The Family School
Liberal Arts through Storytelling Theater
Fill your lives with stories, songs, and poems about the Good, the True, and the Beautiful--learn them by heart and narrate them creatively in writing, art, and drama, in all the languages you study.
Manual Arts through Homesteading
Learn how to do as much as possible by hand on your own property, working with the seasons of nature, growing some food, preparing it and presenting it beautifully. Learn life skills through running home-based businesses.
Character Formation through Service
Use your creations, talents, and passions to serve others and spread joy. Imitate who you are called to become--
a saint.
The Learning Process
*All learning is just a process of observation and imitation of what one absorbs subconsciously or consciously*
Receive the lesson through reading, listening, looking.
Reflect upon the lesson through conversation or dialogue, notebooking/journaling, and narrations
(oral, written, illustrated, creative…).
Respond to the lesson through a presentation, performance, incorporation of the lesson into your own life, or any kind of service act.
Our Family School Plan
1. Define your goals- to become kind through character formation, virtue training, service, and development of your relationship with God; to become competent through study of the common arts found in homesteading and running family businesses; to become clever, charismatic, and contemplative through the study and practice of the liberal arts, seasonal studies, and storytelling theater.
2. Keep up a four times daily P.E.L.C.L. (pray, eat, learn, clean, leisure) routine to fit in all your subjects and share learning together while providing health, order, and structure to your days. Keep up weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual family and community traditions involving homesteading, arts and crafts, storytelling theater, liturgical traditions, and commemoration of family milestones.
3. Read and listen to great books on all subjects and in all languages studied, from trusted book lists and other sources of recommendations. Keep a commonplace journal to copy down important lines while practicing penmanship and learning correct grammar (diagram sentences every now and then). Trace or copy illustrations and great artwork. Keep notebooks for your narrations and research on particular subjects.
4. Follow programs to chart your progress for foreign languages, math, and music/voice on most days of the week, do “fun learning” once a week or so (games, field trip, video, read-aloud, real-life application, etc.)
5. Keep up a physical formation training routine most days of the week with stretching, dance, and circus arts (juggling, balance, etc.).
6. Go on a nature exploration at least once a week and keep a nature journal, doing relevant research on your findings.
7. Keep a skills training journal for all the practical skills you learn during the course of a day and in apprenticeships and other experiences.
Lessons through the days, months, seasons, and year
Calendar Class and Chronicle at breakfast, Lunch Time Read-Alouds, Tea Time Arts Appreciation, Kitchen Classroom at dinner, Family Hearth Ritual at bedtime, Monthly and Seasonal Studies and Feasts on weekends, New Year's Day Retreat, Summertime Family Week
A Curriculum for a School of the Family
The family home has great potential as a center of creativity and production for both its inhabitants as well as its local community. Each family expresses creativity and produces goods that reflect that family's unique culture, which arises from its own history, personality, and environment. Given our own background, interests, and locations, our Kirk Assaf family has chosen to focus our creative and productive energies on storytelling theater and homesteading. To learn about both fields, and to share that knowledge in a creative and playful way with our local community, we run the Kirkos Caravan Storytelling Theater, Cafe, and Bazaar for family, friends, and extended community. Our tagline is "creativity, culture, and cuisine", which covers the whole spectrum of our pursuits. It is our way to learn about and practice playful parenting and playful learning. To learn more about what specific resources we use in our curriculum, please see below and visit the "Four Cycles of Life" and "Four Feasts" pages on this website, To inquire about seminars, retreats, or pilgrimages in Remus or Rome, please contact RootsinRome@gmail.com or kirkoscaravanhomeschool@gmail.com.
Surviving and Thriving
All our activities can really be categorized into just two interdisciplinary fields- the art of surviving and the art of thriving. Through workshops in homesteading we learn not only survival skills, such as how to grow and preserve food, but ultimately how to create a home and family-based economy. Through our studies in culture, the humanities, and storytelling, we learn how to thrive as human beings in this world. Traditionally, these studies were categorized as the common arts and the liberal arts by medieval scholars, and are still alive and well today at places like The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts!
A Calendar Class Curriculum for Families
Calendar Class is what we do to put all these ideas about the four cycles of life into practice every day of the year and through the seasons of our lives. Here's our plan, I'd love to hear what you do, too!
Goal: to study and participate in the four cycles of life- liturgical, sanctoral, human, and natural- through the cycle of days in the calendar year and to learn our lessons of the day
Teacher’s Instructions:
-Begin with some stretching (out-of-doors when possible) and the Calendar Class morning offering
-Open book, app, or webpage to the relevant day, month, or season (or print off pages in advance and put into your binder)
-Read and discuss one or all of the lessons as the kids do artwork or copy-memory work
-Do further readings/studies if desired; Use the inspiration for any kind of notebooking/journaling, Book of Centuries, Book of Firsts, mapwork, research projects, or related activities (field trip, craft, artwork, recipe, service act, celebration, etc.)
-Record any information, images, and memories desired in your Perpetual Calendar Journals or Family Memory Book
-Study your desired “lesson of the day” (read-aloud, Morning Time plans, academics...)
-Conclude the class with a sign of peace
A few resources for studying the four cycles of life daily
Books: The Bible, The Year and Our Children, Saints and Feast Days, Chamber’s Book of Days, The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook, The Homesteader’s Handbook, your own Book of Centuries binder, your own binder for recording your days
Websites: aleteia.org, catholicculture.org, oldfarmersalmanac.org, thebookofdays.org, nationaldaycalendar.com
General Resources for Calendar-based learning:
-Holiday Helpers from Living Books Curriculum at charlottemasonhomeschool.com
-Seasonal Morning Time plans from pambarnhill.com
-Newsletters from professorcarol.com
-Mere Motherhood monthly newsletter from Cindy Rollins at Circe.org
-Ideas from https://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/
Annual Studies in January
Description: Study the theme of time, the particular year’s themes, the calendar, make an “Annual Agenda” with goals, habit-building resolutions, and a wish list. Assess progress on the first of each month or season.
Learning Materials for the Year: collect books and other materials (artwork, crafts, etc.) for each season and theme and organize in containers to bring out as needed
Seasonal Studies
Description: Study the Four Cycles of Life in the Season and do an activity for each of the cycles over the course of three months
Liturgical: the season and feasts on the liturgical calendar
Sanctoral: saints’ feast days
Human: human history cycles, the quarter human age stage, family milestones
Spring=Apprentice
Summer=Missionary
Autumn=Teacher
Winter=Sage
Natural: nature study of the seasons, corresponding homesteading tasks, folklore
Memory Work of the Season (songs, poems, stories, facts, dance, etc.): do the copywork, recite or practice until memorized, perform at the seasonal feast (in costume, if desired!)
Monthly Studies
Description: Go over the significant historical and other events of the month in light of the four cycles of life and plan your celebrations, field trips, outings, etc.
Monthly Projects (art imitation, feasts, holidays, anniversaries, memory work, etc.):
Make a wish list then simplify it to one or two events/activities. Print out copywork.
January: Time studies, Epiphany party, New Year’s resolutions, Annual Agenda
February: Love studies, Valentine’s/Cyril and Methodius Party, Carnival traditions
March: Lenten traditions, Spring Equinox Party/Spring Studies
April: April Fool’s Day Party, Eastertide traditions
May: Flowers, Herbs, Foraging, Gardening, Animal Husbandry, Marian traditions and May Day party
June: Summer Solstice Party/Summer Studies on the Feast of St. John, gardening, summer food recipes
July: Americana crafts, recipes, and folk traditions, Fourth of July parade and party
August: Michigan heritage, berries, harvest, Assumption blessing party
September: apple and honey harvests, Michaelmas traditions, preserving, Autumn Equinox Party/Autumn Studies
October: pumpkins, Halloween Party, winter preparations, the soul
November: Gratitude, All Saints Party and month-long traditions (visiting graveyards, litany of saints and family members), Thanksgiving studies, recipes
December: Advent and Christmas traditions, Winter Solstice party/Winter Studies
Weekly Studies
Description: During the weekend hold a family meeting to look over the week ahead and prepare for studies, celebrations, outings, etc. Plan dedicated family time for a particular day or evening to just be together without any agenda or to make progress on a family project or business. Read the Sunday Gospel during a Sabbath ritual or just after Saturday dinner. Pray a multilingual rosary for the intentions of the week.
Daily Studies
Description: Begin daily calendar class with a morning offering then listen to or read the daily information during breakfast, while drawing, doing a handicraft, copy work, etc. Pause after each cycle to open discussion or do further research. End with a sign of peace. Take a break for fresh air exercise or dancing before continuing with academic skills work.
Liturgical: Mass Readings Audio, live Mass link, Scripture memory work, or readings about the liturgical season Sing the monthly hymn.
Sanctoral: Saint of the Day readings, audio, and visuals
Human: history or biography of the day
Natural: natural science lesson based on the current month, nature study of the day (outside if possible)
Additional looping lessons options: seasonal morning time plans. holiday helpers, multilingual word, math game/riddle, visual or performing arts, proverb/quote of the day, joke or riddle, manners, etc.--whatever your family is passionate about!
Daily Liturgy of the Hours for the Family and Calendar Class Studies
Morning Offering at Breakfast then Daily Calendar Class readings
Angelus at Lunch then Read-Aloud
Divine Mercy Chaplet/End Prayer at Tea Time then Arts Appreciation (arts and crafts, music, poetry...)
Gratitude Grace before Dinner
Family Hearth Ritual before bed: call and response, family intentions and evening offering, read-aloud and doodling, lullaby, hymn
Calendar Class is what we do to put all these ideas about the four cycles of life into practice every day of the year and through the seasons of our lives. Here's our plan, I'd love to hear what you do, too!
Goal: to study and participate in the four cycles of life- liturgical, sanctoral, human, and natural- through the cycle of days in the calendar year and to learn our lessons of the day
Teacher’s Instructions:
-Begin with some stretching (out-of-doors when possible) and the Calendar Class morning offering
-Open book, app, or webpage to the relevant day, month, or season (or print off pages in advance and put into your binder)
-Read and discuss one or all of the lessons as the kids do artwork or copy-memory work
-Do further readings/studies if desired; Use the inspiration for any kind of notebooking/journaling, Book of Centuries, Book of Firsts, mapwork, research projects, or related activities (field trip, craft, artwork, recipe, service act, celebration, etc.)
-Record any information, images, and memories desired in your Perpetual Calendar Journals or Family Memory Book
-Study your desired “lesson of the day” (read-aloud, Morning Time plans, academics...)
-Conclude the class with a sign of peace
A few resources for studying the four cycles of life daily
Books: The Bible, The Year and Our Children, Saints and Feast Days, Chamber’s Book of Days, The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook, The Homesteader’s Handbook, your own Book of Centuries binder, your own binder for recording your days
Websites: aleteia.org, catholicculture.org, oldfarmersalmanac.org, thebookofdays.org, nationaldaycalendar.com
General Resources for Calendar-based learning:
-Holiday Helpers from Living Books Curriculum at charlottemasonhomeschool.com
-Seasonal Morning Time plans from pambarnhill.com
-Newsletters from professorcarol.com
-Mere Motherhood monthly newsletter from Cindy Rollins at Circe.org
-Ideas from https://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/
Annual Studies in January
Description: Study the theme of time, the particular year’s themes, the calendar, make an “Annual Agenda” with goals, habit-building resolutions, and a wish list. Assess progress on the first of each month or season.
Learning Materials for the Year: collect books and other materials (artwork, crafts, etc.) for each season and theme and organize in containers to bring out as needed
Seasonal Studies
Description: Study the Four Cycles of Life in the Season and do an activity for each of the cycles over the course of three months
Liturgical: the season and feasts on the liturgical calendar
Sanctoral: saints’ feast days
Human: human history cycles, the quarter human age stage, family milestones
Spring=Apprentice
Summer=Missionary
Autumn=Teacher
Winter=Sage
Natural: nature study of the seasons, corresponding homesteading tasks, folklore
Memory Work of the Season (songs, poems, stories, facts, dance, etc.): do the copywork, recite or practice until memorized, perform at the seasonal feast (in costume, if desired!)
Monthly Studies
Description: Go over the significant historical and other events of the month in light of the four cycles of life and plan your celebrations, field trips, outings, etc.
Monthly Projects (art imitation, feasts, holidays, anniversaries, memory work, etc.):
Make a wish list then simplify it to one or two events/activities. Print out copywork.
January: Time studies, Epiphany party, New Year’s resolutions, Annual Agenda
February: Love studies, Valentine’s/Cyril and Methodius Party, Carnival traditions
March: Lenten traditions, Spring Equinox Party/Spring Studies
April: April Fool’s Day Party, Eastertide traditions
May: Flowers, Herbs, Foraging, Gardening, Animal Husbandry, Marian traditions and May Day party
June: Summer Solstice Party/Summer Studies on the Feast of St. John, gardening, summer food recipes
July: Americana crafts, recipes, and folk traditions, Fourth of July parade and party
August: Michigan heritage, berries, harvest, Assumption blessing party
September: apple and honey harvests, Michaelmas traditions, preserving, Autumn Equinox Party/Autumn Studies
October: pumpkins, Halloween Party, winter preparations, the soul
November: Gratitude, All Saints Party and month-long traditions (visiting graveyards, litany of saints and family members), Thanksgiving studies, recipes
December: Advent and Christmas traditions, Winter Solstice party/Winter Studies
Weekly Studies
Description: During the weekend hold a family meeting to look over the week ahead and prepare for studies, celebrations, outings, etc. Plan dedicated family time for a particular day or evening to just be together without any agenda or to make progress on a family project or business. Read the Sunday Gospel during a Sabbath ritual or just after Saturday dinner. Pray a multilingual rosary for the intentions of the week.
Daily Studies
Description: Begin daily calendar class with a morning offering then listen to or read the daily information during breakfast, while drawing, doing a handicraft, copy work, etc. Pause after each cycle to open discussion or do further research. End with a sign of peace. Take a break for fresh air exercise or dancing before continuing with academic skills work.
Liturgical: Mass Readings Audio, live Mass link, Scripture memory work, or readings about the liturgical season Sing the monthly hymn.
Sanctoral: Saint of the Day readings, audio, and visuals
Human: history or biography of the day
Natural: natural science lesson based on the current month, nature study of the day (outside if possible)
Additional looping lessons options: seasonal morning time plans. holiday helpers, multilingual word, math game/riddle, visual or performing arts, proverb/quote of the day, joke or riddle, manners, etc.--whatever your family is passionate about!
Daily Liturgy of the Hours for the Family and Calendar Class Studies
Morning Offering at Breakfast then Daily Calendar Class readings
Angelus at Lunch then Read-Aloud
Divine Mercy Chaplet/End Prayer at Tea Time then Arts Appreciation (arts and crafts, music, poetry...)
Gratitude Grace before Dinner
Family Hearth Ritual before bed: call and response, family intentions and evening offering, read-aloud and doodling, lullaby, hymn
