with new techniques and approaches to expand your artistic knowledge.
Intro to Drawing: Line, volume, shape and color! From basic shapes to still life, this course introduces you to drawing techniques with various mediums to provide you a solid foundation in your artistic journey.
Lost Life Skills Part I and Part II: (part I in Fall, part II in Spring) In these courses we will explore a broad array of life skills, once a normal part of life that are being lost to modern American life with comfort, technology, and society's tendency to either throw something away, buy something new, or simply pay someone else to do it for you. Skills taught will tap into vehicular maintenance, choosing and using the right tools, grilling, outdoor skills, small engines, homesteading skills, and much more. Learn to be skilled, aware, resilient, and capable!
You do not need to take Part 1 to participate in Part 2.
Mythology: Students will study the historical basis of cultural myths while discussing both the similarities and differences between them as well as the fantastical characters and creatures. We will read myths from around the world and write, draw, discuss, and create our own, with new activities every week.
Sewing: This is a class for those who would like to learn basic hand sewing. There will be an option to sew smaller projects that can be completed in a few classes or to sew a more complicated doll that could take the entire course. No prior experience is necessary.
Tae Kwon Do: Looking for something where your kids can hit something and not get in trouble? Tae Kwon Do is the place for them! In addition to punching and kicking, Tae Kwon Do also works on building confidence, stress relief, character building, and more. Students can bring their old belts and rank promotion usually happens at the end of each semester. New students will get their first belt in their first class.
Theater: Have a blast experiencing multiple elements of theater! From tech, to costumes, to acting, to music! All students will get to experience being in a collection of scenes and songs during the end of the year performance. Light memorization of songs and an easy script will be expected. If you enjoy being part of a performance or have never had the chance-this is for you!
Time Travel History: Students will learn about a new historical character every other week, alternating with a project based, hands on activity. We will study lesser-known explorers, inventors, pioneers, artists, musicians and more and gauge how they have changed our world.
US Military: This is a class for those who would like to learn more about the US Military. We will discuss the different branches, the chain of command, the Department of Defense, service academies, and ROTC. We hope to bring guests in from different branches to talk to the students and provide opportunities for questions. Based off the students’ interests we may discuss past battles and/or current events, strategies employed, and how the outcomes shaped (will shape) future events.