This year-long class can be used for one high school English credit as well as one History credit. Students will use the textbook, Advanced U.S. History-based Writing Lessons by IEW, Institute for Excellence in Writing, to learn structure and style in writing. Students will complete thirty-one writing lessons while they work on note-taking and writing outlines, retelling a narrative story, summarizing multiple references, writing from pictures, inventive writing, formal essay models, formal critique, advanced essay models with a super essay, nine-paragraph essay, and a persuasive essay. Students will also work on using in-text citations and creating bibliographies. Students will also read eleven books. The literature includes; The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson, The old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway, the Gardener by Sarah Stewart, Co. Aytch-A Civil War Narrative by Sam R. Watkins, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, and Anne Frank-The Diary of a Young Girl. Books may be read, listened to, or watched if they are a movie. Parents, please be aware that some of these are war stories and may have graphic content and may not be appropriate for your student. Use discretion. These books will be discussed in class including discussions on the setting and context of the books, the characters, conflicts, resolutions, themes, and lessons learned from the books. There will also be writing assignments for some of these books.
For the history credit, the students will read the book A Patriot's History of the United States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen. Students will read about thirty pages a week from this book, create a U.S. History timeline that will gain five to ten new events a week, and choose one event that was discussed in the book and either defend the author's position or disagree with it. This will be a written response and the students must back up their position with facts. Timelines and responses will be discussed respectfully in class.
Requirements:
Parents must help their students at home. This class is for experienced IEW students. Students will need an editor. Students are not allowed to take this course on Zoom. Students must attend class. Zoom attendance is for emergencies or sickness only. Students must have a Student Resource Notebook. A free download comes with the IEW book, or it can be purchased at IEW.com. Students will need the Advanced U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons Student Book and the Teacher Manual. The Patriot's History of the United States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen can be purchased on Amazon, or possibly at Exodus Books. The Literature books mentioned above can also be purchased either on Audible, Amazon or at Exodus Books. Exodus Books is in Oregon City but I usually have them shipped to my house. Please pay for this class in full by the end of the first week of class or make arrangements with me for payments. You can slack message me about arrangements.
This class will explore the different forms of improv and focus on developing skills as an improv actor. Students will develop their skills through various games and creating scenes. If you love acting and you love comedy, this class is for you!
About the Teacher:
Jay is a local arts teacher, actor, and music director based out of Vancouver, WA. He has been the musical director for Beauty and the Beast Jr., Scrooge, Peter Pan Jr., and Tarzan at a local youth theater. Jay has also taught classes in music, acting, and dance. As an actor, Jay has performed in Persephone at Bedrock Theatre and in Once at Broadway Rose Theatre, along with various local commercial projects. Jay’s background is in Music Performance, with a Bachelors of Music degree from BIOLA University.
This class will explore the different forms of improv and focus on developing skills as an improv actor. Students will develop their skills through various games and creating scenes. If you love acting and you love comedy, this class is for you!
About the Teacher:
Jay is a local arts teacher, actor, and music director based out of Vancouver, WA. He has been the musical director for Beauty and the Beast Jr., Scrooge, Peter Pan Jr., and Tarzan at a local youth theater. Jay has also taught classes in music, acting, and dance. As an actor, Jay has performed in Persephone at Bedrock Theatre and in Once at Broadway Rose Theatre, along with various local commercial projects. Jay’s background is in Music Performance, with a Bachelors of Music degree from BIOLA University.
Learn to create scenes on the spot! In this class we will be diving into short form and long form improv. Short form improv is a series of games we play where actors create a scene based on given circumstances. Long form improv is where actors create a scene completely from nothing using only one prompt word. Whether you are new to acting or well versed, improv is a necessity for all actors. Watch your acting skills improve as you learn to set yourself free in the area of improv!
In this class we will explore character development through asking the 5 “W” questions, Who, What, When, Where, and Why. All story telling must address these questions. We will also learn various warm ups, techniques, exercises, and tools that actors use to portray a character. This class will be a “hands on” learning class, which means we will focus on the craft of Acting. There is not a set schedule as actors will need to incorporate different tools and techniques at any given moment to create the scene. Each week we will take turns performing and slowly getting comfortable with our scenes. This being said, it is imperative that students in this class memorize their scripts as fast as possible. Scenes will be recorded and posted to the class Google Drive Folder so students can watch them. We learn much from watching ourselves!
Requirements:
Must have had at least 1 main role in a production
Not a dancer? Not a problem! This dancing is for everyone! Come learn some of the most fun social dances from a life-long dancer who cares more about people than technique and wants to encourage anyone who feels awkward (or comfortable!) to find their own groove on the dance floor. And seriously, some of these dances don't require much more than being able to take four steps forward, backward, or to the side. You do that everyday. This makes it fun! Introverted or worried about crowds? I hear you. I'm willing to work at your pace encouraging you try things you haven't tried before without forcing you to break boundaries you're not yet comfortable with. I believe growth comes from trying new things, but I also believe people are all unique and deserve to be treated with respect--especially regarding personal space. Still not sure? Check out some of these videos if you're curious what kinds of dances we'll do! Also, feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or curiosity regarding this class! I'm happy to listen to you and share my passion for dancing with you, student or parent. :) Easy: Borrowdale Exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFHBidfCyV0 Easy: Boston Tea Party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff51H03U7FU Medium: Irish Washerwoman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBgBbRgwr5 Hard: Dayagim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT-U3YKf9H0
Requirements:
Some experience dancing recommended but not required Please bring a waterbottle, good shoes, and a good attitude! This is a very active class and if we are doing it right you will work up a sweat each week!
In this class students will create story booklets and make YouTube story videos. The process will include researching Christian heroes, collaboration, scripting, story boarding, hand lettering, and other illustration skills. I will guide students through the principles of graphic design, lettering, character design, how to draw believable people, landscape drawing and perspective drawing. Students will learn how to scan drawings into the computer for editing into compositions and coloration. We will use a class YouTube channel for anonymously posting student work with the goal of establishing a channel to proclaim the Gospel and the truth of God's Word through the narratives. This class is a good fit for students who desire to learn how to produce strong visual communication. Traditional drawing materials, e.g., paper and pencils will be provided.
Requirements:
Students bring NASB or ESV Bible to class. Come to class with reference material for your projects like computer printouts, library books. thumbnail sketches etc. Water bottles are recommended. Laptops and smartphones are permitted for reference and research during class.
This elective class will introduce students to the US legal system, including criminal law, civil law, contracts, torts (not the dessert kind!), business and employment law, and other legal areas. Students will develop a general understanding of law in practice, using fun examples and in-class exercises.
Music conveys emotion. Theatre offers an alternate perspective. If used well together they can elicit a greater response than either one alone.
In this class we will start with the basics of musical theater, learning parts, choreographing a song, and working as a group. As we develop those skills we will work on duet or small group pieces and potentially participate in a night of music and comedy together with the acting 1 class at the end of the term.
Please bring a good attitude, costume basics (white shirt, black pants/socks/shoes) and makeup basics for potential performance. A basic knowledge of singing or music reading is recommended, but not required.
Homework: 30-60min daily
Working our way through Shel Silverstein's poetry (amongst other silly poems!) the kids will learn how to create their own forms of poetry as well as how to break down and decipher a poem to better understand it. Students must be proficient in reading and have basic writing skills for this class.