Class descriptions for the Winter/Spring 2010 Semester
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Primary Spanish – Teacher: Ruth Cuellar Thompson
This class is for ages K-2nd Grade. It is a 30 minute hands on approach to learning Spanish. Children will engage in coloring and crafts as they learn basic vocabulary and conversation. Ruth’s lively, entertaining approach will excite the students as they learn through stories, crafts and song.
Spanish 1 - Teacher: Ruth Cuellar Thompson
This class for ALL AGES will begin with basic greetings and vocabulary and advance into conversation and stories. Children will learn to speak and read Spanish in the first year. One of the things I love about this Spanish program is that the classes are fun, and entertaining! Ruth has a passion for teaching Spanish and it is so apparent if you ever take the opportunity to stay and watch her teach! This is a very popular class.
**NEW CLASS!!!** Spanish level 1 1/2 for ALL ages - Teacher Ruth Cuellar- for students who have taken at least a year of Senorita Ruth's Spanish classes but want to go even further, but aren't ready (or old enough) for High school Spanish II.
High School Spanish 1 and 2 classes - Teacher Ruth Cuellar Thompson
This Spanish class will cover high school level information. It can be used on any transcript as a high school credit. There is NO prerequisite for the 1st level of this course (which means you do not need to have had ANY Spanish before!!!) Students on this level will have weekly homework, will be required to turn in assignments and will have weekly quizzes to judge their progress. They will read through readers completely in Spanish. From these books they will develop a vocabulary list that the quizzes will be based upon. The students will do some writing in class and for homework, summarizing the chapters we read. We will spend time in each class discussing cultures from different Spanish speaking countries, and we will cook some Mexican food and study different ways and customs. There will be a lab cost for this class. This class will be very informative and fun for the students. We will focus on conversational Spanish, taking what we are learning and beginning to communicate in sentences and paragraphs.
GEOGRAPHY
***NEW CLASS!!!** Geography Through Art: Teacher: Mrs. Hinners Students in grades 3rd-8th will explore geography while making salt maps and using lots of other mediums that will help solidify where in the world things are located for your child! Promises to be a FUN, HANDS-ON class!!!!
Galloping the Globe - Teacher: Mrs. Pollard
Word searches, mazes, maps and more…clues, puzzles, and animals galore! What an enchanting way to learn geography – a unit study/discovery learning resource entitled Galloping the Globe. This geography based curriculum is geared towards K – 3rd grade children. Galloping the Globe will use different categories of learning activities: Basic Geography, People/History, Literature, Science, Activities, Internet Sources, Cultures, and Bible. The lessons are designed to engage the children’s hearts and minds through variety and interaction. Focus will be on the different continents and how unique they all are!
**NEW CLASS!** Exploring Asia - Teacher: Sharon Francis
In this class, students in grades 3rd-6th will enjoy learning ALL about Asia! Each student will be able to choose a topic to complete a brief verbal report to help them with their speaking skills and confidence! Each week a new country will be explored, along with the culture, foods, songs, geography, traditions, and family life of each continent. This class will be a lot of fun and the students will come away with a vast knowledge of all things dealing with Asia!!!
HISTORY
Civics - Mrs. Preston
This class will be a Jr. version of the Government class.
“Values, Views & Voice!” This class will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the 3 branches of government in depth- at the federal, local, and state levels. Taught from a conservative Christian perspective, the course will be designed to promote patriotism, center on the Constitution, and challenge students to become civically active through various activities. Students will take field trips to the courthouse, a government official’s office, and the Board of Elections. Field trips will typically take place on a Friday.
Government - Teacher: Tonya Preston Grades 9th-12th
“Values, Views & Voice!” This class will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the 3 branches of government in depth- at the federal, local, and state levels. Taught from a conservative Christian perspective, the course will be designed to promote patriotism, center on the Constitution, and challenge students to become civically active through various activities. Students will take field trips to the courthouse, a government official’s office, and the Board of Elections. Field trips will typically take place on a Friday. Students will need to purchase Abeka's American Government in Christian perspective textbook for this class.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Literature and Composition Class for 7th & 8th grades - Teacher: Margie Nesteroff Designed to challenge and enrich the Christian mind, this will be a 2 semester program which will include a literary analysis of classic works. Margie uses Total Language Plus as a touchstone for class discussion, vocabulary, and essay themes. Studying classic literature is like exploring a tropical island and discovering rich treasures which enlighten the mind and soul. Reading classical literature paves the way for composing meaningful essays. The vocabulary broadens and enhances communication skills. All essays are to be presented using the Institute for Excellence in Writing structure and style techniques. In the second semester, each class will work on a short research paper following the same format. Logic and light Rhetoric will be introduced as the students engage in debate! Books included are, Amos Fortune, Johnny Tremain, A Wrinkle in Time, Treasure Island, The Bronze Bow, and The Trumpeter of Krakow.
Literature and Composition Class for 9th & 10th grades - Teacher: Margie Nesteroff
Designed to challenge and enrich the Christian mind, this will be a 2 semester program which will include a literary analysis of classic works. Margie uses Total Language Plus as a touchstone for class discussion, vocabulary, and essay themes. Studying classic literature is like exploring a tropical island and discovering rich treasures which enlighten the mind and soul. Reading classical literature paves the way for composing meaningful essays. The vocabulary broadens and enhances communication skills. All essays are to be presented using the Institute for Excellence in Writing structure and style techniques. In the second semester, each class will work on a short research paper following the same format. Logic and light Rhetoric will be introduced as the students engage in debate! Books included are, Call of the Wild, Around the World in 80 days, The Scarlet of Pimpernel, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hiding Place, and Pride and Prejudice.
Literature and Composition for 10th - 12th grades with Logic - Teacher: Tonya Preston
Designed to challenge and enrich the Christian mind, this will be a 2 semester program which will include a literary analysis of classic works. Tonya uses Total Language Plus as a touchstone for class discussion, vocabulary, and essay themes. Studying classic literature is like exploring a tropical island and discovering rich treasures which enlighten the mind and soul. Reading classical literature paves the way for composing meaningful essays. The vocabulary broadens and enhances communication skills. All essays are to be presented using the Institute for Excellence in Writing structure and style techniques. In the second semester, each class will work on a short research paper following the same format. Logic and light Rhetoric will be introduced as the students engage in debate! Books included are, The Hiding Place, Pride and Prejudice, The Giver, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Scarlet Letter.
Institute for Excellence in Writing - Teacher: Tonya Preston
This class is based on Andrew Pudewa's Institute for Excellence in Writing program that incorporates the classical education method. Your 4th - 6th grade student will learn to keyword outline short stories, fables, and poetry, then reconstruct/rewrite them by adding :~STYLE~: Practicing these “dress ups” and other writing techniques will be valuable as they practice the models for short reports and critiques. SAT vocabulary is introduced and the students become more comfortable with public speaking as they recite their compositions to the class. The best way to teach excellent writing is to find classical pieces and then IMITATE them! Tonya currently teaches this class at another co-op and we are THRILLED to have her teach here at HELP!!!!
Chapter Book & Institute for Excellence in Writing Combo class - Teacher: Tonya Preston
In this course, students in grades 5th-6th will embark upon an adventure in literature. It will be essential to read daily to keep up with lively class discussions. Students will be assigned a variety of language and IEW-modeled writing exercises, related to the subject matter/piece of literature. Students will expand their vocabulary skills and practice using correct grammar. Some creative assignments will be given in place of the standard book report. If you've taken one of Mrs. Preston's IEW classes, then you will LOVE this class!
Total IEW with WordSmith for 6th-8th grades - Teacher : Mrs. Nesteroff
This is a 2 semester class that will cover the nine units of the Institute for Excellence in Writing syllabus. The IEW writing style and structure will be incorporated and developed covering all types of writing; creative writing with pictures, report writing, narrative essay writing, imitations of fables and fairytales, interest stories and critiques. The stylistic techniques will be developed using a writer's checklist for each weekly assignment. These invaluable writing tools can be applied to any type of writing and can be carried with you all through your educational career.
MATHEMATICS
Saxon Math 8/7 - Teacher Mrs. Cofskey
This one hour and fifteen minute class will utilize Saxon Math 8/7 textbook with homework each week, to be graded by the parent.
Algebra 1 - Teacher: Mrs. Cofskey
This one hour and forty five minute class will utilize Saxon's Algebra 1 textbook with homework each week, and the homework will be graded by the parent.
