Strategic Planning

Instructor: Jan Arbelaez Description: Strategic planning is an important skill all students need to learn as they prepare to be adults. In this class we learn how to assess, think critically, and plan through the use of games, brain puzzles, fun group projects, real world examples, and creative thinking exercises. We will rotate these activities one or two weeks each depending on the amount of time needed.Requirements: Most of this class is student participation. The only homework will be making sure they are properly prepared for class, with the exception of possibly needing extra time outside of class if they…

Event Planning

Instructor: Sarah Money Description: This class is all about how to throw an amazing event. Planning a budget, learning how to schedule a time line for the prep and a time line for the event, invitations, set up/clean up, how to plan menu/food for large groups, lining up speakers and music, photos/videos of the event, tech needed for the event, decorating, etc. Events covered: birthday party, baby shower, bridal shower, graduation, school dances, dinner theatre, gala, fundraiser, 5K run, holiday dinners/parties, etc. Each semester will consist of weekly in class activities. Homework will be minimal, but will consist of completing…

Life and Safety Course

Instructor: Stephen Hromcik Description: This course is designed to introduce students to many of the safety hazards and daily challenges they may encounter throughout everyday life. From life threatening emergencies to daily struggles this course will cover many aspects of life we will all face at some point. Throughout the course students will learn both in a traditional classroom setting as well as with exciting hands on skills. Topics that will be covered include emergency skills and life skills. Emergency skills covered: fire safety, 1st aid, CPR, and AED usage. Life skills covered: road safety, fire extinguisher use, basic vehicle…

Creative Writing

Instructor: Courtney Johnson Description: This class will take a workshop approach to creative writing using published works as models for writing. The students will read short stories from Great American Short Stories and participate in classroom conversation about the works. Students will work together and provide feedback to one another in order to improve each other’s writing in a positive and collaborative environment. In the fall, each student will complete a minimum of four projects of his or her choice with the goal of publishing MRA’s official literary journal. In the spring, students will work on a semester-long playwriting project…

Publications

Instructor: Percella Scarpinato Each student will receive a yearbook. Description: The Publications class will produce MRA’s school newsletter, and school yearbook.  Students will work with student editors and the instructor while learning the ins and outs of Canva while peer editing and learning journalism and design. Students will practice the processes of interviewing, editing, writing, and rewriting. In this fast paced elective period teamwork is a requirement as this environment thrives when students contribute ideas and opinions each class period while being challenged to rotate between the newsletter and yearbook work as needed. Requirements: The class will meet once a…

Stop Motion Animation

Instructor: Sarah Money Description: This course will introduce students to four of the main types of Stop Motion Animation. Stop motion is an animated-film making technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion when the series of frames is played back as a fast sequence. This includes manipulating objects such as clay figures, humans, household items, and other objects. Requirements: The students will meet once a week. The students will participate in several projects in which they will demonstrate different techniques learned in class. They…

Science 6

Instructor: Michelle Valenzuela Description: This year we will work through, “Science In the Beginning”. We are going to have so much fun exploring the six days of creation. We will explore light and energy, how things float, germination, eclipses, the basics of flight, our senses, and much more. Requirements: Each week during class time we will spend time learning about the current topic. There will be discussion time as well as hands-on time. Weekly homework will consist of Lesson Review Questions. A syllabus will be kept up to date on Renweb. Prerequisites: Science 5 Grades: Homework/Classwork 45 %In-Class Project 25…

Math 6

Instructor: Leilanni Jones Description: This course will provide a complete math program for 6th grade. Concepts covered will include: expressions and equations, decimals, ratios, percents, fractions and integers. The students will be provided with concrete, pictorial, and abstract methods as well as the necessary learning experiences to enable them to learn mathematics meaningfully.  Requirements: Students will be expected to participate in class discussions, stay on-task, turn in assignments on time and work diligently on math facts each week. Students will be graded on homework completion, weekly math facts completion, participation in class discussion, in-class quizzes, and at-home tests.  Prerequisites: Your…

Martial Arts

Instructor: Mike Johnson Description: Active Self-Defense skills such as blocking, striking and defending against grabs will represent the core of this class.  This class will teach the tenets of Taekwondo; Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit.  The workouts will develop your child’s conditioning, strength and flexibility.  Progression in belt rank will be possible through participation in this class.  No free sparring will be allowed in this class.  I like to tell the parents we teach their children not just how to kick and punch but when to kick and punch.  Requirements: None Prerequisites: None Grades: Participation only See All…

Intermediate Literature

Instructor: Laura Goin Description: This one day per week class will cover an in-depth study of three books per semester, with a focus on themes such as perseverance, family, compassion, loyalty, and work ethic. Through these books, we will also learn about many literary devices – elements of plot, conflict, symbols/motifs, figurative language, characterization, imagery, and more. Making an interactive notebook each semester will be a creative way for students to explore concepts while practicing penmanship and learning note taking skills. This class will also include weekly spelling and vocabulary memorization. Requirements: Students must read and write at grade level,…