Exploring Philosophers Through Literature and Writing (8th - 12th graders)

 

Tuesdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

This course is designed to foster vibrant class discussion while developing writing and literature analysis skills. Students will read about Western philosophers and explore their impacts on our modern culture. Students will become familiar with the ideas and the writings that have formed the modern world. They will learn to analyze and critique thinkers and writers, such Karl Marx, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and/or Nathaniel Hawthorne and form their own opinions. The goal of this course is for each student to have a complete scope and understanding of who they are, where they are going, and the major influences that have and currently impact our society. This course will cover some world history, church history, world wars, and governments as it pertains to the main thinkers of the time.

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The EIW writing curriculum anchors essay writing development for this class. Students will learn to research and organize their thoughts and opinions into effective written papers. Journaling on what is read is required to help students organize their thoughts for further writing and discussion. As time allows, a unit of creative writing will round out the year’s curriculum using The Exciting World of Creative Writing by Ruth E. McDaniel.

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Classroom presentations of their written work will also be used to practice public speaking. Focusing on posture, eye contact, delivery, and engaging fellow students. Students can expect weekly homework, in-class discussions, in-class note taking, at home note taking, and research. I look forward to going on this adventure with your children.

 

Instructor(s): Leslie Rosa

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Immersive Spanish (6th - 12th graders)

 

Tuesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

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This class will include a curriculum called Destinos. Although it is a college program, it can be used for high school to give high school credit. Additionally, the curriculum will be tailored for younger members of the class, focussing on vocabulary memorization. A focus of the class will be speaking and correct pronunciation. The uniqueness of this program is that it is geared to an immersive way of learning. There are video episodes that students will watch. The video series is like a mystery that needs to be solved. But in it they will include the basic Spanish for beginners and normal fluent Spanish. Students are not expected to know fluent Spanish. It would be similar to the way a person who moved to a foreign country learns by picking up on clues and body language from the speaker. The textbook follows along with each video episode. Other aids for learning will depend on the student’s age and level. Video homework will be assigned to the class for practice at home. I will work to meet with each student or as a group through WhatsApp or Zoom. In addition each student will be assigned another student to practice with during the week. Students will need access to WhatsApp or some other means of communication. But the idea is immersion. The goal is to then take the students into settings that are solely Spanish.

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I encourage students who are currently enrolled to continue next year with the Destinos program. We will continue with the second half of the book. We'll start to dive a little deeper using Madrigal's Spanish in addition to Destinos. I would also love to do a program that involves the students having a pen pal with native Spanish speakers of similar age. 

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For all newcomers do not be intimidated by those who have had a year of Spanish using the Destinos program! I will work with you separately to catch up on vocabulary and storylines. We will use WhatsApp or another app to do a separate class from home and fast track you through the Destinos program. I look forward to speaking Spanish with everyone next year. ¡Muchas gracias!

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Instructor(s): Leslie Rosa

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Geometry

 

Tuesdays, 12:45pm-3:15pm, plus 1-hour online session

Students use the Saxon Geometry text to explore topics in high school geometry. This is a stand-alone class for high school students filling a one-year geometry requirement. The course will cover triangle congruence, postulates and theorems, surface area and volume, two-column proofs, vector addition, and slopes and equations of lines. In addition to the in-person class, a second hour will be scheduled online for further instruction and homework help. Prerequisite: Algebra 1 or placement test.

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Instructor(s): Terry-Ann Gilleland

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Precalculus

 

Tuesdays, 12:45pm-3:15pm, plus 1-hour online session

 

​​This class explores topics essential to high school precalculus. Each week students will be assigned problems sets from the lessons. Quizzes and tests are given periodically. The text is currently under consideration. Prerequisites: Algebra 2 and Geometry. Placement test may be required.

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Instructor(s): Rani Walter

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Studio Art (9th to 12th graders)

Wednesdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

This class builds on students’ prior art knowledge from intermediate-level art classes. Students who have a solid foundation in drawing techniques will be encouraged to take those skills to a higher level by being urged to transform the familiar into the unfamiliar. Students will learn the principles and concepts of design, developing the student’s knowledge of composition in two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. These elements and principles of design are the building blocks of art that will not only improve the student’s artwork but also be used in all art careers. Students will learn the “why” and “how” of art techniques, which will enable them to develop the skills needed to become independent in creating their own artwork. We will examine different artists’ artworks, seeking to evaluate and recognize art techniques and concepts in action. Students will explore, experiment, and solve problems as they create their own original art works. Please note: the projects are new every year so students repeating this class will explore new techniques. 

 

Instructor(s): Patricia Storey​​

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High School Chemistry (9th to 12th graders)

 

Wednesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm, plus 1-hour online session

Students will explore high school chemistry through exposure to key themes and regularly engaging in problems targeted to understanding important chemical concepts. These topics include matter and change, bonding, reaction rates, stoichiometry, and equilibrium. The class will include issues with real-world relevance, scientific inquiry, laboratory experiments, and liberal class discussion of homework, problem sets, and laboratories. Text: Under consideration.

 

Instructor(s): Craig Hoppe

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Advanced Chemistry (AP Test Prep) (9th to 12th graders)

 

Wednesdays, 12:45 pm - 3:15 pm

This AP-level Chemistry course is an introductory college-level course designed to match the College Board AP Chemistry Syllabus. The course covers the following units: atomic structure and properties, molecular and ionic compound structure, intermolecular forces and properties, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and thermodynamics. Weekly seminars and bi-weekly labs are followed by independent readings and homework. Students will be assessed through class participation, labs, homework, cumulative exams and the AP exam. Text and materials: Chemistry (10th ed), Steven Zumdahl, et. al.; Advanced MicroChem Kit, Quality Science Labs, LLC. Prerequisites: High School Chemistry and Algebra 2.

 

Instructor(s): Janet Wolford

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High School Modern World History (8th to 12th graders)

 

Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

The Industrial Revolution affected more than the way people worked and lived, it changed the landscape of the world. Join us as we study The economic developments brought about by the industrial revolution as well as its consequences in social and cultural life. We will study the development and consequences of World War I, II, and the Cold War, as well as the globalization of the world and the development of capitalism of the present day. This class will continue with the text, World History Volume 2, from 1400. New students are welcome! 

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Instructor(s): TBD

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Algebra 2 

 

Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm, plus 1-hour online session
 

Students use Saxon Algebra 2, 4th Edition, to learn traditional second-year algebra topics: what are functions and how they behave, negative exponents, quadratic equations, logarithms and advanced factoring. Supplemental curriculum is used to dive deeper into topics important for the SAT. In a typical day, the 2 hours of class time encompass instruction and application of principles through sample problems worked on the board. In addition to the in-person class, a second online hour is scheduled for further instruction and homework help. Math-related projects are assigned with students presenting their findings to the class. When appropriate, examples of algebra in action from science and engineering are shared. Each week students are assigned problems sets from the lessons. Quizzes and tests are given periodically. Placement test required.

 

Instructor(s): Rani Walter

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Health and Wellness for Young Women (8th - 12th graders)

 

Thursdays, 12:45pm-3:15pm

Your body is an exciting creation where all the parts work together to make you move, connect and grow. Join us to learn what makes the woman's body unique, understand its functions, the hormones that make it all work, the role of nutrition, movement, rest and relationships in growth and development, and how to take care of yourself - mind & body.

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Instructor(s): Lindsei Luciano

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