​​​Immersive Spanish (6th - 12th graders)

Tuesday, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

 

We will be using Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish, a popular language learning book by Margarita Madrigal, that teaches Spanish quickly and easily by leveraging English knowledge, avoiding rote memorization, and using a unique, proven method with original illustrations by Andy Warhol. Boring drills will be avoided, instead focusing on using English to quickly learn Spanish. This program enables learners to speak, read, and write Spanish in a few short weeks. Its content helps users instantly convert English to Spanish, form sentences from the first lesson, and identify thousands of words quickly. It includes a pronunciation key for developing perfect pronunciation.

​

This class will still review Destinos for returning students. Repetition is key for learning. The videos will be viewed at home and on occasion in the classroom when necessary to enhance the lesson.

​

Destinos, although a college program, can be used for high school to give high school credit. Additionally, the curriculum will be tailored for younger members of the class, focusing on vocabulary memorization. Another focus of the class will be speaking and correct pronunciation. The uniqueness of this program is that it is geared to an immersive way of learning. There are video episodes that students will watch. The video series is like a mystery that needs to be solved. But in it they will include the basic Spanish for beginners and normal fluent Spanish. Students are not expected to know fluent Spanish. It would be similar to the way a person who moved to a foreign country learns by picking up on clues and body language from the speaker. The textbook follows along with each video episode. Other aids for learning will depend on the student’s age and level. Video homework will be assigned to the class for practice at home. 

​

I will work to meet with each student or as a group through WhatsApp or Zoom. In addition, each student will be assigned another student to practice with during the week. Students will need access to WhatsApp or some other means of communication. But the idea is immersion. The goal is to then take the students into settings that are solely Spanish.

​

I encourage students who are currently enrolled to continue next year with the Destinos program. For 3rd year students, we will focus on reading excerpts in a book on history and culture, written in Spanish. We will use Madrigal's Spanish in addition to Destinos which will immerse them in conversation. I am currently working with two other Spanish teachers in the homeschool community to develop a program that involves the students having a pen pal with native Spanish speakers and occasional meet ups. This will include students that are their age but speak Spanish; basically a penpal exchange.

​

For all newcomers: do not be intimidated by those who have had a year of Spanish using the Destinos program. I will work with you separately. We will use WhatsApp or another app to do a separate class from home and fast track you through the Destinos program. I look forward to speaking Spanish with everyone next year. ¡Muchas gracias!

​

Instructor: Leslie Rosa

​​

​

World History: Medieval Times (6th to 8th graders)

Tuesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

 

Middle School students explore the Middle Ages with a variety of activities including class discussion, research, presentations, timelines, and mapping. Lessons will highlight key events, people, and places and utilize historical documents, biographies, landmarks, literature, and more to take students on an exciting chronological study of life in medieval times. Curriculum is under consideration.

​

Instructor: Joanna Giunta

​

​

Middle School Math Mania (Students working towards pre-algebra)

Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

 

Math Mania is a supplemental math course offering a mix of fun and math concepts. We will be exploring the worlds of fractions, decimals, and percents. Students will learn about measurement systems, graphs, and charts through practical application. We will use Math-U-See as our primary text. No homework is required (unless desired by the parent). This class is intended to be a supplemental math class that compliments the math curriculum being used at home. The first part of class will be practicing and applying fundamental math concepts. The second half of the class will be spent learning and playing unique and engaging strategic games. Logic and strategy skills will be developed primarily through board and card games. Maximum students: 8.

​

Instructor: TBD

​

​

Pre-Algebra

Wednesdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

 

Students engage pre-algebra mathematics with Saxon Algebra 1/2, 3rd edition, by reviewing and expanding the fundamental mathematics concepts of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. New topics will explore properties of real numbers, solving linear equations, geometry, graphing, and an introduction to polynomials. Examples of algebra in action will be shared. In addition, math-related current events and projects may be assigned, with students presenting their findings to the class. Periodic quizzes and cumulative tests will be given. A pre-algebra readiness test is strongly suggested.

