Class Descriptions

Class Descriptions

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[Some of you have read this document for four years in a row! Little things change, so please make yourself read all the areas applicable to your family : )!]

Lunch and Assembly

Lunch

Bring your lunch for a time of fellowship. The only beverage allowed is water. (Actually, no one with our group may ever have any drink in the building that isn’t water.)

MORNING Assembly

At 9:30, we will have a quick assembly in the auditorium. We will say the Pledge of Allegiance, pray, and share quick announcements before we’re off to our morning classes. Try your very hardest to be on time : )! If you need to drop things in your classroom beforehand, allow time for it. Students in the high school literature class are excused from assembly on days that Literature meets.

Preschool and Kindergarten

Please note: Children will be placed in nursery and the preschool and kindergarten classes using their ages as of September 1.

Nursery: Birth – 18 month

Lead Teacher: Jennifer R.

The babies and young toddlers will receive tender love and care. A child in this class needs to have a bag and cup with his name on them. Babies will need to eat lunch with their mothers so that our nursery teachers can dine with their children.

We ask that when a nursing mom is going to be in the nursery for a few minutes, she reminds a nursery worker to take a break. We need those nursery workers to get out and see the outside world too!

Younger Preschoolers: 18 month – 3 ½

Lead Teacher: Johnette H.

Younger Preschool: (18 Months through 3 1/2). The young preschoolers are all noticeably young this year! They will have arts and crafts, reading, games, outside play, music, rest time, and more. All of these wonderful things will be happening while they play, of course! : ). Have your child bring a labeled water bottle or sippy cup each week. Because they will have a rest time, each child must also bring a labeled Kindermat. (Wal-Mart school supplies aisle). We will keep the mats at Co-op until the end of the school year. If you purchased a mat last year, we have it in the storage room.

Older Preschoolers: 3½ - under 5

Lead Teacher: Angela T.

Older Preschool: The older preschoolers will enjoy a unit study based on the letter of the week. This will involve them in developmentally appropriate arts and crafts, reading, games, music, outside play, and more. Students need to bring a labeled water bottle or sippy cup each week. This group will participate in Bible stories, featuring Rod and Staff coloring books, while simultaneously focusing on an attribute of God through weekly Scripture and song with Beth P. Because they will have a rest time, each child needs to bring a labeled Kindermat. (Wal-Mart school supplies aisle). We will keep the mats at Co-op until the end of the school year. We still have your mat if you purchased one last year.

Kindergarten/Transitional First:

Lead Teacher: Stephanie Y.

K/T1 will enjoy a literature-rich unit approach that will complement your homeschooling. This group will participate in Bible stories, featuring Rod and Staff coloring books, while simultaneously focusing on an attribute of God through weekly Scripture and song with Beth P. This group will also participate in P.E. the last hour with intentionally designed group play.

First through Fourth Grades

Every 1st-4th grader will need:

1. a labeled backpack or satchel (or Braum’s sack)

2. an inexpensive binder or folder to hold science papers, art productions, and journal (journal will be provided)

3. a pencil (every week!!!)

4. a snack for mid-morning

5. a water bottle for PE

Other supplies as noted in the descriptions below.

The students rotate hourly through classrooms for language, art, science, history, and PE. First and second graders will travel as a class, and third and fourth graders will travel as a class. Although the two age groups will have the same classes, the content will be tailored developmentally to the various ages. Each of the classes is described below.

Word Explorer (1st – 2nd)

Lead Teacher: Christie G.

While following the IEW's approach to teaching young children to write, your student will also gain practice in copy work, book reports, journaling, and more. A journal WILL BE provided and will be instrumental in the class. This means that if it ever goes home for an assignment, please bring it back to class!! To learn more about IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) see http://www.excellenceinwriting.com.

Language (3rd – 4th)

Lead Teacher: Christie G.

This class will continue the IEW tradition of writing while helping students develop their own style and voice. We will pursue an exposure to a variety of genre, continue journaling, and give individual book reports. If time allows, we will try to do a group project as well. Journal is required and will be provided. To learn more about IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) see http://www.excellenceinwriting.com.

Zoology 2 – Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day

Lead Teacher: Dora H.

