Central Homeschool Academics
 

2024-2025 Class Descriptions

2024-2025 Class Descriptions

High School

  • Automotive: Students will start off by learning about the history of the automobile and the impact it had on America. We will then spend some time going through each major system in a car, Engine Repair/Performance, Automatic Transmission, Manual Transmission/Axles, Suspension & Steering, Brakes, Electrical Systems, and Heating and Air Conditioning. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to put their knowledge to use as we cover Basic Automotive Maintenance, Roadside Emergency Repairs, and Basic Dealership/Repair shop Operations.

  • Apologetics: Worldviews come in various forms, but are they equally logical, rational and truthful? Do all worldviews point to God or do some claim a way to God outside of what is true? In this class, your students will learn scripture to address the big questions that every worldview needs to answer, develop evaluation skills to think critically about various beliefs circulating in our culture, and begin to develop a strong Christian worldview on the truth of scripture and the firm foundation of the Gospel.

    Why is this important? It's important because many adult Christians find it difficult to articulate their beliefs in the midst of opposing worldviews. However, through Bible application, thoughtful discussions and cultural study, your students will develop confidence and compassion to hold fast to their faith (Heb. 10:23), be ready for an answer (1 Peter 3:15) and participate in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20) with courage, clarity and kindness.
  • Apologetics 2
    • Semester 1: Theology (The Nature of God, The Nature of the Trinity, The Nature of Man, The Nature of Christ, The Nature of Salvation and the Church)
    • Semester 2: Proof of the Resurrection - Why It is true and not a myth - OR- The Historicity of the Bible (How was it compiled? Why do we believe it is God breathed? Inerrancy, Infallibility and the Sovereignty of Scripture)

Completion of Apologetics 1 is a requirement for Apologetics 2 where they  will continue an in depth study of Apologetics 1. 

  • Communications 101: An Introduction to the World of Communications and the Arts:  Do you want to become a better communicator? This class will explore various aspects of communications - public speaking, marketing and advertising, graphic design, blogging and digital content, journalism and broadcasting, public relations and event planning. Students will use hands-on approaches by crafting their own messages while learning these aspects with real life examples and creative mock exercises to develop essential skills. Examples include creating measurable public relations campaigns targeting their peer students at Central Homeschool Academics, developing a how-to demonstration speech that will be presented in class and reviewed by class peers, creating and publishing a blog, crafting a newspaper with articles to distribute to students at our school, broadcasting announcements in news video format to release to our student body, and planning an end of year charitable event for our school to give back and celebrate our successes!

  • Horticulture: God saw that it was good to make life spring from a garden! Before God created man, He created plants. In this course, we will strive to understand the nature of what God created for us. Students will experience fun and informative ways to understand how plants grow, specifically plants that we regularly consume. The goal of this class is for students to master how to grow a garden. They will do this by acquiring a knowledge of the importance of soil, what plants are able to grow in our climate, and the seasonal nature of plants. Students will have hands-on experience in planting a garden bed, specifically cultivating a cool-season vegetable and herb garden. Through the observation of our garden, students will gain an appreciation of the journey from soil to seed to plant. They will learn simple ways to build biodiversity in soil, differentiate between plant families, apply horticultural vocabulary to gardening practices, and will easily identify exactly how their favorite foods grow.                                                               
  • US History: American History & Constitution fulfills a High School credit and invites students to not only learn history, but to examine it with a careful eye considering worldviews and understanding that God alone is sovereign over all of History.  Events never occur in a vacuum.  We will journey throughout history together as we make weekly stops on our timeline. Students will make timelines, create projects, write papers, and become excellent note-takers in their preferred note- taking method.

  • World History: World History fulfills a High School credit and invites students to not only learn history, but to examine it with a careful eye considering worldviews and understanding that God alone is sovereign over all of History. Events never occur in a vacuum. We will journey throughout history together as we make weekly stops on our timeline. Students will make timelines, create projects, write papers, and become excellent note-takers in their preferred note-taking method. 

Middle School

  • IEW Writing 6th-8th:  

    This class is intended for the student who has a solid grammar and writing foundation and is either
    comfortable with Institute of Excellence in Writing’s systematic methods or can pick up new materials easily.
    The pace will be steady seeking to transform the more reluctant writer and supercharge the most talented
    writer. Grammar, writing, vocab will be included during class time. Class will be upbeat and engaging.
    Grammar and writing HW will be apx 2+ hrs per week. Literature recommendations will be encouraged (not
    mandatory) and at times woven into class.
    Writing:
    Students will confidently work through IEW units 1– 9 as they learn to take notes, retell narrative stories,
    summarize references, write from pictures, compose creative stories, construct formal essays, and create a
    formal critique. Class will follow IEW’s EZ+1 method which introduces 1 new technique once the most recent
    technique has become EZ. The ultimate goal is understanding the presented skills, not 100% completion of the
    book. Includes vocabulary & literature recommendations. See Medieval History Based Writing Lessons Scope
    and Sequence.
    Grammar:
    Using Shurley English Level 6, students will solidify their grammar foundation. Fundamentals include 8 parts of
    speech, sentence patterns, usage, grammar rules, capitalization & punctuation.

    Please note: For success in this class, parents should be actively involved and are expected to check grammar
    HW and edit weekly writing assignments. I will offer feedback but not grades. Kindly consider if this class would
    be a suitable fit for your family.                                                                        

    Required Materials:
    1. Medieval History Based Writing Lessons [Teacher/Student Combo] $55
    ISBN: 
    978-1-62341-312-5
    Edition/Printing: 
    Fifth Edition, Jan 2019
    Copyright Date: 
    2019
    2. Shurley English Level 6 Student Workbook (Christian Book Distributor $11.50)
    ISBN: 1585610291
    ISBN-13: 9781585610297

    Optional Materials:
    Shurley English Level 6 Teacher Manual (Purchase used at The Homeschool Room, etc)
    ISBN: 1585610283
    ISBN-13: 9781585610280
    CBD offers a “kit” containing the Teacher Manual AND Student Workbook (CBD $67)

    Recommended Reading:
    1. Around the World in 80 Days- Jules Verne
    (assigned Sept 3- Oct 8)
    2. The Bronze Bow- Elizabeth Speare
    (assigned Oct 8- Nov 12)
    3. Otto of the Silver Hand- Howard Pyle
    (assigned Nov 12- Dec 10)
    4. Door in the Wall- Marguerite de Angeli (easier) AND/OR The King’s Shadow- Elizabeth Alder (more difficult)
    (assigned Jan 7- Feb 11)
    5. Adam of the Road- Elizabeth Gray (easier) AND/OR The Hobbit- J.R.R. Tolken (more difficult)
    (assigned Feb 11- Mar 18)
    6. Crispin: The Cross of Lead- Avi (easier) AND/OR The Kite Rider- Geraldine McCaughrean (more difficult)
    (assigned Mar 18- Apr 22)
    7. The Shakespeare Stealer- Gary Blackwood
    (assigned Apr 22- May 13)

  • Art 6th-8th:  Students will be exploring artists and their techniques through different periods of art history, as well as trying out those techniques and styles for themselves. Over the course of the class, students will create an art profile that showcases the styles and inspirations of artists throughout history as well as their own unique touches and styles. These profiles will be able to be presented at an art show at the conclusion of the semester. 

  • Creative Writing and Graphic Design through Illustrations: Using creative writing prompts, students will develop a storyline of their own to use as a framework for designing digital illustrations. This class will cover basic graphic design essentials related to illustration and typography. Note: a laptop will be required in class for all students. At the end of the class, students will have the option to self publish their stories and illustrations into professionally printed bound books. 

  • Health and Anatomy: Using Inside the Human Body by Carla Mooney, students will peel back the layers to take a look inside the human body and learn basic anatomy—bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs. We also explore the body’s physiology and how its organs work together to allow us to function and survive.

    We will spend 2-3 weeks in each body system learning deeply about how God's designed each one. We will also incorporate health and wellness along the way, including CPR during our study of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and first aid basics across several systems. We will also cover topics like exercise, skin care, nutrition, and disease prevention.

