Our 2014-2015 Class Offerings
Please note the following class levels as you review our course offerings. Grades are used as a guide, please contact us if you are unsure of where to place your student:
- Foundations: 5 & 6 year olds (roughly Kindergarten and 1st grade); mature 4 year olds and young 7 year olds may be considered for this level - this level is open to siblings of students in Levels 1-4; however, we may consider families with just a Foundations student based on space availability.
- Level 1 - 2nd-4th
- Level 2 - 5th - 6th
- Level 3 - 6th - 8th
- Level 4 - 9th-12th
Science
Our science course of study utilizes the Apologia Science curriculum. In order to expose the younger students (Level 1 & 2) to a variety of science disciplines and terms, we have developed a scope and sequence to our science program that utilizes the texts from the Apologia Young Explorer Series. Our goal for our science classes is to provide weekly hands-on experiments and activities at the co-op that help solidify the chapters that are read and studied each week at home. Parents will be provided with lesson plans that include reading assignments that complement the week's topic. It is up to the parent as to how much or how little they want to cover at home.
For the upcoming school year we will study Apologia Science Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics. Our level 1 & level 2 science classes have been planned with the hope that our students will be well-prepared to enter Apologia's middle school level curriculum which encompasses General Science and Physical Science.
Note for this year: We have created a 4 year rotation of the books in the Apologia Exploring Creation series for our Level 1 and 2 students. It is our desire within our scope and sequence to cover two science disciplines per year which usually means we cover a book in the Exploring Creation series per semester. However, since this new Apologia book contains two disciplines in one book we have opted to spend the entire year covering the material from this one book. We will go back to our two book rotation after this year.
Apologia Physical Science will be the class offering for our Level 3 students for the 2014-2015 school year. For more information on Apologia Science, please go to www.apologia.com We will offer General Science and Physical Science in an alternating year rotation.
Level 1 & 2
Fall Semester & Spring Semester
Curriculum: Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics
Through hands-on experiments and activities, students will:
* explore the basic building blocks of creation
* develop a beginners understanding of atoms and molecules
* journey through simple chemicals, the laws of motion, and energy in its many forms
* discover the concepts of electricity and magnetism
* uncover the world of simple machines
Level 3
Fall & Spring Semesters
Curriculum: Apologia Physical Science
Prerequisite Note: General Science is NOT a prerequisite for this class, however, it is recommended that your student take pre-algebra either at the same time or have already taken pre-algebra prior to this class. If you have any questions regarding this class, please feel free to contact us.
This course is designed to be a student’s first systematic introduction to the sciences. This course is designed as a middle school science course (typically 7th or 8th grade). Topics to be covered include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, weather, the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newton’s Laws, gravity, and astrophysics. The author especially concentrates on the myths generated by the hysterical environmentalist movement. There are many hands-on experiments to do, utilizing household chemicals and supplies. It is an excellent course for preparing the student to take a college-prep high school science course.
Please note: this class may need to meet for a few additional class times outside of our 28 week co-op schedule in order to cover the material in the book. Once this class is finalized and facilitators are in place we will communicate additional class dates for your planning purposes.
For the upcoming school year we will study Apologia Science Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics. Our level 1 & level 2 science classes have been planned with the hope that our students will be well-prepared to enter Apologia's middle school level curriculum which encompasses General Science and Physical Science.
Note for this year: We have created a 4 year rotation of the books in the Apologia Exploring Creation series for our Level 1 and 2 students. It is our desire within our scope and sequence to cover two science disciplines per year which usually means we cover a book in the Exploring Creation series per semester. However, since this new Apologia book contains two disciplines in one book we have opted to spend the entire year covering the material from this one book. We will go back to our two book rotation after this year.
Apologia Physical Science will be the class offering for our Level 3 students for the 2014-2015 school year. For more information on Apologia Science, please go to www.apologia.com We will offer General Science and Physical Science in an alternating year rotation.
