top of page
Compass Community Classes
Class Descriptions
2019-2020
Middle School Classes
Local Ecology – 16 weeks (Sept. 16 - Jan 13)
​
Ecosystems are an incredibly complex web of organic and inorganic elements. During this class, students will learn about the relationships between animals, plants, soil, water, and air through hands-on exploration. We will focus on both wetland and forest communities, utilizing the natural resources outside our classroom. While some of our learning will be classroom based, our goal is to spend as much time as possible collecting data and conducting research in the field. Students will emerge with a greater understanding of the scientific principles that govern ecosystem dynamics and a greater appreciation for the natural world. -Taught by Andrew Prazar
Middle School Acting Shakespeare – 16 weeks (Jan 20 - May 25)
​
Wonder what it's like to perform Shakespeare? In this class, we'll use the same techniques to study Shakespeare that professional actors use in rehearsal. That means we'll explore his words on our feet and speaking them aloud. Shakespeare is an expert on human nature. Chances are that whatever emotion you have experienced, Shakespeare has written about it. And in this class, you'll be discovering Shakespeare's stories and characters through performing them yourself! Each student will be 'cast' in a scene or monologue, depending on the class size. We'll delve deep and explore and investigate and question his language through these scenes and monologues. In the final week, we'll share what you've discovered by performing your work for parents and friends. -Taught by Keri Ellis Cahill
Sexuality Education: Our Whole Lives Grades 7-9 – 24 weeks (Sept 16 - March 16)
Using a comprehensive approach, Our Whole Lives helps youth gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways. Co-facilitators Andrew and Julia create a positive and nonthreatening environment to maximize knowledge and skills youth need to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. This secular program is relevant to youth from a wide range of family backgrounds and religious traditions and highly values messages of self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice and inclusivity. Parents of participants are asked to attend a mandatory one-hour orientation. Minimum number of students 8. Maximum number of students 14. -Taught by Andrew Prazar and Julia Long
Beginning Conversational Spanish – 8 weeks (March 30 - June 1)
Learn to engage in basic conversations in Spanish through role plays and fun activities. Focus will be on family, travel, hobbies, and more. Minimum number of students 6. Maximum number of students 12.
-Taught by Julia Long
High School Classes
Mindfulness and Meditation – 8 weeks (Sept 16 - Nov 4)
Jen Finnegan of Holistic Health Journey presents Mindfulness-Meditation-Journaling programs. Her program encompasses a Mindfulness Integration to support youth in a safe and caring learning environment. Students learn through the integration of creative yoga flow, mindfulness and journaling to become more aware and pay attention in an open, balanced and curious way. Jen’s guidance and teaching equips students with skills to develop a deeper mind body awareness, self compassion for themselves and compassion for others, skills to further understand their emotions, to stimulate both sides of their brain and to recognize when their attention has wandered!
Research has found with mindfulness practice, students show improved attention (focus and concentration), executive functions, greater social and emotional skills (improved self regulation as well as compassion) and enhanced well-being, and decreased anxiety, stress and depression.
