Sample Juniors Classes

Our juniors program seeks to train and nurture parents in the Thomas Jefferson Education’s Leadership Education model. Juniors is a preparatory time to help the children transition from Core Phase to Love of Learning so they are ready to enter the scholar program. We seek to support the mission statement of Shining Light Commonwealth.

We can sum up our juniors program with the acronym HUGS:

• Honoring Family
• Uplifting Relationships
• Gathering Community
• Staying Simple

Below are examples of the juniors classes (0-12 year old) we offer at Shining Light Commonwealth.  Classes vary from year to year based on the needs of the commonwealth families.

Crowned with Virtue

• Girls, 8-12 years old
• Curriculum from Heroic Youth
• Second Semester class, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays with a final end of year ceremony at the end of March

     We are so excited to continue to lead your lovely handmaidens as they grow to be great heroic young women!

     All virtuous handmaidens are invited to participate in an adventure as we study heroes. What does it take to be a Hero? Is it faith, or fortitude? Is it honesty or humility? Perhaps it is loyalty or love. Join us on a quest to discover what it truly means to be a hero, and perhaps you will find that there is a hero hidden deep inside you.

     During the school year of 2021-2022 we are excited to be embarking on an adventure of learning with your handmaidens as we study the virtue of PREPAREDNESS.

     In all the Hero stories chosen this year, you will find that each have exhibited intellectual, spiritual or moral preparedness.  We will read 6 books in total, 3 each semester.  We offer books at varying reading levels for all the handmaidens to have a good experience with the reading and studying of our heroes.  Each handmaiden will have the opportunity to participate in presenting, reading great books, being part of book discussions, visit great places or enjoy hero visits from real-life heroes.  In our book discussions, we are open to having the handmaidens read any book you choose on the leaders we are studying, see the suggested books in the google doc linked below.  Please choose something that is on your handmaiden’s comprehension level and be willing to read with them, as needed.  You will be choosing and providing your own books so the price of books is not included in course fee.

     The handmaidens will be working towards an year end reward by completing 4 requirements throughout the year.

1. Read or listen to four books, one for each hero and participate in a book discussion for each
2. Memorize the song "One Little Light" (done in class time)
3. Do a 5-minute presentation on any topic of interest to her (done in class time)
4. Memorize the 8 Standards of Christathel (done in class time)

2021-2022 Booklist

Mastering Knighthood

• Boys 8-12 years old
• Curriculum from Heroic Youth
• Second Semester class, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays with a final end of year ceremony at the end of March

     Mastering Knighthood offers boys ages eight through twelve an exciting opportunity to learn about great heroes through readings, activities, book discussions, hero visits, and opportunities for leadership.

     We will study virtue through reading about great heroes, creating an environment of unity and brotherhood, and practicing the Seven Standards of Terre Libre in our lives.  Mastering Knighthood is a love of learning level class and will involve reading, speaking in front of the group, leading activities, and of course, sword fighting!

2021-2022 Booklist

JA Biztown

• Boys and Girls, 8-12 years old
• JA Biztown field trip usually held in April

     JA Biztown is a fun class designed to inspire every child to have an entrepreneurial spirit: to lead confidently, think critically and creatively, be financially responsible, and understand the value of teamwork.  They will build confidence and understanding in the business world and in their own ability to create something that serves the community.

     JA Biz Town is national non-profit program run by Junior Achievement (JA).  The year-long class ends with a culminating field-trip to JA City (at Gateway Mall above the Children's Discovery Museum) where the students get to run business in a simulated city.

The first semester teaches students financial understanding and skills such as:

• Recording and balancing personal bank accounts
• Writing checks and filling out deposit slips
• Filling out tithing slips and envelops
• Basic banking and interest understanding

     We also have 3-4 market days where children bring their own products or services to sell to other class members. The second semester will be preparation for running businesses at JA City.  We will go on field-trips to business (hopefully the same ones we will be running), as well as applying for the jobs that they want--applications, (resumes if they want) and interviews.  Students will earn "money" by doing work and chores at home each week.  This "money" will be spent at market days the first semester and at an auction at the end of the 2nd semester.  Parents can customize and sign off the earning sheets each pay period, (weekly or twice a month depending on what is happening in the class).

We use Leadership Education principles as our guide, but we have not set curriculum for this age group.  Classes for the 0-7 year old age group varies depending on what each pair of moms/mentors want to do for the class they volunteer to mentor.  We have had many fun classes from Messy Science to Picture Book Classics.  We typically have a nursery for moms with toddlers or babies so they can help mentor classes as well.  Our commonwealth is not a place to drop off your children.  In order to participate in the juniors program, a parent must be present and mentoring either a junior or scholar class.