HuckleBerry
Center for Creative Learning
CLASSES AT HUCKLEBERRY CAN BE PAID FOR WITH CHARTER FUNDS OR THROUGH PARENT PAYMENTS. ALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME AT HUCKLEBERRY!
CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO WAIT FOR FUNDING TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES
PLACING A PO WITH YOUR CHARTER SCHOOL DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT AT HUCKLEBERRY! YOU MUST REGISTER WITH HUCKLEBERRY TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A SPOT IN OUR CLASSES!
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Young Learners: Reading Adventures
Teacher
Miss Kim
Ages
4-7
Thurs
9:45 - 11:15
14
Awesome Science I
Teacher
Christine Rains
Ages
6-9
Thurs
9:30 - 11:00
14
Creative Writing 101
Teacher
Andrew Holyfield
Ages
6-9
Thurs
9:30 - 11:00
14
Cultural Geography
Teacher
Cynthia Kimura
Ages
9-12
Thursday
9:30 - 11:00
14
EPIC World Building & Creative Writing
Teacher
Mike Anderson
Ages
10+
Thurs
9:30 - 11:00
14
Whole Body Health
Teacher
Candice Keaton
Ages
11-13
Thurs
9:30 - 11:00
14
High School Art & Art Appreciation
Teacher
Kirstin McAuliffe
Ages
13+
Thurs
9:30 - 11:00
14
Novels To Knowledge - American Lit LIVE ONLINE
Teacher
Holly Van Houten
Ages
11-13
Thurs
9:00 - 10:50
14
High School US Government / Econ
Teacher
Sara Olds
Ages
14+
Thurs
9:00 - 11:00
14
Young Learners: Math, Measurement & Cooking
Teacher
Miss Kim
Ages
4-7
Thurs
9:45 - 11:15
14
Emerging Learners - Science Projects!
Teacher
Cynthia Kimura
Ages
6-8
Thurs
11:15 - 12:45
14
Physical Education & Fitness Well-Being
Teacher
"Coach" Andrew Lares
Ages
6-9
Thurs
11:15 - 12:45
14
Awesome Science II
Teacher
Christine Rains
Ages
9-12
Thurs
11:15 - 12:45
14
Mixed Media Art Projects
Teacher
Kirstin McAuliffe
Ages
9-12
Thurs
11:15 - 12:45
14
Writing Across the Genres
Teacher
Andrew Holyfield
Ages
11+
Thurs
11:15 - 12:45
14
Shakespeare Combat & Performance!
Teacher
Mike Anderson
Ages
12+
Thurs
11:15 - 12:45
14
Emerging Learners Reading & Writing - Intermediate
Teacher
Miss Kim
Ages
6-8
Thurs
1:15 - 2:45
14
Great Stories
Teacher
NEED TEACHER NAME
Ages
6-9
Thurs
1:15 - 2:45
14
Cultural Geography I
Teacher
Cynthia Kimura
Ages
6-9
Thurs
1:15 - 2:45
14
Physical Education & Fitness Well-Being
Teacher
"Coach" Andrew Lares
Ages
9-12
Thurs
1:15 - 2:45
14
Drawing & Painting
Teacher
Ages
9-12
Thurs
1:15 - 2:45
14
Home Economics - HOPEFULLY!!!
Teacher
Unknown
Ages
10+
14
English 9 Writing & Literature AG
Teacher
Andrew Holyfield
Ages
14+
Thurs
1:15 - 3:15
14
Young Learners: Science Of Me
Teacher
Miss Kim
Ages
4-7
Fri
9:45-11:15
All of our Young Learners love our hands-on science classes where everyday we run experiments, play games and complete activities that help us to learn and remember! In our Science and Me class, students explore one of their favorite topics; themselves! We learn how science relates to ourselves in the most basic, everyday ways.
