Junior High Courses - Rising 7th-8th Grades

List of 10 items.

• Current Events and Communication Skills

  This course offers students opportunities to learn about the important issues facing both the United States and the global community through examination of a wide variety of news sources, interactive lessons, debates, and role-playing simulations.  Students will develop 21st Century skills including public speaking, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, negotiation, persuasion, technology competence, and leadership.  These skills will help students succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
  
  Class offered 8:00 am to 10:00 am or 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during Session 1.

• Fine Arts, Fun Arts Part 1

  Oh the things we will make.  In this course, students play with the idea of art and image.  Dabbling in art methods that span the centuries, students will see how different concepts across time can work together.  They will tell a story, sometimes without words, and learn the power of visuals, the importance of composition, and other art standards! Students will work with some 19c photo processes, collage, image transferring, book making, paper marbling and much much more.

  
  Class offered 8:00 am to 10:00 am during Session 1 and Session 2.

• Fine Arts, Fun Arts Part 2

  Making art that comes up off the page.  In this course, students will create a coherent message or idea through a finished art piece.  From bindings and paper   folds to alternative mediums, still and moving images, students will take some old school art and use today's technology to tell a story.  Using various techniques, cell phone cameras, and a collection of Adobe apps, students will explore the bridge between eras to tell a story.

  
  Class offered 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during Session 1 and Session 2.
  
  
  

   

• Java Programming Basics

  This course explores the basics of Java programming language.  Topics covered include: the basic elements of computer hardware and software, proper programming style, Java syntax for declaring classes and objects, using constants and variables, manipulating arithmetic expressions, creating algorithms, designing conditional and iterative control structures, object-oriented programming concepts and one- and two- dimensional arrays.
  
  

  Class offered 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during Session 1 and Session 2.

   

  
  
  

• Language Arts

  This course explores the English language, with an emphasis on the principles of grammar, sentence structure, effective paragraph development, essay writing, vocabulary building, and critical reading.
  
  Class offered 8:00 am to 10:00 am or 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during Session 1 and Session 2.

• Library Research

  Through a series of engaging activities, students will learn how to effectively search for information using a variety of online resources, as well as how to critically evaluate the sources they find. During the program, students will be introduced to key concepts in research, such as developing a research question, identifying relevant sources and using evidence to support their claims. Students will have the opportunity to work on a collaborative investigation into a topic, sharing their findings with their peers. By the end of this program, students will have a foundation in research skills that will be useful to them in high school and beyond. This program is ideal for students who are interested in exploring new topics, developing critical thinking, and gaining valuable research skills.
  
  Dates: TBD
  

• Mathematics

  This course explores mathematical concepts appropriate for junior high students, including fractions, percentages, decimals, word problems, and practical mathematical applications.
  
  Class offered 8:00 am to 10:00 am or 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during Session 1.

• Podcasting

  Podcasts have become enormously popular over the past decade.  This course will explore the podcasting phenomenon and its many different genres, from the celebrity interview to the scary horror story.  Students will produce short podcasts in three different formats: interview-style, documentary-style, and entertainment-style.  Students will engage with the full podcasting creative process, from brainstorming through writing, recording, editing, adding music and special effects, and sharing.
  
  Dates: Session 1; June 10 - June 28
  Class offered from 8:00 am to 10:00 am

• Science Excitement

  This lab-based course is designed for junior high students with an interest in science.  Using our state-of-the-art science labs, the course will explore a variety of scientific topics through experimentation.
  
  Class offered 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during Session 1 and Session 2.

• World War II and the Movies

  This course explores the history and pop culture of World War II and the movies from the 1930s to the present.  Students will explore a wide range of historical topics and films including Hollywood classics, newsreels, vintage cartoons, Holocaust films, combat films, and more recent blockbusters as they develop critical thinking, analysis, writing and presentation skills.  Fostering a creative exploration of the past, lessons and activities will encourage students to make connections between the fields of Social Studies, Fine Arts, and English.
  
  Dates: Session 1; June 10 - June 28
  Class offered from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm