Note: Mature 5th graders may take these classes. They will still be taught at a middle school level. Please talk with the teacher before signing up to make sure the class is appropriate for your 5th grader.
5th - 8th GRADE CLASSES
Better Cooking Through Chemistry...
Instructor: Mrs. Westcott
Class Description:
…and Physics, and Biology! Expand your cooking skills while learning how intra- and inter-molecular forces, thermodynamics, electromagnetic radiation and microbes all make food taste good! We will learn the why’s and how’s of making bread, cheese, pudding, and more. We will spend some time in the classroom and the LEAP kitchen each week, however, due to the limited time and on-site cooking facilities, students who really want to practice what they have learned will need to plan to cook at home.
Special Notes:
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Class may include weekly (optional) homework
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Class may include some parental involvement (adult supervision may be needed in the kitchen at home)
Syllabus:
Week 1 – The Science behind Food Safety: Burns, Worms, and Germs – ‘Nuff said. We’ll learn about keeping ourselves and our families safe when we prepare food.
Week 2 – Physics: Heat Transfer – Thermodynamics and electromagnetic radiation can cause deeelicious physical and chemical changes in food.
Week 3 – Chemistry: Caramelization and the Maillard Reaction – These chemical reactions are why some foods taste so good when they have been cooked!
Week 4 – Biology: Teeny Tiny Life – Microbes can transform certain foods into new foods that look and taste completely different.
Week 5 – Physics: Phases of Matter – Why do some things melt when you heat them, and other things burn?
Week 6 – Chemistry: Acids & Bases – Acid-base reactions are used many different ways when cooking.
Week 7 – Biology: Proteins – We’ll learn what’s going on with proteins (such as in meat and milk) during various physical and chemical cooking processes.
Week 8 – Mad Science: Processed Food – Specific molecules found in food can be extracted and then used in pre-packaged foods for their physical and chemical properties.
Memory Makers
Instructor: Mrs. Rangel
Class Description:
Our class will learn to safely save photos, use photo safe materials and tools, to scrapbook with purpose. We will make heritage pages covering our family tree, learn to journal with photos and create “All About Me Pages” to capture great memories. We will have fun making as many photo memory pages as possible.
Special Notes:
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Class will include occasional homework – this will consist of collection information and selecting photos
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Class will include some parental involvement – parents will need to have photos printed
Syllabus:
Week 1 – Learn about safe photo storage, tools and safe materials used to create memory/scrapbooks. Create a memory page of a special day, event, travel, person.
Week 2 – Create a memory page of a special day, event, travel, person.
Week 3 – Heritage Pages – make pages focused on family history
Week 4 – Heritage Pages – make a family tree with pictures and signatures
Week 5 – All About Me – make memory pages with pictures and details about me at through the years
Week 6 – All About Me 2020 – make memory pages with pictures and details about me now
Week 7 – Digital Memories page
Week 8 – Create a memory page of a special day, event, travel, person.
The Artists' Workshop
Instructor: Mrs. Duffy
Class Description:
Artists make use of many different tools and materials beyond colored pencils and paper. The possibilities are endless as to what might end up being used in an artist’s creative process. In this class there will be experimenting with many different mediums such as clay, wire, collage, splatter paint, ink, and more. Enjoy creating something new every week.
Special Notes:
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Class will include weekly homework – students will be given the details of our next art project and be expected to brainstorm an idea for the following week, and come ready to get started..
Syllabus:
Week 1 – Abstract Canvases – Canvas, acrylic paint, and masking tape
Week 2 – Clay Cactuses (or Cacti) - Clay and acrylic paint
Week 3 – Pen and Ink Landscapes, line patterns and texture, Dip pens and ink wells
Week 4 – Recycled Material Abstract Portraits. Smashed cans and cardboard
Week 5 – Wire Sculpture – Fish or Bird – Using wire and plyers to “draw” with metal
Week 6 – Collage Birch trees. Pastels, newspaper, and sheet music
Week 7 – Starry Night Sky – Canvas, sponges, and splatter painting
Week 8 – Finish it up! This is a flexible week to finish up any of the projects.
The Leadership Challenge
Instructor: Mrs. Majka
Class Description:
In this class, students are guided through The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. They will discover the meaning and value of individual leadership and how they can personally build these qualities. They will identify existing leadership strengths, discuss vivid examples from real young people, and explore how to bring leadership behaviors into everyday life. Each week will include reflection activities that can be used individually and discussed with their family. Sample discussion topics include; finding your authentic voice, setting an example for others, becoming future-oriented, seeking innovative ideas, and collaborating with others.
Special Notes:
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Class will include occasional homework (optional reflection activities)
Syllabus:
Week 1 – Orienteering
Week 2 – Leadership Practices Inventory
Week 3 – Practice 1: Model the Way (Primary topic: Values identification)
Week 4 – Practice 2: Inspire a Shared Vision (Primary topic: Communication)
Week 5 – Practice 3: Challenge the Process (Primary topic: Taking risks)
Week 6 – Practice 4: Enable Others to Act (Primary topic: Coaching)
Week 7 – Practice 5: Encourage the Heart (Primary topic: Appreciation)
Week 8 – Committing
World War II
Instructor: Mrs. Booth
Class Description
We will investigate the details of WWII while learning about the key figures, survivors, major battles and the impact on daily life both on the home front and the war front. We will start the semester learning about a timeline of the war and about the countries involved on both the European and Pacific fronts. We will end the semester with an escape room style game.
Special Notes:
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Class will include optional project presentation (30 sec to 1 min) focused on the role of radio broadcasts
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Class will include optional field trips for families
Syllabus
Week 1 – WWII Timeline
Week 2 – The European and Pacific fronts
Week 3 – Innovations and Key Figures
Week 4 – The roles of women and civil rights
Week 5 – Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima
Week 6 – The home front and Internment Camps
Week 7 – WWII Escape Room
Week 8 – Moving Forward
Apologetics 101
Instructor: Mrs. Huguenin
Class Description
1 Peter 3:15 says, to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” By studying Apologetics, we can do just that. In this course, we’ll look at the basics of Apologetics (what is it and why is it important) and then dive deeper in to tackling the big questions, positive evidence for Christianity, and the person and resurrection of Jesus.
Special Notes:
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Class will include no homework, but students will be encouraged to discuss class content with their parents each week.
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We will be using curriculum from Josh & Sean McDowell as well as Natasha Crain
Syllabus
Week 1 – What is Apologetics?
Week 2 – What is Truth?
Week 3 – Tackling the Big Questions
Week 4 – Positive Evidence for the Christian Faith
Week 5 – Is Jesus God?
Week 6 – The Resurrection of Jesus, part I
Week 7 – The Resurrection of Jesus, part II
Week 8 – Putting it All Together
