Academic Class Descriptions
Middle School Math
SuzanneThis class will complete approximately
one year of "middle school math" over a seven month period. Class
time will be spent explaining the basic concepts of the new lessons,
and reviewing areas from previous lessons where students have had difficulty.
Students will be expected to do lessons each week between class times. Prerequisites: Students should already be proficient in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.
However, the teacher will be spending time, especially early in the course, to be sure students are sound in fractions. Text: Math-U-See, Zeta, Student Kit and Teacher Kit. Starter Set 1 Manipulatives and Algebra/Decimal Inserts are recommended,
but not required. However, they are required for Pre-Algebra, so you may want to go ahead and purchase them this year. Pre-Algebra(not offered 2009-2010) This class will complete approximately one year of high school algebra over a seven month period. Class
time will be spent explaining the basic concepts of the new lessons, and reviewing areas from previous lessons where students have had difficulty.
Students will be expected to do lessons each week between class times. Prerequisites: Math-U-See Zeta curricula, or proficiency in basic operations,
fractions, and decimals. The teacher will be spending time, especially early in the course, to review key
concepts in each area. See below. For more information on specific content, please see http://www.mathusee.com Text: Math-U-See, Pre-Algebra, Student Kit and Teacher Kit, Starter Set 1 Manipulatives and Algebra/Decimal Inserts.
Pre-Algebra Honors Book is optional. Algebra 1 This class will complete approximately one year of high school algebra over a seven month period. Class
time will be spent explaining the basic concepts of the new lessons, and reviewing areas from previous lessons where students have had difficulty.
Students will be expected to do lessons each week between class times. Prerequisites: Math-U-See Pre-Algebra, or comparable pre-algebra course. For more information on specific content, please see http://www.mathusee.com Text: Math-U-See, Algebra I, Student Kit and Teacher Kit, Starter Set 1 Manipulatives and Algebra/Decimal Inserts. Algebra 1 Honors Book
is optional. Using Durell Dobbin's four semester science curriculum, The Rainbow, Rainbow Science is a lab-based class that
covers physics and chemistry during the first two semesters, and biology and applied sciences
during the third and fourth semesters. This year, we are offering biology and applied sciences.
Last year's students completed physics and chemistry. Text: The Rainbow, Durell Dobbins,
plus lab book. For more information, please see http://www.beginningspublishing.com/products.html Biology(not offered in 2009-2010) This is a high school level biology
class. Students will be required to read and answer questions daily
at home. Class time will be spent reinforcing what students have read
through lectures, labs and discussions. This course does include 4 dissection
labs (worm, crayfish, perch and frog). Students will be expected to
complete their assignments each week. Tests will be taken at home to
maximize class time. Text: Apologia Biology Text
Book, Jay Wile, 2nd edition. 6 student minimum in this class. Chemistry Please note this class is 90 minutes long, and 14 weeks per semester, rather than 12 weeks.
This is a high school level chemistry class. Students will be required to read and answer questions daily
at home. Class time will be spent reinforcing what students have read, and will include labs and discussions. Students will be expected to
complete their assignments each week. Tests will be taken at home to maximize class time. Text: Apologia Chemistry Text
Book, Jay Wile, 2nd edition. 6 student minimum in this class. Latin 101 Every student should take Latin, Logic,
Grammar and Composition, and Public Speaking. Over 60% of English (30%
Anglo-Saxon, 10% Greek), comes from Latin. Students who take Latin score
significantly higher on their SAT and ACT scores. Latin 101 is suitable
for students at the 6th grade level and even younger. Our Latin 101
class will cover one year of Latin in seven months. Students will be
expected to complete their assignments each week. "I will say
at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding for education is the
Latin grammar. Even a rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor
and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50 percent.
It is the key to the vocabulary and structure of all Romance languages
and to the structure of all Teutonic languages, as well as to the technical
vocabulary of all the sciences and to the literature of the entire Mediterranean
civilization, together with all its historical documents."
Dorothy Sayers, "The Lost Tools of Learning." Text: Matin Latin, Book One, Worksheet Packet 1. By Karen Craig.
Canon Press. (Be sure to order the English version! There is also a French version.) The text ISBN is 1885767463. We specifically chose
this text book because it may be successfully used even by younger children.
Latin 201 Latin 201 is the continuation of Latin 101. Students who have
completed Latin 101 are eligible for this class. In the event this class is smaller than normal, parents will
be given the option to pay slightly higher tuition in return for more individualized instruction. Text: Matin Latin, Book Two, Worksheet Packet Two.
Middle-School Grammar and Writing The class consist of approximately 70% Grammar and 30% Writing.
Students will study all of the parts of speech, writing mechanics, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation,
capitalization, and word usage. Students will have approximately eight writing assignments per semester.
These will consist of simple paragraphs to small reports. Our writing will include report writing, creative writing,
responsive writing, and poetry.
