Hands On Science Classes

Two Hands-On Science camps offered! Each with different activities!

Junior Scientist Camp 1:

· Participate in experiments, cooperative learning, skits, crafts, and interactive games!
· Make our own “ocean waves” and “fireworks in a jar” as we learn about mixtures!
· Make a balloon brain! Protect it with a homemade helmet! See whose survives a CRASH!
· Perform Science “Magic Tricks”
· Make “squishy balls and homemade ice cream by hand!
· Create “foamerators”!
· Construct and launch our own rockets… We’ll see which ones go the highest as we learn about chemical reactions!

Date: January 3rd (10:00-3:00)
Grades: K-6
Location: Garden Montessori School
Cost: $65

*Bring: lunch, snack, drink, and an empty water bottle

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Junior Scientist Camp 2!

· Make a balloon brain! Protect it with a homemade helmet! See whose survives a CRASH!
· Construct and launch our own rockets… We’ll see which ones go the highest as we learn about chemical reactions!
· Make our own “ocean waves” and “fireworks in a jar” as we learn about mixtures!
· Perform Science “Magic Tricks”
· Make “squishy balls and homemade ice cream by hand!
· Create a giant water balloon slingshot and “foamerators”!
· Lots of cooperative learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving disguised as pure FUN!
· And much more!!

Dates: January 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1 (3:15-5:15) Attendance at all four dates is included in price!
Cost: $85 (Includes all materials!)
Location: Knoxville Episcopal School

*Contact lisahaskell@tds.net  for more information.

Driver's Education

I have contacted Drive for Life Academy in Knoxville concerning a Driver's Ed. class for my son in the Spring. I asked them about doing a class solely for home schooled students. They told me if I could get 12 students, they would do so.

It would include 30 hours of class time. Maybe do 2 days per week…1 1/2 hours each day?? - possibly a 10 wk course. The cost including six hours of driving: $425.00.

I have included info on them below. If you are interested, please contact me at coragailt@aol.com.

Thank you, Gail Thomas

Drive 4 Life Academy 
4609 Papermill Dr. 
Knoxville, TN 37909 
(865) 470-4122 
info@drive4lifeacademy.com 

Price for the full beginning driver course is $425.00. This includes both the permit test and behind the wheel test for state licensing. We meet the full requirements that the State of Tennessee mandates for testing, and we will NOT take any shortcuts in the program. Please don't ask us to shorten the program...we will NOT violate state policies and procedures in any way!! In three short years we have become known as the best Knoxville driving school, and we strive to meet and exceed the state requirements and the needs of our clients.

Penelope Whaley's Classes

I am pleased to open registration for the following classes next year at my home (Cedar Bluff Area of Knoxville). Below the Schedule you will find the detailed listed of what is covered in each class. Materials fees listed are due when you register. Material fees are non-refundable since I will start spending the money for supplies as soon as it arrives. There will be 15 classes each semester, the semester cost has been divided into five even monthly payments due by the 15th of each month. Classes will start in Mid-August and run through first of May. If you decide to drop during the semester you still own half of the remaining semester fees that would have been due for my time. I started schedule with the younger classes working up to the older classes. You may take all the classes in your grade division or you may pick and choose your classes. Email me at pnlpwhly@juno.com to register. Classes are limited to 12 students.

Friday Mornings: 
8:00 - 9:00 American History, 3rd-6th 
9:00 -10:00 Art, 3rd-6th 
10:00-11:00 Science, 3rd-6th 
11:00-12:00 LLATL, Purple Book. 4th-6th

Wednesday: 
8:00 - 9:00 Study Skills/Speed Reading/Brain Boasting, 5th-8th 
9:00 -10:00 American Geography, 5th-8th 
10:00-11:00 Readers Theater, 5th-8th 
11:00-12:00 American Literature, 8th-12th 
12:00-12:30 Lunch 
12:30- 1:30 American History, 8th-12th 
1:30 - 2:30 Physical Science, 8th-12th 
2:30 - 3:15 General Business, 8th-12th 
3:15 - 4:00 Art, 8th-12th 
4:00 - 6:00 Basic Car Maintenance and Repair, 9th-12th taught by Andy Smith.