We will continue to use Apologia's elementary science curriculum. The book for this year is Exploring Creation with Zoology 2 – Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day by Jeannie Fulbright. To learn more about this curriculum and see sample material, go to: https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=79

We recommend that families purchase this book to read at home so that the Co-op class time can be used to enrich what is taught in the text. There will be hands-on activities, narrating/journaling, and chapter-related discussion in class. The older class will be engaged in learning and practicing the scientific process.

The book is $35 from Apologia but can be purchased cheaper elsewhere.

For instance, it is $26.50 from Rainbow Resource. Here is the link to this specific product: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Exploring+Creation+with+Zoology+2%3A+Swimming+Creatures+of+the+Fifth+Day/013236/12182

It is $28 at The Scroll in Tyler. http://www.thescroll.org/hsconnection/product.php?productid=3555&cat=0&page=1

His-Story through the Explorers (1st – 4th)

Lead Teacher: Joy G.

Picking up where we left off last year, elementary students will travel from the Renaissance through the Explorers. Using selected timeline figures as a "springboard," we will travel back in time. Through our discoveries, students will continue to learn that the Sovereign God has chosen them to be a part of His Story right now. They will be inspired by how He has always used people, places, and events to fulfill His glorious plan for the redemption of mankind and His creation!

Students will need a one-inch three-ring binder for this class. They will be given information sheets throughout the year summarizing what they are learning. Time-line figures will be sent home for the family to maintain a timeline --- giving opportunity for the child to tell about what he learned at Co-op. Options for the home timeline will be on display at orientation.

If you want to enrich their studies of this time period with readers or read-alouds, check out Sonlight’s (http://www.sonlight.com) and/or Veritas Press’s (http://www.veritaspress.com) history-based reading lists. You’ll have to dig around in each site to find the grade level that matches up with this historical period.

Art (1st – 4th)

Lead Teacher: Andrew T.

We will be exploring the beauty of art through Art Appreciation, particularly the Renaissance. We will study and paint like the “masters.” Students will learn to look at artwork and understand how it was created through methodical design, ultimately learning that God is the Master Designer—not to mention the most imaginative Artist ever! We will be focusing on the following concepts: line, form, texture, color, various art eras, and masterpiece design.

P.E. & Games (1st – 4th)

Lead Teacher: Kristie G.

The kids will play games outside, weather permitting, with the goal of enjoying group play, having fun, and learning teamwork. Please dress your child appropriately for the day’s weather! We will go out on cold days as long as is not raining. If your child wears nice shoes to Co-op that are not appropriate for running and playing in, please throw a pair of sneakers (or whatever) in his or her backpack. Don’t forget that water bottle!

Fifth and Sixth Grades

Fifth- and sixth-graders will travel together, rotating through history, science, writing, book club, shop (for boys), and home economics (for girls).

His-Story through the Explorers

Lead Teacher: Joy G.

Picking up where we left off last year, the class will travel from the Renaissance through the Explorers. Using selected timeline figures as a "springboard," we will travel back in time. Through our discoveries, students will continue to learn that the Sovereign God has chosen them to be a part of His Story right now. They will be inspired by how He has always used people, places and events to fulfill His glorious plan for the redemption of mankind and His creation!

Students will need a one-inch three-ring binder for this class. They will be given information sheets throughout the year summarizing about what they are learning about people in this period. Time-line figures will be sent home for the family to maintain a timeline --- giving opportunity for the child to tell about what he learned at Co-op. If you need ideas for ways to create a home timeline, just ask on the CHEC loop. Several moms have very creative ways of maintaining home timelines!

Zoology 2 - Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day

Lead Teacher: Dora H.

We recommend that families purchase this book to read at home so that the Co-op class time can be used to enrich what is taught in the text. There will be hands-on activities, narrating/journaling, and chapter-related discussion in class. This class will be engaged in learning and practicing the scientific process.

The book is $35 from Apologia but can be purchased cheaper elsewhere.

It is $28 at The Scroll in Tyler. http://www.thescroll.org/hsconnection/product.php?productid=3555&cat=0&page=1

Writing

Lead Teacher: Cindy C.