We will learn about our 5 senses, germs and getting sick, why we wash our hands and other ways to stay healthy, healthy foods. We'll learn about anatomy by investigating what each of our major body parts does to help us everyday. We will do taste tests, simple experiments using our bodies such as push and pull, and engage in kinesthetic learning by moving our bodies.
Living Science I
Teacher
Cynthia Kimura
Ages
6-9
Fri
9:30 - 11:00
Class Description
Engineering with Legos
Teacher
Play Wel
Ages
6-9
Fri
9:30-11:00
Telling Story Through Movie Making I
Teacher
Emir Kapetanovic
Ages
6-9
Fri
9:30 - 11:00
New and Returning Students are welcome!
Homework: Yes! Students will sometimes need to work on their scripts, storyboards, ideas for
props and costumes, editing, and more!
"Storytelling Through Filmmaking" is a program designed to introduce students to the captivating
world of film making. Through a series of hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and
practical exercises, participants will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, cinematography,
directing, editing, and more, culminating in the production of their short films. Films will be
screened at our Film Fest at the end-of-year Exhibition Night!
Fall: "Music Video”: In this session, students will select a favorite song and create a visual story
inspired by its lyrics, mood, or message. By turning music into a narrative or emotional journey on screen, students will explore key storytelling elements such as plot, character, setting, and theme, all through the medium of film.
Winter: “Commercial With a Cause” In this session, students will create their own short
commercial-style video that raises awareness about an issue of public interest. Instead of
promoting a product, the session will challenge students to use persuasive storytelling, visuals,
and messaging to highlight a cause they care about and inspire action or awareness.
Spring: “You Need to See This!” Once we’ve made our previous two films, it’s time to tell a story
that matters! We’ll use our Spring session to bring together all of the skills students have already learned to tell a story that matters to them, their community, and the world they live in, by creating a 3-5 minute film. This unit will be focused on directing and acting through guided film shoots where participants will work in small groups to bring their scripts to life. After they’ve done with filming, students will learn how to edit and present their films at our Film Festival.
Swords & Epic Battles
Teacher
Caitlin A
Ages
9-12
Fri
9:30 - 11:00
Homework: Students will also be asked to research upcoming assigned topics and bring in fun facts!
What was the Battle of Waterloo or the Siege of Orleans, Antioch or Constantinople all about? The French Revolution or Battle of Bouvines? Our world has an epic history of conflict. Let’s find out more as we travel back again this year into the past and explore all new conflicts, battles and stories in history. In this program, students will learn all about the all about the conflicts of the past while exploring stage combat with a combination of in-depth hand-to-hand and sword. Students will be invited to learn at home and bring in fun facts about the era or the assigned battle/war of that week. This program provides a safe, fun and supportive atmosphere where students will be encouraged to make bold and creative acting choices, while also developing new levels of personal confidence and ensemble skills. Emphasis will be placed on safety, physical fitness and teamwork. Students will get a healthy workout while incorporating history and acting into safe, fun combat lessons! This program lasts for an entire year of new conflicts in history, and as with our other classes, you can sign up for 1 or more of the sessions.
Life Science with Labs
Teacher
Christine Rains
Ages
11-13
Fri
9:30 - 11:00
Prerequisites: Basic grade school math is recommended. Students should be able to write at least a 5-paragraph essay and read at a 7th grade level.
Life science is the study of living things, from the simplest cell to the complex systems that sustain life on Earth. This complete course is designed to fit the middle school curriculum (7th grade life science standards NGSS MS-LS1-1-8) and will span three quarters.
