Schedule and Room Assignments
4th quarter classes begin the week of March 18, 2024.
You can see key dates in our Google calendar or view our Academic Calendar. You can also view the schedule as a grid (below) or as a list.
Quarter beginning March 18, 2024 |
Thursday
Number Ninjas: Math in Nature*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Does your child learn best by hands-on activities, crafts, games, and stories? Number Ninjas is based on the belief that children need to work with mathematics in a concrete, physical, and tangible way in order to learn fundamental concepts. Young students will love learning numerical concepts in this interactive, exploration-based class where work with numbers feels like a game. Fourth quarter, students will look to nature for mathematical patterns and shapes. The class will examine: radial patterns such as those found in flowers, sea stars, and snowflakes; tessellations (repeating patterns) such as in a bee honeycomb, crystals, or a snakeskin; concentric tree rings, fractals (branching) of ferns, trees, lightning, root systems, and river deltas; symmetry in leaves, flowers, butterflies; and the Fibonacci sequence (spirals) in sunflowers and snail shells. Through a variety of hands-on projects, students will draw or create forms and patterns to replicate and remember the mathematical phenomena found in nature. This class covers many of the 1st and 2nd grade Standards of Learning for math. Weekly update e-mails to parents will include suggestions for practice at home and extension activities. Topics in the Series: Patterns & Properties (Quarter 1), Money Math (Quarter 2), Learning Logic (Quarter 3), and Math in Nature (Quarter 4).
10:00 am-10:55 am
K-1st
Manipulating Math: Simple Statistics*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Questions and more questions! We will be creating our own surveys and deciding the best ways to display our data. Maybe you want to quantify the types of extra curricular activities of Compass students, or maybe you'd like to find out the average bedtime of students of different age groups. Are you into sports? Let's talk about baseball stats and measures of center! We will even learn how to use statistics to support an argument. Students will formulate questions and conduct investigations, learn about gathering data, represent data in a variety of tables, charts, graphs, and plots, and analyze and interpret data by making inferences, observing trends, drawing conclusions and making predictions. Students will practice problem solving skills, reasoning and basic math in this class Topics in this Series: Measurement Madness (Quarter 1); Fun with Fractions (Quarter 2); Geometry Games (Quarter 3); and Simple Statistics (Quarter 4)
11:00 am-11:55 am
3rd-4th
Eureka 4! 4th Grade Math: A Complete Curriculum*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Mon,Thu
Open Spots: 1
Eureka Math 4 is a full-year, complete math curriculum for students who have mastered the equivalent of Eureka's Math 3 content (below). This class meets twice a week and is designed to be a full program where students receive instruction in person at Compass and complete homework on off-days at home. Parents do not have to select a curriculum or deliver the instruction, but rather are expected to ensure that homework is being completed before class and assisting the student in checking attempted homework. Topics in Eureka 4 include:
- Four basic operations with whole numbers to solve work problems.
- Factors and multiples
- Multi-digit place value
- Adding and subtracting multi-digit whole numbers
- Multiplication of multi-digit whole numbers using several methods
- Division of four-digit dividend by one digit divisor
- Fraction equivalents and common decimal equivalents
- Adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators
- Word problems with measurement and conversion from larger unit to smaller
- Representing and interpreting data
- Drawing and classifying lines, angles, and shapes
- Introduction to angles and angle measurements
- Has learned/memorized all math facts fluently: addition/subtraction (1-20) and multiplication/division through 10 x 10
- Represents and solves problems using multiplication and division
- Solves word problems with the 4 basic operations
- Uses place value understanding to perform multi-digit arithmetic
- Adds and subtracts within 1000
- Understands fractions as part of a whole
- Understands area and perimeter
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
4th-5th
(Year Long)
All About Astronomy: Mission to Mars*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 3
Every single week there are gripping headlines heralding new developments and discoveries in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and space exploration: NASA's Artemis II announced its crew. Space X Starship self-destructed. Europe's JUICE will go to Jupiter. James Webb Space Telescope finds oldest proto-galaxies. China, Russia, India, and South Korea are in a new space race to reach the moon. A total solar eclipse will be viewed in 2024. These are exciting fields to follow, and this is a thrilling time to learn about space science in Compass's "All About Astronomy" series. Fourth quarter, students will mimic NASA in planning a mission to and habitat on Mars. The class will begin by looking at past Mars explorations. They will evaluate what is known about the red planet from fly-bys, orbiters, landers, and rovers. They will review what are the known challenges of a journey to Mars and anticipated conditions on the surface. The class will divide up and work in teams to design a mission to Mars and temporary Martian base camp. Students will brainstorm about what is needed to sustain and shelter the astronauts, power their space craft, what key scientific studies should be made, and how to return the crew and their findings to Earth. They will look at the technologies available to select their rocket (or design an all-new one), crew cabin, scientific equipment, lander, Mars vehicle, shelter, and spacesuits. Teams will be given constraints such as budget, payload, fuel, power consumption, and scientific value of their planned Martian activities. They will have to consider all of the challenges of returning to Earth. What will they be able to bring back from Mars? Topics in this series include: Classical & Current Star-Gazing (Quarter 1); Mission to the Moon (Quarter 2); Modern & Space-Based Searches (Quarter 3); and Mission to Mars (Quarter 4)
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
5th-6th
Math Masterminds: Modern Challenges*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 2
Each week, students will tackle math puzzles, challenges, and learn new "tricks" and techniques to solve a variety of math problems, all while learning about the masterminds behind founding principles of modern mathematics. Students will learn about the life and times of a great mathematician and then explore key concepts, principles, and formulas introduced by the featured master. Students' problem- solving skills will be honed as they examine the historical, cultural, and personal context for discoveries in mathematics. The class will work sample problems and use experiments and manipulatives to demonstrate the formulas, theories, short-cuts, or alternate approaches suggested by famous mathematicians.
Fourth quarter, students will be exposed to a wide variety of mathematical terms and concepts from the Modern Thinkers including Fermat, Euler, Galois, and Noether.
Topics in this Series: Geometry Challenges (Quarter 1); Pattens & Problems Solvers (Quarter 2); Great Discoveries (Quarter 3); and Modern Challenges (Quarter 4).
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
5th-6th
Preparation for Pre-Algebra*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue,Thu
Open Spots: -1
Preparation for Pre-Algebra is a year-long curriculum that will teach the fundamentals a student must master before embarking pre-algebra, algebra, and beyond. The class will review arithmetic skills, operations, and number theory. Key topics include fractions, rates, ratios, decimals, and percentages. Students will learn the computational operations of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals. They will learn what decimals stand for, how they relate to fractions, and how to convert between the two. They will discover how rates and ratios are also fractions. Students will learn how to work with negative numbers including strategies for completing all four common operations with negative numbers. The class will also cover exponents and orders of magnitude to make sense of really small and really big numbers and common operations. This class will also emphasize real world applications of the mathematical concepts through word problems so students become comfortable switching between prose (written descriptions) and mathematical representation (numbers, symbols) of real world examples such as money, mileage, weights, percentages, and scientific measures. Prerequisites: This course can be considered a pre-pre-algebra class that will teach the core concepts typically covered in later elementary school/early middle school after a general arithmetic curriculum and before pre-algebra. While different curriculums and student pacing will vary, this class would be appropriate for a student who has successfully covered long division, multiplication of multiple digit numbers, and an introduction to simple fractions and who has complete mastery of multiplication facts, skills often aligned with 5th grade mathematics. Workload: Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours per week outside of class to complete practice problems, homework, and assessments. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address to be set up users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by: checking that weekly homework sets are complete; spot-checking the full solution 1-2 select problems in class each week, and giving quarterly take-home tests. Points will also be awarded for class participation. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should purchase the two class texts: "The Complete Book of Math, Grades 5-6" (ISBN# 978-1561896776) and "EP Math 5/6 Workbook" (ISBN# 979-8643323693).
