Our Program
Two delightful days, one gentle rhythm.
MindGarden Learning meets Mondays & Wednesdays, 9 am – 2 pm to give homeschoolers ages 6 – 9 (with select younger siblings) a living “feast” of ideas.
Location: Jungle Fun Center, Hixson, TN
Quick Facts 🌼
| Days | Mondays & Wednesdays |
| Hours | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Ages | 6 – 9 (siblings 4 – 5 assessed for readiness) |
| Class Size | ≈ 8 children per guide |
| Venue | Jungle Fun Center (indoor nature brought inside) |
| Tuition | $215/month · $50 deposit · $25 supply fee (see Registration) |
Daily Rhythm ⏰
Below is our tentative schedule (times may flex a few minutes). Monday and Wednesday follow the same structure, but the focus of certain lessons alternates to keep the feast varied.
| Time | Monday | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:20 | Greeting · Poetry / Nursery Rhymes | Greeting · Poetry / Nursery Rhymes |
| 9:20 – 10:00 | History lesson + Creative Play | Geography lesson + Creative Play |
| 10:00 – 11:10 | Natural History · Show & Tell · Nature Drawing (snack inside this block) | Natural History · Art or Nature Journaling (snack inside) |
| 11:15 – 11:25 | Composer Study | Picture Study |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch & Fellowship | Lunch & Fellowship |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Folk Songs & Foreign Language | Folk Songs & Foreign Language |
| 12:30 – 1:15 | Handicrafts (clay, sewing, weaving, etc.) | Handicrafts |
| 1:15 – 2:00 | Free Play · Story Time · Clean-up | Free Play · Story Time · Clean-up |
Why short lessons? Charlotte Mason found that focused 10- to 20-minute blocks keep minds fresh and foster true attention.
The Subjects We Explore 🌱
History & Geography
Living narratives such as American Tall Tales, America: Our Stories Vol.1, and Paddle to the Sea help children meet real people and places, then re-create scenes through dramatic play or map work.
Natural History & Nature Study
Hands-on observation of soil trays, insects, seeds, and seasonal specimens. Children sketch in nature journals and share discoveries during “Nature Show & Tell.”
Poetry & Recitation
Selections from A Child’s Garden of Verses and Poems Every Child Should Know nurture language, rhythm, and memory.
Composer & Picture Study
One composer/artist per term—children listen, look, narrate, and make gentle connections.
Handicrafts & Creative Expression
Clay, sewing, weaving, origami, and more build fine-motor skills and patience.
Music, Folk Songs & Foreign Language
Singing in English and a rotating second language (Spanish the first year) builds ear training and cultural awareness.
Free Play & Community
Unstructured play inside Jungle Fun’s climbers plus cozy reading nooks foster social growth and nervous-system regulation.
How We Learn (Our Approach) 🌟
- Charlotte Mason “feast” — short, living lessons spark curiosity.
- Attachment-based classroom — relationships and co-regulation come first.
- Polyvagal-informed practice — calm bodies invite open minds.
We do not use sticker charts or time-outs; behaviour is guided through connection and warm authority.
Nature Study…Indoors? 🍃
We bring nature inside with live plants, insects, soil trays, and weekly collections, then extend learning through family field trips and at-home nature walks shared in class.
Younger Siblings Policy 👶
Children ages 4 – 5 may enroll only if an older sibling attends and they demonstrate readiness for group routines. Their day emphasizes play, belonging, and gentle exposure rather than narration or table work.
Ready to Feast on Living Ideas?
Or contact us with any questions.