Joe Coleman This class will introduce students to the exciting world of Archaeology. Students will learn what archaeologists do, and will explore 25,000 years of human society, from stone-age hunter-gatherers, to classical Greece, to the New World. Brief, weekly homework assignments will hone the critical thinking skills that are so important to the archaeologist. The class will be a journey of discovery through several important eras of our shared past and cultural evolution.
Karen S.R. Coletti Belly Dancing is a fun way to exercise and dance at the same time. Historically, belly dancing is one of the oldest dance forms. It will help to tone your body, increase flexibility and build self confidence. We will focus on proper posture, breathing and how to isolate individual muscle groups while working on graceful movement transitions and expressiveness. Short combinations will be taught and possibly a short routine to perform at the end of the semester.
Wear comfortable clothing such as exercise pants and top. I prefer no long skirts so that I may see what the feet and knees are doing to ensure proper posture. We dance bare footed or soft dance shoes (so you can still feel the floor under your feet) are okay if you prefer to have something on your feet. Please no socks, I don't want anyone slipping.
Your materials fee includes a CD of belly dance music and a handout of dance moves.
**There may be some misconceptions as to what belly dancing is exactly. It is a dance for women, although it is fine for men to participate too, and is a very ancient art form which is taught and performed in a tasteful manner.
Mary Anne Campbell Book club is a truly cooperative effort. As such, you will teach two or three classes – depending on how many families sign up. Each class will consist of reading a book of your choice (or perhaps simply an engaging chapter from a chapter book) to the children and leading them in related activities that focus on science, art, history, literature, social studies, and so forth.
A simple online search (“book title” plus “activities”) generally leads to enough ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Here’s an example: Last semester, one mother read Miss Rumphius and allowed the children to paint empty milk jugs in which to plant the begonias she’d brought.
As book club coordinator, I’ll teach the first class. At that time, I’ll hand out a schedule for subsequent classes. There’s no formal fee associated with the class; instead, you’ll simply purchase your own activity materials as your personal resources allow.
Book club is a practical opportunity for you to glean educational ideas from fellow homeschoolers. Please join us!
Mark Thielmann If you have had introductory chemistry with me, or any experience with chemistry courses elsewhere, this would be the next step in that educational evolution. This will involve taking a more detailed look at chemical structure, molecular modeling, polymer chemistry, acid/base reactions, dyes and investigate chemical techniques.
Chris Sapienza Learn to design and program your own 2D video game. Kids will create their own characters, the backgrounds, and write the programs that control it all! After the course is over they can continue to develop their game or create new ones at home.
Brenda Gregory How can we motivate children who feel they have no drawing talent? If they say, "I can not draw" and "I am bad at art." We know they will not learn drawing if they do not practice. We know they do not practice because they are too frustrated and discouraged when they see their own drawings. This class each child will practice basic seeing and drawing skills. Drawings will be inspired from observation. This class will require sketching outside of class.
Laura Johnson Enter the Enchanted Realm. Dance with pixies and fairies, share a story with brownies, play with princesses or swim among the mermaids. Each week, we will spin a new story together, complete with fun costumes, creative props and our own imaginations. Much of this class will be structured as a storytelling or role playing game with each choosing a role, and following along a storyline that we create together. We will sprinkle bits of science, problem solving and literature in with the adventure. Fairies might create potions for a bit of science, brownies might present a puzzle to solve or princess may teach a lesson in friendship and manners. The fun culminates in an enchanted tea party at the Mermaid’s Lagoon.
Geared towards girls ages 5 & up with a focus on princesses, fairies, mermaids, brownies and pixies.
Yarrow Ries This fiber arts class will utilize handmade paper, fabric, weaving, felting, fiber reactive dies , hot wax and fabric paints in the assemblage of our fiber art pieces. To participate in this class students should demonstrate an ability to work independently with needles, scissors and other sewing implements.
