Note from American Heritage School regarding Renewing the Mind for Teaching Learning: Self-Directed Study in the Principle Approach, The Noah Plan Curriculum^®

(The Noah Plan and the Principle Approach^® are registered trademarks of The Foundation for Christian Education (FACE)^®.)

Dear Friends,

It is our great pleasure to provide you with this copy of Renewing the Mind for Teaching Learning: Self-Directed Study in the Principle Approach, The Noah Plan Curriculum^®. Whether you are a new parent to American Heritage School, or one who has been with us for a time, we hope that you will take an opportunity to read this manual (please [1] download this iBook for iOS devices, such as iPad or iPhone, or [2] view this Canvas Web-based Course) and come to understand why we feel so strongly about the pedagogical method called “The Principle Approach.^®”

As you read, it is important to understand that the Foundation for American Christian Education (“FACE”) is a Christian, non-denominational, non-profit organization based in Virginia that shares a tremendous amount in common with American Heritage School. Beginning in the 1980’s when members of our Board of Trustees and Curriculum Committee became familiar with FACE founders Verna Hall, Rosalie Slater, and Carole Adams, it was clear to all that we had a surprisingly common view of education and its role in “restoring the heart and mind of a nation.”

In the late 1990’s, American Heritage School adopted the FACE “Principle Approach®” as the primary methodology for instruction at American Heritage School. Of course, American Heritage School is a school oriented toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as such, our mission, philosophy, curriculum, and lesson content, are all based upon Restored Gospel principles. Principle Approach® methodologies such as “The 4-R Method,” “The Word Study Method,” “The Notebook Method,” and other Principle Approach® techniques, are powerful tools for educators focused on changing hearts, and they are therefore uniquely suited to assist us in the delivery of our Christ-centered and Restored-Gospel-focused mission, philosophy, curriculum and lesson content. Importantly, these methods are not new—in fact they are very old—and have been commonly used in the cause of Christian education for centuries, including by the American Founders and many ancient and modern prophets for the education of their children as well as for their own self-education.

With this in mind, as you read FACE publications instructing in the “Principle Approach^®,” please note the following:

In most cases when you see the word “Bible” or “Biblical”—think in your mind “scriptures” or “scriptural.” American Heritage School’s use of the Bible as well as other scriptures does not diminish the value of what wonderful fellow Christians (including the Founding Fathers) have been able to accomplish with the Bible.

This Self-Directed Study Renwing the Mind for Teaching and Learning is an excellent and succinct introduction to the Principle Approach^®. Written as a “seminar” manual, it contains references to various other FACE publications, such as The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, and Teaching and Learning America’s Christian History, among others. These are all excellent publications that are also used by American Heritage School as teacher references; however, please do not hesitate to simply read it as a self-contained manual without the aid of other sources. It is a quick and enjoyable read— succinct, straight-forward, and powerful—a perfect introduction for the busy teacher or parent that wants a good foundational understanding of the Principle Approach^®.

FACE also operates a school in Chesapeake, Virgina: the “StoneBridge School” or the “StoneBridge FACE Demonstration School.” In the course of reading FACE publications such as the Self-Directed Study (and especially if you choose to listen to the audio CD), you will be introduced to Principle Approach^®“ideas in practice” at StoneBridge. Multiple AHS administrators, board members, and faculty have visited StoneBridge through the years. We have been grateful for many good ideas that we have gleaned through the years from StoneBridge and from other excellent schools like it. American Heritage School has adopted some, but not all, of the recommended curriculum scope and sequence used by FACE and the StoneBridge School.

There is a CD supplement to the Self-Directed Study that, although not a full audio version of the Self- Directed Study, is a helpful commentary by Dr. Carole Adams that you could listen to while driving, folding laundry, doing dishes, etc. A detailed listing of the audio contents is on the last page of the Self- Directed Study^®.

We find it interesting (and yes, even “providential”) that one of the “anchor” scriptures for the Foundation for American Christian Education is Ephesians 1:10, stating “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” We, too, believe that we are living in the dispensation of the “fullness of times,” which must include not just new educational methods for a 21^st Century world, but time-tested, moral-based, and Christ- centered methods that must not be discarded as we and our children move into an ever uncertain, fast- paced, and morally perilous future.

In personal notes made shortly before he passed away, Gaylord Swim, Chairman of the American Heritage School Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2005, made a case for the continued emphasis on the Principle Approach^® at American Heritage School:

It is inspired.
It is compatible with the Restored Gospel.
It is compatible with the principles of faith, sacrifice and patriotism.
It develops character.
It works on the mind and the heart of students and faculty.
It sparks a love of learning.
Is it the end-all-be-all? No. Therefore, we build upon it. We are strengthened by it but not limited by it.

May the Lord bless you and your family as you come to understand the urgency and significance of principle- based teaching and learning—both at school, and in your homes.

Sincerely,

Grant Beckwith

Principal

736 North 1100 East ▪ American Fork, Utah 84003 ▪ Telephone (801) 642-0055 www.American-Heritage.org