Humanities Classes

Humanities is comprised of history and literature studies. Providence Prep studies humanities in a four year rotation, covering the eras of Antiquity, Modernity, Christendom, and Anerican Culture.

Humanities II
(9th-12th grades)

The Great Books canon of western civilization forms the core of our curriculum, situated in its historical context by the outstanding King’s Meadow curriculum. Priority at this level is placed on reading classic works of literature, poetry, and history. In order to benefit from this course, students MUST have adequate time in their schedules to do the required reading. The time needed will vary according to a student’s abilities, but a good rule of thumb is around six to eight hours per week set aside for reading. Students are also required to listen to one or two lectures per week (one hour each), and to complete seven or eight journaling assignments and several commonplace entries. In addition, students may be required to prepare presentations, papers, and projects outside of class. Most students may consider this one history credit plus one literature credit. For additional information on class content, visit the Humanities II Bookstore.

Homework Assignments include:

  • Reading Each week, students will have reading selections from living books, including history, biography, poetry, and literature. Reading is the main priority for this class!
  • Humanities Journal entries Students will write short narrations, answer basic analysis and comprehension questions, and complete brief background research on assigned topics.
  • Commonplace Book entries Each week, students will copy passages from the books they are reading into a book dedicated to the purpose. Entries will include assigned passages as well as the students’ favorite passages.
  • Book of Centuries entries Students will make timeline entries related to their reading assignments in history, literature, etc.
  • Memorization  Students will prepare to recite at least one poem and/or speech per semester in class and/or in our Conventio et Recitatio assembly at the beginning of the class day.
  • Presentations Students will prepare at least two commonplace declamations during the school year.
  • Essays: One essay will be assigned per semester.

Classroom time includes:

  • History Discussion with geography integration
  • Literature Discussion
  • Poetry Discussion and Recitation
  • Student Presentations, including commonplace book declamations and recitations
  • Shakespeare Day, twice per year

Humanities I 
(6th/7th-8th grades)

Students will still focus mainly on living books that relate to the time period under study. In addition they will also be studying a history text, reading some primary sources, and gaining academic skills which will serve them as they transition into upper level studies. Geography will be included in context. Poets are studied in an eight-year rotation with all students in Primer through Humanities II reading the same selections. Students will be expected to complete reading and journaling assignments in history and literature, and prepare occasional presentations, papers, and projects outside of class. Essays required in the English Studies classes will often complement these assignments. For additional information on class content, visit the Humanities I Bookstore.

Homework Assignments include:

  • Reading Each week, students will have reading selections from living books, including history, biography, poetry, and literature. Reading is the main priority for this class!
  • Poetry Students will spend 6-8 weeks reading the works of each poet for this year’s cycle. Students read the week’s poetry selections aloud at least three times with the teacher at home, and occasionally complete brief research on the poets.
  • Humanities Journal entries Students will write short narrations, answer basic analysis and comprehension questions, and complete brief background research on assigned topics.
  • Commonplace Book entries Each week, students will copy passages from the books they are reading into a book dedicated to the purpose. Entries will include assigned passages as well as the students’ favorite passages.
  • Book of Centuries entries Students will make timeline entries related to their reading assignments in history, literature, etc.
  • Memorization  Students may prepare to recite one poem and/or speech per semester in class and/or in our Conventio et Recitatio assembly at the beginning of the class day.
  • Presentations  Students will prepare a Spring in-depth multi-media presentation related to our history or literature studies.

Classroom time includes:

  • Plutarch We will study one or two of Plutarch’s Lives each year, reading, narrating, and discussing short sections in class using one of Anne White’s study guides. Charlotte Mason recommended Plutarch as a study in character and citizenship beginning around age ten.
  • Literature Discussion
  • Poetry Reading, Recitation, and Discussion Students will spend 6-8 weeks reading the works of each poet for this year’s cycle. The main purpose of this practice is to familiarize students with the beauty and delight of poetry.
  • History Discussion with geography integration
  • Student Presentations, including history PowerPoint presentation and memory work
  • Shakespeare Day, twice per year

Humanities for Grammar Students
(4th to 5th/6th grades)

For children of on-site teachers  Students will focus on the time period under consideration by reading high interest age-appropriate living books that will bring this time period to life. Poets are studied in an eight-year rotation with all students in Primer through Humanities II reading the same selections.  Geography, Picture Study, and Composer Study are emphasized. For additional information on class content, visit the Humanities for Grammar Students Bookstore. Each week, the teacher at home is expected to read aloud to the student—at least three times—an assigned poetry selection from our Providence Prep Poetry Reader. Teachers will also sometimes ask students to bring in their sketchbooks, a favorite poem (other than the weekly selection), or a show-and-tell. Otherwise, this level will require no regular outside reading or homework.

