Bryce Canyon
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"Hands-On Geography"
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Oman
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"10 Weeks in Asia"This 11-week class, for 6th-9th graders, will explore our biggest, most populous continent. After the introductory week, we'll be learning about a different Asian country each week. The content is at an upper middle school/high school level, with a fair amount of (fun) homework weekly to support the games and activities during our meeting time. Prior geographic knowledge is welcome but not assumed. Excellent reading skills and the ability to work cooperatively are a must.
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New York City
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"Your Future World"This 11-week class, for 8th-12th graders, will focus on the physical and human geography of the 10 countries that the U.N. has forecast to be the world's most populous in the year 2050. After all, that is the world in which our kids will live. The content is at a high level with a fair amount of (fun) homework weekly to support the games and activities during our meeting time. Prior geographic knowledge is helpful but not assumed. Excellent reading skills (high school+ level) and the ability to work cooperatively are a must.
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New York City
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"Mission Possible: Global Issues, Leadership Choices"
This highly interactive 10-week class for 8th-12th graders engages students in running the world they will inherit. As officials of imaginary countries, they will employ critical thinking skills, negotiation techniques, and problem solving methods to lead their people towards peace and prosperity. (Or will they?) Working individually and in teams, they will decide when to cooperate and when to compete, when to bargain and when to take a stand, how systems are interrelated and how to adjust to life’s surprises. Readings in political science, international affairs, people management, current events, moral philosophy, and economics provide discussion points and context for the simulation.
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Paris
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"Philosophically Speaking"Philosophy is not about finding life’s answers. It’s about considering life’s questions. This 10-week discussion-based class, for 8th-12th graders, will introduce the vocabulary of philosophy and explore some of philosophy’s “greatest hits,” weaving together the work of specific philosophers (ancient and modern) with classic thought experiments and real-life examples. This practical philosophy class will provide a context for students to think more deeply about the choices and experiences of their everyday lives. Because of the nature of the assignments, excellent reading skills (high school+ level) and the maturity to participate in thoughtful discussion are a must. Beginning Fall 2017, there will be an honors option for students who would like to extend their learning by writing a paper addressing a specific philosophical topic; the honors option is only available to students in the Bethesda class.
To register for the Compass (Wednesday) class, please use the Compass site www.compassclasses.com
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Lima
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"Academic Writing"Every college-bound high school student needs to know how to use a research library and plan, organize, and write an 8- to 12-page academic paper with proper citations. This class will take students through each of these steps. The class will involve trips to two university or other research libraries, the specifics of which will depend on students' research interests; instruction in academic writing, including a refresher on the fundamentals of good writing; guidance on finding online sources appropriate for academic writing; step-by-step assistance with planning, organizing, and writing an 8- to 12-page academic paper; instruction in use of Turabian/Chicago and MLA citations; and feedback on the final project and throughout the process. This class is most appropriate for high school juniors and seniors and/or students interested in pursuing dual-enrollment coursework. It is offered by special arrangement for four students per semester. Students must be able to commit to spending two or more hours per week researching and/or writing outside of class. Admission is contingent on a writing sample.
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Devils Tower
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"Where in the World?"Geography is our window into understanding the world around us. It helps us make sense of history and economics, peoples and culture, science and nature, politics and current events. "Where in the World?" is similar to "Hands-On Geography," but the classes are shorter (55-60 minutes). This fall, "Where in the World?" will be offered in Bethesda for Bradley Hills Elementary School students and at Compass Homeschool Enrichment (Oakton, VA).
The Bethesda class is a special after-school offering for Bradley Hills Elementary School 4th and 5th graders and will be held less than a block from the school. This 8-week fall session will engage students in a variety of hands-on projects, games, and activities designed to expand students' understanding of U.S. and world geography. Most weeks will involve a project to be completed at home and shared with the class the following week. Strong reading skills are a must. By arrangement, students can be met at BHES at 3:25, escorted to class, and, if appropriate, returned to BHES immediately after class.
The "Where in the World?" classes at Compass, for 5th-8th graders, are described below; each quarter of "Where in the World" at Compass will have a different thematic focus.
Physical Geography: During the first quarter, we'll be looking at physical geography: the longest rivers, driest deserts, tallest mountains, and other landforms that shape our planet and the way we use it. Where were yesterday’s earthquakes? What’s the biggest freshwater lake in the world -- and why is it getting bigger? Where do two rivers of different colors run side by side without mixing for nearly 4 miles? Each week will feature a variety of hands-on activities, games, and at-home projects designed to enrich students’ understanding of U.S. and world geography. Prior geographic knowledge is welcome but not assumed. Excellent reading skills are a must. Students will be expected to complete projects at home most weeks to present during class time.
Destinations: During the second quarter, we’ll be exploring national parks, the world’s biggest cities, famous buildings, and even our junk mail. Each week will feature a variety of hands-on activities, games, and at-home projects designed to enrich students’ understanding of both U.S. and world geography. Prior geographic knowledge is welcome but not assumed. Excellent reading skills are a must. Students will be expected to complete projects at home most weeks to present during class time.
To register for the Compass classes, please use the Compass site: www.compassclasses.com
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