Grades 7-12
Fall 2023 Semester Classes
Please note, Classes and Schedule are Subject to Change

Learn the AMAZING art of Paper Quilling! Paper Quilling involves rolling narrow strips of paper to create exquisite designs. Quilling is a creative art that is super fun, easy to learn, and incredibly relaxing too. Once you get on a roll, you'll want to be quilling all the time. In this class we will be using different Quilling techniques to make wall art, cards, ornaments, etc.
Each student will need to purchase a starter kit. https://tinyurl.com/2p8wzwrm

Welcome to Mock Trial where we will spend 2-3 weeks learning about the court system (so it's fine if you never understood what "overturned" means). From there, we will have several rounds of short to medium length mock trials, some judged by individuals and some by juries. Every student will have a role for each trial and some will require preparation outside of class. This is a reprise of the Mock Trial class from Fall 2022, but open to new and returning students as the cases we study will be different from last fall.
***Students will need to practice or prepare their arguments for 1-2 hours between classes, depending on which role s/he is assigned. Students have the chance to choose roles. ***

Do you enjoy time with like-minded thespians? In this drama club, we will “shop” all the aisles of the theater to find new and improved theater skills. We’ll work on short skits, play acting games, and work through some improv scenarios. Maybe we’ll analyze and plan some set designs. We may even work on costuming or prop-making projects. Bring your ideas… and your funny bone!

Practice problem solving skills using Technic Legos in a competitive challenge with other students. Students will learn basics of gears, motors, and other engineering topics, including 3D Printing of some Lego components.

Bring your creativity and get ready to develop your fine art skills. Full description to come, check back soon.

This class is a creative space that will offer serious writers a chance to share what they have been working on with other students and provide support for problems they may encounter while writing their stories. It will be a continuation of previous StoryCraft classes, but new writers are welcome to join! This class is for students who ENJOYwriting and creating stories. They will be encouraged to spend a few hours each week working on a short story of their own design.

This class is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of playing chess. The student does not need any knowledge about chess. We will go slow, introducing a piece per week and practice playing a game using only those pieces as we learn them. Eventually we will play full chess games with all of the pieces and hopefully by the end of the co-op semester, the students will know how to play and be ready to play in the chess club, if they desire. This will be a combined class for grades 4-12.

We will read Jane Austen's novel Sense & Sensibility, as well as learning about Jane Austen herself and the life and culture of Regency England. We'll get to know a bit about the historical and cultural background of the work, and consider how Austen asks us to think deeply about the cultivation of personal virtue. Hopefully we'll have a good time doing it because Austen is so much fun to read! There may also be tea and scones. :)
Students will need access to a physical or virtual copy of the book and will need to complete reading at home each week.

Are you preparing to take a big test this year? Maybe you plan to do dual enrollment and need to take the Accuplacer or perhaps you’re ready for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Whatever test is in your future, this class will help you prepare! We will review important math and language arts materials while also learning valuable test taking strategies.

New or continuing students will be accepted with prior approval from the instructor. Traditional teaching: good posture, left hand position and bow hold, good intonation; correct rhythm; use of four fingers and four strings; use of low second finger; bowings: half or whole bows, legato, détaché, staccato, legato; use of bow division; meters: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4; simple dynamic contrast. Musical fundamentals will be taught and applied to playing of solos and ensembles.
Please:
1) Contact Ms. Amy Weckesser @ violinamy30@hotmail.com or 856-952-1737 BEFORE co-op starts to evaluate your child’s experience level, instrument, etc.
2) Have your instrument with you on the first day of co-op. Violin Rental (if needed) can be arranged through John Exley (856-304-7230) for $120/year (includes maintenance, strings, etc.).
3) Pay Lesson and Book Fees in full on the first day of co-op.
Lesson fee: $150/child.
Book fee (new students only): $20.00
These fees are payable directly to Amy Weckesser, NOT included in your co-op invoice.
NOTE:
If a student prefers private lessons, Amy will offer 30-minute lessons for $30/lesson

We will go through 10 of the basic chemistry class labs to qualify for a high school chemistry lab. Students should be in 9th-12th grade and currently taking or already have taken High School Chemistry. The labs will not require much math and will work independently of what they are learning at home. We will be using Focus on High School Chemistry Laboratory Workbook. You may purchase this on your own, or we will place a group order a month before Co-op begins and will reach out for orders. If you choose to use this curriculum as your full science curriculum, it is sold as a set. Here is the amazon link for the lab workbook, but you can find it in other places as well: https://a.co/d/hNYSIcz
Each week we will ask the students to write up the lab. This will be optional for students and up to the parent. For students who do the lab reports and would like feedback, we will have students hand in lab books at the beginning of co-op day and return them to the students at the end of the day. There may also be a little reading to do in preparation of certain classes to allow us to best use the time in the lab. Please reach out to me, rambo.meg@gmail.com with ANY questions about work outside of class.

Let's go to the movies! The medium of film has been used to tell stories for over a century. From silent films to our modern-day budgets of nearly $500 million, the world of movies has changed drastically through the years. One thing that has not changed is the audience's love for the films - we keep coming back for more! In this class, we will look at the top-grossing movies of each decade starting with the 1920s and working our way to the 2010s. Students will be required to watch at least one of the top-three movies in each decade from the list provided and be prepared to discuss in class. We will look at the films' themes, actors and actresses, and technology of the decade among other topics. We'll also discuss honorable mentions that we love, despite not making the top of the list. And of course, popcorn will be served!
Students will need to watch a minimum of one movie from each week's provided list. These can be watched well in advance (throughout the summer even). Viewing one or more of the movies will help students participate in class discussions.

This class will teach the alphabet, numbers, colors, and other basic signs so that the student can begin holding basic conversations in ASL.

Have you ever thought about becoming a real estate tycoon? Perhaps trans-continental travel is something that peaks your interest! What about world domination or being the commander of the seas? Thankfully though the power of board games anyone of us can do these things at any time. In this class we will provide the opportunity to participate in a large group game or take part in your own venture with classmates weekly (or longer if needed.) A variety of old and new games will be provided; however we welcome the introduction of your favorite game as a potential group adventure. In addition to board games, we will also facilitate card games where attention, strategy, and a good amount of luck will provide ample excitement. Are you up for the Adventure?
****Please feel free to bring in your own board games to share! Some weeks we break into a few different tables, and other times the entire class participates in one game together! It’s a great opportunity to build teamwork and unity! This is a fun opportunity to strengthen your strategic skills while building friendships together!****

Welcome to the tiny world of miniatures where we will explore the art of miniature handcrafting. In this class each student will be provided with a room box which we will furnish with handmade miniature creations. We will learn about scale, design, model making, and repurposing found objects. If you love tiny things and love craft and design, this class is for you. Come be a miniature maker and bring a tiny little world to life. Students will be asked to take some projects home to assemble and or bring in found objects to use in class. Students may also be asked to bring in some materials such as "found" and recycled objects to be used for building. This class will require the use of hot glue guns, exacto knives, a small hand saw, and possibly a few light power tools like a drill. **NOTE- this class is for students who are able to safely work with hot glue guns, tools, and follow directions. Please check with the teachers prior to registration if you have questions.**

This will be an organized time for students to practice chess skills and challenge peers. Chess will not be taught. Students will need to understand the basic rules of the game and moves of each chess piece. Students will need to bring a chess board and pieces to each class. This will be a combined class for grades 4-12.

Join us for some crocheting fun! This semester we will continue to build on skills learned last semester while we build friendships. Please note that students must be able to chain and single crochet. Students will need to bring their own hooks to class. This will be a combined Jr/Sr High and 4-6 grade class.