Detailed Listings 

American History, 3rd-6th. We will Lapbook through American History spending roughly 2-3 weeks on time period. It is a very hands on approach to learning American History. Upon course completion they will have created their own textbook of American History, with each lapbook being a different chapter in time. We will start with early explorers, colonial, founding, government, states and presidents and move on through civil war, 20s, WWI, Industrial Revolution, WWII, 40-50s, 60-80, current. It will be an amazing journey, complete with self made textbook that will last for years to come. This class will have occasional homework - roughly 4-5 questions a week to find the answer to and share with the class. Material Fee $20 for copies. Monthly fee is $18.

American History, 8th-12th. We will be using Notgrass, Exploring America, and you will need the three book student set. Full table of contents may be viewed at www.notgrass.com This program offers two credits upon completion, if you sign up for the American Lit.class as well. We will be reading most of the information in the Bible section but if you wish this credit as well you will need to answer the Bible questions on your own. You may take this awesome history course without the Lit section for just one credit. It is rich with the use of primary sources. It is reading intensive, but the text is written in an approach that doesn't make the material come across dry or boring - history is to important for that. In class we will focus on the primary sources, discussions and supplemental information not found in the text. We will have oral quizzes to insure the material is being covered along with written test from the study guide. This approach to history is receiving raving reviews, check them out. Material Fee $12. Monthly fee is $18. You will not need to purchase the literature packet or quiz packets.

American Geography, 5th-8th. We will memorize state name, location and capitol. We will work through the different regions of the USA until we are able to complete the map from memory. We will cover land formation, geographical features, rivers, landmarks, map skills, flags, the culture of each region, historical sights and interesting places to visit from each region. We will spend 3-4 weeks on each region. Students will be responsible for a presentation from each region using different formats. They will also be required to bring a food from 2 of the regions to share with the class. It is like taking a journey across our country without ever leaving the classroom. Material fee $20 for copies, no text to buy. Monthly fee is $18.

American Literature, 8th-12th. This class goes along with our American History, Exploring America-Notgrass. It is a very ambitious programing covering 13 works. We will tone this down a bit by watching five of these as videos and skipping Up From Slavery and The Giver; reading the other six books plus portion from the Primary Source book from history. This course covers both Literature and Composition. In class we will have discussion of the works, quizzes and writing instruction. The works are; Scarlet Letter, Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Co. Aytch, Little Women, Mark Twain, In His Steps, Up From Slavery, Mama's Bank Account, Christy, and To Kill A Mocking Bird. Each week has a writing assignment of some kind. Instruction for the style of eight styles of writing we will cover will be given in class the week before the assignment is due. Second semester we will work on a research paper, covering it in class step by step. Material fee is $12 and the Monthly fee is $18.

Art, 3rd-6th. 8th-12th. These classes will be the cover the same material each just geared toward the different grade levels. I plan on using a 3 prong approach to art, doing one week from each prong and then repeating the cycle. 1st; We will be using a National Endowment for the Humanities program entitled "Picturing America". It is designed to learn more about the artist, period, technique, history behind art, and analyzing it for yourself. www.picturingamerica.neh.gov has complete details. This will go hand in hand with our American History classes. 2nd; Art projects using different mediums, styles and levels of difficulty. 3rd; Is a drawing video program called "Time To Draw" which teaches drawing, not just saying draw this. Material fee $20 for art supplies. Monthly Fee is $18.