Algebra 2: Teacher: Mrs. Cofskey
This one hour and forty five minute class will utilize Saxon's Algebra 2 textbook with homework each week, and the homework will be graded by the parent.
SCIENCE
“Mad” Science – Teacher: Bionic Becky from Mad Science
This FUN science class is licensed by Mad Science of Cincinnati. They are a world leading provider of education enrichment to elementary and middle school-aged children. Each class will include demonstrations and hands-on activities that encourage children to work together and participate in engaging dialogue. The programs, activities, and demonstrations in the Fall/WInter semester will include ALL NEW SUBJECT MATTER! Mad Science provides environmental and practical science that your child will love learning about. Most classes provide post-lab activities to maximize the educational impact of each session. This class will not cover anything that will contradict our Christian values. Two classes are provided for grades K-3rd and K-3rd. To learn more visit www.madscience.org/Cincinnati
***NEW CLASS!!!!!*** Zo-Otany – Teacher: Leslie Dorhout
This class is divided into 2 classes (1 for K-3rd grades and 1 for 3rd-6th grades) and will teach students the fascinating sciences of Invertabrate Zoology and Botany. It is a 45 minute class for the K-3rd grades and a 60 minute class for the 3rd-6th grade students. This will be hands-on approach to learning about the different sciences. This class promises to be LOTS of FUN!!!
Statistics of Science and Math WITH BIOLOGY- Teacher: Doctor Frank
This class offers 4th-8th graders several challenging hands-on experiments involving discussion on probability, phenomena, predictions, mathematical functions, and angles using pendulums, bouncing balls, frisbees, racetracks, dice, and projectiles all from a BIOLOGY point of view. This class will help you sharpen your skills on how Science and Math are used in the real world with LOTS AND LOTS of BIOLOGY thrown in for fun!! Guaranteed to help your child(ren) fall in love with Science, Biology, (and MATH) all over again (or at least for the first time)! :) No repeats from the other Stats class that Dr. Frank has taught in the past!
Statistics of Science and Math with Physical Science- Teacher: Doctor Frank
This class for 5th-8th graders involves lots of hands on learning with probability and mathmatical functions, matter, and more involved physical sciences.
Biology - Teacher: Doctor Frank
This will be an academic class for high schoolers using four texts:
1) Explore Evolution (Meyer, et al.)
2) Darwins Black Box (Behe)
3) Full House (Gould)
4) Biology Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Ed. (Garber)
We will design the class to cover all 19 chapters of the Biology text, and will supplement the reading and discussions with Meyer, Behe, and Gould. By the end of both semesters, the students will not only have an excellent overview of biology, but they should also be prepared to rigorously discuss and debate the strengths and weaknesses of modern views of evolution, which many modern biologists claim is the foundational idea in modern biology. Our objective will be to cultivate a clear and intuitive understanding of the basic concepts of biology, not just memorize a collection of facts. We will integrate some mathematics, some dissection, and some microscopy to make the class more meaningful. Students should have their own calculators, and will be expected to take notes during class.
SCIENCE APPLICATION
**NEW CLASS!!**** Lego Robotics 3- Teacher: Provided by Drake Planetarium
We are excited to have the teachers from the Drake Science Center at the Drake Planetarium at HELP to teach a HANDS ON LEGO ROBOTICS III class!! In this class students will learn more about RCX chip technology and programming robots. They will apply Math and Science to real world situations while developing critical thinking and problem solving skills. Grades 4th - up THIS CLASS HAS A NO REFUND POLICY
Lego Robotics 2 - Teacher: Provided by Drake Planetarium
We are excited to have the teachers from the Drake Science Center at the Drake Planetarium at HELP to teach a HANDS ON LEGO ROBOTICS 2 class!! In this class (which can only be taken IF the student has completed the Lego Robotics 1) students will learn about RCX chip technology, programming their robots and will have a great time pairing the robots off to compete against one another! Grades 4th and up THIS CLASS HAS A NO REFUND POLICY
THE ARTS
**NEW CLASS!!!*****Creative Movement Class: Teacher Maureen Teller
In this class, we will have a lot of fun! Beginning with basic dance warm ups and exercises, the students will begin to learn the fundamentals of movement and dance technique. Each week we will enjoy different creative movement games and activities. The children will also learn about many of the components of choreography (how we make choices about moving through space....fast/slow, high/low, floor patterns, positive and negative space, different rhythms, etc.........) as we work together to create our own dances. There will be leaping, turning, balancing,.......moving together as a group and moving all alone.....the possibilities are endless!
**NEW CLASS!!!*****Show Choir: Teacher Stephanie Mackris Ages: 4th-8th grades 9:45 am - 10:30 am Singing and Dancing using good Broadway show tunes that we all know and love!!! Performance will be on performance night at the end of the semester............
**NEW CLASS!!!**** A Stitch in Time: Teacher Sharon Francis Ages 1st-6th grades This class will teach beginning stitchery......embroidery, cross stitch and basic sewing.........kids will leave the class with a binder of techniques used to add on to at a later time......projects include sewing their own pillow!!! Promises to be fun!!!
Introduction to Music 9:00 - 9:45 Ages 8 -10 Materials $10 Teacher: Stephanie Mackris
Introduction to Music is a class designed to encourage children to begin understanding and using written music. Students will sing a repertoire of songs, play instruments, perform rhythmic patterns, respond to music with movement and create new music. Basic note reading will be demonstrated both vocally and on the recorder instrument. This music class is will help your child become knowledgeable, confident and curious about music. It requires two 20 minute practice sessions per week for basic skill building.
Group Voice 10:45 - 11:45 Materials Teacher: Stephanie Mackris
Group Voice is a group singing lesson that provides a learning situation in which each person in the group is constantly involved, whether in performance, aural and visual analysis, or constructive criticism of self and peers. Each member feels a responsibility to others for adequate preparation and all have a real sense of personal involvement. Students are expected to practice 20 minutes 5 days a week and master one group song and two individual songs. One group song and one individual song will be performed at the Concert.
Musical Theatre Jr. and Sr. – Teacher: Becca Johnson
Our Musical Theatre class offers every child the opportunity to experience what it is like to be in a Musical Theatre Production. Students will learn vocal training, acting, and staging, to name a few, as they learn to perform a production from beginning to end utilizing one of Music Theatre International's BROADWAY JR PRODUCTIONS. The 2009/2010 school year will feature a performance of one of the Broadway Jr. productions to be held at the end of the school year in late April/early May. Grades 2-6 will perform Alice In Wonderland Jr and grades 7-12 will perform Fiddler on the Roof.
Art - Youngest children K-3rd grades Teacher: Emily Carabello
This class is open to those in K-3rd grades. Discover how ART varies around the world as you travel to a different country each week! You will learn about that culture and the art they are famous for creating. We will make artwork associated with that country and the older kids class will have much more difficult projects than the younger class, which include mediums such as painting, drawing, oil pastels, watercolor and collaborative projects. Emily does an amazing job introducing and inspiring the children with all different kinds of sculpture, painting and sketching. There will be an Art show at the end of the semester for your child(ren) to display their masterpieces.
Art – Oldest children 5th and up Teacher: Emily Carabello
Discover how ART varies around the world as you travel to a different country each week! You will learn about that culture and the art they are famous for creating. We will make artwork associated with that country and the older kids’ class will have much more difficult projects than the younger class, which include mediums such as painting, drawing, oil pastels, watercolor and collaborative projects.
Art History and Technique 1- 5th and up Teacher: Emily Carabello
Learn the basic techniques and principles that make an excellent artist! This class will discover how to use color, shape, form, line, drawing, painting, texture, pattern, and much more! The students will be expected to keep an updated sketch book that will have assignments each week. The class will focus on learning the basic building blocks of excellent artwork, rather than being product driven as the younger classes are. Get ready to fill your head with artwork and expand your creativity! Art is a skill like any other discipline-the teacher can give you the rules and tips, but practice makes perfect!
Art History and Technique 2 - 5th and up Teacher: Emily Carabello
This class is a continuation of Art History and Technique where students will explore more in depth the techniques and principles learned in Art History and Technique 1 to become an excellent artist!! You MUST have taken Art History and Technique 1 to sign up for this class!
UNIT STUDY
Five in a Row - Teacher: Sharon Francis
Five in a Row was created by Jane Claire Lambert, a successful home-school teacher with more than 17 years experience. Five in a Row provides students with a unit-study approach to early education based on outstanding children's literature. Five in a Row provides many lesson plans covering Social Studies, Language, Art, Applied Math, and Science in a way that causes children to fall in love with learning. Grades K-2
