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Course Descriptions
Well Planned Degree
Career Explorations
Career Exploration and Preparation helps students discover what they do best, what they want to do most, and how to best prepare to enter the marketplace.
*** This class will only cover the first-semester material from the Course Guide.
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Assignments:
Students read a biography, complete a variety of assignments in the Course Guide related to their interests and personality, evaluate potential occupations, conduct three informational interviews with professionals of their choice, and prepare PowerPoint presentations to share their interviews with classmates.
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Grading:
Parents are responsible to issue a final letter grade based on work completion. Students may receive 0.5 high school credits for the work done in this class, or students may additionally complete the second semester material from the Course Guide (not covered as a part of this class) for 1.0 high school credit.
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Testimonials:
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Mrs. Lackie was such a blessing in my career decision-making process! I was able to gain insight on many options I wasn't previously aware of, and expanded my knowledge of what I already knew.
- Amanda (student)
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Through learning about myself and my aptitudes, I was able to narrow down a huge list of jobs to just 2 options that are a good fit for me. Thank you, Mrs. Lackie!
- Caleb (student)
World Religions
If you haven't taken a course of this nature before, this is an excellent place to start. Engaging students in an age-appropriate study of today’s major world religions, this study can be completed in one-semester and includes test-taking strategies to prepare students for the DSST exam. In addition, students learn notetaking and study skills that target their unique learning styles. Parent involvement is encouraged with minimal preparation time required.
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Assignments:
Students create weekly hand-written murals highlighting each religion studied. Along with reading the text and taking notes, students complete short-answer review questions in the Course Guide.
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Grading:
Parents are responsible to issue a final letter grade based on work completion. Parents may also decide to consider the DSST exam as a factor in determining a grade for World Religions on a student's transcript (0.5 high school credit).
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*** World Religions Course Guide included in the class fee.
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*** Must purchase textbook before the first day of class.
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Textbook:
Testimonials:
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This class was amazing! It really made learning fun. Work smarter, not harder right? :) I learned what my learning style was, and that REALLY helped! Instead of dreading class day, I looked forward to it all week. I definitely recommend!
- Mariella (student)
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Mrs. Lackie's Introduction to World Religions class helped me learn the information I needed to know for the DSST exam while motivating me to stay on top of my studying. Her teaching style is very interactive and organized! I would recommend her classes to anyone prepping for a DSST or CLEP exam!
- Veronica (student)
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I highly recommend Kristin's classes. As a first time homeschooling mom, this class and her teaching was an answer to prayer. My 8th grade son thrived in this class and enjoyed Kristin's teaching style and her true passion to equip the students with the knowledge and foundation they need to be successful in taking the exam. She made learning fun and her expectations of the students were very reasonable. I loved that she started and ended each class with prayer. We will definitely be signing up for more of Kristin's classes!!!
- Joy (parent)
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Kristin Lackie has been an enthusiastic teacher who is always cheering her students on. My son took World Religions and Environmental Science with her this year. She provided the structure, timeline, accountability and support that we needed. Disclaimer: There is no guarantee that your child is guaranteed to pass the exam simply from taking the course; the responsibility to study diligently still falls on the student and their parental support at home. However, our son did study hard and passed his World Religions DSST exam. (The Environmental Science exam hasn't happened yet.) I would highly recommend Mrs. Lackie as an instructor.
- Krista (parent)
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Environmental Science
A compelling science that doesn’t require algebra or a microscope. This Course-for-Credit Guide is ideal for students in grades 7 and up. As a biological high school science, students will focus on cause and effect, and solutions. This full-year curriculum is not a study of environmentalism. It is written from a Biblical worldview. The guide includes targeted review to prepare students for the DSST exam.
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Assignments:
Students read current event articles and handwrite an analysis each week. Monthly, students complete a Field Activity from the Course Guide and prepare a short PowerPoint presentation to share with the class. Other assignments include reading, notetaking, chapter quizzes, and Course Guide worksheets.
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Grading:
Parents are responsible to issue a final letter grade based on work completion. A Grade Chart is included in the Course Guide as a reference. Parents may also decide to consider the DSST exam as a factor in determining a grade for Environmental Science on a student's transcript (1.0 high school credit).
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*** Environmental Science Course Guide included in the class fee.
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*** Must purchase textbook before the first day of class.
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Textbook:
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Testimonials:
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Kristin made studying for the Environmental Science DSST exam fun! My 13-year-old son enjoyed the games she did to help the kids with studying the many questions. She also gave us resources to continue studying at home, and tips/tricks to help. When the exam time came, he was ready and he PASSED!
- Julie (parent)
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Mrs. Lackie's Environmental Science class was very instrumental for my kids passing the DSST test. They always looked forward to going to class and kept motivated by the camaraderie with the other students. Kristin does a great job not only helping them learn the subject matter, but also teaches them study strategies to prepare for the test itself. I highly recommend this class for any student who wants to earn those college credits while still in high school!
