Homeschool Co-op

The Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine Homeschool Co-op started in September of 2018 to provide an atmosphere to pray together in a traditional Catholic setting while educating our children in wisdom and virtue. Through the Holy Mass, rosary, and classes in literature, art, and music, we hope to cultivate truth, goodness, and beauty in the hearts of the students who attend.

The children in our co-op are divided into four groups.

• Infants/toddlers: playroom
• Pre-K/K: Savio room
• Grades 1-3: Bosco room
• Grades 4-8: Aquinas room

2019-2020 School Year

Our co-op meets three Thursdays per month. We are in session during the months of September through November, and January through April.

Schedule:

• 9am Traditional Latin Mass (twice per month) or adoration (once per month)
• 9:50 Classes
• 12pm Angelus and optional lunch and playtime

Classes:

• Savio (preschool/Kindergarten):
  • Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
  • Preschool learning center
• Bosco/Aquinas (elementary/middle school):
  • Literature, art and music

Annual co-op fees:

• $100 per family ($125 after July 15)
• $15 per student supply fee (no charge for children ages 0-2)

Bonus activities for the year:

• August 31, 11am - 2pm - Saturday picnic with families
• December (date TBA) - co-op day Advent gathering
• May (date TBA) - Saturday showcase and end-of-year party for co-op families

Course descriptions:

• Literature (Aquinas): uses elements of literature to learn about and interpret primarily classical literature in the form of novels, short stories, and poetry to help us better understand truth, morality, goodness, beauty, and our Catholic Faith. Students are given reading assignments as homework that should take no more than half an hour for average readers, as well as very small writing assignments to help them not only remember what they read, but also to begin digesting the week’s reading. Students also complete a final project both in co-op and at home as the culmination of their work in class.
   
• Literature (Bosco): Beautiful stories are read aloud and discussed in this literature class for grades 1-3. Each week, we read a selection from the Once Upon A Time Saints stories. The second story we read each class session is a picture book selected from genres such as: Catholic stories, fairy tales/fables, beautiful poetry and/or beautiful artwork. Our guided discussions of each story center on miracles, essential truths, and the beauty of art and literature.
   
• Art (Bosco/Aquinas): In this class, we learn both to appreciate art and to create it. We focus on traditional art and, as much as possible, art with Catholic theme. We learn about artistic concepts and methods of creating art, putting them into practice in our own artistic creations. We get a little messy but have a lot of fun! Please note: although this course is mostly the same for these two age groups, the students are separated into two levels in order to better tailor the work to these two age groupings.
   
• Music (Bosco/Aquinas): This class teaches the fundamentals of music through a singing-based approach based on the methodology of Justine Ward. Children learn how to sing with a healthy technique, how to think musically, discern pitches, rhythm, and read musical notation though pedagogical exercises, traditional Gregorian Chant, Catholic hymns and appropriate secular folk songs. The seasonal votive antiphons to the Blessed Virgin Mary are be included in the repertoire. Please note: although this course is mostly the same for these two age groups, the students are separated into two levels in order to better tailor the work to these two age groupings.
   
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Savio): Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Sacred Scripture, Catholic doctrine, the liturgy of the Church, prayer, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. In this unique class, children use hands-on materials to understand the meaning of Baptism and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, reflect on Gospel passages describing important moments in the life of Christ as well as several Parables, develop their personal prayer, and come to know and love Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This class is be taught by a trained catechist who is certified through the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and is specifically adapted to the Traditional Latin Mass and traditional liturgical calendar.
   
• Preschool Learning Center (Savio): The preschool classroom consists of a short story time, a learning center, and snack time. The learning centers focus on age appropriate activities, typically tied to each week’s story. Activities include arts & crafts, sensory tubs, fine motor practice, and games that rotate every class to give the children a wide range of experiences. We also learn about one saint per month.