Class Descriptions

Ms. Bryna Cannon

The fabric of America is made up of ordinary people who became heroes by doing extraordinary things along their journey through life. This class will focus on American heroes such as Ben Franklin, John Adams, Lewis & Clark, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Goodnight, The Wright Brothers, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham, and others. Students will be inspired by the qualities and achievements of America's finest men and women as hands-on activities, stories and more will bring each of these American heroes to life!

Amazing Anatomy (Grades K-7)

Mrs. Shelia Lowry

Join us as we see God's creation in a whole new way through Amazing Anatomy, patriotically known as the Amazing U.S.A. - Ultimate Sensational Anatomy. Students will journey through the human body and be amazed at its complexity and the magnificence of God's design. This course examines the basic concepts of structure and function of the human body, in addition to covering the senses, systems, and more. You won't need a road map to discover the wonders of this Amazing U.S.A. - just take a look inside!

Amazing Art of the Americas (Grades K-7)

Ms. Laura Miller

Students will be introduced to the lives and art of great American artists, and discover the method and spirit in which art is made. Using the ideas and methods of these famous artists as a springboard, students will create their own unique works of art as they study artists such as Benjamin West, Matthew Brady, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Louis Tiffany, Grandma Moses, Charles Russell, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ansell Adams, Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Kinkade, and, of course, Walt Disney!

America's Favorite Sports (Grades K-7)

Coach Tim Werner

Americans, past and present, love to play - especially the favorite sports and games of America. In this course students will learn the fundamental skills, rules, and strategies of several advanced team sports.  Students will be introduced to the American version of basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, and, of course, baseball.  Students will be tested on skills improvement and knowledge of rules and strategies while developing sportsmanship and team work.

American Girls (Grades K-7)

Mrs. Lisa Shuck

Even though these patriots may seem pint-size, their stories are larger than life. Girls are encouraged to learn more about those amazing American Girls in this class. Using the historical fiction stories from American Girls - Felicity, Kaya, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit, Molly, and more will encourage students to look at American History and literature in a whole new way. Hands on activities, crafts, games, and a drama production or two will enhance the learning objectives for this class. Weekly reading assignments are also required for this class.

Coming to America (Grades 4-7)

Mrs. Dana Bergman

Ellis Island was the gateway to the American dream for many immigrants. Join us as we travel the globe and back to the port of Ellis Island and learn more about the lives, the culture, and the countries of the immigrants who joined the “Peopling of America.” In this comprehensive unit study, students will learn about outstanding American patriots with roots to Ellis Island and the countries of their heritage such as England, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Russia, Syria, and more. Each country profiled will include information on geography, maps, flag, history, current ruler, population, religion, and economy, as well as missionary efforts of today. A cumulative class project will include a simulation of the Ellis Island immigration experience for parents and other HOUSE students.

Edison's Lab (Grades K-7)

TBD

Imagine if our days ended at sunset. Or can you imagine our lives without music, movies, or radio? Step into the laboratory of the famous American inventor Thomas Edison and learn more about the man who coined the phrase, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration!" With over 1093 patented inventions, Edison was a modern marvel. So what are some of his inventions? What were his most famous? His most disastrous? Students will answer these questions and many more in this hands-on physical science class. Activities are designed as weekly discovery experiments that students can perform in small groups. Opportunities abound for students to work together and become a "mucker" in Edison's Lab!

Folk Tales and Music of the USA (Grades K-3)

Mrs. Dana Bergman

It is said that the story of America can be told in folk tales and in song. This class will introduce students to the wonderful tales and songs of old - along with incorporating crafts and hands-on learning fun. Students will learn folk tales about Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Annie Oakley, and more. Regional folk music and games will give students an opportunity to sing and play like the children of yesterday. Students will learn about major historical events, figures and symbols relating to the USA and why these are important to Americans.

Hail to the Chief (Grades K-7)

Mrs. Lori Miller

In 1789, George Washington did something that no man had ever done before...he took the oath of office to become the first president of the United States of America. Since George Washington's time, more than forty men have served in our nation's highest office. Each president has his own stories about life before, during, and after the White House. And each president adds something to our nation's story. This class will explore the remarkable lives of America's Presidents, their first ladies, the first children and, of course, the famous first pets!

Liberty Speakers - Conversation With Character (Grades K-7)

Mrs. Elisabeth Graeser

The Founding Fathers were great orators - they knew how to speak and they knew what to say. Conversation is becoming a lost art in today's culture. This class is designed to train students to be an ambassador - to cultivate conversations with character - bringing honor to their parents and to God as well as to learn to communicate through American Sign Language.

Using weekly lessons which focus on exercising good conversation and changing or improving communication habits, students will also compile a notebook of "Quotes with Character" to add to their reservoir of wisdom, as well as adding confidence in knowing what to say and when or what not to say! Students will also focus on the basic elements of American Sign Language - the alphabet, basic grammar, the history of the deaf community, and commonly used words for communication as well as patriotic songs and pledges in order to effectively communicate with signs and with words."

"May our words (conversations) be like honey" - patient in the process, and yet with sweet results!

Made in America (Grades K-7)

Mrs. Jayci McKinney

Join us for the ride of your life as we journey through time to discover just how things work here in America. Before we step into the great wide open, we will learn that many things we use every day were invented right here in the United States. We'll learn that before Mickey Mouse, there was another computer mouse that helped us get animated. Creating our own musical instruments will help us understand how Ben Franklin invented more than just the lightening rod. We will formulate our own 23 flavors as we produce our new and improved Dr. Pepper. We will discover that potato chips were an accident and create many tasty "accidents" of our own. We will appreciate modern conveniences and find out what life was like before refrigeration, crayons, drinking straws, and even toilet paper (ouch)! Before we find our way back to the 21st century, we might even try some old time photography and printing. All along the way, we will use David Macaulay's book, The Way Things Work, document our experiences through our Time Travel Log, and write down what we have learned. Our group projects and hands-on learning will keep us busy writing, creating, experimenting, and tasting so many incredible things that were Made in America!

Meet the Authors (Grades K-7)

Mrs. Jahna Nair

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Come join us as we meet amazing American authors: some who preserved distinct eras with their stories and others whose stories have contributed to the culture of our country. Reading and learning about American literature is critical to understanding the history and culture of our nation. In this comprehensive reading/writing class, students will study American authors and their greatest works. Authors such as Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Esther Forbes, Elizabeth George Speare, L. Frank Baum, E. B. White, Virginia Lee Burton, Scott O'Dell, Dr. Seuss, Beverly Cleary, Katherine Patterson, Kate DeCamillo, Jan Brett, and more will be introduced with weekly hands-on activities as well as writing assignments to enhance the written word.