- Emily (parent)
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Kristin took a massive amount of material and made the study process fun and manageable. Her tips and study sessions made it a truly enjoyable experience. Our son, who is historically not a great test-taker, passed his DSST with flying colors! His confidence has soared and we are so thankful for her help!
- Joy (parent)
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We have enjoyed working with Ms. Kristin for Environmental Science this year. My son enjoyed the class dynamics, interaction and learning the material. Thank you!
- Jessica (parent)
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Kristin helped to make homeschool science fun for our 7th grade boy! He enjoyed class time, with other homeschooled kids. The activities were fun and he really enjoyed learning more about our environment. I loved the fact that Kristin gave a Christain perspective to the science lessons. We would definitely take this class offered from Kristin again!
- Chanda (parent)
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Psychology
This 100+ page Course-for-Credit Guide is a full-year curriculum that introduces students to the scientific study of psychology – a fascinating course, often offered in both high school and as a college general education course. As a high school credit, it can be considered a social science or elective. This Course Guide is age-appropriate for high school students.
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Assignments:
Along with reading the text and taking notes, students will create vocabulary flashcards, take chapter quizzes, and complete various activities in the Course Guide. For the last three weeks of the class, students work together to review for the CLEP exam using Modern States which allows them to take the test for free with a voucher code.
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Grading:
Parents are responsible to issue a final letter grade based on work completion. A Grade Chart is included in the Course Guide as a reference. Parents may also decide to consider the CLEP exam as a factor in determining a grade for Psychology on a student's transcript (1.0 high school credit).
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*** Psychology Course Guide included in the class fee.
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*** Must purchase textbook before the first day of class.
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Textbook:
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*** Optional purchase of Introductory Psychology CLEP book by REA is highly recommended. Several editions of the book are available. All include printed practice exams but vary as to how digital tests are offered.
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IEW
The Institute for Excellence in Writing
IEW's unique approach provides the structure that students need to develop confidence in the writing process, while gradually guiding them toward greater independence and creativity. They will learn nine structural models (note taking, writing paragraphs, stories, simple reports, writing from pictures, research reports, creative writing, essays, and critiques) to help them organize any type of composition. Additionally, stylistic techniques (strong verbs, quality adjectives, sentence openers, and more) are taught incrementally to gently move students from the basics into more sophisticated writing. This full-year curriculum fulfills an English requirement for your student.
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Assignments:
Students write approximately five paragraphs each week following a detailed checklist of requirements..
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Grading:
Students receive one of two grades on each submitted composition: an "A" for accomplishing all requirements on the checklist or an "I" if checklist requirements are incomplete. Students have the opportunity to resubmit work which receives an "I" score. Parents may use these scores when determining a final letter grade for a student's transcript (1.0 high school credit).
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Advanced U.S. History-Based Writing
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*** Students must purchase the Advanced U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons Student Book from IEW by the first day of class. Visit the IEW website (www.iew.com) and search AUH-S ($35).
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*** For this course, you will also need to obtain the following books:
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1. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
ISBN 0-553-21218-4
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
ISBN 0-06-093546-4
3. The Gardener by Sarah Stewart (a children's book)
4. The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
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***It is assumed that students taking this class are already fairly comfortable with most of the basic elements of style (dress-ups, sentence openers, and decorations) and models of structure taught in IEW's Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. The beginning of this course does review and refine these elements but at a rapid pace. The lessons soon progress to more advanced concepts.
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Level C Year 1
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*** Students must purchase a Level C Year 1 Binder and Student Packet from IEW by the first day of class. Visit the IEW website (www.iew.com) and search SSS-1C-BRS ($35).
*** Optional: Students may complete Fix it! Grammar: Level 5 Frog Prince. Visit the IEW website (www.iew.com) and search FIX-L5-S ($19).
*** Students read Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Due Week 21
Level C Year 1)
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Level C Year 2
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*** Students must purchase a Level C Year 2 Binder and Student Packet from IEW by the first day of class. Visit the IEW website (www.iew.com) and search SSS-2C-BRS ($35).
*** Optional: Students may complete Fix it! Grammar: Level 6 Little Mermaid. Visit the IEW website (www.iew.com) and search FIX-L6-S ($19).
Testimonials:
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My son and I have both been blessed to have Kristin as our IEW teacher this school year! Having a safe and comfortable place for my son to learn at was so appreciated! Kristin always responded promptly to any questions or requests that my son or myself sent her way. I would highly recommend Kristin to be your next child's IEW teacher!
- Chanda (parent)
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I would highly recommend Kristin Lackie as a writing teacher. In an area where I am not gifted or very knowledgeable, it was wonderful to have her discernment and understanding to share with my daughter to help her increase her writing abilities. Kristin was great at communicating expectations and correcting papers in a timely fashion that provided helpful insight. It was exciting to see my daughter expand and mature in her writing throughout the class.
- Kari (parent)
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Mrs. Lackie is an amazing, confident, fun teacher. She makes the lessons exciting and challenges us with each new assignment. I would recommend Mrs. Lackie to be your teacher this coming school year!
- Brooklyn (student)
To purchase Course Guides, click here: