ART
Art
Teacher: Mrs. Mary Schermerhorn
Grade Level: 4th-12
Minimum Number of students: 8
Maximum Number of students: 12
Tuition: $90/semester
Text/Materials needed: Teacher will provide all materials
Students observe demonstrations by the instructor and will use a wide variety of art materials. Materials include paints, printing inks, pen and ink, charcoals, pastels, and clay. They will develop skills in composition, design, drawing, painting, sculpture, and print making. We will study basic art principles and elements and art terminology.
Art
Teacher: Mrs. Mary Schermerhorn
Grade Level: 1-3
Minimum Number of Students: 6
Maximum Number of Students: 12
Tuition: $90/semester
Text/materials needed: Teacher will provide all materials
This class will teach the elements of art: line, shape, color, texture, and value. We will use principles of design, repetition, rhythm, variety, contrast, balance, harmony and unity in our projects as well. We will paint, print, draw, and sculpt, using a fun and varied assortment of media.
Primary Art*
Teacher: Mrs. Mary Schermerhorn
Grade Level: Prek-K
Minimum Number of Students: 3 per 25 min. session
Maximum Number of Students: 6 per 25 min. session
Tuition: $60/semester
Text/materials needed: Teacher will provide all materials
This class will be taught in two sections of 25 minutes each. Six children will be allowed into each section and you will register for either Section A or B.
Mrs. Schermerhorn and her husband, Bill, homeschooled all six of their children through high school. She graduated from S.I.U. with a B.A. in Art Education and is certified to teach K-12 Art in Illinois. Mrs. Schermerhorn has been offering art classes to homeschoolers for the past ten years.
CLUBS
Blue Knights
Teacher: parent leaders (once per month ONLY)
Grade Level: PreK-6
Minimum Number of students: 4
Maximum Number of students: 15
Tuition: parents will rotate teaching and cost
Text/materials needed: Blue Knights club member manual (leader will order)
Blue Knights is a Catholic boy’s group where boys learn about virtues such as courage and valor. They read about their Faith and make crafts and play games. Parents who enroll children in this group MUST volunteer to lead the group as many times as needed according to the number of boys in the group.
Little Flowers
Teacher: parent leaders (once per month ONLY)
Grade Level: K-4
Minimum Number of students: 4
Maximum Number of students: 15
Tuition: see Blue Knights
Text/materials needed: Little Flowers Girls Wreath 1 book (leader will order)
Little Flowers is a Catholic group for young girls where they are encouraged to earn “flowers” that stand for virtues like patience and fortitude. Girls can order sashes and badges to wear to the meetings. There are fun activities and learning worksheets and projects for the girls to do. Parents who enroll children in this group MUST volunteer to lead the group as many times as needed during the year according to the number of girls in the group.
Little Women
Teacher: parent leaders (once per month ONLY)
Grade Level: 5th and up
Minimum number of students: 4
Maximum number of students: 15
Tuition: see other clubs
Text/materials needed: Little Women student’s book (leader will order)
Tuition: see other clubs
Little Women is a Catholic girl’s group designed to teach older girls the womanly arts of housekeeping, correspondence, helping others, etc. Girls participate in activities designed to teach these skills and also do work at home to master the arts. Parents who enroll students in this group MUST volunteer to lead the group as many times as needed during the year according to the number of girls in the group.
COMPOSITION
Research Paper (second semester only)
Teacher: Mrs. Carol Burke
Grade Level: 9-12th grades (will take younger students after speaking with parent)
Minimum Number of students: 3
Maximum Number of students: 10
Tuition: $5/class
Copy fee: $5 plus there will be a $5/student fee at the end of the class to pay for binding the papers into a spiral bound book that the students can keep.
Text/materials needed: Need a copy of the ALA stylebook (teacher will give information on first day of class); index cards and file box, 3 ring binder with dividers for handouts, library card or access to one, students will also NEED access to a computer or word processor.
Writing a through, well-researched paper will be the entire focus of this class. We will begin by discussing and analyzing what makes a good research paper and we will end with a polished product. During the course of this class we will be taking one field trip to the library to learn about tools available for researching. If your student signs up for this class, do some prep work by talking about a subject that he/she might like to research as a topic. Due dates will be outlined at the beginning of the semester. Students will be expected to hand in research notes, at least two rough drafts, a rough and final draft bibliography and a final completed paper on the dates designated at the beginning of the semester, unless otherwise arranged with the teacher. Papers will be presented in class at the end of the semester and will be displayed at the end of the year event.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Beginning Italian
Teacher: Ms. Alyssa Burke
Level: 7th to adult
Minimum Number of Students: 4
Maximum Number of Students: 10
Tuition: $5/class
Materials/Text needed: Students will use a beginning Italian text and workbook which the teacher will select and contact parents/students over the summer. We will try to buy used texts to keep costs down. An Italian/English dictionary will be required and students should have access to a cd or cassette player for audio exercises.
