Showing posts with label Course Description. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Course Description. Show all posts

Course Description - Writer's Mark®

Writers Mark Foundation (younger beginners)
Writers Mark Cornerstone (5th, 6th, 7th grade)
Writers Mark Honors (6th, 7th, 8th grade)
Writers Mark AP (8th - High School)

Writers Mark® successfully equips students with tools to significantly
improve their writing skills. Its methods not only build written and oral
communication skills, but also improve critical thinking. Weekly essays are an integral part of the Writers Mark curriculum. Completed essays culminate in an end-of-the-year portfolio.

Writers Mark® teaches essential outlining, composition, and proof-reading strategies such as: keyword outlining, stylistic techniques, rhetorical devices, grammar, punctuation, and editing.

These critical writing tools are defined and practiced in order to improve students' understanding and subsequent application of these devices.* 


Writers Mark® Essays
  • Narrative  tells a story/conveys an experience (4 types)

  • Descriptive creates an image 

  • Expository explains, informs, describes a topic in a clear, correct fashion (analytical)

  • Compare & Contrast a type of analytical + descriptive essay 

  • Persuasive/Argumentative

  • Research  a type of informative essay

  • Literary Analysis

  • Personal Improvement resume, letters




* The SAT and ACT both test knowledge of these rhetorical and literary devices.
It is never too early to become familiar with them.

Course Description - Science

 Grades 4 - 6 (1 semester)

ANATOMY 

Students will have the opportunity to learn about the skeleton and master the bones in the human body.  They will enjoy learning about the  other important systems in the human body such as the respiratory system and  the digestive system.  The class will also learn about specific organs and their function.


Grades 4 - 6  (2 semesters)

EARTH SCIENCE AND ECOLOGY


EARTH SCIENCE.  What is earth science?  What categories are there?  What are the names of the experts?  Students enjoy learning about pyroclastic materials, their make-up, and what contributes to their fluid nature. Your child will understand Pangaea, the theory of continental drift, and the supercontinent.  Your student may enjoy learning about Compressional stress, Tensional stress, Shear stress on the surface of the earth, and more!


ECOLOGY.  The class will also be introduced to ecology and discover how organisms interact with the environment around them and how it affects the world. We learn about introduced species, invasive species, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.  Do you ever wonder why some animals look or act the way they do and how these things relate to the predator/prey relationship?  We will dive into offensive strategies of predators, chemical warfare, coloration, Batesian mimicry and more.  We will develop an understanding of carrying capacity and dispersion and more!

Course Description - Advanced Vocabulary

Our vocabulary classes are for advanced students.
Course foundation: Greek and Latin roots


GRADE 4

A thematically organized vocabulary program based on Greek and Latin roots. Words are presented with dictionary-style definitions, and all words are used in example sentences. Lists of "Familiar Words" and "Challenge Words" are provided for each root to help all students activate prior knowledge and keep advanced students on task. Exercises include matching synonyms, fill-in-the-blank, writing sentences, and more.  

 

GRADE 5

Vocabulary from Classical Roots is a thematically-organized vocabulary program that systematically instructs students about Greek and Latin roots. Each lesson features highlighted roots with a variety of practice exercises that include working with synonyms, using words in context, using clues, and other related activities.

 

GRADE 6

A thematically organized vocabulary program based on Greek and Latin roots. Each lesson features the roots and key words derived from these roots with a review lesson after every third theme. Words are presented with dictionary-style definitions, and all words are used in example sentences. Lists of "Familiar Words'' and "Challenge Words" are provided for each root to help all students activate prior knowledge and keep advanced students on task.

 

GRADE 7+   Book A

A thematically organized vocabulary program based on Greek and Latin roots, each Vocabulary from Classical Roots lesson features roots and words derived from these roots. Each lesson is based on a specific theme such as "nature" or "the law." Words are presented with dictionary-style definitions, and all words are used in example sentences. Lists of "Familiar Words" and "Challenge Words" are provided for each root to help all students activate prior knowledge and keep advanced students on task. Exercises include matching synonyms, fill-in-the-blank, writing sentences, and more. 


GRADE 8+  Book B

Vocabulary from Classical Roots teaches junior and senior high school students words derived from the most important Greek and Latin roots. Each lesson introduces words derived from two or more classical roots. A dictionary-like format provides all the necessary information, including related forms of the word and sentences illustrating each word's correct usage.  Challenging exercises help students master the vocabulary they need to read works of literature and prepare for SATs. Exercises based on synonyms, antonyms, analogies, contextual vocabulary and sentence completions not only test students' mastery of definitions but also develop their familiarity with the format of comparable items.  