-Taught by Jen Finnegan
Critical Thinking in Civics and Current Events
​
This class will educate students on government procedure and branches of government, while thinking critically about current events. Classes will consist of student-led discussions and debates. Students will be encouraged to read, discuss and debate all sides of issues by using various news media. Sensitive topics and issues may be covered. Students must/will be respectful of different or conflicting viewpoints while strengthening their own ideas and opinions. -Taught by Leeann Albano
High School Creative Writing II
This year-long course is geared towards the motivated writer who would like to take their creative writing a little further. We will continue to explore a variety of creative writing forms, including short stories, poetry, journal writing, and creative non-fiction, with the hope that we can expand on what we've already learned. One of our new goals for the year will be to include a little more time working on editing in order to create more polished and complete pieces than we've done this past year. Students will continue to share their work in a supportive environment as we work towards gathering more constructive feedback from one another. The overall goal will remain focused on generating a greater desire to write and fostering an appreciation of the written word. -Taught by Laura Doujad
World Literature II
This course gives students a chance to increase the depth of their global cultural awareness and examine literary perspectives and traditions from around the world. The primary objective is for students to have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the richness of world cultures and diversity through the study of ancient, modern and contemporary literature. Students will spend time engaged in dialogue, both in discussion and written reflections, about texts and the cultures that produced them. Students will be challenged to see the lives of the people of other cultures through universal theories, themes, questions, and preconceived ideas. Several forms of literature will be studied: novels, plays, poetry, short stories, and non-fiction. Students will be asked to create and work towards personal goals. Reading, speaking, writing and challenging yourself in a safe supportive environment are all part of this course. Prerequisite: Prior High School Literature Course Preferred -Taught by Leeann Albano
Survey of World History II
In an effort to expand the boundaries of historical analysis, this course will not focus on a particular country or region, theme or period, but rather survey history on a larger scale. The goal is not to learn everything that happened in World History but to focus on broad themes and look at crosscultural connections that relate to our world today. We will connect to the past by looking at the present, as we look at current events and travel back to see the history responsible for news headlines. Be ready to read, perform, write, argue and philosophize on our world’s history. This course will use varies types of text, media, movies, video, and literature to examine history through many viewpoints. This course starts at the age of Modernity and moves through to the contemporary. -Taught by Leeann Albano
2018-2019
Sexuality Health Education for High School (16 week workshop)
Julia Long, MPH, and Andrew Prazar (masters in environmental education) are both seasoned educators and certified “Our Whole Lives” (OWL) high-school sexuality education instructors. Using a comprehensive approach adapted from this acclaimed curriculum, the facilitators foster a safe, nurturing environment for youth to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. This secular program was jointly developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ, and is relevant to youth from all family backgrounds and religious traditions. Messages of self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice and inclusivity are prioritized throughout the curriculum. Parents of participants are asked to attend a brief orientation.
Critical Thinking in Civics and Current Events (8 week workshop)
taught by Leeann Albano
This workshop will educate students on government procedure and branches of government, while thinking critically about current events. Classes will consist of student-led discussions and debates. Students will be encouraged to read, discuss and debate all sides of issues by using various news media. Sensitive topics and issues may be covered. Students must/will be respectful of different or conflicting viewpoints while strengthening their own ideas and opinions.
World Literature taught by Leeann Albano
This course gives students a chance to increase the depth of their global cultural awareness and examine literary perspectives and traditions from around the world. The primary objective is for students to have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the richness of world cultures and diversity through the study of ancient, modern and contemporary literature. Students will spend time engaged in dialogue, both in discussion and written reflections, about text and the cultures that produced them. Students will be challenged to see the lives of the people of other cultures through universal theories, themes, questions, and preconceived ideas. Several forms of literature will be studied: novels, plays, poetry, short stories, and non-fiction. Students will be asked to create and work towards personal goals. Reading, speaking, writing and challenging yourself in a safe supportive environment are all part of this course.
Survey of World History taught by Leeann Albano CLASS FULL!
In an effort to expand the boundaries of historical analysis, this course will not focus on a particular country or region, theme or period, but rather survey history on a larger scale. The goal is not to learn everything that happened in World History but to focus on broad themes and look at cross cultural connections that relate to our world today. We will connect to the past by looking at the present, as we look at current events and travel back to see the history responsible for news headlines. Be ready to read, perform, write, argue and philosophize on our world’s history. Topics covered will be: The Ancient World, Medieval World, Renaissance and Reformation, Exploration and Colonization, Age of Rebellions, Imperialism and Nationalism, and the Modern Era.
High School Environmental Science taught by Elisa Torstensson 1 spot left!
Environmental science will be a lab based class which will include, but not limited to, foundations of earth science, as well as ecology, plant science, chemistry, and geology. In Environmental Science the students will learn about the interrelationships of the natural world. They will identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and manmade. During class we will learn about environmental risk factors and examine solutions for resolving and preventing them.
High School Creative Writing and Middle School Creative Writing taught by Laura Doujad
H.S. CREATIVE WRITING FULL!
This year long course is designed to uncover and encourage the creative writer within each student. Students will explore creative writing through a variety of methods including: short stories, journal writing, poetry and creative non-fiction. For the most part, students will work independently, but we will begin each class by discussing creative writing techniques and brainstorming ideas together. These small collaborations will help to foster a warm and supportive environment in which the students will feel comfortable to share their work and to offer one another constructive feedback. It is hoped that not only will the students improve their writing skills but that they will also develop a greater desire to write and a greater appreciation of the written word.