This class will stress conversational Italian, but learning any language is dependent upon learning grammar and vocabulary. We will use drills, games, songs and workbook exercises to reinforce learning done at home. There will be daily assignments. Students will progress as quickly as they are willing to work.
Ms. Burke recently graduated from Marquette University with a B.S. degree in Psychology with additional majors in English, Italian, and Social Work. She loves to work with children and is employed by Goldie Floberg Children’s Home in Rockton, IL.
Spanish I
Teacher: Mrs. Louise Doherty
Grade Level: 7th to adult
Minimum number of students: 5
Maximum number of students: 25
Tuition: $5/class
Copy fee: $15
Text/materials needed: Books will be available from the teacher. Students will need a notebook, folders, pens, and a Spanish/English dictionary.
We will cover the basics of grammar and speaking. As homeschoolers, much work will need to be done at home. Learning a foreign language is exciting and increases your understanding of grammar.
GRAMMAR
Roots Review (second semester only)
Teacher: Mrs. Carol Burke
Grade Level: 4-6
Minimum Number of Students: 4
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Tuition: $4/class: $64-2nd semester only
Supply/Copy Fee: $5/semester
Text/materials needed: English From the Roots Up; teacher will order and let parents know cost; will need 200+ blank file cards and a shoebox or file box for cards. Don't buy anything until
class starts, so we can all be consistent.
This class will be a methodical approach to learning Greek and Latin root words, based on the
English from the Roots Up curriculum. We will drill the roots, study vocabulary words based on the roots, and have friendly competitions on a weekly basis to see who knows their roots! This is a solid foundational course that will help your child in further studies of Latin, English, Science, and other areas.
HISTORY
American History
Teacher: Mrs. Mary Rudzinski
Grade Level: 7th-12th
Minimum Number of Students: 5
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Tuition: $5/class
Supply/copy fee: TBD
Text/materials used: TBD
This class will be a survey of history of the United States from prior to the colonial times to the present.
Mrs. Rudzinski is a former classroom teacher and homeschool mom, who has taught at
Hallstrom and Annunciation in the past, as well as for Burpee Museum.
Hand’s On History: Early Modern Times
Teacher: Mrs. Celeste DalPra
min.:6 Max.: 12
Grade Levels: 4-7
Fee: $75 (class, materials)
Materials needed: 3 ring binder,pencil, pen, colored pencils, markers, scissors, glue stick
Description: This history class will explore Early Modern Times(1600-1850) using the Story of the World series, volume 3 by Susan Wise Bauer. We will study explorers, post-renaissance Europe, and Early American History in a hands-on experiential way. Projects, games, mock voyages, and food preparation and tasting will be a regular part of this class.
HOME STUDIES
Beginning Home Economics: Cooking and Sewing Basics
Teacher: Mrs. Linda Landerholm (first semester only)
Grade Level: 4-6
Minimum Number of Students: 5
Maximum Number of Students: 8
Tuition: $4/class
Copy Fee: TBD
Text/materials needed: TBD-teacher will contact students
This class will provide students with basic hands-on knowledge of food preparation and baking.
I also plan to include some basic hand sewing skills in simple projects the students can take
home.
Mrs. Landerholm graduated from Augustana College with a B.A. degree. Prior to having
children, she worked in a variety of jobs including community mental health, loan processing,
dietary department at Swedish American Hospital. This is her second year of teaching at Annunciation Cooperative.
LITERATURE
Magic Tree House
Teacher: Mrs. Amy Richert
Grade Level: 2-3rd
Minimum Number of Students: 5
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Tuition: $4/class
Text/Materials needed: 3 or 4 Magic Tree House books per semester
The Magic Tree House book series follows the adventures of Jack and Annie, a brother and sister, who stumble across a mysterious tree house filled with books. They travel to different time periods by way of the tree house (thus the "magic" part). Through their adventures, readers learn about different time periods of history and different areas of the world. We will read Dolphins at Daybreak (explore the ocean, learn about sea animals); Ghost Town at Sunday (discusses the Old West); Lions at Lunchtime (Africa, wild animals, migration patterns); and Polar Bears Past Bedtime (life in the Arctic, weather, polar bears) in the first semester. For the second semester we will read Civil War on Sunday (U.S. Civil War, Clara Barton); Revolutionary War on Wednesday (the American Revolution, George Washington); Twister on Tuesday (life on the prairie in the 1870s); and Earthquake in the Early Morning (the San Francisco earthquake of 1906). While reading the books we will work on short writing projects, scavenger hunts related to the books, and other fun projects to learn about each time period Jack and Annie visit. This series of books is fun for children to read and I hope they will enjoy the books we read in class enough to read others in the series on their own.
