MS [7th & 8th grades] Classes 2010-11
Classes are listed by period (1st through 5th).
To find more information on a specific class, please contact the instructor.
Civics
1st period-Fall Only
Instructor: Jackie Rizzo
Curriculum: Various
Summary: To study the functions of the government and our rights as individuals. Local Gov't and State Gov't. Mock election.
Homework: Occassional
Supplies Needed: Folder, pens, notebook (spiral bound)
Class Fee: None ($75 for non-participating families)
For Civics class syllabus click here.
History (modern age)
1st period-Full Year
Instructor: Lynnea Hameloth
Curriculum: Story of the World Vol. 4 and real books
Summary: We will be learning about the modern time period (1800s-2000). We will be reading from the SOW Vol. 4 in class and discussing what we read along with doing fun hands-on activities. I try and make history come alive and not be boring! I will be passing out a booklist if you want to read from it you may, but it will not be required. I will prepare a short summary of things we did in class at the end of each semester for your portfolios.
Homework: Occasional
Supplies Needed: If you want to do more reading from SOW, Vol. 4., you can buy it, but it is NOT needed for class participation. A 3-ring binder and pencil.
Class Fee: $10 ($100 for non-participating families)
For History class syllabus click here.
For History reading list click here.
Logic
1st period-Full Year
Instructor: Kim Hanselman
Curriculum: Varied puzzle books and games
Summary: Solving problems and thinking things out…this class is for stretching our brains in a fun way! Teacher supplied games and puzzles like Mind Trap, Sudoku, Word Winks, Logic Links, digit spans, visual memory, etc. will be supplied for classes, but they are not left alone to work them out. We learn to work the puzzles together; we play games that encourage leadership skills & teamwork. We build relationships & learn together! Asking questions and guessing/giving answers are encouraged in an environment of respect.
Homework: None
Supplies Needed: Pencil, folder for worksheets and paper, and a mind willing to be stretched...
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
PA History
1st period-Spring Only
Instructor: Jackie Rizzo
Curriculum: Various handouts and booklets will be given
Summary: Study of Pennsylvania, map skills, Native Americans, William Penn and state symbols.
Homework: Occasional
Supplies Needed: Notebook (spiral bound), pens, folder
Class Fee: None ($75 for non-participating families)
Art
2nd period-Full Year
Instructor: Meg Santiago
Curriculum: Picturing America
Summary: We will explore American Art History using "Picturing America". We will study a different picture each week then describe, analyze and interpret the piece. We will also explore literary connections to the piece.
Homework: Occasional
Supplies Needed: Notebook or binder with loose leaf paper, sketch book, pencil, and colored pencils
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
Literature
2nd period-Full Year
Instructor: Marchael Gill
Curriculum: NA
Summary: We will be reading 4 or 5 books in this class. I have decided that The Pearl (John Steinbeck) and Gifted Hands are two of the books I am planning on reading and discussing. The homework will consist of reading (normally a chapter or two per week) and answering some questions. At the end of each book I will ask for a report. It will not have to necessarily be lengthy...it will discuss what they learned by reading the book morally or spiritually.
Homework: Moderate to Extensive
Supplies Needed: folder and pencil or pen for each class
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
For Literature class book list click here.
General Music
3rd period-Full Year
Instructor: Kim Hanselman
Curriculum: NA
Summary: This a general music education class for students who need to fulfill their music credit before graduation. Especially helpful if your student does not already have musical knowledge or play an instrument, but still fun if they do. We will use Meet the Composers I & II in class, as well as learn basic notation, scales, and rhythm through a variety of games, rounds, and puzzles.
Homework: None
Supplies Needed: folder, pencil or pen
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
Health
3rd period-Full Year
Instructor: Lisa Brown
Curriculum: Gray's Anatomy Coloring Book; ISBN 9780762409440, by Fred Stark; available from Rainbow resource for $7.75
Summary: This class will meet the goal of providing credit needed for diploma. In class we will discover all the systems of the body. We will cover systems when they are “well” and cover illnesses of each system. There is no text book to read, handouts will be provided for students to read on various topics and the above coloring book will be utilized to learn the anatomy of the systems. This class will cover male and female reproduction and diseases of this system including STD’s. There will be one research project.
Homework: Will be moderate to extensive, but not daily. We will have in-class tests on systems so memorization of anatomy will be necessary. There will be weekly assignments such as creating pamphlets on disease or questions to answer. There will be some websites that will be reviewed at home for supplemental learning opportunities.
Supplies Needed:Above text, colored pencils, recommend at least a 24 pack of colors or above; 1 inch ,3 ring binder for handouts; lined notebook paper for note taking during class time.
Note: siblings taking the class may purchase one coloring book and make copies if they wish of assigned work.
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
For Health class syllabus click here.
Writing
3rd period-Full Year
Instructor: Rachel Mohler
Curriculum: Institute for Excellence in Writing Student Writing Intensive, Level B
Summary: The Institute for Excellence in Writing’s Student Writing Intensive B is a writing program developed for middle grade students. Your student will learn: how to keyword outline a paragraph(s) in an effort to organize the piece effectively, how to rewrite a story or fable, how to build a report from multiple sources, and how to form a piece of creative writing. Throughout the program, your student will learn to implement the stylistic devices which will help to make his or her writing more interesting and readable. You will want to use a separate grammar course in addition to this class. Please note that this class entails extensive homework that must be overseen by the parent. The parent is expected to review all writing homework before it is handed in, and to give support and instruction as needed to complete the assignments.
Homework: Extensive
Supplies Needed: pencil and loose-leaf notepaper. A binder notebook will be provided with the class fee.
Class Fee: $5 ($100 for non-participating families)
For Writing class syllabus click here.
Life Science
4th period-Full Year
Instructor: Tanya Caporaletti
Curriculum: BJU Life Science, 3rd edition
Summary: Topics include life processes of organisms, genetics, biological evolution, microbiology, plant biology, zoology, ecosystems, interrelationships among organisms, stewardship of the earth, and the basic structure and function of the human body. Class time will include a review of the material, often followed by an experiment.
Homework: Extensive, to include daily readings, answering questions, completing lab write ups and completion of tests every 2-3 weeks.
Supplies Needed: BJU Life Science Student Text (this includes 2 volumes), 3rd Edition (ISBN 978-1-59166-474-1), Test packet, notebook paper, pencil
Class Fee: $25 ($140 for non-participating families)
For Life Science class syllabus click here.
Space and Earth Science
4th period-Full Year
Instructor: Chris Ratcliff
Curriculum: BJU Space & Earth, 3rd edition
Summary: Covers astronomy (stars, sun, planets, moon, space exploration) meteorology and earth’s atmosphere, and geology (earth's design, structure and history; minerals and ores, rocks and fossils; mountains; earthquakes and volcanoes), hydrosphere (oceans and seas). Class time will be primarily spent on conducting experiments, and reviewing material from text.
Homework: Extensive, to include daily reading, answering questions, completing lab write ups and completion of tests approximately every 2 weeks. There will be several short writing assignments assigned throughout the year.
Supplies Needed: BJU Space & Earth, 3rd Edition student text (2 volumes, includes student activities) (ISBN 1-59166-299-0); Test pack; 3-ring binder, notepaper, pencil, scientific calculator, ruler, and protractor
Class Fee: $25 ($140 for non-participating families)
For Space and Earth Science class syllabus click here. Please see this note regarding additional supplies.
Zoology III
4th period-Full Year
Instructor: Lisa Brown
Curriculum: Exploring Creating with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day
ISBN: 978-1-932012-86-9
Prerequisites: Students should be independent writers. By this I mean should be able to write a topic sentence and understand fact versus opinion, and able to write a short paper w/ a couple of paragraphs, they should be able to create a Venn diagram independently as they are used to compare and contrast animals. Also charts are used. They should be able to use the internet search engines to find pictures and facts about animals.