10:00 am-10:55 am
6th-7th
(Year Long)
Algebra I (Tue, Thu)*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue,Thu
Open Spots: 1
This is a complete course in high school Algebra I which will cover fundamental concepts in algebra and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. This course is designed to emphasize the study of algebraic problem-solving with the incorporation of real-world applications. Topics in Algebra I include number systems, linear systems, rational numbers, complex numbers, exponents, roots, radicals, quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, absolute values, ratios, and proportions. In addition, the course will cover solving and graphing systems of functions, linear equations, and inequalities. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem-solving. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in pre-algebra topics in order to take this class. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1.25-1.75 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 13-day cycle in this class with: a new unit introduced on a Friday (day 1), lecture on Wednesday (day 6), questions and answers on the next Friday (day 8), and homework due the next Wednesday (day 13). After introduction of a new topic (day 1), students will be expected to read the assigned section and look through worked, sample problems before the lecture the following Wednesday (day 6). Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of all work. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by checking that weekly homework sets are complete and giving periodic take-home tests; class participation is also strongly encouraged. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul A. Foerster. It is available in a few different editions, each of which is virtually identical: 2nd edition (ISBN-10 020125073X, ISBN-13 978-0201250732), 3rd edition (ISBN-10 0201860945, ISBN-13 978-0201860948), and Classic edition (ISBN-10 020132458X, ISBN-13 978-0201324587). It is also available under the title Foerster Algebra I, Classics edition (ISBN-10 0131657089, ISBN-13 978-0131657083). A calculator is not needed for this course. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra I for purposes of a high school transcript.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
7th-10th
(Year Long)
Eureka 5! 5th Grade Math: A Complete Curriculum*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Mon,Thu
Open Spots: 3
Eureka Math 5 is a full-year, complete math curriculum for students who have mastered the equivalent of Eureka's Math 4 content (below). This class meets twice a week and is designed to be a full program where students receive instruction in person at Compass and complete homework on off-days at home. Parents do not have to select a curriculum or deliver the instruction, but rather are expected to ensure that homework is being completed at home and assist the student in checking attempted homework. Topics in Eureka 5 include:
-
- Writing and interpreting numerical expressions
- Understanding place value system
- Performing four basic operations on multi-digital whole numbers with decimals to hundredths.
- Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators
- Multiplying and dividing fractions
- Converting units within a measurement system
- Working with volumes
- Graphing points on a coordinate plane
- Classifying 2D figures
- Has learned/memorized all math facts fluently: addition/subtraction (1-20) and multiplication/division through 10 x 10
- Uses four basic operations with whole numbers to solve work problems.
- Understands factors and multiples
- Understands multi-digit place value
- Adds and subtracts multi-digit whole numbers
- Multiplies multi-digit whole numbers
- Divides four-digit dividends by one digit divisors
- Understands fraction equivalents and common decimal equivalents
- Adds and subtracts fractions with like denominators
- Completes word problems with measurements and conversions from larger unit to smaller
- Represents and interpreting data
- Draws and classifies lines, angles, and shapes
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
5th-6th
(Year Long)
Geography through Games- The Modern World (12pm)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Learn world geography through hands-on, interactive play rather than by studying flat, dull maps! Many great games feature play on map-based game boards that can be used as teaching tools. Visual and kinesthetic learners will remember where Mongolia and Madagascar are when they have amassed miniature armies there! The instructor will use board games from his personal collection as teaching tools. In addition, he creates custom boards to use with established game rules and pieces. Fourth quarter, students will learn about the geography of the modern world using a custom map and the game of Risk and several editions of the game Axis and Allies. Topics in this series include: Early Civilizations (Quarter 1); Ancient Greece & Rome (Quarter 2), Medieval Europe (Quarter 3), and The Modern World (Quarter 4). There is a $15.00 supply fee due to the instructor on the first day of class for custom-printed maps and shared class materials.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-8th
Geography through Games- The Modern World (1pm)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Learn world geography through hands-on, interactive play rather than by studying flat, dull maps! Many great games feature play on map-based game boards that can be used as teaching tools. Visual and kinesthetic learners will remember where Mongolia and Madagascar are when they have amassed miniature armies there! The instructor will use board games from his personal collection as teaching tools. In addition, he creates custom boards to use with established game rules and pieces. Fourth quarter, students will learn about the geography of the modern world using a custom map and the game of Risk and several editions of the game Axis and Allies. Topics in this series include: Early Civilizations (Quarter 1); Ancient Greece & Rome (Quarter 2), Medieval Europe (Quarter 3), and The Modern World (Quarter 4). There is a $15.00 supply fee due to the instructor on the first day of class for custom-printed maps and shared class materials.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
5th-8th
Dynamic Dioramas: Biome Builders- Grasslands (The Savanna) Thurs*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thursday
Open Spots: 0
The best way to understand a biome is to build (a model) one! A biome is a large zone on Earth characterized by its climate, soil, vegetation, and organisms with special adaptations for the unique environment. In modeling biomes, students will learn how they are different than similar ecological concepts like habitats and ecosystems. Students will discover how human activities, such as deforestation and habitat destruction, are transforming biomes. In this science-themed diorama class, students will be exposed to concepts such as trophic levels, the water cycle, biological competition, geographic isolation, convergent evolution, species diversification, natural vs unnatural climate change, food webs, habitat loss, and ecological niches, while they are working on their models. Grassland biomes are found on every continent (except Antarctica) and are flat, open regions dominated by grass with scattered trees and shrubs, and a warm, dry climate. Tropical grasslands, known as savannas, cover half the continent of Africa as well as areas of Australia, India, and South America. Compass ecologists will focus on African savannas where large, diverse animals such as elephants, wildebeest, warthogs, zebras, rhinos, gazelles, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, leopards, ostrich, and other birds and small mammals, graze and hunt in the expansive grasslands. Each student will create an individual diorama. Students will craft and hand-shape their scene on a 10 x 14 inch foam board using artistic, model-making techniques. They will customize their dioramas with landforms, waterways, plant life, and paint. Once individual projects are constructed, students will populate them with miniature figures and combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to create a larger terrain. Students will then compete in a zoology-based survival strategy game. Each student will create one board and receive a set of miniatures to take home with them. Course documents such as maps, game rules and all other instructional media will be available via a Google Drive link which will be emailed to parents. There is a $25.00 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this series include: Tropics (The Rainforest)- Quarter 1; Tundra (The Arctic)- Quarter 2; Arid (The Desert)- Quarter 3; and Grasslands (The Savanna)- Quarter 4.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
2nd-4th
World History Reimagined: The English Civil War*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 2
This semester begins in the aftermath of the 100 Years War between England and France, with multiple succession crises and ongoing civil wars. The widespread unrest was the result of England’s failure to dominate France on the mainland and because of the weak rule of King Henry VI of England. He inherited the throne as a boy at the peak of English power in the 100 Years War, but whose inexperience ultimately led to a French victory in the conflict. In the absence of a strong monarch, the nobility of England, having grown their own military power and political influence, struggled instead with their own neighbors in all out civil war and anarchy. Powerful dukes laid their own claims to the throne, and the two most powerful houses, Lancaster and York fought a series of deadly wars, supported by outside factions from France and Scotland. This was the historical inspiration for A Game of Thrones! There were wedding massacres, assassinations, pitched battles, spies, and intrigue! This historical crisis is where the Compass role play will begin. Students will assume roles as English lords, managing their own fiefs and raising armies to see the rightful heir crowned, or carving out their own domain, free from overlordship. Will they remain loyal to their rightful king or seek foreign aid to put someone else on the throne? Will they win through force of arms on the battlefield or through guile and subterfuge? Students will examine in-depth case studies and fit them together like an "illuminated manuscript of history," learning how warfare, politics, law, and religion interplay to create the History of the World. Cases will be based on primary source documents from art and literature which the class will use to create a mock feudal system in which students will take period-appropriate collaborative and/or competitive roles with classmates to better understand medieval society. Topics in this Series: 100 Years War (Semester 1), The English Civil War (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Prerequisites: None Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class on readings. Assignments: Course documents including period maps, photographs and articles will be made available through a class Google Drive link emailed to parents and students, as well as a class YouTube playlist for any videos watched in class or assigned as homework. Assessments: Short, open note in-class quizzes will be given. In addition, students will complete a semester project. Textbook/Materials: All readings will be posted in a Google Classroom. What to Bring: Paper or notebook; pen or pencil; assigned articles Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in world history for purposes of a high school transcript.