Mrs. Amy Richert is a homeschooling mother of seven children and has a degree in History. She taught at Annunciation last year and has taught for Hallstrom Homeschool Workshops as well.
Children's Literature
Teacher: Mrs. Amy Richert
Grade Level: 4-6th
Minimum Number of Students: 5
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Tuition: $5/class
Text/Materials needed: copy of books we are reading, notebook and pen or pencil. We will read 3 or 4 books a semester.
Have fun exploring classic literature. Students will read at home and in class we will discuss the books, review comprehension questions and work on projects. There will be some writing assignments to complete at home, as well. The tentative book list includes Rascal, The Cricket in Times Square, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Shiloh, and Little House in the Big Woods. (This is flexible, depending on what students have already read, final list will be determined by the end of June. Instructor will contact parents and students to consult on this.)
American Literature: Prose and Poetry of America
Teacher: Mrs. Carol Burke
Grade Level: 7-12
Minimum Number of Students: 3
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Tuition: $5/class
Copy fee: $10/semester
Texts Materials Needed: As we study authors, we will be reading their books or poetry. I will have copies of Norton’s Anthology available for students to check out or students may purchase online. Most of the other books or poetry we read will be available through the library. I will have a reading list available during the summer. Students will need a 3” binder with dividers and college ruled notebook paper.
This class will be an overview of different genres of literature written by American authors from pre-colonial to modern times. We will be reading and analyzing poetry and prose from famous and not-so-famous American authors. This class will be challenging in content. Students will be identifying parts of a story using a standard worksheet format and writing basic five paragraph essays at least once a month on an assigned element of the material we are reading or an author biography. Discussion will be lively and in-depth and students will be expected to come to class prepared. Quizzes will be given on an impromptu basis and there will be four major exams during each semester. Be prepared to have fun reading!
Mrs. Carol Burke is a homeschooling mom of eight children. She has a degree in Journalism and English is her favorite subject matter. She taught American Literature three years ago at Annunciation and has also taught Composition, History, Roots, and Science for Children during her years with this cooperative.
LOGIC, STUDY SKILLS AND LEARNING TOOLS
The following three classes have been scheduled to run consecutively, beginning with Memory skills in Sept and ending with Study Skills. It is recommended that students sign up for all three sections, however, they may sign up for a single section.
Critical Thinking/Logic*
Teacher: Mr. William Landerholm(14 weeks only from Oct-March)
Grade Level: 7-12th
Minimum Number of Students:6
Maximum Number of Students:12
Tuition: $2/class
Texts/materials needed: TBD
Modern education concerns itself primarily with “what” to think, rather than “how” to think. Nowhere is this more evident than in our public schools, where, if you ask a typical 8th grader why he’s concerned with a particular social issue, you’re likely to receive a 30-second public service announcement reminiscent of something you’ve heard on PBS. Lest you think homeschoolers are immune from this same cultural malaise, be forewarned. Your student may know what to believe, but does he know why? Do his views stand up to scrutiny, and can he defend them adequately in an increasingly secularized and hostile society?
In this course, we will investigate the right use of reason in the search for truth. We will look at common areas of faulty reasoning, such as logical fallacies and bad argumentation. We will give each student multiple opportunities to investigate the “why” of his or her own faith, but in a setting that safely affirms the legitimacy of the Christian worldview.
Mr. Landerholm has a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. He currently holds a position as Technical Writer/Graphic Illustrator for a local manufacturing firm. His interests include his family, health & fitness, and reaching the lost with the truth of God’s Word. Mr. Landerholm can be found regularly on college campuses, disputing with the “wise” and giving a reasonable defense for man’s obligation to love and serve God.
Improve Your Memory Skills*
Teacher: Mrs. Louise Doherty(first 8 weeks only)
Grade Level: 7th-adult
Minimum Number of students: 5
Maximum Number of students: 25
Tuition: $6/class
Texts/materials needed: a binder for handouts and paper for taking notes
This class is based on Ron White’s Memory In a Month 30 day course. We will learn and practice several memory techniques. You will be amazed at what you can memorize forward and backward. This is an excellent pre-college or high school course for your students, or for those of us who forget where we put our car keys!