In this course, we will investigate life on Earth in all its forms. Students will look at how life functions, from the microscopic, to the macroscopic, to the interconnected systems that Earth supports. Students will learn to identify biotic and abiotic factors in an environment and assess the impacts of each on an environment or web of life. Students will record observations about life and biomes around them, including observations made in their daily lives and those made under a microscope. Students will trace how energy travels through an ecosystem, from photosynthesis, to consumption, and beyond. Students will model population growth and understand the environmental and evolutionary factors that can affect populations. Students will be introduced to specialized cells, learning to map body systems from the cell, to the organ, to the system as a whole. Each day, our busy scientists will perform experiments and make observations. They will maintain a record of our adventures through fun worksheets and develop their passion for the study of science. Some topics studied this year will be:
Matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems
Relationships in ecosystems
Natural selection and evolution
Inheritance and selected traits
Structure and function of cells
Human body systems
Cell identification with microscopes
Specific scientific case studies of real-world biology and ecology
All workbooks and lab materials will be provided. Life Science is fascinating, lively, and foundational to understanding healthy bodies and a healthy world.
High School World Literature AG
Teacher
Andrew Holyfield
Ages
14+
Fri
9:00 - 11:00
Homework: REQUIRED. Plan on 2-3 hours week for reading and writing/revision assignments.
NOTE: Some assignments will be required in the month of August before classes start at HuckleBerry in September.
English 10 - World Literature - is a year-long English composition and reading course which fulfills A-G guidelines.
This course is a total of four units, separated into three trimesters. Each unit is centered around a theme, including fiction, academic and creative non-fiction, and civil discourse, allowing
students to refine the drafting process of essay writing, implement cross-cultural analysis from international texts, and dive deeper into philosophical inquiry and thematic synthesis across texts. By the end of the academic year, students should have firm grasp on grammatical concepts (the foundation which builds our writing), creative skills (the methods in which we express in our writing), and how to research, articulate, and rebut a multi-layered thesis (a position).
Each class will review weekly assigned reading, unpacking plot, layered symbolism, and the
construction of sentences which stand out as examples of quality writing. This expectation will
force students to write academic-level responses, considering tone, diction, and syntactical
variety. Close reading will be a central cornerstone of class discussion, ensuring students can
analyze, extrapolate, and articulate literary elements within the text. Participation in class
discussion is encouraged. Grammar and syntax will also be reviewed in compartmentalized
lessons to ensure students have an understanding of age-appropriate paragraph construction.
Homework is assigned weekly, reflected on the Google Classroom (a code will emailed prior to
the in-person trimester beginning to all enrolled students and respective parents). Homework will often include a portion of reading from the required text, and this will serve as a guide for
portions of in-class discourse. Writing assignments will parallel the text or lesson, ensuring
students can put into words what he/she is learning from the text and/or class lectures. Each
assignment will be worth 10 points. Each Unit is allotted one Key Assignment. Students will be
given plenty of time to complete each and will be expected to present their work to the class.
Each Key Assignment will be worth 100 points. Each assignment is graded and returned weekly with written feedback. Student participation in class discussion and in-class work also contribute to the trimester’s final grade. Please review the grading rubric below for more details.
A Final Portfolio will be due twice: before winter break and again at the end of the year.
This assignment will include handwritten notes taken by students during lectures, scanned copies of key assignments with written feedback, and a letter of reflection discussing areas of growth from each student. Students are reminded to keep returned, graded work so assignments can be included in the portfolio. Plenty of time will be given for students to gather and prepare materials.
Reading List
Fall (Unit I & II)
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy (novella)
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (novella)
Winter (Unit III)
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Selected Essays
Spring (Unit IV)
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Grade Rubric
40% Key Assignments
-Each Key Assignment must follow MLA guidelines, include work cited pages, and respond to
each prompt completely.
-In the trimester with two Key Assignments, each will hold a respective 20% value toward the
trimester grade.
40% Weekly Assignments
-Each assignment will be worth 10 points.
-This allotment of points includes both homework and in-class work which is turned in.
20% Portfolios
-In our fall and spring trimesters, 20% of the total grade is allocated to the portfolio.
OR
20% Attendance & Participation (Winter Session ONLY)
-Attendance is only reduced if student is absent without cause
-Parents or student need only send an email verifying absence to ensure full points
-If students aren’t keeping up with work or participating, points will be reduced.