10:00 am-11:55 am
8th-12th
(Semester Long)
Harry Potter Handicrafts: Guest Prof. Hagrid & Hooch
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 4
You've dreamed about going to Hogwarts, and now is your chance to experience a year of magical classes! In this maker class, students will create projects inspired by their core classes at Hogwarts (Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration) and a Hogwarts guest professor. Students learn to work with a variety of materials and learn a broad range of crafting skills such as hand-sewing, painting, papercrafting (including precision cutting, folding, and stenciling) sculpting, and wireworking to create magical pieces inspired by the World of Harry Potter. Welcome to the fourth term at Hogwarts! This term will focus on flying, as we welcome Madam Hooch who will have you make your own broom, and Hagrid who will guide you as you create and conquer your textbook The Monster Book of Monsters. Of course, you'll also make crafts related to your core classes, including a Wingardium Leviosa levitation illusion (Charms), Drinkable Potions (Potions), and more! This is a great class for Harry Potter fans who love the magical world, even for those who have not read all of the books or watched all of the movies. Projects and class discussions are geared to not reveal significant series spoilers. Note: A few classes may include a Harry Potter-inspired food creation or personal care product. The ingredients will be identified in advance, and students with food or ingredient allergies or dietary restrictions will need to check before handling/consuming. Substitute ingredients cannot be provided for those with food allergies or restrictions. Note: Project themes or materials are subject to change due to availability or sourcing at the time of the class. Topics in this Series: Guest Prof. Dumbledore (Quarter 1); Guest Prof. Sprout (Quarter 2); Guest Profs. Snape & Slughorn (Quarter 3), and Guest Profs. Hagrid & Hooch (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $40.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. What to Bring: Students should bring good scissors for cutting paper/fabric, a ruler, and a low temp, mini hot glue gun to class each week.
10:00 am-10:55 am
5th-8th
Colorful Canvas: MultiMedia Painting for Kids
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: -1
Kids will be introduced to painting with multimedia and special effects in a small group class under the guidance of a professional painter and art teacher. The class will incorporate other complementary materials into their paintings, such as collage, and will learn techniques to create special finishes and textures. Students will try techniques such as applying and removing paint, layering, stippling, and dabbing, along with wet and dry brush techniques. Students will complete several paintings on canvas boards. A variety of subjects, such as still life, animals, florals, landscapes, seascapes, fantasy, abstracts, or "mimic the masters" will be introduced to illustrate different painting techniques through in-class projects. Topics in this series include: Watercolor Painting (Quarter 1), Tempera Painting (Quarter 2), Acrylic Painting (Quarter 3), and MultiMedia Painting (Quarter 4). There is an $15.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
3rd-5th
Colorful Canvas: MultiMedia Painting for Tweens
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 3
Tweens will be introduced to painting with multimedia and special effects in a small group class under the guidance of a professional painter and art teacher. The class will incorporate other complementary materials into their paintings, such as collage, and will learn techniques to create special finishes and textures. Students will try techniques such as applying and removing paint, layering, stippling, and dabbing, along with wet and dry brush techniques. Students will complete several paintings on canvas boards. A variety of subjects, such as still life, animals, florals, landscapes, seascapes, fantasy, abstracts, or "mimic the masters" will be introduced to illustrate different painting techniques through in-class projects. Topics in this series include: Watercolor Painting (Quarter 1), Tempera Painting (Quarter 2), Acrylic Painting (Quarter 3), and MultiMedia Painting (Quarter 4). There is an $15.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
6th-8th
Spanish Amigos (Q4, 11am)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 4
Buenos dias! Spanish Amigos (Friends) is a fun, play-based, Spanish immersion class for young students. Much like learning their native language, students will be exposed to the sounds, vocabulary, and phrases in Spanish through songs, games, stories, interactive and hands-on activities. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. The teacher will bring toys and objects each week to give kids tangible, hands-on examples of the vocabulary being introduced. Each quarter introduces new themes and new vocabulary in Spanish, so children can continue to build their language basics. However, themes and units are non-sequential, so students may enroll in this level in any quarter. The goal of this introductory course is to lay foundations in sounds, vocabulary, and simple phrases while having fun and building confidence in a foreign language. Instruction will be predominantly verbal, but key vocabulary words may be written down for students to begin a sense of spelling. Students will be encouraged to write down new words each week, but reading, writing, spelling, and note-taking will not be expected. Fluency should not be expected at this level. Material/Supply Fee: The instructor will order a South-American written/published Spanish activity book for students in-class use after assessing their ages/skill levels. Parents will be asked to reimburse the instructor for the expense, typically $10-$15.
11:00 am-11:55 am
2nd-3rd
Spanish Exploradores (Q4)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 6
Buenas tardes! Spanish Exploradores (Explorers) is a fun, immersive introductory Spanish class for older elementary students. Much like learning their native language, students will be exposed to the sounds, vocabulary, and phrases in Spanish through songs, games, stories, and hands-on activities. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. The teacher will bring objects each week to give students tangible, hands-on examples of the vocabulary being introduced. In this level, students will be encouraged to begin to combine adjectives with nouns and nouns with verbs. Each quarter introduces new themes and new vocabulary in Spanish, so children can continue to build their language basics. However, themes and units are non-sequential, so students may enroll in this level in any quarter. While the theme might be the same as that of a younger level of instruction, more vocabulary will be introduced at the older level. The goal of this introductory course is to lay foundations in sounds, vocabulary, and simple phrases while having fun and building confidence in a foreign language. Instruction will be predominantly verbal, but key vocabulary words may be written down for students to begin a sense of spelling. Students will be encouraged to write down new words each week, but reading, writing, and spelling will not be expected. Fluency should not be expected at this level. Material/Supply Fee: The instructor will order a South-American written/published Spanish activity book for students in-class use after assessing their ages/skill levels. Parents will be asked to reimburse the instructor for the expense, typically $10-$15.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
4th-6th
Algebra II*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Mon,Thu
Open Spots: 4
This is a complete course in high school Algebra II which will cover fundamental concepts and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. Topics in Algebra II include linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, quadratic functions and complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, rational and irrational algebraic functions, and quadratic relations and systems. In addition, this course will cover higher degree functions with complex numbers, sequences and series, probability, data analysis, and trigonometric and circular functions. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem solving. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation Algebra I in order to take this class. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1.25-1.75 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 13-day cycle in this class with: a new unit introduced on a Friday (day 1), lecture on Wednesday (day 6), questions and answers on the next Friday (day 8), and homework due the next Wednesday (day 13). After introduction of a new topic (day 1), students will be expected to read the assigned section and look through worked, sample problems before the lecture the following Wednesday (day 6). Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of all work. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. In lieu of a graphing calculator, students should have access to websites desmos.com and wolframalpha.com for graphing assignments. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by checking that weekly homework sets are complete and giving periodic take-home tests; class participation is also strongly encouraged. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications- Prentice Hall Classics (ISBN-10 0131657100, ISBN-13 978-0131657106). A scientific calculator similar to the Casio fx-115ES PLUS is required for this class. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra II for purposes of a high school transcript.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
9th-12th
(Year Long)
Spanish Para Estudiantes (S2)*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 7
Buenas tardes! Spanish Para Estudiantes is an immersive introductory Spanish class for middle school students. In a natural learning progression, students will be exposed to vocabulary and phrases in Spanish through in-class activities and conversations. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. This is a conversation-focused class where students are encouraged to speak in class. Vocabulary and phrases will be introduced in thematic units such as weather, time, members of the family, clothing, food, places in town, hobbies and sports, holidays, etc. As students learn new vocabulary, they will be encouraged to begin to combine adjectives with nouns and nouns with verbs in short phrases, often in mock conversations with classmates. Grammar will be introduced as it comes up in conversation and in phrases. Students will be exposed to pronouns, noun-verb agreement, adjective-noun agreement, familar vs. formal, ordinal and cardinal numbers, comparisons and superlatives, and more. Students are not expected to read or write at this stage, but are expected to take notes and to gain a sense of spelling in Spanish. Fluency should not be expected at this level. Material/Supply Fee: The instructor will order a South-American written/published Spanish activity book for students in-class use after assessing their ages/skill levels. Parents will be asked to reimburse the instructor for the expense, typically $10-$15.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Algebra I: Semi Private (Tue, Thu)- Semester 2*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue,Thu
Open Spots: 2
This is a semi-private section for students with permission of Compass and the Instructor This is a complete course in high school Algebra I which will cover fundamental concepts in algebra and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. This course is designed to emphasize the study of algebraic problem-solving with the incorporation of real-world applications. Topics in Algebra I include number systems, linear systems, rational numbers, complex numbers, exponents, roots, radicals, quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, absolute values, ratios, and proportions. In addition, the course will cover solving and graphing systems of functions, linear equations, and inequalities. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem-solving. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in pre-algebra topics in order to take this class. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1.25-1.75 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 13-day cycle in this class with: a new unit introduced on a Friday (day 1), lecture on Wednesday (day 6), questions and answers on the next Friday (day 8), and homework due the next Wednesday (day 13). After introduction of a new topic (day 1), students will be expected to read the assigned section and look through worked, sample problems before the lecture the following Wednesday (day 6). Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of all work. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by checking that weekly homework sets are complete and giving periodic take-home tests; class participation is also strongly encouraged. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul A. Foerster. It is available in a few different editions, each of which is virtually identical: 2nd edition (ISBN-10 020125073X, ISBN-13 978-0201250732), 3rd edition (ISBN-10 0201860945, ISBN-13 978-0201860948), and Classic edition (ISBN-10 020132458X, ISBN-13 978-0201324587). It is also available under the title Foerster Algebra I, Classics edition (ISBN-10 0131657089, ISBN-13 978-0131657083). A calculator is not needed for this course. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra I for purposes of a high school transcript.
9:00 am-9:55 am
3rd-5th
(Semester Long)
Pre-Algebra*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Mon,Thu
Open Spots: 2
This is a complete course in Pre-Algebra that will provide an introduction to basic algebra concepts and a review of arithmetic algorithms with an emphasis on problem solving. The major topics covered in this course are Numbers and Operations, Expressions & Properties, Equations & Inequalities, Functional Relationships and Ratios, Percent & Proportions. Students will learn to use formulas to solve a variety of math problems encompassing geometry, measurement probability, and statistics. Students will also be applying their learning to real life scenarios to solve problems. Prerequisites: Students must be fluent in the four basic operations- addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will need to show proficiency and have a thorough command of basic computation. In addition, a basic, introductory understanding and ability to work with fractions and decimals is required to solve equations and simplify expressions. If you are unsure about your child's readiness for this class, the instructor will recommend one or more practice platforms and/or assessments to confirm placement. Workload: Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours per week outside of class to complete practice problems, homework, and assessments. Assignments: All assignments will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site. There, students access assignments, upload homework, link to quizzes and tests, track grades, and message the instructor and classmates. Assessments: All chapter tests will be taken outside of class with parental oversight to maximize in-class instructional time. Points will be assigned for completed homework, quizzes, and tests. A letter grade will not be assigned, but parents can use total points earned versus total points offered to assign a grade for purposes of a homeschool transcript. Parents can view total points earned at any time through the Canvas site. Textbook: The selected textbook is available free online, and a link will be posted on Canvas. Students who prefer a hard copy textbook may purchase or rent McDougall Littell's Pre-Algebra (ISBN #978-0618250035). As an alternative, for any student who struggles with reading, the textbook can be purchased as an audio CD (ISBN #978-0618478828). What to Bring: TI-34 calculator Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Mathematics for purposes of a high school transcript.
10:00 am-10:55 am
7th-9th
(Year Long)
Algebra I (Mon, Thu)*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Mon,Thu
Open Spots: 1
This is a complete course in high school Algebra I which will cover fundamental concepts in algebra and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. This course is designed to emphasize the study of algebraic problem-solving with the incorporation of real-world applications. Topics in Algebra I include number systems, linear systems, rational numbers, complex numbers, exponents, roots, radicals, quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, absolute values, ratios, and proportions. In addition, the course will cover solving and graphing systems of functions, linear equations, and inequalities. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem-solving. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in pre-algebra topics in order to take this class. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1.25-1.75 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 13-day cycle in this class with: a new unit introduced on a Friday (day 1), lecture on Wednesday (day 6), questions and answers on the next Friday (day 8), and homework due the next Wednesday (day 13). After introduction of a new topic (day 1), students will be expected to read the assigned section and look through worked, sample problems before the lecture the following Wednesday (day 6). Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of all work. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by checking that weekly homework sets are complete and giving periodic take-home tests; class participation is also strongly encouraged. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul A. Foerster. It is available in a few different editions, each of which is virtually identical: 2nd edition (ISBN-10 020125073X, ISBN-13 978-0201250732), 3rd edition (ISBN-10 0201860945, ISBN-13 978-0201860948), and Classic edition (ISBN-10 020132458X, ISBN-13 978-0201324587). It is also available under the title Foerster Algebra I, Classics edition (ISBN-10 0131657089, ISBN-13 978-0131657083). A calculator is not needed for this course. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra I for purposes of a high school transcript.
11:00 am-11:55 am
7th-10th
(Year Long)
Chess: Beginners 4 (Thu)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 3
Students will enjoy the logic and challenge of the timeless strategy board game as they learn and play chess with classmates. In Beginning Chess 4, students will review and learn strategies such as: double attacks, elementary checkmates, managing pieces in the opening (pawns, knights, bishops and queens), when to develop the queen in the opening, best board behavior, and 5 questions to ask before moving. Beginning Chess 4 will conclude with a chess party and awards ceremony with certificates.
Learning and playing chess supports problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent half on technique and half in practice matches with classmates while the instructor coaches.. A student should have some prior knowledge of chess basics in order to enroll in Beginning Chess 4.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
2nd-5th
Geometry (Mon,Thu)*
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Mon,Thu
Open Spots: 2
This is a complete course in high school Geometry which will cover fundamental concepts and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. Students will learn deductive reasoning, and logic by completing geometric proofs. Topics in geometry include: lines, angles, congruence, concurrence, inequalities, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, transformations, area, similarity, right triangles, circles, regular polygons, and geometric solids. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem- solving. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation Algebra I in order to take this class. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1.25-1.75 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 13-day cycle in this class with: a new unit introduced on a Friday (day 1), lecture on Wednesday (day 6), questions and answers on the next Friday (day 8), and homework due the next Wednesday (day 13). After introduction of a new topic (day 1), students will be expected to read the assigned section and look through worked, sample problems before the lecture the following Wednesday (day 6). Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of all work. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload. Assessments: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by checking that weekly homework sets are complete and giving periodic take-home tests; class participation is also strongly encouraged. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding, 3rd edition (ISBN-10 0716743612, ISBN-13 978-0716743613) A calculator is not needed for this course. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Geometry for purposes of a high school transcript.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
8th-11th
(Year Long)
Electricity is Elementary! Super Circuits*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Kids are curious about electricity- the magic that powers the toys, games, and electronics they love. In this class, kids will experiment with aspects of electricity- conductors, batteries, and circuits- to take the mystery out of electricity and inspire future engineers. Continue to explore electrical engineering! The class will begin with a brief introduction to Snap Circuits using lights, fan motors, and sound speakers. Next, the class will be introduced to a variety of detectors that we will build into alarms. Students will configure a momentary alarm, pencil alarm, water alarm, and an intruder alarm. On the final day of class, each student will design, build, and share their own, unique alarm project. Topics in this Series: Battery Blast (Quarter 1); Cool Conductors (Quarter 2); Simple Circuits (Quarter 3); and Super Circuits (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
10:00 am-10:55 am
1st-2nd
Experimenting with Electricity: Super Circuits*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Students will learn how to think like electrical engineers as they learn about conductors, batteries, and circuits to understand how electricity powers the things they use every day.
Continue to explore electrical engineering! The class will begin with a brief introduction to Snap Circuits using lights, fan motors, and sound speakers. Next, the class will be introduced to a variety of detectors that we will build into alarms. Students will configure a momentary alarm, pencil alarm, water alarm, and an intruder alarm. On the final day of class, each student will design, build, and share their own, unique alarm project.
