Core Academic Course Descriptions for Session 4, 2024-2025
ELA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS for 6th-8th SYLLABUS HERE
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This two-day, full-year core course is broken into four sessions, can accommodate a range of skills, and focuses on reading and composition. High-interest articles, essays and book excerpts will be enjoyed, with time for discussion, evaluation, and writing. Scholastic SCOPE or similar materials will be used for analysis of current events (subscription included). Social studies/current event topics are often incorporated into lessons, with a range of activities to be expected (group presentations, reader’s theatre, etc.). The focus of Session 4 will be narrative/ creative writing. Students should expect to complete at least one final draft essay per session. Basic conventions, mechanics and editing will be practiced weekly. Additional independent reading will be assigned, as well as extra writing practice as needed. Materials required: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen. Independent reading and writing are required (2-3 hrs/week) Students will need to have an approved novel of choice for independent reading each week. At least 5 novels should be completed annually. This is a full-year course of study. The 9:00 class is recommended for levels 6th/7th. The 11:00 class is recommended for those at the 7th-9th level. It is also recommended that students enrolled in ELA also take an ELA Study Session. The one-time course fee includes a subscription to Scholastic SCOPE Magazine. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 12 per class.
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ENGLISH COHORT I
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This one-day, full-year core course is broken into four sessions, can accommodate a range of skills, and focuses on reading and composition. High-interest articles, essays, and book excerpts will be enjoyed, with time for discussion, evaluation, and writing. Scholastic SCOPE or similar materials will be used for analysis of current events (subscription included). Social studies/current event topics are often incorporated into lessons, with a range of activities to be expected (group presentations, reader’s theatre, etc.). The focus of Session 3 will be persuasive/ argument writing; Session 4 will be narrative/ creative writing. Students should expect to complete at least one final draft essay per session. Basic conventions, mechanics and editing will be practiced weekly. Additional independent reading will be assigned, as well as extra writing practice as needed. Materials required: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen. Independent reading and writing are required (2-3 hrs/week) Students will need to have an approved novel of choice for independent reading each week. At least 5 novels should be completed annually. This is a full-year course of study. It is also recommended that students enrolled in ELA also take an ELA Study Session. The one-time course fee includes a subscription to Scholastic SCOPE Magazine. *Please note: Our English Cohort I on Friday is a modified version of our ELA M/W course that was specifically arranged to accommodate a cluster of 7th/8th students who requested ELA. Please refer to the ELA syllabus above for more information on the weekly focus. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 7.
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FOUNDATIONS OF MATH SYLLABUS HERE
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This full year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 6th grade but is open to 6th–8th graders who need a solid foundation in middle school math skills. With lessons both online and hard copy provided, students will practice foundational skills including basic algorithms of multiplication and division. They will also explore relationships between fractions, decimals, and percentages, and perform all operations involving decimals and fractions. Word problems, games and activities will be used to enhance understanding. The course uses the text
Everyday Math, Book I.
It is recommended that students enrolled in Foundations of Math also take the Foundations Math Games course on Tuesday and/or at least one MAYL class. Materials required: spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil.
Independent work is expected, 2 -3 hrs/week. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Max: 10.
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PRE-ALGEBRA SYLLABUS HERE
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This full-year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 7th grade but is open to
6th–8th graders who are ready for this level. Students will be provided instruction specifically targeting pre-algebra skills to build proficiency with key algebraic concepts, such as analyzing, using, and applying proportional relationships; rational numbers; algebraic expressions and linear equations; and appropriate geometric, probability, and statistics concepts. This course is designed to prepare students for Middle School Algebra. The format of lessons given is direct instruction, independent practice, problem-solving, and project-based learning. The course uses the text Everyday Math, Book 2, as well as lessons from Glencoe aligned with 7th-grade standards. Materials Required: folder with pockets, one single subject lined notebook, loose leaf lined paper, pencil & eraser, scientific calculator (TI-30 suggested), and ruler. Pre-assessment is required for placement. Independent work is expected; 2-3 hrs./wk. Instructor: Rachel Ameche. Max: 8 per class
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MS ALGEBRA SYLLABUS HERE
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This full-year course of study aligns with the recommended curriculum standards for 8th grade but is open to 6th-7th graders who are ready. Through in-class, hard copy, and online lessons, students will be provided instruction specifically targeting algebra skills to build proficiency with key algebraic concepts, such as analyzing, using, and applying rational numbers; algebraic expressions; linear equations and functions; and appropriate geometric, probability, and statistics concepts. This course is designed to prepare students for 9th-level Algebra 1. We will be using the Glencoe Pre-Algebra text as well as other sources for this 8th-grade level class. The format of lessons given is direct instruction, independent practice, problem-solving, and project-based learning.
Materials Required: 1 subject spiral bound notebook, folder, ruler, loose leaf lined paper, pencils & eraser, scientific calculator (TI-30 suggested),
and access to a computer at home. Pre-assessment is required for placement.
