Class Descriptions

Reading Fun

Teacher: Misti Lambert
Age: pre-k to 1st
Class Size: 4(min)  8(max)
Course Length: 2 semesters 
Class Fees: tbd

This class is for littles on the road to reading.

The Good and The Beautiful

Teacher: Courtnee Bowman
Age: 1st Grade
Class Size: 4(min)  8(max)
Course Length: 2 semesters 
Class Fees: tbd

“First grade” language arts focuses heavily on phonics and will require one-on-one time with parents each week. This course will also include writing, reading, spelling, literature, grammar and punctuation. 

Your student will need to be able to identify all letters and their sounds, vowels, basic blends and know letter formation. 

Required books:
The Good and The Beautiful course book 1
Booster cards
Booster books (optional)

Supply list:
Folder with pockets
8 blank index cards
Pencils
Scissors
Glue stick
Crayons or colored pencils
Highlighter

IEW: People and Places in Our Community

Teacher: Brittany Schmidt
Ages: 1st-2nd grades
Class Size: 4 (min.) 12 (max.)
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $80 per semester

IEW: People and Places in Our Community will introduce your child to the people that make up a community. Your child will learn how to write with Structure and Style using the information provided for each lesson. Over the course of two semesters, we will practice reading skills, write, learn new vocabulary, study grammar in a fun way, and even have some fun activities related to the lesson. This course is designed for students in first and second grade or older students that need a little more help with the writing process. This course will have work outside of class time that will be completed by the student (with parent help).

Supplies:
1 inch binder
3-ring zippered binder pouch
highlighter
2 sharpened pencils with erasers (or separate eraser)

Required Books:
IEW: People and Places in Our Community, Student Book
ISBN: 978-1-62341-275-3

Fix It! Grammar, Level 1
ISBN:978-1-62341-357-6

IEW Elementary
Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales

Teacher: Sam O’Farrell
Ages: Elementary (ages 7-11)
Class Size: 4 (min.) 12 (max.)
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $75 per semester

IEW Class Overview:
In IEW’s Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales, our young learners will have the opportunity to read rich, classic, childhood stories while using those same stories to hone their own writing skills!  In this two-semester course, we will be writing, learning new vocabulary, studying grammar in an approachable way, reading classic literature, and, hopefully, ignite our newfound love of Greek and Latin roots. (Learners must be able to read and write on their own for this course, unless accompanied by a parent.)

Required Books:

Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons
ISBN: 978-1-62341-309-5

Fix It! Grammar (Either level 1 or level 2. TBD by parent)
Level 1 ISBN:978-1-62341-357-6
Level 2 ISBN:978-1-62341-359-0

IEW Intermediate Writing

Teacher: Maggie Dean (979)824-9538 dot.jzw.dean-fjw@att.net
Grades: middle school age with IEW experience & older students with no IEW experience
Class Size: 5 (min.) 16 (max.)
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $85 per semester

Course Overview:
This two semester class will see your child through the steps of the Institute for
Excellence in Writing program. Students will write about science-themed topics such
as insects, inventions and famous scientists while they learn to write with structure
and style. Included in the coursework are grammar, memorization, vocabulary and
supplemental literature components.
Required books:
Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
ISBN: 978-1-62341-399-6
Fix It! Grammar
ISBN: 978-1-62341-361-3
Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
The Diary of Curious Cuthbert by Jack Challoner
The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Elegant Essay and Windows to the World from IEW

Teacher: Cynthia McAdams cynmcadams@gmail.com
Ages: 8th -12th
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $100 per semester

We will devote the first half of the fall semester to The Elegant Essay. The goal of this course is to help students become confident essay writers as they delve into the details of the essay-writing process. From thesis statements to transitions, introductions, and conclusions, students will learn the building blocks of a well-crafted essay. Then we will move on to Windows to the World which will take us through the spring semester. With step-by-step instructions, Windows to the World teaches high school level students how to analyze elements of literature: setting, plot, characterization, imagery, allusions, parallelism, and much more. This course also gives numerous examples and suggestions for helping students develop Christian discernment skills.

Required texts:
The Elegant Essay
ISBN: 978-0-9779860-1-9
Edition: Third Edition, 2011
Copyright Date: 2006

Windows to the World
ISBN: 978-0-9801005-1-8
Edition: First Edition, January 2008

About Me: I have a BA from UC Berkeley in English and years of experience educating my children beginning when my first child was born 24 years ago. I’ve instructed children at HIS co-op for several years in IEW. This year I will be focusing on essay writing for the fall semester and move on to Windows to the World in the spring.