-If student is struggling with assignments, he/she is encouraged to speak with me
PreAlgebra - Day 2 - LIVE ONLINE
Teacher
Charissa Anderson
Ages
12+
Fri
9:00 - 9:50
Location: In Person in Valencia on Wednesdays and ONLINE on Friday
Homework: Students will be required to do 1-2 hours of homework each week, depending on their math background. This is a FLIPPED classroom! Students should watch the Khan Academy lesson prior to the Wednesday class so that they have an introduction to the topic. In class time will be used for mastery lessons and activities.
PreReqs: Please make sure your student has completed through 7th grade math skills for PreAlgebra.
Math success requires true mastery. This course combines the Khan Academy program with a weekly 60-minute in-person session on Wednesdays, a 60 minute group collaborative homework session on Wednesdays, and a Friday 60 minute live online session. This has been designed to support students in building strong mathematical understanding and confidence.
Khan Academy emphasizes concept-based learning, offering challenging material that encourages students to learn from their mistakes and grow. This online program includes both instruction and exercises to complete. Students will watch the assigned lessons prior to class on Wednesday.
The Wednesday class follows a flipped classroom model. Students will watch instructional videos and complete introductory practice problems on Khan Academy before attending class. Our In-person sessions will focus on reviewing key concepts, strengthening understanding, and applying skills through collaborative problem-solving. Students will also develop note-taking strategies and work together to tackle more complex problems. The Wednesday class is TWO HOURS, organized as follows:
PreAlgebra:
1:15 - 2:10 - PreAlgebra Teacher Instruction
2:15 - 3:15 - PreAlgebra group work on homework and additional work practice
The Friday class for Pre-Algebra students is an additional one-hour live online class, providing extra time for discussion, questions, and deeper exploration of concepts. Any issues that students are having with their homework can be addressed at this time.
PreAlgebra: Friday, 9:00 - 9:50 ONLINE
At the end of each unit, students will complete a 20-minute individual assessment. These assessments help both parents and instructors identify areas where additional support may be needed.
Khan Academy promotes a growth mindset by encouraging students to learn from challenges and celebrate their progress.
Algebra - Day 2 of 2
Teacher
Charissa Anderson
Ages
12+
Fri
10:00 - 10:50
Location: In Person in Valencia on Wednesdays and ONLINE on Friday
Homework: Students will be required to do 1-2 hours of homework each week, depending on their math background. This is a FLIPPED classroom! Students should watch the Khan Academy lesson prior to the Wednesday class so that they have an introduction to the topic. In class time will be used for mastery lessons and activities.
PreReqs: Please make sure your student has completed a PreAlgebra class for our Algebra class!
Math success requires true mastery. This course combines the Khan Academy program with a weekly 60-minute in-person session on Wednesdays, a 60 minute group collaborative homework session on Wednesdays, and a Friday 60 minute live online session. This has been designed to support students in building strong mathematical understanding and confidence.
Khan Academy emphasizes concept-based learning, offering challenging material that encourages students to learn from their mistakes and grow. This online program includes both instruction and exercises to complete. Students will watch the assigned lessons prior to class on Wednesday.
The Wednesday class follows a flipped classroom model. Students will watch instructional videos and complete introductory practice problems on Khan Academy before attending class. Our In-person sessions will focus on reviewing key concepts, strengthening understanding, and applying skills through collaborative problem-solving. Students will also develop note-taking strategies and work together to tackle more complex problems. The Wednesday class is TWO HOURS, organized as follows:
Algebra I on WEDNESDAYS, In person instruction
1:15 - 2:10 - Algebra group work on previous week's homework and additional work practice
2:15 - 3:15 - Algebra Teacher Instruction
The Friday class for Pre-Algebra and Algebra students is an additional one-hour live online class, providing extra time for discussion, questions, and deeper exploration of concepts. Any issues that students are having with their homework can be addressed at this time.
Algebra I on Fridays, 10:00 - 10:50, LIVE ONLINE
At the end of each unit, students will complete a 20-minute individual assessment. These assessments help both parents and instructors identify areas where additional support may be needed.
Khan Academy promotes a growth mindset by encouraging students to learn from challenges and celebrate their progress.
Art Studies LIVE ONLINE
Teacher
Sara Olds
Ages
9-12
Fri
9:30- 11:00
From the Neolithic Era to modern times, artistic creation is the communication of civilizations across generations. This course will introduce students to art and artists spanning 10,000 years with an aim to increase each student’s artistic literacy. Each week, we will learn about an artistic era or artist. We will examine their history, learn how to identify their art, and create a work of art in their style of our own.
By the end of the course, each student should be able to:
- Identify art by specific artists or art periods
- Identify what medium was used to create a piece of art
- Have the skills to read a work of art – Subject matter, composition, message etc.
Young Learners: Math, Measurement & Cooking!
Teacher
Miss Kim
Ages
4-7
Fri
11:15 - 11:45 - LUNCH
11:45 - 1:15
In this MATH class, we will focus more specifically on math concepts like measuring wet and dry goods, beginning fractions, teaspoons and more! Which containers are large enough to hold our liquids? How many eggs should we use if we want to double our recipe?
We'll explore units of measure for liquids vs. distance. We will also explore measurement in our classroom and outside, and explore how modern-day standardization of measurement has increased accuracy!
Story Creation & Performance!
Teacher
Caitlin A
Ages
6-9
Fri
11:15 - 12:45
Homework: Optional. Practicing lines for final end of session productions.
Throughout this class students will create characters, worlds and stories through imagination, acting and drawing. We will start with the basics of creating a character both on paper and then through acting, pulling from whatever ideas students come up with. The sky's the limit! Students will learn how to embody a character different from themselves by changing their voice (the way they talk), body (the way they stand and walk) and emotion (how their character would react based on personality and experience). Once we create our characters, we will then explore the world in which these characters exist through improvisation and imagination. Finally, we will explore story structure and students will get to plot out what happens to these characters to then perform! Our students need no previous experience in theatre to enjoy this program. We take all levels. Please let us know if you have questions, concerns or need to discuss.
Language Arts Super Stars
Teacher
Andrew Holyfield
Ages
7-9
Fri
11:15 - 12:45
Welcome to a fun game-centered writing class, taking students to the grass roots of our language. Students will get the opportunity to play games in order to practice class lessons, learn new words, and gain a firm understanding of the basic roles words play in a sentence. Lessons will be interactive, focused on student engagement.
Weekly, students will be given ten vocabulary words, along with upwards of two-to-five bonus
words. The ten words will share some common sound or silent letter scheme, to assist student
retention; the bonus words will be more challenging and breaking the phonetic pattern of the
vocab list. Over the course of the year, these words will increase in difficulty. Students should
grow beyond introductory CVC words to complex and multi-syllabic diphthongs, digraphs,
blends, and morphemes. Weekly lessons will also incorporate the relationships words have with each other, in the forms of synonyms, homonyms, and antonyms etc. Student will also have the chance to work in groups and individually, granting students the opportunity to discover and correct mistakes in their own work, along with their classmates’.
Additionally, students will also begin to learn the fundamental functions of the parts of speech, punctuation, and the other components that make strong sentences. The course will be evenly paced to ensure students complete and understand the work.
This class is intended to grow student confidence in words, spelling, and sentence-level writing. Through games like Mad-libs, Vocab Charades, Editor-in-Chief, Word Association, and Finish the Story, students can have a fun experience while reenforcing the weekly lessons. Students will also be allotted time to complete group work, centered around the particular scheme or letter-pattern of the week. It is an exciting opportunity to allow students to find the pleasure of learning through play. Ultimately, students should leave class with a new confidence in their writing and spelling abilities.
Due to popular demand from student requests, students will also review cursive. While there will never be tested on cursive, it will be a skill they can choose to incorporate in their weekly
homework.
