Little House in the Forest
Little House in the Forest
Project School
Self Directed Learning Program for Elementary Ages
"Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not a preparation for life but is life itself.” John Dewey
Download the brochure to explore more about our approach, and read parent testimonials!
Wednesdays 2 - 5:30pm
Monthly tuition: sliding scale: $185 - $200 - $225
Ages: 5 - 12
Financial assistance available.
Child to Facilitator Ratio: 6:1 maximum
Imagine a curriculum that is driven by your child’s questions, curiosity and interests. This dream program provides ideal enrichment for home/unschooled children, or an afterschool program for those attending public school. Inspired by Self-Directed and Agile Learning Centers, we are here to provide the love, environment, support and resources for our learners to direct their own educational journey, in community.
The learners identify the topics they wish to peruse and the skills they hope to develop in order to create a long term project. Each day starts with group planning to determine the direction of our session. We aim to deeply understand your child's learning styles, passions and needs, so that we can provide the resources and assistance to meet their learning goals, both individually and as a team. Points of reflection are woven in at the middle and end of the day, so learning is reinforced, and what happens next starts to emerge.
Amy Plant is the primary facilitator, sharing her varied skills and approaches with the learners. The Little House cabin provides the hub for the program, and learners have access to the bell play tent, vegetable garden, and acres of forest that surround us.
In Self-Directed Learning programs, facilitators assist the learners in focusing on and developing their Big Ideas (long term projects that cross academic areas). As a community we plan together and research topics of curiosity. Learning how to learn (Meta Learning) is a key element to this approach. We may develop individual and collaborative projects, such as creating a publication or an event together. Subjects to explore and skills to develop include Arts, Crafts and Handwork; History and Humanities; Sciences; Children’s Rights; Social, Emotional Skills, Mindfulness, Story Creation, Theatre and Music; Homesteading and Bush Craft Skills.
Special guest experts are invited, and field trips are arranged in accordance with the interests, studies, and needs of the learners. And vital slots of unstructured outdoor play punctuate our day as needed.
If you are curious to know more about Self Directed Education in general, please read here: https://www.self-directed.org/sde/ .
If you are considering the program, school director Amy, is eager to discuss our unique approach, and how we can help meet your goal of creating a beautiful, joyful, respectful life for your child.