Frequently Asked Quesions
“Children will only learn when
they are ready to learn, not when we are ready to teach them.”
What can I do with my child on the days of the week when there’s no
school?
Great question! As a Hybrid program, we intentionally allow for 1-2 weekdays per week (depending
on the program) where you have time back with your student to learn & do things together!
Here are some ideas we’ve seen work pretty well:
Hikes and visits to local creeks
Field trips-the zoo, farms, museums
Practical skills & help maintain the home
Play with siblings
Visit grandparents & other family
Library Trip
Reading Day
Long Weekend Trip
Watch Documentaries & Fun Science Shows
Practice Music or Art
Is World of Wonder faith-based?
Thanks for asking! The founder and head teachers of World of Wonder come from a Christian background and share a Christian paradigm.
While we are not associated with any particular denomination or church, we are faith-friendly & faith-supportive.
Our teachers have the freedom to share the stories of Jesus and teach Christian-based values & principles.
We strive to meets the needs of our community, and invite everyone from all faith backgrounds & traditions to apply to the program.
How do you measure student progress?
While we fully expect our students to progress and grow in remarkable ways while at World of Wonder, we do not measure success using standardized testing methods. We don’t subscribe to standardized testing because we do not believe in standardized children. Each child is a unique person with truly individual talents & gifts that take time to develop and bloom.
By adding standardized testing pressure at early an early age, children get the message that they are compared to others, and that tests show their worth & value.
If you are particularly interested in using standardized tests for your child, we can show you how to do so in a homeschool setting. We believe that when a student matures into upper levels of learning, preparing for college or trade school, it is a more appropriate time to begin practicing standardized tests to achieve their goals.
How will we measure progress, then? We measure it by observing the following factors:
-
Is the child demonstrably excited to learn?
-
Does the child ask inquisitive questions?
-
Does the child have projects they’ve accomplished that they can show to others?
-
Has the child had meaningful development in reading skills and mathematical reasoning?
-
Has the child’s vocabulary increased in describing their inner and outer world?
-
Has the child’s empathy and kindness for others increased?
While these measurement questions might sound “squishy” compared to cold, hard test results, we
are confident that both the teacher & family of the student will clearly observe meaningful
progress over the course of the year.
More than the results of standard, one-dimensional academic tests, we put emphasis on the social,
emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual development of each student.
What curriculum does World of Wonder use?
We are actively researching creative curriculum that matches our philosophy at this time. We are preparing unit studies that will be offered for science, history, geography, and more.
During their daily “Spark Zone” time, students will work on developmentally chosen goals in math, reading, spelling and writing. We determine what a child works on in partnership with them.
At World of Wonder, one of our core beliefs is that culture trumps curriculum. Even more than what the students learn, how and why they learn determines the quality & direction of a child’s education. We desire to create a culture of learners passionate about learning and life.
We nourish a culture where our learners can become confident communicators, voracious readers, and active builders seeking knowledge and solving problems.
What methodology is World of Wonder?
At World of Wonder, we do not deploy a single instructional methodology. We blend the best parts of multiple educational philosophies, such as Charlotte Mason, Montessori, and Unschooling.
Is the child demonstrably excited to learn? Does the child ask inquisitive questions? Does the child have projects they’ve accomplished that they can show to others? Has the child had meaningful development in reading skills and mathematical reasoning?
Has the child’s vocabulary increased in describing their inner and outer world?
Has the child’s empathy and kindness for others increased?
Like Charlotte Mason, we believe children benefit from being surrounded by beauty, truth, and goodness. So we read Living Books daily and expose students to the arts.
We love and incorporate the Montessori principle of thoughtfully designing learning environments that encourage learning & exploration. We also follow the Montessori practice of mixed-age classes.
We hold closely to the Unschooling belief that children are born curious with a desire to understand the world around them, and we seek to nurture that natural curiosity and their drive to learn. We ask students what they want to learn and guide them into projects they are excited to do.
Interest-based learning is a key value here. We believe teachers are important to the success of a learner; but they are not lecturers nor are they the boss.
Teachers do not control our learners, but accompany them in their learning journey. They observe the learner and provide stimulating activities for them, facilitating discussions and sparking passions.