How the learning happens
Six components. One weekly rhythm.
Two books a month, weekly Socratic discussion, weekly writing, daily SisuSparks, a monthly capstone and quarterly SisuTalks. None of these work alone; together they build the habit of thinking well.
In depth
What happens each week.
01
Two books each month
Purposeful Reading
Each month, children read two carefully chosen books rather than whatever is easiest to finish. The choice of book creates a shared intellectual starting point: something specific to notice, question and discuss, rather than reading in isolation.
02
Daily, a few minutes at a time
SisuSparks
A short daily habit that builds reflection, recall and the ability to synthesise a day's reading into a few clear, spoken words. Small and frequent rather than long and occasional; consistency matters more than length.
03
Weekly
Weekly Writing
A rotating weekly challenge (argument, narrative, reflection, explanation) that trains children to organise their thinking, reason with clarity, and adapt their writing to purpose and audience. Every piece receives personal feedback as their own authentic voice develops.
04
Weekly, live with peers
Socratic Discussions
Children listen to each other, question assumptions, and defend their own ideas in a live discussion: not a debate to win, but a conversation to think through together.
05
Monthly
Capstone Projects
Once a month, reading and discussion become something tangible: a project a child can plan, make, explain and be proud of. This is evidence of understanding, not just participation.
06
Quarterly
SisuTalks
Once a quarter, children present to a real audience: researching, structuring and delivering a talk on something they have come to understand, learning to speak with calm conviction rather than memorised nerves.
Beyond the six components
What holds the rhythm together.
Five more elements run underneath the weekly components, quieter but just as deliberate.
Weekly SisuGuide review
A SisuGuide reviews each child's participation and submitted work every week, including SisuSparks, writing and other programme work, and provides individual feedback to support continued development.
Portfolio of Thoughts
A running collection of your child's reading responses, reflections and written work: a record of how their thinking develops, not just a folder of finished pieces.
SisuRhythm
The daily and weekly habit structure connecting reading, reflection, responsibility and follow-through into consistent practice, rather than occasional bursts of motivation. See how it works.
Daily chores
Responsibility is practised, not merely discussed. Age-appropriate daily chores (mandatory within the complete programme, and part of Self Mastery) help children contribute at home, follow through on commitments and build independence.
Quarterly progress
Parents receive a written progress report every quarter, and meet with their child's SisuGuide to discuss progress, patterns and priorities for the next quarter.
How it connects
Every component supports more than one pillar.
No single component belongs to a single pillar. A weekly Socratic discussion builds critical thinking, but also communication and, through consistent participation, self mastery. The six components work together, each contributing to more than one of the three pillars at once.