Below the classes for the 2010-11 school year are described. Since Sycamore Covenant Academy is a home school cooperative, the books for each class are to be ordered by the parents. We have found that home school parents are resourceful and usually get good deals, find used books, or borrow from a friend much more cheaply than when SCA orders the books for them. Please be sure to order them in time for the first classes. Check our website at www.SycamoreRPC.org/sca for updates.

Algebra I – Students will study the relationships of numbers in the abstract by performing calculations involving letters and symbols and will gain a concrete appreciation for the orderly world in which we live. Textbook: Elementary Algebra, Harold Jacobs, ISBN: 0716710471.

Beginning Greek – Just by virtue of knowing English, you know more Greek than you may think! This class uses a workbook to gently introduce students to Greek, helping them to recognize its influence on our language and then using that foundation to introduce them to Biblical Greek. Textbook: Basic Greek in 30 Minutes a Day (New Testament Greek Workbook for Laymen), by James Found. ISBN: 0871232855.

British Literature – This course offers a survey of British Literature from its origins to the 21st century. Students will read and discuss literature and write analytical essays. This course is for the student who possesses skills in reading difficult vocabulary and who shows maturity in discussing academic themes. A broad background in American literature as well as competent writing skills is recommended. Textbook: Excellence in Literature: Reading and Writing through the Classics—British Literature by Janice Campbell. Available at Institute for Excellence in Writing www.excellenceinwriting.com and Christian Book Distributors. ISBN 0977468585 ISBN-13: 9780977468584 In addition, students will need access to library, online, or personal copies of the following works. Before purchasing literary works, you should look at an anthology which you may already own. The textbook also provides Internet links for several of the works. *Works that are marked are included in the Norton Anthology of English Literature. When possible, choose works that are well annotated.

*Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Seamus Heaney (or the version in your anthology)
*Selections from Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer including “The General Prologue,” “The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale,” “The Franklin’s Tale,” and “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.”
*Sir Gawain and the Green Knight c. 1375-1400
*The Faerie Queene (Book 1) by Edmund Spenser
*Paradise Lost by John Milton
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Note: Great precaution has been taken in compiling this reading list not to expose our students unnecessarily to overly sensual, graphic or hedonist material.  However, in order to study literature that has greatly impacted Western civilization and to prepare our young people for college and life, readings in this class may contain material or situations some Christians might find objectionable.   In order to remove any potential stumbling blocks, please be advised of this before enrolling your student in this class.  Please speak to Pastor York if you have any questions.

Chemistry – This course is designed to be a first-year high school chemistry course and gives the student a rigorous foundation in chemistry, in order to prepare him or her for a college-level course. Textbook: Jay Wiles’ Exploring Creation with Chemistry (be sure to have or order the Second Edition) ISBN: 1932012265

Church History Survey II – Helping our children see how the Lord worked in history is essential to building their faith. This class will be in the second year of a two-year survey in seeing God’s work from the early church to modern times but any student may join with no problem. Textbook: The Church in History by B.K. Kuiper. ISBN: 0802817777.

Early Church History – Our high school level church history courses feature reading the actual authors of the given time periods. This course is divided into the three trimesters. We plan to study Eusebius the first trimester, who gives an account of the first four centuries of church history. Textbook: Eusebius- The Church History, edited by Paul Maier. ISBN: 0825433282

English Grammar I – Students will learn the building blocks of writing and communicating. During each class period, the students will cover not only English Grammar, but also apply its principles to writing. In this way, students will appreciate how the study of English Grammar relates to the improvement of critical reading and writing. Students will write basic essays and creative writing with correct form and stylistic improvements. We will use Shurley Grammar and the Institute of Excellence in Writing (IEW) Textbook: Shurley Grammar Level 7 Workbook ISBN: 1-881940-83-7 (Either 1st or 2nd edition will work.)

General Science – Would you like to learn about the history of science, how to do science, the history of life, how your body works, and some of the amazing living creatures that exist in God's creation? Be prepared to be awed and amazed with what the Creator has made for you! Textbook: Jay Wiles’ Exploring Creation with General Science ISBN 1-932012-06-0

Geometry – Seeing the orderliness of the shapes and relationships around us and learning the skills of analytical thinking and congruency are important to living in God’s world. Textbook: Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding, Harold Jacobs, W. H. Freeman; 3rd edition, 2003, ISBN: 978-0716743613

Greek Reading – Students will take Greek skills already acquired and read through some of the epistles of Paul. Textbook: Greek New Testament published by the United Bible Societies (Fourth Edition).

