6-week Virtual Semester (REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED)

Our online classes take place via Zoom and use Google Classroom for assignments and additional learning resources. Classes begin February 3, 2022. Class dates are as follows: 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, and 3/10.

**CLASS IS FULL** Stories with Heart ($20)

(K-2nd) Thursdays 10:00am-11:00am, Taught by Shelly V.

In this course, we will read 6 engaging picture books during class—each with themes of kindness, embracing diversity, and friendship. We will follow our reading time with short videos, art projects, discussion, and activities related to the book. 

Students do not need their own copy of the stories, as the teacher will read them aloud in class.  No previous reading, writing or art skills required! 

Course materials:

1. For the first day of class only: We will do paint stamp art. Please bring blank paper, paint (any color), a paper plate or other flat surface for spreading out a layer of paint, and a kitchen sponge cut up into 2 or 4 parts (any shapes). We’ll be looking at a giraffe’s spot pattern as inspiration for this project.

2. All other weeks: Please bring blank paper and crayons (or markers) for coloring.

3. For some activities, there will be a coloring page or activity sheet that must be printed ahead of time. This will be posted in Google Classroom before class.

   *** If you do not have these supplies, they can be provided to you with enough notice!

Exploring Our World with Poetry  ($20)

(3rd-5th) Thursdays 11:15am-12:15pm, Taught by Amy R.

In this class, we will explore what poetry is, who writes it (and why), and how poems can help us process what’s happening in the world around us as both readers and writers. We will read poems that explore emotions, nature, place, and more. And, we will write our own poems using our five senses to guide us. Come ready to have fun, explore, and create!

Explain and Train your Brain ($20)

(6th-8th) Thursdays 12:30pm-1:30pm, Taught by Hannah H.

Do you ever wonder why we often struggle to do the tasks we know we need to do – sometimes even activities we really want to do? What determines our behavior and our preferences? What drives our strengths and our weaknesses? And is there anything we can do if we want to change things up a bit? 

In this class we will delve into what science can tell us about how our brains work, explore different models of personality and motivation, and then road test a variety of approaches and techniques for dealing with mental obstacles and achieving our goals. 

**CLASS IS FULL** Greek Mythology and the Pegasus Mythology Exam ($25)

(3rd-8th) Thursdays 1:45pm-2:45pm, Taught by Celia T.

Do you like myths and legends? Are you planning to register for the Pegasus National Mythology Exam? In this class we will play games, watch some videos, listen to some podcasts, review some Greek mythology, and prepare for the Pegasus Exam, which will be taken in the first few days of March. If you like mythology, but don't want to have your exam sent in and graded, that is fine too. We will focus on general mythology, Theseus and the Hero's Journey. Students will need access to a copy of d'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. All students registered for the class by 1/14, or who have let me know in advance, will be registered for the mythology exam, and the cost of the exam is included in this class. For more information, click here.

Visual Storytelling  ($20)

(7th-12th) Thursdays 3:00pm-4:00pm, Taught by Melissa R.

Have you ever heard the adage "a picture is worth a thousand words"? We will seek to identify a fraction of those words in this class. We will look to the professionals, study iconic images and the photographers who captured them and tell our own stories through photographs with weekly photo prompts. There will also be ample opportunities for creative writing inspired by the photography we study. Students will learn tips and tricks for creating successful compositions, experiment with photo style, and end the class as stronger photographers! All students need access to a basic digital camera, even if it's just borrowing an adult's phone. No fancy equipment is necessary, we will learn to make the most of the tools we have already.

Honors English Literature and Composition ($35 per semester) REGISTRATION CLOSED

(9th-12th) Mondays and Thursdays ONLINE 4:15pm-5:15pm, Taught by Melissa R. This class runs from 1/17/22- 4/28/22 and meets online via Zoom. Assignments are posted in Google Classroom.

English Literature and Composition is a continuation of a Fall semester class, though new students are welcome to join. For more info, email melissa@bluegrasshomeschool.com. This two-semester course will count as one honors credit unit for a high school transcript or a half a credit if you join for the second semester. The content is aimed at 11th-12th grade students. However, motivated and engaged 9th & 10th graders could also do well.

The class will focus on two overarching areas:  interpretation of complex texts (plays, short stories, and novels) and the technical aspects of the writer's craft. The texts for the course are selected for their broad themes and literary merit. Students will develop skills of expository, analytical, and argumentative writing through class assignments. 

Spring Semester Readings:

• Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison*

• The Awakening by Kate Chopin*

• 1984 by George Orwell*

• In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez*

• The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

• Supplemental short story selections

*Students will need to source copies of these books themselves. Short story selections will be provided via pdf in Google Classroom. 

Note: The literature covered in this class touches on mature themes of the human experience and it is recommended that parents review the booklist to be certain of comfort with the content before signing up for this class.