Core Academic Course Descriptions for Session 2, 2022-2023
ELA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS for 6th-8th SYLLABUS HERE
show more
This two-day, full year core course of study is broken into four sessions and will focus on reading and composition and can accommodate a range of skills. 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 2 will be literary analysis; students should expect to complete at least two final draft essays. Basic conventions, mechanics and editing will be practiced each week. Additional independent reading will be assigned, as well as extra writing practice if needed. Materials needed: 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. Subsequent sessions will focus on argument/persuasive, literary response, and narrative/creative writing. Course fee includes subscription to Scholastic SCOPE Magazine. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 12 students per class.
show less
ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION SYLLABUS HERE
show more
This full year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 9th grade but is open to 8th-11th graders who can proficiently write varied genre of essays and read at or above an 9th grade level. The themes of our selected novels will help students analyze human behavior and power structures in societies, while making relevant connections to their world today. Over the year, students will complete at least four classic novels (selections may include novels by Bradbury, Golding, Orwell, Hinton, and Steinbeck), several classic short stories or poetry (selections may include writings by Maupassant, Hemingway, Whitman, Angelou, etc.), and or/relevant articles and/or speeches. Selections are dependent upon the pace of the group. All reading will be accompanied by in-class reflection, discussion, note taking, critical analyses, and historical and cultural connections. At least two essays per session will be completed and assessed. Lessons in composition skills (summary and literary analysis) will be included. Session 1 will focus on short story analysis, with one required novel started. (Text selections may vary depending on students enrolled and will be included in the syllabus.) Materials needed: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, assigned reading, and pencil/pen. Independent work is expected, 2 -3 hrs/week. Course fee doesn’t include the cost of required novels (in hard copy).
Instructor: Lori Peters. Max: 8 students.
show less
FOUNDATIONS OF MATH SYLLABUS HERE
show more
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. Materials required: spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil.
Independent work is expected, 2 -3 hrs/week. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Max: 8 students.
show less
PRE-ALGEBRA SYLLABUS HERE
show more
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. With lessons both online and hard copy provided, 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. Materials Required: 1 subject spiral bound 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: Lyra Porcasi. Max: 8 students
show less
MIDDLE SCHOOL ALGEBRA SYLLABUS HERE
show more
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 for this level. With lessons both online and hard copy provided, 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. The format of lessons given are direct instruction, independent practice, problem solving, and project-based learning.
Materials Required: 1 subject spiral bound 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: Lyra Porcasi. Max: 8 students
show less
MAPPING THE WORLD SYLLABUS HERE
show more
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! 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. Session 1 will focus on major world regions and the Americas, with an independent country study project started. Materials needed each week include a spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen (optional: personal set of sharpened colored pencils). Required: National Geographic Student World Atlas, Fifth Edition (2019). National Geographic Kids World Atlas, Sixth Edition (2021) may also be used, but the 5th edition is recommended as it is geared toward older students.
Independent work is expected, about 2 hrs./week, with several projects. Instructor Lori Peters has taught this unit many times before, and former students claim was one of the most beneficial projects they ever had. Max: 12 students
show less
MEDIEVAL TIMES SYLLABUS HERE
show more
This course will provide a “big idea” overview of many essential standards in the 7th grade CA social studies core curriculum
(but is open to 6th-8th). Participants will study the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa and Asia between A.D. 500 and A.D. 1789, although the course will also include the events surrounding the split and fall of the Roman Empire (in the 3rd-5th centuries) and subsequent rise of Byzantium, key figures of the Dark Ages, the rise of England, feudalism, the Crusades, and trade routes and empires in Africa (focus on Timbuktu). Each class has a different focus, with information being presented through video, discussion, reading, and note taking of BIG ideas. Participants should read proficiently at a 6th level. Independent work is expected; 2-3 hrs./wk.; the course will culminate with student presentations on a specific subtopic from a civilization of their choice (from a topic list). Instructor: Lori Peters. Max: 8 students
show less
ANATOMY SYLLABUS HERE
show more
Students will learn about the amazing machine in which we live: the human body! Topics will include the areas of cells and tissues, and the organs and functions of the eleven systems of the human body: Integumentary, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, endocrine, and reproductive. (Parents may have their students opt out of the reproductive system segment with a simple request to the instructor; students who opt out will be asked to do a little extra on a different body system.) Special assignments will include artwork and/or hands-on models and manipulatives. The format of lessons given is direct instruction, diagrams, videos, and project-based learning.
Independent work required, about 30 min/week on average, including a final project. Instructor: Lyra Porcasi. Max: 8 students
show less
LEGO PHYSICS II: Simple & Powered Machines SYLLABUS HERE
show more
Who doesn’t love building with Legos? Students will explore, experiment, build, and create using Legos to understand scientific concepts of simple and powered machines. Students will build an understanding of how gears, pulleys, levers, axles, cams, wheels, motor power, and wind power work. They’ll explore each science concept by building an example, do an experiment or test, build different working examples using builder plans in cooperative groups, and then create their own idea to solve a problem with their own invention. This class will have notes, hands-on STEAM work, reading, and a lot of problem solving. New students welcome!
Independent work is expected, about 30 min./week.
Instructor: Laura Erlig, with Sean Haworth assisting. Max: 8
show less
HORTICULTURE II SYLLABUS HERE
show more
In this class, students will be introduced to the concept of creating a Zen Garden. We will be developing the idea from the ground up, literally. We’ll start with the history of Zen Gardens that originated over 2,400 years ago and the meaning behind them. We will create a plan for the space, altering our plans as we learn and grow with the process. We will learn about various rocks and sand types that work best, types of tools, what Zen Garden plants need, and bonsai plants and how to care for them. Our focus will be on gardens that promote low water use, beauty, and purpose. We will also learn about how the sand and rocks represent flowing water and larger rocks and boulders represent islands. Parents with landscaping skills are welcome (as are extra supplies) since many hands make light work. Instructor: Laura Erlig and Jenni Buchanan. Max: 8
show less
SEEDS & SPROUTS SYLLABUS HERE
show more
This class is held at the Las Flores Community Garden. Students will be actively involved in the upkeep, development, and harvesting of their plot at the community garden. Weekly gardening responsibilities will be integrated with the research topic of the week, scavenger hunts in the garden regarding different types of plants and critters, guest speakers, art and craft activities related to the garden. Research topics this session include soil, compost, microclimates, annual vs perennial plants, seeds, vermicompost, and water. Please note: Parents will need to drop off and either pick up, or transport can be arranged to the YMCA (with advance notice and request) for students
attending an 11:00 class. Instructor: Laura Erlig, with Deneen Cienfuegos assisting. Max: 9 students.
show less