Homework will be assigned weekly, to reinforce lessons and word lists. There will be two
Spelling Tests during each trimester, intended to gauge student understanding of words so that future lessons can be modified. The first test will appear at the mid-point, while the second appears on the final day of class before each session breaks. Tests will consist of 20 words, an even amount taken from each previous list’s words.
Living Science II
Teacher
Cynthia Kimura
Ages
9-11
Fri
11:15 - 12:45
Learning Engineering & Robotics with Lego Systems
Teacher
PlayWel Teknologies
Ages
9-12
Fri
11:15 - 12:45
Learning Engineering & Robotics with Lego Systems
Fall:Radical Rides 2.0 using LEGO® Materials Get anywhere, any way by building fast and furious vehicles of all kinds! Dive into our tens of thousands of LEGO® parts while you learn about the engineering behind vehicle design and creation. We guarantee that our Play-Well instructors will help you get movin' and groovin' through the world of LEGO® parts while you learn about the engineering behind vehicle design and creation.
Winter: Explore Coding using the LEGO® Spike Prime System
Rise to the challenge to build and program robots using the LEGO® Spike Prime system! Learn about mechanical and software design, loops, conditional statements, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Design and construct your robot to avoid obstacles, pick up and carry objects, and play sounds. Projects are structured so that students work in an open-ended, investigative environment while having fun.
Spring:Bash 'Em Bots Robotics using LEGO® Spike Prime
Design and program your custom bot to take on any challenge using the LEGO® Spike Prime System. Craft your mechanical masterpiece by combining different ways to move and different attachments to suit the day's challenges. You’ll then code them to overcome a unique set of obstacles and go head-to-head with your friends. Apply real-world engineering and coding concepts to help you bash and crash your way to victory!
Introduction to the Physical Sciences & Labs
Teacher
Christine Rains
Ages
11-13
Fri
11:15 - 12:45
Physical science is the combination of two science fields, chemistry and physics. This complete course is designed to fit the middle school curriculum (8th grade physical science standards NGSS MS-PS 1-4) and will span three quarters.
This physical science course is an exciting examination of matter and energy. Matter is that which makes up most of the world around us, and energy is what enables everything around us to move and work. Students will begin with an exploration of the basic principles of scientific discovery, using these skills to investigate matter and its properties, then move on to the building blocks of our universe. Students will learn about atoms, their structures, and how they form elements and molecules. They will examine the chemical properties of elements and how they react and change. Students will then study the physical properties of atoms and the forces that affect them before expanding into the forces that shape our world. Each day, our busy scientists will perform experiments and make observations. They will maintain a record of our adventures through fun worksheets and develop their passion for the study of science. Some topics studied this year will be:
Proper science tools, methods, and measures
Atoms and atomic theories
The periodic table
Elements, compounds, and mixtures
Physical and chemical properties
Chemical formulas and bonding
Motion
Waves, magnetism, and electricity
Prerequisites: Basic grade school math is recommended, and a few mathematical concepts will be re-enforced and used (graphing and slope). Students should be able to write at least a 5-paragraph essay and read at a 7th grade level.
All workbooks and lab materials will be provided. Physical Science is fun, exciting, and so important to understand in our scientific world of today and tomorrow.
Unit 1: Scientific Method
● Scientific Units
● Scientific Method
● How to Write a Lab Report
Unit 2: Matter
● Matter
● States and Properties of Solids, Liquids, Gasses
Unit 3: Atomic Structure and Bonds
● Elements and The Periodic Table
● Atoms and Bonding
● Acids, Bases, and Solutions.
Unit 4: Motion
● Properties of Motion
● Real World Motion Application
Unit 5: Force
● Properties of Force
● Forces of Gravity
Unit 6: Energy
● Properties of Energy
● Thermal Energy
Unit 7: Waves
● Sound Waves
● Electromagnetic Waves
Unit 8: Electricity
● Properties of Electricity
● Conducts of Electricity
Unit 9: Magnetism
● How Magnets works
● Properties of Magnetic force
Advanced Story Telling Through Movie Making
Teacher
Emir Kapetanovic
Ages
13+
Fri
11:15 - 12:45
Homework: Yes! Students will sometimes need to work on their scripts, storyboards, ideas for props and costumes, editing, and more!
Young Learners: Brain Games!
Teacher
Miss Kim
Ages
4-7
Fri
1:30 - 3:00
Get ready for a fun-filled, hands-on adventure where learning feels like play! Brain Games is an engaging, cross-disciplinary class designed to spark curiosity and build essential thinking skills in young learners.
In this interactive class, children will explore mind-bending puzzles, pattern detection and creation, and a variety of exciting worksheet games inspired by The Critical Thinking Company. Through playful challenges, students will strengthen their problem-solving abilities, boost memory, and develop logical reasoning skills.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Kids will also build fine motor skills through hands-on activities like scissor work, clay play, and interactive games that encourage creativity and coordination. Every session blends movement, creativity, and critical thinking to keep young minds actively engaged.
By “playing their way” through carefully designed activities, students will naturally build skills across language arts, math, science, engineering, and more. Whether they’re solving puzzles, creating patterns, or crafting with their hands, children will gain confidence, independence, and a love for learning.
Come join the fun—where brains grow stronger through play!
STEM Discovery Using Lego Materials
Teacher
PlayWel Teknologies
Ages
6-9
Fri
1:15 - 2:45
Story Telling Through Movie Making I
Teacher
Emir Kapetanovic
Ages
6-9
Fri
1:15 - 2:45
New and Returning Students are welcome!
Homework: Yes! Students will sometimes need to work on their scripts, storyboards, ideas for
props and costumes, editing, and more!
"Storytelling Through Filmmaking" is a program designed to introduce students to the captivating
world of film making. Through a series of hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and
practical exercises, participants will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, cinematography,
directing, editing, and more, culminating in the production of their short films. Films will be
screened at our Film Fest at the end-of-year Exhibition Night!
Road Trip II!
Teacher
Cynthia Kimura
Ages
9-12
Fri
1:15 - 2:45
Writing & Literature Intermediate - Lit Series A
Teacher
Andrew Holyfield
Ages
11-13
Fri
1:15 - 2:45
This course is devised to teach middle-school students the fundamentals of grammar and introduce the various forms of five-paragraph essays. Class time will begin with a review of weekly assigned reading, discussing plot, character development, and historical context (what was happening in the US during the time of the story or when it was written), as well as developing close reading skills, discussing and extracting theme, symbolism, and subtext.
Afterward, each class will include a lesson on grammar, research, or editing. Classes will conclude with in-class writing exercises, preparing students for homework assignments.
Each trimester will include one assigned text and two major writing assignments.
The first larger assignment will be a book report. Each report will include two elements: summary (can the student summarize the core plot, conflict, and resolution of the novel in two paragraphs?) and thematic/symbolic extrapolation (can the student unpack, with citations, an important theme or symbol from the novel, how it’s interwoven in the character’s development, and what commentary it provides on the greater world?).
The second major assignment will be a five-to-seven paragraph essay. These essays will require research, articulation of a thesis, and clear evidence of progressive development (not procrastinating). Students will have multiple weeks to work on these essays in stages, during the latter half of each trimester.
Note: This is a duplicate class, meaning it is taught at two different times during the week. While the structure and educational goals are the same, the assigned text and major assignments are different. Thus, you can take both classes, or pick whichever fits your student’s schedule, reading preferences, or needs.
Below is a list of works for each trimester:
Woodshop!
Teacher
Shauna Bright
Ages
12+
Fri
1:15 - 2:45
Supplies: All materials will be provided for each class. Tools will be provided if purchased with the class or students will need to come with their own tools. Toolset will need to include: tape measure, hammer, combination square, safety glasses, screw driver, smock, and pencil.
