This course provides structured lessons on reading comprehension, critical reading and analysis, composition, vocabulary, grammar, usage, and mechanics. Through emphasis on spelling, students learn relationships between sounds and spellings in words and affixes. Lessons are designed to develop comprehension, hone critical reading skills, build vocabulary, and help students evaluate and apply the ideas they have learned from their reading. Students practice writing as they write a memoir, editorial, research paper, business letter, and more. Students learn about parts of speech, punctuation, and research skills. Students study literature in a variety of genres including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, drama, and novels. Students also learn to work with technology and multimedia through the short and extended projects.

Science 5 brings science alive by providing students a combination of virtual lab investigations (with options for hand-on learning), interactive lessons, and an array of e-books that capture students’ attention and grow their interest in science. Students engage in science and engineering practices as they explore topics such as matter, organisms, ecosystems, the earth’s systems, and the earth’s place in the universe. Throughout the course, students conduct investigations using digital tools and simulations. Some labs also include alternative investigations that use household materials.

This course calls for the following household materials, though they are optional, since digital versions of all labs are available:

• Science Notebook (required)
• pencil or pen (required)
• 4 tablespoons salt (optional)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda (optional)
• 2 tablespoons flour (optional)
• water (optional)
• spoon (optional)
• 6 plastic cups (optional)
• 1/4 cup (optional)
• 1 tablespoon (optional)
• vinegar (optional)
• marker or pen (optional)
• 1-2 ice cubes (optional)
• black paper (optional)
• 1 tablespoon powdered drink mix or sugar (optional)
• butter knife (optional)
• 2 shallow bowls (optional)
• 1 package celery stalk, lettuce or bok choy
• 1 cup soil (optional)
• 5-6 drops food coloring (optional)
• 3 plastic plates (optional)
• 1 balloon (optional)
• 1 tablespoon black pepper (optional)
• notebook paper (optional)

 

*Students may also keep a digital Science Notebook.

This course introduces students to the art of indigenous peoples of North America through to the art and architecture of Colonial America. Students will extend their knowledge of elements of art and principles of design, such as form, texture, pattern, contrast, and balance. Inspired by the artworks in the course, students create their own artworks using many different materials and techniques. Throughout the course, students draw, paint, and sculpt a variety of works, including self-portraits, landscapes, and still lifes.

This course requires the following materials:

• card stock*
• construction paper, and/or white paper
• glue and/or tape
• oil-based modeling clay or self-hardening clay*
• paintbrush
• pencils, colored pencils, crayons, oil pastels, and/or markers
• poster/tempera paint, and/or watercolor paint
• scissors
• yarn and/or string

Students in History of the United States E1 explore United States history, geography, economics, and government. This is done by focusing on the influence of physical and cultural characteristics on national origins, growth, and development. Students study Indigenous cultures, European exploration, colonization, settlement, the American Revolution, the founding of the Republic, the early years of the United States, the Civil War, and the 20^th Century in the United States. Students learn about citizenship and the major components of the government as outlined in the United States Constitution. The course emphasizes critical thinking skills, including questioning, examining fact and opinion, analyzing and evaluating sources of information, contrasting and comparing using primary and secondary sources, and conducting research using a variety of resources. Additional social studies skills are integrated in the lessons including reading and analyzing maps, creating and interpreting charts and graphs, identifying relationships, engaging in debate, writing persuasively, and developing thinking and independent study skills.

This course requires the following household materials:

• composition book, notebook, or binder with loose-leaf paper to use as a History Journal
• crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Middle School Spanish I has been carefully aligned to national standards set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students in Middle School Spanish I focus on the four key areas of world language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language-learning pedagogy and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, interactive activities that reinforce vocabulary and grammar, and frequent assessments during which language progression can be monitored. There is a strong emphasis on providing context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit. Students have many opportunities to practice and master the vocabulary and grammar before moving to the next unit. In this course, students explore greetings; school; adjectives; colors; continents, countries, and numbers; telling time; –ir, –er, and –ar verbs; and days, months, and seasons.

Middle School Spanish I has been carefully aligned to national standards set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students in Middle School Spanish I focus on the four key areas of world language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language-learning pedagogy and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, interactive activities that reinforce vocabulary and grammar, and frequent assessments during which language progression can be monitored. There is a strong emphasis on providing context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit. Students have many opportunities to practice and master the vocabulary and grammar before moving to the next unit. In this course, students explore greetings; school; adjectives; colors; continents, countries, and numbers; telling time; –ir, –er, and –ar verbs; and days, months, and seasons.

This introductory Spanish II course provides a fun, interactive experience for a student’s early exposure to the Spanish language. The content for each unit is based on an authentic story, myth, or legend from a Spanish-speaking culture. This course, designed specifically for younger students, focuses principally on vocabulary acquisition through stories, games, songs, and practice activities. In addition to vocabulary, students are introduced to grammar concepts, which will help them to better understand vocabulary and provide them a foundation for more extensive grammar study in later Spanish courses. Students also practice Spanish pronunciation through reading short passages taken from the authentic stories presented in each unit. Students are exposed to the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures in a fun environment where they can explore meanings, and begin to express themselves through simple words and phrases. The Elementary Spanish II course is designed to align with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards.

Middle School Spanish II has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students in Middle School Spanish II continue to focus on the four key areas of world language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language-learning pedagogy and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, interactive activities that reinforce vocabulary and grammar, and frequent assessments during which their language progression can be monitored. There is a strong emphasis on providing context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit with many opportunities for practice to allow students to master the vocabulary and grammar before moving to the next unit. In this course, students explore hobbies and pastimes, food, family, places, animals, shopping, and weather.

Middle School Spanish II has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students in Middle School Spanish II continue to focus on the four key areas of world language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course represents an ideal blend of language-learning pedagogy and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, interactive activities that reinforce vocabulary and grammar, and frequent assessments during which their language progression can be monitored. There is a strong emphasis on providing context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit with many opportunities for practice to allow students to master the vocabulary and grammar before moving to the next unit. In this course, students explore hobbies and pastimes, food, family, places, animals, shopping, and weather.

This introductory Spanish course provides a fun, interactive experience for a student’s first exposure to the Spanish language. The content for each unit is based on an authentic story, myth, or legend from a Spanish-speaking culture. This course, designed specifically for younger students, focuses principally on vocabulary acquisition through stories, games, songs, and practice activities. Students are exposed to the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures in a fun environment where they can explore meanings and begin to express themselves through simple words and phrases.

The Elementary Spanish I course is designed to align with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards.