Classes for 2010-2011
You may notice a theme for this approaching year at Pure Energy. Chocolate and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory have been the inspiration for several of our classes. Take a look at what we have to offer!
"Wild Hair Day"- 2009
Opening
During opening we all gather together to pray for our day, recognize birthdays, learn a new character trait, make announcements, and have what we call "Showcases." A "Showcase" is similar to "Show-n-tell" in that students share something they enjoy, made, accomplished, or wish to perform. This is an optional activity in which students may or may not choose to participate.
Science
*This year we are allowing students in all grades to choose the science course that best fits their personal needs and learning styles. Each class has a limit of 12 students.
Science Options:
Considering God's Creation by: Mortimer & Smith...Eagle's Wings AND A Reason for Science: Level H by: The Concerned Group, Inc. We will use both curricula to have a creative, in-depth encounter with natural science from a biblical perspective. Life and Earth Sciences will be covered in this course. Students will work on notebooking activities from Considering God's Creation at home while engaging in science experiments & data recording from A Reason for Science in class. Individual Science Fair projects will be completed in the spring semester. (recommended for grades 6-7 and 8 graders who have had less science exposure or want a more relaxed science year)
IPC (Integrated Physics & Chemistry) Goes to the Movies- by: The University of Houston's College of Education---This high school level science course module includes a unique set of activities and lessons that IPC teachers can use to draw students into thinking and learning about the physics and chemistry-based world in which they live. In collaboration with Steve Wolf (Science in the Movies©) and his team of experts, IPC Goes to the Movies brings together the science of special movie effects into the classroom. With Steve Wolf's engaging video clips with the lessons and activites, IPC learning has never been so much fun! (recommended for grades 8-9)
History 
All grades will be using All American History, Uniting America's Story, Piece by Piece, Volume 2- The Civil War to the 21st Century by:Celeste W. Rakes for this school year. This is a very active, yet thorough, curriculum. Sixth graders will have fewer assignments, ninth graders will have additional research projects, and seventh and eighth graders will be the baseline for the class.
The students read their textbook & complete various assignments at home. History comes alive through our engaging classroom agenda. In class, we review homework, engage in dramas, have cooperative learning activities, play history games, have student project presentations, complete individual assignments, create art/craft replicas of that time period, and much more. This class has at least one optional field trip to attend per semester.
Character Development
This class will meet on the first, second, and third Wednesdays of the month during homeroom.
All homeroom classes will be reading Wonka Mania: The Search for Your Golden Ticket by: Kris Rasmussen. For years Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been everybody's non-pollutionary, anti-institutionary, pro-confectionery factory of fun! Now take a look at all of the pop culture icons from the original film and book: the Golden Ticket, Oompa-Loompas, and the spectacular chocolate factory. Through the lens of Scripture, readers discover what this classic tale can teach us about pride, greed, laziness, temptation, and purpose in our own walk of faith.
Each week students will read a chapter at home and come to class ready to discuss what they have read and to study scripture (as a group) related to the topic. Weekly Bible verse memorization will be included.
Service Projects
Each homeroom class creates service projects they would like to complete on the 4th & 5th Wednesdays of the month. One service project will be done outside of class each semester. We collect Box Tops and have a monthly pizza day to help the students raise money for their chosen projects.
Electives
Each student will choose one elective from Elective #1 and one elective from Elective #2 each semester. Elective choices are based on a first-come, first-served basis (according to order of enrollment).
Fall Semester
Elective #1- Cooking with Chocolate or Geocaching
Elective #2- Cartooning or Mock Trials or MythBusters
Elective Descriptions for Fall Semester:
Cooking with Chocolate- Do you love chocolate & cooking? If so, you will enjoy this hands-on chocolate class! Every week we will create something scrumptious out of chocolate while learning about a pastry chef concept. We will also learn the history of chocolate, how to temper it, and how to work with various types of chocolate. The end of the semester will conclude with a "Chocolate Extravaganza" to raise money for our service project fund.
Geocaching- Using this GPS-based curriculum, your child will get a hands-on
experience with geography, science, history, art, architecture, and much more.
Geocaching is a global treasure hunt in which "cachers" locate hidden containers
called geocaches, outdoors, and then share their experiences on-line. Several
field trips will be arranged, with at least one being mandatory. Parents may be
asked to assist with driving. A GPS unit is helpful but not required.
Cartooning- Learn how to draw cartoon characters and how to make comic
strips. This is a great class for those who enjoy drawing and art in general.
Mock Trials- Through participation in Mock Trials, students gain an insider's perspective on courtroom procedures & careers. They will also develop critical analysis of problems, strategic thinking, questioning & listening skills, skills in oral presentation and extemporaneous argument, and much more.
MythBusters- In this class, we will take simple myths and urban legends and test
them, just like the show MythBusters! This class will conclude with each student
making his/her own mythbuster and submitting it to the show. A book will be
required.
Spring Semester
Elective #1- Sign Language or MythBusters
Elective #2- Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: A Play or Photography
Elective Descriptions for Spring Semester:
Sign Language- Learn how to communicate with the deaf or hard of hearing through beginning sign language. This is a good foreign language option for those who are visual learners. There will be a book to buy for this class as well as weekly homework practice.
MythBusters- In this class, we will take simple myths and urban legends and test them just like the show MythBusters! This class will conclude with each student making his/her own mythbuster and submitting it to the show. A book will be required.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory: A Play- Calling all Oompa-Loompas!!! Join us on a wild ride through the full production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: A Play. In this drama class you will act as one or several parts to dramatize the original Roald Daul book for audiences in May. Some set design techniques will be incorporated. The purchase of a script book is required for this class.
Photography- Get your cameras ready! We will be venturing inside & outside to discover the fine art of photography, while also studying experienced photographers' collections to learn the elements of great photography. Some Photo Shop editing will also be taught. Requirement: digital camera with zoom lens, a laptop, and a book
*Bonus Elective (After School Club):
Yearbook will be offered from 3:00-4:00 pm on the last Wednesday of every month. It is a year-long commitment, so you must be able to attend class each month. The Yearbook club is free but has an extra $20 supply fee charge for the year. There is a limit of 12 students in this class.
Field Trips
Occasionally, we will take field trips to enhance what we are learning at Pure Energy. These optional trips occur outside of class time.