First Period (9:15 AM–10:30 AM)

High School Chemistry

Dr. Tom Anderson

• ages 14–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Chemistry as a discipline is concerned with matter, change, and energy. Beginning with a look at atoms and the periodic table, students will develop an understanding of how and why atoms arrange and rearrange themselves into the matter that is all around us. Topics include states of matter, heat and energy, the behavior of gases, and chemical reactions. The course will also examine chemical kinetics and dynamic equilibrium. Demonstrations and hands-on experiments will allow students to practice careful observation and measurement skills, with attention given both to descriptive and quantitative work. In addition to topics such as acid/base chemistry, batteries and electricity, food and fuels, and the laws of thermodynamics, students will learn about stoichiometry and the forces that hold matter together.

Students should bring note-taking materials to class each week (notebook and pen/pencil; laptop/tablet; etc.). Students will need basic algebra knowledge. Students can expect to spend 2 to 3 hours weekly on reading and problem sets.

Textbook: Chemistry 2e from the OpenStax project. The book is freely available as an online textbox or as a pdf but is also available in printed form. It is a college-level textbook, so interested students will be able to easily go into greater depth on particular topics if they wish.

This full-year course will be open to new students for the spring semester. The fall semester is concerned with "microscopic chemistry" (atoms, molecules, and chemical bonding) and the spring semester will be concerned with "macroscopic chemistry" (chemical reactions, kinetics, equilibrium). The two semesters complement one another but are conceptually independent: it is possible to join the course in the spring without any special preparation.

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

Coding with Python

Mike Zugschwert

• ages 14–19 years
• Tuition: $150 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Python programming language, including its syntax and basic data structures. Throughout the course, students will also learn about the importance of software design and how to write clear, efficient, and maintainable code. They will be encouraged to develop good coding practices such as commenting, testing, and debugging.

Students will create Python applications to do math for them, encrypt and decrypt secret messages, create graphical art with code, build stand-alone applications with a user interface, and program a LEGO robot to interact with the physical world.

Students should have a general working knowledge of file structures and operating a computer. Having good typing skills is also helpful.

Students should bring a laptop (and its powercord) to class each week and have admin privileges to be able to install software. We will be doing some browser-based coding and also using PyCharm IDE (free) to write our scripts. Old computers can do surprisingly well with Python scripting, so you don’t need a new laptop.

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Fourth Period (2 PM–3 PM)

Photography Senior Seminar

Kathy Oaks

• ages 14–19 years
• Tuition: $120 for the 12-week Fall Semester

This is a synchronous (real-time or live) online course held on Thursdays. Classes will be held via Zoom. Students will need a quiet Zoom meeting space.

For photography students who want to deepen their knowledge and focus on developing their style further. This online senior seminar, facilitated by Kathy Oaks, will help experienced photographers explore topics of interest and work on independent projects.

Students will need a good working knowledge of their camera, depth of field, and composition, and basic editing skills.

Students should have a camera, phone, or tablet that lets them take photos; an app (such as Camera+) that allows phone users to change shutter speeds, white balance, etc.

Students can expect to spend about 30 to 60 minutes weekly on homework for this course.

This full-year course will be open to new students for the spring semester.

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Second Period (10:35 AM–11:50 AM)

Shakespearean Youth Theater: Venus and Adonis

Lukas Brasherfons of Shakespearean Youth Theater

• ages 13–19 years
• Tuition: $137.50 for an 11-week Fall Semester

This is an 11-week (13¾-hour) Fall Semester class ending on Friday 1 December 2023 (the eleventh week of  PHS classes), one week early, so the final presentation will be on December 1. There will be no classes on Friday 8 December 2023 (the twelfth week of PHS classes). Tuition has been adjusted to reflect this schedule.

Dissect Shakespeare’s incredible yet underrecognized epic poem Venus and Adonis and work together to create a draft of an original theatrical adaptation of the piece.

