The secondary department offers several choices for the children from 7th - 12th. Core curriculum will mostly be divided between junior high and senior high classes and the electives will be for 7th – 12th grade, with some classes including upper elementary students with 7th & 8th graders.
Language Arts: Learning Effective Writing Through Literature 7th/8th
Curriculum: 3-ring binder, sheet protectors, pre-punched notebook paper; Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis; Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
This class seeks to develop fundamental writing and thinking skills needed to succeed in high school and college coursework. As we read through our class texts, we will examine the writing styles and content of the books in-depth. To write well, one must recognize and appreciate good writing. That is the goal of the literature portion of the class.
Developing strong thinking/analytical skills comprises a large portion of the class. Literature analysis, personal reflection and written expression rely on these skills. By the end of the class, growth should be seen in all of these areas.
For writing and presentation skills, I will be drawing heavily from the 6+1 Trait Writing program developed by Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. An outline of this program will be provided with the syllabus.
Language Arts: Learning Effective Writing Through Literature 8th/9th
Curriculum: 3-ring binder, sheet protectors, pre-punched notebook paper; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Swiss Family Robinson, The Old Man and the Sea, and The Bronze Bow.
Class description to come.
English I/II 9th-10th This class is full.
Curriculum: Starting Points by David Quine
This class teaches a Christian world view and how to use those concepts to evaluate and understand literature. This class has a heavy reading list and thinking questions to help them use the skills they are learning. The writing instruction given is solid and will help writers at all levels lay a firm foundation for the future. The corresponding history program for this class is civics and government.
English III/IV 10th -12th
Curriculum: Sonlight 300
Twentieth century literature reflects the gloom of a culture which, having turned its back to Christ and the truth, searches hopelessly for meaning. THe culture rocking issues of the last century are portrayed by some of its greatest authors. Parents should be highly involved in disucssion with their student in this class due to the dark, sometimes disturbing content. Each book read will be discussed in great length.
Government 9th – 12th
Curriculum: Story of the Consitution, 2nd ed., The Importance of the Electoral College
We are excited about offering this class during an election year. The first semester will focus on making the election process clear while creating excitement and interest in how the government comes together. The second semester will focus on the judicial process and the constitution. The legislative branch will be covered in both semesters.
Geography 7th/8th
Curriculum: My Father’s World Exploring Countries and Cultures
This is one of two history classes being offered from 2nd grade up to help families study history together. It is designed to be the starting point in their program to give a complete knowledge of geography before stating a time period rotation.
History 7th/8th
Curriculum: My Father’s World History Exploration to 1850
This is the second history class being offered 2nd grade up. This will cover the great explorers, the colonization of America, the California Gold rush, and how to connect America's history with the rest of the world.
7th Grade Science
Curriculum: Apologia Exploring Creation Through Botany
Students will conduct experiments in class that go along with the work they are completing each week at home. This book begins with a lesson on the nature of botany and the process of classifying plants. It then discusses the development of plants from seeds, the reproduction processes in plants, the way plants make their food, and how plants get their water and nutrients and distribute them throughout the body of the plant. As students study these topics, they also learn about many different kinds of plants in Creation and where these plants belong in the plant classification system. Each student will create a notebook showing their work for the year.
7th Grade Science
Curriculum: Apologia Exploring Creation Through Zoology 1
Students will conduct experiments in class that go along with the work they are completing each week at home. This book begins by exploring the dynamics of flight and animal classification, understanding why the design we see in these incredible creatures points us to our Creator God. Next your students will learn about birds. Your children will learn how to attract various bird species to your yard and identify them by looking at their special physical characteristics, diverse nests, and interesting domestic practices. They will also learn the anatomy and the glorious design that enables birds to do remarkable things. Lastly, your students will explore the world of bats. Each student will create a notebook showing their work for the year.
General Science
Curriculum: Apologia General Science, 2nd ed.
This class will cover both the lab and the lecture parts of this course. We will conduct the experiments from the text and then discuss what those experiments demonstrate. Students will record experiment results in their own laboratory notebooks. Students will be assigned reading, study guide questions and on your own questions to be done at home. Tests will be given in class, but parents may request to do them at home if needed.
Physical Science
Curriculum: Apologia Physical Science, 2nd ed.
This class will cover both the lab and the lecture parts of this course. Students will discuss the text and conduct experiments in class. Test will also be given in class, but parents may request to do them at home if needed. Students will be assigned reading, study guide questions and on your own questions to be done at home. It is typically recommended that the student take this course during the same year that he or she is taking prealgebra. Exploring Creation With Physical Science provides a detailed introduction to the physical environment and some of the basic laws that make it work. The fairly broad scope of the book provides the student with a good understanding of the earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. It also covers details on weather, motion, Newton's Laws, gravity, the solar system, atomic structure, radiation, nuclear reactions, stars, and galaxies.
Biology
Curriculum: Apologia Biology, 2nd ed.
This class will cover both the lab and the lecture parts of this course. Students will discuss the text and conduct experiments in class. Test will also be given in class, but parents may request to do them at home if needed. Students will be assigned reading, study guide questions and on your own questions to be done at home. This course provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. Heavily emphasizing the vocabulary of biology, it provides the student with a strong background in the scientific method, the five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection, and ecosystems. It also provides a complete survey of the five kingdoms in Creation.
Chemistry
Curriculum: Apologia Chemistry, 2nd ed.
This class will cover both the lab and the lecture parts of this course. Students will discuss the text and conduct experiments in class. Test will also be given in class, but parents may request to do them at home if needed. Students will be assigned reading, study guide questions and on your own questions to be done at home. The student needs to have completed algebra I in order to take Chemistry. This course gives the student a rigorous foundation in chemistry. It covers significant figures, units, classification, the mole concept, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, acids and bases, redox reactions, solutions, atomic structure, Lewis structures, molecular geometry, the gas laws, and equilibrium.
Electives
Electives being offered this year include: Photography, Volleyball, Tennis, Scrapbooking, Drawing, Logic, Chess, Stock Market Simulation, Strategy Games, Math Lab, Drama, Odyssey of the Mind, Texas Youth & Government, Survival Skills, Flag Football and Soccer.