Course Highlights

High School Course Highlight: Multicultural Studies

Multicultural Studies is a one-semester elective history and sociology course that focuses on the United States as a nation of multicultural immigrants. Multicultural studies provides a complement to a student’s overall educational experience by encompassing a wide range of perspectives on the cultural experience in the United States. By exploring the varying identities and communities that form the United States, students will gain a better understanding of both other cultures and their own. Coursework in multicultural studies will provide students with the background and tools necessary for effective and responsible citizenship in our multicultural society. Major topics of the course will include an introduction to ethnic studies, migration and movement, oppression and power, and social movements and advocacy. Students will investigate how race, cultures, and ethnicity have contributed to their own personal experiences. Understanding those key focus areas will allow students to be more civically engaged, and active members of their society. UC-approved “g” credit

Middle School Course Highlight: Expert Engineers

This course is for middle school students who wish to challenge themselves weekly with at-home engineering projects. Each week, you will have the following requirements:

1. Gather the required materials and create a plan;
2. Discuss your plan with your classmates and facilitator through the weekly online Plan Discussion;
3. Execute the plan with as many trials as you feel necessary;
4. Analyze your trials and present your results to the class and facilitator via a formal Presentation Discussion
5. Participate in a Reflection Discussion, where you talk about how to do it differently next time.

Recommended for grades 6 and 7.

Lower School Course Highlight: Let’s Bake Up Some Sweet Fractions

This course covers all fraction concepts: simplifying fractions and mixed numbers, finding equivalent fractions, converting improper fractions and mixed numbers, comparing and ordering fractions, finding common denominators, and applying all four operations to fractions and mixed numbers.But it does so through BAKING!  Each week, you will have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned to at least one recipe. Whether you’re new to fractions, you need some review with fractions, or you just really want to bake, this course is for you! YUM! (In order to actually cook the recipes, you do need to be willing to buy the necessary ingredients.)

*Recommended for any learner grades 4-8 (extra fraction review)