Through close reading, dramatic consideration, and literary analysis, students will explore the uniquely exciting world of Shakespeare’s narrative poetry and hone their skills in devised theatre by taking a text not meant for the stage and creating a draft of a theatrical rendition.

Shakespeare’s mythological poem tells the story of romantic pursuit at the beginning of time and is rife for theatrical exploration due to its elements of action, passion, and tragedy. The class will culminate in a staged reading of the original adaptation created by the group.

This class will include a lot of out-loud cold reading of text in the class sessions.

Students should bring a notebook and writing implements to class each week.

Small assignments relating to the adaptation process may arise, but homework will not be a major part of the course. 1 hour at maximum.

For reference: Folger Shakespeare Library: Venus and Adonis

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

Social and Presentation Skills

Kathy Oaks

• ages 13–19 years
• Tuition: $165 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Learn to present yourself well! Get comfortable with meeting people, remembering names, making eye contact, learning relaxation skills, speaking to individuals, listening to others, making phone calls, reciting poems, presenting your ideas to small and large(r) groups, and making a convincing case for your point of view.

Students must be okay shaking hands with people; we will practice greeting each other weekly.

Optional: Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz, by Diane DiResta

Students can expect to spend approximately half an hour to an hour weekly memorizing poems, writing talks, practicing talks, and practicing making phone calls.

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First Period (9:15 AM–10:30 AM)

Funky Hand Embroidery

Trina Greene

• ages 12–19 years
• Tuition: $137.50 for a 10-week Fall Semester
• Tuition: $30 for a 10-week Fall Semester

This is a 10-week (12½-hour) Fall Semester class. Classes will begin on Friday 22 September (the third week of PHS classes). There will be no class on Friday 8 September or Friday 15 September (the first and second week of PHS classes). Tuition has been adjusted to reflect this schedule.

Learn the relaxing art of hand embroidery. In the first part of the semester, we will be learning stitches as part of a small sampler. Then, create your own design! This won’t be your grandma’s kitchen towel embroidery but embroidery patterns with a side of funk. Previous designs are nature-scapes, feminism or liberal-leaning quotes, the world from a different lens, movies or cartoons, and art into stitching.

$30.00 supplies fee covers hoop, thread, needle, fabric, and sampler

Students will need both manual dexterity and concentration skills to best succeed in this class.

Students may spend from 30 minutes to 1 hour each week finishing stitches not finished during class time.

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First Period (9:15 AM–10:30 AM)

Planning Sustainable Cities

Rebekah Jorgensen

• ages 12–19 years
• Tuition: $165 for the 12-week Fall Semester

How can cities look towards a more sustainable future? That question will be explored in this class, which will look at the design of cities and their environmental impacts. Topics of discussion may include engineering and design, case studies of current trends in urban planning, and legislation and advocacy efforts toward greener urban planning. While this class will focus on STEM topics like engineering and technology, it will also incorporate art and design, social science like history and government, and more. Students will have ample input to share their topic ideas and will learn how they can contribute to sustainable cities now and in the future.

Students will be expected to complete approximately one hour of homework outside of class, primarily reading and watching exploratory videos, and will be provided with additional enrichment activities to extend the learning if desired.

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First Period (9:15 AM–10:30 AM)

Toxic Gifts: The History of Poison/Poisonous Gas

Theresa Redfern-Hall

• ages 12–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester

A history of poison is the history of humanity. This class will look at how poison has been used to both kill and save people. We will look at poison in art and literature and real life. The class will explore famous poisoners, their victims, and how one famous poisoner from thousands of years ago still has an impact on us today. Join us as we move through time and poisons!

Students will need access to Theresa’s website homeschoolingclasses.com in order to access readings and assignments.

Students should bring writing implement and paper to class each week.

Students can expect to spend about an hour weekly on reading and/or research.