  • Horticulture: God saw that it was good to make life spring from a garden! Before God created man, He created plants. In this course, we will strive to understand the nature of what God created for us. Students will experience fun and informative ways to understand how plants grow, specifically plants that we regularly consume. The goal of this class is for students to master how to grow a garden. They will do this by acquiring a knowledge of the importance of soil, what plants are able to grow in our climate, and the seasonal nature of plants. Students will have hands-on experience in planting a garden bed, specifically cultivating a cool-season vegetable and herb garden. Through the observation of our garden, students will gain an appreciation of the journey from soil to seed to plant. They will learn simple ways to build biodiversity in soil, differentiate between plant families, apply horticultural vocabulary to gardening practices, and will easily identify exactly how their favorite foods grow.                                                              
  • Medieval History:  Our class will cover World History from the ascension of Jesus Christ (AD 33) to the invention of the printing press (1456).  We will blend the history of the early church with worldwide events of the Middle Ages- on one meaningful timeline.  We will be historically accurate and chronological as we trace cause and effect, relevance, and the timeline significance of world history.  We plan to have fun making timelines, and documenting history events in our own special ways.  Prepare to be on an adventure through the Medieval times!  (We may even get to joust with pool noodles).   We will be using Mystery of History Vol II:  The Early Church and the Middle Ages
    .
  • STEAM:  STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. This course will focus on components of all of the above by using hands-on learning to strengthen practical abilities while fostering creativity and imagination. Each week we will focus on the different aspects of STEAM with fun and engaging projects and learn how they work together to improve collaboration, creative problem solving, and critical thinking skills.                                                                                                                
  • Walking Through the Bible: Students will journey through the entire Bible as we learn how to become Biblical storytellers through scripture, study prayers and the Psalms, dive into an in-depth look at Revelation and the end times, and learn to see the Bible through a chronological view of history.  

Elementary

  • Arts and Crafts 2nd-3rd:  Here is a list of the supplies your child will need for Arts & Crafts this year. We are so excited and can't wait for a fun year of learning and creativity!

    Basic Supplies Needed:
    Childs ScissorsGlue Stick(s)
    Pencil
    Markers
    Crayons
    Colored Pencils
    Watercolor Paint
    Watercolor Paper
    Painting Smock or Old T-Shirt to wear when painting so their clothes don't get messy
    *Optional: Pencil Box or Pouch to keep their supplies in

  • Art 4th-5th:  Students will be learning more about the movements of art history, and get the opportunity to try out those styles and movements in their own projects. Over the course of the class, students will create an art profile showcasing the many ways art has changed throughout time featuring their own unique touches. These profiles will be able to be presented at an art show at the conclusion of the semester. 

  • Crazy 8’s: Crazy 8s is a math club unlike any other! It offers unique, high-energy math activities that appeal to kids of all math abilities. This is not in instructional class, rather it is a math club that reviews and strengthens math skills in a fun, low-pressure way!

  • Foundations 1 (7 & 8 yr olds): Description:

    Foundations is a morning of learning and fun! Students will read books, learn about specific time periods in history, do some light grammar and writing work, and do seasonal activities. In addition, students will have a robust health and human body science lesson and participate in fun math games. Please note that a full grammar and writing program at home may be desired. In addition, a full math program at home is necessary.

    With My Father's World World Changers, see how God has moved throughout history as you learn about 32 everyday people who changed the world by using their God-given gifts and talents. Learn about musicians, artists, a baseball player, a businessman, and others — combined with a quick overview of World History.

    Materials required:

  • World Changers Student Sheets: https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/92303/
  • Little Miriam of Galilee: https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/03801/
  • Pencils
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Colored pencils
  • Crayons

  • Additional reading books will be required as the year progresses. You will have time to order or borrow from your library before they are needed. Many supplies are included, but you may be asked to send in household supplies from time to time.

  • Foundations 2 (9 & 10 yr olds):

    Travel back to the time of the Romans and learn how they set the stage with their
    Pax Romana for the central event of all history — the birth of Jesus.

    Gain a New Testament overview with a special focus on the books of Luke,
    Philippians, and 1 John.

    View Roman civilization, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation
    in the context of Christ and the early church.

    History/ Bible Books
    My Father’s World Rome to Reformation student sheets
    https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/95303/
    Augustus Caesar’s World
    https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/13701/
    The Roman Empire
    https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/13700/
    The Story of the World: Vol. 1
    https://www.christianbook.com/softcover-volume-1-ancient-story-world/susan-
    bauer/9781933339009/pd/339004?event=Homeschool|1004797
    The Story of the World: Vol. 2
    https://www.christianbook.com/softcover-vol-2-middle-story-world/susan-
    bauer/9781933339092/pd/339092?event=CPOF
    Usborne World History from Ancient to Modern Times
    https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/12704/World-History-from-Ancient-to/
    DK Illustrated Family Bible (Optional, but recommended)
    Used - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/dk-illustrated-family-bible_peter-dennis_claude-
    bernard-costecalde/261550/#edition=2441577&idiq=3910502

    Streams of Civilization – (optional for history – geared more toward 5-8 grade)
    https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/12700/Streams-of-Civilization-/

    Supplies:
    Notebook or composition book for writing
    Binder for student sheets