Alabaster Tutorial Co-Op
Course Descriptions for 2014 – 2015
Last Update: Friday, August 29, 2014
General: The following is a brief description of courses that will be offered this school year.
Most are self-explanatory by title. All high-school level classes meet requirements to earn credit
towards graduation. Students are expected to attend class and do the required work without
excuse. Teacher credentials can be provided upon request. Although not a requirement, most of
our teachers either have a degree in the course being taught or pertinent life experience with the
material. Credit values are only listed for courses earning high-school credit.
Science Courses:
General Science
Instructor Cindy Gilbert
Grade Level: 6th – 8th grades
Credit Value: N/A
Course Objective: This will be a general science course geared for students in the 6th- 8th
grade range. Topics will vary and cover a cross-section of science disciplines.
Base Text: Observing God’s World, A Beka Book 3rd Edition
Physical Science Instructor: Joy Boyd
Grade Level: 9th – 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: This class will build an understanding of concepts for physical
sciences such as chemistry, geology, astronomy, and physics
Text: Exploring Creation with Physical Science, Apologia Publishers, 2nd edition
Biology
Instructor Cindy Gilbert
Grade Level: 9th - 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: This course will cover material found in high school biology and
includes cell types, structures, and functions and necessary precursors for anatomy and
physiology.
Text: Biology,God’s Living Creation A Beka Book Publishers, 3rd Edition
Chemistry
Instructor Steve Howe
Grade Level: 10th - 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: High school chemistry…..foundations of chemistry including atoms,
molecules, naming compounds, balancing equations, reactions, electron configurations,
the periodic table, etc.
Required Text: Exploring Creation with Chemistry, Apologia Publishers, 2nd Edition
Anatomy & Physiology
Instructor Cindy Gilbert
Grade Level: 10th - 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: High school anatomy & physiology…..the marvelous, wonderfully
crafted and created mechanics and systems of the human body from a Christian
perspective
Required Text: The Human Body Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Apologia
Publishers
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Alabaster Tutorial Co-Op
Course Descriptions for 2014 – 2015
Last Update: Friday, August 29, 2014
Marine Biology
Instructor Cindy Gilbert
Grade Level: 9th - 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: This course introduces concepts of marine biology including marine
animals, ocean layers, ecosystems, etc.
Text: Exploring Creation with Marine Biology, Apologia Publishers
English/Literature /Foreign Language Courses:
6th/8th Language Arts
Instructor Dana Nafe
Grade Level: 6 – 8th grades
Credit Value: NA
Course Objective: This is a general language arts class covering grammar/mechanics,
spelling, vocabulary and reading. Assignments will be student grade-level appropriate.
Required Text: To be determined
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9th/10th Language Arts
Instructor Joy Boyd
Grade Level: 9 – 10th grades
Credit Value: 1.0
Course Objective: This is a general language arts class covering grammar/mechanics,
spelling, vocabulary and reading with emphasis on good sentence and paragraph
structures in preparation for essay writing in higher grades. Assignments will be student
grade-level appropriate.
Text: Materials to be provided by instructor.
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British Literature
Instructor Lydia Howe
Grade Level: high school Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: The Gold Book series is designed to encourage the high school
student's ability to read and understand literature, develop the ability for verbal and
written expression, enable him to interpret and access literary meaning in terms of
content and philosophy and clearly state a position in response. Students will read
assigned novels and poetry from classic British authors.
Text: Learning Language Arts Through Literature (the Gold Book), Common Sense
Press
11th/12th Writing and ACT Prep
Instructor Abbie Patton
Grade Level: 11th – 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: This will be a college English prep course. Students will learn
techniques in writing the 5-paragraph essay required for college papers. There will be
elements of literary analysis and ACT prep.
Required Text: Perspectives on Contemporay Issues, Catherine Ackley 6th edition
(check chegg.com for low price book)
Journalism/”The Eagles Flyer”
Grade Level: high school
Instructor Lydia Howe
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
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Alabaster Tutorial Co-Op
Course Descriptions for 2014 – 2015
Last Update: Friday, August 29, 2014
Course Objective:. Students will have hands-on experience in creating copy and photos,
editing, layout design, and graphics production of a journalistic newsletter covering Hope
Christian School events, clubs, sports, class projects, etc.
Text: None
Spanish I
Instructor Angela Miller
Grade Level: 9th - 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: First or second year high school Spanish
Required Text: Spanish I or Spanish II , BJU Press (Bob Jones) and activities manual
History Courses:
6th/7th Alabama History
Instructor Cindy Gilbert
Grade Level: 6 – 7th grades
Credit Value: N/A
Course Objective: This is a general histories course covering Alabama history.