Text: Easy Grammar Plus Red
Book, Wanda C. Phillips. English Composition Learning the art of composition is
not only key to a student's success in many academic fields, but also
crucial to the development of critical thinking ability. In this class
we will explore the rhetorical foundations of a good expository essay.
We will practice all aspects of the writing process, including generating
a thesis, structuring an argument, and revising to produce a polished
final product. Text: The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White, and Roger Angell (Paperback - Jan 15, 2000). Available through
amazon.com for $9.95. Limit 12 students per class. This class is strongly recommended
for all students who have not received in-depth, specific, Christian
Worldview instruction. Our present culture is absolutely not Christian,
and very few churches teach even the basics of a Christian Worldview.
The overwhelming majority of evangelical children (including homeschoolers),
raised in Christian homes, do NOT have a Christian Worldview. Christian
Worldview and American Culture clearly explains the basics of the Biblical
worldview, and compares and contrasts the Biblical view with competing
Worldviews. In addition to the R.C. Sproul book, instruction includes
information from the Bible, Summit Ministries, the Nehemiah Institute,
FamilyVision, and other sources. Text: Lifeviews, R.C. Sproul
(any edition) + selected readings. There will be a $20 materials fee
for this class, which includes a 3-ring binder. Although we cover early American history (colonization through independence)
This survey of American History will focus on the period from 1815-1988. Our focus is not so much the major events of the period,
although we will certainly cover those. Our focus is on the sweeping themes of American history: the great ideas, the great movements,
and the consequences for family life in America. What can we learn from those experiences? How can we apply those lessons to life in the 21st century?
Text: There is no text book for this class. Instead, there is a $25 materials fee, which includes a 3-ring binder.
We will use readings from a variety of sources, including Ordeal by Fire (McPherson), Modern Times (Johnson), Birth of the Modern (Johnson), The Progressive Mind (Noble),
Age of Prosperity (Leuchtenberg), FDR and the New Deal (Leuchtenberg), and American Civilization since 1900 (Rice), and many others.
Public Speaking taught by a professional public speaker. Text: Selected readings
There will be a $10 materials fee for this class, which includes a 3-ring binder. World History from 1200AD-1800AD(not offered in 2009-2010) This is a foundational class for understanding
Western Civilization, Church History, and American Culture. History
from 1200AD-1800AD is designed to help students grasp the essential events
of Medieval Christendom, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the
Age of Explorers, American Colonization, and the Founding of America.
Special attention will be paid to the experience of families and churches
throughout this period. Please note that special care is taken in the presentation
of the material covering the Reformations. Parents are welcome to observe and participate in all
WAHA classes. Text: Reformation to Colonization (Gary DeMar), The World of Captain
John Smith (Genevieve Foster), The World of George Washington (Genevieve
Foster). Readings will also include selections from Turning Points (Mark Noll), 100
Most Important Events in Church History (Curtis, Lang), and Primary
Church Documents (Bettenson). There will also be a $25 materials fee
for this class, which includes a 3-ring binder. Politics and Government(not offered in 2009-2010) There is no better time to teach politics and government than during a presidential election. What is the proper role of government?
How do people decide who to vote for? How involved should Christians be in politics? Is there such a thing as Christian public policy? This class is much more than learning the 'three branches
of government,' and 'how a bill becomes a law.'
Text: There is no text book for this class. Instead, there is a $25 materials fee, which includes a 3-ring binder.
For more information on specific content, see here:
http://www.mathusee.com
Rainbow Middle-School Science
Suzanne
This means both new and returning Rainbow Science students
should enroll in this class. We really like this curriculum. Very hands-on, and it makes science fun and interesting.
Students will be expected to complete their assignments each week.
For example, much of the period is dominated by the push and pull between the influences of:
Weak State vs. Strong State
Rural, Agrarian vs. Urban, Industrial
Isolationism vs. Internationalism
Traditional Values vs. Progressive Values
Laissez-Faire vs. Economic Intervention
Religion vs. Secularism
We will make use of assorted readings, lecture, and discussion. Weekly homework will be assigned. Midterm and Final exams will be given.
This is a tremendous class for parents to attend.
Gary Lankford
Every Christian is a public speaker. We all need to learn effective one-on-one and small group communication skills.
We all need to learn to clearly organize our thoughts and express them effectively. All Christians are called to "speak
the truth in love," and to encourage, and to bless. This class really helps! First, we work on basic skills: voice,
facial expression, and body language. Second, students practice different types of presentations in both small groups
and larger groups. Finally, they learn to organize and present their own thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Public
Speaking is a very popular class. More former WAHA students have thanked us for this class than all our other classes
put together!
Here is a sample of topics we will discuss:
Politics? Who Cares?
Christian Public Policy
The Christian's Redemptive Role
Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Conservatives: What's the Difference?
The Judiciary in Politics
The Media in Politics
Economics and Politics
How Elections are Won and Lost
Grassroots Politics
Making a Difference
We will make use of assorted readings, lecture, and discussion. Weekly homework will be assigned. Midterm and Final exams will be given.
This is a tremendous class for parents to attend.
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