Basic Car Care, Maintenance and Repair, 9th-12th. Taught by Mr. Andy Smith. This course in intended to provide each student with the knowledge to make economical decisions and take preventative measures to enhance the overall satisfaction of being an automotive consumer. The class discussions and labs activities provide the fundamental knowledge and experience in owning and maintaining an automobile. A complete course description may be found at www.autoupkeep.com This is a full credit class, covering 180 hours. Material fee is $80 and covers textbook, workbook and all necessary supplies to complete the activities. The monthly fee for this two hour class is $48. Mr. Andy Smith is a home school dad of four, ASE Master Automotive Technician, ASE Advanced Level Technician, ASE Service Consultant, ASE Parts Specialist, Automotive Technology Instructor at Tennessee Technology Center, Ford Master Technician, MACS certified instructor, A.A.S. Automotive Technology, 12 years experience as a dealership technician, 6 years experience as an Automotive Technology Instructor.

General Business, 8th-12th. Our text will be Bookkeeping the Easy Way, covering the personal/service type business. It is a solid introduction to bookkeeping and managing books for a business. We will also cover; Entrepreneurship skills, customer demographics, advertising, preparing business presentations, hiring help and issues that brings, press release, calculating cost, start up, break even point, sales tax, taxes, customer service, to hold inventory or not, zoning issues, legal issues, and much more. This class is designed for those who would like to run their own business someday, focusing on the home bases business. Material fee is $15. Monthly fee is $18.

LLATL, Purple. 4th-6th. Learning Language Arts Through Literature covers grammar, creative writing, composition, spelling, higher-order of reasoning and study skills in one text. This book also covers speech, poetry and oral presentations. It is an all in one approach to learning Language Arts. We will be learning the basic skills needed to write a paper, concentrating on paragraph format. In addition to the student text you will need Farmer Boy, Trumpet of the Swan, Meet Addy, and Caddie Woodlawn. Material Fee is $12. Monthly Fee is $18.

Readers Theater, 5th-12th. We will be using Shakespeare in the Classroom plays written for grades 5th-8th based upon Shakespeare's original works. These include Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, The Comedy of Errors, The Taming of the Shrew and The Tempest. Each will be read through twice - once for mastery of storyline, events, and characters and the second for dramatic effect. Between each of these plays we will add works by other authors. Material fee $20 for copies of the plays, no text to buy. Monthly fee is $18.

Physical Science, 8th-12th. Our text will be Abeka's Physical Science, you will need the student text. You can find a listing of the table of contents on Abeka's website. We will do all the experiments in class with homework being assigned reading to prep for the in class discussions and experiments. It is a solid foundation before moving on to Biology next year. We will be covering; atmosphere, weather, oceanography, physical earth, atoms/electrons, intro to chemistry with mixtures, compounds, chemical reactions, physics of motion, waves and sound, light and color, electrostatics, magnetism, electricity and more. Material fee for labs $18. Monthly fee $18.

Science, 3rd-6th. We will spend approximately 2-3 weeks on each topic. Topics to include physical earth, oceans, plants, weather, animal classification, planets, moon/space travel, ecosystems, life cycles, atoms/molecules, famous scientist and much more. The best way to learn science is through activities and that is the concept of this class. We will talk a little, do an activity or experiment to prove the point and repeat the cycle often. It is a hands on class. Material Fee $12. Monthly Fee is $18.

Study Skills/Speed Reading/Brain Boosting, 5th-8th. The goal of this class is to study smarter not harder. In class we will cover different topics to work towards this goal. Including; organization, learning strategies, note taking, listening, reading actively, how to memorize, test taking tips, stress management, concentration, reading comprehension, using reference sources, procrastination, proofreading, five paragraph essay, presentations, reading graphs and much more. We will also use in class "Speed Reading for Better Grades" Revised edition by Ward Cramer which you will need to purchase, it was listed for $18 at Amazon. If focuses on increasing speed while stressing comprehension. Material fee is $10. Monthly fee is $18.

Lisa Haskell's Classes

Homeschool Classes for the Halls/Powell area!

