Guide: Donna McMorris History/Social Studies Students participating in HLT Junior High Integrated Studies will investigate major world and US events that have shaped the modern world. Junior High Students alternate years studying the Medieval Times as well as Early American and World Geography with an alternate year on Government on election years. Students will be given key questions to research utilizing various resources such as living books and recorded lectures. Students will participate in a weekly Socratic style discussion covering research topics, current events, government and philosophy. Students will work together to develop projects to show their learning. The goal of this course is to provide students a safe environment to explore their interests and thoughts and use their new-found knowledge of history to make sense of the crazy times in which we are now living. Through the use of key questions and project-based learning students will begin to develop their personal world view.
Guide: Julie Riddle Language Arts 7,8 It is our heartfelt belief that good literature should be read and experienced for what it is; good literature. Student will be asked to read literature that coincides with their chosen history track. Students will be encouraged to relate lessons learned from their individual reading during group discussions. As young adults, it is imperative that students learn to express themselves through written communication. The Good and The Beautiful Language Arts will be utilized for basic instruction in composition while other Language Arts components such as IEW's Teaching Writing with Structure and Styleare used along with additional grammar reinforcement. Writing assignments will correspond to the student’s history and/or science studies. The year will begin with learning how to key word outline a short passage and progress through writing a 3 reference research paper as the final assignment.
Concentrated Studies STEaM I and STEaM II (Fall) LIFE Sciences (Spring) Guide: Julie Riddle
HLT has a fully functioning science lab on-site! The guide/instructor can better focus time on discussion of the topics and not have to be hurried or split time for labs. We believe that the more often a student can hear and think on material, the better they will be able to retain it. Having days between discussion and labs will benefit the academic success of the students. Students will be able to have more time to work on labs and projects outside of the scheduled class times.
STEAM I and STEAM II are alternated each year in the Fall so that your student can get a full cycle of STEM curriculum and projects to prepare them for STEAM III (Physical Science) in the 9th grade.
In order to give students variety, there is a switch to LIFE Sciences in the Spring covering varying topics like Animal Science, Geology, Basic Biology, Marine Biology, or Chemistry.
Junior High Math Guide: Donna McMorris Using The Good and The Beautiful Math, this class will bring concepts weekly which will be taught and practiced in class followed by homework to be done by or before the next time the class meets. Students will have access to the instructor to assist with understanding concepts, getting feedback, monitoring your student's progress and time-on-task. This enhanced learning support will allow students to work at their level and pace with an experienced teacher available to them. Students who are working on a different level will be able to work on their own during this time and have access to the instructor for assistance as needed.
High School Readiness J-Term We have found that there is a huge need for Junior High students to acquire important skills to be successful and ready for high school. This class time will cover such topics as study skills, public speaking, composition, typing, basic computer knowledge, social skills, self-confidence, leadership and more. J-Term will generally include an interesting topic such as Greek mythology.