Course Descriptions, Session 4
Important notes about courses and registration:
We know it’s important for children, especially teens, to feel included and part of a community of peers. Students are encouraged to stay for at least two full mornings and/or afternoons a week in order to be part of the community and establish social connections. The more courses taken, the lower the cost.
- Registration for Teen Center enrichment courses must be done through the CRPD; please indicate which Teen Center enrichment courses your child is taking when registering for OSA courses. Like OSA courses, Teen Center enrichment courses have a maximum number. See schedule here.
- Core courses are considered any core academic course or enrichment course through OSA. Core courses are not individual study sessions, lunch, field trips, or Teen Center enrichment. There is a reduced price for taking two or more core courses.
- Priority for sessions is given to any participant registering for the subsequent session in which he or she is enrolled, with the exception of Session 1 in Fall, 2012. For Session 1, 2012-2013, priority will be given to this year’s Session 4 participants. (We are adding a 5th session called “Imaginession”; participants in this short session do not get automatic priority for Session 1, 2012). Enrollment priority for Session 4 (April 2-May 24, 2012) will be given to Session 3 participants.
- Please see our Future Courses link for a list of courses planned for Imaginession (Session 5), a special 7-day enrichment session from May 29-June 7.
Session 4 Course Descriptions
| English/Language Arts 1, M/W (3.5 hr/wk) This course is best suited for 6th-8th graders who need additional practice and time with basic reading and writing skills, although a range of skills is expected. High-interest articles, essays and book excerpts will be enjoyed, with time for discussion, evaluation and writing. Scholastic SCOPE or similar materials will be used for analysis of current events (subscription included). Social studies topics are often incorporated into lessons. Focus of writing genre will be summary and response to literature; basic conventions, mechanics and editing will be practiced in each class. Additional writing will be assigned if needed. Materials needed: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen. Max: 10 students. Instructor: Lori Peters. While both classes are recommended, it is possible to take just one class per week, space permitting. |
| English/Language Arts 2, M/W (2.5 hr/wk)This course is for students who have mastered basic mechanics or who are willing to practice basic mechanics on their own if needed, and are at least proficient writers in composition (flow of ideas). Students in this class should be able to read/write proficiently at seventh grade level or above. Various types of writing will be explored and discussed; students will share and constructively critique each other’s writing. Focus of writing genre will be response to literature. Junior Scholastic or similar materials will be used for analysis of current events (subscription included). Social studies topics are often incorporated into lessons. This class goes at a much faster pace than ELA 1. Students should expect to compose at least 4 final drafts of their writing. Materials needed: Spiral notebook, folder, assignment notebook, and pencil/pen. May bring laptop. (Wi-Fi included). Max: 15 students. Instructor: Lori Peters. While both classes are recommended, it is possible to take just one class per week, space permitting. |
| Math At Your Level (times vary)Each unique 1.75 hour or 1.25 hour math class features small class size, fun and interesting activities, individualized instruction (with lessons and support at your level: elementary math, pre-algebra, algebra, and beyond!), immediate feedback, and support for your HS curriculum. Although a variety of levels are welcome in any class, the longer math blocks (9:00-10:45) are recommended for students needing extra assistance in math. Students will be introduced to excellent math websites, including Kahn Academy, which offers individualized lessons and immediate feedback. Dependent on home school curriculum, students will be offered small group or individual lessons from a variety of resources, such as Saxon. Materials needed: spiral notebook. Optional: Max: 9 students. Courses M102, M103, M106, M107- Instructor: Kay Sikra; Course M104, M108- Instructor Liza Scheer (both instructors may be at some classes, dependent on needs of students) Tuesday 9:00-10:45- important note! The computer lab may be needed by the Teen Center from 10:00-11:00 AM on Tuesdays, but this has not yet been confirmed. If registering for this specific class, please note that online programs may still be accessed until 10:00 and then on a personal laptop and/or the instructor will work with the class offline for 45 minutes |
| Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 (Mondays)In these leveled classes, students will build their proficiency with key algebraic concepts in such as patterns, variables, functions, and coordinate graphing. Connections between arithmetic and algebra are made through the use of drawings, tables, graphs, words, and symbols. Lessons will be direct, although online programs may be used to supplement learning. Weekly independent work at home is to be expected. Instructor: Liza Scheer. Students in Algebra 1 must be proficient in basic computation and pre-algebra concepts. Max: 10 students in each class. |
| Incredible Edible GardeningTuesday 9:00-10:45, and Friday (time TBD). Participants will create an edible garden that will connect their learning to our healthy eating. They will plan out what is needed to start a garden and learn types of planting. Seasonal planting and year-round edible gardens will be a focus. Participants will explore the importance of decomposers and composting. They will use each class period to plan and prepare for our lab, which will be held for one hour on Fridays in the garden of a local family’s backyard. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Max: 10 |
| Book Club Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30.Join the club for a literature exploration, and savor the pleasures of a shared reading experience. Two novels will be selected, one classic and one modern. Students will be expected to keep up with their reading, and bring their ideas, observations, questions, and connections to each class. Students will consider theme, character, plot, tone, author’s style, message and much more in their conversations. Reading proficiency should be 6th grade or above. Depending on the number of participants, there may be two groups running concurrently. Instructors: Liza Scheer and Laura Erlig. |
| Medieval Times Thursday, 9:00-10:45.This course will provide an overview of the 7th grade CA social studies core curriculum (but is open to 6th-8th). Participants will study the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa and Asia between A.D. 500 and A.D. 1789. Topics will include trade routes and empires in Africa, the rise of Islam, world religions during the times, the Dark Ages in England, and feudalism. Each class has a different focus, with information being presented through discussion, video, reading, and note taking. Participants should read proficiently at a 6th level; the pace of the class goes fast. Course culminates with an independent project. Instructor: Lori Peters. Max: 15 |
| Writing Stretch-It-Out Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30. Here’s my topic sentence. What’s next? This is a class for beginning writers who want to improve their use of supporting details and the flow of their expository writing. Using lessons from the program Step-Up-To-Writing, as well as teacher-created material, participants will practice writing well-formed “accordion” paragraphs, and then link paragraphs to form short expository essays. Participants will be writing in each class, following varied topic outlines so they don’t get stuck thinking, “What do I write?” Any writing not finished in class should be done at home, so participants have a finished product each week. Instructor: Lori Peters. Max: 10 |
| Photography, Mondays, 1:30-2:30.Participants will learn the basic mechanics of photography. Cameras with memory cards are encouraged, but not necessary, as both can be loaned out during shoot days. The class will cover photography as an art, from both a professional and amateur standpoint. Participants will learn composition, lighting and different photography techniques, as well as how to use their camera’s adjustment for different situations. Participants will have fun with engaging assignments and print their favorite pieces for display in an end-of-session photo gallery. Instructor: Shuri Skovold of Shuri Skovold Photography (http://www.shuriskovoldphotography.com/). Max: 10 |
| Drama Club Mondays, 1:30-3:00. Participants will be guided by theatre enthusiast Robin Lindsey, but will work to create their own success. Participants will play theater games, do improvisation, and collaborate on the writing of a short play to be performed at the end of the eight weeks, as well as create props and basic “set design”. The club will be very student led, although parent help maybe needed closer to show time! Max: 12 |
| Food FascinationHave you ever wanted to make your own culinary cuisines? Or create balanced, great-tasting meals that will help your body be strong and healthy? In our Food Fascination course, we will look at what makes a balanced meal and how to plan for the season, which helps the pocket book as well. We will discuss the importance of nutritious food and what it provides to our bodies. Students will also work on creating a balanced meal for their peers. They will research recipes they would like to try and bring them to the group, and then compare markets to see which offers the lowest grocery bill. They will learn the basic home economic skills of reading recipes, cutting and chopping up different foods, baking, and exploring a variety of fruits and vegetables. Max: 12 students. Instructor: Laura Erlig. Important! Participants are required to commit to the following: An apron for personal use must be brought to each class and be worn at all times while cooking (brought home for laundering), and hair that hits shoulders must also be worn off the face during the kitchen portion of class, either in a ponytail or pinned back |
| Study Session: Daily, times vary.This time is for independent study only, and a chance for students to practice valuable self-directed study skills. A credentialed teacher will help support, monitor and supervise students in their learning, but students must come with home school or OSA course materials to work on for the full-allotted time, an assignment notebook (so supervisor knows what is meant to be accomplished), and an appropriate book to read. Parents should help students create a schedule of lessons to complete per day. Parents of OSA students are encouraged to volunteer or work with their child for one study session per week, if they are signed up for more than two sessions. Max: 15 students per session. Instructors vary.Fees:S401-404 (1.75 hr/wk each) per session. S405-S412 (1 hr/wk or 1.25 hr/wk each) per session. |
| Community Connection, daily, 10:45-11:00This special time prior to first break is for our group to come together for an open forum discussion to share what matters to them, resolve any conflicts that may be brewing, or support peers in their needs. No charge. ALL students on the premises at this time are asked to attend this important time for connection. |
| LUNCHTIME!Two options. Sign up for each day. Break: 12:30-1:00Lunch for all: 1:00-1:30
Lunchtime supervision only from 12:30-1:30, bring your own healthy lunch and beverage. No microwave is available. Nutrition (lunch included): As part of our community commitment, OSA students who select this option are asked to participate in set up and/or clean up. Instructor Laura Erlig has created a masterful healthy menu that will entice any appetite. Lunch items will be fresh and varied, and beverages included (water, iced tea, juice). Parent help is needed for clean up. Please let us know if you can assist, and which day. Lunch included for parents who attend and assist! |
