Humanities Block

Students in the Humanities block are encouraged, but not required to take both the history and English component. By dividing our classes into two year grade spans, we are offering the block to 5th graders this year. Classes in our humanities block will be divided into 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th, and 9th & 10th.

Middle School Humanities

Senior High Humanities

Middle School Humanities

Circling the Globe with Ancient Civilizations Kathy White

Appropriate for grades 5 - 6

Course Description: The objective of this course is to introduce 5th and 6th grade students to the Middle School Humanities Block history component in a manageable way. Students will travel the globe as they discover ancient civilizations on every continent. This course will start off with an overview of archeology. Groundwork will also be laid as we contrast creationism verses evolution. Geography will play a vital part in understanding each culture as we circle the globe. In addition, students will learn what people in the Bible lived during the time periods we are studying. Sumer and other Mesopotamian civilizations, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, ancient China, Aborigines in Australia, the Mayan Indians and other tribes of North and South America will all be a part of this study. Course content will be similar to the 7th & 8th grade class, but emphasis for 5th and 6th grades will be on developing organizational and study skills.

Special Materials: TBA - will not exceed $50.00

Meets Mondays & Thursdays 11:00 - 12:00 Class Size: 8-15

Course fee for the year: $370.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

Literature and Writing from Around the World - 5th & 6th TBA

Appropriate for grades 5 - 6.

Course Description: The objective of this course is to introduce 5th and 6th grade students to the Middle School Humanities Block English component in a manageable way. The writing process will be a major emphasis of this course. Writing and literature assignments will correlate with the time period and culture of the 5th and 6th grade Ancient Civilizations class. A love of reading and writing are the desired result! A grammar and vocabulary component will be suggested as at-home course work to round out a complete English curriculum for 5th and 6th graders.

Special Materials: Write Source 2000

Novels and literature text TBA - will not exceed $50.00

Copy Fee TBA

Meets Mondays and Thursdays from 1:30 - 2:30 Class Size: 8-15

Course fee for the year: $370.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

• Parent Role for humanities block 5th & 6th grade classes: Private Tutor: Teachers will provide parents with a syllabus and updated information on material being covered each class period. Parents are expected to check homework assignments, and help with any preparation or review needed for their child’s next class. It is the parent’s role to set up a time management schedule with their child to ensure successful completion of each assignment. In addition, some of the tests for these classes will be taken at home under parent supervision. Grammar and vocabulary work will be also be the parents’ responsibility, as the English section of this course is primarily a writing course, with a literature component. Parents bear the responsibility for ensuring that their child comes prepared for class.

Circling the Globe with Ancient Civilizations Kathy White

Appropriate for grades 7 - 8

Course Description: Students will travel the globe as they discover ancient civilizations on every continent. This course will start off with an overview of archeology. Groundwork will also be laid as we contrast creation verses evolution. Geography will play a vital part in understanding each culture as we circle the globe. In addition, students will learn what people in the Bible lived during the time periods we are studying. Sumer and other Mesopotamian civilizations, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, ancient China, Aborigines in Australia, the Mayan Indians and other tribes of North and South America will all be a part of this study. 7th & 8th grade students will concentrate on critical thinking skills and discussions while covering the same basic material as the 5th and 6th graders.

Special Materials: TBA - will not exceed $50.00

Meets Mondays & Thursdays 1:00 - 2:10 Class Size: 8-15

Course fee for the year: $460.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

Literature and Writing from Around the World - 7th & 8th TBA

Appropriate for grades 7 - 8. Prerequisite: New students to Westminster must submit a writing sample for admission into this class.

Course Description: This course will connect the writing process to the literature and history of ancient civilizations. Students will read and explore literature from around the world and will be assigned writing projects to correspond with each topic. Projects will include one or more research papers. Grammar instruction will be overviewed as well. Additional grammar, and a vocabulary program will be suggested for at-home course work to round out a complete English curriculum for 7th and 8th graders.

Special Materials: Write Source 2000

Novels and literature text TBA - will not exceed $50.00

Copy Fee TBA

Meets Mondays and Thursdays from 2:15 - 3:30 Class Size: 8-15

Course fee for the year: $460.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

• Parent Role for 7th & 8th grade Humanities Block classes: Educational Supervisor: Teachers will provide parents with a syllabus and updated information on material being covered each class period. Parents will guide their children by assuming the role of supervisor: setting up a study schedule with their child, checking to be sure that assignments are completed, helping them to understand difficult material, and by helping with time management for successful completion of long term assignments. In addition, some of the tests for these classes will be taken at home under parent supervision. Additional grammar and a complete vocabulary program will be suggested, requiring parental responsibility and supervision. Parents bear the responsibility for ensuring that their child comes prepared for class.

Senior High Humanities

World History TBA

Appropriate for grades 9 - 10.

Course Description: This course will provide a broad overview of the history of the world, with an emphasis on middle and modern history. The history of western civilizations, as well as other parts of the word, including Asia and Africa will be presented. Critical thinking skills will be developed through assignments and class discussions.

Special Materials: Text TBA - will not exceed $50.00

Meets Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-2:00 Class Size: 8-15

Course fee for the year: $370.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

World Literature, Writing & Grammar TBA

Appropriate for grades 9 - 10writing sample for admission into this class.. Prerequisite: New students to Westminster must submit a

Course Description: This class will emphasize the writing process, grammar and vocabulary. A desire to lay the foundation for advanced writing and vocabulary enhancement in preparation for SAT’s will be the priority of this class. Critical analysis of literature from civilizations around the world coordinating with the World History class will be included as well.

Meets Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:30 Class Size: 8-15

Course fee for the year: $550.00 ($5.75 per instructional hour)

• Parent Role for 9th & 10th grade Humanities Block classes: Educational Supervisor: Teachers will provide parents with a syllabus and updated information on material being covered each class period. Parents will guide their children by assuming the role of supervisor: setting up a study schedule with their child, checking to be sure that assignments are completed, helping them to understand difficult material, and by helping with time management for successful completion of long term assignments. In addition, some of the tests for these classes will be taken at home under parent supervision. Parents bear the responsibility for ensuring that their child comes prepared for class.

Additional Senior High History

Government TBA

Appropriate for grades 11 - 12.

Course Description: This course will investigate both the theories and the institutions which have had a profound impact on the social and cultural structures of the West, as well as contrasting other forms of government with our form of republican democracy. Students taking this class will receive a full course in United States Government.

• Parent Role: Educational Counselor: Here parents have the opportunity to monitor the independent school work performed by their children while it is still possible for them to provide additional guidance if needed. The responsibility for time management, preparation for class and academic success falls on the student.

Class time will be arranged with student’s and instructor’s schedule Class size: 7-15

Course fee for the year to be determined by number of days scheduled