Topics in this Series: Battery Blast (Quarter 1); Cool Conductors (Quarter 2); Simple Circuits (Quarter 3); and Super Circuits (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
11:00 am-11:55 am
3rd-4th
Kids' Biochemistry Lab: Discover DNA*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Kids can learn some basics of biochemistry when they can touch it and test it! Kids will delve into the structure and function of nucleic acids. They will use 3D modeling kits to construct DNA and RNA. Students will understand the higher, ordered structure of DNA into chromosomes. They will touch on mendelian genetics and inheritance and apply their knowledge as 'Dragon Breeders' during a lab exercise. Kids will explore the mechanics of gene expression through transcription and translation using manipulatives. Finally, students will extract DNA from samples of their choosing and conclude with discussions of tissue-specific gene expression and transgenics. Topics in this Series: Kids' Chemistry Lab: Atoms & Molecules (Quarter 1); Kids' Chemistry Lab: Properties of Matter (Quarter 2); Kids' BioChemistry Lab: Manipulating Molecules (Quarter 3); and Kids' BioChemistry Lab: Discovering DNA (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $15.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-6th
Decoding DNA and Genetics*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
How genetically similar are an orangutan and a gorilla? How can two siblings have different eye color? How tall will you grow? Answers to these questions and thousands more can be found in a study of genetics and the instruction-carrying molecules, DNA. In this class, students will be introduced to the structure and function of DNA, genes and chromosomes. They will gain an understanding of how organisms generate everything they are from this simple ‘four letter’ code. How are genes turned ON and OFF, and what does this mean with respect to cancer? How do we genetically modify food (GMO), and is it safe? Students will take a historical journey to learn about the contributions of Watson, Crick, Collins and Franklin in the discovery of the structure of DNA. We will also learn about Mendel’s ground-breaking research in heredity and how to predict the inheritance of traits. We will learn about different kinds of inheritance (codominance, dominance, incomplete dominance) and about genetically inherited diseases. Students will also examine the family tree of European royalty and trace Hemophilia back to the first Royal who had the genetic mutation. We will also discuss other diseases and learn how karyotyping and DNA sequencing are used as diagnostic tools. Our labs will include: putting DNA samples into an agarose gel and separating fragments using a gel electrophoresis apparatus, building a segment of DNA using molecular model kits, analyzing offspring to learn about the genetics of their predecessors and using punnett squares, karyotyping to find chromosomal abnormalities, ordering the stages of cell division using microscopy and flash cards Topics in this Series: BioChemistry Basics (Semester 1), Decoding DNA and Genetics (semester 2). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $30.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Creative Storytelling: Once Upon a. . .Hero's Journey*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Children are full of stories and bubbling over with big ideas! In this class, students will learn how to capture their creative vision into a simple story that they will write and illustrate. Fourth quarter, our storytellers will tell the tale of a humble hero. Will their story include an original superhero, an ordinary kid, or an old-timey tale? Where are they going, and what must they accomplish? Students will learn how to build a Story Arc through guided, weekly activities. They will discover the key elements to composing a story such as crafting characters, posing a problem, advancing the action, constructing the climax, and writing the resolution- through brainstorming questions like, "Who is in your story?", "Where does this take place?", "What does that look like?" and "What happened after ____?" Emerging writers or readers are welcome and will receive support, if needed, to get their own words written down. Psst- don't tell your child, but this class helps lay the foundation in language arts for more advanced creative writing and composition. Pair this class with Acting: Kids Theater or Writing Well to further encourage communication and storytelling skills. The supply fee is included in the class tuition. Topics in this Series: A Peculiar Puzzle (Quarter 1); Delightful Daydream (Quarter 2); Magic Kingdom (Quarter 3); and Hero's Journey (Quarter 4).
11:00 am-11:55 am
1st-3rd
Writing Well: Fun Factual Paragraphs*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Writing is one of the most essential communication skills, and it gives kids a voice! In this class, upper elementary-aged students will learn the FUN-damentals of Writing Well! Kids will learn the foundations of good writing, step-by-step, in manageable, weekly pieces. Students will start the year with learning to formulate strong sentences and eventually move to organized, cohesive paragraphs in this class series. Classes will consist of lessons on writing basics, reading great examples (and weak ones) from literature and publications, and in-class writing practice. The emphasis will be on varying sentence structures, word choice, and correct structure- all with fun, creative topics that will keep kids interested in writing! During quarter 4, the class will exercise their paragraph-writing skills in writing about factual topics and brief reports. Students will take the skills of writing topic sentences, supporting details, and the conclusion and learn to answer key inquiries such as who, what, where, when, why...and how? Students will learn how to separate fact from fiction and opinion while supporting their writing with an appropriate level of detail/ Factual writing is a key skill for students to be able to show what they know or what they learned. Example factual paragraphs that this class may tackle include book reports, restaurant reviews, or the results of an interview they conducted. By the end of quarter four, students will be able to write clear, cohesive and well-organized factual paragraphs. The goal for this course is for students to increase their writing fluency, gain confidence, and strengthen their abilities to write clear, cohesive, and grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs. The group will learn the stages of writing--prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing--and various approaches to each stage. Throughout the quarter, mini-lessons on vocabulary and grammar will be presented on topics such as correct capitalization, agreement, tenses, parts of speech, synonyms, etc. Each week, students will have brief homework assignments based on what was covered in class using creative and non-fiction free response prompts to practice techniques at home. Regular writing practice improves fluency and comfort level. Students should expect 45-60 minutes of writing at home throughout the week (3-4 days at 15 minutes per sitting.) Topics in this series include Sentences that Speak (Quarter 1), Planning Paragraphs (Quarter 2), Fascinating Fiction Paragraphs (Quarter 3), and Fun Factual Paragraphs (Quarter 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
5th-6th
Writing Wonders: Fact Finder (Thu)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 3
Writing is a fundamental skill for school and for life, and it gives kids a voice! In this class, third and fourth graders will explore writing in many different ways. They will learn the basics of good writing and the art of revision. Classes will consist of simple lessons on writing plus in-class writing practice. Students will always be encouraged to write about what interests them, but they will also always be given fun, creative writing prompts so no one feels the panic of figuring out "what to write."
Fourth quarter, students will be introduced to writing informative paragraphs and basic research skills.
The goal for this course is for young students to gain confidence, increase writing fluency, and learn how to incorporate writing into everyday work and play. Each week, the instructor will share brief lessons on grammar such as correct capitalization, agreement, tenses, parts of speech, use of adjectives/adverbs, etc. They will also learn the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing, and strategies for each state. Student must be minimum age 8 to take this class and should be on grade level for reading and handwriting.
Topics in this Series: My Memories (Quarter 1); Transforming Tales (Quarter 2), Fun with Fiction (Quarter 3), and Fact Finder (Quarter 4).
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
3rd-4th
Rhetoric and Reasoning through Written Works: A Course in C...
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
According to Aristotle, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." In this year-long course, high school students will practice strategies to improve their reading comprehension for deeper understanding through critical thinking. Using a combination of fiction and nonfiction resources drawn from classics of literature, political theory, and history, students will also learn how to sort, analyze, describe, and compare information for a variety of purposes. They will learn how to construct a basic logical syllogism, how to spot classic logical fallacies in arguments, and how to construct clear, logically compelling, and persuasive arguments. The class will be introduced to terminology and techniques in the Formal discipline of rhetoric. First semester, the class will examine methods to internally understand and evaluate premises they have read according to logical reasoning and critical thinking. Second semester, the group will focus on the building external arguments that are both compelling and persuasive. Class reading selections will include works whose author or characters set forth principles or morals, face difficult decisions or dilemmas, or articulate arguments such as Common Sense by Thomas Paine; Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.; Shooting the Elephant by George Orwell; Mr. Collins' proposal from Pride & Prejudice. Prerequisites: Students must read at grade level for this course. Workload: Students should expect to spend 3 hours per week outside of class. Reading assignments will not be especially long, but students will be expected to read thoroughly and carefully. Assignments: Will be posted on a Google Classroom site for students and parents to access. Assessments: Papers and assignments will be evaluated and scored which are treated as grade recommendations to parents. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as full credit in English for purposes of a high school transcript.
10:00 am-10:55 am
9th-12th
(Year Long)
Write to the Point: Essays & Short Stories*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Write to the Point is a comprehensive, middle school-level writing class that will prepare 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students for high school level composition. The class will practice the fundamentals of composition through weekly writing assignments that encompass a variety of writing formats. Second Semester, students will learn to "stick to the point" in their writing. They will be challenged to identify their audience, define their purpose, and back-up their topic, thesis, or moral across multiple paragraph compositions. The class will continue to review writing basics such as grammar, agreement, and tense, and will learn tips for effective revision, editing, and feedback. Students will have the flexibility to select prompts and topics relevant to their own interests and will practice a variety of longer writing styles such as essays and short stories. Part of each in-class session will be dedicated to sharing and review of writing completed at home. Sometimes, students will be paired with classmates for peer review of grammar; other times, the class will collaborate through shared GoogleDocs for review and feedback of others' writing. Students should bring a laptop and charging cord to class each week for accessing in-progress assignments. Topics in this series include: Paragraphs & Articles (Semester 1) and Essays & Short Stories (Semester 2).
