World History
Teacher: Tasha VerStrat
Grades: High School
Semester(s): 1st and 2nd
DESCRIPTION: History—or the study of the past, is a fascinating study of the human past. It is complex and simple, beautiful and ugly, etc. It is the story of humanity, thus our story. All of us love the past; whether we share a funny joke someone told us or become captivated by an amazing story. It is all an appreciation of the past. We all love stories; God created us with this natural desire! Therefore, I want to capitalize on this natural desire and travel through history using literature. In this class, we will survey the ancient world from about B.C. 4000 through approximately 476 A.D. We will learn that history is an interpretive art, and in order to appreciate it, we must learn to recognize our own bias, think critically, and exercise empathy but refrain from involving ourselves sympathetically—an emotion that carries a moral component and causes us to make judgments. This course is a high school-level class and is appropriate for all high school grades. Let it be noted that the course possesses a heavy reading component; however, most books are easy to read and do not utilize complex language. Written assignments will begin small and straightforward and gradually work toward a more complex framework. It is my objective that every student will grow in their comprehension skills, communication skills, and writing skills. On average this class will consume 5+ hours a week.
Additionally, because we are traveling back in time by way of literature, this class offers TWO high school credits! One credit for world history and one credit for classical literature. As a homeschool mom, I love BOGO deals!
I intend to utilize Ancient History: A Literature Approach by Rebecca Manor, as a guide for the course. Each student will need a copy (it is available at the Homeschool Bookstore on 54th Street or through the Beautiful Feet website. Furthermore, each student will need a copy of The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of the Ancient World. Concerning literature books, I suggest parents either rent them from their local library or buy inexpensive used ones through various online stores. We will cover fifteen literature books in total.
Note Mature Content: This class assumes that teens have an awareness of sex, and that history is often violent. Nothing in the content is pointlessly sexual or violent but the presence of prostitution, sexual violence, and human exploitation are historical realities that cannot be ignored. Presenting a sanitized version of history further harms the victims and diminishes our understanding of the weakness of humanity. Mature content is noted in the guide for parents who want to engage in deeper conversations.
Enjoyment: Although not ironed out yet, I hope to have at least one field trip and several class times where we enjoy food, music, etc., of the time period we are engaged in.
Cost: $125 per semester/ sibling discount of $35
Copy fee: $10
Required Materials:
Required Materials First Day of Class:
(1) Notebook for note taking, maps, vocabulary, etc.
(2) Ancient History: A Literature Approach for High School by Rebecca Manor (Available at the Homeschool Bookstore or Teacher Guide: Ancient History for High School - Homeschool History Books (bfbooks.com)
(3) The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of the Ancient World Encyclopedia of the Ancient World - Beautiful Feet Books (bfbooks.com) (you may find the book cheaper through various online book stores)
Books we will cover during the first semester: The ONLY book from the following list you will need on the first day of class is Gilgamesh the Hero. In parenthesis, after each book is the weeks we will be studying those specific books; I did this so you can plan accordingly.
Note: Following you will find the link to Beautiful Feet Books. You are not required to buy from them and may seek cheaper options through various sources—including the local library, as long as it is the correct book.
Gilgamesh the Hero (weeks 1-3) https://www.bfbooks.com/Gilgamesh-The-Hero?sc=25&category=5743
Tales of Ancient Egypt (weeks 4-7) https://www.bfbooks.com/Tales-of-Ancient-Egypt?sc=25&category=5743
Mara, Daughter of the Nile (weeks 4-7) https://www.bfbooks.com/Mara-Daughter-of-the-Nile?sc=25&category=5743
The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (weeks 4-7) https://www.bfbooks.com/The-Cat-of-Bubastes-A-Tale-of-Ancient-Egypt?sc=25&category=5743
Hittite Warrior (weeks 8-11) https://www.bfbooks.com/Hittite-Warrior?sc=25&category=5743
The Days of Elijah (weeks 8-11) https://www.bfbooks.com/The-Days-of-Elijah?sc=25&category=5743
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (weeks 12-15) https://www.bfbooks.com/Mythology-Timeless-Tales-of-Gods-and-Heroes?sc=25&category=5743
Advanced CAD
Teacher: Gary Mills
Grades: 9-12
Semester(s): 1
DESCRIPTION: This is a advanced CAD course using Pro Desktop CAD software. The students will start off where the basic class finished. We will be exploring the use of CAD in the field of Mechanical Engineering.
