This is a basic course introducing students to the world of plants. Students will explore topics including but not limited to: plant anatomy, plant morphology, plant physiology, seeded and seedless plants, adaptations, development, nutrition, soil analysis and plant behaviors. The course will consist of readings, class discussions, demonstrations, at-home laboratory investigations, and homework assignments. This class encourages student independence, motivation, and responsibility. Homework: 4+ hours each week. Supplemental packets which include readings, worksheets, labs and assignments will be provided. Course is designed for upper middle school and high school students. **This class is only 15 weeks long this term. The teacher will be out of town the third week of class (September 26th-30th).
Requirements:
Assistants:
Homework:
Up to 4 Hours Week
Billable Hours Per Week:
1
Admin Tier:
Class Override
Admin Fee:
$60, Term Total = $60
Class Fee:
$125.00
Supply Fee:
$25.00
Introduction to Civics
Ages 12yr-15yr
Ruiz, Bonnie
Fall 2023
Social Studies
- Government
Schedule:
Monday - Classroom - 135: 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm
Description:
The course will highlight the purpose of the Constitution, the structure of America’s government and economic system, the role of American diplomacy, expressions of patriotism, and provide an introduction to American parties and politics. This class would also require a short essay on voting due by the end of the class. I will provide some review of the writing process.
Requirements:
Students will be required to bring a notebook and pencil for taking notes.
Assistants:
Homework:
< 1 Hour Week
Billable Hours Per Week:
1
Admin Tier:
Specialty
Admin Fee:
$4.00, Term Total = $64
Class Fee:
$95.00
Supply Fee:
$10.00
Introduction to Debate
Ages 10yr-12yr
Velarde, Sara
Fall 2022
Language Arts
- Speech
Schedule:
Monday - Science Lab - 127: 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Description:
Does your preteen have strong opinions about ridiculous, inconsequential topics (like whether a hot dog is a sandwich, or whether they'd rather live without music or tv, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza) that you'd like to see channeled into productive skill? Kids will learn the structure of debates, how to define their thoughts, to respectfully disagree while using critical thinking to voice their own opinions in rebuttal, and how to avoid the pitfalls of logical fallacies. Silly questions, serious debate!
Requirements:
None
Assistants:
Homework:
None
Billable Hours Per Week:
1
Admin Tier:
Elective
Admin Fee:
$4, Term Total = $64
Class Fee:
$70.00
Supply Fee:
$10.00
Introduction to Debate
Ages 9yr-13yr
Velarde, Sara
Spring 2023
Language Arts
- English
Schedule:
Wednesday - Science Lab - 127: 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Description:
Does your preteen have strong opinions about ridiculous, inconsequential topics (like whether a hot dog is a sandwich, or whether they'd rather live without music or tv, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza) that you'd like to see channeled into productive skill? Kids will learn the structure of debates, how to define their thoughts, to respectfully disagree while using critical thinking to voice their own opinions in rebuttal, and how to feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Silly questions, serious debate!
*I widened the age range for the spring semester- if your child is on the younger side, please only sign them up if they are somewhat outgoing and will be comfortable participating with the older kids!*
The purpose of this Logic course is to enable students to recognize logical fallacies and to present powerful, carefully reasoned presentations. We will use Dr. Jason Lisle’s “Introduction to Logic” textbook and course materials to help students build a strong foundation for thinking and approaching issues. It is a year long course covering one chapter of the textbook each week. The course will be presented from a Biblical worldview and students will learn how to use sound, reasoned arguments to defend Christian Faith.
Requirements:
Students will need their own copy of "Introduction to Logic" by Dr. Jason Lisle. Parents will need to get a copy of the "Teacher Guide - Introduction to Logic by Dr. Jason Lisle." Both publications are available from Amazon.com or masterbooks.com. Students please bring a water bottle, a light snack, several sharpened pencils, a few ball point pens, and 50-100 sheets of college lined binder paper. I will provide a 3-Ring binder for holding handouts and notes.
Assistants:
Homework:
Up to 2 Hours Week
Billable Hours Per Week:
2
Admin Tier:
Elective
Admin Fee:
$5, Term Total = $160
Class Fee:
$110.00
Supply Fee:
$10.00
Introduction to Mandarin Chinese
Ages 7yr-10yr
McDonald, Sara
Spring 2023
Language Arts
- Foreign Language
Schedule:
Tuesday - Classroom - 228: 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm
Description:
This is a basic introduction to spoken Mandarin Chinese and Pinyin (Pinyin is written Chinese using the English language. We will not be learning Chinese characters). We will cover greetings, colors, numbers, basic phrases and more. Ages 7-10.