11:00 am-11:55 am
7th-9th
(Semester Long)
Best Books for Boys: Curiosity*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Best Books for Boys is a facilitated book club just for preteen boys. Boys will read high-quality, age-appropriate literature and expand their understanding of what they read through book discussion and hands-on extension activities. Boys will be encouraged to interact with the story and each other through activities such as acting out or illustrating favorite scenes, discussing and writing alternate endings, prequels, origin or spinoff stories, or researching specific aspects of the story. Through guided class discussion, the group will be exposed to beginning literary analysis in a fun, interactive setting by discussing plot, theme, characters, setting, genre, writing style, and artistry using specific examples from the story. They will learn to analyze characters, their actions and motives, respond to hypothetical questions, make predictions, and answer prompts using examples from the book. Each quarter, the class will read one book that is teacher's choice and a second book that the students select as a group from a short list curated by the instructor and student nominations on the relevant them. Students must read assigned chapters from their books at home, either as individual silent reading, read-aloud with parents' support, or listening to an audiobook edition. Readers will be encouraged to take notes on key passages or questions. All books are selected from among Newbery Medalists and Honor Books, Caldecott Medal books, and proven classics of children's fiction. Topics in this Series and teacher's choice books include: Ingenuity- Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater (Quarter 1); Kindness- Restart by Gordon Korman (Quarter 2); Tolerance- The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare (Quarter 3); and Curiosity- Tales from Moominvalley by Tove Jansson (Quarter 4). Textbook/Materials: Because students will need clean, inexpensive copies of each novel to mark in, and because they must be able to refer to the passages on the same page numbers, copies of mass market paperbacks will be pre-purchased for students for the first book. (See Supply Fee below). Parents will be responsible for buying or checking-out a copy of the second book, once selected. Supply Fee: A class fee of $9.50 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for Book 1. What to Bring: Students should bring the current novel, paper, pen or pencil and highlighter to class each week. Some students may wish to bring paper clips, adhesive flags or post-it notes for marking pages. Level: This class is for 5th-6th graders. 4th grade students may enroll, but they should be reading above grade level.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-6th
Comprehension Connections: Critical Thinking Through Non-Fiction*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 2
Middle school students will learn how to improve their critical thinking for deeper understanding using strategies in reading comprehension. They will learn how to construct a basic logical syllogism, how to spot classic logical fallacies in arguments, and how to build clear, compelling, and persuasive arguments. The class will evaluate examples from age-appropriate fiction and nonfiction works where a dilemma is presented or a claim is made. Students will learn to ask, "Is this a good argument? Is it well constructed and convincing?" They will discover how to define terms and break a whole concept into its component parts in order to formulate and defend their own arguments. Second semester, the class will examine non fiction works such as President John F Kennedy's inaugural address "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country"), Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech, TED Talks, or even comedian James Beitch on his famous rant about spam email. Middle school students should expect to spend an average of two hours per week on reading and short written responses for this class. Topics in this series include: Short Stories (Semester 1) and Non-Fiction (Semester 2).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Digital Workshop: Minecraft Modders (Intro or Continuing)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
In Digital Workshop, students will become immersed in the digital worlds of Minecraft that they will learn to navigate and transform through coding! What can you do if your vision of a unique Minecraft world cannot be built with the standard blocks and virtual raw materials? You need to change it yourself! Students will create mods (modifications) to the classic game in order to create a wide variety of new elements, custom structures, cool new effects, upgraded mechanics, and improved gameplay to enhance their entire Minecraft experience. Students use their imaginations to make Minecraft do what they want it to do- through the power of modding. Minecraft projects created in this class will run on PC/laptop (i.e. Java) versions of Minecraft and will not be compatible with tablet, phone, or console versions of Minecraft. Digital Workshop is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: ROBLOX Makers (Quarters 1, 2); Minecraft Modders (Quarters 3, 4).
10:00 am-10:55 am
3rd-4th
Digital Lab: Minecraft Redstone Engineers (Intro or Continuing)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 6
In Digital Lab, students will become immersed in the digital worlds of Minecraft that they will learn to manipulate through coding the Redstone resource that can be transformed into electricity, circuits, and complex machines. Go beyond simply playing Minecraft to become a Redstone engineer. In the world of Minecraft, Redstone is the resource that powers, animates, and automates elements. Students will learn how to use command and structure coding blocks to incorporate Redstone into their builds to take Minecraft to the next level. Through creating a series of mini-games in an amusement park, students will learn the fundamentals for building with Redstone to create more complex and interactive worlds. Minecraft projects created in this class will run on PC/laptop (i.e. Java) versions of Minecraft and will not be compatible with tablet, phone, or console versions of Minecraft. Digital Lab is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: ROBLOX Coders (Quarters 1, 2); Minecraft Redstone Engineers (Quarters 3, 4).
11:00 am-11:55 am
5th-6th
Digital Studio: Intro to Coding for Mobile App Development*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Middle schoolers embrace technology and easily navigate digital sources like apps, webpages, and online video platforms. In Digital Studio, they will transform from users of these tools to the designer and coders of their own content. Learn what goes in to coding a webpage (Semester 1) and coding a mobile app (Semester 2). Students start with the Swift programming language which is used for iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Later students move into programming responsive web design to create hybrid apps for both desktop and mobile devices using Web App Maker. In all app programming languages, students practice the iterative design process to define a problem, generate ideas, build, test, and improve their app. Digital Studio is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Intro to Coding for Website Design (Semester 1) and Intro to Coding for Mobile App Development (Semester 2)
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Digital Clubhouse: Make Your First 3D Video Game (Intro or ...
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 2
In Digital Clubhouse, students will begin exploring the magic of game design while developing fluency in essential computer skills in a fun, interactive application. Our youngest designers will continue to explore computer science by developing a 3D game in an imaginative world using Atmosphir, a game creation tool. They will learn beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay and storytelling. At this level, students should be able to read and recognize words and short phrases that will be in the drag-and-drop block coding. Non-readers should wait another year and not register for this level. Digital Clubhouse is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Young Coders (Quarters 1, 2); Make Your First 3D Video Game (Quarters 3, 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
1st-2nd
Globetrotters Kids' Geography: New Zealand & Ghana*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Discover geography and diverse cultures in this interactive, imaginary tour of the world. Each quarter, students will take a classroom journey to two distinct nations. They will locate the highlighted countries on the world map and complete a map project before buckling in for a fictional flight to the featured locales. Once they have "arrived" in the country, they will begin with an introduction to home and school life by meeting a child through a story or video. Students will learn to recognize similarities and appreciate differences when they compare that child's home, clothing, food, town, daily activities, and school to their own. In subsequent weeks, our Globe Trotters will learn about the culture and traditions of the country through songs, games, projects, and activities that highlight elements like folktales, customs, celebrations, distinct features, language, points of interest, or native species. Fourth quarter, students will journey to New Zealand and Ghana. New Zealand is an island nation in the South Pacific that was first inhabited by Polynesians who settled and developed the Maori culture just 700 years ago. New Zealand is predominantly mountainous with climates that range from arid to wet and active volcanoes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. New Zealand recognizes the monarch of Great Britain as its monarch, and English is the dominant language. Ghana is warm and tropical nation in equatorial West Africa. Because of its rich natural resources, especially gold, at times there were castles and forts built by the Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Dutch and Germans in Ghana before trade there fell under British control. Because of its flat plains and low hills, the country has very diverse plants and animals, and many that are considered threatened or critically endangered. Example projects from these countries may include Maori "tatoos" and poi balls (New Zealand), Kente cloth and beads (Ghana). Students will be excited by geography and culture when approached through this engaging, multi-disciplinary exploration of diverse countries of the globe! Topics in this Series include Egypt and Korea (Quarter 1); Philippines and Germany (Quarter 2); China and England (Quarter 3); New Zealand and Ghana (Quarter 4). A supply fee of $15.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
2nd-3rd
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 11:00am) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
11:00 am-11:30 am
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 11:30am) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
11:30 am-12:00 pm
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 12:00pm) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
12:00 pm-12:30 pm
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 12:30pm) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
12:30 pm-1:00 pm
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 1:00pm) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
1:00 pm-1:30 pm
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 1:30pm) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
1:30 pm-2:00 pm
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 2:00pm) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
2:00 pm-2:30 pm
K-12th
Private Music or Voice Lesson- 30 min (Thu, 2:30pm) Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
30-minute Private Music or Voice Lessons X 7 weeks with Wyndy Fredrick in piano, flute, ukulele, clarinet, or voice. Song/Theory Books: After the first lesson for new students, the instructor will select and purchase a Music or Voice book and collect reimbursement from the parent. Continuing students should bring their current book(s). Cancellation/Rescheduling: In the event of a change in your schedule, Compass requires 24 hours notice to reschedule the private lessons. Every effort will be made to reschedule the session at a time that is mutually agreeable to the teacher, the student/client, and Compass. In the event of a no-show or change/cancellation occurring less than 24 hours before the scheduled instruction session, pre-paid fees will be forfeited and no refund will be offered.
