Foundations Academy
Fall 2009 Information
TRUTH PROJECT taught by Dana King
This course would be appropriate for jr. and sr. high students and parents who are interested in an in depth worldview study. (See www.thetruthproject.org/
Each two-hour class will consist of watching the week’s video for about an hour, then discussing the material. Each class ends with watching a short video introduction to the next week’s lesson. Students will have printed summaries of each lesson with space for note-taking, but there will be no assigned homework. The last two classes (March 26 and April 2) will be held at my home since the course is 13 weeks but Foundations is 11 weeks.
Cost: $5 per student
IGNITING YOUR WRITING taught by Nikki Donaldson
Igniting Your Writing! is truly a fun and easy way to get your child writing. Entertaining assignments engage writers of all levels using incremental steps that build on each other. Each lesson includes three levels: Start-up, Intermediate, and Advanced. Lessons will help writers experiment with words, use strong language, expand creativity, and enjoy writing.
Just a small sample of what will be covered:
Word Play – experiment with different word choices; sentence combining, shortening, and stretching.
Parts of Speech – choosing strong words
Mind Quest – capture new ideas, create a character and place
Revising Your Writing
Titles
Dialogues
And more!!
Parents will need to purchase the curriculum at currclick.com. Igniting Your Writing! is on sale through August 19th for $8 (regular price is $16.99). This is an electronic file, so you will need to download it, print it, and put it in a notebook for your student to bring to class.
Class fee: $40 per semester
ART taught by Barb Reser
SCIENCE taught by Rachelle Sutton
PE taught by Rachelle Sutton
SCIENCE taught by Nikki Donaldson
Students (2nd- 6th grade) will study several branches of science including life science, physical science, and earth science, as well as the lives of famous scientists over the course of two semesters. Experiments will be a regular part of the curriculum. A reading list will be required and students will be expected to complete some work at home throughout the week including narration and written work. Students will create a science notebook to store their notebook entries: written answers to review questions, illustrations, bible verses, and science experiment results.
Planned studies 1st semester: The Arctic Tundra, Cactus Desert, Dinosaurs
Planned studies 2nd semester: Constellations, Coral Reef, and the lives of Louis Pasteur and Albert Einstein.
Fee: $40 per student per semester, plus readers**
Reading list: One Small Square: Arctic Tundra byDonald Silver
One Small Square: Coral Reef by Donald Silver
One Small Square: Cactus Desert by Donald Silver
Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey (Second Edition)
The Great Dinosaur Mystery and the Bible by Paul S. Taylor
Pasteur’s Fight Against Microbes by Beverly Birch & Christian Birmingham
Albert Einstein: Young Thinker by Marie Hammontree
** Christian Book & Gift and other on-line stores have good prices. Check with friends and family – maybe you can borrow the books.
LATIN taught by Jan Drexler
Latin 1 –
This class is for first year Latin students, grades 3 – 6. Your student will be learning vocabulary, Latin (and English!) grammar, and Latin sayings (such as E Pluribus Unum). Also included in the class will be a smattering of Roman history (from New Testament times), puzzles, prayers and songs.
Grammar coverage includes 1st and 2nd declension nouns, 1st and 2nd conjugation verbs, 1st and 2nd declension adjectives, the irregular verb to be, and 1st and 2nd person pronouns. Prayers and songs include Benedic Domine (Table Blessing), Pater Noster (the Lord’s Prayer), Dona Nobis Pacem, Adeste Fidelis and Christus Vincit. In addition, in every lesson we will be learning simple English derivatives of Latin words to help build vocabulary.
We will be using Latina Christiana I from Memoria Press as our main text, and will also be using Ludere Latina I (Latin Games) as a supplement to help build vocabulary retention.
This is a 24 week class, divided into two semesters of 12 weeks each. Tuition is by semester, book fees are for the entire year.
Class Fees: Tuition per semester $45.00
Latina Christiana Book I (if you wish me to purchase it for you) $15.00
Ludere Latina Book I (I can get a discount by purchasing all copies
Other materials needed:
Latina Christiana I flashcards (optional) - $14.95 from Memoria Press
Package of 300 lined index cards (if not using purchased flash cards)
Plastic box for index cards
Latin 2 –
This class is for students, grades 4 – 6, who have completed Latin 1 (Latina Christiana I), and are ready to move into book II.
Upon completion of this course, the student will have learned 400 Latin vocabulary words, all five declensions, model principal parts for all four conjugations, three verb tenses, the use of the nominative and accusative cases, prepositional phrases, Latin hymns and prayers, and 50 conversational Latin expressions. Study of Latin derivatives also continues from Latin 1.
We will be using Latina Christiana II from Memoria Press as our main text, and will also be using Ludere Latina II (Latin Games) as a supplement to help build vocabulary retention.
This is a 24 week class, divided into two semesters of 12 weeks each. Tuition is by semester, book fees are for the entire year.
Class Fees - Tuition per semester $45.00
Latina Christiana Book II (if you wish me to purchase it for you) $15.00
Ludere Latina II (I can get a discount by purchasing all copies
Other materials needed:
Latina Christiana II flashcards (optional) - $14.95 from Memoria Press
Package of 300 lined index cards (if not using purchased flash cards)
Plastic box for index cards
Latin 3 –
This class is for both students who have completed Latin 2 (Latina Christiana II) and older students (7th grade and up) who have had no previous Latin experience.