Laura Johnson You have been accepted to the Frogwarts School of Wizardry and Magic. Each week, we will explore a different magical topic. Mixed in with our magical lessons may be a quite a lot of Muggle education such as the sciences (Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration), literature & history (Care of Magical Creatures- mythology, Defense Against the Dark Arts- legends & folklore) Latin & Poetry (Charms), Math (Arithmancy & Codes), lots of Harry Potter and much more. We hope your enjoy your first term at Frogwarts.
Please Note: First years are not allowed brooms in class, but you may bring a toad, owl, or other creatures. Each student will create her/his own wand, parchment books and quill. We will provide you with robes and a cauldron during class. All course materials have been purchase from Diagon Alley and will be provided for you.
Dave Shepard Students learn the basics of playing the guitar and develop a foundation in music theory. They learn important chords, scales and techniques which they apply to rock and traditional songs. They are encouraged to sing as they play and will perform a mini-concert at the end of each semester! Students are grouped by age and ability.
Pint-Sized Pickers, students which are ages 4-7, will use baritone ukuleles instead of 6 string guitars.
Guitars and ukes may be purchased from Mr. Shepard at the open house or at the classes. * Sibling discount applies
George L. Heinrich This class introduces the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles. Lessons strongly focus on ecology and conservation, covering diverse topics such as anatomy, behavior, diet, growth, habitat, reproduction, and threats. Students will explore the diversity of amphibian and reptile life through live animals and bioartifacts. Hands-on, science-based activities include learning how to identify snake sheds found in the woods, sort turtle shell bones, identify roadkills, and determine what a tortoise has been eating by studying its scat. The goal is to instill both an appreciation for wildlife and sense of environmental stewardship. Includes handouts and some homework. Parents welcome.
Shannon Bailey What would you like to do this semester as a group? Create a video? Learn to cook? Start a website? All of the above? Your class will be determined by YOU - this is your time to hang out and have fun together. This will be a student-led class with an adult advisor, there to help and guide.
Dan Roeder Math Boot Camp I is designed to help students master basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), focusing primarily on whole numbers (like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). while Boot Camp 2 includes decimals and fractions. Direct instruction, worksheets and games will all be used to help students become proficient at basic calculation.
Students will have approximately 30 min of homework/practice each week.
Pre-requisite skills: Ability to count and write numbers to 100 and add single-digit numbers.
Dan Roeder Math Boot Camp II is designed to help students master basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), focusing primarily on whole numbers (like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and including decimals and fractions. Direct instruction, worksheets and games will all be used to help students become proficient at basic calculation.
Students will have approximately 30 min of homework/practice each week.
Pre-requisite skills: Ability to count and write numbers to 100 and add single-digit numbers.
Brenda Gregory Students will learn the basic skills used to fabricate jewelry. Adults can attend as well, and in fact this would be a great class for parent and child to take together. Each student will be able to make a pendant and a ring and more if time allows. They will employ sawing, drilling, filing, torch soldering, cold-connecting parts and a variety of texturing techniques.
Shannon Bailey Create a multimedia project from start to finish -- learn how to research a topic and then present it in a creative way: web, video, animation, blog, slideshows, desktop publishing and more! Collaborate with other students as you learn these techniques. Gain tech, research and planning skills as you present a topic you choose.
Laptop that can be brought to class would be helpful, and some work at home will be necessary.
Dan Roeder This course is designed to provide students with the basic skills they will need to have success in a first year algebra course. Topics covered include:
Decimals
Fractions
Ratios
Proportions
Percents
Students should have basic arithmetic skills mastered: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and division for whole numbers
In addition, students are expected to come prepared each class period with:
3 ring notebook- with loose-leaf paper
2 sharpened pencils
Students should expect to spend at least one hour each week outside of class doing homework/practice.
Dan Roeder Speaking in front of a group is an extremely useful skill, and yet one that only a few adults and even fewer youth master. This class will help students become more comfortable and proficient in this important life skill. Students will learn the basics of developing and presenting 3 to 5 minute speeches before an audience. Students will present 4 to 5 speeches during the course, two of which they will write themselves.
Each week students will participate in speech exercises, practice giving their speeches, and will participate in class critiques of peer's presentations.
Students will need to work about one hour each week outside the classroom practicing and developing their speeches.
Chris Sapienza Robotics are everywhere, and our redesigned class is more than just cars. We'll build and program our own variable speed desk fan to keep us cool in class, program Indiana Jones to feel his way through a dark cavern, program our cars to stop at an intersection, and much more. Kids will build logical and sequential thinking skills while developing creative and original ways to write a program to control motors, light sensors, touch sensors, and more.
Doug Scull This year's classes will begin with the children making their own paper for the cover to their Journal. This will be followed by a blend of demonstrations, experiments and discoveries in the life and physical sciences with some fun chemistry lessons thrown in. The students will also meet many of Mr. Doug's critter friends including Larry the Leach, Matilda the Tarantula and Hunny the Bunny.
Brenda Gregory Discover the creative potential of recyclable plastics like yogurt containers, mike jugs and laundry containers. Students will learn to cut, fasten, heat-form, pop-rivet plastic. There is no end to the imaginative and whimsical possibilities.
Christa Fairbrother This class will explore and discuss the development of art and western civilization from Prehistory to the Gothic eras. We'll look at images of art from the major time periods (15 minutes of each day) and then do individual and group projects that reinforce each era's innovations. This is a very hands-on class that encourages critical viewing and thinking skills applied to activities in the fine arts, literature, architecture/engineering and history.
We will organize a field trip to the Tampa Museum of Art as part of class.
Yarrow Ries Art class will begin with a circle time to include a story or a puppet play to help frame the art lesson. Waldorf and other high quality art supplies will be used during the art/handwork period to include "wet on wet watercolor", beeswax modeling, lambs wool roving, beeswax block crayons and a surprise or two given our progress. This is a gentle but structured class taught in a traditional Waldorf method.
Parents are asked to volunteer for one Thursday during the 12 week semester.
George L. Heinrich This new class will explore Florida's diverse wildlife and wildlands from the perspective of conservation challenges and opportunities. Students will examine human-caused threats to selected species and their habitats during participatory, engaging weekly lessons, and be guided toward developing potential conservation solutions. Emphasis will be placed on what they can do to effect positive change and become environmental stewards. Visiting biologists, naturalists and conservationists will introduce students to the roles we can all play to conserve imperiled species. Students will select a Florida wildlife species early in the semester and work on developing a conservation plan (to be presented in a notebook).
Two Saturday local field trips (cost minimal and not included in course fee) are optional, but participation is strongly encouraged. One will be a community service-oriented habitat clean-up, and the second will be associated with learning about native landscaping (dates: 9 October and 30 October).
This course is most appropriate for students that have taken my past classes at SPCH (Herpetology, Wildlife Ecology and Exploring Nature through Literature), but is also open to new students. Includes handouts and some homework. Parents welcome.
Karen S.R. Coletti This is a mini world culture class where each week we will learn some general information about different countries. Class time will be divided between an academic and a hands-on experience.
During the academic portion of the class the students will learn where the countries are located on the world map, its capital, language, industry, and other facts. When available, visual aides will be used such as video, photos, textiles, and foods of the region (if any students have dietary restrictions, this should be made clear at the beginning of the course). During the hands-on portion of the class we may play a game, listen to a story, learn a dance or song from that country.
Age-appropriate worksheets will be handed out for the students to complete and turn in the following week.
For those students who are interested, an international dance performance will be prepared for presentation day. Other presentations may be worked on by students which may include creating a craft that is indigenous to an area of study for instance.
Jennifer Pierson, RYT Yoga is focused movement in action that can be the catalyst for understanding and healing. This class will focus on the following areas: breathing, posture, balance, flexibility, and meditation (quiet time, focused on breathing for relaxation and de-stressing the body in daily life). We will focus on animals postures for a fun approach to fitness.
Students will need to bring a water bottle and a yoga mat with them to class.