North Star
Program
Learn more about our unique drop-off program for kids ages 5-12
Our homeschool program connects children to nature, community, and ancestral knowledge, while building confidence, life-skills, and moral understanding.
Our Focus
Running Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:30am-2:30pm, the North Star Program is our core drop-off enrichment program for children ranging in age from 5 years old to 12 years old with plans to expand through the teenage years. Children are grouped into a "home class" by age & developmental level for part of each day during their main lessons in order to meet them in depth and appropriate lesson content.
While we do not teach "traditional" academics, our main lessons do often touch on mathematics, science, literacy, social studies and more. These main lessons are comprised of literary studies, nature studies like foraging and plant identification, life skills like cooking and baking, handwork, various arts, seasonal activities, festival preparations, and more.
Each day holds ample outdoor free time for all students, and the addition of various subject specific enrichment classes like STEM, music, pottery, art class, drama, martial arts, American Sign Language, and others round out our days, varying for students depending on days of attendance and the home class the student is in.
Home classes will join together periodically for free play time, certain projects, and certain subject specific classes, as well as regularly joining together for meal times.
All days also include social-emotional learning and provide meaningful connection amongst children of all ages.
*While 1, 2, and 3 day options are available, please know that some of our lessons span multiple days and in order to get the most our of our programs, the 3 day option is recommended.
Rhythm of our Days
Opening Circle
Main Lessons
(snack & movement break)
Subject Specific Class OR Materials Exploration
Lunch & Outdoor Free Play
Subject Specific Class OR Study Hall
Free Play
Tidy up
Closing Circle + Mindful Moment
*Study Hall is a time for kids to work, with guidance, on curriculum materials brought from home. This choice is available in place of a subject specific class and can be selected seasonally or for the year based on needs and desires.
**Subject specific class details and information will be available closer to the start of the 2025/26 school year. Please reach out if you have specific questions.
Home Classes
The North Star Program's "Home Classes" are a simple way to bring the most valuable lessons and depth to each age & developmental group. Generally these classes will be broken into two groups; the 5-7 year olds and the 8-12 year olds.
Each group will touch on appropriate levels of the following main lesson topics:
seasonal traditions & histories
story telling & book clubs
cooking
handwork
gardening
wildcrafting
plant identification
herbal remedies
safety & first aid
botanical dyeing
foraging
social skills & emotional intelligence
local wildlife, plants, trees and history
foraging natural materials, herbs, flowers, barks and berries
We also strive to create space in which the children can forge a path for their own learning during which times the facilitators act as guides for the children's exploration.
In addition, there will be a few overarching themes that are more specific to each home class. Our 5-7 year olds will learn many of their main lessons held within the container of traditional fairytales and fables. There is also a focus on contributing to the community as a whole, which is so fulfilling for children of this age.
Our 8-12 year olds will tie many main lessons to a blend of themes like ancient civilizations, geography, mythology, and others that enliven their shifting relationship to themselves and the community around them.
Both groups will weave their lessons in with one another from time to time, especially during festival celebrations and community building times.
Subject Specific Classes
These classes aim to meet the needs and desires of the children and their families by providing an array of opportunities for growth and exploration.
Current subject specific classes include:
STEM
Music
Drama
Pottery
Art
American Sign Language
Martial Arts
These offerings will continue to expand and evolve to meet the needs of our groups.
Circle
In our daily opening and closing circles, children will practice various activities, games, gross motor work, songs and rhymes, mindfulness activities, breathing exercises, and brief guided meditations, all intended to connect children with themselves and one another.
We aim to assist children in centering and grounding into the space, as well as closing the space with reverence when our sessions end. This also helps to encourage a mindful way of moving through the world beyond the threshold of our space.
Study Hall
Our Study Hall is a co-op run class available to our 8-12 year olds where children have the opportunity to work independently, with guidance, on curriculum materials brought from home. The primary focus is on Language Arts and Math, but other subjects are welcome also.
The goal of the Study Hall option is to give families the opportunity to get some of their personal curriculum work completed during our scheduled time together, as well as the opportunity for students to develop their independent work ethic and skill.
Parents will be expected to provide detailed material for their child to complete each study hall day. This should include an instruction sheet letting the Study Hall facilitator and student know what is intended to be completed, and notebook, folder, etc. in which to complete the work. (This could be as simple as "Please have my student complete the two pages of addition practice provided.", or "Please have my student read one chapter of their book and answer these three questions.", or "Please have my student read the passage about Abraham Lincoln and draw a picture about it.")
Additionally, there are other quiet options available to children who either didn't bring their own work from home, have completed their work, or need a break from their work. Some of those options include reading/looking at books, drawing, beeswax modeling, simple handwork and other similar things. We may also occasionally do a simple hands-on group activity or project all together during this time.
Parents wanting to contribute to the co-op aspect of Study Hall
will sign up on a rotating schedule that works for them. During their volunteer time in Study Hall the co-op parents will assist students in completing the work they've brought for the day, including but not limited to; assistance with reading/understanding instructions, staying on task, reviewing concepts based on materials provided, and providing alternate activities where appropriate. All co-op parents will be required to provide their PA Child Abuse and Criminal Background checks and clearances, and will be expected to maintain a respectful and gentle demeanor with students during their time together.
All parents contributing to Study Hall co-op duties will receive a tuition credit towards their North Star Program tuition each subsequent month based on their commitment to Study Hall co-op.
Homeschool
Portfolio
Throughout our year, the facilitators will compile photos and examples of work that the children in the North Star Program create along with a list of what subjects we have touched on throughout our time together.
While many projects will come home as they are finished, and some students will keep a "main lesson book" with many project details throughout the year, whats left for these compilations will be presented to parents in two portions; one part mid-year, and one part at the conclusion of our time together.
While each child's compilation of work will be different, you can expect to see age appropriate examples that touch on a range of subjects, including but not limited to:
Math
Literacy
Science
History
Health
Art
Home Economics
Physical Education
Fire Safety
The intention with these compilations is that they may act as a supplemental portion of your portfolio for your homeschool evaluation at year's end.
(Portfolio requirements will vary from evaluator to evaluator. )
What You Won't See
None of the work created in our program is ever forced. In your child's compilation of works, you won't see meaningless worksheets, math drills, alphabet practice or the like. We strongly believe that meaningful and memorable learning is experiential first and foremost
("..a child who has attained the age of 6 on or before September 1 must enroll and attend school or begin a home school program that year."
If that applies to your child, you will be required to have a homeschool evaluation.)
Apply to Secure Your Spot
In order to best serve our participants, we aim to bring together a balanced group of kids. We use a simple application process to assist in maintaining gender and age balance within the group, and we strive to have a space for every family. Please fill out the short application below and we will reach out to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a modern-ancestral way of education?
It is a fusion of knowledge and simplicity of our ancestors with awareness of the modern world. Remembering the old ways, while allowing for growth and evolution. Reviving practical skills and life lessons in a healthy community setting, while expanding our spiritual, emotional, physiological, and intellectual potential.
I'm not ready to drop my child off, can I stay for class?
You are more than welcome to stay on the premises, however we do ask that all parents, other than parent volunteers and assistants, remain in the background. We have noticed in our time facilitating various programs that children are more readily available for guidance from the facilitators when their parent or caregiver (who is usually their primary person in charge), is not close by. Each parent has the opportunity to sign up for various volunteer roles and we may open a few parent assistant slots throughout the year so they can be a part of the magic that occurs during their children's learning.
Is this program affiliated with any religion?
New Earth Traditions Homeschool is not affiliated with any religious organization. We do not discriminate based on religion (or anything else!), nor do we favor any religion. We aim to incorporate holidays and cultural traditions of our enrolled families into our curriculum, and any religious topics are broached strictly from an educational standpoint. We do incorporate mindfulness, non-denominational meditation, and practices like qigong and intention setting in our circles and some of our lessons. If you have more specific questions please inquire by email at [email protected]. Our programs operate out of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown facility, and are not affiliated with the church otherwise.
You mention keeping balance based partially on gender, do you discriminate based on gender?
No, we do not discriminate based on gender. We do however, feel that balance within the group setting can create a more fulfilling experience for everyone, therefore, we do ask about gender so we can do our best to make that a reality.
My child is only four but would love this, can they attend even though they aren't five?
Children must turn five on or before October 1st of the school year to be eligible for the North Star Program. The activities we plan require a certain amount of attention and younger children who haven't yet developed the attention span necessary can become a distraction for the entire group. This group is reserved for children five and older, and we would welcome you to read more about our Starflower Early Childhood program for kids 3-5 years old or Nature Playgroup for kids aged 0-5 (turning 6 after Oct 1 of that school year.) Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.
Do you have more details about the volunteer Roles?
Below are the volunteer positions we have available. Spaces are limited and assigned on a first come first served basis. You can select your desired volunteer role when you fill out the initial enrollment form.
For parents staying for the day/playgroup:
(3) Nature Playgroup AM Set-up, Wednesdays 10:00-10:30am setup & lunch help + (25% discount for one playgroup tuition, or equivalent for NSP tuition)
(3) Nature Playgroup PM Clean-up, Wednesdays, lunch help & 12:30-1:00pm cleanup + (25% discount for one playgroup tuition, or equivalent for NSP tuition)
( + Plus one or more community volunteer days throughout the year.)
Substitute Facilitator- Sign up to be on our list of on-call substitute facilitators for one, two or three days! (paid a flat rate per day of facilitation)
Tuesdays 9:00a-3:30p
Wednesdays 9:00a-3:30p
Thursdays 9:00a-3:30p
Responsibilities may include: Assisting electives teachers, executing a simple plan for the day & overseeing the NSP kids (ages 6-10). Facilitate Playgroup Circle. Assist with lunch, set up, and clean up with the help of committed volunteers.
