EAGLEBROOK SUMMER SEMESTER 2014 COURSE OF STUDY To help us establish what our course offerings will be this summer, we ask that you read the following course selections and, in conversation with your child, decide which classes, in order of preference, you would most like your child to take. These courses are offered during the four main “morning block” periods and will constitute your child’s primary academic program. Additional tutorials in either basic or advanced skills can be arranged at a later date, and many of the art and recreational classes can be pursued in a more informal way at other times during the week, particularly on a weekend. We expect each student to take two classes from the academic group and two classes from the elective group. This will give the student a good balance of solid academic instruction and opportunities to explore creative outlets and new interests, some of which they might not be able to explore anywhere else. Because of the limitations created by the four period schedule and the number of teachers available, it is unlikely that we can accommodate alterations to the basic outline of this program. Additionally course offerings are subject to change if enrollment for a given class is limited. Obviously our main concern is to meet your child’s specific needs, so if you have concerns that you would like to see addressed, please feel free to contact us. All academic classes will assign limited homework (35-40 minutes per course) on a daily basis, and all students will be asked to participate in a regular reading program in addition to their classwork. On the accompanying form we ask that you number your choices 1 through 3 in order of preference for each block. We will do everything possible to place your child in his or her primary choices. Please keep this booklet for your own reference and feel free to call me at (413) 774-7411 if you have any questions. Michael Doubleday Director of Studies Academic Classes All classes in this section assign a limited amount of homework (approximately 35-40 minutes per class) on a daily basis that is to be completed during evening study hall. Please let us know if your child has any specific academic accommodations. English and Reading Writing Workshop - This class is designed for students who seek to strengthen and reinforce basic writing skills such as sentence and paragraph structure as well as grammar and usage. The workshop allows students a chance to strengthen their skills under the close guidance of their instructor. Creative Writing - This class is for students who have a good understanding of basic grammar and usage and who want to advance in other aspects of writing. This class is an excellent opportunity to practice writing personal essays, short stories, narratives and poetry. Each student is encouraged to be creative and to develop a personal style. Literature - In this course, students will be introduced to the basic skills of literary analysis. Students can expect to read works from several authors, both classics and some modern work. Students will examine literature and learn to use critical thinking skills to look beyond the literal meaning of the text. English Writing, Grammar and Vocabulary - This class is designed for non-native English speakers who need to work on the basic formal structure of writing, including using proper grammar and increasing vocabulary recognition and utilization. Writing for the SSAT - The Essay section on the SSAT measures your writing skill. In this course you will become familiar with the types of topics that you will be asked to write on, learn outlining strategies to help you organize your essay and learn the format for writing expository essays. Note: A writing sample will be taken on the first day of classes to assure appropriate placement. Languages Beginning French – This course covers introduction to the French language and culture. Study includes verbs and conjugation, vocabulary having to do with travel, family, houses, time and food. There is a reading and writing component. Advanced French – In this course you will learn to describe daily routine, recounting events in the past, making comparisons, giving commands, asking questions, discussing travel options. (OVER, PLEASE) Academic Classes (continued) Mathematics Arithmetic - This class will focus on developing the student’s basic computational skills and understanding of essential mathematical concepts. Attention to mastery of whole number operations will be given as well as an introduction or review (depending on the student’s background) of fractions, decimals and percents. Strategies for solving word problems will also be offered. Beginning Algebra - For students who will enter Algebra I in the fall. Basic algebraic concepts and applications are introduced. These include properties of equality, solving equations and inequalities, algebraic expressions and square roots. Algebra I - This class is for students who have taken Algebra I and who desire to enrich their backgrounds or to brush up on specific concepts that they may need to review. The fourweek course reviews a number of major concepts while gradually elevating the level of sophistication of the problems. Note: Students in all mathematics classes will take a placement test on the first day of classes to insure appropriate sectioning. Study Skills Academic Development – The Academic Development class is designed to support students learning through the instruction of basic study skills. The skills acquired help students navigate fundamental academic experience, and supports the emergence of independent learners. Organizational Skills – The Organizational Skills class is designed to develop and encourage each student’s own active role in their education. The goal of Organizational Skills is to help students identify and use strategies to systematically develop and carry out a plan to actively learn in an efficient manner. These skills are also essential for meeting responsibilities in a timely manner. English as a Second Language Introduction to ESL - A basic introduction to the English language, integrating the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking along with grammar and culture. Students will develop the skills they will need to function in an academic environment here in the United States. Advanced ESL - This course focuses on refining conversational skills and improving