MCA High School Level Writing Course (Grades 9^th-12th)

As students begin their high school years, they realize that college is on the horizon and being able to write well is essential. If you have never taken a writing course, this course from MCA can help you start from scratch! This year, although we will be using the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) materials, we will work weekly on assignments with the mindset of mastery + one, where students experiment with stylistic elements. When those elements are mastered, they begin using the next element. This way, they begin to develop their independence with writing learning at their own pace. The instructor moves from being their teacher to being their coach.

A second aspect of this year will be learning how to think critically to enhance persuasive writing skills. From The Lost Tools of Writing program, students think through the affirmative (A), the negative (N), and the interesting (I) details concerning an issue as they brainstorm to complete their ANI chart. They begin with a “should” statement from a story concerning a character or a decision made and over time, creatively develop that “should” statement into an affirmative or a negative statement and supply the necessary evidence to support their conclusion.

Lastly, students practice speaking skills as assignments will allow students to present their ideas via a speech. Learning to stand, face an audience, gesture, project your voice, and use pauses effectively will give students the confidence they need to positively affect their audiences.

Although this is not a grammar course, students are expected to have a foundational background in English grammar, legible handwriting skills, sound spelling skills, punctuation, and capitalization knowledge.

Come join the fun and learn alongside your friends as you enhance your writing and speaking skills this year!

Class Size: 6 minimum, 12 maximum (additional students require the instructor’s approval)
Class Time: 12:30 – 1:20 p.m.
Class Level: 9^th – 12^th grade
Registered IEW Instructor: Kathy Williamson (iewteacher70@yahoo.com) / 574-850-4424
Materials Fee: none
Materials Needed: Contact the instructor to determine which IEW student binder ($35 item from IEW.com) is best for your student, 2 manilla file folders, black ink pens, loose-leaf 3-holed paper (please no pre-perforated sheets), a grammar reference book of choice, a pocket dictionary, a pocket thesaurus, a 1” or 1 ½” 3-ring binder for completed assignments, paperclips, a highlighter, access to a computer with word processing, internet access and access to a printer.
Class Code: KW 4

Science / Grades 6-8 / Period 4 / SAH4 / 1T 

This class is an introduction to the fascinating world of Astronomy.  We will introduce Classical Astronomy, emphasizing the visual observation of the cycles of the Sun, Moon and stars with the unaided eye.  We will learn useful and practical skills, such as how to tell time, and navigate by the sky.  Our focus for first trimester is the Ecliptic, the Fall Sky, The Lunar Calendar, and the Sun.  We will also study Modern Astronomy and Meteorology.  We will be using Jay Ryan’s book, Signs and Seasons, as our main textbook, available from the teacher.  Homework will include research on the web, and periods of observation of the night sky.  Grades will be based on homework assignments, class discussions and chapter tests.  Students will need internet access for reading assignments, research, homework and tests. Students will need a binder for handouts.

Class Size: 12
Class Time: 12:30 – 1:20 p.m.
Class Level: 6-8
Taught by: Sally Hanson
Materials Fee: $5 materials fee
Materials Needed: 3-ring binder
Class Code: SAH4

Required Textbooks:

First trimester: Signs and Seasons (available from teacher)

Second trimester: Exploring Creation with Astronomy

Third Trimester: Signs and Seasons

2nd Trimester

Second Trimester Astronomy continues the exploration of Classical Astronomy, emphasizing the visual observation of the cycles of the Sun, Moon and stars with the unaided eye, Modern Astronomy and Meteorology.  Second Trimester work concentrates on the planets. We will use Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Astronomy as our textbook for 2^nd trimester. Homework will include research on the web, and periods of observation of the night sky.  Grades will be based on homework assignments, class discussions and chapter tests.  Students will need internet access for reading assignments, research, homework and tests. Students will need a binder for handouts.

3rd Trimester

The third trimester of Astronomy concludes our exploration of Classical Astronomy, Modern Astronomy and Meteorology.  Third Trimester will see us return to Signs and Seasons, where we will cover the Kuiper Belt and galaxies, the Southern Sky and the Milky Way.  We will have a variety of hand-made volvelles to take home, to continue our studies of the sky.  Homework will include research on the web, and periods of observation of the night sky.  Grades will be based on homework assignments, class discussions and chapter tests.  Students will need internet access for reading assignments, research, homework and tests. Students will need a binder for handouts.