This course will be based on the Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum http://www.excellenceinwriting.com, which Cindy C. has adapted to fit the time allotted for co-op. Over the course of the semester, students will:

*examine ways to write without plagiarizing
*study figures of speech and literary devices
*study the use of the dictionary, thesaurus, and other reference works
*examine the difference between fact and fiction, statistics and conjecture, subjectivity and objectivity
*study proper citations for factual reports
*study the classic 3-point essay
*study stylistic techniques taught by IEW

In the Fall semester, students will:
**write a story, outlined and rewritten in their own words
**research and write a fact-based report, including proper citations
**practice good penmanship using an alphabet list and Biblical passages
**write a fictional story using a photo or picture as inspiration
**write a 5-paragraph essay

In the spring, students will create a writing project called "A Year in My Life," wherein they write about several specific events in the past year of their lives. The finished project will be in a 3-ring binder. Cindy C. will create the title page, complete with their photo and a photo of the class. Each topic will include a "picture page" created by the student using a variety of methods of the student's choice.

Each student will be required to contribute $3.00 toward the cost of binders and plastic page covers to be used during the Spring semester.

Book Club

Lead Teacher: Christie G.

Students will read The Chronicles of Narnia series. They will read the assigned chapters and answer questions at home, then discuss the book in class. We will identify the great themes while doing projects, book reports, copy work, dictation, games, group discus-sions, and more! Weekly reading IS required to participate fully in the class. By the way, The Chronicles of Narnia makes a great family read-aloud. Consider reading this with your child to participate in the learning.

Students will encounter the basics of plot, theme, and basic character development as they learn to read carefully. In addition, students will be introduced to various literary devices, such as simile, metaphor, foreshadowing, imagery, and the use of dialogue. Through activities and discussion, students will begin to explore the relationship between the imagination and Christian living.

Small Engines for Boys (5th and up)

Lead Teacher: Donald C.

Students will be taking apart an engine and putting it back together at Co-op!. The cost to each family is $24.95. Once all the fees have been collected, we will send it in, and each family will receive a CD with the student text on it. They can choose to do the course from the disc, print it themselves, or pay $8.00 for Donald to print it in color for them. Donald has all the study guides and quizzes, and he will pass these out as they go along. He will grade and track the students’ performance for the parents.

Students will read at home and do a little studying, but the hands-on stuff will be at Co-op. To learn about the curriculum, see: http://www.sonshineteched.com/products.html

Home Economics for Girls (5th and up)

Lead Teacher: Beth P.

The Home Economics elective will offer a variety of activities, possibly including some cooking and sewing, nutrition, decorating, or etiquette. While we will learn some skills and basic knowledge, Beth desires that this course will help students develop a love for their God-given responsibilities as women. This class will seek to help these young ladies discover ways to express their creativity in various areas of service in their homes.

Junior High School (7th – 8th Grades)

Literature

Lead Teacher: Christie G.

Over the course of the year, students will read both fiction and biographies, focusing on lives lived well for, and in, Christ. The class will also involve at least one parent-assigned book project. Students will read the assigned chapters and answer questions at home, then discuss the book in class. Please know that it is difficult to select literature that is challenging to every student, yet completely unobjectionable in every way, especially for students at this age. Therefore, please feel free to pre-read or inquire further about any or all of the books that are assigned..

Students will review the basics of plot, theme, and basic character development as they learn to evaluate a variety of genres. While attention will be given to the use of literary devices, homework will be limited to weekly reading assignments and a possible book-related assignment. Through group discussion and activities of selected books, the student will be encouraged to evaluate godly characteristics perceivable through literature as they further solidify their Christian worldview.

Texas History:

Lead Teacher: Lisa B.

[Note that the below description is tentative, and may not reflect the plans of the lead teacher. As soon as Lisa B recovers from her move, we’ll provide a more specific class description]

In the past, we have used the content of Texas history to help students develop their organization and project skills. That seems to have been beneficial, so we are going to do it again.

Students will build a Texas notebook using a large three ring binder and dividers (1 ½ inch with dividers). The teacher will direct the notebooks, with mom and dad overseeing the learning and projects at home. The notebooks might, for example, have a section on maps --- thus needing to study/color/label maps (counties, rivers, terrain, major cities, and more) or tourism --- thus necessitating business letters requesting information from different regions, cities, landmarks.

More to come very soon --- when I actually know what I’m talking about : ).

CHEC Junior and Senior High Writing Program

A NOTE ON GRAMMAR:

Although grammar will naturally come up in the writing classes and curriculums, we will NOT cover formal grammar in the CHEC writing classes. For a student to be in a CHEC writing class, they must be doing a formal grammar program at home. At orientation, you will be asked to provide the name of the grammar program you will be doing at home with your writing student. If you do not feel equipped to “teach” grammar at home, you can learn alongside your student.

Most formal grammar curriculums include composition, so you may choose to skip that part since they will already be doing writing at Co-op. Some formal grammar curriculums you might consider are ABeka’s 7th-10th series Grammar and Composition www.abeka.com (around $15 for the student book and around $18 for the teacher’s key), Rod and Staff’s .2nd – 10th series Grammar and Composition http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Building_Christian_English_Series/ (around $40 for the complete grade package), Bob Jones University Press’s Writing and Grammar http://rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1218598034-1213724&subject=7&category=1493 (around $80 for the complete package, but you might not need the complete package).

There are obviously other strong formal grammar programs out there! There are also other light and fun programs that might be great IF your child already has a strong understanding of grammar and just needs to maintain that knowledge.

HOMEWORK:

To participate in a writing class the students MUST do the writing assignments and submit them in the form required by the teacher (or curriculum). There will be a tray for each CHEC writing class for students to hand in their work AS THEY ARRIVE at Co-op each morning. The teachers will let the parents know if the student is not handing in his or her work or if they are not following instructions, but the parent really should know the status of the work as they oversee it at home.

WriteShop 1

Lead Teacher: Leigh Ann K.

For a description of the curriculum, see http://www.writeshop.com/. Choose WriteShop I. The teacher will teach the week's lesson at Co-op. The students will do four days of homework (nicely laid out in the student manuals) and bring their papers back to class for marking. Each student will need a student workbook (Workbook 1 $45.95 Rainbow Resource, http://rainbowresource.com/product/WriteShop%3A+Incremental+Writing+Pgm+Workbook+1/002472/1218598034-1213724). You might be able to buy one used. We’ve used this curriculum four years, so there are lots of used ones floating around in CHEC and CHEMPA. Ask on the loop. There are also several used-curriculum sites listed at www.chempa.org.

This writing program emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and word choice. We will focus on writing strong paragraphs through a wide range of writing activities and by teaching clear editing techniques.

WriteShop 2

Lead Teacher: Rhonda S.

See http://www.writeshop.com/writeshopii.htm for a description of WriteShop II (and WriteShop I). There is a short review of the techniques learned in WriteShop I at the beginning of WriteShop II. The teacher will teach the week's lesson at Co-op. The students will do four days of homework (nicely laid out in their student manuals) and bring their papers back to class for marking. Each student will need a student workbook (Workbook 2 $45.95 Rainbow Resource). http://rainbowresource.com/product/WriteShop%3A+Incremental+Writing+Pgm+Workbook+2/002474/1218601979-1605205 . You might be able to buy one used. There are several used-curriculum sites listed at www.chempa.org, or you might ask if anyone from a previous year's class wants to sell theirs.

This writing program builds on the foundation set by WriteShop 1, emphasizing clarity, conciseness, and word choice.

CHEC Junior and Senior High Science Program

AT HOME:

The content of the sciences course is learned at home through the wonderful and easy-to-read Apologia texts --- under the supervision of the parents! Parents need to make sure that their science student is working through the material at a pace to be ready for the lab classes at Co-op (usually 5 – 7 pages per day). The parent will oversee the reading/learning, the answering of the On Your Own questions, the completion of the Study Guide(Chapter Review), Practice Problems (only in Chemistry and Physics), and the testing. Because Apologia was written for the homeschool family, all this can easily be done with a non-science parent and a diligent student! All you need is the text and the solutions manual --- and to make sure the work is being done!

AT CO-OP:

The labs and experiments are done at Co-op. This means that the mess is made and cleaned up at Co-op. The teachers will oversee the experiments and put them in context of the chapter. In some of the books there are a few chapters that don’t have experiments. Those chapters will be supplemented with appropriate videos, guest speakers, and/or teacher lectures.