Summary: This class is geared for 6-9th graders who may not be ready for Upper Level Sciences such as Life Science which has daily homework assignments and writing of scientific labs. It is a very cool class! It will cover animals from spiders to the rhinoceros. Students will create a notebook full of simple projects/ notebooking to show their work instead of writing labs. The vocabulary in this book is on a lower level compared to the Life Science Text, which is a plus for students who need extra time before entering higher level sciences. The curriculum uses maps to post animal pictures, field guide pages, and some games.
Homework: Moderate to Extensive; but more hands on projects to meet objectives of the course.
Supplies Needed: The above text book, 3 ring binder with dividers to separate projects, colored pencils or markers, lined notebook paper.
Class Fee: $25 ($140 for non-participating families)
For Zoology III class syllabus click here.
Cooking/Baking
5th period-Spring Only
Instructor: Dolly Getz
Curriculum: I'm Just Here for More Food by Alton Brown ISBN #1-58479-341-4
Summary: Student will learn various mixing methods which will give them the knowledge to make countless dishes from any recipe source. Designed to give the 'why' behind the disconnected directions of most recipes, this course will offer something for the novice as well as the experienced baker. Book is optional but recommended as it will provide a wealth of information we won't have time to cover in class.
Homework: Occasional
Supplies Needed: Pencil, folder
Class Fee: $20 ($75 for non-participating families)
For Cooking/Baking class syllabus click here.
Drama
5th period-Full Year
Instructor: Kim Hanselman
Curriculum: NA
Summary: Monologues,,,dialogues…improv…this class will be about trying out and learning different acting skills. This is NOT a structured class that will end in a production. It is just a chance to get comfortable in front of others, a chance to learn a variety of acting styles, and have lots of fun in a non-threatening environment.
Homework: Occasional, if needed for skits, etc.
Supplies Needed: None
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
Hand Crafts
5th period-Fall Only
Instructor: Jackie Rizzo
Curriculum: NA
Summary: We will have fun learning various art projects to include, crochet, room decorating, scrap booking,floral arranging, gift wrapping, bow making etc.
Homework: Occasional
Supplies Needed: crochet hook - size H (8.5)
Class Fee: $15 ($75 for non-participating families)
For Hand Crafts class syllabus click here.
Model Building
5th period-Spring Only
Instructor: Dr. Harold Mohler
Curriculum: various
Summary: Dr. Mohler will share his skills and hobby of wooden model building with the students in this class. The students will complete one or more projects during the semester.
Homework: None
Supplies Needed: None
Class Fee: $25 ($75 for non-participating families)
For Model Building class syllabus click here.
Physical Education
5th period-Fall & Spring
Instructor: Donald Freeman
Curriculum: NA
Summary: 10/40/10-10 minute warm-up before every class, 40 minutes of activity (basketball, football, soccer, dodge ball, etc.), 10 minutes of cool down and clean up time. Activities will vary depending on weather, indoor/outdoor activity, etc. We will do as much outdoor activity as possible. This class will do different things during the fall and spring semesters. We have divided it up so that students could sign up for just one semester or for the whole year.
Homework: Minimal, usually only needed when students volunteer to lead a sport.
Supplies Needed: Each student should bring a soccer ball when asked (usually 3 classes in the fall) SNEAKERS MUST BE WORN TO CLASS, ANY STUDENT NOT WEARING SNEAKERS TO CLASS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE.
Class Fee: None ($100 for non-participating families)
For Physical Education class syllabus click here.
Wilderness Survival Skills
5th period-Fall Only
Instructor: Jenn Porsche
Curriculum: NA
Summary: This class will teach a variety wilderness survival techniques such as rope tying, treating water, edible plants, etc. through hands on activities, games, videos, discussions, etc. There will be some homework. This will be a fun class but student participation will be required.
Homework: Moderate
Supplies Needed: 3 ring binder, notebook paper, pencil
Class Fee: $10 ($75 for non-participating families)