2023 Fall 6-8 Middle School

Phone/text: 916-805-7333

Math Game Madness: Fall Semester

Grades: 4-8

$195 per semester

Math Game Madness is a fun and interactive math class that uses games and puzzles to teach mathematical concepts to homeschool students. Through a variety of engaging and entertaining games, students will learn and practice important math skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, strategic thinking, and numerical fluency.

Topics Covered:

● Basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

● Fractions, decimals, and percentages

● Geometry and spatial reasoning

● Logic and reasoning

● Probability and statistics

● Number patterns and sequences Games and Activities:

● Board games like Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride

● Card games like Set, Uno, and Blackjack

● Dice games like Yahtzee and Farkle

● Puzzle games like Sudoku, Kakuro, and KenKen

● Strategy games like Chess, Connect Four, and Battleship

● Math-specific games like 24, Math Dice, and Math Boggle

By the end of the semester, students will have a better understanding of important mathematical concepts and skills. They’ll also be able to apply math skills to solve problems in a variety of contexts. Lastly, students will have improved their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as have developed an interest in math through fun and engaging games and activities.

Teacher: Joe Vargas

Phone/text: 916-805-7333

Math Escape Rooms - The Great Escape!

Grades: 4-8

$185 per semester

This is a unique Math class that combines the excitement of escape rooms with the practical application of math skills. Students will work together in groups to solve math puzzles and problems, leading them to clues that will help them escape the room before time runs out. Each escape room will be themed around a different mathematical concept, such as geometry, algebra, or

probability. Students will apply their knowledge of these concepts to decipher clues, solve equations, and unlock the next steps in their escape. They will also develop critical thinking skills as they work collaboratively to solve complex problems under pressure.

Throughout the class, students will gain a deeper understanding of how math is used in real-world scenarios and develop their problem-solving skills. The class is designed for students who have a good foundation in basic math skills and are looking for a fun and challenging way to apply them. By the end of the course, students will have completed several escape rooms, developed their math skills, and gained confidence in their ability to solve complex problems.

Teacher: Joe Vargas

Phone/text: 916-805-7333

Math Through Art: Fall Semester

Grades: 4-8

$195 per semester

The Fall 2023 semester of Math Through Art is great for new and returning students! There will be new topics for returning students, and new students will fit right in because this year’s topics are not connected to the previous semester. New students are welcome, and returning students will be exposed to new material.

Art engages the right side of the brain! And it’s important for students who are right-brain dominant (and also left-brain dominant) to activate that hemisphere when learning mathematical vocabulary and concepts. It creates more well rounded learning.

Students who enroll in this course will learn about fundamental topics such as geometric shapes, symmetry, ratios and mathematical expressions while creating visual art by drawing, coloring and painting. This class will allow students a fun and exciting way to learn fundamental concepts that will be built upon in their future. Have your student learn and have fun while using their creative side!

Teacher: Joe Vargas

Phone/text: 916-805-7333

Geometry Architect: Fall Semester

Grades: 4-8

$195 per semester

The Fall 2023 semester of Geometry Architect is great for new and returning students! There will be new topics for returning students, and new students will fit right in because this year’s topics are not connected to the previous semester. New students are welcome, and returning students will be exposed to new material. Students who enroll in this course will design and build brand new three dimensional objects not seen in previous years. These objects will include brand new houses, vehicles and cities using cardboard, dowel rod and styrofoam. As we build objects, we’ll learn about concepts relating to perimeter, area, angles and problem solving. Geometry is a branch of mathematics that gets covered extensively in high school. What better way to get prepared than by participating in a class that covers all the basics. Anyone interested in general math or Geometry help is encouraged to join!

Teacher: Joe Vargas

Phone/text: 916-805-7333

Fun With Fractions: Fall Semester

Grades: 4-8

$185 per semester

The Fall 2023 semester of Fun With Fractions is great for new and returning students! There will be new topics for returning students, and new students will fit right in because this year’s topics are not connected to the previous semester. New students are welcome, and returning students will be exposed to new material!

Whether your student is just learning about fractions or already an expert, there’s always something new and exciting to learn. In this semester we will learn using interactive activities in order to master the art of using fractions! Some activities will consist of folding and cutting construction paper to teach the concept of ‘parts to a whole’. Other activities will teach students how to add, subtract, multiply and simplify fractions. With a variety of many visuals and group activities, students will better understand how learning fractions can be both easy and fun!

