TUESDAYS
(at Park Forest Baptist Church)
REASON TO WRITE 9:00-12:00
$60.00 per quarter (a quarter is 7 weeks)
1st quarter: AFRICA The Africa unit will cover the culture, geography,
political boundaries, animals and the tragedies and triumphs of the continent. There will be an oral/visual presentation required
about a missionary or explorer and each child will select one African country to research for their weekly homework. There
will also be weekly work on quiz preparation (i.e. how to take quizzes) 2nd quarter:
"EXCAVATING ENGLISH" A history of the English
language going all the way back to 4000 BC! Also includes a basic introduction to the principles of linguistics.
The history of English is also the history of many people groups, not just the "English." The words we use every
day have a rich history behind them, telling the story of conflict and cooperation between people groups such as the Vikings,
the French, the Angles, the Saxons, the Brits and the Celts. Also includes modern additions to the language from the
peoples of Africa, India and Mexico. 3rd quarter: ANCIENT EGYPT In the Ancient Egypt unit we will cover the
country’s history, their gods and pharaohs, mummification, the Rosetta Stone, inventions, geography and everyday life.
We will also cover modern Egypt and the modern fascination with Egyptology. The writing emphasis will be a technical/research
paper where the homework and assignments will be combined into a research paper. The
Ancient Rome unit writing emphasis will be on a creative historical journal based on a livelihood in a typical Roman village.
Each child will be assigned a “life” which they will need to research. They will write what life would be like
under the kings, under the Republic and under the Emperors.
SCIENCE 12:30 - 3:30 $75.00 per quarter (a quarter
is 7 weeks)
1st quarter:
SIMPLE INVERTEBRATES This unit will
bring us up-close and personal with some very interesting (and possibly bizarre) creatures as well as some more familiar ones.
We'll do an overview of the world of protozoa, cnidarians (you know--jellyfish, coral, hydra), platyhelminthes (you know--
the three kinds of worms), molllusks (especially snails and slugs), plus simple crustaceans and perhaps some arachnids and
an occasion insent thrown in as well. Like it or not, little ishy-squishy things are very important to the "web
of life." Students will be required to do a simple research project using a live specimen of their choice, and
as a class we'll put together a scientific journal of simple invertebrates "publishing" our research. At least
one field trip is a possibility but details have not been ironed out yet. 2nd quarter: FOOD CHEMISTRY This is a chemistry class about food, not
a cooking class. We'll try to make it as chemistry-intensive as possible. We'll learn about polymers, proteins,
enzymes, additives, dyes and pH. We'll learn what mixing and heating actually do the molecules in our foods. We'll learn
some nutrition along the way, as well, so that this class will satisfy state requirements for "health." 3rd quarter: LIGHT, SOUND and MOTION This is an introduction to the physics of light, sound and motion. We'll
learn about electromagnetic radiation and the EM spectrum, physical waves that include sound as well, and Newton's Laws of
force and motion. As our at-home reading, we'll use some chapters out of the Apologea Physical science text. SFEA
owns quite a few of these texts, so we'll be able to supply some to families who need to borrow one. 4th quarter: GEOLOGY We realize a lot of the kids will have studied rocks and minerals in elemetary
years, so we'll review these, but then move on to some other topics. We'll take a look at a new geological theory that
is challenging the standardly-taught platechtonic theory. To understand this theory you'll have to learn about sedimentation,
liquefaction and many other geological processes. Studying these two theories side by side will provide a terrific
out-of-the-box learning experience for the students.
THURSDAYS (at Grace Pres.
Church) ART 10:30-12:00
$45.00 per quarter (a quarter is 7 weeks)
1st and 2nd quarters: OPTION 1: COMPOSITION AND DESIGN This class will cover
the same concepts that you would get in any introductory design class in high school or even college. We'll take on
the abstract concept of design by doing lots of hands-on activities that involve drawing as well as some cutting and pasting.
We'll also look at lots of famous drawings, paintings and photographs and analyse their compositions. Who was
a better designer--Vermeer or Cezanne? Students need not have well-developed drawing skills to take this class.
The first assignment will simply be putting a dot on a page, and we'll work up from there. Hopefully by the end of the
semester, we'll be incorporating our new design skills into our own still life drawings. NOTE: This class could
be a bit challenging for younger students (under 11 or 12) who are just beginning to develop their abstract thinking capabilities.
We won't be teaching how to draw certain objects like we did last year. We'll be talking about things like "breaking
up space," "negative space," and doing "informal" placement of objects. OPTION 2: HANDS-ON HISTORY OF ART An overview of famous artists in
history along with complementary hands-on projects. For those with 6th graders, please consider this option rather than
the design class, unless your student is very art-oriented and can do abstract thinking as described above. 3rd quarter: HANDS-ON HISTORY -- EGYPTIAN ART What a fun topic for an art class! We'll do projects inspired by ancient Egyptian art.
4th quarter: HANDS-ON HISTORY -- ROMAN ART
Hands-on project to go with ancient Rome theme. We'll work in conte (portrait of an emperor),
do a mosaic, and more.
ENGINEERING CLUB
12:30-2:30 $30 per quarter (a quarter is 7 weeks) This will be a smattering of all kinds of engineering projects, activities, and field trips. We'll do some
civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics, and hopefully take a field trip to some places like the nuclear reactor
(for those of you who have not been there) or the nano-technology department. Can't give definite details on these yet,
however. Things will evolve as the year goes on. Ellen
McHenry is coordinating this but NEEDS HELP with the implementation. We need some parents who are willing just to be
there to help supervise. Knowledge of engineering not required. Further details will go out in an email in August. Friday Basic Civics 12:15 - 1:30 $50.00 per quarter (a quarter
is 7 weeks) Teacher: Tania Thompson First quarter: Concentration on Structure of Federal and Pennsylvania Governments Second Quarter: Constitutional Issues and Court Cases This class will meet at the Horners' house.
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