Core Academic Course Descriptions for Session 1, 2024-2025
Syllabi available by August 19
ELA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS for 6th-8th SYLLABUS HERE
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This two-day, full year core course is broken into four sessions, can accommodate a range of skills, and focuses on reading and composition. High-interest articles, essays and book excerpts will be enjoyed, with time for discussion, evaluation, and writing. Scholastic SCOPE or similar materials will be used for analysis of current events (subscription included). Social studies/current event topics are often incorporated into lessons, with a range of activities to be expected (group presentations, reader’s theatre, etc.). The focus of Session 1 will be summary; subsequent sessions will focus on argument/persuasive, literary response, and narrative/ creative writing. Students should expect to complete at least one final draft essay per session. Basic conventions, mechanics and editing will be practiced weekly. Additional independent reading will be assigned, as well as extra writing practice as needed. Materials required: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen. Independent reading and writing are required (2-3 hrs/week) Students will need to have an approved novel of choice for independent reading each week. At least 5 novels should be completed annually. This is a full-year course of study. The 9:00 class is recommended for levels 6th/7th. The 11:00 class is recommended for those at 7th-9th level. It is also recommended that students enrolled in ELA also take an ELA Study Session. Subsequent sessions will focus on argument/persuasive and narrative/creative writing. One time course fee includes subscription to Scholastic SCOPE Magazine. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 12 per class.
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ENGLISH COHORT I SYLLABUS HERE
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This one-day, full year core course is broken into four sessions, can accommodate a range of skills, and focuses on reading and composition. High-interest articles, essays and book excerpts will be enjoyed, with time for discussion, evaluation, and writing. Scholastic SCOPE or similar materials will be used for analysis of current events (subscription included). Social studies/current event topics are often incorporated into lessons, with a range of activities to be expected (group presentations, reader’s theatre, etc.). The focus of Session 1 will be summary; subsequent sessions will focus on argument/persuasive, literary response, and narrative/ creative writing. Students should expect to complete at least one final draft essay per session. Basic conventions, mechanics and editing will be practiced weekly. Additional independent reading will be assigned, as well as extra writing practice as needed. Materials required: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen. Independent reading and writing are required (2-3 hrs/week) Students will need to have an approved novel of choice for independent reading each week. At least 5 novels should be completed annually. This is a full-year course of study. It is also recommended that students enrolled in ELA also take an ELA Study Session. Subsequent sessions will focus on argument/persuasive and narrative/creative writing. One time course fee includes subscription to Scholastic SCOPE Magazine. *Please note: Our English Cohort I on Friday is a modified version of our ELA M/W course that was specifically arranged to accommodate a cluster of 7th/8th students who requested ELA. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 7.
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FOUNDATIONS OF MATH SYLLABUS HERE
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This full year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 6th grade but is open to 6th–8th graders who need a solid foundation in middle school math skills. With lessons both online and hard copy provided, students will practice foundational skills including basic algorithms of multiplication and division. They will also explore relationships between fractions, decimals, and percentages, and perform all operations involving decimals and fractions. Word problems, games and activities will be used to enhance understanding. The course uses the text
Everyday Math, Book I.
It is recommended that students enrolled in Foundations of Math also take the Foundations Math Games course on Tuesday and/or at least one MAYL class. Materials required: spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil.
Independent work is expected, 2 -3 hrs/week. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Max: 10.
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PRE-ALGEBRA SYLLABUS HERE
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This full year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 7th grade but is open to
6th–8th graders who are ready for this level. Students will be provided instruction specifically targeting pre-algebra skills to build proficiency with key algebraic concepts, such as analyzing, using, and applying proportional relationships; rational numbers; algebraic expressions and linear equations; and appropriate geometric, probability and statistics concepts. This course is designed to prepare students for Middle School Algebra. The format of lessons given are direct instruction, independent practice, problem solving, and project-based learning. The course uses the text Everyday Math, Book 2, as well as lessons from Glencoe aligned with 7th grade standards. Materials Required: folder with pockets, one single subject lined notebook, loose leaf lined paper, pencil & eraser, scientific calculator (TI-30 suggested), and ruler. Pre-assessment is required for placement. Independent work is expected; 2-3 hrs./wk. Instructor: Rachel Ameche. Max: 8 per class
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MS ALGEBRA SYLLABUS HERE
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This full year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 8th grade but is open to 6th- 8th graders who are ready. Through in-class, hard copy, and online lessons, students will be provided instruction specifically targeting algebra skills to build proficiency with key algebraic concepts, such as analyzing, using, and applying rational numbers; algebraic expressions; linear equations and functions; and appropriate geometric, probability and statistics concepts. This course is designed to prepare students for 9th level Algebra 1. We will be using the Glencoe Pre-Algebra text as well as other sources for this 8
th grade level class. The format of lessons given are direct instruction, independent practice, problem solving, and project-based learning.
Materials Required: 1 subject spiral bound notebook, folder, ruler, loose leaf lined paper, pencils & eraser, scientific calculator (TI-30 suggested),
and access to a computer at home. Pre-assessment is required for placement.
Independent work is expected; about 3-4 hrs./wk. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Max: 8
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REAL WORLD MATH SYLLABUS HERE
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Have you ever prepared a budget? What if you were tasked with doing the grocery shopping or hosting a party? Or, what if you and your family want to take a road trip to Alaska? How much will it cost and how long will it take? In Real World Math, students will use various math skills to solve “real world” problems in a weekly project-based format.
Independent work may be expected; about 30 min/wk. Instructor: Rachel Ameche. Max: 8
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MAPPING THE WORLD SYLLABUS HERE
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This
full year course will allow students to immerse themselves in world geography, starting at any level. By the end of the year (IF attending all four sessions and completing all assignments and independent practice), students will be able to draw a map of the world by heart
, on an equirectangular grid, and (dependent on their starting point of knowledge) will include most of the world’s countries, major bodies of water, and major landforms. Like anything, the final product is determined by the time and effort put into this course, which begins in August! Session 1 will focus on major world regions and the Americas, with an independent country study project started. Lessons are taken from David Smith’s “Mapping the World by Heart” curriculum, teacher-developed curriculum, video, and other resources. Each lesson will help students build understanding of various maps, regions, climate, GPS, the spatial relationships of countries and continents to one another, and regional/cultural and historical information about MANY countries. Materials needed each week include a spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen (optional: personal set of sharpened colored pencils). Materials required: National Geographic “Kids” Student World Atlas, Fifth Edition (2019). National Geographic Kids World Atlas, Sixth Edition (2021) may also be used, but the 5th edition (“Kids”) is recommended as it aligns better with the maps we use in class.
Independent work is expected, about 2 hrs./week, with several projects. Instructor Lori Peters. Max: 12
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ELECTION CONNECTION SYLLABUS HERE
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The 2024 Election is coming up, and our youth can’t help but wonder what the heck is going on! Everyone has a strong opinion about politics these days, but this two-part course will help students muddle through the hype and objectively understand the basics of how our electoral process works, how people vote, the various layers of leadership, who their representatives are and what they do, some propositions and measures on the California ballot, and more. The bulk of the course will focus on the dynamics of elections (regional, state, national), including some history of our political parties and of key presidential campaigns, how candidates are chosen (primaries, mid-terms, caucuses, the electoral college, delegates, etc.), the Supreme Court, political advertising, election terminology, and what polls are. To keep the class dynamic, online election education resources will be used (including PBS Learning Media), as they are most current. Factual sources are a must. Students will receive lessons in media literacy and learn how to spot unverified information. Hopefully, students will be inspired to be civic-minded and well-prepared to make their votes count when they turn 18. Despite personal opinions, this is a non-partisan course where civil discourse and independent thinking is expected.Session 1 will prepare students for lessons in Session 2. After the 2024 election, in which they will “vote” (with a modified ballot), students will focus on how government works, with an emphasis on federal agencies (and all those acronyms!). Light independent work may be assigned, up to up to 30 min./wk. Open to 6th graders but recommended for mature students. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 10.
OUR AMERICAN STORY I SYLLABUS HERE
Part 1 of 2. In this two-part course, students will acquire a general overview of the 8th grade social studies standards. Students will learn about the founding of our country, from colonial settlement to the war for independence, and then the building of American society, culture, and our economy, with consideration of the emergence of major regional differences. They will trace the development of American institutions, founded on English parliamentary traditions, particularly the shaping of the Constitution. Main lessons will include English settlements, the events leading to the American Revolution, the documents for a new nation, the challenges facing a growing nation, and the causes, course, and consequences of the American Civil War. They will make connections between the rise of industrialization, and contemporary social and economic conditions. Each class has a different focus, with information being presented through PowerPoint, video, discussion, maps, reading, and note taking of BIG ideas. Independent work may be expected, about 1 hr./week; the course will culminate with student presentations on a topic of their choice. Instructor: Jenni Buchanan. Max: 8
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ANCIENT JOURNEYS I SYLLABUS HERE
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Part 1 of 2. Go back in time to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, India, China, Greece and Rome to learn about the cultural and scientific breakthroughs that form the foundations of our modern society. Students will acquire a broad overview of ancient history, with opportunities for more in-depth study of culture, art, science and technologies. Each week students will “visit” important early civilizations to learn about historical figures and cultural impacts on later civilizations. Classes include many different STEAM activities, including science, engineering, art projects, and investigations. The lessons follow what is typically taught in 6th grade, but the course is open to 6th-8th graders (especially those who say they can’t remember what they learned in history class!). The course will culminate with individual presentations on a specific subtopic from a civilization of their choice
. Independent work is expected, about 30 min./wk. Instructor: Jenni Buchanan. Max: 8.
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BIOLOGY: ZOOLOGY SYLLABUS HERE
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Part 1 of 2. Study life science up close by examining the anatomy of several different animals—from worms to squid to frogs and more! Students will explore the beauty of the animal kingdom, learning about the diversity, similarities, and connectedness of all creatures. Classes include many different STEAM activities, including art projects, investigations, and hands-on dissections. They will learn how to keep a lab notebook
(a skill required in later high school science courses), as well as the use and care of dissection tools. This is a fascinating and memorable way to see how internal systems and organs fit and work together, as well as understand the basic similarities and differences between animals of all types. Lab fee includes the cost of intermediate dissection kits and specimens. Independent work is expected, about 30 min./wk. Instructor: Jenni Buchanan. Max: 8
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PHYSICS IN ACTION SYLLABUS HERE
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Part one of this full year course will introduce students to the foundational concepts that explain how the observable universe behaves. In Session 1, we will consider how forces interact and explain Newton’s Laws of motion which allow us to make predictions. Through hands-on demonstrations and experiments, students will experience firsthand how these concepts show up in the real world. As a final project, they will attempt to engineer a vehicle that will keep an egg occupant from cracking when it crashes onto a hard surface. Independent work is minimal if at all, but attendance is a must. Instructor: Rachel Ameche. Max: 9
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SHAPES OF NATURE SYLLABUS HERE
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This
four-part molecular science series (nano science) is designed to engage middle school students in the joys of chemistry and biology. The course will review 5th – 8th grade California chemistry and biology standards in a fun and interactive way that is bound to leave students with a lifelong appreciation of the sciences. The class will reveal insights and connections with real life as chemistry and biology is all around us and within us. Most students who take this class will look forward to high school science. This series of 32 molecular science classes include the following sessions: Shapes of Nature, Chemistry “R” Us Part 1, Chemistry “R” Us Part 2, and the Biological World. The classes in this series are equal parts lectures, videos, hands-on experiments, and discussion. Please note: a $100 annual course fee is due prior to the first session.
Please note: a $100 annual course fee is due prior to the first session. Light work may be expected, such as reviewing handouts, up to 30 min./wk. Instructor: Dr. Steve Yoshinaga. Max: 12
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