Teacher: Joe Vargas

Cell: 916-805-7333

SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY

Anatomy

Grades 4-8

$200 per semester

This course introduces students to the study of the structure of the human body. We will be diving deep into the 12 Main structures of the body. This class is designed as a hands-on learning environment with fun activities to help develop and understand how our bodies work. $200-includes lab activities

Teacher: Ashlee Powers

email: ashberrywraps@yahoo.com

phone: 707-853-8908

Electricity and Mini-Robots

Grades 4-8

$240 per semester

Students will explore the basics of electricity by building a bristlebot and dancing robot, creating circuit cards and assembling breadboard circuits, building an electroscope, testing conductivity of various materials, and building a battery, induction motor, and homopolar motors. This class does not cover robotics programming.

Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh

phone/text: 530.313.3789

Oceanography

Grades 4-8

$225 per semester

Students will dive in and explore the ocean and its inhabitants. Some of the topics to be covered through hands-on activities and models include bioluminescence, sea life adaptations, jellyfish life cycle, the ocean’s salinity, mapping the seafloor, squid dissection, coral, kelp, and marine food webs.

Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh

phone/text: 530.313.3789

Physics: Motion, Density, and More

Grades 4-8

$225 per semester

Students will explore force, work, potential and kinetic energy, Newton's Laws of Motion, density of solids and liquids, and buoyancy. Some of the hands-on activities include using density cubes and a triple beam balance to calculate density of a solid, assembling a foam roller coaster with classmates to observe potential and kinetic energy, making a "flinker" to test buoyancy, and using Hot Wheels cars to observe the laws of motion.

Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh

phone/text: 530.313.3789

Roller Coaster STEM Challenge

Grades 4-8

$200 per semester

While building paper roller coasters for marbles, students will explore the physics (potential and kinetic energy, friction, inertia, and gravity) and the engineering design process used by engineers in designing roller coasters. Student teams will compete to build the most creative, exciting, and slowest roller coaster.

Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh

phone/text: 530.313.3789

Innovate and Create: S.T.E.A.M.

Grades 4-8

$205 per semester

Creativity and Science converge in this S.T.E.A.M class! Create wind powered cars, toothpick bridges, one of a kind paintings without lifting a paintbrush and more. With over 10 different projects in the semester we are sure to try something you have never done!

Teacher: Rachel Wattson

phone: 760-716-2793

Introduction to Robotics using Arduino Technology

Grades 6-12

$240 per semester (one voucher)

Learn Arduino coding and use it to control lights, sound, and motors. Learn to write your code to respond to input from switches and sensors. Then put it all together to create your own robot!

Electronics used by the students are included in the class fee. Laptops will be provided for in-class use.

Teacher: Lynda Weiss

email: lynda.weiss@lyndaweiss.net

phone/text: 916.390.6530

Unleashing Creativity with Generative AI

Grades 6-12

$180, plus $30-$90 for a three-month Midjourney subscription

In this class, students will explore the limitless possibilities of AI for writing, poetry, art, music, and more. We will discover how to use the AI writing tool ChatGPT for daily life. We will also use Midjourney (or a comparable generative AI art platform) to create artwork in a variety of styles and genres. Other AI tools will also be explored. We will address in class ethical issues concerning the use of these tools and how to use them responsibly, as well as go over how these tools work and the brief history of how they were created.

A laptop is required for this class.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Web Coding

Grades 4-8

$250 per semester (one voucher)

Web coding - - students learn coding by building web apps and games using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. All learning is self-paced, guided by our project-based curriculum: https://www.mrcodeswildride.com/curriculum

Students go through our curriculum at their own pace with individualized instructor guidance. Laptops provided for in-class use.

Teacher: David Keller

email: kellerdb@gmail.com

phone/text:(916) 439-0991

website: www.mrcodeswildride.com

Private Pay Options:

Venmo to David-Keller-149
Cash App to kellerdb
PayPal to kellerdb@gmail.com (choose Sending to a friend)
Zelle to kellerdb@gmail.com

Python Coding

Grades 5-12

$250 per semester (one voucher)

Python coding - students learn coding by building programs using Python, which is a beginner-friendly programming language. All learning is self-paced, guided by our project-based curriculum: https://www.mrcodeswildride.com/python

Students go through our curriculum at their own pace with individualized instructor guidance. Laptops provided for in-class use.