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Second Period (10:35 AM–11:50 AM)

LGBTQ+ History

Theresa Redfern-Hall

• ages 12–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester

A student-requested class that will take a historical and sociological look at how cultures have embraced, accepted, rejected, or ignored people who were non-heterosexual. We will utilize writings, films, and literature about and by LGBTQ+ people and study individuals who did not live as heterosexuals. We will look at major events in history that have shaped and impacted how society views the LGBTQ+ community and how the LGBTQ+ community sees itself. Some of these recent events may include the Holocaust, Stonewall, AIDS, and the Marriage Equality Movement.

Class will require student input as to specific areas of interest.

Students should bring writing implement and paper to class each week.

Students can expect to spend about an hour weekly on reading and/or research.

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

Mock Trial

Theresa Redfern-Hall

• ages 12–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester
• Supplies: $10 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Have you ever tried to persuade someone to change their mind but were unable to present a good argument for your case? Do you like to solve puzzles or find answers to questions? Have you ever wondered how the legal system works or thought about being an attorney? Would you like to be more comfortable speaking in front of people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be the class for you! Students will learn about the origins of law and the basics of the United States judicial system. The class will look into how laws have been made throughout history and how lawmaking has evolved. We will then explore legal terms, courtroom etiquette, and individual roles involved in legal proceedings and trials. Students will explore and examine several actual court cases and then actively participate in three to four mock trials (time/class-dependent.) Court roles will alternate among students for each mock trial. The cases litigated will increase in complexity as the class term proceeds.

(Students who have taken this class previously can take it again, new court cases will be used.) Students will need access to Theresa’s website homeschoolingclasses.com in order to access readings and assignments.

$10 supplies fee covers copies of case information

Some writing is required in and outside of class, practicing trial questions and case building.

Students should bring a writing implement and paper and/or a laptop to class each week.

Students can expect to spend about an hour and a half weekly on reading, research, and trial prep.

Students will need to work together outside of class time to prep for trials and roles.

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Fourth Period (1:50 PM–3:05 PM)

Ancient World History

Theresa Redfern-Hall

• ages 12–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Utilizing the approach of looking at world history as a big picture, this class will challenge students to view world history as part of the larger patterns of historical change. From Pharaohs to the Great Wall of China, the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire to William the Conqueror, the black death, the Renaissance, and the great civilizations of South America and everything in between students will dig into world history.

This class will focus on “nine big eras” of historical change and the patterns of Humans and the Environment, Humans and Other Humans, and Humans and Ideas.

The class incorporates primary source documents, a class “time travel” presentation, and in-class activities.

Students will need access to Theresa’s website homeschoolingclasses.com in order to access readings and assignments.

Students should bring a writing implement and paper and/or a laptop to class each week.

Students can expect to spend about an hour weekly on reading, research, and/or working on their project for presentation in class.

This full-year course will be open to new students for spring semester.

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

Japanese

Suzanne Sensei

• ages 12–19 years
• This is a 27-week (33¾-hour) full-year course.
• Tuition is paid in two payments:
  • $195.00 (12 weeks) will be due by Sat 26 Aug 2023.
  • $243.75 (15 weeks) will be due by Sat 23 Dec 2023.

This is a synchronous (real-time or live) online course held on Thursdays. Classes will be held via Discord.

There will be no class on Thursday 7 March (the eighth week of PHS Spring Semester classes). Tuition has been adjusted to reflect this schedule.

Konnichiwa! Take your interest to the next level and learn Japanese.

You will learn to speak and listen through practical conversation you can use daily as well as fun cultural activities and exploration. We will master the complete set of Hiragana and Katakana through writing and reading material relevant to our conversation and cultural exploration. A few key Kanji will be incorporated with a goal of recognition as well as an entry to writing and reading for those who want to extend their studies. There may be separate classes or learning segments geared toward beginners or returning students as needed.

There will be homework and resources provided to continue to practice throughout the course.

Students should play to spend 30 to 60 minutes per week on practice or assignments.

There will be some group work outside of class time that will be coordinated and done through the class’s Discord server.

