Enrichment
Course Descriptions:
Art: Portrait Drawing and the Grid Method
Students will be taken through a series of responsive drawing exercises that emphasize observation and the employment of rendering techniques in graphite. Throughout the course, students will be asked to reference a diverse survey of historically and culturally significant imagery inspired by self portraiture and self expression. Each student will then produce a portrait in graphite using a photograph as source material. The process will investigate the grid method, a technique designed to aid the artist in achieving accuracy and proportion within the picture plane.
Card Sharks
The course focuses on games played with a traditional deck of playing cards. We will use these games to improve arithmetic fluency, build logical thinking skills, and most importantly, have fun playing cards!
Public Speaking
Public speaking is designed to help students practice and improve their public speaking skills. Through creative speech writing, individual and group performances, and fun impromptu activities, the students will gain the confidence to speak in front of any audience.
American Sign Language
Students learn how to communicate using American Sign Language. In this engaging class, students focus on receptive skills, learn signs, build signing fluency, and study influential movements and people within the Deaf culture.
Hispanic Culture
This fall quarter class will focus primarily on Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct 15) and Día de los Muertos (Oct. 31- Nov 2) . Students will learn about the many historically important people with Hispanic heritage and apply that knowledge during Day of the Dead when we create an altar in their memory. Students will make crafts and take part in a variety of Day of the Dead activities. Games, food, piñatas and music will round out the course. Spanish language will be used!
Debate
A debate is a structured argument involving two sides: one in favor of an issue, the other against it. In this course, students will partake in several debates covering a variety of topics by either supporting or opposing a claim. They will research and gather evidence to strengthen their assertions as well as use their critical thinking skills to assess and refute their opponents. Most importantly, they will do their best to convince the judges that their team has proven their case and their side should win the debate!
7th Health (ONE QUARTER REQUIRED)
The Health enrichment class will be using the Glencoe Teen Health textbook, and meets all of the National Health Education Standards while covering a variety of teen health and wellness topics. Units of study include the following: physical fitness and nutrition, mental and emotional health, building healthy relationships, tobacco, alcohol and drugs, male and female reproductive systems,and communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
8th Yearbook
Yearbook is the class where students design the HPA yearbook that we distribute to every student in June. Students collaborate to achieve consensus, as well as work within clearly defined jobs. They interface with the broader HPA community to ensure our yearbook represents our community. Students need to balance design, ambition, and resources against strict deadlines to avoid going over budget with our publisher. Yearbook students work hard to create this important artifact that defines and commemorates the year for students and families in the broader HPA community so that it can be remembered for decades.
Exploring Computer Science
Computer science examines the core fundamentals of computational thinking and how they’re applied in a real-world context for deeper exploration. Exploring computer science engages learners on the practices and tech industry standards, exposing our learners to state-of-the-art technology and methodologies. As a tool for student-centric learning and discovery, students in this course will apply social awareness alongside their newfound skills to leverage problem solving and systems thinking applications.
The Innovator’s Studio
A design workshop for students to plan, iterate, and innovate their ideas, while learning about standard maker tools. The foundation of technology use at High Point Academy is to see students become producers of technology, as emphasized by creativity and innovation. The Innovator’s Studio is about embracing the complexity of tinkering, playful learning, experimenting, iterating and collaborating - from process to product. At the beginning, students will use a “station rotation” model to learn skills in the safe use of Makershed tools, materials, and 3D modeling/printing. All deliverables from workshops will come from project-based development.
Optional ISEE/HSPT Test Prep Course for 8th Graders
Students who choose to take this course will learn strategies for success on the entrance exams for high schools, including the High School Entrance Exam (HSPT) and the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Students will engage in lessons, practice exercises, self-correction, and practice tests.