Level 1 & 2
Fall Semester & Spring Semester
Curriculum: Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics
Through hands-on experiments and activities, students will:
* explore the basic building blocks of creation
* develop a beginners understanding of atoms and molecules
* journey through simple chemicals, the laws of motion, and energy in its many forms
* discover the concepts of electricity and magnetism
* uncover the world of simple machines
Level 3
Fall & Spring Semesters
Curriculum: Apologia Physical Science
Prerequisite Note: General Science is NOT a prerequisite for this class, however, it is recommended that your student take pre-algebra either at the same time or have already taken pre-algebra prior to this class. If you have any questions regarding this class, please feel free to contact us.
This course is designed to be a student’s first systematic introduction to the sciences. This course is designed as a middle school science course (typically 7th or 8th grade). Topics to be covered include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, weather, the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newton’s Laws, gravity, and astrophysics. The author especially concentrates on the myths generated by the hysterical environmentalist movement. There are many hands-on experiments to do, utilizing household chemicals and supplies. It is an excellent course for preparing the student to take a college-prep high school science course.
Please note: this class may need to meet for a few additional class times outside of our 28 week co-op schedule in order to cover the material in the book. Once this class is finalized and facilitators are in place we will communicate additional class dates for your planning purposes.
Writing
Our writing course of study utilizes resources and curriculum from IEW (The Institute for Excellence in Writing). The program is based on a series of units that not only introduce students to a variety of writing models, including narrative stories and research reports, but also provide them with the tools to tackle a variety of writing assignments. In addition, the program incrementally teaches students how to "dress-up" their work with the use of quality adjectives, strong verbs, and clauses, in addition to "sentence openers", that take their writing from ordinary to extraordinary.
It is our desire to have each student placed in the correct class based on their skills not necessarily by grade level. For that reason, the classes are noted by level, not by grade, however, we have included recommended grade levels for your consideration. To learn more about the IEW program, please visit their website at www.excellenceinwriting.com .
Level 1
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Grades: 2nd-4th
Our goal for this class is to prepare students in a variety of skills to set the foundation for moving to Level 2 Writing. The class will cover such skills as basic grammar terms called dress-ups & beginning writing.
Curriculum for this class: IEW All Things Fun & Fascinating
Level 2
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Grades: 5th -6th
Our goal for this class is to utilize IEW resources, such as their theme based books and student writing intensive programs, to lead the students through the various types of writing in each unit and the stylistic techniques that are foundational to the IEW program over a two year period. The skills taught in this class will provide the foundation for the quicker pace and more concentrated coverage of report, essay, prompt and critique writing in Level 3.
Curriculum for this class: IEW Medieval History Based Writing Lessons
Level 3
Tapestry of Grace Writing Aids
Grades: 6th+
Our goal for this class is to utilize the skills taught in previous years by incorporating them into a variety of writing projects. The TOG Writing Aids program provides opportunities to write from a diverse list of genres such as analytical essays, biography writing, research papers, story writing, and much more utilizing topics that the students are studying. This class will provide a solid foundation for our high school literature and composition class.
Curriculum for this class: Tapestry of Grace Writing Aids
It is our desire to have each student placed in the correct class based on their skills not necessarily by grade level. For that reason, the classes are noted by level, not by grade, however, we have included recommended grade levels for your consideration. To learn more about the IEW program, please visit their website at www.excellenceinwriting.com .
Level 1
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Grades: 2nd-4th
Our goal for this class is to prepare students in a variety of skills to set the foundation for moving to Level 2 Writing. The class will cover such skills as basic grammar terms called dress-ups & beginning writing.
Curriculum for this class: IEW All Things Fun & Fascinating
Level 2
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Grades: 5th -6th
Our goal for this class is to utilize IEW resources, such as their theme based books and student writing intensive programs, to lead the students through the various types of writing in each unit and the stylistic techniques that are foundational to the IEW program over a two year period. The skills taught in this class will provide the foundation for the quicker pace and more concentrated coverage of report, essay, prompt and critique writing in Level 3.
Curriculum for this class: IEW Medieval History Based Writing Lessons
Level 3
Tapestry of Grace Writing Aids
Grades: 6th+
Our goal for this class is to utilize the skills taught in previous years by incorporating them into a variety of writing projects. The TOG Writing Aids program provides opportunities to write from a diverse list of genres such as analytical essays, biography writing, research papers, story writing, and much more utilizing topics that the students are studying. This class will provide a solid foundation for our high school literature and composition class.
