Families Home Schooling for Excellence

Winter 2008 Class Schedule

Opening Exercises is from 9:30-9:40

Course Descriptions

A Book a Week:  We will be reading a book a week. For the 1st week, I will want those enrolled in the class to bring their favorite book and be ready to tell us about it and why they like it. I will endeavor to have the books for each week for the class. I am excited about this class again. I try to pick books that are thought
provoking and that can lead to a good class discussion. The books are:
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt: 188 pages.
White Star: A Dog on the Titanic by Marty Crisp: 130 pages
Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett: 242 pages
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan: 253 pages
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: 137 pages
Double Identity by Margaret Peterson: 218 pages

Ancient China:

Animals: In the wonderful world of animals class, we will explore all different animals on different continents.  We will use books, draw, crafts, and possibly create our own animals.  Come explore with me!

Bathtime Science: Don't worry, we won't actually be taking a bath. We will find out all about water and how it works. We'll do some fun and exciting scientific stuff that you can repeat at home in your own tub.

Crocheting: Learn the basics of crocheting. We will be learning different stitches, how to follow a pattern and end up with some fun projects. It is required for students to work on their crocheting during the week outside of class, as very little progress can be made otherwise. Please do not sign up for this class if you're not willing to do so. If you are, we'll have a lot of fun and learn a new skill. Please bring yarn and crochet hook with you on THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. A comfortable (feels nice running through your hands) worsted weight yarn that is not nobby or fuzzy is ideal, as well as a crochet hook (preferably metal) in size G or H.

Cub Scouts:  For the Wolf class, we will only be doing things from the Wolf book. For parents who want help in passing things off for their cub scouts, make sure they bring their book. The older class would be the same but from the Bear book. Girls are always welcome. I do give homework, and if completed, there is always a treat.

Filmmaking Class: We will be studying film, great directors and all the people behind the scenes that make movie magic happen.  The goals of the class are to give you some skills to make, edit and enjoy movies at home and to create our own movie as a class—chosing a director, writing a script and making our own sets and costumes—this may take two semesters. ** Note to parents** If this goes well, we'd like to do it with the older kids in the future. This semester Sam will be doing most of the teaching and presenting to the 9-10 year old level. (This class is open to 9 and up but limited to 10 people)

Forensics: Forensics will be a continuation of last term's class.  We will talk about  gun ballistics, knives, and blood splatters.  Learn about DNA and how it affects the study of forensics.  Discuss eyewitness accounts and how valid they are.  Discover opportunities in Forensic Science and what is needed to make this fascinating science a career.  Finally, we will solve our own crime!  Maximum of 9 students.

Human Body (5-6):

Human Body (7-8): The human body class will be a fun introduction to the human body for kids.  We will learn about the 5 senses, the brain, hair, the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems.  We will use games, posters, puzzles and coloring and, of course, our home skeleton.

Kitchen Crafts: Play with your food and other craft supplies in the kitchen. We will make shrinky dinks, animals out of food, valentines with polymer clay, snow globes, play dough and more.

Knights and Princesses (in training):  We are going to have fun, fun, fun learning to be perfect knights and princesses as we work on manners for home, phone, car, parties and at the table!!! (This class will be offered to all age groups in various semesters, so please only 5-6 year olds at this time)

Knitting: Learn the basics of knitting. We will be learning different stitches, how to follow a pattern, and we will end up with some fun projects. It is required for students to work on their knitting during the week outside of class, as very little progress can be made otherwise. Please do not sign up for this class if you're not willing to do so. If you are, we'll have a lot of fun and learn a new skill. Please bring yarn and knitting needles with you on THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. A comfortable (feels nice running through your hands) worsted weight yarn that is not nobby or fuzzy is ideal, as well as a knitting needles (preferably metal) in size 8 or 9.
 

Medieval Miracle Plays: Theater died off in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, but resurfaced later in the Middle Ages, beginning in the churches, then expanding and developing beyond them. We will learn about theater as it was performed in the Middle Ages, especially in England, and how it prepared the way for the great playwrights of the Elizabethan era. We will also rehearse and perform an actual play written during the time, with the language modernized. You will need to work on and memorize your lines at home, so only register for this class if you are willing to do so.

Mind Magic:

Musical Theater: We will be creating a compilation show using group and solo musical numbers.  Students should be prepared to sing (solos and group numbers), dance, develop characters and write dialogue.   This will be the first half of a two-term class, and students must commit to taking this class both terms. Maximum of 12 students.

Reptiles: I am planning to start a class on reptiles for 5-6 year-olds. I thought it would be a good idea to teach the little kids about things exciting, but calm, unlike normal "exciting" classes for kindergartners. I also thought that we could maybe invite the reptile man over for one of the days. I will also provide activities, games, books, and maybe some of my own pet reptiles. Signed, Malcolm Kelley

Science With the Magic School Bus:

Scrapbooking (9-10): A Few of my Favorite Things scrapbook class. This will be an intermediate level scrapbooking class.  We will be learning new techniques each week to be used in one and two page layouts using mixed media.  The content of this class will be simIlar to the advanced class with a few modifications.  At the end of the course each student will have a completed book to take home.

Scrapbooking (11 & up): A Few of my Favorite Things scrapbook class.  This will be an advanced scrapbooking class.  We will be learning a new and exciting
technique each week and put together one to two+ pages using mixed media and different layout options. By the end of the course each student will have a completed book to take home.

Note: This quarter each participating student will need to provide their own scrapbook. There are a lot of options available.  If you need any help, please let me know.  Each student will also need to bring pictures each week to participate fully in this class.  There will be a $3 fee for the class. I am a Creative Memories consultant and I am giving a really good home school discount. Please let me know if you would like to get anything for this class.

Spanish: We will learn some basic Spanish, focusing on pronunciation, through games and other fun activities. We will also learn about Spanish and Latin American culture and a bit of geography.

Storybook Art:

Washington State History: Washington State History is beginning overview of the topic.  We will learn geography of the state, history of the native people, about early explorers in the region, and early settlements & pioneers in Washington.  We will likely make it to 1900 during the winter session.  If there is interest, we can continue through the 20th century during the spring—it all depends on how much depth students & parents want.  Good writing (5th grade level) and reading skills are necessary for this class.