The text book for this course is Henle First Year Latin, a book that was originally published in 1945, and written for students in High School. Our Latin 3 class will be covering only Units 1 and 2 from the text which thoroughly cover Latin nouns. The exercises and readings teach Roman and American history, as well as history of the early Christian Church. Henle is a Catholic text, but I have found that Protestants can easily skip over any references to Catholic doctrine, if they wish. The main advantages I have found with this text are the evident Christian perspective and the orderly presentation of the concepts to be learned.
Although there will be a lot of memorization required (of vocabulary and grammar rules), the main thrust will be on developing an understanding of grammar and how it is used in translating from Latin to English, and from English to Latin. Each lesson will also include a study of the derivatives of Latin words.
The students in this class will have homework through the week that consists of memorization and completion of exercises. I will ask the students to correct their own exercises as they do them, which will give them immediate feedback of their comprehension and understanding. I will also be available for help through the week via email.
This is a 24 week class, divided into two semesters of 12 weeks each. Tuition is by semester, book fees are for the entire year.
Class Fees: Tuition $45.00
Henle Latin I text $16.95
Henle Latin I answer key $5.00
Henle Grammar (optional for Latin 3) $9.50
- Or - Henle I set (all three books) $28.45
(You have the option of purchasing the textbooks on your own or I can order them for you)
Other materials needed:
Package of 300 lined index cards, box for flashcards, 3-ring binder
Latin 4 –
This class is for students who have completed Latin 3 (Henle First Year Latin, Units 1 & 2).
The text book for this course is Henle First Year Latin, a book that was originally published in 1945, and written for students in High School. Our Latin 4 class will be covering Units 3-5 from the text which thoroughly cover Latin verbs. The exercises and readings teach Roman and American history, as well as history of the early Christian Church. Henle is a Catholic text, but I have found that Protestants can easily skip over any references to Catholic doctrine, if they wish. The main advantages I have found with this text are the evident Christian perspective and the orderly presentation of the concepts to be learned.
Although there will be a lot of memorization required (of vocabulary and grammar rules), the main thrust will be on developing an understanding of grammar and how it is used in translating from Latin to English, and from English to Latin. Each lesson will also include a study of the derivatives of Latin words.
The students in this class will have homework through the week that consists of memorization and completion of exercises. I will ask the students to correct their own exercises as they do them, which will give them immediate feedback of their comprehension and understanding. I will also be available for help through the week via email.
This is a 24 week class, divided into two semesters of 12 weeks each. Tuition is by semester, book fees are for the entire year.
Class Fees: Tuition $45.00
Henle Latin I text $16.95
Henle Latin I answer key $5.00
Henle Grammar (optional for Latin 4) $9.50
- Or -Henle I set (all three books) $28.45
(You have the option of purchasing the textbooks on your own or I can order them for you)
Other materials needed:
Package of 300 lined index cards, box for flashcards, 3-ring binder
SONRISA SPANISH taught by Nancy Ramsey
Primary Spanish: Class for 1st-3rd grades presents a rich exposure to Spanish through stories, songs, games, Bible verses, and activities. The children will quickly assimilate an impressive repertoire of vocabulary, expressions, and greetings, and have lots of FUN!
Elementary Spanish: Students in 4th-6th grades love to learn Spanish through storytelling! They will listen to, write, dramatize, and illustrate stories, as well as design their own fun narratives. Their boundless creativity propels their language acquisition. Text required.
Spanish 7/8: Using the Cuéntame text, this class is open to both new and returning middle school students. Seventh and eighth graders will find that the storytelling method catches their imagination, making acquisition of the language almost effortless! Course work will include homework, tests, and Bible verse memory; semester grades will be submitted to parents. Text required.
Cost: $100/semester plus text where required.
Although it is difficult to quantify the benefits of early foreign language study, the results are indisputable. Below are some pertinent remarks from experts in early language learning, as quoted in the Duke Gifted Letter, Vol.8, Issue 1, Fall 2007 (see full text at www.dukegiftedletter.com):
Beginning foreign language instruction early sets the stage for students to develop advanced levels of proficiencies in one or more languages.
Studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of mind in young children.
Students who are learning a foreign language outscore their non-foreign language learning peers in the verbal and, surprisingly to some, the math sections of standardized tests.
The notion of ‘earlier is better’ in language learning seems to be upheld by the fact that longer sequences of foreign language instruction seem to lead to better academic achievement, overall.
Interactive learning is the best since language learning is a social activity.
BALLET taught by Kaitlyn King
games, dancing with scarves, and working on beat using hand instruments. There will be an end of semester dance for parents and friends for children who wish to perform. Music used will include classical music and kid's praise music.
If performing (not mandatory), girls will need: pink tights, pink leotard, pink ballet shoes, pink, black, or white ballet skirt. Boys will need: black, tan, or navy pants, a white t-shirt, black ballet shoes or black sock
Cost: $20
Ballet 1
A class for 6-7 yos that will consist of 30 minutes of stretches, barre work, and floor work and 30 minutes of learning a dance that will be performed at the end of the semester for parents and friends. Music used may include classical music and kid's praise music.
Class dress code: pink tights, pink leotard, pink ballet shoes, pink, black, or white ballet skirt
Cost: $20
Ballet 2
A class for 8-10 yos that builds on Ballet 1. Students will be learning new steps and stretches. The class will consist of 30 minutes of stretches, barre work, and floor work and 30 minutes of learning a dance that will be performed at the end of the semester for parents and friends. Music used will include classical music and contemporary Christian music.
Class dress code: pink tights, black leotard, pink ballet shoes, pink, black, or white ballet skirt
Cost: $20