CAD programs can help you explore design ideas, visualize concepts through photorealistic renderings, and simulate how a design will perform in the real world. You can use CAD software to design cars, ships, bicycles, prosthetics, and so much more.
Students will gain from this course:
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Understanding of Engineering Drawings and how they are used in the Manufacturing Industry
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Ability to construct accurate 2D geometry as well as complex 3D shapes and surface objects
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Ability to create 2D representations of 3D objects as plan view, elevations and sections:
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Ability to understand and dimension drawings
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Ability to understand and create working drawings used in the manufacturing industry
This is a one-semester course.
Materials needed:
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Windows based Laptop computer and 3 button mouse
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Notebook
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Pencil
Class Cost: $75.00 per semester per student. Fall semester course only.
Software is provided for each student.
Apologetics
Teacher: Jenny Boyd
Grades: 9-12
Semesters: 1 & 2 (full year)
DESCRIPTION:
This class is intended for High School Students. We will look at basic Christian doctrine and the proof we have behind it. We will understand the basic arguments against 4 categories of arguments and possible responses. We will also look at the basic resistance to the faith and how to respond to that with compassion and gentleness to help people hear the truth of the gospel. Students will be required to read two books. They will have to create arguments against skeptics of faith. They will have to present an argument in class.
Class Fee: $90 with a 50% class discount for a second child enrolled in this class.
Copy Fee: $10 one time
Textbooks:
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On Guard- Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision by William Lane Craig ($18.99)
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Meet the Skeptic- A Field Guide to Faith Conversations by Bill Foster ( $10.99)
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Meet the Skeptic Workbook ($4.99)
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(All textbooks available on amazon.)
English (9th/10th)
Teacher: Barbara Ford
Grades: 9th/10th
Semester(s): 1&2 (yearlong)
DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover Writing, Literature, Vocabulary and Grammar as well as other English Language Skills.
*Writing
We will learn to take notes from sources, retell narrative stories, summarize references, write from pictures, and compose essays. We will also learn to use editing symbols and practice editing given passages and their own work.
and
*Literature (using Drawn into the Heart of Reading)
We will be taking a survey of various genres in order to grow in our enjoyment of and appreciation for literature, make memories about the texts we read, develop higher-order thinking skills, weigh philosophical issues from a Christian perspective, develop vocabulary strategies, and make connections within texts.
Students should plan to spend approximately 4-5 hours per week in addition to class time on
independent assignments.
This class will fill requirements for and count on a transcript as 1 credit of either English 9 or English 10.
Cost: $120
Additional Fee(s): $15 copy
Discounts: $20 sibling discount
Required Materials:
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2-inch view-binder
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2-pocket folder
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IEW materials, TBD
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Drawn into the Heart of Reading Student book, ISBN 0-9747695-3-3
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Books chosen for each of 9 units, these may be books your family currently owns, books that you purchase, or books borrowed from a library or a friend
Earth Science (9th/10th )
Teacher: Jeri Hardy
Grades: 9th/10th
Semester(s): 1&2 (yearlong)
DESCRIPTION:
This laboratory-based earth science course will cover the general properties of the earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. We will cover topics which include, but are not limited to, minerals, rocks, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and fossils. In our hydrosphere unit we will look into the properties of water such as polarity, the ability to hydrogen bond, and heat capacity. Students will learn about the waves, currents, and tides in the ocean, then move to ice reservoirs on the earth and then the freshwater reservoirs. We will end the year learning about the atmosphere including topics of the composition of air, the sections of the atmosphere, temperature gradients, and pollutants. This leads to a discussion of weather. The course ends with two chapters on space, one that covers the solar system and one that covers the universe as a whole.
This course consists of in-class instruction and hands-on experiments. Most of the experiments will be done in class, but students may need to complete some experiments on their own outside of class.
Grades will be based on homework, tests, lab work, projects, and participation. A syllabus will be available the first day of class.
This course will run the full year (2 semesters) and is 1 full credit.
