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 is open to string and woodwind players who have intermediate to advanced skills (generally 3 or more years of instruction). We will be playing selected movements from concertos by Vivaldi and Mozart and similar standard chamber repertoire. Students will be required to attend a dress rehearsal and performance on Friday, November 18 at 7 PM to receive full credit.

Human Anatomy (.5 credit)
Linda Kautz

Text: $58 (lab fee of $30 will be charged with the spring semester tuition)

In this class we will begin with the basic organization of the human body and progress to a study of each of the major systems, learning not only the structures, but also the functions and their interrelationships. We will not be covering the reproductive system in class.

Physics (.5 credit)
Linda Kautz

Text: $63

This class will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays. Physics is often called “the fundamental science” because it is the study of matter, or everything around us. This class will cover topics like motion, work and energy, Newton’s laws, light, and electricity. Labs will be done in the class periods. Text: Exploring Creation with Physics.

Note: This class are two day a week classes to provide the necessary amount of lecture time and to ensure each student grasps the material. The second class day is on Friday. See below for classes and times.

Biology w/lab (.5 credit)   back to top
Linda Kautz

Text: $58 (lab fee of $30 will be charge with the spring semester tuition)

This class will cover basic classification of living things, plus an introduction to biochemistry and genetics. Dissection and blood-typing labs in the spring semester offer a hands-on aspect to the course.

Drama (.25 credit)   back to top
Linda Kautz

Lab: $28.50

The first semester of this two-semester class will cover the “nuts and bolts” aspects of drama, like characterization, stage presence, stage directions, and solo and group performances. Second semester the class will select and present a play.

World History (.5 credit)   back to top

Thad Gunderson

Lab: $52

This course will help students see historical events from Creation to the present in the light of God’s word. We will look at the church, politics, economics, science, and fine arts in historical context.

American Government (.5 credit)back to top
Mike Whalen

Text: $38.50

This course will take a historical approach to American government, analyzing its levels and branches and explaining its scriptural foundation. This course will provide students with an overview of the changes and developments of our government along with discussions about current issues.

American Literature (.5 credit) back to top

Annie Nelson

Text:$42.50

This two semester course will introduce the student to lives and beliefs of the many authors as they reveal themselves through their writings. This fascinating course compares the values and beliefs of the Puritan period and Colonial/Revolutionary War period to those of the Romantics and the Realistic/Naturalistic writers. What a contrast!
For example, compare these words of Jonathan Edwards:
And it appears to me, that were it not for free grace, exalted and raised up to the infinite height of all the fulness and glory of the great Jehovah, and the arm of his power and grace stretched forth in all the majesty of his power, and in all the glory of his sovereignty, I should appear sunk down in my sins below hell itself; far beyond the sight of every thing, but the eye of sovereign grace, that can pierce even down to such a depth. (Jonathan Edwards, Personal Narrative)
to those of Ralph Waldo Emerson:
I remember an answer which when quite young I was prompted to make to a valued adviser, who was wont to importune me with the dear old doctrines of the church. On my saying, What have I to do with the sacredness of traditions, if I live wholly from within? my friend suggested, — “But these impulses may be from below, not from above.” I replied, “They do not seem to me to be such; but if I am the Devil’s child, I will live then from the Devil. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, from Self-Reliance)
The class work will consist of timed writings, tests, quizzes and short essays. Class time consists mainly of discussing the authors and concepts. The out of class work will consist of reading at least 30 pages of text book per week; two extra books will be assigned for further reading of the works from this period; two book reports; and research papers.

 

Christian Worldview (.5 credit)
James Clifford

Text: $10

In this class we will be addressing the life changing question does God exist? We will be using the Focus on the Family True U series as a springboard for this class and incorporate lots of discussion time. The goal of this class is to help cement each student’s belief in God and walk away with a greater and deeper knowledge of who he is.

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

Lab: $14 (music fee)

Students will be working on 3 and 4 part music and will receive instruction in vocal technique, choral blend, and sight-reading. We will be working on a variety of music this semester that is designed to expand the choir’s abilities. Students are required to participate in the dress rehearsal on Tuesday, November 16 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and the concert on Friday, November 19 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). The choir camp on September 10 from 12-1:30 p.m. is included in the tuition for this course.
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)

This group is open to all students who have played their instruments long enough to be able to read music at an intermediate/advanced beginner stage (generally 1-2 years of instruction). We will be playing patriotic music this semester and will perform before the production of “The Great American Time Machine.” If you are in doubt about your skills, auditions are available.

New Testament Survey (.5 credit) back to topThad Gunderson

Lab: $15

This class will explore the lives and times of Christ and the New Testament writers. Students will study the 27 New Testament books while taking a look at the chronological study of the life of Christ, a look at political forces and ideologies of the first-century Roman world, and a glimpse into the inter-testamental period.

Algebra 1 (.5 credit)   back to top

Mike Whalen

Lab: $42.50

This class will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays. This Algebra I courses will provide a biblical rationale for the study of mathematics and introduces basic algebraic skills in a logical order, including relations, functions, graphing, systems of equations, factoring, polynomials, radicals, rational equations, and quadratic functions. Text: Algebra I 2nd Ed. BJU Press.

Note: These classes are two day a week classes to provide the necessary amount of lecture time and to ensure each student grasps the material. The second class day is on Friday. See below for classes and times.

Creative Writing (.5 credit)   back to top
Chris Smart

Lab: None

 

This two semester course will enable students to build on their composition skills while writing descriptive and narrative paragraphs along with various stories (fables, tales, fiction). Time will also be spent learning the correct form for writing dialogue. This class encourages students to have a point to their compositions, for example a moral or lesson.

Geometry (.5 credit)   back to top
Mike Whalen

Text: $62

This class will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays. This 2-semester course will begin by using the Key to Geometry curriculum laying the necessary groundwork for students to move into plane geometry later in the fall semester.

Note: These classes are two day a week classes to provide the necessary amount of lecture time and to ensure each student grasps the material. The second class day is on Friday. See below for classes and times.

VolleyBall (.25 credit) back to top

James Clifford

Lab: $5

In this class students will review the basics of volleyball. The class will have a chance to cement these skills in scrimmage games each week. As the class progresses we will go over some more advanced skills.