Schedule for 2012 
Tuesdays 12:00-4:00 (grades 3-6) 
12:00-1:00- Writing/Literature class 
1:00-2:00- Hands-On Science
2:00-3:00- You Wouldn’t Want to be a Roman Gladiator (Ancient History- Rome, Greece, Egypt)

Mondays 11:00-4:00 (grades 7-12) 
11:00-12:00- Girls’ Bible study (grades 7-10) 
12:00-1:00- Writing/Literature (grades 8-12) / Lunch for grades 7 & 8 Bible study girls who are staying for history 
1:00-2:00- World History (grades 7-12) 
2:00-3:00- Latin Roots/Critical Thinking/Current events (grades 7-12) 
3:00-4:00- Writing (grades 6-8)

Course Descriptions:

Writing/Literature Grades: 3-6 Monthly tuition: $20 Material fee: $15 (pay once a semester)

This class combines highly recommended, quality children’s literature with writing. Students will be assigned chapter books to read during the semester, which will be discussed in class. We will use story charts as visual aids to help us analyze literature. Topics include: context, authorship, structure, style, plot, conflict, setting, character study, and theme. Students must be on a third grade or above reading level. They will be expected to read 1-4 chapters per week (depending on the length). The writing portion of this class will cover the following: language usage, paragraph structure, style (“dress-ups” for writing), and response to literature. I think it will be a lot of fun! I will introduce easy tools to simplify writing and literature analysis which they will use all of their lives! Curricula that I will use is “Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education,” “Institute for Excellence in Writing,” and lots of resources obtained by Knox County Schools and online.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Roman Gladiator! (Ancient History) Grades 3-6 Tuition: $20/month Material fee: $15 (pay once a semester)

Ancient history will come alive as we learn about Egypt, Greece, and Rome… The major events, the cultures, and the important historical figures of each empire. We will emphasize God’s hand in history and see how the Bible coincides with ancient history. No homework involved except optional projects. Each class will include hands-on projects and activities such as: · creating our own pyramids, King Tut masks, roman mosaics, and Egyptian puppets · making a miniature salt dough Egypt with the Nile River · holding our own Chariot races and Olympic games! · having our own Egyptian market place, bringing in items to “buy, sell, and barter”! · constructing models of Constantine’s shield and sword! · acting out parts of ancient history with fun skits and plays!

Hands-On Science! Grades 3-6 Tuition: $20/month Material fee: $20 (pay once a semester) Textbook: I will use Science 5 by BJU Press as a spring board. Other resources with experiments and fun, hands-on activities will be used as well! Parents are not required to purchase the textbook, but it will enhance learning if read at home.

Science has never been so fun! Watch science become your student’s favorite subject as it comes alive in the most exciting ways!! Topics covered include: Minerals, rocks, dinosaurs, matter, energy, heat, weather, biomes, ecosystems, the respiratory system, sound, and the circulatory system. This is a hands-on class. Half of the class will be instructional time while the second half will be spent working cooperatively in groups performing tasks and/or experiments, dramatizing scientific processes, or completing creative projects. Activities include: · Working with buddies to give a “television news report” on a critical scientific break through! · Creating various types of books, posters, and 3-D projects revealing new information learned! · Acting out (with costumes!) how cells are formed! And lots more!!

World History Grades: 7-12 (counts toward high school world history credit) Tuition: $20/month Material fee: $15 (pay once a semester) Students are required to purchase the textbook: World History 3rd edition by BJU Press

History will come alive as we learn about Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other major civilizations of ancient times. Our studies will also take us through medieval times, The Renaissance, The Reformation, explorations, and discoveries in history to modern times. The major events, the cultures, and the important historical figures of each period will be discussed. Emphasis will be on God’s hand in history and how the Bible coincides with ancient history. Students will read from the text each week and work both individually and in teams to do in-class projects and assignments based on the material learned each week. Students will be graded on quizzes, tests, projects, weekly assignments, and short papers. The curriculum I will use is Bob Jones University’s World History textbook 3rd edition.

Latin roots/Critical thinking/Current events Grades: 7-12 (Will receive an elective credit for high school) Tuition: $20/month Material fee: $15 (pay once a semester)

Are there some subjects you just never seem to get to? Me too! That is why I am combining these three topics in one class. There is no need to teach a full year on each of these topics, but all will be covered in the year.

