Foundations School Community’s social studies core curriculum is based on John Dewey’s assertion that children learn best when they are actively involved in their own education, when their learning is based on real life experiences, when they are held accountable for their growth as students, and when they are expected to work to the level of their capabilities.
FSC’s curriculum incorporates a whole approach to teaching – cognitive, social, and emotional. We integrate the academic subjects around our social studies core, while allowing students the opportunity to work individually, in small groups, and as a whole class. Social issues are addressed as they arise and students learn how to get along, work out differences, and be responsible members of the classroom and school community.
FSC’s curriculum builds from a “foundation” as it draws on what students already know and then extends beyond their established base of knowledge. This brings meaning to children’s learning experience. Students are taught to develop their own questions, research answers themselves, and critically analyze information. The emphasis is on understanding, rather than rote memorization. Workbooks and textbooks are used to enrich and practice skills, but are not the sole sources of learning.
Experiential learning engages children as they become actively involved in their studies. At FSC, children experience learning through various field trips, group projects, science experiments, woodwork, art, music, gardening, cooking, and our Metro projects.
FSC believes that it is essential for students to develop a commitment to serving others. FSC students participate in giving service, both inside and outside of our school community. Inside school community jobs may include taking attendance, running the school post office, handling FSC’s recycling program, executing our school sings, running FSC’s “snack shack”, etc. Outside community service projects may include providing a meal at a local shelter, making and handing out backpacks for the homeless, building and distributing bicycles for underprivileged children, visiting and singing to elderly folks, or, in our middle school, traveling to New Orleans for a week to help with clean-up efforts. Through these service projects, FSC students learn that regardless of their age, they can make positive contributions to the world in which they live!