Teacher: David Keller

email: kellerdb@gmail.com

phone/text:(916) 439-0991

website: www.mrcodeswildride.com

Private Pay Options:

Venmo to David-Keller-149
Cash App to kellerdb
PayPal to kellerdb@gmail.com (choose Sending to a friend)
Zelle to kellerdb@gmail.com

SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HISTORY

History: Ancient Civilizations

4-8 grade

$200 per semester

Students will explore ancient history through hands-on, creative activities designed to foster critical thinking and problem solving. For example, the students sculpt terracotta army soldiers while learning about ancient China. Other project based learning include Aztec calendars, creation of Greek pillars and Roman mosaics. Students MAKE the history they study! This class is designed to expand the student’s understanding of history by studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of the major Western and non-Western ancient civilizations. Geography is of special significance in the development of the human story. Emphasis is placed on the everyday lives, problems, and accomplishments of people, their role in developing social, economic, and political structures, as well as in establishing and spreading ideas that helped transform the world forever. Students develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined. Students analyze the interactions among the various cultures, emphasizing their enduring contributions and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds. (Year long class, students welcome to join in the Spring)

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

History: Modern Age

6-12 grade

$200 per semester

Students study the Modern Age of US and World History, including geography, from the late eighteenth century to the present. In this project based class, the narrative course description highlights examples from around the world, including diverse topics such as industrialization, colonialism, the causes and effects of the world wars, revolutions, and globalization. The class is aligned to Tenth grade California State Social Studies Content Standards, but is appropriate for middle school as well. (Year long class, students welcome to join in the Spring)

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

History: American Holidays

4-8 grade

$200 per semester

Our nation is rich in many cultural and religious traditions and celebrations. Recognizing and celebrating historical holidays offer entry points for a deeper exploration of the pivotal moments, key figures, and central conflicts in American history. In this class, students will explore 24 different religious, patriotic, and ethnic pride observances. (Year long class, students welcome to join in the Spring)

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

Civics: Constitutional Debate

6-12 grade

$190 per semester (Fall)

Students will review, debate and ultimately decide actual court cases based on the first eight amendments to the Constitution. Students will sharpen their critical thinking skills and their legal and historical knowledge as they analyze the amendments, discover their origins, and rule on actual cases presented before the U.S. Supreme Court. Cases will be analyzed, not only from a Constitutional perspective but also from an ethical world view. This class will be taught by Mrs. Chiappe, a former practicing California Attorney.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

Hip Hop Civics: Hamilton, An American Musical

Grade 4-8

$190 per semester

The smash-hit musical "Hamilton" has ignited students' interest in history, creating a ready-made opportunity for teachers. The Broadway musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, the "Ten dollar founding father without a father,” in rap and hip-hop songs. This class capitalizes on students' interest in pop culture by using the show as a teaching tool—in terms of learning about history, language arts, and diversity in pop culture. WARNING: The uncensored Hamilton Broadway soundtrack contains mature language. Every effort will be made to assure that all classroom material will be censored. Additionally, the story of Alexander Hamilton’s life includes mature themes, such as and infidelity.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

FINE ARTS CLASSES

ART

Handcrafted 3-D Art

Grades 4-8

$205

Come join the fun as we create three dimensional artwork using clay, wire, paper, even rocks! All materials are included in the class fee.

Teacher: Leslie Timm

phone/text: 707.301.9983

Art Exploration: Up Close and Far Away

Grade 4-8
$205 including supplies

Learn to think like an artist as we create fun projects centered around the theme of zooming very close in or zooming way out. Fine art techniques of drawing and painting will be taught and creativity will be developed by looking at things in different ways. Some of the projects that will be created are painting a small object large, painting a large object small, and drawing the texture of an animal - fur, feathers, scales - so large that it's hard to tell what it is then drawing what that animal looks like in a scene when you zoom out. A new art project will be completed each week. A variety of media including graphite, watercolor, acrylic, markers, and pastels will be taught and explored in this class.