Curriculum for this class: Tapestry of Grace Writing Aids
Grammar
Since proper grammar usage and knowledge is key to a well-written paper, it seemed to be a natural fit to add grammar to our writing program. After looking into various curriculum and resources, we were excited to find the Analytical Grammar program. The program is based on the concept that grammar can be mastered and mastered without years and years of re-teaching the same topics over and over again.
We will offer two levels of the program: Junior Analytical Grammar for Level 2 students and Analytical Grammar for Level 3 students. Each student is slated for a two year rotation in each level. Students will be in the second year of the rotation for the 2014-2015 school year. We can assist you as you determine where your student would fit into the program. Grammar is supported during the first half hour of our hour and a half Level 2 and Level 3 Writing Classes, therefore, your student would need to be in the same level for both writing and grammar. For more information on Analytical Grammar, visit www.analyticalgrammar.com.
Level 2
Junior Analytical Grammar (JAG)
Junior Analytical Grammar (JAG) and JAG: Mechanics are courses in the basics of grammar, punctuation, and usage and are written at a reading level easily understood by 4th through 6th graders. We will cover JAG in year one and JAG Mechanics in year two. JAG covers all the parts of speech and the parts of the sentence exclusive of the four phrases and three subordinate clauses. It also teaches classical sentence diagramming in a step-by-step manner. JAG: Mechanics covers basic punctuation, capitalization, and usage rules that can be mastered by students with a firm grounding in basic grammar. Although recommended, a student does not have to complete JAG before taking the JAG Mechanics course. Please let us know if you have questions regarding placement.
Curriculum for the 2014_2015 school year: JAG: Mechanics
Level 3
Analytical Grammar
The Analytical Grammar program is written for 6th graders and above and will be split into a two year program for our middle school students. In year one, students will cover Season 1 and Season 2 of the Analytical Grammar program. This completes the formal study of grammar. The following year students will complete the program with Season 3 which covers all the rules of punctuation and usage. Although recommended, a student does not have to complete Season 1 and Season 2 of the Analytical Grammar program to take the Season 3 course. Please let us know if you have questions regarding placement.
Curriculum for the 2014_2015 school year: Analytical Grammar Season 3
We will offer two levels of the program: Junior Analytical Grammar for Level 2 students and Analytical Grammar for Level 3 students. Each student is slated for a two year rotation in each level. Students will be in the second year of the rotation for the 2014-2015 school year. We can assist you as you determine where your student would fit into the program. Grammar is supported during the first half hour of our hour and a half Level 2 and Level 3 Writing Classes, therefore, your student would need to be in the same level for both writing and grammar. For more information on Analytical Grammar, visit www.analyticalgrammar.com.
Level 2
Junior Analytical Grammar (JAG)
Junior Analytical Grammar (JAG) and JAG: Mechanics are courses in the basics of grammar, punctuation, and usage and are written at a reading level easily understood by 4th through 6th graders. We will cover JAG in year one and JAG Mechanics in year two. JAG covers all the parts of speech and the parts of the sentence exclusive of the four phrases and three subordinate clauses. It also teaches classical sentence diagramming in a step-by-step manner. JAG: Mechanics covers basic punctuation, capitalization, and usage rules that can be mastered by students with a firm grounding in basic grammar. Although recommended, a student does not have to complete JAG before taking the JAG Mechanics course. Please let us know if you have questions regarding placement.
Curriculum for the 2014_2015 school year: JAG: Mechanics
Level 3
Analytical Grammar
The Analytical Grammar program is written for 6th graders and above and will be split into a two year program for our middle school students. In year one, students will cover Season 1 and Season 2 of the Analytical Grammar program. This completes the formal study of grammar. The following year students will complete the program with Season 3 which covers all the rules of punctuation and usage. Although recommended, a student does not have to complete Season 1 and Season 2 of the Analytical Grammar program to take the Season 3 course. Please let us know if you have questions regarding placement.