2:30 pm-3:00 pm
K-12th
FUNctional Fitness and Cross-Training (PE): Kids (Thu, Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 3
FUNctional Fitness is a dynamic kids' PE program that incorporates well-rounded exercises to get kids up and moving mid-day! No two workouts are the same, but each day's activities incorporate exercises that target 10 areas: cardio-vascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. FUNctional Fitness focuses on functional movements that are fundamental to all aspects of play and exercise- pulling, pushing, running, throwing, climbing, lifting, and jumping. Work-outs are scalable and adaptable to different individual's own level, and the emphasis is on fun, safety, and personal accomplishment rather than competition among classmates. When the weather permits, some exercises may be taken outdoors. The physical challenges of FUNctional Fitness will foster self-confidence, focus, and help instill a foundation for a lifetime of fitness. All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. FUNctional Fitness continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve fitness. No two workouts are the same! Students must be minimum age 7 to take this class.
10:00 am-10:55 am
2nd-4th
Jiu Jitsu Fit (Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Jiu-Jitsu Fit is a fun, interactive, physical fitness program for tweens incorporating the Brazilian self-defense martial art of Jiu-Jitsu. Students will follow a well-rounded physical fitness program that incorporates moves and strategies of Jiu-Jitsu to increase strength, flexibility, conditioning, endurance, coordination, balance, and fun! Students will practice techniques for resolving conflicts, dealing with bullies, projecting confidence, and developing stranger awareness in the games and exercises they complete in class. Jiu-Jitsu Fit helps tweens stay active, builds self-esteem, and encourages teamwork. Jiu-Jitsu uses grappling and ground work in addition to standing self-defense positions. Some partner work may be co-ed. Students will work on mats in socks or bare feet and should come to class wearing loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants and bring a refillable water bottle.
11:00 am-11:55 am
5th-8th
Acting: Young Actor's Playhouse: Under the Sea Secrets
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Acting is an adventure! Young actors work together to create and perform their very own play with unique characters and an original storyline. What will happen if whales and walruses meet flashy fish and mystical mermaids in a unique underwater undertaking? Students will begin with improvisational games to get to know each other and to begin to brainstorm about their original play. Through group activities and guided discussion, the young actors will decide on characters, conflict, and conclusion, and the story they want to tell. The script will be developed and customized for this class with input from the students. Young actors will explore skills such as sensory awareness, listening, stage movement, character development, emotional expression, and observation/concentration while learning to portray their original character. Young actors will learn aspects of acting by script read-through, blocking, costume/prop discussion, and planning the show. Through individual and group activities, young actors build confidence in preparation for a final sharing for parents. Students will work from a simple, written script, but emerging readers can be accommodated. Parents will be emailed the script after the 3rd or 4th class and will be expected to help their children memorize their lines and assemble a simple make-at-home costume, ideally from clothing items and accessories you already own and a little creativity. All actors must be at least age 6 to sign up for this class. Topics in this Series: Fantastic Fables (Quarter 1), Magical Monsters (Quarter 2), Outrageous Outer Space (Quarter 3) and Under the Sea Secrets (Quarter 4).
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
1st-2nd
Acting- Kids' Theater: Freaky Friday
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Kids take to the stage as they collaboratively write and perform their very own play with unique characters and an original storyline. From dawn to dusk, what happened to make an ordinary weekday turn into a fabulously funny, frivolous, freaky Friday? Students will begin with improvisational games to get to know each other, then read through the two, prepared scripts together. Through group activities and guided discussion, they will create new characters, brainstorm variations, craft plot changes, add lines, and cast their parts. The instructor will then update and customize the class script with the students' input. The class will learn the practical aspects of acting, as they work on script read-through, blocking, costume/prop design, and planning the show. Students will develop their own "actor's toolkit" of voice, body, and imagination in this creative process! Actors will grow in confidence and communication skills in preparation for a final sharing with parents on the final day of the quarter. Once the script is fully developed with everyone's parts, about half-way through the quarter, it will be emailed to parents. Parents will be expected to help their children memorize their script/lines/cues and assemble a simple make-at-home costume, ideally from clothing items and accessories you already own and a little creativity. Note: Students who are emerging readers (not able to read at a 3rd/4th grade level) would be better suited to the Young Actor's Playhouse class, rather than this level. Topics in this Series: Back to the Future (Quarter 1), Secrets & Spies (Quarter 2),Times Travel Tale (Quarter 3), Freaky Friday (Quarter 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
3rd-5th
Acting- Tween Stage: Everyone Gets Eaten by Sharks
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Fact: Everyone will eventually be eaten by a shark! Did you buy that hook, line, and sinker? Join Adventure Dan on a fin-tastic adventure where a cast of characters will learn how to avoid swimming with the fishes when sharks abound. Dan opens a can of worms when he suggests kayaking with meat paddles and night swimming in shark-infested waters. The sharks are circling- will you rock the boat or make waves to avoid this fishy situation? In this mixed-up eat-or-be eaten tale (tail?), three things are certain: taxes, death, and death by shark. This is a delightfully madcap spoof you're sure to devour . . . unless it devours you first. Tweens will appreciate the quirky, off-beat humor of this scripted comedy. They will enjoy the creativity and camaraderie of working together to bring this humorous piece to stage. Students, along with their acting instructor, will cast, rehearse, and coordinate a class performance of this comedy. Students will be encouraged to design and assemble simple costumes, props, and backdrops from items at home. Student actors will be expected to learn their lines and participate fully. This class is best suited for students who are active listeners, are flexible and easily adapt, have a sense of humor, and can work in a collaborative group. Students need to be able to stay in sync with the flow of the class. This is not an "anything goes" or free-for-all class. The students will perform for family and friends at the end of the semester. Topics in this Series: Good Cop, Bad Cop (Semester 1) and Everyone Gets Eaten By Sharks: A Cautionary Tale (Semester 2). Supply Fee: A class fee of $40.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class for a copy of the licensed script, performance royalty, and project materials.
2:00 pm-3:25 pm
6th-8th
(Semester Long)
Ukulele for Beginners II
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 6
Did you know that the ukulele is not just a miniature guitar? It is a member of the Portuguese lute family, but its sound was popularized in Hawaiian music. Ukulele's fun, compact size also appeals to kids and is a great "first" stringed instrument! In this class, kids will continue to build their skills on ukulele. Students will learn expansion of chords, to include minor chords, 7th chords, sharps, and flats. They will begin to play individual notes and chords on each piece that they learn and will learn self-accompaniment. Sample songs taught at this level include "You Are My Sunshine", "Michael Row the Boat Ashore", "Octopus' Garden", "Rainbow Connection", and "All My Loving". Each student should purchase or rent a good quality ukulele for the class. Ukulele for Beginner I students will have priority registration to enroll in Beginner 2 level to continue their musical education. Other students may enroll in the second semester if they have had prior instruction equal to the first semester, or if they are willing to schedule and pay for individual lessons with this instructor to cover 1st semester skills prior to the start of the class. Those wishing to enroll in 2nd semester course without the Compass 1st semester class will be asked to play for the instructor in order to demonstrate skill level and establish placement. Lab/Supply Fee: For new students, there is a class fee of $15.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class for a music notebook. This is a 15-week class in a 16-week semester with the week off to be announced.
10:00 am-10:55 am
4th-6th
(Semester Long)
Kids' Confection Kitchen: Casual Confections (Thu)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Toffee. Taffy. Truffles... End the day on a sweet note! Students will enjoy making and eating delicious confections. Each week they will prepare a fresh, handmade dessert or sweet such as: pies, cakes, cookies, tarts, trifles, mousses, puddings, candies, fudge, brittle, or chocolates. The class will include some icing, decorating, and garnishing techniques for completed desserts. This quarter, the Compass bakers' culinary adventures will include:
- Coconut Macaroons (nut)
- Mini Lemon Meringue Pie
- Blueberry Honey Cakes
- Mint Chocolate Pecan Trifle (nuts)
- Glazed Blackberry Cake
- Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler
- Chocolate Caramel Toffee Fudge (nuts)
- Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting
10:00 am-10:55 am
5th-8th
Cooking for Tweens: Savory Spring Specialties (Thu)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Students will enjoy making tasty, light spring recipes that feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients. Spring Specialties are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. Each class will focus on a portion of a meal including appetizer, salad, soup, side dish, main dish, and dessert. The Compass chefs' culinary adventures will include:
- Divine Water Chestnuts
- Gazpacho
- Orchard Ambrosia Salad
- Chicken Carbonara
- Succotash
- Brussels Sprout Casserole
- Orzo with Spinach, Tomato and Ricotta
- Blueberry Lemon Trifle
11:00 am-11:55 am
6th-8th
Cooking for Kids: Savory Spring Specialties (Thu)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Students will enjoy making tasty, light spring recipes that feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients. Spring Specialties are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. Each class will focus on a portion of a meal including appetizer, salad, soup, side dish, main dish, and dessert. The Compass chefs' culinary adventures will include:
- Divine Water Chestnuts
- Gazpacho
- Orchard Ambrosia Salad
- Chicken Carbonara
- Succotash
- Brussels Sprout Casserole
- Orzo with Spinach, Tomato and Ricotta
- Blueberry Lemon Trifle
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
3rd-5th
Cooking for Little Kids: Savory Spring Specialties (Thu, 1pm)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Students will enjoy making tasty, light spring recipes that feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients. Spring Specialties are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. Each class will focus on a portion of a meal including appetizer, salad, soup, side dish, main dish, and dessert. The Compass chefs' culinary adventures will include:
- Divine Water Chestnuts
- Gazpacho
- Orchard Ambrosia Salad
- Chicken Carbonara
- Succotash
- Brussels Sprout Casserole
- Orzo with Spinach, Tomato and Ricotta
- Blueberry Lemon Trifle
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
1st-3rd
Swimming: Young Beginners (Thu, Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 7
Homeschool Swim Lessons are taught at the Reston YMCA located 0.9 miles/ 3 minute drive from Compass's classroom facility. For more information on swimming lessons, see the program webpage. Young Beginners is for very young students with little to no swim experience and will cover YMCA Level 1 skills including water acclimation, floatation, water movement, putting face in the water, swimming 5 feet without a floatation device, and becoming comfortable on back in water. Please note that these skills will be introduced and progress at different rates depending on the comfortable level and experience of enrolled students and may take more than one quarter to complete. At times, students might be moved to a different swimming group (same day, same time, different instructor) to better match the experience level of enrolled children. Lessons are 40 minutes long, running from 0:05 until 0:45 after the hour, leaving enough time to towel dry, change clothes, and return to Compass for your next class. Students should bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes. Googles and swim caps are optional. A parent (or parent proxy) is required to remain on site. Parents may wait on poolside benches or lobby seating. YMCA waivers must be signed and returned for each swimmer. All registration is completed through Compass. All YMCA swimming classes are taught by certified, experienced, background-checked adult instructors with experience teaching children. Consider enrolling your child in both Tuesday and Thursday classes to improve their rate of learning.
9:15 am-9:45 am
PK-K
Swimming: Beginners/ Adv. Beginners (Thu, Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Homeschool Swim Lessons are taught at the Reston YMCA located 0.9 miles/ 3 minute drive from Compass's classroom facility. For more information on swimming lessons, see the program webpage. During the first lesson, students will be observed and determined to be Beginner or Advanced Beginner level, and the class will be divided accordingly among two instructors. Beginners level is for students with little to no swim experience and will cover YMCA Level 1 skills such as water acclimation, floatation, water movement, putting face in the water, swimming 5 feet without a floatation device, and becoming comfortable on back in water. Advanced Beginners level will review all skills in beginner-level class and add YMCA Level 2 skills such as stamina, swimming one length of the pool (25 yards), performing elementary backstroke, rotary breathing, becoming comfortable in deep water, and stroke introduction to include: front crawl, backstroke, and elementary breaststroke. Please note that these skills will be introduced and progress at different rates depending on the comfortable level and experience of enrolled students and may take more than one quarter to complete. At times, students might be moved to a different swimming group (same day, same time, different instructor) to better match the experience level of enrolled children. Lessons are 40 minutes long, running from 0:05 until 0:45 after the hour, leaving enough time to towel dry, change clothes, and return to Compass for your next class. Students should bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes. Googles and swim caps are optional. A parent (or parent proxy) is required to remain on site. Parents may wait on poolside benches or lobby seating. YMCA waivers must be signed and returned for each swimmer. All registration is completed through Compass. All YMCA swimming classes are taught by certified, experienced, background-checked adult instructors with experience teaching children. Consider enrolling your child in both Tuesday and Thursday classes to improve their rate of learning.
10:05 am-10:45 am
1st-3rd
Swimming: Beginners/ Adv. Beginners (Thu, Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 7
Homeschool Swim Lessons are taught at the Reston YMCA located 0.9 miles/ 3 minute drive from Compass's classroom facility. For more information on swimming lessons, see the program webpage. During the first lesson, students will be observed and determined to be Beginner or Advanced Beginner level, and the class will be divided accordingly among two instructors. Beginners level is for students with little to no swim experience and will cover YMCA Level 1 skills such as water acclimation, floatation, water movement, putting face in the water, swimming 5 feet without a floatation device, and becoming comfortable on back in water. Advanced Beginners level will review all skills in beginner-level class and add YMCA Level 2 skills such as stamina, swimming one length of the pool (25 yards), performing elementary backstroke, rotary breathing, becoming comfortable in deep water, and stroke introduction to include: front crawl, backstroke, and elementary breaststroke. Please note that these skills will be introduced and progress at different rates depending on the comfortable level and experience of enrolled students and may take more than one quarter to complete. At times, students might be moved to a different swimming group (same day, same time, different instructor) to better match the experience level of enrolled children. Lessons are 40 minutes long, running from 0:05 until 0:45 after the hour, leaving enough time to towel dry, change clothes, and return to Compass for your next class. Students should bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes. Googles and swim caps are optional. A parent (or parent proxy) is required to remain on site. Parents may wait on poolside benches or lobby seating. YMCA waivers must be signed and returned for each swimmer. All registration is completed through Compass. All YMCA swimming classes are taught by certified, experienced, background-checked adult instructors with experience teaching children. Consider enrolling your child in both Tuesday and Thursday classes to improve their rate of learning.
11:05 am-11:45 am
4th-6th
Swimming: Intermediate (Thu, Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 4
Homeschool Swim Lessons are taught at the Reston YMCA located 0.9 miles/ 3 minute drive from Compass's classroom facility. For more information on swimming lessons, see the program webpage. Intermediate level is for students who are proficient in Advanced Beginner level skills such as swimming one length of the pool (25 yards), performing elementary backstroke, and becoming comfortable in deep water. Intermediate swimmers will cover Levels 3 of the YMCA program including elementary breaststroke, backstroke, front crawl with rotary breathing all at 25 yards, with work towards Level 4 skills including stamina and increasing all swimming to 50 yards or more, plus breast stroke, elementary butterfly stroke and kick, elementary dives, and turns. Please note that these skills will be introduced and progress at different rates depending on the comfortable level and experience of enrolled students and may take more than one quarter to complete. At times, students might be moved to a different swimming group (same day, same time, different instructor) to better match the experience level of enrolled children. Lessons are 40 minutes long, running from 0:05 until 0:45 after the hour, leaving enough time to towel dry, change clothes, and return to Compass for your next class. Students should bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes. Googles and swim caps are optional. A parent (or parent proxy) is required to remain on site. Parents may wait on poolside benches or lobby seating. YMCA waivers must be signed and returned for each swimmer. All registration is completed through Compass. All YMCA swimming classes are taught by certified, experienced, background-checked adult instructors with experience teaching children. Consider enrolling your child in both Tuesday and Thursday classes to improve their rate of learning.
12:05 pm-12:45 pm
2nd-6th
| Art / Music | Science / Technology | Humanities / Social Sciences | Language Arts |
| Extracurricular | Math | Foreign Language | (Full Classes) | Private Lessons | Cooking | Lunch N Learn |