Teacher: Jennifer Rowe

email: jenniferrowestudio@gmail.com

phone: 916.212.3282

website: jenniferrowestudio.com

Drawing and Painting

Grade 4-8

$205 including supplies

All new lessons! Fine art techniques including shading, proportions, and texture will be taught through drawing and painting animals, portraits, and a special topic (sense seeking), in which students will use mixed media collage to express what they perceive through their sense of smell, touch, taste, and sound. Throughout the class, the artists will at times work from reference photos I select and at other times work from reference photos they choose. Students will mostly work at their own pace, and some more involved pieces may take several class periods to complete. A variety of media including graphite, watercolor, acrylic, and pastels will be taught and explored in this class.

Teacher: Jennifer Rowe

email: jenniferrowestudio@gmail.com

phone: 916.212.3282

website: jenniferrowestudio.com

Messy Fun: Clay, Paint Pouring, Printmaking, Resist on Silk, and more!

Grade 4-8
$215 including supplies

Explore color, form, and texture in this hands-on, fun, messy class where you'll create clay projects, learn the art of paint pouring, try your hand at the ancient art of Japanese marbling (suminagashi), make prints, design cool patterns on papers that you then use in a collage, create a resist painting on silk, and more!

Teacher: Jennifer Rowe

email: jenniferrowestudio@gmail.com

phone: 916.212.3282

website: jenniferrowestudio.com

Paper Creations

Grades 4-8

$195 semester

Not your average crafting time! Learn how to create beautiful works of art using paper. We will dive into projects involving origami, paper maché, tear art, tissue paper and so much more. We will even learn how to make our own paper. Come for a cool creative hour!

Teacher: Rachel Wattson

phone: 760-716-2793

DRAMA

Sr. Musical Theater - 2 hour class

Grades 4-12

$360 per semester

Become a part of a musical theater production! Each child will have a chance to participate as we rehearse and produce a Broadway Musical Kids production. Every week children learn their parts. We practice stage presence, singing, and dancing. Simple costumes and props will be necessary. Some provided and some sourced from participants. On the last day of class we perform our 1 hour musical, Peter Pan Jr., for parents and some of our K-3 FLA students.

$360 per student (two hour class session. Only available at El Dorado Hills 4th and 5th period)

Teacher: Rachel Wattson

phone: 760-716-2793

Music and Movement

Grades 4-8

$190 per semester

Learn routines and choreography for country, hip hop, jazz, meringue, swing, and the waltz.

Students will learn as individuals as well as partnering up for certain dances. We improve

coordination, rhythm, and learn some sweet moves in the process. Please wear closed toed

shoes and comfortable clothes.

Teacher: Rachel Wattson

phone: 760-716-2793

MUSIC

Beginning Guitar
Grades 4-8

$180 per semester

Aloha, music lovers in grades 4-8! Are you ready to embark on an exciting musical journey? Join our beginner guitar class designed to bring out the happy strummer in you. In this lively and engaging course, you'll learn the basics of guitar playing, from tuning and holding the instrument to trying essential chords and strumming patterns.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are expected to bring their own guitars to class each week.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Intermediate Guitar

Grades 4-8

$180 per semester

This class builds on skills introduced in the Beginner Guitar class. Students will read chord charts and tabs that are more challenging and dig deeper into exciting strum patterns. Technique will be emphasized more as well as some notation reading.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are expected to bring their own guitars to class each week.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Beginning Piano

Grades 4-8

$180 per semester (one voucher)

Ready to tickle the ivories and create beautiful melodies? Join this beginner piano class designed just for you, young music enthusiasts! Learn the fundamentals of piano playing in a fun and interactive environment. You will learn essential techniques such as hand positioning, note reading, and rhythm. Discover the magic of chords, scales, and harmonies as you bring sheet music to life. Students will have opportunities to perform and explore music from various genres. Ready to tickle the ivories and create beautiful melodies? Join this beginner piano class designed just for you, young music enthusiasts! Learn the fundamentals of piano playing in a fun and interactive environment. You will learn essential techniques such as hand positioning, note reading, and rhythm. Discover the magic of chords, scales, and harmonies as you bring sheet music to life. Students will have opportunities to perform and explore music from various genres.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Musical Composition: Garage Band

Grades 4-8

$180 per semester

Do you love music and dream of creating your own awesome tunes? This super-fun and interactive class is designed just for you, young musicians in grades 4-8! In this exciting course, you’ll learn how to use the amazing GarageBand app from Apple to compose, mix, and record your very own songs. Unleash your creativity with cool instruments like guitars, drums, and keyboards - or even become a DJ with the app’s built-in sound library!