THE TEXTS:

We use the first editions in all the classes, but 2nd editions have been used by students in our classes with no problem. Go to www.highschoolscience.com to learn about the curriculums. Go to Rainbow Resource for a good deal on new books http://rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1218601979-1605205&subject=11&category=2702. Look for inexpensive used copies of the texts on the CHEMPA loop and used curriculum websites (www.chempa.org). Also, lots of people loan out their copies! Our hope is for CHEC to eventually own all the science books and rent them out like we do the math books.

General Science Lab

Lead Teacher: Amy D..

Apologia Science is the curriculum. See www.highschoolscience.com to learn about the curriculum. If you follow the Apologia pattern, General Science is slotted for 7^th grade. In this class we will do the experiments/labs for Apologia General Science. You should be covering science at home by overseeing their work through the textbook. Students will be given a lesson plan (see the science calendar on the CHEC site), and they must be up-to-date and prepared when they come to class so they can participate in the learning experience there. Students will need to purchase (or borrow) the text, Exploring Creation with General Science.

Physical Science Lab

Lead Teacher: Laura B.

Apologia Science is the curriculum. If you follow the Apologia Pattern, Physical Science is done in the 8th grade. If you have an older child who has not done Physical Science, they are welcome in this class. In this class we will do the experiments/labs for Apologia Physical Science. You should be covering science at home by overseeing their work through the textbook. Students will be given a lesson plan (see the science calendar on the CHEC site), and they must be up-to-date and prepared when they come to class so they can participate in the learning experience there. Students will need to purchase (or borrow) the text, Exploring Creation with Physical Science.

CHEC Junior and Senior High Math Program

HOMEWORK:

Homeschooled students benefit from self-teaching and taking responsibility for their education. Because we feel that given a good textbook, they can be their own best teacher, we give each student the answers to the homework. The students are encouraged to do several problems (3 – 5) and then to stop and check them for accuracy. Traditionally, students do the entire homework set without checking along the way for understanding (shown by correct answers), so they are likely practicing badly. Only perfect practice makes perfect! So, to be clear, the answers are given to the student to check their work AS THEY DO the homework, not after they complete it. If you think your child will be tempted to cheat (copy the answers without doing the work), you can be in the room with the solutions manual and have him stop and call out answers every few problems. Your choice :

Important: There is only so much that can be done in one hour per week; therefore the student must be very industrious at home during the week. During class, we will answer questions about the previous week's work, but the majority of the time will be spent getting them ready to do the next week's work through overviews of the upcoming concepts and working examples. The assignments are given by the teacher. Tests are provided by the curriculum and/or the teacher. Some teachers will grade the tests if the parents prefer it.

In most math classes students will need a one-subject 100-page spiral notebook and two good pencils.

Junior High Math (7th or 8th)

Lead Teacher: Gina F.

This traditional junior-high math curriculum (Mathematics Today - Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich), has been purchased by the Co-op for parents to check-out for the year at orientation. There will be a reasonable rental fee.

Algebra can follow this course.

Pre-Algebra (8th)

Lead Teacher: Gina F.

This traditional pre-Algebra curriculum (Basic College Math – Addison-Wesley) has been purchased by Co-op for the parents to check out for the year at orientation. There will be a reasonable rental fee.

Extras

Shop for Boys (5th and up)

Lead Teacher: Donald C.

Students will read at home and do a little studying, but the hands-on stuff will be at Co-op. To learn about the curriculum, see: http://www.sonshineteched.com/products.html

Home Economics for Girls (5th and up)

Lead Teacher: Beth P.

The Home Economics elective will offer a variety of activities, possibly including some cooking and sewing, nutrition, decorating, or etiquette. While we will lean some skills and basic knowledge, Beth desires that this course will help students develop a love for their God-given responsibilities as women. This class will seek to help these young ladies discover ways to express their creativity in various areas of service in their homes.

Independent Studies

Students must bring work from home. This will be a silent study time.

High School (9th - 12th Grades)

Medieval Literature

Lead Teacher: Mike S.

Literature is open to all CHEMPA students. It is a high school course, but 8th graders that are strong readers are also welcome. This year the students will be reading literature from the Medieval period. Students will read and discuss Beowulf; The Rule of St. Benedict; Song of Roland; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Murder in the Cathedral; Inferno; and selections from The Canterbury Tales, along with a few others. We will also be doing at least one short research project on the Middle Ages and the spread of Christianity, which will help us understand all of the first semester works.

