Class descriptions

k-2

Bookshelf: Language Arts

Bookshelf is designed for early readers and writers, and will present outstanding classic reading experiences for young children. Students will be challenged to develop a lifelong love of reading and writing through exposure to a variety of children’s literature. Bookshelf students will respond to the literature by participating in activities designed to encourage skill development that is crucial to competence across the curriculum and improving academic success. Poetry, picture, modern fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, biographies, and informational books will be utilized. Students will be encouraged to view literature as an “open door” to the world around them.

Art: Through the Pages

This class focuses on artistic illustrations used in award-winning children’s literature. Each week students see how artists use various styles and techniques to convey meaning and feelings through illustrations. Students explore the elements of art such as line, color, and texture used within the books and create a piece of related work in the artist’s style. This class focuses on basic art production skills such as cutting, pasting, painting techniques, tracing, recognizing geometric shapes, using basic color theory, and much more.

Clubhouse: Language Arts

Clubhouse students study children's literature using hands-on, developmentally appropriate lessons. Students respond to literature by participating in author studies, reading circles, class discussions, and giving presentations. Class time focuses on learning the mechanics of writing, creating responses to writing prompts, journaling, reviewing works written by peers, and learning how to use critical thinking strategies through higher level activities. Students will have tiered writing assignments based on the novels that are studied, in addition to assignments which will reinforce the skills that are taught during class. Students will be given the opportunity to begin and/or maintain a writing portfolio.

Speaking of art: primary

Upper elementary students will recite a quote from a famous artist, study their work, and discuss the artist’s style. Afterward, they will create related artwork inspired by what they’ve learned. Artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Cézanne will be featured. Discussions will explore art periods like impressionism, cubism, and realism, as well as techniques and principles such as line, color, form, and balance. Students will work with various media, including crayons, paint, collage, and fibers, to create two- and three-dimensional pieces. In class, they will use art journals to record quotes, take notes on the artists' lives, and practice composition sketches. Each week, students will complete a journal assignment at home and have the chance to share their creations with the class.

middle school: Language Arts

Students in middle school language arts read and annotate novels as well as short story and poetry selections to identify literary devices, complete written vocabulary exercises and grammar study, compose a variety of written pieces to put into their writing portfolios, including personal narratives, reflective journaling, essays using MLA style of source citation, and use music, art, and the Internet to make connections and enhance their understanding of their assigned reading.

speaking of art: Intermediate

Middle school students will recite a quote from a famous artist, study their work, and discuss the artist’s style. They will create related artwork after exploring artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Cézanne. Lessons will include art periods like impressionism, cubism, and realism, as well as techniques and principles such as line, color, and balance. Students will use various media, including crayons, markers, paint, and fibers, to create two- and three-dimensional projects. Art journals will be used for recording quotes, taking notes, practicing sketches, and completing weekly home assignments.

English literature and composition

In this class, high school students engage in in-depth reading and annotation of novels, short stories, and poetry to identify literary devices. They also practice vocabulary exercises, study grammar, and compose various written works, such as personal narratives, reflective journaling, and MLA-formatted essays, to include in their writing portfolios. The works studied include A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. Upon completion of the course, students will have earned one full credit of English toward their transcript requirements

essential questions In art

This class introduces students to the artistic elements and principles which are the building blocks of art. Elements of design are parts that structure the work, while principles of design are the concepts that affect content and message. Instruction will include discussions about hue, intensity, value, shape, form, texture, space, emphasis, balance, rhythm, pattern, unity, proportion, and variety. Students will be assigned one artist per week and then will complete a tiered art web/mapping diagram. Study of the artists will align with elements and principles that are seen in specific works. This class will include a class lecture, discussion, and studio time. Students will record information in an art journal and will also respond to “analyzing art” prompts along with tiered homework assignments. Mediums include watercolor, charcoal, mixed media, and many others. Upon completion of this class, the student will have fulfilled transcript requirements for one full credit in visual arts.

BJU Physics (11-12)

Investigate the world of physics with units that feature information on classical Newtonian mechanics, the concepts of thermodynamics and matter, electricity and magnetism, the physics of light and optics, quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics. Chapter openers will immediately hold students attention with special introductions that feature real-world problems or data needed for actual exercises. Within each chapter, important terms are bolded; full-color illustrations and photographs bring additional light to difficult concepts; sidebars feature interesting stories, facts, or objectives; and section reviews provide practice for the chapter review. Throughout, exercises note how science is the best way to understand and exercise dominion over God's creation.

