The Learning Vine Homeschool Extension Program

Nature Explorers

2 year cycle
Grade K4 and K5

Instructor: Lisa Shafer

Young scientists will become first-rate detectives as they explore the wonder of God’s creation.  This class will engage little explorers at a level which will encourage learning though a fun, hands-on approach.  Students become science and season detectives as they journey each week through a series of nature topics to discover the fascinating world around them.  Games, crafts, activities, songs, poems, and puzzles will provide tons of in class fun and encourage further learning during the week.  At home, parents will enjoy at home learning through fun activities, walks, and explorations with their child. 

Creation Exploration

2 year cycle
Grades: 1st and 2nd

Pre-Requisites: None

Instructor: Karine Bauch

Over the course of two years, we will explore basic concepts covering God’s work in the six days of creation. A hands-on, artistic approach will be emphasized. Each student will create his own bound book on God’s creation from the many projects produced in this engaging class. Digging Deeper Book Bags will be sent home every other week for additional exploration and depth. These contain high quality nature and science books and a fun activity sheet to reinforce the concepts learned.

·         Year one: Earth, Sea, Sky and Plants (2010-2011)

·         Year two: Animals, and People (2011-2012)

Exploring Plants and Animals

Grades: 3rd and 4th

Pre-Requisites: Placement test for 2nd—4th grade reading level

Instructor: Sheila Broeker

In this fun, hands on class, students will be using their own creative abilities to go on a fantastic journey through God’s amazing kingdoms of life.  As students explore the world of plants, God’s hand will be revealed in the wonder of flowering plants, seeds, roots, stems, leaves, photosynthesis, flowers, fruits, ferns, mosses, algae, fungi, meat-eating plants, and more.   Through further exploration of the animal kingdom, students will come to appreciate the uniqueness of each creature God made.  The world of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, arthropods, mollusks, cnidarians, echinoderms, sponges, worms, protists, and monerans will amaze any young scholar who is part of this class. 

Exploring Astronomy and Geology

Grade:  5th and 6th

Pre-Requisites: Placement test for 4^th – 6^th grade reading level

Instructor: Christine McCormick

Through a wonderful journey of learning about our planet and universe, using a multi-sensory approach, young scholars will come to understand God’s spectacular creation.   Students will walk through the study of astronomy by looking closer at the famous scientists in this field—Galileo, Copernicus and Newton.  They will also study all the planets, the space programs, astronauts, stars, asteroids, comets, meteors, our sun, solar eclipses, solar energy, our moon and more.  Upon closer look at our amazing planet, Earth, students will explore the Genesis Flood, the search for Noah’s Ark, the Ice Age, glaciers, rocks, fossils, minerals, gems, plate tectonics, mountains, earthquakes, volcano types, geysers, soil, the Grand Canyon, and much more.  This fun study will captivate any young scientist. 

Introduction to Chemistry

Grade:  7th and 8th

Pre-Requisites: Placement test for 6^{t – 8th} grade reading level

Instructor: Gladys Hoover, RN

At this level, the young scientist starts to understand more about God’s amazing creation to set a foundation for the study o the physical sciences like chemistry and physics in high school.  In this fun and engaging class, students will explore the world of chemistry.  Through a hands-on approach, students will learn even more about the scientific method and developing a hypothesis through a series of experiments and in class activities.  Topic covered will be:  the metric system, mass vs. weight, conservation of mass, volume, density, buoyancy, states of matter, gas laws, atomic mass, molecules, water, air, mixtures, solutions, suspensions, solubility, concentration, food chemistry, additives, the periodic table, elements, hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, ionic bonding, covalent bonding, metallic bonding, mining, metal alloys, crystals, ceramics, chemical reactions and equations, catalysts, endothermic and exothermic reactions, chemical analysis, acids, bases, salts, batteries, biochemistry, perfumes, rubber,  and much more.  This course is a must for any young scholar planning to take chemistry in high school. 

Introduction to Physics

Grades: 7th and 8th

Pre-Requisites: Placement test for 6^{t – 8th} grade reading level

Instructor: Christine McCormick

This introduction to physics course takes young scientists on a journey through God’s amazing creation in the physical world.  It sets a fantastic foundation for the study of the higher level sciences in high school and college.  Through an engaging inquiry approach, students will come to understanding the amazing complexity of the world in which they live.   A deeper level of exploration into the scientific method will be encouraged.  Along with a study of many famous physicists throughout, other topics covered will be:  mechanical energy, chemical energy, nuclear energy, thermal energy, temperature, conduction, convection, radiation, solar and geothermal energy, electricity, lightening, circuits, magnetic materials and fields, electromagnetism, waves, electromagnetic spectrum, music and the behavior of sound, light, color, reflection, refraction, force, friction, work, power, momentum, machines, levers, wheels, gears, pulleys, kinematics, speed, velocity, acceleration, theory of relativity, laws of motion, gravity and much more.  Inventions of:  communication, transportation, military, modern conveniences such as refrigeration, medicine, media and entertainment will also be explored.

Biology – CANCELLED for 2011-2012

Grade:  High School

Pre-Requisites: Algebra I (or concurrent) and reading level placement test (9^th grade)

Instructor: TBA

Biology investigates the wonders of God’s living creation. Through an investigative introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology, students are prepared for more advanced studies to be encountered later in college.  While heavily emphasizing vocabulary, this course provides a strong background in the scientific method, five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection and ecosystems.  Learning is facilitated through lecture, discussion, observation, lab work, dissection, and class interaction.  Since this course is taught from a Christian perspective, students become well equipped to intelligently and scientifically approach the controversial issues surrounding creation vs. evolution.  Real life parallels throughout the course will bring biology to life.

Chemistry

Grade:  High School

Pre-Requisites:  Geometry (or concurrent) and reading level placement test (10^th grade)

Instructor: Chris Digweed

This interesting and engaging college-prep chemistry course takes students on a journey through the amazing study of matter.  Students will gain a broad introduction into this fascinating topic with a creative approach to problem-solving and investigation.  As the foundational properties behind elements, the periodic table, atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, nomenclature, material science, kinetic theory, solutions, equilibrium, thermochemistry, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry are studied in depth, an appreciation for the wonderful God we serve will be enhanced.   Classroom discussions, demonstrations, labs, experiments and activities will encourage students understanding of the scientific method, quantitative measures, qualitative measures, data analysis, observations and inquiry.  The history of chemistry along with career opportunities in chemistry will be an integral part of this fun and challenging course. 

Physics

Grade:  High School

Prerequisites:  Geometry (completion) and Algebra II/Trigonometry (or concurrent study) and/or placement test; completion of a high school Chemistry course

Instructor: Dr. Anil Macwan

This college-prep physics course is a must for any student planning on further study of the sciences or engineering.  It would also be very beneficial for any scholar planning on attending college for any subject.  Today, colleges want to see that students worked hard during their high school years and that they studied the most difficult topics available to them.   A high school physics course on a transcript could give a student a competitive edge for both college admissions and scholarship opportunities.  Students will explore physics concepts, including the mathematics necessary for a course at this level, in an interesting and understandable format.  Through the Apologia text, classroom discussions and activities, students will delve into this very relevant science from a creationist standpoint.  Topics include: Measurement and Units, Motion in One Dimension, Two-Dimension Motion, Newton’s Laws, Circular Motion, Work and Energy, Momentum, Periodic Motion, Waves and Optics, Electrostatics, Electrodynamics, Electrical Circuits, and Magnetism.  This amazing journey into the world of physics will encourage a deeper appreciation of the impact of physics in our lives.