Middle School Chemistry taught by Elisa Torstensson
What happens when solids, liquids, and gases are heated and cooled? What’s the difference between a proton,
a neutron and an electron? Why is one substance more or less dense than another and how can we change density? What causes certain substances to dissolve in water? What happens when a chemical reaction takes place? These questions and many more will be explored in Middle School Chemistry. Our inquiry based lessons will cover basic chemistry concepts along with the process of scientific investigation. The students will: ï‚· Ask scientific questions and investigate them ï‚· Design and conduct experiments ï‚· Understand their observations on the molecular level ï‚· Record and communicate results The activities will focus on the process of doing science, including the importance of establishing an experimental control, changing and controlling variables, observing, measuring, and recording data, and drawing reasonable conclusions. Additionally, whenever possible, mathematics will be incorporated through data collection, data organization and reading the data to help draw conclusions.
2017-2018
American Literature II
Students read, interpret and discuss a broad spectrum of American literature from the mid-19th century through the later 20th century. Students explore a wide selection of literary styles in order to gain a greater understanding of the English language and American cultural history. Authors are studied in a chronological order to show literary progression over time. Class discussions use the Socratic Method in discussion groups where students develop critical thinking, analyze the ideas, examine the writers’ purpose, and consider audience expectations. A sampling from a previous reading list: Huckleberry Finn, Up From Slavery, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea, To Kill a Mockingbird.
American History II
Using Joy Hakim's History of US, this class will study the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, the Gilded Age, the Great Depression, world wars, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: Presidents, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.
Anatomy & Physiology
Study the science of the structures within the human body and how the structures work separately and within the body. Promote general health and understanding by knowing what is going on with different systems within ourselves. Explore interests in different careers such as, Doctor, Nurse, Therapist, Dentist, Massage Therapist, Sports Medicine or even coaching by research into the human body. Learn about cells, disease, genetics and much more as we educate ourselves on the amazing human anatomy. *This course will include the Reproductive System.
Critical Thinking in Civics and Current Events
A full year class will educate students on government procedure and branches of government, while thinking critically about current events. Classes will consist of student-led discussions and debates. Students will be encouraged to read, discuss and debate all sides of issues by using various news media. Sensitive topics and issues may be covered. Students must/will be respectful of different or conflicting viewpoints while strengthening their own ideas and opinions.
Writing (Wednesday Class)
Writing is one discipline that connects all the others. Lab reports, research proposals, business letters, persuasive essays, and emails all come down to a person's ability to communicate clearly and effectively without the reliance on body language and tone of voice. In Writing, students will improve their writing ability in all realms. We explore fiction, essay, poetry, and other forms with the intent of developing students' ability to think critically, communicate kindly and effectively, and engage holistically in the discipline of writing. Students are offered freedom within an atmosphere of structure as they work so they can choose to write about what most interests them, and so they can own and enjoy the day to day practice of writing.
Middle School Literature and Writing
Dive into classic works of literature to experience the adventures for yourself. Students will explore texts such as Treasure Island, Redwall, and The Old Man and the Sea with an emphasis on discovering what these works can teach us about writing, about ourselves, and about others. Along the way, students will be introduced to different forms of writing including essay, poetry, and short fiction. The class focus will be on developing skills of reading, writing, and speaking in a way that makes use of movement, movie, games, and music--all while aiming to show the joy that comes with creating and sharing one's own work. To that end, this course will be ungraded, and students will receive feedback on their work. Our goal is to develop a community of learners who enjoy each other and improve together while experiencing the written arts as the living, breathing thing they are!
Math and Science Connections
Middle School aged students will explore the places where math and science converge. In this hour and a half long class, students will be guided through a project based, hands-on, exploration of mathematic concepts such as geometry, probability, and core number sense to solve real life scientific questions. Lessons will encourage innovation, invention and creativity with hands on activities in both math and science. The lessons should help students to understand how key science and math concepts are applied out in the world. We will try to answer such questions as: “Which paper towel is the best?”, “Which bridge design is strongest?”, “How much weight can a parachute hold?” Students should be prepared to work together, think logically, work through their mistakes, and above all, have a good time.
bottom of page