​

Instructor: Rani Walter

​​​​​

​

Algebra 1 

Wednesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

 

Students explore Algebra 1 with Saxon Algebra 1, 4th Edition including signed numbers, exponents, two equations with two unknowns, graphing equations, scientific notation, ratio, percent, and unit conversions. Class time will encompass instruction of lessons and application of principles through sample problems. In addition, math-related current events and projects may be assigned with students presenting their findings to peers. Each week students will be assigned problems sets from the lessons. Quizzes and cumulative tests are given periodically. This class will complete Algebra 1 in one academic year. Placement test required.

​

Instructor: Rani Walter

​​​​

​

Intermediate Art (7th to 9th graders)

Wednesdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

Students will be guided on a path towards developing their imagination while being engaged with different art mediums and projects to provide hands-on learning to develop their divergent thinking skills. This class will develop a strong foundation of drawing skills like gridding, linear perspective, and proportion. Students will learn that the fundamentals of successful drawing lie not only in technical skills but also in the ability to think outside the box and unlock the power of their imagination. Students will be developing their understanding of design principles and concepts, as they are introduced to a variety of artists' works and styles. Please note: the projects are new every year so students repeating this class will explore new techniques.

​

Instructor: Patricia Storey

​

IEW Ancient History (6th to 8th graders)

Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

 

This course uses the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons to teach students how to write with structure and style while exploring the remarkable civilizations of the ancient world. Journeying through Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and beyond, students will learn to organize their thoughts, take effective notes, and write concise paragraphs and essays.

 

Each lesson introduces a specific writing model, such as narrative, descriptive, or persuasive, along with stylistic techniques including strong verbs, quality adjectives, varied sentence openers, and literary decorations. Through IEW’s proven, step-by-step approach, writing becomes both accessible and rewarding for beginners and for students seeking to strengthen their writing within a supportive, structured environment. 

​

Instructor: Denise Troxel

​

​

EIW and Creative Writing (7th to 9th graders)

Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:00pm

 

In this class students will learn the process of creative writing. Through this process they will learn skills like letter writing, short stories, poetry styles, articles, humor pieces, blog posts and finally short novel writing. This class also enhances vocabulary using Wordly Wise Level 8 and Fix it! Grammar Level 4.

 

As always, my hope is to foster a love of reading and writing. Using the EIW program students will learn different forms of essay writing. They will write expository essays, persuasive essays, literary response essays, and comparative and contrast essays. They will also write research papers, all skills necessary for upper high school and college writing. I will continue to teach and use the tools that we have learned through IEW, and other tools from curriculums that I value such as Lost Tools of Writing and Cover Story by Clearwater Press. They will learn to take notes, retell narrative stories, summarize and rewrite stories in their own words. The class will explore journaling as a means to organize thoughts into structured writing. We will also use journaling as a means to practice expressive writing and analysis of the literature being read. They will practice analytical, thinking and discussion of stories being read.

 

Literature: This class will explore different genres of literature as a means to expand their knowledge and skills in writing.

 

Public Speaking Skills: Classroom presentation of student writings and mock podcasts will be used to learn public speaking. We will practice interviewing and being interviewed which are all great life skills. They will practice good posture while speaking, eye contact and engaging fellow students as they read their writings aloud.

 

I look forward to going on this adventure with your children. Thank you for allowing me to teach them!

​​

Instructor: Leslie Rosa

​​​

​​​​

Science Explorers (6th to 8th graders)

Thursdays, 12:45pm - 3:15pm

Students are encouraged to ask the “why” and “how” of science through in-class demonstrations, labs, and independent projects. The class will be divided into two units: a life science unit and a physical science unit. This class will use HMH’s Science Fusion: The Human Body, and Science Fusion: Sound and Light. Weekly homework assignments, current events, quizzes, and unit tests will be required. 

​​

Instructor: Janet Wolford​​​​​