Knowledge of Latin roots is essential in understanding vocabulary and many attribute their excelling on the vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension portions of standardized tests to their study of the Latin roots in our words. Through the use of competitions, teamwork, and fun games we’ll easily learn the building blocks of our language.

Critical thinking is great prep for standardized tests, multiple-choice tests, and real-life problem solving. It also improves our comprehension and logical thinking. What a huge difference it makes when students learn how to do this! We will solve tricky logic puzzles and play games together while developing superior deductive thinking skills. I will be using curricula from “The Critical Thinking Company” for both the Latin roots and the critical thinking portions of the class.

Ever wish you had time to teach some current events and discuss them within a Biblical worldview? That’s exactly what this portion of the class is about. We will discuss them together while obtaining a broader understanding of the world in which we live through the lens of a loving God who is the author of all history.

Girls’ Bible Study Grades: 7-10 Tuition: $20/month Material fee: none (Parents will need to purchase a book) Book: Being Yourself (How do I take off this mask?) by Margaret Feinberg

How many young girls are confident just as they are? In a world where image trumps character, and multi-billion dollar industries have been built on “perfecting” people, it’s hard to resist the notion that “being yourself” is just not good enough. God has a different perspective. He created each and every one of us perfectly, and has a unique purpose for everyone. He wants you to know who you really are so you can fulfill this purpose. This study will help you see yourself as God sees you-beautiful, redeemed, and wonderfully made.

Writing/Literature Grades: 8-12 (Will receive a credit in English Lit/Comp for high school) Tuition: $25/month Material fee: $10 (pay once a semester) Textbook: A Beka World Literature 4th volume, 3rd edition

This class combines classics in literature with writing. Students will be assigned books to read during the semester, which will be discussed in class. We will use story charts as visual aids to help us analyze literature. Topics include: context, authorship, structure, style, plot, conflict, setting, character study, and theme. The writing portion of this class will cover the following: language usage, essay structure, and style (dress-ups for writing). The essays we will cover this year include: Compare/contrast, cause and effect, persuasive, personal experience/reflective. We will also have a public speaking portion of the class toward the end of the year.

I will introduce easy tools to simplify writing and literature analysis which they will use all of their lives! Curricula that I will use is “Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education,” “Institute for Excellence in Writing,” and lots of resources obtained by Knox County Schools and online.

Writing

Grades: 6-8 Tuition: $20/month Material fee: $10 (pay once a semester)

This class will cover the following: language usage, essay structure, figurative language, and style (“dress-ups” for writing). The essays we will cover this year include: Compare/contrast, cause and effect, persuasive, personal experience/reflective. We will also have a public speaking portion of the class toward the end of the year.

I will introduce easy tools to simplify writing which they will use all of their lives! Curricula that I will use is “Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education,” “Institute for Excellence in Writing,” and lots of resources obtained by Knox County Schools and online.

*If interested contact Lisa Haskell at lisahaskell@tds.net

Fencing Lessons

Both the West Knox area and the Maryville Fencing Club will be starting up their winter practice sessions the first week in January. If you or one of your students is interested in learning to fence, now would be a good time to start.

If you live in the west Knox area, we meet at the Karns Community Youth Center on Monday nights at 6:00pm.

If you live in the Blount County area, we are now meeting at the Maryville Church of Christ located on Sherwood Dr. Friday afternoons at 3:30pm.

What is expected of all new students: students need to be 10 years or older and be able to follow instructions that I give--fencing can be a hazardous sport even when properly done; anyone who cannot follow basic safety instructions increase the danger significantly and thus may be asked to attend at a later date. Although not needed at the beginning of lessons, students will eventually need to purchase their own equipment. The lessons themselves are free.

Any questions can be directed to me, Jeff Shoffner at jshoffner7176@tds.net. 

See you there.

Private Flute Lessons 

There are 2 openings for flute lessons during the day on Thursdays. If you are interested, please contact Joan Whiteside at joanwhiteside@gmail.com

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