Course Descriptions and Information

Textbooks: CHESS works hard to find good prices on all of its textbooks. The textbook fees include all shipping and tax costs. Unless specified, textbooks will be used for both the fall and spring semesters. If you already own a certain textbook please contact the CHESS office to verify you have the correct edition.

Lab fees: Lab fees are determined by the number of copies and kinds of supplies the teacher will need for their course. We buy in bulk and try to keep these costs as low as possible.

Registration: To register for classes please fill out the Enrichment Academy registration form and mail to the CHESS office. For other Enrichment Academy forms, click here.

Advanced Chamber Ensemble (.25 credit)
Teri Ong

Lab: $5 (music fee)

This group will be featuring a harp concerto by Handel as well as other classical and sacred pieces which include the harp. The group is open to string and woodwind players who have good skills. Auditions are available by arrangement. Students will have a dress rehearsal on Tuesday, March 23 and a concert on Friday, March 26.

Algebra II pt 2 (.5 credit)
Mike Whalen

Text: $15 (Test packs)

This 2-semester course will build on what the student has learned in Algebra 1. Students will extend their skills in graphing and in solving equations. They also will be introduced to exponential functions, logarithms, and trigonometry.

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in math requirements.

British Literature pt 2 (.5 credit)
Annie Nelson

Text: ($38 for new students)

A continuation of the fall semester, open to new students with the consent of the instructor. This is my favorite class to teach because the Englishmen, Scotsmen, and Irishmen whose works are included here are magnificent in their themes and their craftsmanship is unequaled. Perhaps my son Caleb said it the best: The next year my Mom taught me British Literature and I experienced the big bang. I enjoyed reading Bede, was amazed at the genius of Chaucer, adored Spenser’s inexhaustibly rich and embroidered stanzas, and was flattened by the sheer genius of Shakespeare. […] My greatest epiphany occurred when reading George Herbert. The technical virtuosity of a man who could end twenty five lines with the same five words, in the same order, all with a love and reverence for God like that of the Apostle John completely blew me away.

The class includes up to fifty pages of weekly reading, one 5 to 7 page research paper, in-class writing, quizzes, tests, and much lively discussion. While much of the reading in this class is excerpted from these writers’ larger body of works, it is enough to instruct and whet the appetite for more!

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in English/Literature requirements

Chemistry pt 2 (.5 credit)   back to top
Linda Kautz

Text: ($52 for new students)

A continuation of the fall semester, open to new students with the consent of the instructor. A two semester course which will cover atomic and molecular structure, acid/base chemistry, stoichiometry, and oxidation/reduction reactions.

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in science requirements.

Drama (.25 credit)   back to top
Linda Kautz

A new course covering acting basics like voice projection, diction, memorization, eye focus, body movement, and characterization.  The final project will be presentation of a play or collage of skits yet to be determined. Performance will be on Friday, March 19 or Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m. See the Chambers College insert for a complete list of the Chambers College and Co-enrollment courses and descriptions for spring semester.

Essay and Research Papers (.5 credit)   back to top
Annie Sechrist

Lab: $5 This class will focus on developing the writing skills that will carry the truth effectively and persuasively. These include writing vividly and succinctly, selecting a topic and organizing sub-topics, researching and gathering data, developing Biblical presuppositions. developing an argument and writing persuasively, and achieving a final composition that is elegant and professional. Students will be expected to complete three essays during this semester: a personal essay, a research essay and a persuasive essay. (Note: students may fulfill the CHESS Diploma Program Biographical Sketch requirement during this class.)

Time Saver Course: Fulfills .5 credit in English and Biographical Sketch requirement.

Geography pt 2 (.5 credit)   back to top
Mike Whalen

Text: $15 (test packs)

The students will embark on a world tour as they look at the world, its people, and its resources from a Christian perspective.

 

Geometry pt 2 (.5 credit)
Mike Whalen

Text: $30

Spring semester we will be utilizing the ABeka Plane Geometry textbook and building upon the foundation laid during fall semester with the Key to Geometry text.

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in math requirements.

High School Choir (Ages 13+) (.25 credit)
James Clifford

Lab: $12 (music fee)

The choir camp on Friday, January 22 is included in the registration for this course. Students will be working on 3 and 4 part music and will receive instruction in vocal technique and choral blend. Students are required to participate in the dress rehearsal on Tuesday, March 23 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and the concert on Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m. to receive a grade for the course. Students who miss more than 3 rehearsals will not be able to sing in the concert (choir camp counts as 1 rehearsal). NOTE: Students need to be able to match pitches and confidently sing a melody line to participate in high school choir.

Instrumental Ensemble (.25 credit)
Teri Ong

Lab: $5 (music fee)

We will be focusing on applying musicianship to a variety of musical styles from the march to the minuet! We will again emphasize sight reading skills, rhythm, and playing in a variety of key signatures. Students will be required to attend a dress rehearsal on Tuesday, March 23 and a concert on Thursday, March 25.

Latin I pt 2 (.5 credit)   back to top
MaryBeth Clifford

Lab: $5 (handouts)

A continuation of the fall semester. New students must have consent of the instructor and pass the entrance exam. We will be studying 4th and 5th declension, adjectives, and verbs.

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in foreign language requirements.

Marine Biology pt 2 w/ Labs (.5 credit)   back to top
Linda Kautz

Lab: $30 (Lab Specimens)

A continuation of the fall semester, open to new students with the consent of the instructor. This class includes two additional lab sessions: Saturdays, February 6 and March 6 from 9 a.m. to Noon. The lab fee includes 5 specimens and 6 hours of supervised lab instruction.

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in science requirements.

Speech pt 2 (.5 credit)   back to top
Sarah Ong

This course is intended to be an extension of the basic speech class and will look more deeply at speech as a form of communicating a variety of ideas and concepts, emphasizing participation rather than theory. The course is designed to help the student develop a healthy attitude toward public speaking, to aid in the communication of thoughts and feelings, and to recognize the importance of effective communication skills in all aspects of society.

U.S. History pt 2 (.5 credit)   back to top
Thad Gunderson

Text: ($43 for new students)

A continuation of the fall semester, open to new students with the consent of the instructor. A survey of U.S. history from the Colonial period to the present. We will look into the social, economic, religious, and political developments that contributed to the climb from tiny colony to major world power. Special emphasis will be given to the providence of God in the nation’s development. United States History, BJU 3rd ed. will be our textbook.

Time Saver Course: Completion of both semesters fulfills 1.0 credit in history requirements.