Independent work is expected; about 3-4 hrs./wk. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Max: 8
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MONEY MATTERS II SYLLABUS HERE
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Money Matters is a course designed to introduce students to essential financial concepts that will get them started on their journey to financial literacy. Through engaging activities, they will discover the world of banking, work on budgeting skills, and explore the basics of investing. With collaborative projects, discussions, and games, students will build the foundational knowledge needed to understand how money impacts the world around them and their relationship to it
. Light independent work may be assigned, up to up to 30 min./wk. Instructor: Rachel Ameche. Max: 8
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MAPPING THE WORLD SYLLABUS HERE
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This
full-year course will allow students to immerse themselves in world geography, starting at any level. By the end of the year (IF attending all four sessions and completing all assignments and independent practice), students will be able to draw a map of the world by heart
, on an equirectangular grid, and (dependent on their starting point of knowledge) will include most of the world’s countries, major bodies of water, and major landforms. Like anything, the final product is determined by the time and effort put into this course, which begins in August! Session 1 will focus on major world regions and the Americas, with an independent country study project started. Lessons are taken from David Smith’s “Mapping the World by Heart” curriculum, teacher-developed curriculum, video, and other resources. Each lesson will help students build an understanding of various maps, regions, climate, GPS, the spatial relationships of countries and continents to one another, and regional/cultural and historical information about MANY countries. Materials needed each week include a spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen (optional: a personal set of sharpened colored pencils). Materials required: National Geographic “Kids” Student World Atlas, Fifth Edition (2019). National Geographic Kids World Atlas, Sixth Edition (2021) may also be used, but the 5th edition (“Kids”) is recommended as it aligns better with the maps we use in class.
Independent work is expected, about 2 hrs./week, with several projects. Instructor Lori Peters. Max: 12
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MEDIEVAL TIMES II SYLLABUS HERE
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Delve deep into the fascinating
(and sometimes disgusting) world of the Middle Ages! We’ll follow the thread of history from the Roman Empire through the barbarian invasions, feudalism, the Crusades, and the plague until we reach the bright spark of the Renaissance. Along the way, we’ll learn about Knights and Castles, heraldry, Vikings, Samurai warriors, and the advancements in the arts, science, and technology that provide the foundation for our current understanding of the universe. We’ll bring the learning to life with various hands-on projects including art, games, engineering, and even a little bit of explosives! An independent research project into a topic of choice will end the unit in Session 4. Independent work is expected, up to about 1 hr./week; the course will culminate with student presentations on a topic of their choice. Instructor: Jenni Buchanan. Max: 8
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VIEWPOINT II SYLLABUS HERE
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This course will continue to look at a few current and historical events that have been met with controversy and a broad range of viewpoints. We’ll review lessons on media literacy, what constitutes fact-based news and propaganda, as well as the political bias ranking on various journalism news outlets. Through discussion and research, students will determine their viewpoint on the subject after carefully weighing many sides. This will not be a debate class as much as it is a discussion class and an opportunity to share informed perspectives with maturity and a willingness to hear others. A range of opinions is expected and welcomed! Topics in Session 4 will focus on legislation and include: the Alien and Sedition Acts, the National Labor Relations Act (unions), Affirmative Action, and the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Independent work may be expected, about 30 min/week on average. Instructor: Melanie Ware. Max: 8
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BIOLOGY: ANATOMY II SYLLABUS HERE
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Part 2 of 2. Learn about the anatomy and physiology of mammals (including humans), from the smallest cells to the largest organ in the body! Study the structure and function of each organ system and learn how they work in concert with each other to keep us alive and healthy. The class will include hands-on STEAM activities, including microscope work and dissections of various animal organs such as an eye, heart, brain, and kidney. The lab fee includes the cost of specimens and tools. Independent work is expected, about 30 min./wk. Instructor: Jenni Buchanan. Max: 8
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WILDLIFE IV: LOCAL ISLAND ECOLOGY SYLLABUS HERE
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Part 4 of 4. Discover the incredible natural and cultural history of the Channel Islands! This course takes students on an exciting journey through the unique landscapes, weather patterns, and diverse wildlife of this remarkable archipelago. We will explore the evolutionary history of island species, including the famous Channel Islands fox, and study the rich bird and mammal populations that call these islands home. Through engaging lessons and hands-on field trips to the University of Channel Islands park, botanical gardens, local hikes, and the Chumash museum, students will gain a deeper understanding of the islands’ geography, ecology, and the Indigenous peoples who have lived there for thousands of years. Join us for an adventure in science, history, and conservation!
Instructors: Rachel Ameche with Jenni Buchanan assisting.
Max: 10. *
Parent permission is required to transport your child.
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BODY TALK II SYLLABUS HERE
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This popular and unique OSA course has been offered annually to rave reviews from kids! Students learn about the physical, emotional, and social changes experienced during puberty in an age-appropriate, safe environment. It’s not just about puberty and sex; the course also addresses media, pressures, and gender roles. Level II is for older students in grades 8th, or mature 7th graders who have already been exposed to comprehensive sexual education and/or have taken Body Talk I. There will be some homework assignments, though returning them is not required. These assignments are meant solely for students’ personal growth and interest and usually involve discussions with parents or other trusted adults about the topics covered in class Instructor Robin Lindsey has taught human sexuality classes to teens for many years. Melanie Ware will assist. Max: 10.
OUR BIOLOGICAL WORLD SYLLABUS HERE
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This
four-part molecular science series (nanoscience) is designed to engage middle school students in the joys of chemistry and biology. The course will review 5th – 8th grade California chemistry and biology standards in a fun and interactive way that is bound to leave students with a lifelong appreciation of the sciences. The class will reveal insights and connections with real life as chemistry and biology is all around us and within us. Most students who take this class will look forward to high school science. This series of 32 molecular science classes includes the following sessions: Shapes of Nature, Chemistry “R” Us Part 1, Chemistry “R” Us Part 2, and the Biological World. The classes in this series are equal parts lectures, videos, hands-on experiments, and discussion. Please note: a $100 annual course fee is due before the first session.
Please note: a $100 annual course fee is due before the first session. Light work may be expected, such as reviewing handouts, up to 30 min./wk. Instructor: Dr. Steve Yoshinaga. Max: 12
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