Scope and Sequence
HISTORY:
The goal of our history class is for students to understand D&C 101: 77-80; that God suffered this land and our Constitution to be established and that it should be maintained for the rights and privileges of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.
Year One
American Government and Civics: The divine origin of our Constitution, the government it established and the privileges it guarantees. Original source threads are studied from Wycliffe, Knox and Huss of the Reformation through to Jefferson, Washington and Franklin of the Revolution as well as comments from prophets and apostles. Students discover how to be one of the "threads" referred to by Joseph Smith.
Year Two
American History I - Pre-Revolution to 1860- Using original documents, the personalities and events which created and shaped a new nation and then preserved the union are interwoven. Students will watch the hand of Providence unfold from Lexington, the great explorations West and the Civil War. Latter-day Saint church history is woven into the course of events.
Year Three
American History II - 1860 to Present- This class examines the opportunities and challenges faced by our country during the 19th through 21st centuries, such as the Civil War, 2 World Wars, Korea and Vietnam, the Great Depression and 9/11. The year ends with scriptural prophecies about the last-days. Latter-day Saint church history, revelations and comments are woven into the course of events.
Year Four (2011 - 2012)
World Civilizations/Geography - Europe from ancient Israel through the Reformation. The Roman and Byzantine empires, the Crusades, the Middle Ages, breaking the bands of Catholicism and the steps needed for the Restoration of the Gospel. Students will explore the cause and effect of European influences upon the writings of Jefferson, Adams, Wythe, etc.
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Our skills-based approach to Language Arts concentrates on critical thinking in reading and writing, as well as grammar and writing skills to prepare a student to read, critique and respond to any type of literature. This means they will be prepared to read any text they may encounter, analyze it, and then write about it. Students will also learn to read and understand how the scriptures are written and what they mean in terms of literature and history. Hence, students will look at the four basic ways to critique a text in the four year rotation. They will study genres, themes and symbols, rhetoric, and the history of English. Students write an average of 4 portfolio-quality papers per year and participate in brain-storming, thought questions, note-taking, vocabulary building, grammar modeling, short answer, in-class essay writing, and speech
related exercises. Students will read an average of six classic texts a year including the scriptures. Our grammar series is written in an LDS context and provides a foundation for successful writing in all academic subjects or professional circumstances.
Year One
English- Genre studies / Liahona Grammar Vol. 1: Here students study different types of literature which have been historically important such as: the difference between fiction and biography, essay and discourse, narrative versus expository writing. Using Formalism, Comparative Literature, and other appropriate literary theories, students will consider how a text is written, and how its form contributes to the overall meaning of the text. This study will help students discern and select uplifting and wholesome literature and better understand the scriptures. This will also prepare them for writing and reading in college.
Year Two
English- Themes and Symbols / Liahona Grammar Vol. 2: Looking at archetypes, themes, and symbols students will better understand the scriptures and classic literature. The Old Testament, classic novels, epic
poems and dramas are used to familiarize students with themes and symbols, such as the heroic cycle, freedom, the plan of salvation, etc. Student will compare and analyze repeating patterns of symbols and themes throughout literature. Again, this study will help students discern and select uplifting and wholesome literature and better understand the scriptures. This will also prepare them for writing and reading in
college.
Year Three
English-Argument and Rhetorical Techniques / Liahona Grammar Vol. 3: Students will consider how writing is constructed to be interesting and persuasive. The Book of Mormon, speeches, essays, and novella-length works are used to develop critical thinking and rhetorical writing skills. Student will polish their own writing to be clear, precise, and effective. This will also help students discern truth from error in arguments, so they will not easily be deceived.
Year Four (2011 - 2012)
English-History of Language and Literature / Liahona Grammar Vol. 4: This course of study analyzes the history and events which have shaped literature. The New Testament and interesting novels and poems are used to illustrate how language has changed. Students will discover why there are so many exceptions to grammar rules, and how to use language to effectively develop their own ideas. This helps students see patterns and learn from past events and literature.
SCIENCE:
The study of science should lead us to a greater reverence and testimony of God's handiwork. AAll things testify of me... says Moses 6:63 and science is not exempt from this declaration. Our approach is to prepare students for the theories of the world but to examine them through the lens of revealed knowledge.
Year One - Physical Sciences (2011-2012)
Chemistry: (High School Level only) This class covers the basic principles of Chemistry, such as: atoms and atomic structure, how elements bond together, chemicals, their characteristics in the Periodic table and the development of organized problem solving will be taught. This class also highlights how Divine law and organization are discoverable by scientific inquiry. Classes will have regular experiments to recreate discoveries both simple and great.
Year Two - Life Sciences
Human/Animal Biology: (Freshman/Senior Levels) Investigates the systems of the human body. Students will gain an appreciation of this remarkable gift the Lord has given us. The many systems and organs of our bodies, their interactions, and The Word of Wisdom are discussed.Also discusses the many varieties of animal life found on Earth and how to identify them.
Life Sciences: (Intermediate Levels) Our intermediate students will switch between physical science and life science each year. The Life sciences comprise the fields of science that involve the scientific study of living organisms, like plants, animals and human beings.
Year Three - Physical Sciences
Advanced Earth Systems or Meteorology/Zoology or Physics: (Freshman/Senior Levels) Earth systems deals with the Earth as a system and all of its individual components. Meteorology is the science that deals with the phenomena of the atmosphere, especially weather and weather conditions. Zoology is the science that is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals. Physics is the a natural science that involves the study of matter and motion through space and time along with related concepts such as energy and force.
Earth Science (Earth Systems): (Intermediate levels) This course is designed to be the last science course the student takes before high school biology. In this course the students will discuss the atmosphere, hydrosphere, weather, the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newton's laws, gravity and astrophysics. This course especially focuses on the myths generated by the environmentalist movement. There are many hands-on experiments to do, all of which use household chemicals.
Year Four - Life Sciences
Plant Biology: (Freshman/Senior Levels) Is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Includes all the many varieties and forms that plants take and Heavenly Father has created for us to beautify the Earth.
Life Sciences: (Intermediate Levels) Our intermediate students will switch between physical science and life science each year. The Life sciences comprise the fields of science that involve the scientific study of living organisms, like plants, animals and human beings.