Middle School Writing 6th-7th (6th to 7th graders)

 

Tuesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Take your writing and literary analysis skills to new levels with this course that emphasizes writing development through exploration of many literary genres. Students will practice analyzing and writing about proverbs, fables, poetry, short stories, historical primary sources, and a novel of their choice. The class will dabble in several forms of creative writing and culminate in a structured final essay on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This curriculum is under construction by our new instructor, Emily Ward. Course description updates to follow.

 

Instructor(s): Emily Ward

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World History: Ancient Times (6th to 8th graders)

 

Tuesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

 

Middle School students explore ancient world history using The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer, a favorite among classical education enthusiasts. Students will engage ancient history with a variety of activities including review questions, tests, and mapping. Lessons will highlight key events, people, and places and utilize historical documents, biographies, landmarks, crafts, recipes, and more to take students on an exciting chronological study of life in ancient times. 

 

Instructor(s): Joanna Giunta

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Immersive Spanish (6th - 12th graders)

 

Tuesday, 12:45 pm - 3:15 pm

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, focusing 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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Bible Basics (4th - 6th graders)

 

Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Stone Hill Learning Center is excited to offer a Bible class for our upper elementary and early middle school students! Join our Stone Hill Church staff in exploring an overview of the Bible, as we answer questions about its age, authors, purpose, message and ongoing relevance.

 

Instructor(s): Stone Hill Church Staff 

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Middle School Math Mania (Students working towards pre-algebra)

 

Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

 

Math Mania is a new supplemental math course offering that brings your student a mix of fun and important math concepts. We will be learning vital concepts about decimal placement, percents, graph making, and more! We will be using Math-U-See Zeta Level as our core, and add on or subtract as needed. This will be entirely supplemental with no homework, except an occasional charting concept and/or baking assignment (bonus). We will also review fractions and how they relate to decimals, with the use of manipulative and other hands-on learning tools. Students, don't fret- we will certainly not be doing math for 2 hours. The 2nd part of class will be spent learning and playing strategic games that all use math and logic techniques. We will learn a new game and then spend a few weeks learning how to play strategically and find "back-door" methods to earning points. Your child will be hooked, and zero electronics here! Please note: this class is a supplement to the math curriculum used at home and is not intended to be the only source of math instruction for your student.

 

Instructor(s): Lisa Dennison

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Pre-Algebra

 

Wednesdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

Students engage pre-algebra mathematics with Saxon Algebra 1/2, 3rd edition, by reviewing and expanding the fundamental mathematics concepts of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. New topics will explore properties of real numbers, solving linear equations, geometry, graphing, and an introduction to polynomials. Examples of algebra in action will be shared. In addition, math-related current events and projects may be assigned, with students presenting their findings to the class. Periodic quizzes and cumulative tests will be given. A pre-algebra readiness test is strongly suggested.

 

Instructor(s): Kayla Lombardi

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Algebra 1 Part 2 

 

Wednesdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

This course is a follow-up class for current Learning Center students who will continue to explore Algebra 1 with the second half of Saxon Algebra 1, 4th Edition. Topics include signed numbers, exponents, two equations with two unknowns, graphing equations, scientific notation, ratio, percent, and unit conversions. Algebra 2 content will also be introduced and practiced. Class time encompasses instruction of lessons and application of principles through sample problems. In addition, math-related current events and projects may be assigned with students presenting their findings to peers. Each week students will be assigned problems sets from the lessons. Quizzes and cumulative tests are given periodically. Placement test or teacher recommendation is required.

 

Instructor(s): Rani Walter​

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Algebra 1 

 

Wednesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

Students explore Algebra 1 with Saxon Algebra 1, 4th Edition including signed numbers, exponents, two equations with two unknowns, graphing equations, scientific notation, ratio, percent, and unit conversions. Class time will encompass instruction of lessons and application of principles through sample problems. In addition, math-related current events and projects may be assigned with students presenting their findings to peers. Each week students will be assigned problems sets from the lessons. Quizzes and cumulative tests are given periodically. This class will complete Algebra 1 in one academic year. Placement test required.

 

Instructor(s): Kayla Lombardi

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Intermediate Art (7th to 9th graders)

 

Wednesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

Students will be guided on a path towards developing their imagination while being engaged with different art mediums and projects to provide hands-on learning to develop their divergent thinking skills. This class will develop a strong foundation of drawing skills like gridding, linear perspective, and proportion. Students will learn that the fundamentals of successful drawing lie not only in technical skills but also in the ability to think outside the box and unlock the power of their imagination. Students will be developing their understanding of design principles and concepts, as they are introduced to a variety of artists' works and styles. Please note: the projects are new every year so students repeating this class will explore new techniques.

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Instructor(s): Patricia Storey

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IEW Following Narnia 2 (7th to 8th graders)

 

Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

Using the IEW Structure and Style writing method, students will work on their writing skills while exploring IEW’s Following Narnia Volume 2: Aslan’s Country using C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series.  Weekly classes will be spent introducing composition concepts, grammar, and stylistic techniques. In and out of class, students will read, discuss and analyze the Narnia texts.  Students also will be responsible for completing weekly reading and writing assignments. This class is the follow-on to last year’s IEW Narnia class, however new students with IEW experience are also welcome.

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Instructor(s): Emily Ward

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Science Explorers (6th to 8th graders)

 

Thursdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

Students are encouraged to ask the “why” and “how” of science through in-class demonstrations, labs, and independent projects. The class will be divided into two units: a life science unit and a chemistry unit. This year we will use HMH’s Science Fusion: Ecology and the Environment, and Science Fusion: Matter and Energy. Weekly homework assignments, current events, quizzes, and unit tests will be required. 

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Instructor(s): Kayla Lombardi

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Health and Wellness for Young Women (8th to 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.​

 

Instructor(s): Lindsei Luciano

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