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electives  
 

The PACES PAideia elective classes are offered at various locations each year. Please refer to the registration forms to see which courses are currently offered.

Classical Studiesstudying Truth through an integration of classical linguistics and the history, literature and philosophy of the Classical World. Classical Studies presents humanity’s greatest accomplishments, Greece and Rome, and teaches students to learn from the Greeks and Romans to develop a strong worldview.

bullet Greek I learning the Greek language, both Classical and Koine, through stories set in Ancient Athens, studying the history, mythology, literature and philosophy of the Greeks.
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Intermediate Latin I – Course Description This course utilizes the Cambridge Latin Program and covers Unit I over the span of the school year. The homework load for this course is easily manageable for Levels A and up.

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Intermediate Latin II – This course utilizes the Cambridge Latin Program and covers Unit II over the span of the school year. The prerequisite for this course is Intermediate Latin I. The homework load for this course is slightly heavier than that of Intermediate Latin I, but is still at a comfortable level for students taking other courses at PAideia. This course is open to students in Levels B and C who have completed Intermediate Latin I.

After completing Intermediate Latin I and Intermediate Latin II, students will have completed the equivalent of Latin I for high school.

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Latin I/II – This course utilizes Wheelock’s Latin and covers the first 14 chapters of the textbook over the span of the school year. The workload for this course is medium to heavy and is methodical in nature. This course is open to C, D, or E Level students. C Level students who have not met the prerequisites but desire a more aggressive path to learning Latin may enrol in the course by special request. D or E Level students will enrol in this course with no prerequisites.

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Latin III – This course utilizes Wheelock’s Latin and builds upon concepts covered in Latin II. The workload for this course is medium to heavy and is methodical in nature. The prerequisite for this course is Latin II.

Logic

bullet Exploring Logic Introduction to logic for the upper grammar level student. This course helps develop critical thinking skills, reading comprehension, vocabulary and verbal skills. Along with other classroom activities, students taking this course will read and discuss articles from the God's World Newspaper, News Current.
bullet Introductory Logic Students at the dialectic level will learn practical and some Traditional Logic as they develop a basic understanding of the Christian theory of knowledge. Along with other classroom activities, students taking this course will read and discuss articles from the God's World Newspaper, Top Story. The course textbook for Years 1 & 3 is The Thinking Toolbox, and for Years 2 & 4 is The Fallacy Detective.        
bullet Logic I Our study of traditional formal logic begins by looking at the three mental acts which make up the logical process. Along with a basic understanding of the Christian theory of knowledge, the text explains categorical statements and syllogisms. Formal logic is offered to fully develop the mind of a student for reasoning and rhetorical defense.
bullet Logic II Continuing to build on the foundation laid in Logic I, this course in traditional logic trains the mind to respect truth.  It covers common errors in reasoning, characteristics of arguments, and arguments in everyday matters. It is an in-depth study of the classical syllogism.  Each year students will use the study of government and economics for much of their understanding in this course and will have the opportunity to fulfill the Texas requirement for either 1 semester of government or 1 semester of Economics. Since we begin the course by reviewing material covered in Logic I, mature D/E students who are willing to spend the time necessary may begin the study of logic with this course when approved by the Logic Coordinator.
bullet Logic III Using the text Material Logic by Martin Cothran, this course focuses on the content of argumentation. Because material logic is one of the two branches of logic, any complete course in logic must include a study of it. In this class we will cover how words are related to the ideas they signify, as well as how they can be used of one another.  Each year students will use the study of government and economics for much of their understanding in this course and will have the opportunity to fulfill the Texas requirement for either 1 semester of government or 1 semester of Economics.

 Upper Level High School Electives

bullet Rhetoric A course in rhetoric is offered to complete the classical education of your child. This one and a half credit course emphasizes reading and analyzing famous writings and speeches of the past.  Students learn to expressly communicate their beliefs in both the written and spoken word.  This analytical study class will also fulfill the state speech requirements.  Logic I & II is a pre-requisite for this course.  Concurrent enrolment in Logic II/III is allowed for some students.  
bullet Literary Synthesis Teaches exposes, literary critiques and reviews. Evaluates extensive research papers and novelettes. Structured as a college prep class with a Christian World View integrated throughout the year.
bullet Great Books Examines a number of the Great Books of History promoting the reading, thinking and sharing of ideas. The books selected to study will be books that have contemporary significance; that is, they have relevance to the problems and issues of our times; the book is inexhaustible; it can be read again and again with benefit; and the book is relevant to a large number of the great ideas and great issues that have occupied the minds of thinking individuals for the last 25 centuries.
bullet Philosophy and Apologetics The philosophy component (quarters 1&2) will introduce the high school student to the study of philosophy by enabling the student to study, contemplate, and articulate the major areas of thought contained in western philosophy from a Christian worldview.  The apologetic component (quarters 3&4) will introduce the student to the different schools of apologetics, the major ideas in apologetics, the justification for apologetics, and the best uses for apologetics.  This class is an academic based class and will be taught at a freshman college level – although no college credit will accrue.

