Humanities Program: Grades K-5
The Lower School Humanities Program at Philo Classical Academy is a standalone course that blends Social Studies and virtue education, fostering moral development and cultural understanding through thematic units. In Kindergarten, Self Care explores family roles and routines through activities like creating routine charts. 1st graders study Personal Responsibility, focusing on community roles and environmental care with projects like recycling posters. 2nd graders delve into Ancient Cultures, examining Greek, Norse, and Eastern societies while emphasizing wisdom and honor through debates and scrolls. 3rd grade explores Modern Cultures, studying traditions in England, France, China, Mexico/Latin America, and the Middle East, focusing on cooperation and diversity with cultural presentations. 4th graders examine Courage in American History from 1600 to 1850, reflecting on bravery through timelines and maps. 5th graders focus on Justice in American History from 1850 to 1990, exploring fairness through debates and posters, preparing them for deeper ethical and historical exploration in middle school.
Kindergarten: Self Care
Social Studies: Students explore family and community roles, learning about traditions and helpers like parents and firefighters. Virtue: They focus on self-care, emphasizing routines, respect for self, and kindness to others. In the first trimester, students create a family routine chart, discussing how routines like brushing teeth show self-care, inspired by "Mother Goose Rhymes". In the second trimester, they role-play community helpers, reflecting on kindness as self-care, connecting to "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". In the third trimester, they draw a self-care storyboard inspired by "The Gingerbread Man", discussing safe choices and family traditions.
1st Grade: Personal Responsibility
Social Studies: Students explore community roles and environmental stewardship, learning about helpers like teachers and waste collectors, and responsibilities like recycling. Virtue: They focus on personal responsibility through accountability and environmental care. In the first trimester, they "interview" a community helper, discussing responsibilities, reflecting on accountability in "The Tortoise and the Hare". In the second trimester, students create a recycling poster, discussing responsibility toward the environment, inspired by "The Lion and the Mouse". In the third trimester, they draw a nature clean-up plan, reflecting on responsible environmental care, linking to "The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs".
2nd Grade: Ancient Cultures
Social Studies: Students examine ancient Greece, Norse, and Eastern cultures, focusing on daily life, gods, and societal values. Virtue: They explore wisdom and honor in ancient contexts. In the first trimester, they stage a debate on a wise decision Theseus could make, inspired by "D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths", discussing wisdom in Greek society. In the second trimester, students design a paper shield with symbols of honor, reflecting on Norse culture in "Norse Myths". In the third trimester, they create a scroll with a wise saying from the Monkey King, discussing Eastern values in "Eastern Myths".
3rd Grade: Modern Cultures
Social Studies: Students study modern cultures in England, France, China, Mexico/Latin America, and the Middle East, focusing on traditions and holidays. Virtue: They explore cooperation and appreciation of diversity. In the first trimester, they simulate a British tea party, discussing cooperation in English traditions, inspired by "Charlotte’s Web". In the second trimester, students create a paper dragon for Chinese New Year, reflecting on cooperation in celebrations, connecting to "The Tale of Peter Rabbit". In the third trimester, they present a festival from France, Mexico, or the Middle East in groups, discussing diversity, inspired by "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".
4th Grade: Courage
Social Studies: Students explore American History from 1600 to 1850, covering Jamestown, the Revolutionary War, and westward expansion. Virtue: They focus on courage in historical and personal contexts. In the first trimester, they write a journal entry as a Jamestown settler, reflecting on courage, inspired by "The Courage of Sarah Noble". In the second trimester, students create a Revolutionary War timeline, discussing courage in events like "Paul Revere’s Ride", reflecting on personal bravery. In the third trimester, they draw a map of westward expansion routes, discussing pioneers’ courage in "The Sign of the Beaver".
5th Grade: Justice
Social Studies: Students study American History from 1850 to 1990, covering the Civil War, Reconstruction, civil rights, and the Cold War. Virtue: They focus on justice, exploring fairness and equity. In the first trimester, they debate fairness in the Civil War, connecting to justice in "Tom Sawyer". In the second trimester, students write a speech on equality inspired by the civil rights movement, reflecting on justice in "Bridge to Terabithia". In the third trimester, they design a poster on fairness during the Cold War, discussing justice in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz".