This course continues where Level 1 ends, guiding students from solid paragraph writing into more advanced composition skills. In Level 2, students will begin crafting longer fact-based and fictional pieces, learning to structure 3–5 paragraph compositions. This process is approached one paragraph at a time to prevent overwhelm and to build confidence.
As students strengthen their paragraph structure and organizational skills, they will also be introduced to advanced “dress-ups” that enhance style and expression. Grammar, editing, and writing mechanics are gently incorporated through engaging, story-driven lessons.
The theme of this course is Character Traits. Each writing assignment focuses on a godly virtue, e.g. diligence, patience, and respect, as illustrated in Scripture, and examples from nature. Students will be reminded that writing is a gift from God, meant to be used for His glory and the good of others.
Requirements:
Students enrolling in this class should be able to take a Key Word Outline, retell the content orally, and then write a paragraph from their notes. They should also be familiar with the basic “dress-ups” (e.g., strong verbs, quality adjectives, and -ly adverbs) and know how to use them in a sentence. In addition, students should be able to write a cohesive paragraph. They must also be able to follow directions, participate respectfully in classroom activities such as reading aloud or speaking when called on, and complete simple in-class writing tasks.
Weekly homework is required. Assignments typically include writing one paragraph, revising or editing a previous paragraph, and occasionally completing additional worksheets to support grammar or mechanics instruction. Reading short stories will be included at times. Families are expected to support their students by helping ensure that homework is completed, corrected, and brought to class.
Students must bring a 3-ring binder to class for handouts and resources, including lined notebook paper. Also required are pens in black, blue, and red ink.
Music composition lessons are, in fact, just like lessons on an instrument, but instead of weekly practice on that instrument, students are required to practice composition by *writing* music each week. Lessons focus on the craft of composition and on music theory. Both are universal to composing in all genres of music. As we lay the groundwork, I will help your student explore the particular genres they are most interested in, whether it be classical, songwriting, worship, jazz, video game music, working with a DAW, hymn-writing, pop/rock… whatever it might be! Or, if they're not sure, that's even better, because we learn much by exploration! I grew up in Vancouver, steeped in its rich musical community. I studied piano, clarinet, and jazz piano before attending Western Washington Univ. from which I received a B.A. in music, focusing on music education, but also investing much in music theory and history. I went on to study composition privately with Roger Briggs, culminating in one year of a Master’s degree in composition at the Jacobs School at Indiana University. I absolutely love my job as a teacher of music, recognizing that young, aspiring musicians growing up in households of faith look to their teachers as examples of how to be close followers of Jesus Christ. Even as we learn how to become better musicians, it is even more important to become better followers of Christ, knowing who we are in Him. I seek to model Keith Getty’s charge: “Be the best musician you can be and make sure that your faith is growing faster than your music.” $27 for 40 min. (all ages) Payment due first class of the month.
Requirements:
One year of private lessons on an instrument or voice.
Music composition lessons are, in fact, just like lessons on an instrument, but instead of weekly practice on that instrument, students are required to practice composition by *writing* music each week. Lessons focus on the craft of composition and on music theory. Both are universal to composing in all genres of music. As we lay the groundwork, I will help your student explore the particular genres they are most interested in, whether it be classical, songwriting, worship, jazz, video game music, working with a DAW, hymn-writing, pop/rock… whatever it might be! Or, if they're not sure, that's even better, because we learn much by exploration! I grew up in Vancouver, steeped in its rich musical community. I studied piano, clarinet, and jazz piano before attending Western Washington Univ. from which I received a B.A. in music, focusing on music education, but also investing much in music theory and history. I went on to study composition privately with Roger Briggs, culminating in one year of a Master’s degree in composition at the Jacobs School at Indiana University. I absolutely love my job as a teacher of music, recognizing that young, aspiring musicians growing up in households of faith look to their teachers as examples of how to be close followers of Jesus Christ. Even as we learn how to become better musicians, it is even more important to become better followers of Christ, knowing who we are in Him. I seek to model Keith Getty’s charge: “Be the best musician you can be and make sure that your faith is growing faster than your music.” $27 for 40 min. (all ages).
Requirements:
One year of private lessons on an instrument or voice.
Music composition lessons are, in fact, just like lessons on an instrument, but instead of weekly practice on that instrument, students are required to practice
composition by *writing* music each week. Lessons focus on the craft of composition and on music theory. Both are universal to composing in all genres of music. As we lay the groundwork, I will help your student explore the particular genres they are most interested in, whether it be classical, songwriting, worship, jazz, video game music, working with a DAW, hymn-writing, pop/rock… whatever it might be! Or, if they're not sure, that's even better, because we learn much by exploration!
I grew up in Vancouver, steeped in its rich musical community. I studied piano, clarinet, and jazz piano before attending Western Washington Univ. from which I received a B.A. in music, focusing on music education, but also investing much in music theory and history. I went on to study composition privately with Roger Briggs, culminating in one year of a Master’s degree in composition at the Jacobs School at Indiana University. I absolutely love my job as a teacher of music, recognizing that young, aspiring musicians growing up in households of faith look to their teachers as examples of how to be close followers of Jesus Christ. Even as we learn how to become better musicians, it is even more important to become better followers of Christ, knowing who we are in Him. I seek to model Keith Getty’s charge: “Be the best musician you can be and make sure that your faith is growing faster than your music.”
$27 for 40 min. (all ages).
Requirements:
One year of private lessons on an instrument or voice.
Come strengthen your keyboarding and computer skills in this hands-on course! Students will spend 4 weeks each on: word processing, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations, and simple graphic design. This class is appropriate for students looking to learn their way around a computer as well as seasoned students needing time in the computer lab to complete homework assignments. The teacher will give assignments for each unit, but any assignment may be replaced with a similar one of the student's or parent's choosing to make the best use of lab time. This class accommodates a wide age range as it is run more like concurrent tutoring than whole classroom teaching, reach out to the teacher on Slack if you have any questions!
In this class we will learn the basics of typing and computer software while creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Projects may include: writing letters, printing labels, creating a budget, making a class schedule, displaying charts, and giving a slideshow presentation.
Come strengthen your computer skills in this hands-on course! Centered around the theme of planning a birthday party, students will learn about: basic typing, computer literacy, and introductory graphic design. In-class assignments will include making a party invitation in canva, searching the internet for a recipe, creating a document for gift ideas, using spreadsheets to manage guests and budget, and sending an email thank you note.
Requirements:
At home, students need access to a computer with a keyboard for typing homework. Students will use a classroom google account for docs, sheets, and email. In-class assignments can be done on a personal laptop or a computer from the computer lab. This is a computer class, so tablets or mobile devices are not permitted
This is a CORE class that meets twice a week for the full year. CORE classes have greater expectations of students, parents, and teachers. Parents are required to attend the mandatory CORE Classes Parent Meeting immediately following Family Orientation on either August 26th at 6:45pm or August 28th at 2:45pm. In this class, we will look at current issues that are occurring in the world today and discuss them in light of 3 areas; Biblical Worldview, historical context, and future implications. We will use the local newspaper as one physical, in-classroom source along with stories brought into class weekly by the students as our sources for topics. We will then take a story each week to dive deeper into. Students will have two papers and one research project over the course of the class.
Requirements:
Students need to be able to read at grade level and write a 2-3 page paper unassisted.
In this communication class we will be engaging in weekly presentations, weekly group conversations and weekly one on one conversations with each other. This class is designed to help kids develop their communication skills and feel more confident in them.
A continuation from last semester. The life skill of cooking is an important skill for any child. In this class we will continue to learn the art of reading recipes, knife skills, nutrition, and making simple meals and snacks, both savory and sweet. We will also continue to learn safety when using various appliances.