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First Period (9:15 AM–10:30 AM)

Fencing

Maria Benford and Kailan Benford of Minnesota Sword Play

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $150 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Classical fencing emphasizes the practice of the sword as an art, a science, and a recreational activity. Learn the basics of fencing with minimal rules and lots of play. You will learn at a comfortable pace and fence with others of all levels in a fun, safe, active environment.

Students should wear long jogging-type pants, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle.

All fencing equipment is provided.

This full-year course will be open to new students for the Spring semester.

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First Period (9:15 AM–10:30 AM)

Drawing Fantasy Maps and Tokens

Tim Hereid

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $215 for the 12-week Fall Semester
• Supplies: $25 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Create dynamic battle maps, sprawling cities, modest hamlets, rugged mountainscapes, and paths through dense and dangerous forests. This course is great for anyone who loves drawing, role-playing (as a GM or player), and imagining new worlds. Whether you’d simply like to learn how to better draw a tree or rock or you’d like to create an entire continent of maps, this is the class for you.

Using analog methods of creation (with an option for digital creation depending on access to enough devices), this class will teach students how to create maps for role-playing, imaginative play, and just plain fun. Course maps can be used for both in-person and online play.

We will use the “Paint-Night” method of instructor-led creation at the beginning of class before students can spin off their own projects.

$25 supplies fee covers markers, pens, pencils, erasures, paper, and other art supplies

We will do our best to finish images/maps in class, but it may be the case that students will need to spend up to 30 minutes per week to finish work between classes.

This class will have a group project option.

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Second Period (10:35 AM–11:50 AM)

Costumes and Cosplay

Sarah Beggs and Janet Lewis of Fiber Works MPLS

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester
• Supplies: $10 for the 12-week Fall Semester

We’ll take a look at Anime, cartoons, comic books, manga, TV, and video game characters. Come up with creative ideas to take your drawing from paper to reality. Learn sewing basics. We will take a look at fabric, materials, and tools best used for costumes. We’ll spend time with construction, making patterns, cutting, gluing, and finishing. Characters all need props and make-up, so we’ll spend some time with prop ideas and how best to make them. Basic make-up techniques and products.

Most materials can be sourced free or very cheaply. Access to a sewing machine is helpful but not required.

$10 supplies fee covers fabric for weekly assignments, thread, pins, and sample kits

Students should bring a sketchbook, drawing tools (pencils, pens, colored pencils), and any other materials students determine needed for their final project to class.

Hand-sewing needles & thread are useful but not required.

Most weeks there will be about an hour of work to complete at home including sewing, sketching, sourcing materials, and research. There are weekly fun assignments and challenges. Each class will begin with a short review of the completed assignment and how it might factor into your project. Success in this course is dependent on students doing work outside of class. While this is not a graded course, we expect all students to complete all of the assignments to the best of their ability.

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Second Period (10:35 AM–11:50 AM)

Journalism/PHS Newspaper

Rebekah Jorgensen

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $165 for the 12-week Fall Semester

This class will provide students with the opportunity to produce a newspaper for Planet Homeschool. Within each class, students will receive an introduction to journalism topics, such as ethics in reporting, accuracy, professionalism, history tidbits, and more. The majority of the class will be spent creating a newspaper for the Planet Homeschool community. Students are invited to join this class if they have an interest in writing, art, and/or photography.

Students will be expected to complete approximately one hour of homework outside of class, primarily writing, but also including some reading and exploratory videos, and will be provided with additional enrichment activities to extend the learning if desired.

Students may choose to co-create columns or articles using Google Drive or other collaborative methods.

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Second Period (10:35 AM–11:50 AM)

Painting

Kimberly Guedes

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $150 for the 12-week Fall Semester
• Supplies: $40 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Students will learn the fundamentals of painting, including color theory, composition, and brushwork. Students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of painting mediums, such as watercolors, acrylics, and oils. They will also learn about different painting techniques, including blending, layering, and texture.