Mike's class will meet on Fridays at North Ridge Church of Christ at 8:45. When he travels (which is often), the class will meet at an alternative time --- usually lunch on Tuesday.

Mike will purchase the books and tries to keep costs at a reasonable level (about $25 for the fall). He will distribute a syllabus and the first book at orientation. Karen Reed will collect the money for books.

Note: This course meets Fridays before Co-op 8:45 – 9:45 and some Tuesdays at lunch.

Geography

Lead Teacher: Kirsten G.

The text for Geography will be "Trail Guide to World Geography" http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1218686957-1105205&subject=14&category=4619, but parents DO NOT need to purchase the Teacher's Manual as I will be able to make copies of all the assignments. The students will do daily drills and activities and put together a "geography notebook". We will do mapping and more activities in class.

Students will need to purchase the "Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide" http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Ultimate+Geography+and+Timeline+Guide/000695/1218686957-1105205,

"Answer Atlas "http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Answer+Atlas/036555/1218686957-1105205 and a 3 ring binder with dividers.

CHEC Junior and Senior High Writing Program

A NOTE ON GRAMMAR:

http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Building_Christian_English_Series/ (around $40 for the complete grade package), Bob Jones University Press’s Writing and Grammar http://rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1218598034-1213724&subject=7&category=1493 (around $80 for the complete package, but you might not need the complete package).

HOMEWORK:

WriteShop 2

Lead Teacher: Rhonda S.

See http://www.writeshop.com/writeshopii.htm for a description of WriteShop II (and WriteShop I). There is a short review of the techniques learned in WriteShop I at the beginning of WriteShop II. The teacher will teach the week's lesson at Co-op. The students will do the homework from their student manual and bring their papers back to class for grading (marking, not really grading). Each student will need a student workbook (Workbook 2). You might be able to buy one used. There are several used-curriculum sites listed at www.chempa.org, or you might ask if anyone from last year's class wants to sell theirs.

This writing program builds on the foundation set by WriteShop 2, emphasizing clarity, conciseness, and word choice.

Put That in Writing I

Lead Teacher: Norma J.

The teacher will teach the week's lesson at Co-op. The students will do the homework from their student manual and bring their papers back to class for grading (marking, not really grading). To see what the curriculum is about, go www.BarrettsBookshelf.com and find Put That in Writing, Level One. The emphasis is on the well written and well thought out paragraph (and essay) --- moving away from description and towards opinions and information. Each student will need a spiral student text and answer packet. You can purchase from Barretts Bookshelf or from Rainbow http://rainbowresource.com/search.php?sid=1218735817-640819. There may be other sources that are cheaper.

Put That In Writing II

Lead Teacher: Jo Anne C.

The teacher will teach the week's lesson at Co-op. The students will do the homework from their student manual and bring their papers back to class for grading (marking, not really grading). To see what the curriculum is about, go www.BarrettsBookshelf.com and find Put That in Writing, Level Two. The emphasis is on the well written and well thought out essay --- moving away from description and towards opinions and information. Each student will need a spiral student text and answer packet. You can purchase from Barretts Bookshelf or from Rainbow http://rainbowresource.com/search.php?sid=1218735817-640819. There may be other sources that are cheaper.

CHEC Junior and Senior High Science Program

AT HOME:

AT CO-OP:

THE TEXTS:

Apologia Physical Science

Lead Teacher: Laura B.

See www.highschoolscience.com for a description of this course. At Co-op, we only do the lab work. The students will be responsible to do all readings, questions, reviews, and testing at home. We provide all the equipment for the labs. There is a lab fee to recover the cost of the equipment, but it is small.

Apologia Biology

Lead Teacher: Royce A.

See www.highschoolscience.com for a description of the course. At Co-op, students will be doing only the lab work. The students will be responsible to do all readings, questions, reviews, and testing at home. For biology, we are blessed to have four very expensive microscopes, slide kits, dissection kits, and more. Because the sciences have expensive equipment, there is a lab fee. The biology fee is higher than the other sciences because each student dissects four specimens (worm, crayfish, perch, and frog), and those must be purchased.

Apologia Chemistry

Lead Teacher: Karen R.

See www.highschoolscience.com for a description of the course. The students will be doing only the lab work at Co-op. The students will be responsible to do all readings, questions, reviews, and testing at home. We own all the lab equipment needed to perform the experiments, and again, there will be a minimal lab fee.

Apologia Physics Lab:

Lead Teacher: Laura B.

CHEC Junior and Senior High Math Program

Algebra I

Lead Teacher: Lisa S.

This is a traditional Algebra I course, using a curriculum purchased by the Co-op for parents to check-out for the year at orientation. There will be a reasonable rental fee. Important: There is only so much that can be done in one hour per week, therefore the student must be very industrious at home during the week. During class, we will answer questions from the previous week's work, but the majority of the time will be spent getting them ready to do the next week's work through overviews of the coming concepts and working examples. Students will need a one-subject 100-page spiral notebook and two good pencils.

Geometry

Lead Teacher: Karen R.

This is a traditional Geometry course, using a curriculum purchased by the Co-op for parents to check-out for the year at orientation. There will be a reasonable rental fee. Important: There is only so much that can be done in one hour per week, therefore the student must be very industrious at home during the week. During class, we will answer questions from the previous week's work, but the majority of the time will be spent getting them ready to do the next week's work through overviews of the coming concepts and working examples. Students will need a one-subject 100-page spiral notebook and two good pencils. Students will need other supplies, TBA, such as protractors, etc.

Consumer Math

Lead Teacher: Christine Ballard

Go to http://www.bjupress.com/product/189308?path=2034 to read about this class. It sounds GREAT! Christine has been able to find these Bob Jones books used for a reasonable amount. She has gotten copies for those who have expressed an interest. She can probably find more used copies for others, but she’ll need to know VERY soon.

Electives and Such

Debate

Lead Teacher: Jo Anne C.

This class will focus on fundamentals of debate. The curriculum is by Antithesis Debate Publications. It is An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate by Christy Shipe and will be the main text. We will be doing activities to develop our debate skills, and we will be working with selected debate topics.

This class does require time and dedication from the students, but it will be very rewarding. The benefits are too many to list in this short course description. Please contact Jo Anne if you need more details. You should strongly consider this course if your child is thinking about joining CHEMPA's Debate Club.

SAT Preparation

Lead Teacher: Lisa S.

There are all sorts of things to be learned about the SAT (and other standardized tests), that will make taking the test more comfortable and that will make the outcome better. According to the Princeton Review, doing well on the SAT isn’t “about learning more algebra, it's about knowing how to approach a standardized test.” Although that is an exaggeration, there is plenty of truth in it.

In this class the students will learn test strategies for each of the three areas: reading comprehension, math, and writing. They will be held accountable to do the SAT Questions of the Day sent to their email address from the College Board. They will review math concepts from elementary math through Geometry. They will do practice tests at home and parts of tests in class.

The students will need to buy one of the SAT prep books (usually around $20), but I haven’t picked it yet : ). I have three on my desk right now to look at as soon as these crazy descriptions are done. Whatever I pick will be available locally at Hastings : ). (Of course, you may decide to purchase it online elsewhere.)

Computers

Lead Teacher: Kirsten G.

1. Everything you always wanted to know about computers and the internet but were afraid to ask!

2. What is the internet? How did it start?

3. Learning computer jargon and their meanings: I.P., http, ftp, bits and bytes, bandwidth, ISP, url, jpeg, gif and more!

4. Web browser tips and tricks

5. Virus risks and safeguards

6. Basic knowledge of Word, Excel, and Power Point.

7. And last but not least: creating a web page with basic html.

Take a look at the likely curriculum, Computer Science: Pure and Simple, at http://www.motherboardbooks.com/index.htm. Although it is expensive, it comes out to just under $4 per 55 minute class (assuming 25 classes)(ordering from Rainbow). Try to get piano lessons for that : ). Also, if six or more books are ordered, the publisher is going to give us a break, so it will come out to just over $2 per 55 minute class. (This is an example of Lisa’s inclination to turn everything into a math word problem!)

Independent Study

Students must bring work from home. This will be a silent study time.