Mrs. Louise Doherty has a degree in Spanish from the University of Illinois, and has been homeschooling since 1991. Mrs. Doherty says, “I took this memory course recently and am excited about it. I like to study languages and have used one of the memory methods to memorize more than 100 Greek verbs.”
Study Skills/Test Preparation*
Teacher: TBA (final eight weeks only)
Grade Level: 7-12 (younger students may be admitted with teacher’s permission)
Minimum Number of students: 5
Maximum Number of students: 15
Text/materials needed: teacher will contact
This is a final eight weeks class and the teacher will be contracted in the next few months. You many either sign up for this class in May or December of 2009. This class will cover note-taking, speed reading, and many other test preparation and study skills.
MUSIC
Children’s Choir
Teacher: Mrs. Diana Kehoe
Grade Level: Pre-K-6
Minimum Number of Students: 8
Maximum Number of students: 20
Tuition: $3/class
Texts/materials needed: none unless teacher contacts parents
This will be a fun beginning musical experience for children.
Mrs. Kehoe is a homeschooling mom who loves music and playing guitar. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and has taught Home Ec. at Annunciation for one semester.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/DANCE
Beginning Tap
Teacher: Ms. Taylor Miller
Grade Level: Age 7 and up boys and girls
Minimum Number of Students: 4
Maximum Number of Students: 12
Tuition:$3/class
Text/materials needed: tap shoes
This class will start with the beginning steps for tap and advance from there! Learn how to count and to match rhythm to dance steps! We'll learn a routine for the end of the year and have a whole bunch of fun while dancing to fun music.
Taylor Miller is a 17 year old who has been taking tap for 7 years. She absolutely loves it! She is presently taking tap at Steps to Grace Dance Academy and is in the most advanced class there. Taylor enjoys teaching tap to her younger siblings and friends.
P.E. and Games
Teacher: Variety
Grade Level: Pre-K-6
Minimum Number of students: 5
Maximum Number of students: 20
Tuition: $1/class
Text/materials needed: tennis shoes; good attitude
Students will learn a variety of outdoor games and sports and learn how to be part of a team.
MATH AND FINANCE
Math Tutoring
Teacher: Mrs. Kristine Brown
Grade Level: K-12
Class size: 1 per ½ hour
Tuition: $10 per ½ hour
Text/materials needed: to be determined-bring whatever student is using
Tutoring sessions will be set up on an individual basis. Each person should sign up for a ½ hour
time slot that fits into his schedule and Mrs. Brown will finalize the schedule and contact students. Please indicate student’s math level on sign-up sheet.
Money Matters
Teacher: Mrs. Kristine Brown
Grade Level: 7-12
Minimum Number of Students: 5
No Maximum
Tuition: $4/class
Text/materials needed: $32 for text/workbook and teacher will order
This is a semester course which teaches the importance of handling money properly. We will discuss and plan for GIVING, SAVING, and SPENDING of commissions (a.k.a.), earnings, and gifts. We will learn about banking, savings & checking accounts, investments, and avoiding credit. The goal is to set students on the path of financial freedom from the start to avoid ever getting into debt.
RELIGION
Christian Doctrine and History
Teacher: Mr. Kevin Rilott
Grade Level: 7-12
Minimum Number of Students: 5
No Maximum
Tuition: $4/class
Copy Fee: $10/semester
Text/materials needed: Teacher will provide materials and books. All students need paper and pens/pencils.
We will study the 2,000 year history of the Christian faith with a focus on the call to holiness of the followers of Jesus Christ. We will also cover the basics of Christian doctrine with the intention of living it in our daily lives.
Mr. Kevin Rilott is a religion and history teacher at St. Bernadette Catholic School and a former youth minister for St. Bernadette Church. He teaches R.C.I.A. and CCD and am a certified catechist of the Diocese of Rockford. He is married to Donna and has two sons; David and Dominic.
Religion
Teacher: Mrs. Nancy Brandon
Grade Level: 5th and 6th
Minimum Number of Students: 3
Maximum Number of Students: 10-12
Tuition: $4/class
Copy fee: $10/semester
Text/materials needed: workbook for your grade, Apostolate’s Family Catechism, the Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church. Teacher will order text materials.