Intro to Literature – This course is an introduction to high-school level literature and composition. Students will study the genres of literature including short story, poetry, novel, and drama. Students will also refine paragraph-writing and grammatical/mechanical skills and will practice developing analytical essays and research writing. Textbook: Windows to the World: An Introduction to Literary Analysis by Lesha Myers. Available at CBD and Institute for Excellence in Writing www.excellenceinwriting.com ISBN 978-0-9801005-1-8 (S) In addition, students will need access to library, online, or personal copies of the following works:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Note: Great precaution has been taken in compiling this reading list not to expose our students unnecessarily to overly sensual, graphic or hedonist material.  However, in order to study literature that has greatly impacted Western civilization and to prepare our young people for college and life, readings in this class may contain material or situations some Christians might find objectionable.   In order to remove any potential stumbling blocks, please be advised of this before enrolling your student in this class.  Please speak to Pastor York if you have any questions.

Keyboarding – In this course, students will learn the correct hand and finger positions for typing on the computer keyboard and will practice these to improve speed and accuracy, with special emphasis on practicing the patterns for frequently-used words. Students will then learn or review basic word processing commands and learn to create and proofread a variety of documents, such as business and personal letters and reports. This course is open to students of any age.

No textbook is required.  Each student should have access to a computer with some word processing software to use for at-home practice.  Practice computers will be provided for each students' use at SCA, unless s/he brings a personal computer. 

Latin Grammar I – Students will continue to learn the Latin language by building on the structure and grammar they learned from the Latin Primer classes. They will continue to learn more vocabulary, more Roman history, culture and mythology. Textbooks: Ecce Romani II, 4th edition (Hardcover); copyright 2009. ISBN: 9780133610918 * THIS BOOK COVERS 2 YEARS OF SCA HIGH SCHOOL LATIN CLASSES  A good place to buy it is from the Pearson Publisher at www.pearsonschool.com; and A Comprehensive Guide to Wheelock’s Latin, by Dale A. Grote, ISBN-10: 086516486X

Latin Primer I – Students will be introduced to the ancient Latin language- its basic structure and grammar and a limited Latin vocabulary. Also, become familiar with many of the most scholarly English derivatives that come from Latin which make up over 50% of the English language. The students will also study the rich Roman history, culture and mythology which permeate the literature of Western civilization. Textbook: *You may choose one of the following: Ecce Romani Level I, 3rd Edition (Hardcover); copyright 2005 Prentice Hall Publishing ISBN: 0131163701 – COVERS 2 YEARS OF SCA MIDDLE SCHOOL LATIN CLASSES or Ecce Romani Level I A (Softcover); ISBN: 013116371X- COVERS ONLY THIS YEAR’S SCA MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS. A good place to buy it is from the Pearson Publisher at www.pearsonschool.com

Old Testament Survey – Want to know more about Jesus Christ? Study the Old Testament! Jesus said, “All things which are written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). This course will survey the thirty-nine books of the O.T. and learn about their authors, setting, etc., but will pay particular attention to how Christ has been revealed to us there. Textbook: The Bible. Students will be required to read the entire Old Testament through the 2010-2011 academic year.

Pre-Algebra – This course is designed for those who have finished elementary math and are making the transition to algebra and geometry.  We will cover topics such as scientific notation, converting between measurement systems, order of operations, uses of variables, problem-solving strategies, basic geometry concepts, graphing, and probability, further use of negative numbers and fractions, and proportions. Textbook: Transition Math by Usiskin et al. and published by Scott Foresman. 1995.  ISBN:0673457451.  These can be found used for a very reasonable price.  The students will also need a scientific calculator.

U.S. Government – This class will study the foundations of government in the four kingdoms of this world: self-government, family government, civil government, and church government. These four spheres and their proper functioning are the God-given means for a successful society. Special attention will be given to the Biblical precepts on which our nation was founded. Textbook: God and Government (Volume I), by Gary DeMar. ISBN: 0915815095 (Note: Volumes II and III of this series will be used in the subsequent quarters.)

*Service Learning – Student’s are eligible to receive credit for applying the teaching of our Lord Jesus: “But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” By tutoring twice a week a neighborhood child, students will learn to serve others through doing projects around the school and for needy people in the community.