Note: The well-prepared student should have completed at least two years of algebra and one year of geometry instruction. Necessary math skills are gradually introduced in a scaffold fashion and are reinforced with numerous examples.

Walk Through America: Traversing Our Great Nation

Young students will traverse their way through the United States of America while learning through songs, games, stories, activities, and crafts. This active class will teach about the fifty states, national landmarks, symbols, special Americans, map reading, patriotism, US geography, and more. Pack your bags as our travels will take us to many incredible sites including: Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial, Grand Canyon, Redwood Forest and more.

Mystery Science: primary

Mystery Science will include a variety of hands-on activities called “mysteries” along with oral discussion and peer interactions that will engage young science students. Students will think through scientific concepts, learn practical applications, and begin to apply the scientific method. The focus of this class is on inquiry-based learning, where students are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and test their ideas through hands-on activities. Topics to include: earth science, physical science, life sciences and more.

3-5

Touring the Bluegrass: Kentucky History

This class is a complete course in Kentucky state history and will include many armchair travels around beautiful Bluegrass sites filled with adventure. Students will develop important skills including comprehension of geography, weather, government, state symbols, industry, agriculture and more.

Mystery Science: intermediate

Mystery Science-Intermediate will include a variety of hands-on activities called “mysteries” along with oral discussion and peer interactions that will engage young science students. Students will think through scientific concepts, learn practical applications, and begin to apply the scientific method. The focus of this class is on inquiry-based learning, where students are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and test their ideas through hands-on activities. Topics to include: earth science, physical science, life sciences and more.

6-8

personal finance and economics

This middle school class blends Biblical principles with lessons on stewardship, money, planning, and careers. Students will complete practical exercises in a workbook, including managing checking accounts and basic banking. They will apply their skills by creating a mini-economy and participating in a mock stock market game. Lessons cover key topics like money management, Biblical tithing, saving for future goals, and making wise financial decisions. Students will also learn to pay fair prices, avoid misleading ads, and prepare for a successful financial future. The course equips students with skills for financial success and responsibility.

Apologia general science lab

This middle school course provides a rigorous foundation in general science, preparing students for high school science studies. It introduces topics like the scientific method, geology, biology, anatomy, and more, offering a broad scientific overview. Hands-on experiments give students practical experience while exploring scientific principles. The course presents topics from a creationist perspective, emphasizing God’s role in the natural world. Students will complete weekly textbook readings, with optional module tests administered by parents and required lab reports completed at home. It can be taken in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade with no prerequisites.

9-12

Defending your Faith: apologetics

Defending Your Faith-Apologetics will help your students understand and gracefully defend their beliefs, examine arguments from skeptics, atheists and those of other faiths, and become familiar with compelling responses to these arguments. Discover that Christianity can stand up to the most rigorous intellectual scrutiny and provide vast convincing evidence on its behalf. See that when compared to other worldviews, Christianity offers the best explanation of reality. We want your students to know why they believe what they do. We also want them to be able to communicate that belief with reverence and humility in the face of opposition. They'll use the wisdom gained here to develop a plan that lets them respond to contradicting views with truth and love.

apologia biology lab (9-12)

This course offers the student a rigorous foundation in biology and will prepare the student for future college science studies. This class will provide a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology with a strong emphasis on vocabulary and hands-on experiments. Students will discuss various topics such as the biological key, study of life, cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, and more. This class provides the student with a strong background in the scientific method, the five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection, and ecosystems. It also provides a complete survey of the five kingdoms in Creation. Students will be required to read textbook assignments each week prior to class and complete student notebook activities. All module testing will be administered by the parent and required lab reports will be completed at home. Class time will focus on hand-on experiments. An optional dissection lab will be offered outside of class time during the spring semester for an additional fee. Upon completion of this class, the student will have fulfilled transcript requirements for one full credit of science.

spanish

This class can be for an older middle school student or a high school student. Two years of foreign language are required in Kentucky for graduation. The class is conversational in nature but will also include vocabulary, pronouns, culture, and some written language. The knowledge and skills developed will allow students to perform the following activities:

  • Listen to podcasts in Spanish on the topics of travel, shopping, and communicating with friends.

  • Use different forms of the tense both during a conversation and when writing letters.

  • Read a simple advertisement in the newspaper, comics, understand what is written on a restaurant menu, and navigate timetables at public transport stops.