Kindergarten through 6th Grade
The Catie Show: Interview with Kate Sessions
Our Students…
…are curious!
…learn to think critically
…master new skills at their own pace
…form a unique community of friendship, respect and caring
…respect and connect with nature and animals
…are wholly prepared for their next academic step
Why choose Apple Shed Academy?
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Our students progress at their own individual pace in each academic area, allowing them to fully engage with and master the material. As teachers, we uphold a standard of excellence, encouraging students to produce work that reflects their best effort. Whether through projects or presentations, this approach fosters a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey.
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The curriculum’s overarching theme is thoughtfully divided into units spanning the school year. Each unit is brought to life through an engaging project that includes a driving question, opportunities for research and investigation, collaboration with peers, and a process of revision and refinement. The culmination of each project is a presentation, allowing students to share their learning and growth with their community.
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Apple Shed Academy is a one-room school house model with children ages 7-12.
The Konnectors, ages 5-6-7 also spend time working with our ASA students.
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Specific lessons are created for language arts, social studies/history and math with a focus on arts integration.
“Arts integration employs strategies that build a strong platform for deep and meaningful learning. Students do not merely acquire information; they process and apply it. Observing, recording, organizing, collaborating, planning, practicing, revisiting, making predictions, experimenting, and communicating are among the life and career skills that are enhanced through arts integration.”
- Martha Burdette 2011
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The maximum number of students in our class is 15 with 2 teachers.
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In addition to our cozy, comfortable indoor classroom, we are on a beautiful farm with frequent exposer to nature and animals.
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Multiple opportunities throughout the school year for interaction and collaboration with other educational programs at the Farm and in the local communities.
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Learning Centers are integral to the ASA classroom, each thoughtfully designed to support specific areas of learning and exploration:
Numbers: A dedicated space for math games, activities, books, tools, manipulatives, and problem-solving challenges.
Words: A hub for literacy, featuring a library, writing prompts, poetry tiles, sentence-building materials, word lists, magnetic letters, and more to inspire a love of language and creativity.
Arts: A vibrant area equipped with a piano, musical instruments, a listening center, and visual art supplies to nurture artistic expression and creativity.
Beyond the classroom, the outdoors serves as our Science Lab, where students engage with nature to explore, experiment, and discover the world around them.
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Orton-Gillingham Instruction is:
multi-sensory
explicit
systematic and sequential
prescriptive and diagnostic
emotionally sound
Structured Literacy is beneficial for all
learners, but is especially critical for
students with Language-based Learning
difficulties such as Dyslexia.Our OG Practitioner is Emily Clark, and she is available for sessions that we will work into the schedule based on students’ needs.
What is Arts Integrated Curriculum?
Institute for Arts Integrations & STEAM:
Arts integration is a dynamic approach to teaching and learning that seamlessly weaves together content standards and the arts, ensuring both are taught and assessed equitably.
How it works:
By intentionally integrating the arts into lessons, students become active participants in their education. This approach fosters ownership of learning, encouraging students to take a vested interest in their success.
Through the arts, students engage in critical thinking and construct personal meaning. They develop essential skills like problem-solving and innovation, while building grit and perseverance—qualities crucial for lifelong learning.
This method creates an equitable learning environment by offering diverse access points for all learners, regardless of their age or academic level.
The Benefits
Connective Learning: Arts integration offers a research-based pathway to teach 21st-century skills like creativity, collaboration, and communication. It also provides natural opportunities for differentiated instruction, meeting the unique needs of every learner.
Enhanced Arts Skills: Students not only excel in academic content but also improve their knowledge and skills in music, dance, theater, and visual arts.
This innovative approach bridges the gap between disciplines, nurturing well-rounded, resilient learners ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Innate Learning
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The learning objectives encompass all elementary academic areas in keeping with the Massachusetts state frameworks included but not limited to:
Language Arts
STEM
History/Culture
Arts: Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts
Nature/Environment
Outreach/Community
Social Emotional Learning
21st Century Skills
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Project-based learning will focus on individual contributions within the framework of team-building and developing each student’s learning experiences in:
Curiosity/Driving Questions
Inquiry/Innovation
Reflection/Revision
Content Exploration
Voice & Choice
Public Presentation
Reimagine Education
Imagine a recess where your child takes a hike alongside goats, exploring the natural world. Envision an art class crafting with alpaca wool, then brainstorming ways to turn their creations into a thriving business. Imagine a classroom that feels like family, where every child's unique learning style and gifts are respected, nurtured, and celebrated. Now, pair that with cutting-edge educational tools and curriculum, all set on a stunning Massachusetts farm.
A Day at Our School
Each day begins with a morning gathering to center the mind and body. Each student has a personalized learning plan that aligns with Massachusetts state educational frameworks while incorporating individual goals in character building and community engagement.
Academic time is spent pursuing these individualized objectives using proven resources like IXL Math and Writing Without Tears, among others. Learning takes place in blended, multi-age groups that foster collaboration, mentorship, and creativity.
Students also engage in collaborative, long-term projects that connect them to history, art, and the environment. For instance, they might create a video showcasing 18th-century farm life. Each child contributes in a way that aligns with their strengths and interests—whether through writing, acting, filming, researching, or creating artwork.
This is a place where curiosity is celebrated, talents are developed, and learning feels alive and meaningful.