Enrichment Lab

bullet Writing Lab Gives the student very practical skills to organize a piece of writing and put it together quickly. Practical steps on how to attack revision and editing. Includes using a FAST system (Focus, Apply, Strengthen, Tweak). To help students plan, start writing, include details and revise.

 Science & Math Electives

bullet Chemistry This class explores Chemistry using Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry 2nd ed.  Students will study energy and heat, atoms and molecules, classifying matter, stoichiometry, atomic structure, molecular structure, molecular geometry, acid & base chemistry.  The class is lab intensive and a $10 lab fee is required per student.
bullet Biology This class provides a thorough look into God's creation using the Apologia "Exploring Creation with Biology" book. Key subjects such as the five kingdoms, the chemistry of life, genetics, ecosystems, cells, reptiles, birds, and mammals will be studied and observed with the help of many experiments and dissections. A lab fee of 10 dollars will be collected at the beginning of the class.
bullet **Physics One dimensional motion, freefall, vectors, Newton’s Law, Coulomb’s Law, uniform circular motion and gravity, work and energy, momentum are among the subjects explored in this upper level science class.   *Prerequisite of Algebra I, II, and Geometry.  Text: Apologia Exploring Creation with Physics 2nd ed.
bullet Earth Science (year 1) Earth Science students will develop a good overview of the Earth and universe that God has created. They will explore an introduction to the physical world including different aspects of geology, weather, solar system, astronomy. Several hands-on activities in class and at home will be used to explore God’s creation.
bullet Anatomy (year 2) Anatomy students will develop a good understanding of the functioning of the human body. Many hands-on activities in class and at home will facilitate the learning of essential body system and functions. Muscles, bones, digestion, brain, respiration, circulation, blood, heart, and many more key point will  be discussed and studied
bullet Zoology (year 3) Using a classical approach to give our Middle School students an introduction to God’s incredible world of animals. Narrative and note booking are used to encourage critical thinking, logical ordering, retention and record keeping. Each week will involve reading the text, some notebook work, an activity and a project either at home or in class together. The text Exploring Creation With Zoology: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day allows the students to begin exploring the dynamics of flight and animal classification, understanding why the design we see in these incredible creatures points us to our Creator God. We will study birds, bats, and insects. The students will be on their way to becoming true scientists as they come to know nature and the fascination world that God created.
bullet General Science (year 3)  The General Science course is designed to be a student’s first systematic introduction to the sciences. The class covers such topics as the scientific method, designing experiments, simple machines, archaeology, geology, paleontology, biology, and human anatomy and physiology. This class will included many hands on experiments
bullet Engineering (year 4) Offering Engineering in year 4 allows the student to explore many of the engineering developments that have developed over time and culminate in the modern era. The students will explore a variety of engineering from the simple machines to complex engineering feats. The class is very hands on with many in class activities and building projects.
bullet **Advanced Mathematics  learn fundamentals of Analytical Geometry and Calculus , **prerequisite class
bullet Math Lab To facilitate understanding of the foundations of mathematics and how to apply concepts to everyday life. 

Fine Arts

bullet Theater Arts To begin the semester students in the PACES drama class will learn the fundamental concepts of stage direction and performance. Each student will participate in improvisation performances each week in class and will prepare a monologue to use an audition piece once a quarter. There will be two to three performances in the school year, with the possibility of a musical. For each performance the students will be required to help design and build the sets required as well as obtain an appropriate costume for their character. There will be in class quizzes and tests given throughout the school year that will cover vocabulary and other concepts covered in class.
bullet Guitar / Music Theory / Composition For students with a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of music--taking them where they are and moving into a deeper understanding of how music is put together, helping to build a stronger foundation for further study. $15.00 fee will cover the cost of books and all printed materials. Contact instructor for scheduling music instruction.
bullet Art Explore the wonderful world of art through a variety of colors, mediums, and techniques. Each art class varies according to the instructor of the class and the emphasis for each year.
bullet Piano Private piano lessons will be offered on some campuses. Arrangements are made directly with the instructor.
 
 

This page was updated on Sunday, September 13, 2009

 
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