9:30 AM–10:45 AM

Sign Language for Beginners

Tim Hereid

• 10–19 years
• Full-year course.
• $233.92 is due on Sat 3 Sep 2022 &
  $310.08 is due by Sat 24 Dec 2022
• Minimum student date: Fri 2 Sep 2022
• 4–15 students.

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. The class will be taught simultaneously in English and Sign Language, providing students with a language-intensive environment in which to learn. Students will leave knowing how to negotiate basic social situations in sign language and talk about themselves, their environment, travel, food, clothing, and everyday tasks, among other topics.

Homework: 5 to 10 minutes of practice per day

The supplies fee covers copies, treats, and other supplies for both semesters.

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Tim Hereid

Tim Hereid is a licensed teacher, homeschool educator, private tutor, writer, and passionate learner who has worked with homeschoolers in Maine, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota over the past fifteen years. He grew up in south-central Wisconsin, attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and received his Master’s in Education from Hamline University in St. Paul. He is a passionate homeschool advocate, a proponent of project-based learning, and absolutely loves teaching and learning.

Tim has been teaching at PHS in 2014 and is one of our most popular instructors offering classes on a wide range of topics — many students come to PHS specifically to take a class with Tim.

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10:30 AM–11:45 AM

Statistics and Social Justice

Rebekah Jorgensen

• 10–19 years.
• $150.
• Minimum student date: Fri 2 Sep 2022.
• 4–16 students.

Data has the power to describe and shape our world. Learn about statistics, how to describe our world, and how to make convincing arguments, based on data, about how to make it a more just place.

Prerequisites: This hands-on course assumes a basic knowledge of algebra, at the level of understanding positive and negative numbers, fractions, and being able to solve for x in an equation like 3x + 5 = 4.

Homework: 1 to 2 hours of optional homework each week

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Rebekah Jorgensen

Rebekah Jorgensen is a homeschooling mom who has taught music, math, and German in some combination since 2006, both online and in the classroom. She loves learning new languages, travel, board and video games, and trying new things.

Bekah started teaching at PHS in Fall 2021 and has proved to be a versatile and enthusiastic instructor with a talent for ensuring her students feel heard and their contributions valued.

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12:30 PM–1:45 PM

The Class About Death

Rebekah Jorgensen

• 12–19 years.
• $150.
• Minimum student date: Fri 26 Aug 2022.
• 4–16 students.

Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. This class will explore customs and traditions surrounding death, as well as the scientific side of different burial methods and decomposition. This class is not designed to specifically teach about beliefs regarding the afterlife, although they may be included when discussing certain cultural traditions. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart, but for those who are generally curious about end-of-life traditions.

Homework: 1 to 2 hours of optional homework each week

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10:30 AM–11:45 AM

Astronomy

Suzanne

• 12–19 years.
• $165 + $10 supplies fee.
• Minimum student date: Fri 26 Aug 2022.
• 5–15 students.

An introduction to modern astronomy and the universe as a whole. We will start with our own solar system and venture out to explore stars, galaxies, black holes, quasars, and more. We will delve into answers to answers to big questions like: Are we alone in the universe? What exists outside our galaxy? How do stars evolve and die? What is the fate of the universe? What do we know and how do we know it? Learn about multimedia tours, online telescopes, and research tools to help you with your explorations during class and beyond.

Homework: approximately 30-45 minutes of online exploration or reading per week

Supplies fee covers online telescope access and materials.

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Suzanne

Suzanne Sensei enjoyed Japanese in high school and continued language studies at the U of MN as well as two years of study at a university in Japan. She feels very fortunate to have been able to continue using her skills working with Japanese tourists in Hawaii as well as through keeping in touch with friends worldwide.

Ms. Suzanne has been teaching Japanese at PHS since Fall 2016. She’s a talented and thoughtful instructor whose students adore both her and her classes.

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12:30 PM–1:45 PM

Japanese

Suzanne Sensei

• 12–19 years.
• Full-year course.
• $190 is due on Thu 1 Sep 2022 &
  $235 is due by Sat 24 Dec 2022
• Minimum student date: Wed 31 Aug 2022.
• 5–15 students.

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

Homework: 30 to 60 minutes per week of practice or assignments will assure students get the most out of the course. Coordinated group work will be done online via Discord.

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1:50 PM–3:05 PM

NaNoWriMo: A semester of writing, including the National Novel Writing Month Challenge

Kathy Oaks

• 10–19 years.
• $160 + $5 supplies fee.
• Minimum student date: Fri 26 Aug 2022.
• 4–12 students.

Twelve weeks of support from other young writers and a published author. This class is for anyone who wants to participate in NaNoWriMo and would like to be part of a group to learn about novel structure and to share ideas, encouragement, and your work.

Prerequisites: A willingness to write something every day during November, whether by hand, typing, speech-to-text … or a parent who is willing to transcribe! A willingness to share your work, whether your favorite bits or places you’re having trouble. The ability to receive feedback graciously and give feedback to others kindly.

Homework: For November, each person will choose their own word count goal, and will strive to hit or exceed that goal. There will be short assignments during the rest of the semester.

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Kathy Oaks

Kathy Oaks is a homeschool parent, photographer, author, and educator who is passionate about travel and learning. She has a degree in Psychology from Rice University, teaches photography and public speaking to homeschool students, and is currently the Communications Director and Member Liaison at Planet Homeschool. She's written several books on homeschooling.

This will be Kathy’s fifth year participating in NaNoWriMo and her middle child published the book he wrote during the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program when he was 12. You can find their books on Amazon.

Kathy has taught Photography and Public Speaking at PHS since Spring 2018 and has a talent for gently fostering her students’ confidence in their abilities. She’s also a published author who’s taught novel writing online through STAR for the past two years.

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30-minute online lessons — The day and time will be arranged between the individual student and the instructor.

Private Piano Lessons

Mrs. Angie Szyman

• 10–19 years.
• Private piano lessons are offered as two independent semesters. Students can take either or both semesters.
• Fall: $300 paid in three payments (12 weeks).
  Spring: $400 paid in four payments (16 weeks).
• Minimum student date: Fri 26 Aug 2022.
• 2–6 students

Piano lessons include instruction in note reading on the musical staff as well as ear training and music theory. Students learn piano technique, rhythm, improvisation, and performance preparation. An opportunity for students to share their music with family and friends will be at the end of the school year. Music lessons help students to gain confidence, expression, consistency in working toward a goal, and emotional enjoyment. Students will have fun and work hard to reap the benefits of making music at their fingertips!

Students must have a piano or keyboard at home and must have a device set up so the instructor can see their hands and the keyboard/piano.

Homework: 20 to 30 minutes of practicing the assigned music 5 days a week and 1 to 2 pages of music theory homework weekly.

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Angie Szyman

Angie Szyman has been a private piano instructor professionally for 12 years. In that time, she has taught all ages the gift of music at the piano, from four year olds to forty years olds and every level in between. She holds a Bachelors degree in piano performance with a pedagogy certificate from UW-River Falls. She lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband and son, where she teaches piano from their home and plays piano actively for their church and other special events.

This is Miss Angie’s first year teaching at PHS. She has been teaching piano at several other homeschool co-ops for quite some time.

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