At The Oaks Academy, our unique classical curriculum aims to develop a love of learning in our students. One distinctive feature of this curriculum is the study of humanities, which combines the study of history, literature, art and music appreciation, geography, and Biblical narratives. This integration provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of different subjects.

In second grade, the study of humanities is introduced within a chronological timeline of history, where students begin by learning about Ancient Egypt and Israel. A highly anticipated event in our Lower School is the annual Museum of Ancient Egypt that our second grade classes host. Each class is transformed into its own unique museum where students take on the role of museum guides, leading guests (family and other students in the school) through exhibits prepared by the students. 

Putting a museum together is no easy feat, and our students spend months curating and creating their exhibits, as well as learning how to be engaging and entertaining docents. Students start their study of the land and animals, learning about the geographical features and how that affected the people living in the region. With an understanding of the importance of irrigation in ancient Egypt, students constructed shadoofs, simple machines used for water lifting, and created three-dimensional maps of the region. 

Students then moved on to understanding the culture of the region, learning about the pharaohs and queens and the myths that surrounded them. Students create canopic jars, mirroring the historical practices of preserving organs during the mummification process, and construct a paper coffin where they will place an Egyptian ruler made of  salt dough for display in the museum. A visit to the Egyptian exhibit at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum to learn more about Egyptian and hosting a museum exhibit, as well as art and music studies, are also part of the immersive learning experience.