High School Biology AG + Labs
Teacher
Christine Rains
Ages
14+
Fri
1:15 - 3:15
Required text: Miller & Levine Biology 2019
This is a one year class.
Materials fee: The $75 materials fee covers the cost of all lab supplies for the year. We order lab kits upon student registration, so please note that the fee is non-refundable.
Homework: Students will need to read the relevant textbook sections prior to class. If a lab is not completed during class time, the student will need to complete that lab on their own time. Study groups are encouraged to review chapters together and complete any unfinished lab work from the class.
NOTE: Students will need to complete a summer assignment prior to classes starting in September to meet their charter school learning period requirements.
Welcome to Biology class! In this course, you will learn both the basics and the latest advances in the field of biological sciences. This class is designed to be a year in length. Within the 2 hour class period, we will have interactive lecture time as well as wet/dry labs. Students should read from their book prior to class so that we can use this time to answer any questions and solidify the content of that chapter. A student who comes to class with a list of their questions is a student prepared to succeed!
The class will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and concepts of biology, as well as fulfill the requirements for High School Biology Credit. We will be integrating the course guide presented by Blue Ridge for AG NGSS Life Science: this class will include lectures, labs, homework, weekly quizzes, a mid-term, a final exam, and 2 portfolio checks. Parents and students must work with their ES to ensure that all charter school requirements are being fulfilled by this class. If you have any concerns about this, please contact us with your ES's syllabi so that we can ensure AG requirements are being met, or contact us to receive a full syllabus for this class. We welcome feedback to ensure that all charter schools are supported by this class.
This will be a rigorous course, but one designed to foster curiosity in each student. Our instructor brings a love and excitement for science that we hope will encourage a lively classroom environment where discussion and exploration flourish.
Unit Breakdown
LP1 Unit 1 Macromolecules (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - Introduce students to the structure and function of macromolecules found in living organisms.
Assignment and Labs:
Differentiating Between Biotic vs Abiotic Factors
Identifying Nutrients Lab
Light Microscope Lab
LP2 Unit 2 Cellular Structure (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - Students will learn the fundamental components and organization of cells.
Assignment and Labs
3-D model of an animal or plant cell
Diffusion across a semipermeable membrane
Cell Differentiation Lab
LP 3 Unit 3 Cellular Energy - (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - Students will learn the process of cellular energy through respiration and photosynthesis.
Assignment and Labs:
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Drawing
Photosynthesis Lab
Cellular Respiration and Anaerobic Fermentation Lab (Barf Bag)
LP 4 Unit 4 Biology’s Central Dogma (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs + Portfolio check + midterm) - This unit focuses on the principles of molecular genetics, DNA replication, transcription, translation.
Assignment and Labs:
Chromosomal Disorders Project
Protein Synthesis Lab
DNA Extraction, Replication, and Modeling Fermentation Lab
LP 5 Unit 5 Cellular Reproduction and Genetics (Skills + Assignment + 3 labs) - This unit focuses on cell division, reproduction and inheritance patterns.
Assignment and Labs:
Practice Mendelian Crosses
Mouse Genetics
Mitosis and meiosis Modeling
Mendelian Genetics and Punnett Square Lab
LP 6 Unit 6 Evolution (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - The students will be taught the theory of evolution, natural selection and the evidence for evolution.
Assignment and Labs:
Biogeographic Isolation Writing Assignment
Dichotomous Key Lab
Natural Selection Simulation
LP 7 Unit 7 Ecology (Skills + Assignment + 3 labs) - Introduces the study of ecosystems, populations, and interactions between organisms and their environment.
Assignment and Labs
Brownfields Journal Activity
Measuring Biodiversity Using Beans Lab
Properties of Water Lab
Carbon Through the Decades Lab
LP 8 Unit 8 Physiology (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs + Portfolio check + final) - This unit teaches the students the structures and function of human organ systems along with their physiological processes.
Assignment and Labs:
Exploration of Digestive System Disorders
Muscle Strength Lab
Forensics And Blood Typing Lab