Excellence In Literature (EIL)
Literature and Composition English 2

Teacher: Cynthia McAdams cynmcadams@gmail.com
Ages: High School
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $100 per semester

Literature and Composition (English 2) is a one year, college-preparatory literature and composition course, and is the second volume of the Excellence in Literature curriculum. Focus works, including novels, short stories, poems, and drama, have been selected for literary quality, and for their place in the historical development of literature. Context readings provide background information about the author, the historical period, and the literary and artistic context of the focus work.

Students will gain an understanding of the development of literature and will practice the skills of close reading through essays, approach papers, and other creative and evaluative writing.

In Literature and Composition, we will study:

  • Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe
  • Walden by Henry David Thoreau
  • The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
  • The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
  • Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
  • Death Comes to the Archbishop by Willa Cather
  • Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
  • Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
    • The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

This fourth edition of the best-selling Literature and Composition features additional learning helps, a new pacing chart for each module, and updated context links and resources. It replaces ISBN 9781613220245. 

Required Materials
Student Workbook: Literature and Composition English 2 (can be found here), Binder, Tabs, and Source Books (We will start with Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe which students can start reading before the semester starts, with the remainder of the source texts to be acquired as the semester progresses)

About Me: I have a BA from UC Berkeley in English and years of experience educating my children beginning when my first child was born 24 years ago. I’ve been instructing children at HIS co-op for several years in IEW and look forward to the challenge of tackling Literary Analysis.

Hands On Science

Teacher: Teacher rotation

Age: up to 4th grade
Class Size:
Course Length: 2 semesters 
Class Fees: tbd

Description: This course is a hands-on science class focusing on fun experiments and taught by HIS teachers in a rotation.

God’s Design for Life Student

Teacher: Ami George & Jasmyn George
Age range: 4th – 8th grade
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $80 per semester

Class Description:

This 2 semester course will teach your child the amazing world of God’s creation through the study of plants, animals, and the human body!
The World of Plants: Discover the Creator’s handiwork as you study the beauty and intricacy of seeds, leaves, and flowers. Explore trees, fungi, algae, unusual plants, moss, and more. 
The Human Body: The human body is an incredibly complex and created wonder. Learn about the amazing functions of each system and understand that you are made in God’s image! 
The World of Animals: Discover how each animal was designed by God to be unique, from cuddly mammals and slimy frogs to jellyfish, butterflies, and bacteria. Get ready for an exciting adventure!

Required texts:
God’s Design for Life Student (Master Books Edition)
ISBN 9781683441274
You can find this text here:
https://www.rainbowresource.com/080680.html

Bob Jones Physical Science

Teacher: Carmela Bellott
Ages: 9th – 10th grade
Class Size: 2-9 max
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $100 per semester

This research based science course introduces chemistry, physics and critical thinking about real world science problems. There will be hands on mini-labs.  Additionally, they will be given strategies for making ethical decisions based on biblical worldview. 

This curriculum requires a textbook and lab manual.

Prerequisite:
Students need to be taking algebra concurrently or have had algebra for this course.

Apologia Chemistry

Teacher: Susie Vernor
Ages: High School (8th – 12th grade)
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Class Size: 2 (min.) 6 (max)
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $100/semester

Class description: This is a high school chemistry course designed for students
who have completed Algebra 1. This independent-study, college-preparatory
course covers fundamental aspects of chemistry such as the classification of
matter, atomic structure, spectroscopy, chemical bonding, molecular geometry,
physical change, chemical change, stoichiometry, solutions, ideal gases,
acid/base chemistry, reduction/oxidation reactions, thermochemistry,
thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Weaving together concepts
and their mathematical applications, the course teaches students how to think as a
chemist so they can analyze the major changes that occur in matter.

We will conduct experiments and complete lab write ups for each chapter.

Textbook needed: Discovering Design with Chemistry by Dr. Jay L. Wile


Spanish 1

Teacher: Sorona Muchowich
Grades: 8-12
Class Size: 4 (min.) 12 (max.)
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Fee: $100 per semester
Spanish I will memorize the alphabet and learn rules of pronunciation. They will practice daily  conversations with new verbs and expressions! Of course they will stay connected to the Hispanic Communities with cultural emphasis!
Write formal and informal  compositions on a variety topics. Create authentic writing pieces.
Use new vocabulary and the subjunctive tense as well as complex sentences!
Exchange opinions and listen to different speakers in Spanish.
Explain the main idea, themes, and some details from authentic media.

Spanish Scope and Sequence — the student will:
1. Recognize the meaning of Spanish vocabulary.
2. Speak in simple sentences.
3. Conduct simple dialogues.
4. Utilize strategies in comprehension.
5. Maximize the use of the Spanish Language.
6. Write simple sentences  and paragraphs.
7. Use regular and irregular verbs in the present tense.
8. Translate simple paragraphs.
9. Use reading strategies.
10. Compare and contrast  personal everyday life with life in Spanish speaking countries.
11. Demonstrate on map which areas of the world speak Spanish.

Required texts:
My Daily Spanish Workbook for Middle School and High School
ISBN 9798418048455
Spanish I, Carson Dellosa Education Publishing
ISBN 1936023350

Cooking

Instructor: Jeannette Arrigo – tea1949@gmail.com
Ages: 4th – 8th grade
Class Length: 1 Semesters 
Class Fee: $75
Class size: 4-8 max

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  In this one semester class students will learn about traditional cooking skills and techniques.  We will discuss the importance of homemade foods and low-waste kitchens and learn how to prepare delicious and nourishing recipes from scratch!

Supplies needed: Folder and spiral notebook

Explore Art

Teacher: Maggie Dean (979)824-9538 dot.jzw.dean-fjw@att.net
Age: all ages 
Class Size: 5(min)  16(max)
Course Length: 2 semesters 
Class Fees: $100 per semester
All supplies included
*occasionally students may be asked to bring/collect items for repurposing
This 2 semester course will include lessons on design principles and art history. Students will explore a variety of art processes and materials.

US History : Gather Round

Teacher: Melissa Riley mjrileyusa@gmail.com
Ages: 6-8 years
Class Size:  4 – 16(max)
Course Length:  2 Semesters
Class Fee:  TBD

1st semester we will cover US History 1 and 2nd semester US History 2

We will begin by introducing Indigenous Americans through The French and Indian War.  We will be using Gather Round Curriculum.
app.gatherroundhomeschool.com

gatherroundhomeschool.com

Supplies Needed:
Gather Round Homeschool Student Book.  Book needed is based on reading level.

Pencils
Colored Pencils
Watercolors
Scissors
Glue

Our Star Spangled Story Part 2

Teacher: Maggie Dean
dot.jzw.dean-fjw@att.net
(979)824-9539
Age range: 3rd-4th grade
Class fees: $100 per semester
Class Size: 4(min) 16(max)
Course Length: 2 semesters
Learn the story of America as you learn about everyday people and the lives they lived.
Required books:
Our Star Spangled Story Part 2
ISBN: 978-1-60999-125-8
The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
Mountain Born by ElizabethYates
Emily’s Runaway Imagination by Beverly Cleary
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill

American History
Notgrass History – America the Beautiful Part 2

Teacher: Jeannette Arrigo – tea1949@gmail.com
Ages: 5th – 8th grade
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Class Fees: $75 per semester
Class Size: 10-15 max

Description:  We will use the Notgrass curriculum as we continue our study of U.S. History after the Civil War and end at the election of our 46th president.  Topics covered include significant events in U.S. history, God’s natural wonders in the U.S. landscape, American Landmarks, notable U.S. figures and a day in the life.  We will read  through the text in class and students will also read a work of historical fiction at home.  Videos and photos  will be presented in class to help students visualize what we are discussing in the book.  Students will also complete the Lesson Review workbook to reinforce key concepts from the lesson.  We will round out the curriculum by reading a few primary source documents in class and doing some hands-on activities.

Required textbook: Notgrass History America the Beautiful Part 2 (https://shop.notgrass.com/shop/ab2-america-the-beautiful-part-2-111?category=27#attr=)

America the Beautiful Lesson Review Workbook https://shop.notgrass.com/shop/ablr-america-the-beautiful-lesson-review-131?category=27#attr=

Supplemental reading:  Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, Blue Willow by Doris Gates, Homer Price by Robert McCloskey.

Geography

Teacher: Ami George
Age: High school
Class size: 10-15 max
Course Length: 2 semesters
Class Fees: $100 per semester

In this 2 semester course we will cover basic geography skills (maps, navigation) as well as physical geography (topography, biosphere, structure of the earth) and human geography (environmental stewardship, agriculture, culture, heritage & more)—all from a Christian perspective. Each student will receive 1 High School credit upon completion of this class.

Required text: North Star Geography
https://www.christianbook.com/north-star-geography-tyler-hogan/9781892427526/pd/427526

Speech/Leadership

Teacher: Natalie Spurlock
Ages: 8th-12th grade
Course Length: 1 semester
Class Fees: $100

Welcome to “Mastering the Art of Eloquence,” an engaging and transformative speech class designed exclusively for homeschool students. In this dynamic and interactive course, students will embark on a journey to build their confidence, develop effective communication skills, and unlock their full potential as powerful speakers. Throughout the course, students will explore various aspects of speech and public speaking, from crafting compelling arguments to delivering impactful presentations. They will learn how to captivate an audience, use body language effectively, and employ rhetorical devices to enhance their persuasive abilities.