Requirements:
Ages 7-10
Assistants:
Homework:
< 1 Hour Week
Billable Hours Per Week:
1
Admin Tier:
Elective
Admin Fee:
$4, Term Total = $64
Class Fee:
$80.00
Supply Fee:
$12.00
Introduction to Mathematical Modeling: Algebra 1
Ages 13yr-16yr
Veach, Giselle
Fall 2022
Science
- Engineering
Schedule:
Wednesday - Computer Lab - 125: 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Description:
In this companion course for Algebra 1, using the textbook Math U See Algebra 1, and working closely with the Algebra 1 course at FPHRC, students will learn to model mathematical equations, create detailed plots, and solve math problems from their class in the open source modeling software, Octave. This computer modeling class will seek to reinforce your student's understanding of mathematics while they learn to apply what they have been learning in their math class in a computerized simulation setting.
Requirements:
Students must be enrolled in Algebra 1 with Collette Connor
Assistants:
Homework:
None
Billable Hours Per Week:
1
Admin Tier:
Specialty
Admin Fee:
$4, Term Total = $64
Class Fee:
$97.00
Supply Fee:
$3.00
Introduction to Scientific Research
Ages 13yr-17yr
Ringnalda, Andrew
Winter/Spring 2021
Science
Schedule:
Wednesday - Classroom - 220: 2:30 pm - 3:50 pm
Description:
PREREQUISITE - must have completed fall/winter term in order to register for this class. Not accepting new students.
As current events demonstrate, a lack of scientific understanding can leave students at the mercies of those who use "science" as an justification to push all sorts of political, economic, and cultural agendas. Learn what science is and what it isn't; what science can do, and what it can't do.
While there are many resources available to homeschoolers for learning biology, chemistry, or physics, few courses concentrate on the methods through which scientific evidence is obtained. We will conduct various experiments showing how scientific knowledge is gained, learn the limits of science, and see how scientific knowledge is abused.
Most class meetings will consist of a brief lecture followed by a lab demonstrating key concepts. We will use the Mentos/Diet Coke reaction as the basis for our first large-scale class research project further illustrating these principles. Students will finish the year with each student completing their own project, writing a science paper, and presenting their findings.
Students will receive a grade for this class. A syllabus will be provided before the first class meeting. Familiarity with basic algebra is helpful but not required. Students need to bring their notebook (provided at the first class meeting) and a pen to each class. There will 2-3 hours of homework each week, which may increase as we approach the students' own projects later in the year. Students will need internet access to use our Google Classroom site and should be familiar with writing on a computer, sending emails and attachments, etc
Hope you can join us!
Materials Required: A blue or black ball-point pen and their lab notebook.
Requirements:
Assistants:
Homework:
None
Billable Hours Per Week:
1.5
Admin Tier:
Class Override
Admin Fee:
$100, Term Total = $100
Class Fee:
$105.00
Supply Fee:
$0.00
Introduction to Scientific Research
Ages 14yr-18yr
Ringnalda, Andrew
Fall 2021
Science
Schedule:
Monday - Classroom - 220: 2:30 pm - 3:50 pm
Description:
The scientific method is mentioned, almost in passing, in most science textbooks.
A detailed, practical study of the scientific method is usually reserved for students in their junior or senior years of college. You can start early.
Introduction to Scientific Research explores how to use the scientific method to evaluate questions related to the physical world. We will perform a number of experiments to illustrate how science works, we will use the Mentos/Coke reaction to conduct a full-scale research project, and students will pursue research on a topic of their own interest in the spring semester. You will learn how to communicate your findings through lab reports and scientific research papers.
This is a full-year class. There are no prerequisites except curiosity about the natural world. Students should have some experience writing reports and essays, but you will learn that scientific writing has its own style and purpose.
Students should have access to a laptop that they can bring to class, a calculator will be needed for some labs.
Homework: 1-3 hours per week, more as students work on their own projects
Requirements:
Assistants:
Homework:
None
Billable Hours Per Week:
1.5
Admin Tier:
Class Override
Admin Fee:
$100, Term Total = $100
Class Fee:
$125.00
Supply Fee:
$20.00
Introduction to Shakespeare
Ages 12yr-18yr
Cates, Heather
Spring 2024
Language Arts
- English
Schedule:
Tuesday - Classroom - 228: 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Description:
We will be reading, discussing, and evaluating Shakespearean plays. During the course of the term, we will read "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "The Taming of the Shrew", and "Hamlet". This mixture of plays includes both comedies and tragedies. Students will explore the challenging language of the time as well as the memorable themes within his works. We will also be performing scenes from these plays as a tool for learning.