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Second Period (10:35 AM–11:50 AM)

Sign Language for Beginners

Tim Hereid

• ages 10–19 years
• This 28-week (35-hour) full-year course.
• Tuition is paid in two payments:
  • $233.38 (12 weeks) is due by Sat 2 Sep 2023
  • $310.62 (16 weeks) is due by Sat 6 Jan 2024

This introduction to Sign Language will walk students through the fundamentals of this dynamic and complex form of communication. Taught just like a first-year course in any language, this class will teach grammar, usage, vocabulary, and “survival” sign language to beginning students. Class will be taught simultaneously in English and Sign Language, providing students with a language-intensive environment in which to learn. Students will learn how to negotiate basic social situations in sign language and to talk about themselves, their environment, travel, food, clothing, and everyday tasks, among other topics.

As Tim’s brother-in-law is deaf and Tim’s sister-in-law is a sign-language interpreter, he regularly uses sign language and has been building his fluency over the past ten years.

$40 supplies fee covers copies, treats, and other supplies for both semesters

Students should plan to spend around 5 to 10 minutes practicing daily.

Reference: Lifeprint

This full-year course is only open to continuing students for spring semester.

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

Animal Husbandry

Jennifer Floyd

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $151.25 for the 12-week Fall Semester

This is an 11-week (13¾-hour) Fall Semester class. There will be no class on Friday 22 September 2023 (the third week of PHS classes). Tuition has been adjusted to reflect this schedule.

This is the class for learning about domestic and pet animals! What range of vision does a horse have? Why do goldfish prefer friends? How long can a chicken live? Find out the history, care needs, and interesting biology facts of many commonly kept critters, from guinea pigs and hamsters to sheep, goats, and horses, to cats, dogs, and more!

Students will take notes and create an illustrated journal based on their favorite animals.

Students should bring a notebook or journal, pencils, and colored pencils (primary colors at a minimum) to class each week.

Students will research and present information (can be written, oral, or visual) based on an area of interest within the course’s range of focus. This project will be worked on both in class and at home.

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

Designing Solutions to Everyday Problems

Peter Hoh

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester
• Tuition: $15 for the 12-week Fall Semester

Students will learn to use the engineering design process to identify problems and then design objects that address those problems. We will examine problems from different viewpoints. Students will progress from an idea to a drawing to a prototype. We will develop skills for making things out of inexpensive materials such as cardboard and modeling clay. Along the way, students will have multiple opportunities to strengthen their problem-solving skills.

This is a low-tech class. Peter will provide materials such as cardboard, wood, modeling clay, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, basic hardware, and string along with appropriate tools. Students may opt to refine their prototypes with different materials, which may involve learning to use additional tools or processes, some of which might be beyond the scope of this class. If a student has an idea for a project that involves electronics (an Arduino, for instance) Peter will support them as much as he can, but they will have to provide their own electronic components and may have to reach out to other people who know more than Peter about electronics.

$15 supplies fee covers masking tape, glue, paper, cardstock, index cards, brass fasteners, zip ties, and hardware (nuts, bolts, screws, nails)

This class is appropriate for all skill levels.

Students should bring safety glasses to class if they intend to use saws, drills, or similar tools in class.

While time will be provided during class for design work, some students might prefer to think about their design between class sessions. When we start making projects over multiple sessions, families will be responsible for transporting the partially-finished projects to and from PHS weekly. Students might be assigned a homework task that involves recording how other people use an object. If their project is to design a key rack, for instance, it may be necessary to measure the heights that different family members consider convenient.

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Third Period (12:30 PM–1:45 PM)

LARPcraft: Creating a Live Action Role Play

Nic Rosenau and Séa Blake

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $180 for the 12-week Fall Semester
• Tuition: $10 for the 12-week Fall Semester

LARPing is a great way to get exercise, build friendships, and improve social and communication skills including problem-solving and the art of negotiation.

You’ll use creativity, imagination, and strategy for story writing, world-building, and character creation and development (including costume and prop design and construction).

Students will work together to create a world, build a storyline, and create characters complete with a backstory and costume. The class will end with a LARP in which students will act as characters who advance the storyline and to which friends, family, and PHS members will be invited.

$10 supplies fee covers basic costume and prop construction materials such as glue, tape, thread, pins, etc.

Students will want to source materials for costumes and props to enhance their own characters and the world we build together.

Students will spend some time at home working on fleshing out their characters and the storylines and hunting for materials to build costumes and props as well finishing work on those.

The storyline will be built out via Google Docs which students may choose to work on individually or together outside of class.

Our final LARP will happen in the Fellowship Hall on the last day of class.

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Fourth Period (1:50 PM–3:05 PM)

PHS Clubs

• ages 10–19 years

Art Club

Coding Club

Game Club

Maker Club

RPG Role Playing Club

Social Club

Video Game Club

PHS Clubs are open to gamers and creators of all skill levels. Those with more experience will help you learn — and learn from you in turn!

All participants must sign up for insurance and safety reasons, but all PHS Clubs are open to visits from other clubs’ participants. Maybe some days you’re in the mood to draw, other days you feel like playing Uno, another day you want to relax and chat, and sometimes you just want to curl up in a comfy chair and read a book.

It’s easy to get boisterous when having fun, so PHS Clubs participants should be mindful of each Club’s focus, their fellow students (and their belongings), the shared classroom space, and the other classes in session. If in doubt, please defer to the Onsite Volunteers.

Families of enrolled students will work together to ensure there are games to play and raw materials and tools for creating.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers of enrolled students serve as volunteer room monitors or fellow gamers and creators to ensure there are at least three adults on site every week. These are assigned as Fourth Onsite Volunteer shifts. Some students will need adult direction and assistance with making connections with their fellow students and engaging with the activities of the PHS Clubs. If you notice a student at loose ends, please step in: offer to introduce them to other students, help them find an engaging activity, or help them create a space for gaming or creating.

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Second Period (10:30 AM–1:45 AM)

Collaborative Theater and Storytelling

Rebekah Jorgensen

• ages 10–19 years
• Tuition: $165 for the 12-week Fall Semester

This is a synchronous (real-time or live) online course held on Thursdays. Classes will be held via Skype. Students without Skype accounts will still be able to join using the web-based version. (Another platform may be needed, subject to student consensus.)

This course will provide students with an opportunity to create a web-based theater production. By incorporating creative writing, art, design, and stage presence, students will learn to create a modern dramatic performance created specifically to utilize the characteristics of online videoconferencing software. By thinking outside the box, students will be encouraged to produce a show that explores methods that aren’t always possible in a traditional theater setting.

Students will be expected to complete approximately one hour of homework outside of class, primarily writing, but also including reading and watching exploratory videos, and will be provided with additional enrichment activities to extend the learning if desired.

There will be some use of Google Drive for peer editing and collaborative writing.

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By arrangement

Small Group or One-on-One Math Lessons

Judy O’Neill

• ages 10–19 years
• One-on-one tuition: $36 per week paid monthly at $108 per 4-week month
  • This is a 10% discount for individual tutoring offered to PHS registered students!
  • Small group pricing will be determined based on group size and level.

One-hour synchronous (real-time or live) online lessons held via Zoom.

Small group or individual math classes based on students’ level, from elementary mathematics through pre-calculus.

Day, time, level, and textbook will be determined per group or per individual student.

Some levels of math will require a calculator. There will be weekly homework assignments.

Those seeking small group lessons should post to our co-op forum stating their interest and their students’ math level.

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• Membership Troubleshooting
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• Community Expectations
• FAQ

Support Planet Homeschool

PHS is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your donation may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.

Support PHS

Contact our co-op’s Lead Volunteers at PlanetHomeschoolMN@gmail.com.