Classroom time will include:

  • Literature One or two living books related to the time period under study will be read aloud and narrated in class each year.
  • Shakespeare One or two plays will be read aloud in class each year from a children’s version, accompanied on occasion by acting out scenes.
  • Poetry Students will spend 6-8 weeks reading the works of each poet for this year’s cycle. The main purpose of this practice is to familiarize students with the the beauty and delight of poetry.
  • Picture Study We follow methods recommended by Charlotte Mason. On occasion, this will be accompanied by imitation of masterworks in various media (watercolors, chalk, pencils, etc.).
  • Composer Study Here we also follow Charlotte Mason’s methods.
  • History and Bible A bible story book and a living history book will be read aloud and narrated each week in class, accompanied by map integration.
  • Timeline Card Each week, one of the cards from our full Conventio et Recitatio timeline set will be introduced and studied. Students will also be encouraged to memorize the date of the events for each card as well as the title.
  • Geography of the World Each year, students will study one or two continents. Some geography memorization will be included.
  • Physical Activity Short physical breaks will follow every quiet activity, such as stretching, jumping jacks, running in place, or walking outside, conditions permitting.

Humanities for Primer Students
(1st-3rd grade)

For children of on-site teachers  Students will focus on the time period under study by reading high interest age-appropriate living books that will bring this time period to life. Poets are studied in an eight-year rotation with all students in Primer through Humanities I reading the same selections. Geography, Picture Study, and Composer Study are emphasized. For additional information on class content, visit the Humanities for Primer Students Bookstore.  Each week, the teacher at home is expected to read aloud to the student—at least three times—an assigned poetry selection from our Providence Prep Poetry Reader. Teachers will also sometimes ask students to bring in their sketchbooks, a favorite poem (other than the weekly selection), or a show-and-tell. Otherwise, this level will require no regular outside reading or homework.

Classroom time will include:

  • Literature One or two living books related to the time period under study will be read aloud and narrated in class each year.
  • Shakespeare One or two plays will be read aloud in class each year from a children’s version, accompanied on occasion by acting out scenes.
  • Poetry Students will spend 6-8 weeks reading the works of each poet for this year’s cycle. The main purpose of this practice is to familiarize students with the the beauty and delight of poetry.
  • Picture Study We follow methods recommended by Charlotte Mason. On occasion, this will be accompanied by imitation of masterworks in various media (watercolors, chalk, pencils, etc.).
  • Composer Study Here we also follow Charlotte Mason’s methods.
  • History A living history book will be read aloud and narrated each week in class, accompanied by map integration.
  • Timeline Card Each week, one of the cards from our full Conventio et Recitatio timeline set will be introduced and studied. Students will also be encouraged to memorize the date of the events for each card as well as the title.
  • Geography of the United States Each year, students will study one of Holling C. Holling’s delightful story books, integrating geography lessons to give students a firm grasp of United States geography. Some geography memorization will be included.
  • Physical Activity Short physical breaks should follow every quiet activity, such as stretching, jumping jacks, running in place, or walking outside, conditions permitting.

Humanities for Pre-Primer Students (PreK-K)

For children of on-site teachers  Our Pre-Primer program will be a very gentle and lively time of play, exploration, and observation, with brief periods of reading and reciting.

Classroom time will include:

  • Bible Brief readings enhanced with acting stories out, art, and other activities
  • Literature Brief readings enhanced with acting stories out, art, and other activities
  • Poetry Reading and recitation, both individual and group
  • Memory Work will include Scripture, catechism, poetry, hymns, and songs
  • Picture Study We follow methods recommended by Charlotte Mason. On occasion, this will be accompanied by imitation of masterworks in various media (watercolors, chalk, pencils, etc.).
  • Composer Study Here we also follow Charlotte Mason’s methods.
  • Physical Activity Short physical breaks should follow every quiet activity, such as stretching, jumping jacks, running in place, or walking outside, conditions permitting.

OUR CLASSES


Humanities

English Studies

Latin

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