Electives 2008-2009

Registration Fees*
Before June 1, 2008:   $30 per student for elementary/middle
                                     $40 per student for high school

After June 1, 2008:  $45 per student for elementary/middle 
                                 $55 per student for high school
                                     
*Registration fees are waived for students also attending Academy classes.

Tuition Fees 
1 hour classes:  $30 per month
1 1/2 hour classes:  $40 per month

Some classes may require a lab fee or purchase of a textbook.  Please read the class descriptions carefully.
 

Please note that we now offer electives on Tuesday and Thursday.
Tuesday
8:30 - 9:50 a.m.

9:00 - 9:50 a.m.

Elementary Science - Roxann Threatt
Ages 8-10
In this class, the students will get to experience various avenues of science. Through observation, experimentation, class discussion, and exploration, the student will enjoy the discovery of God's creation and the intricacies of His world. They will learn the scientific method and how to use it practically as they explore science. There will be some reading at home required, and we will be keeping a notebook. Please purchase a 3-ring binder for this class. There will also be a list of readily available supplies that students will need to bring to class for experiments. A list will be given at the beginning of the year. The students in this class should be able to read and write independently and be ready to participate in discussion and experiments. In this class, students will be doing many experiments and dissections. Because of this, we will require an additional lab fee of $10.


No longer full - New class has been added
Institute for Excellence in Writing - Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons- Kathy Poyner and Deena Bouknight
Ages 9-14
Using Medieval History themes, students will learn the models of structure and elements of style in the IEW method of writing. Assignments will strengthen the students' understanding of history as they write about characters such as Charlemagne, King Arthur, Lady Godiva, and Marco Polo. They will learn to make key word outlines, write from pictures, summarize references, write formal reports, and much more. This class will require daily work at home on writing assignments and the purchase of a textbook for approximately $29.

Drawing/Painting - Sonia Neale
Middle/High School
This class will look at art from different cultures around the world to give students a chance to see how other cultures make art. The class will explore many art mediums that can be combined to create both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional pieces. We will be looking at what kind of art is being done around the world, the history of art, learning different techniques and just plain having fun. Art assignments will be different than last year. Each student is required to bring his/her own sketch book. These may be found at Wal-Mart, craft stores, and many dollar stores.

High School - Government/Economics - Diana Stevenson
Ages 14-18
This class will be for High School credit.  1/2 credit will be in government which will be covered in the first semester.  The class will use the A Beka text American Government in Christian Perspective.  It is required that each student have his own copy and also a copy of the test/quiz book to be turned in to the teacher at the beginning of the class.  The class will be able to do many hands on activities with the upcoming election.  Participation in campaign activities will be a requirement.
The second semester will cover economics and again the A Beka text willbe used.  Each student must have a copy of Economics and the test/quiz book that goes with it.  Another book Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell will be used quite a bit and it is encouraged that students have this helpful book.  It is not required but to gain an honors credit for this course they must read this book in addition to the other work.  A syllabus will be emailed to each student who signs up for the class.  There will be some summer reading required as preparation for this class.



No longer full - new class has been added 
Magic School Bus Science - Tanya Crooks and Carla McAnally
Ages 5-8
Jump aboard the Magic School Bus for a year full of hands-on fun!  Students will explore a different topic each week and participate in experiments based on the lessons in these popular books.


Geography - Melanie Letts
Ages 6-10
This class will trailblaze through world geography.  Valuable geography facts and terms are taught in a way that is fun and easy to learn.  The students will broaden their ability to use maps, locate countries, capitals, bodies of water, and landforms.  Each student (family) will need to purchase a copy of Cindy Wiggers book, Trail Guide to World Geography, and Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne.  Both books together are approximately $20 through Rainbow Resources.  Each student will also be compiling a geography notebook, so a 3-ring binder is also required.  Join us as we explore God's amazing world through geography!


Creative Writing - Kim Andryszyk
Ages 7-12
Do you have a budding poet or storywriter at home? In this class, your child will enjoy writing descriptives, expositories, narratives, poetry, fables and tall tales. Mechanics such as figurative language, vocabulary building, poetic devices, and correct grammar and punctuation usage are incorporated into each lesson in a fun and exciting way. Students will need a 3-ring binder, a thesaurus, and a rhyming dictionary.
 



STUDY HALL
During each elective hour, a study hall will be offered for those who need to drop or pick up children at the same time. The study hall is only for the convenience of those families who have multiple children but are unable to find a suitable elective for each child. For a child to be eligible, they must have a sibling in an elective class at the time they want the study hall. The study hall will be supervised, and there will need to be a minimum number to have it. Students must bring work or a book to read. Quiet and order will be maintained so that the students can be productive. Cost is $5 per month.


LUNCH     1:00 - 1:25 p.m.

A supervised lunch period is offered to those who are taking Academy classes and a 1:30 elective class. This lunch period is offered only to those in this category. The cost is $5 per student per month. This covers the cost of paying someone to supervise. This does not cover the cost of cleaning up. Please advise students that they are responsible to clean up their lunch and throw away their trash. Proper behavior is required.

Tuesday Afternoon

1:30 - 2:20 p.m.
1:30 - 2:50 p.m.
Latina Christiana I - Petria Parish
Ages 9-12
Latina Christiana 1 is a beginning Latin Course.  Students must have a basic grasp of English grammar taught in Prima Latina, but Prima Latina is not a prerequisite.  We will study vocabulary, grammar, memorize verses and songs.  There are also some history lessons included in the curriculum that make it very interesting.  There will be weekly quizzes to go with the lessons.  I would encourage you, if interested, to look at the book if you have any questions. You may also call me. There will be 2 or 3 hours study time out of class to learn vocabulary and prepare for quizzes.  The Latina Christiana I book is required for this class.

Biblical Girlhood/Etiquette - Emily Greenwood
Girls, ages 8-14
Students will learn basic homemaking skills and the fundamentals of manners and etiquette from a biblical perspective.  Scripture memorization will be incorporated into each lesson and students will have many opportunites to practice what they learn.
An end-of-the-year dinner will be held for the students to show their parents what they have learned.  A cost of $10 will pay for materials used during the class.


Chivalry for Boys - Rod Arters
Boys, Ages 8-14
Chivalry is derived from the French word “chevalier”, indicating one who rides a horse.   We will not be riding any horses, however, we will be exploring the ideals of honor, respect and courteous behavior as associated with the medieval institution of knighthood and discovering how these find their root in Biblical Christianity.   The medieval knightly class was adept at the art of war, trained in fighting in armor, with lances, swords and shields.   Although our hand to hand combat will be limited, we will aim to equip the young men in spiritual warfare focusing on the coat of arms as found in Ephesians 6.   Scripture memorization will be incorporated into each lesson and students will have many opportunites to practice what they learn.  Hopefully, by the end of the course – your son will be a bit more gallant then when he began.    The end of the year jousting tournament is optional.

Art Theory - Sonia Neale
Ages 5-7

The students in this class will explore new ways of thinking and learning through the process of creation. The students will develop their cognitive skills and motor skills through cutting, layering, tearing, gluing, and painting. The students will learn about the Elements of Design: color, shape, line, texture, and space, as well as about some of the Principles of Design: rhythm/movement, proportion (size), and repetition/pattern through creating wonderful art masterpieces. The students will use different media such as paper, crayons, markers, scissors and paint. The goal is to learn and have fun!!!

Beginning Guitar - Don Russo
Ages 7 and up
Students will learn the fundamentals of playing the guitar including chords, rhythm, and sight reading, and ensemble playing.  There will be much more and lots of fun!  Students will perform in the mid-year program and possibly the end-of-the-year program.

Advanced Drama - Sarah Straney

Middle School Earth Science - Lari Spotts
Earth Science will cover four topics:  Astronomy, Oceans, Geology, and Weather.  We will use the books from Wonders of Creation Series:  The Weather Book, The Geology Book, The Astronomy Book, and The Ocean Book.  Classes will include instruction and activites as well as tests.  Homework will be required and grades given.  This will be a fun, interactive class for ages 11-14.  Books and a $10 lab fee are required.



Tuesday
3:00 - 4:20
High School Lit. Composition - Abigail Lundelius
This high school level course will explore the great journey tales of Western civilization, noting the masterful skills used by great writers of the past to reveal the man's journey through God's world. In particular, this year's texts will focus on the great stories and storytellers of the Medieval age - including Beowulf, Gawain, Roland, Dante, Chaucer, and others. Beyond personal interaction with the text (annotating and journaling), and classroom discussion with fellow readers, each student will compose both formal and informal reflections on the literature. This includes weekly reponses to assigned texts and no fewer than four major papers, one per academic quarter, throughout the course of the year.  This class, when combined with the Excelsior! Academy Literature class, will provide 1 high school English credit.


Thursday
8:30 - 9:50 a.m.



Thursday
10:00-11:20

Physical Education - Roxann Threatt
This class will combine stretching, cardio, and team sports with the five events from the President's Physical Fitness Test. (www.presidentschallenge.org). Students will work towards earning either the presidential or national physical fitness award by testing on 5 criteria: curl ups, shuttle run, v-sit and reach, 1 mile walk/run, and push ups. Come improve your individual fitness and enjoy playing with others on a team.

High School Biology 1 - Dianne Palmer-Quay
This popular Biology course from Apologia is written in a style that makes the science concepts easy to grasp, but provides excellent preparation for college-level classes.  Learn about life science topics like cell structure, genetics, ecosystems, the five kingdoms, creation and evolution, and more.  The Exploring Creation with Biology, 2nd edition is a required text for this class, along with a lab notebook.  This class will require a lab fee, TBA.   



Lunch
11:30 - 12:00
Thursday
12:00 - 1:20

SAT Prep

High School Speech - Gene Fulton