Curriculum for the 2014_2015 school year: Analytical Grammar Season 3
History & Literature
Our history program is scheduled to follow the 4 year cycle established by the Tapestry of Grace (TOG) history program. For the 2014_2015 school year, we will use the TOG Year 2 curriculum which explores the Medieval World, Reformation, Rennaissance, and Colonial American history. Year 2 of the TOG is a bridge year between the Ancient and Modern Worlds. Coursework for this class will revolve around the weekly topics set forth in the Tapestry program in areas such as history, geography, literature, crafts/activities, timelines, presentations, etc.
In addition to the weekly classes, we will also plan some end-of-unit celebrations/activities/field trips to mark the various units we are studying. These may be held outside of the co-op's regularly scheduled operating hours. For more information on the TOG program, please visit www.tapestryofgrace.com and click on the Year 2 tab.
All families will need to purchase the digital edition of the Tapestry of Grace Year 2 Curriculum and the Year 2 Map Aids supplement.
Level 1
TOG Lower Grammar
Based on the TOG topic studied during the week, students will participate in crafts, activities, presentations, projects (ie. diorama, poster, show-and-tell), story time, or other fun and engaging activities as pre-determined by the class facilitators. Students will also have opportunities to learn about the geography pertaining to the week's study and work on memorization of key geography locations and other pre-determined information pertinent to the time era studied.
Level 2
TOG Upper Grammar
Based on the TOG topic studied during the week, students will participate in crafts, activities, presentations, projects (ie. diorama, poster, show-and-tell), story time, or other fun and engaging activities as pre-determined by the class facilitators. Students will also participate in corresponding map work for the week and work on memorization of key geography locations and other pre-determined information pertinent to the time era studied.
Level 3
TOG Dialectic
This class will encapsulate the week's topics through interactive lectures, discussions, projects and activities, and geography. Students will prepare for class discussions by answering at home questions from the pre-determined Application, Thinking, & Bible Survey questions found in the curriculum. Students will also analyze and discuss pre-determined literature selections.
High School
Level 4 - 9th grade through 12th grade
Please note that we are working on finalizing the high school schedule but the high school may meet for a few additional days beyond the regular co-op schedule.
Our High School offerings will include the following classes utilizing the Tapestry of Grace Year 2 curriculum:
Literature & Composition
In addition to the TOG Year 2 (digital) curriculum: TOG Poetics; TOG Writing Aids; will need to acquire additional literature books per the TOG reading list
This class qualifies as a full Honors English Lit credit; Lit class can also be taken without the writing option
History/Geography/Government
In addition to the TOG Year 2 (digital) curriculum: Map Aids; TOG Government supplement; will need to acquire additional history books per the TOG reading list
This class qualifies for a full Honors history credit; a partial geography credit (subsequent years in the program accumulates for a full geography credit); a partial government credit (subsequent years in the program accumulates for a full government credit)
Philosophy/Worldview
In addition to the TOG Year 2 (digital) curriculum: TOG Year 2 digital; will need to acquire additional books per the TOG reading list
This class qualifies for a philosophy or worldview credit
**The TOG evaluations disc for the Rhetoric level will also need to be purchased for in class testing and grades for the Literature and History classes.
Electives
The Economics and Finance course is one course split into two semesters, therefore students need to take both classes.
Economic (Fall Semester)
The objective of this class is to give students a basic understanding of the fundamentals of Economics (supply/demand, financial markets, free enterprise) including a knowledge and understanding of how our economy works, economies of other countries, the difference between basic economic structures (capitalism, socialism), economic theories (Austrian, Keynesian, Marxist) and economic law (natural, civil). Students will engage in the The Stock Market Game where they will track stocks over a specified period.
Finance (Spring Semester)
Utilizing the components of the Dave Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance, this course will be used to open the students eyes to the basics, yet essentials of personal finance. Students will engage in a Real World Now project where they will create their own personal finance portfolio over the course of the semester.
In addition to the weekly classes, we will also plan some end-of-unit celebrations/activities/field trips to mark the various units we are studying. These may be held outside of the co-op's regularly scheduled operating hours. For more information on the TOG program, please visit www.tapestryofgrace.com and click on the Year 2 tab.
All families will need to purchase the digital edition of the Tapestry of Grace Year 2 Curriculum and the Year 2 Map Aids supplement.