writing skills. Students in the high to intermediate range of English competency are eligible for this course of study. As above, the advanced course allows students to learn critical ways of thinking and interacting in American schools. Elective Classes (No homework) Introduction to Acting - Introduction to Acting is an energetic and fun class for students who want to work on stage and in front of the camera. Class time is spent playing theatre games, learning to project your voice, working on dance and other types of stage movement, and performing for live audiences or acting in movies. At times there is extra work to be done for this class in order to get ready for performances. Students who take this class should be comfortable speaking in front of people, trusting their scene partners, and performing in front of the entire school audience. Speaker Building - The speaker building elective will involve selecting a type of speaker system to build, building a cabinet to house it and installing components within the cabinet to create your masterpiece. There will be significant online time, book time in class, and possible some free time used in designing and constructing. You will also place an order for your components when your design is approved. Possibilities include building sub-woofers, ipod/computer speakers, or home theatre type speakers. Stained Glass - Stained Glass strives to teach students basic skills of the craft such as creative design planning, accurate glass cutting, copper foiling, and soldering procedures. Accuracy, attention to detail, color design and completion of one’s projects are also stressed. Chorus – Admit it, you like to sing. This course provides you an excellent opportunity to experience singing with a group. Painting and Printmaking - Students will learn a variety of introductory printmaking techniques, including woodcut, linoleum cuts, dry-point etching and mono printing. Gaining familiarity with the studio as well as learning to work from observation are key components of this course. Basic concepts of value, color, scale and composition are focal points, and students should expect to come away with a working knowledge of the tools and materials. Painting and Drawing - Learn how to paint and draw, this course is for all skill levels, beginners are welcome. Discover new ways to express yourself. We will spend time outside, painting and drawing from nature. On rainy days we will create images from our imaginations and unwind our minds in the colorful art studio. Introductory Group Piano – This course is for students with no prior piano experience. Students will be introduced to basic piano note reading and rhythms; technical skills will focus on fingering, sight reading and keyboard theory. No previous piano instruction required. Woodworking - Woodworking is a class to take if you like to work with your hands and power tools, and you think that you may enjoy developing functional pieces from wood. It’s fine if you don’t have any previous experience in a wood shop because you will have the opportunity to learn the basics and more. Or, if you have had some experience, you will have the chance to further develop your skills. Computer Webpage Design - This is a class designed to teach the beginner how to create his/her own webpage, learn the basics of HTML computer language, and to create the computer art that will enhance their page using Photoshop and other resources. No previous knowledge required. Each student will create a webpage and accompanying computer graphics by the end of the course. (OVER, PLEASE) Drawing – Learn how to draw, this course is for all skill levels, and beginners are welcome. Discover new ways to express yourself! Don’t be shy, you do not have to feel like you are “good at art” to try this class. Art is fun, and this class is geared toward teaching you how to feel comfortable with the materials and to create some artwork that you are proud of. Fly-Tying - This class will learn the art of fly-tying and the life cycle of local insects and fauna. Using a vice and assortment of tying materials, the students will build a stock of flies they can then use to fish in our own stocked Whipple Pond. Conditioning & Running for Fun - Get yourself ready for the Summer Olympics by taking advantage of our state of the art Fitness Center as well as miles of beautiful cross country trails. Let the Games Begin - What would summer be without Capture-the-Flag? Students will have the opportunity to play a variety of outdoor and indoor games to foster creative thinking, self-esteem, teamwork and, of course, to have fun! Dodge ball is a favorite activity every summer. Relax and Read - A relaxed reading adventure to help students develop the habit of reading. Public Speaking - Is it “I” or “me” when addressing the public? Clean up those ums and ahs by working on your public speaking skills. If you like to talk, this is the elective class for you. Practice your delivery in a safe setting and gain confidence as a public speaker. Environmental Exploration - This course will examine the ponds, streams, rocks, and forest surrounding our campus through a scientific lens. Besides learning about our environment itself, the class will also examine the complex relationship between human and the natural world. Tennis - The tennis elective consists of recreational play on Eaglebrook’s eight new hard surfaced courts, at the beginning and intermediate levels. Players must provide their own racquets. Cooking For Fun - In this class, students will learn the basic essentials of cooking, measurement, working with dry and wet ingredients, using kitchen tools such as mixers, measuring spoons, rolling pins and the oven. Students will learn to read and understand a recipe, create a recipe and enjoy eating the finished product! They will experience a wide variety of cultural cuisine, which will be a part of a class discussion when choosing a menu. Music Appreciation – The aim of this course is to introduce concepts that can contribute to a greater understanding and enjoyment of music. Organized chronologically, students will listen to and discuss the characteristics of a wide range of music from the Renaissance, Classical and 20th century period as well as jazz, musical theatre, film music, rock, and current popular music. Note: These elective offerings are preliminary and may change due to enrollment and faculty available.