Text: Material to be provided by instructor. Some field trips are possible as well as
guest lecturers.
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8th US History
Instructor Cindy Gilbert
Grade Level: 8th grades
Credit Value: N/A
Course Objective: This is a general histories course covering Alabama history.
Text: America: Land I Love, A Beka Book
World History & Geography
Instructor Dana Nafe
Grade Level: high school (primarily 9th)
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: This is a general history course satisfying the high school
requirement for World History.
Text: to be determined
US History
Instructor Charity Miller/Gene Rowley
Grade Level: 10 -12
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objective: This course satisfies high-school US History I credit
and covers pre-Colonial through Reconstruction.
Text: Material provided by instructor.
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20thCentury American Pop Culture
Instructor Tony Nafe
Grade Level: 10 -12
Credit Value: 1.0 credit (either History or language)
Course Objective: This course satisfies high-school US History II credit.
This course will explore the 20th century through the lens of American popular culture.
Its influences on how we think, feel, vote and live our lives as well as its impact on
legislation and judicial rulings. As such, students will be asked to consider the ways in
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Alabaster Tutorial Co-Op
Course Descriptions for 2014 – 2015
Last Update: Friday, August 29, 2014
which they are both a user of and used by popular culture. We will begin the year by
defining popular culture and students will be asked to think about ways that popular
culture shapes American life.
Text: Material provided by instructor.
Government and Economics
Instructor Charity Miller/Joy Boyd
Grade Level: 11th – 12th grades
Fall: American Government
Credit Value: 0.5 credit (Government)
Spring: Economics
Credit Value: 0.5 credit Economics)
Fall: This class will explore American government structures, the U.S. Constitution and
other founding documents, ideas on government from the Founding Fathers, modern
government, discussion of current events and current government procedures and
actions, etc.
Spring: The course will move into the principles of economics and how they impact
everyday life.
Text: Exploring Government, Notgrass Company. Access to the internet is required for
research assignments.
Mathematics:
6th/7th Grade
Instructor Teresa Tutor
Grade Level: 6th – 8th grades
Credit Value: N/A
Course Objective: This course will build concepts needed for pre-Algebra and Algebra
I. Material will cover work with fractions, decimals, per cents, beginning equations,
word problems, etc.
Text: Saxon 7/6 (3rd Edition)
Pre-Algebra
Instructor Teresa Tutor
Grade Level: 7th – 9th grades
Credit Value: N/A
Course Objective: This course will build concepts needed for pre-Algebra and Algebra
I. Material will cover work with fractions, decimals, per cents, beginning equations,
word problems, etc.
Required Text: Saxon Algebra 1/2 (3rd Edition preferred)
Algebra I Algebra I, Saxon Publishers, 3rd edition preferred (no newer)
Geometry Geometry, Saxon Publishers, 1st edition (2009 copyright date)
Algebra II Algebra II, Saxon Publishers, 3rd edition preferred (no newer)
Pre-Cal/Trig Advanced Mathematics Saxon Publishers, 2rd edition preferred
Calculus Material to be provided by instructor.
Instructor Terri Douglas
Credit Value: 1.0 per course
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Alabaster Tutorial Co-Op
Course Descriptions for 2014 – 2015
Last Update: Friday, August 29, 2014
Course Objectives: Each course is high-school level work and covers required and
recommended topics. Homework is required. Each course uses a Saxon student text as
basis but additional work is incorporated into the course. Grade levels are not specific
but some courses are required to be taken in a specified order.
Electives:
Photography
Instructor Kimberly Greenlaw
Grade Level: 9 – 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit Course
Objectives: This class explores elements of photography such as camera usage,
photography types, techniques, photography as art, etc.
A digital camera is required (decent but not fancy.)
Text: None
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Basic Cosmetology
Instructor Somer Howe
Grade Level: 9th – 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objectives: An introduction to basic cosmetology
Text: None
Biblical Life Skills
Instructor Joy Boyd
Grade Level: 9th – 12th grades
Credit Value: 1.0 credit
Course Objectives: This course will address more than just basic stewardship issues.
From a Biblical perspective students will encounter topics/ideas/guest lecturers that cover
everything from finances, banking, and insurance to dressing-for-success, consignment
shopping, everyday car mechanics and social skills.
Required Text: None
Health
Instructor Dana Nafe
Grade Level: 9th – 12th grades
Credit Value: 0.5 credit
Course Objectives: This course satisfies the required high-school credit for health
Text: Material provided by instructor.
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