A child-centered approach
Sprouting Seeds Language Arts is a reading, writing and grammar focused online homeschool program that uses a creative, open-ended and classic literature based approach to learning.
Few children thrive in a cookie cutter education model, whether that is in a classroom or at home. But with Sprouting Seeds Language Arts, all homework assignments have multiple ways for the child to engage - write a short story, create a comic strip, draw a picture, etc.! A freedom of choice in education begets a sense of responsibility and enjoyment in education.
A good writer must first be a good reader and, with Sprouting Seeds Language Arts, students spend the year reading from multiple authors of classic literature. These authors include E. Nesbit, Rudyard Kipling, Thornton Burgess, Francis Hodgson Burnett, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and more. However, reading is empty without a true comprehension of the text. Therefore, multiple assignments are incorporated to examine the meaning of the text and what it means to each child personally.
A good writer must also write! And, with Sprouting Seeds Language Arts students write constantly. Students start with writing excellent sentences and paragraphs and are soon writing full essays. However, a solid understanding of grammar is the foundation to clear and concise writing. And, from adjectives and adverbs to using clauses and phrases, Sprouting Seeds Language Arts uses an extremely thorough and “building-upon-itself” approach to teaching grammar. Basic concepts are reviewed consistently as new concepts are continuously “built” on top of them.
For more information about our open-ended homework, class schedules, common core state standards and more, please reference the “how it works” page.
“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.” -Rudolf Steiner
Hi there, I am glad you found your way here! I am Alaina Robinson, the creator of Sprouting Seeds Language Arts.
While I loved my own childhood experience of learning at home, I also thought I could do it better. And I began exploring different forms of education once I had my own children.
Waldorf education was my first inspiration when my two oldest children attended a Waldorf kindergarten while we were living in Tijuana, Mexico. I was deeply impressed by the heart-led and child-conscious ways this school operated. I began to see the importance of education following the developmental milestones of the child and meeting the student where they are. From Waldorf, I ventured into the world of Montessori. And I enjoyed discovering that children can thrive when reasonable expectations, responsibilities and freedoms are placed on them. During this time, I also discovered Child-Led Learning, and the ideas of Peter Gray. I was challenged by the idea that maybe we don’t know exactly what our children need to learn, or how they need to do it. Maybe an education that serves them best comes from trusting the child and partnering with them.
As I played with all of these ideas, I started building an online language arts curriculum of my own, and I created Sprouting Seeds Language Arts in the spring of 2023.
Before I began Sprouting Seeds Language Arts, I had been been an online TESL teacher for 7 years. In 2016 earned my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in science and psychology. In 2018 earned my TESOL certificate from Arizona State University.
Currently, I live in Rochester, NY with my husband and our five kids, and I homeschool my oldest three children with a Waldorf inspired curriculum.
I am also currently earning my Master’s Degree in Education.
Follow me on Instagram @nurturing.sprouting.seeds