An iPad is required for the class.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Piano: How to Play a Pop Song

Grades 4-8

$180 per semester

Ever wished you could play your favorite pop songs on the piano? Now’s your chance! This class is designed for music lovers who want to master the art of playing catchy tunes in no time! You’ll learn essentials needed to bring pop songs to life on the piano, learning how to find easy chords online, create captivating melodies with your right hand, and build harmonies with your left hand.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Musical Odyssey: A Voyage Through Music

Grades 4-8

$180 per semester

Attention all music lovers in grades 4-8! Are you ready to embark on an incredible musical journey? Join this fun-filled and diverse general music class designed to spark your creativity and ignite your passion for all things music. Each week, we’ll dive into exciting topics like music history, where you’ll uncover the fascinating stories of legendary composers and listen to famous tunes and melodies from various music styles from around the world. You’ll discover the wonderful world of instruments as we explore how they create unique sounds and work together in harmony. We’ll unravel the mysteries of music theory, teaching you how to read sheet music and understand the building blocks of songs.

Teacher: Jon Holowaty
email: musicteacherjon@gmail.com
phone/text: 650-576-2427

Website: mtj-studio.com

Vocal Performance

Grades 4-12

$185 per semester

A place to fine tune voice and style. We will work in small groups and as a class on pieces throughout the semester covering different genres of music including broadway, country, jazz and more. Students will choose a solo piece to perfect during the semester. Singing takes more than a pair of vocal chords. We will learn about how to create better sound through posture and support. We will develop the skill of how to sing harmony with two, three or more parts. We also cover basic music reading and the elements of having a top notch performance on stage in a group or solo!

Teacher: Rachel Wattson

phone: 760-716-2793

LANGUAGE

Let's Speak Spanish

Grades 4-8

$180 per semester (1 voucher)

Do you want your children to learn how to communicate in Spanish and learn about different Hispanic cultures? This class will be taught by Debra Heiden, a credentialed Spanish bi-lingual teacher with many years of teaching experience. This semester students will be learning useful conversational phrases and vocabulary pertaining to the following topics: school items, numbers, colors, telling time, articles of clothing, home, family, and more. Students will learn through videos, handouts, worksheets, art projects, and fun and interactive games. In addition, we will be learning about the fascinating and diverse cultures of the following Spanish-speaking countries: Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines.

VAMOS HABLAR ESPANOL!!!

Teacher: Debbie Heiden

email: teacher_debbie@yourfunteacher.com

phone: 916.817.1821

ENRICHMENT CLASSES

Backyard Garden Design and Planning

Grades 4-8

$185 per semester

The Basics of Backyard Garden Design Class is the perfect opportunity to explore the art and science of setting up a successful garden. It's an immersive 12-week program that teaches kids how to plan and design their ideal backyard green space, what trees and plants should be grown during each season, as well as other valuable gardening foundations to bring success.

With this class, gain knowledge about how to create a successful backyard garden and develop confidence in problem solving skills to plan it out.

Teacher: Alicia DeVore

email: www.createmygarden.net

phone: 562-587-4563

Cake Decorating

Grades 4-8

$205 per semester (one voucher)

Students will learn the basics of cake decorating by use of different tips and different techniques used to get fun designs. We will walk through the process of easily filling a bag, using a coupler, as well as use of a different tips for starting designs. We will explore design and color combinations, along with placement and creating unique cakes. No background knowledge is needed, just a willingness to come and have fun, maybe lick your fingers and learn something new.

Teacher: Leslie Timm

phone/text: 707.301.9983

Critical Thinking: Board Games

Grades 4-8

$190 per semester

Build memory, logic, and reasoning skills through an in-depth study of board games! In this class students will work their way through a catalog of new and classic games. Students will learn to gather and manage resources, practice their communication and negotiation skills, calculate probability, and use deduction in evolving scenarios. Decision making, problem solving, and teamwork will be tested. Game on!

Teacher: History Rocks with Mrs. Chiappe, taught by JohnPaul Sharkey

email: jpssharkey@gmail.com

phone/text: 409-529-5908

Elements of Photography

Grades 4-8

There is no need for a fancy camera to take a great picture! Learn the art of composition. Figure

out how to use lighting to create mood. Understand the value of perspective and telling a story

with an image. These things will make even a camera phone a tool for art. We will explore the

functions of more advanced equipment, point and shoot pocket cameras, and how to make your

camera phone do what you want it to! Basic digital editing will be covered during the last three

weeks of class.