GRADE 9+  Book C

The curriculum is derived from the most important Greek and Latin roots. Every lesson introduces words derived from two or more classical roots. A dictionary-like format provides all the necessary information, including related forms of the word and sentences illustrating each word's correct usage.  Special sections called "Nota Bene" provide information about etymologies and words that might be confused. Drawings, illustrative sentences, and challenging exercises help students master the vocabulary they need to read works of literature and prepare for SAT's. Exercises based on synonyms, antonyms, analogies, vocabulary in context, and sentence completions not only test students' mastery of definitions but also develop their familiarity with the format of comparable items on standardized tests. Other exercises offer practice in recognizing correct usage. 

 

GRADE 10+  Book D

A thematically organized vocabulary program based on Greek and Latin roots, each Vocabulary from Classical Roots lesson includes featured roots and words derived from these roots. Each lesson is based on a specific theme such as "nature" or "the law." Words are presented with dictionary-style definitions, and all words are used in example sentences. Lists of "Familiar Words" and "Challenge Words" are provided for each root to help all students activate prior knowledge and keep advanced students on task. Exercises include matching synonyms, fill-in-the-blank, writing sentences, and more.

Nota Benes* are accessible throughout the course. Nota Benes provide etymologies and present commonly confused words. Review sections are also included. Book D also contains fill-in-the-blank passages that use the words in context.  Word list included in the workbook.

 

GRADE 11 - 12 Book E (the most advanced level in this class)

A thematically organized vocabulary program based on Greek and Latin roots, each Vocabulary from Classical Roots lesson highlights  featured roots and words that are derived from these roots. Each lesson is based on a specific theme such as "nature" or "the law." Words are presented with dictionary-style definitions, and all words are used in example sentences. Lists of "Familiar Words" and "Challenge Words" are provided for each root to help all students activate prior knowledge and keep advanced students on task. Exercises include matching synonyms, fill-in-the-blank, writing sentences, and more. 

Nota Benes* are accessible throughout the course. Nota Benes provide etymologies and present commonly confused words. Review sections are also included. Book E also contains fill-in-the-blank passages that use the words in context.  Word list included in the workbook.




* no·ta be·ne (nōdə ˈbenē)
  1. a formal verb meaning to observe carefully or to take special notice (used in written text to draw attention to what follows)

Course Description - Speech: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced


Beginner Speech Class
This course is an introduction to speech communication which emphasizes the practical skill of public speaking, including techniques to lessen speaker anxiety and the memorization of a proven speech organization paradigm to enhance speaker presentations. 

The goal of this class is to prepare students for success in typical public speaking situations and to provide them with the basic principles of organization and research skills needed for effective speeches.  Listening and critical thinking skills are emphasized.

"Because life in postmodern America requires coping skills from all of us, we should not overlook the role of speech in public settings. In fact, Americans today seem to have only two real alternatives in coping with the challenges of the era – better speech or sullen silence."* The goal of this course is the former.   *The Heritage of Rhetorical Theory, New York: McGraw Hill, 1997

“Communication is the most important skill in life.”  
~Stephen Covey


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Intermediate Speech Class:
This course is an intermediate level speech communication class which emphasizes the demonstrated ability to plan and present impromptu and prepared speeches, conduct research, synthesize the information, and present to targeted audiences.

Using the principles of rhetoric as a guiding lens, this course allows students to gain practical experience in speech composition, delivery, and critique. 

The practice in evaluating historical and famous speeches, as well as  those of their peers, is integral to this course. 

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson


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Advanced Speech Class:     
This course focuses on the social and pragmatic aspects of public speaking as a communicative system, strategies of rhetorical theory, and the presentation of diverse forms of public communication. An advanced level of thinking, commitment to excellence, and class input are required. Advanced levels of thinking include:
• the ability to apply communication principles in and out of classroom situations
• rhetorical analysis
• the ability to organize and arrange speech content in timed scenarios
• the on-going improvement in producing unique and compelling communication messages 

 This course prepares students for school and future career situations that necessitate organized, well reasoned, effective presentations that are analytical, and/or persuasive.  Constant improvement in presentation is expected. 

"In college and career, strong public speaking skills will set you apart ... and give you the ability to take on leadership roles."  
~Steve Bailey (BestColleges.com)



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These courses are beneficial in bolstering excellence in school settings. Learning, practicing, and honing speech skills provide a life-long advantage. It is important to begin early so that students gain confidence and expertise. 

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” ~Colossians