This class is part of a complete K-12 curriculum being used at Annunciation next year. The materials have been approved by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. The main text is the Apostolate’s Family Catechism, which is approved by both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and serves to teach the student, the parent, and the teacher. This program uses a mult-media approach and draws from Sacred Scripture, Vatican II, papal documents, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other theological resources, all in age-appropriate sequence.
Mrs. Brandon has been homeschooling for three years and is faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. She studied Music Performance at the University of Houston and has played professionally for many years.
Religion
Teachers: Mrs. Shelly Chew and Mrs. Erin Kladar
Grade Level: 3 and 4
Minimum Number of Students:4
Maximum Number of Students: 12
Tuition: $4/class
Copy fee: $10/semester
Text/materials needed: see above description for Mrs. Brandon’s class
Please see Mrs. Brandon’s class for description.
Mrs. Chew and Mrs. Kladar are both experienced homeschooling mothers. They have both taught at Annunciation in the past.
Religion
Teacher: Mr. Aaron Drog
Grade Level: 1 and 2
Minimum Number of Students: 3
Maximum Number of Students: 12
Tuition: $4/class
Copy fee: $10/semester
Text/materials needed: see above description for Mrs. Brandon’s class
Please see Mrs. Brandon’s class for description.
Mr. Drog has a degree in theology from Franciscan University of Stuebenville and is also a Registered Nurse. He is a homeschooling dad of three young children and has been the leader of our Blue Knight’s group at Annunciation for the last two years.
SCIENCE
Science through Nature
Teacher: Mrs. Gina Miller
Grade Level: PreK-3rd
Minimum Number of Students: 5
Maximum Number of Students: 12
Tuition: $3/class
Copy Fee: $10/semester
This class will be devoted to fun and interesting hands-on ways to study the world around us. Children will learn about nature through activities, hikes, and experiments.
Mrs. Gina Miller is a veteran homeschooling mom with four children who is very excited about sharing her love of nature with students. This will be her first year of teaching at Annunciation.
The Colors: Elementary level Science Studies:
Teachers: Mrs. Amy Newburn/Mrs. Kim Sardegna
Level: Ages 10-13 (Parents of 9 year olds may consider this class if their student can handle this level of science)
Minimum Number of students: 8
Maximum Number of students: 16
Tuition: $4/class
Materials/texts needed: 1. Text-1 per family (will be used for 2 years)-$39 2. Lab Workbook(consumable)-$9 per student 3. Goggles or safety glasses 4. a box of disposable rubber gloves per student or 14 pairs of gloves per student.
Textbooks will be ordered by the teachers because the co-op receives a discount price. Please order the textbook and lab workbook and pay for it at registration. Checks will be cashed when the books are ordered and the teachers will notify you of that date.
The Colors is a two year curriculum covering: 1st-Physics; 2nd-Chemistry and 3rd-Biology in equal thirds. The first semester will consist of Physics instruction geared toward the 10-12 year old age level. Each class will consist of lecture and discussion of assigned text readings and exercises as well as a high quality lab to reinforce materials learned. Some reading and writing answers to a few discussion questions will be assigned on a regular basis as homework.
Mrs. Kim Sardegna is a homeschooling mother of four children ages 3 to 9 years old and has taught Science and Five In A Row at Annunciation over the past two years. Mrs. Sardegna has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and has enjoyed working in this field over the years.
Mrs. Newburn is a homeschooling mother of four children ages 1 ½ to 6 years old who has substituted and assisted as a teacher’s aide in Art and Science through Nature classes at Annunciation over the past two years. Mrs. Newburn has a Doctorate of Science degree in Physical Therapy and has worked in this field for 14 years.
Chemistry
Teacher: TBA
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Minimum Number of students: 4
Maximum Number of students: 12
Tuition: TBD
Text/Materials needed: TBD
This will be a basic, high school level chemistry class with labs. Students will be expected to put in at least one hour a day of work at home in order to gain the knowledge necessary to pass this class.
Junior High Science
Teacher: Mrs. Celeste DalPra
Grade Level: 7-9 (6th graders admitted after consultation with teacher)
Life Science
Celeste Dal Pra
Min: 5 Max.:12
Grade Level: 6-9
Fee: $85 (class, materials)
Materials needed: 3 ring binder, pencil, pen, notebook paper, colored pencils, fine point markers
Description: This will be a challenging, in-depth Science class for the 7-9th grader. Mrs. DalPra will have more specific information about curriculum and course of study at registration.
Mrs. Celeste Dal Pra, has been teaching in some capacity for the last 28 years. She has degrees in elementary edu. and special edu. from Marymount U., and has been homeschooling her own children for the last 18 years.