Class requirements: a camera (even a camera phone) and access to a computer. All other

materials will be provided.

Teacher: Rachel Wattson

phone: 760-716-2793

Hand Sewing: Level 1

Grades 4-8

$185 per semester

Hand sewing is a fun and creative activity that is also useful! In this class, students will learn this valuable lifelong skill through a variety of engaging projects designed to teach traditional hand stitches. The project-based learning includes sewing a needle book, a pincushion, a button "tree", a felt mouse, and a drawstring bag. Additionally, throughout the class, students will be exposed to vocabulary unique to the world of sewing. Class fee includes a small personal sewing kit and fabric.

class fee: $185

Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh

phone/text: 530.313.3789

Home Economics

Grades 4-8

$190 per semester

This fun, interactive and creative class will cover a wide variety of home and life skills.

Teacher: Leslie Timm

phone/text: 707.301.9983

Leadership & Service: FLA Student Government

Grade 6-8

$200 per semester

Through a series of guided interaction and group exercises, students will explore the principles of leadership and learn to develop individual and group leadership skills to impact their lives and their communities. Content areas include decision-making, goal setting, effective communication, servant leadership, organization and time management skills, and concrete strategies to implement change. Additionally, by planning FLA events and activities, this class gives the homeschool student the unique opportunity to experience traditional "student government" without attending a school. A FLA leadership shirt is included in the class fee.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

Lego Engineering

Grades 4-8

$185 per semester

Does hands-on building and creating sound like fun? Then come join us in engineering class where we learn STEM concepts through building projects using LEGO® parts and motors. Explore your creative boundaries and connect your projects to real-world physics and engineering concepts, while guided by an experienced instructor. Returning students are welcome – we do new projects each semester.

All materials are provided. Students do not keep their creations, but are welcome to bring cameras to class to photograph their projects.

Teacher: Lynda Weiss

email: lynda.weiss@lyndaweiss.net

phone/text: 916.390.6530

Mock Trial

Grade 6-12

$190 per semester

Mock trials have proven to be an effective learning tool for students of all grade levels. It helps them understand the law, practice critical thinking, and gain greater confidence in public speaking by assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictional criminal or civil trial. Students experience first-hand the difficulties that judges, lawyers and juries face in determining which facts are relevant and what legal arguments are effective. This class is taught by Mrs. Chiappe, a former practicing California Attorney.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

Speak Up! Speech & Debate

Grade 4-8

$190 per semester

Students explore concepts in public speaking, critical thinking, argument and debate. This course covers the different styles of speeches, rhetorical strategies and the art of debate. A major focus of the class will be the elements of rhetoric as it pertains to information, persuasion and debate. The students will give several speeches to classmates. Various styles of speech will be studied, including: persuasion, impromptu, extemporaneous, and debate.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

Think Biblically

Grades 6-8

FREE

What we think shapes who we are. In a world of differing voices competing for our allegiance, Christians must learn to "think biblically" to distinguish good from evil and right from wrong. In our ever-changing world, biblical truth is rapidly being swallowed up. Students need to be equipped with tools to help them lovingly and share truth about difficult topics. This study will help students address these and other cultural issues with clarity and boldness.

The is a non-secular class, involving prayer, taught from Christian worldview.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

Yearbook: Foothill Learning Academy

Grades 6-12

$190 per semester

In this course students gain useful, real-world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and design principles. Collaboratively, the students will produce a creative, innovative yearbook recording Foothill Learning Academy memories and events. Students learn page design, publishing techniques, copywriting, and editing. A laptop computer is required for this class.

Teacher: Laurie Chiappe

phone/text: 408-472-6155

World of Hogwarts

Grades 4-8

$185 per semester (one voucher)

Do you enjoy the wizarding world of Harry Potter? Ever wonder what it would be like to take classes like the students at Hogwarts? Here's your chance! Come explore numerology in Arithmancy, learn herbal properties in Herbology, figure out latin meanings to words inCharms class, and so much more. You'll get to create and look beyond a muggle view.

Teacher: Leslie Timm