Music / Grades K-2 / Period 4 / RP / 1T-2T-3T

This introductory music class will provide an active and hands-on opportunity for students to begin to learn how to read music and work together as they sing and play handbells, boomwhackers, and unpitched percussion instruments. Additionally, this class will promote music appreciation through the study of various forms and genres of music throughout music history, from ancient to modern music. This course will not be graded.

Class size: 4 minimum (11 maximum)
Class time: 12:30 – 1:20 pm
Class level: K-2
Taught by: Rebecca Pinegar
Materials fee: none
Materials Needed: Crayons/colored pencils, clipboard, folder
Class code: RP4

This course is the third in a three-year-long study of the world focusing on the terrains, cultures, and geographic locations of the countries.  The first year traversed through the Americas: North, Central, and South America.  The second year examined the continents of Europe and Asia, and this year will consider Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.

Students will learn basic map reading skills, and the ability to identify the continents, oceans, major physical features, and key countries.  Students will be encouraged to appreciate the beautiful and diverse world that God created as well as the various world cultures.  The classroom structure will be both active and engaging including crafts, games, “living books”, and discussion.  Each student will create a World Geography notebook which will include each country that we study along with key facts and what interested them about that country.  In addition, children will participate in a country “Show and Tell” where they can bring in an object or book on a specific country and tell their fellow students what they learned or enjoyed about that country.  To better accommodate the varying needs of each student, exams will be given once a trimester and will be offered in either an oral or written format.

Class Size: Min 5
Class Time:12:30 – 1:20 pm
Class Level: Grades 3-5
Taught by: Mrs. Melody Herrmann
Materials Fee: $5
Materials Needed:  Students will need a large 3-ring binder (World Geography Notebook), paper, pencil, crayons or colored pencils, glue, access to either books about the countries and topics being studied or an internet site such as Wikipedia, and access to a map of the world (online is fine).
Class Code: MH4

First Trimester: High School Literature: Literature of the Reformation Era

Students will read, discuss, analyze and write about classic  literature of or concerning the Reformation Era.  Emphasis will be placed on the cultural setting of the time, major figures, analysis of elements of literature and literary devices. There will be a variety of responsive writing assignments. Grading will be based on participation in class discussion, completing study guides and responsive writing, as well as a final trimester test and oral presentation. The reading list will include:

• Selections from the King James Version of the Bible, Paradise Lost (Milton), Here I Stand, a Life of Martin Luther, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
• Utopia, Thomas More
• Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan
• Huguenot Garden, Jones

Please purchase the hyperlinked texts, other selections will be available online.

Class size: 12
Class time: 12:30 – 1:20 p.m.
Class level: 9th-12th
Taught by:  Susan Daniels
Materials fee: none
Materials needed:  textbooks, spiral notebook, pocket folder, loose-leaf lined paper, pen or pencil, internet access
Class code:  SD 4

Second Trimester: High School Literature: Literature of the Colonial Era

Students will read, discuss, analyze and write about journals, histories, poetry, and sermons of the 17th and early 18th centuries in the American British colonies. There will be  responsive writing assignments. Grading will be based on participation in class discussion, completing study guides and responsive writing, as well as a final trimester test and oral presentation. The reading list will include:

• Selections from William Bradford’s Plymouth Plantation,  Mourt’s Relation, A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson,  the poetry of Anne Bradstreet, essays and sermons by Roger Williams and Jonathan Edwards. Readings will be available on the internet or provided by the instructor.

Third Trimester
High School Literature: Literature of the Revolutionary Period

Students will read, discuss, analyze and write about men, literature, and events of the period. There will be several writing assignments, both creative and expository. Grading will be based on participation in class discussion, completing study guides and responsive writing, as well as a final trimester test or oral presentation.

Literature will include:

• Selections from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Phillis Wheatley, and Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities

Please purchase the hyperlinked text; the other texts will be available on the internet