Level 1
TOG Lower Grammar
Based on the TOG topic studied during the week, students will participate in crafts, activities, presentations, projects (ie. diorama, poster, show-and-tell), story time, or other fun and engaging activities as pre-determined by the class facilitators. Students will also have opportunities to learn about the geography pertaining to the week's study and work on memorization of key geography locations and other pre-determined information pertinent to the time era studied.
Level 2
TOG Upper Grammar
Based on the TOG topic studied during the week, students will participate in crafts, activities, presentations, projects (ie. diorama, poster, show-and-tell), story time, or other fun and engaging activities as pre-determined by the class facilitators. Students will also participate in corresponding map work for the week and work on memorization of key geography locations and other pre-determined information pertinent to the time era studied.
Level 3
TOG Dialectic
This class will encapsulate the week's topics through interactive lectures, discussions, projects and activities, and geography. Students will prepare for class discussions by answering at home questions from the pre-determined Application, Thinking, & Bible Survey questions found in the curriculum. Students will also analyze and discuss pre-determined literature selections.
High School
Level 4 - 9th grade through 12th grade
Please note that we are working on finalizing the high school schedule but the high school may meet for a few additional days beyond the regular co-op schedule.
Our High School offerings will include the following classes utilizing the Tapestry of Grace Year 2 curriculum:
Literature & Composition
In addition to the TOG Year 2 (digital) curriculum: TOG Poetics; TOG Writing Aids; will need to acquire additional literature books per the TOG reading list
This class qualifies as a full Honors English Lit credit; Lit class can also be taken without the writing option
History/Geography/Government
In addition to the TOG Year 2 (digital) curriculum: Map Aids; TOG Government supplement; will need to acquire additional history books per the TOG reading list
This class qualifies for a full Honors history credit; a partial geography credit (subsequent years in the program accumulates for a full geography credit); a partial government credit (subsequent years in the program accumulates for a full government credit)
Philosophy/Worldview
In addition to the TOG Year 2 (digital) curriculum: TOG Year 2 digital; will need to acquire additional books per the TOG reading list
This class qualifies for a philosophy or worldview credit
**The TOG evaluations disc for the Rhetoric level will also need to be purchased for in class testing and grades for the Literature and History classes.
Electives
The Economics and Finance course is one course split into two semesters, therefore students need to take both classes.
Economic (Fall Semester)
The objective of this class is to give students a basic understanding of the fundamentals of Economics (supply/demand, financial markets, free enterprise) including a knowledge and understanding of how our economy works, economies of other countries, the difference between basic economic structures (capitalism, socialism), economic theories (Austrian, Keynesian, Marxist) and economic law (natural, civil). Students will engage in the The Stock Market Game where they will track stocks over a specified period.
Finance (Spring Semester)
Utilizing the components of the Dave Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance, this course will be used to open the students eyes to the basics, yet essentials of personal finance. Students will engage in a Real World Now project where they will create their own personal finance portfolio over the course of the semester.
Foundations
We will offer a class for 5-6 year old siblings of our students; young 7 year old siblings and mature/older 4 year old siblings may be considered for this class. Our Foundations class will feature both a structured learning time and play-time. Curriculum for this class will be based on the Five in a Row program and will incorporate Social Studies, Geography, Language Arts, Applied Math, Science, and Art based upon the week's literature title.
This class will be taught by a 4 person team that will rotate facilitating this class during the morning structured learning period from 9:15 to 12:15 and the free - play period from 1:15 to 2:30.
***Please note while this class is intended for siblings of students in levels 1-4 we may consider a family with only a Foundations student if space permits. Please note as of right now we do not have childcare for children younger than 5 for the 2014_2015 school year, however, if you are interested in applying and have children under the age of 5 please contact us so we can assess childcare needs.
This class will be taught by a 4 person team that will rotate facilitating this class during the morning structured learning period from 9:15 to 12:15 and the free - play period from 1:15 to 2:30.
***Please note while this class is intended for siblings of students in levels 1-4 we may consider a family with only a Foundations student if space permits. Please note as of right now we do not have childcare for children younger than 5 for the 2014_2015 school year, however, if you are interested in applying and have children under the age of 5 please contact us so we can assess childcare needs.