One unique aspect of our curriculum is the emphasis we place on public speaking, starting as early as 1st grade. Public speaking in our curriculum is not merely about eloquence; it is about equipping our students to proclaim the Gospel and speak truth in love. As Saint Augustine once said, "The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself." By teaching our students to communicate effectively, we are empowering them to be courageous witnesses of their faith, standing firm in their convictions and defending their ideas with grace and humility. By starting in 1st grade, our lion cubs can begin to find their roars.
Tuition Assistance: Easier and More Common Than You Think
think!Mathematics: Math is a Language
Rhetoric, the crown jewel of Classical Education, was praised in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, with no or little emphasis placed on mathematics. Yet with each passing century and decade, classical circles have begun to recognize and praise the true value of students' understanding regarding the depth and complexity of mathematics. Many math programs teach the procedures of mathematics, but very few, if any, have understood that mathematics is its own language, and therefore its basic concepts must be understood at the earliest levels—just as any other language program.
As TRA continues to grow and improve, the administration conducted an evaluation with the elementary teachers and, as a result, changed the elementary mathematics program this summer in grades K-5 (we will add Grade 6 for the 25/26 school year). When contacted, many Classical Christian schools throughout the nation consistently praised one mathematics program above any others.
This robust new program, think!Mathematics, will continue to allow TRA to meet the needs of all students while retaining a high level of academic rigor. It is a Singapore-based program that is similar to our former Math in Focus program, however, this program more intentionally immerses students in math study with the underlying philosophy that mathematics is a language that must be understood in its own right. The program is structured so that every student is met exactly where they are in their level of understanding while also challenging them to keep building their understanding of the language of mathematics.
Each day’s lesson is structured to take around 60 minutes and includes five key components: explore, structure, journal, reflect, and practice. It differs from Math in Focus by including an anchor task, journaling, one lesson a day, one lesson spiraling, variation from lesson to lesson (within a unit), and a deeper understanding rather than surface-level learning. It also includes an amazing digital teacher toolkit and provides them with more ongoing training and support. This program also helps keep parents more accurately informed of what their children are learning in class each day.
Teachers have received training on this new program and are excited about the opportunity to teach math in this way. Further opportunities for professional development will also be available throughout the upcoming school year. We will also have a Family Math Game Night on Wednesday, November 6th from 6pm-7pm to help parents better understand this new program (more info to follow).
Please see the diagram below that captures the overall philosophy of the program. Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we seek curriculum solutions that align more closely with our education model and better support our mission to educate the next generation of Christian leaders well. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
In Christ,
Mike Picciottoli
Head of School
Partnering with Parents: The Long View of Education
Last week, we had our second Partnering with Parents night of the year. Our first was about True Grit, running the race with perseverance, while this time we talked about having a long view of education: not taking your child’s education in pieces, but looking at the end goal, the whole person to whom we hope to hand a diploma at the end of senior year. Have a long view of education, partnering with us along the way.
Why Latin?
I teach Latin. It’s an ancient language spoken by the Romans…maybe you’ve heard of it?
Not all of my students are equally prepared to answer this question …and it is one that they, as well as I, will inevitably be asked by their aunts and uncles, grandparents and neighbors. “So…why Latin? And why Latin in Wenatchee? Isn’t Spanish more useful? Isn’t any spoken language more useful?”
Fair point. Spanish is useful. But then, so is English. So is Arabic. So is Japanese.
Why We Choose The River Academy: Five Families Share Their ‘Why’
Christmas in Conflict & Crisis
Thinking about the Christmas story this year, I was drawn to some of those wonderful words spoken to meek Mary as she held the baby Jesus in her new-mom arms:
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many…and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk. 2:34-35)
TRA Christmas Program
Mrs. Dagg has been hard at work preparing students for our newly reborn all-school Christmas program. This program will remind us of the miraculous birth of Jesus and different traditions from around the world celebrating that life-changing event. Every single elementary class will sing at least one song, and many of the older elementary students have solos or narrator parts.