Do you enjoy making beautiful things while chatting with friends? In this class, students can begin or develop their counted cross-stitch abilities, building creativity and friendships at the same time! Students from 4th to 12 grade are welcome, whether you have lots of experience with cross-stitch or whether you are a total beginner. Experienced cross-stitchers may wish to bring their own projects along, but everyone is also welcome to work on teacher-planned projects including Christmas ornaments and other Christmas-themed designs. All supplies for teacher-planned projects will be provided, but students may wish to bring their own small scissors for cutting thread.

This class will consist of 10 labs that can be used to fulfill the lab component of a high school level Biology class. It is not a full Biology course; it is a supplement to any Biology curriculum that a student chooses to study at home. Labs will include microscope work and dissections.

As we venture into learning skills our ancestors used to have, we will explore a few different ways to preserve food as well as how to make some basic seasoning blends and basic home remedies. We will learn about and make some of our own tea blends and herbal teas. If we have time, we may touch on wild foraging. Learning these skills also comes in handy for making homemade gifts from the kitchen and gifts from the heart. There will be some simple projects to take home. There will be some handouts and emails sent out with links for further research and independent learning.

Students will build a board game from scratch, beginning with developing an idea and seeing it through to creation. Students should expect to be working on various elements of the board game each week (making the board, cards, story, rules, etc.) in order to have completed the game by the end of the semester.
Students will need to purchase a board game making kit as listed on amazon.com
**Note- students will need to purchase the base kit prior to the start of the semester.** https://tinyurl.com/4nh73jam

Students will play a variety of sports-oriented games to work on physical movement skills and... to have fun!

In this class we will investigate the science behind how a boat floats. We will start the semester doing projects and challenges relating to buoyancy and motion. We will craft and build boats (a simple boat, sailboat, and paddle boat) from a variety of materials. After we have gained some experience we will design and build more complex balsa wood/cardboard boat models. This class will be very hands-on and student led. It will be fun for anyone who enjoys designing, building and testing projects. ***Students will need to purchase a pack of balsa wood dowels (about $10 on Amazon, link will be provided); They will also need to bring a pair of heavy work gloves as we will be using a craft knife to cut materials***

In Senior Choir, we build on our sight-reading, intonation, and resonance skills by singing harder music than in Junior Choir. Students will be expected to practice music at home.Choir members are expected to practice their music every week. An email with their specific weekly assignment will go out every Monday. **Note: The Fall concert date is November 16

Although we will review basic Spanish vocabulary (colors, numbers, body parts, family, etc.), this class will focus on using the "Super Seven" verbs. These are some of the most commonly used verbs in Spanish. Students will learn how to describe people and things, express likes and dislikes, indicate whether or not they have something, explain where something is located, etc. using the present tense form of these verbs. Various games and activities will be used to practice and reinforce vocabulary. Each week will build on what we learned the previous weeks. Since we only meet on Fridays, students should spend some time each week reviewing unfamiliar vocabulary so they can be ready to participate in class.
Occasionally students will be given a short homework assignment. For example, they may be asked to write a brief description to use in a Guess Who or Pictionary type game the following week. Doing this at home will allow the kids more time to think about what they want to say and how to say it. These homework assignments shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes to complete.

This is a dedicated time for individual work. Please have students bring assignments. While electronics are discouraged, they may be used for schoolwork if necessary. However, students should not be spending this time on social media. Please communicate this expectation with your student.

Super Science students are at it again. This time we are doing some chemical detective work. This class is an excellent introduction to chemical analysis for students with no chemistry background. Students will follow simple flowcharts to separate mixtures, observe safe interactions between household substances, compare pH, and more. Students must bring a 3-ring folder or binder to class to keep their lab sheets organized. Part of this class was done in Fall 2021. If students do not complete the comprehension questions at the end of each experiment, they will be asked to complete them at home and return them to the teachers. Candy rewards ARE given for close, careful observations and reporting, because science is the best. :)