Prerequisite: none
Curriculum Needed: Discovering Design with Earth Science textbook by Dr. Jay Wile
Berean Builders Publishing, Inc.
**Only textbook is needed, not teacher key
Amazon: $59
CBD: $69
Berean Builders: $69
Materials Needed: Spiral Notebook for taking notes
Lab notebook (any notebook to be used for lab reports)
3 Ring Binder
Pencil
Cost: $120-per semester
Lab Fee: $30
Copy Fee: $10
English (11th/12th)
Teacher: Barbara Ford
Grades: 11th/12th
Semester(s): 1st & 2nd
DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover Writing, Literature, Vocabulary and Grammar as well as other English Language Skills.
*Writing
We will learn to take notes from sources, retell narrative stories, summarize references, write from pictures, and compose essays. We will learn to use editing symbols and practice editing given passages and their own work. (MLA Format required)
and
*Literature (Anthology, TBD)
We will be taking a survey of American Literature to increase our enjoyment of and appreciation for literature, make memories about the texts we read, develop higher-order thinking skills, weigh philosophical issues from a Christian perspective, develop vocabulary strategies, and make connections within texts.
Students should plan to spend approximately 5-6 hours per week in addition to class time on
independent assignments.
This class will fill requirements for and count on a transcript as 1 credit of either English 11 or English 12.
Cost: $120
Additional Fee(s): $15 copy
Discounts: $20 sibling discount
Required Materials:
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2 inch 3-ring view-binder with a pocket on the cover so that they can design their own cover
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A 2- pocket folder
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IEW materials, TBD
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Anthology, A Beka American Literature, Classics for Christians, 4th ed. (I am checking to see if the 3rd ed could be subbed in) Student Text only.
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How to Read Literature Like a Professor for Kids, ISBN 978-0-06220086-0
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I may possibly add 1-2 books that we read together in their complete form, TBD
5 Aspects Men
Teacher: Gary Mills
Grades: 9-12
DESCRIPTION: The Five Aspects of Masculinity for Young Men course is designed for young men within the range of approximately 15 to 18. The work is an excellent introduction to the more mature Five Aspects of Men material. The Five Aspects of man are: Lord of the Earth, Husbandman, Savior, Sage, and Glory of God. Each aspect is studied four times: created, fallen, redeemed, and life application.
This is presented with an emphasis on a young man's progression from a dependent to a decision maker, provider, and protector; from a young fool to a wise man, and from a follower to a leader who represents God and His masculine roles.
Materials need for the class:
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Notebook
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Pencil
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Text - Five Aspects of Masculinity for Young Men - Second Edition (approx. $22)
Cost: $50 per student
5 Aspects Women
Teacher: Kami Louks
Grades: 9-12
DESCRIPTION: Five aspects of women is the biblical study of God’s view of women and their role in his creation . The five aspects are: mistress of domain, helper completer, life giver, lady of wisdom, and glory of man. The class will study these aspects in relation to God’s perfect creation and the fallen world we live in . This class is designed for high school girls.
Materials need for the class:
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Notebook
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Pencil
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Text - Five Aspects of Femininity for Young Women (can be found here https://www.fiveaspects.com/bible-studies/for-young-women-second-edition)
Cost: $50
Discount: 50% for additional family members
Mythology
Teacher: Tasha VerStrat
Grades: 10th-12th
Semester: 2nd semester only
Description:
This class will survey Roman and Greek mythology from the unique perspective of Christ as the fulfillment of the pagan heart. During the first three centuries, Greeks and Romans steeped in mythology converted to Christianity in droves. There are a few historical reasons for their massive conversion: one reason, understood by medieval Christians, was that Christ’s coming fulfilled the yearnings of the pagan heart. These desires are found in ancient myths, philosophies, stories, and Sybil predictions. Thus, in addition to studying the mythologies, this class will consider the New Testament Church and Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, where Paul exhorts believers to serve all people by yielding to Christ and meeting all people where they are. We will discuss how God prepared the Gentiles for his coming through their myths and how the New Testament Church capitalized on such ideas. Lastly, the class will end with a reading of Peace Child. Peace Child is a detailed account of a missionary couple God used to open doors for the Gospel to closed-off people groups in Netherlands Guinea. Understanding the tribe's mythologies was the key to opening the closed doors.
Text and Materials Needed:
The Myth Made Fact: Through Christian Eyes by Louis Marcos, PhD
Peace Child by Don Richardson
Cost: $100
Copy fee: $10
Origins & Scientific Theory (11th/12th)
Teacher: Jeri Hardy
Grades: 11-12
Semester: 1 & 2 (full year)
DESCRIPTION:
**Please note, this is NOT a laboratory based class**
Equip your student to defend their faith through science! Life Science: Origins & Scientific Theory guides high school students through a comprehensive exploration of Darwin’s theory of evolution as they critically examine the viability, credibility, and plausibility of the theory. Students will explore the evidence, hear from scientists around the world, explore the fossil record, and examine two opposing views on the origin of life as they discover the unchanging truth of God’s word!
Grades will be based on homework, quizzes and tests, and participation. A syllabus will be available the first day of class. A project may be required.
This course will run the full year (2 semesters) and is 1 full credit.
Prerequisite: Biology
Curriculum Needed: Masterbooks Life Science: Origins & Scientific Theory
-The Grand Experiment https://www.masterbooks.com/evolution-the-grand-experiment-hardback-single
-Living Fossils (Teacher guide is not required) https://www.masterbooks.com/living-fossils-hardback-single
Materials Needed: Spiral Notebook
3 Ring Binder
Pencil
Class Cost: $120 per semester
Copy Fee: $10
Life Skills
Teacher: Gary Mills
Grades: 9-12
Introduction:
In my time teaching at Huron Area Technical School in Bad Axe MI, I gave my students a class in Life Skills. Since the purpose of the Technical School was to prepare students for their future in work force, I felt it was very important to be able not only to transition into a career, but life as well. So I created this curriculum for 9th to 12th grade students.
Even though I taught at a secular school, my Administration and Students knew I was a believer in Jesus Christ, and He would be part of my curriculum. I believe that God is the one who gives us the abilities for our future, and we all have to make the most of the gifts He provides. So the entire course comes from a Christ Centered Life, and this works even for the nonbeliever. Side note: I have never had a student, parent or administration complain.
We covered the following topics:
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Jobs verses Careers
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Career Assessment
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Education desire verses requirements
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Community College – University – Technical school – No further education. What should I do?
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Work Force requirements
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Financial Assessment
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Budget
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Credit Cards
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Debt
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Loans
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Job Search
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Resume
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Job Application
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Interviews
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Keeping your job and expanding your career
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Note: As you can see above, I did say for 11th and 12th grade. I would consider opening it up to lower High School grades if necessary, but I would like to discuss this with you before you sign up.
This is a one-semester class.
Class Cost: $50.00 per student. Fall semester course only.
Materials needed:
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Notebook
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Pencil
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Internet at home for research
Advanced Art
Teacher: Rachel Fochtman
Grades: 9-12
Semesters: 1 & 2 (Each Semester is different so students can drop/join in either)
DESCRIPTION:
Students will study Ancient Art History while practicing advanced skills such as creating tile mosaics with plaster, clay carving, light shadow boxes, and ancient Sumi art painting with original ink sticks and brushes.
Each 3–4-week unit will focus on a different technique, and style from history. We will work on seeing God's plan through people and time to display His greatness through our likeness as creators. This class will push students to experiments with new materials, hone technique and use creativity to problem solve. Weekly homework includes drawing prompts in a provided sketchbook, time outside of class to finish projects at home, and a final research project of their choosing from the period of study.
Cost: $120
Material Fee: $30
ACT/SAT Prep
Teacher: Gary Mills
Grades: 9-12
Semesters: Fall semester course only.
DESCRIPTION:
We will be using the Kahn Academy online and their wealth of information. We will be logging in, creating a student account and take practice tests. These practice tests will also show your deficiencies and they have online remediation for these.
This class is designed for students who will be taking the ACT/SAT their Junior or Senior year.
This course will explore the following:
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The process of the ACT/SAT
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The pitfalls of taking the ACT/SAT
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The importance of taking the ACT/SAT
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The ability to practice taking timed tests
Cost : $30 per student.
Materials needed for the class:
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Notebook
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Pencil
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Computer with internet access