Da Vinci Discoveries (a Transition to Scholar class recommended for ages 11-13)
Da Vinci was known for his wide ranging interests and expertise. He was a scientist, mathematician, artist, engineer and musician. He was known for keeping over 20,000 pages of his personal notebooks where he included his ideas and observations. He studied physics and the human body in great depth. He was an accomplished painter and sculptor.
Da Vinci Discoveries is a Transition to Scholar class designed to help students fall in love with learning and build confidence in their ability to learn. As a Transition to Scholar Phase class it will continue to encourage a Love of Learning Phase, but will begin to build scholar skills so that the youth will be better prepared for the Scholar Phase. Youth in this class should be able to read and write independently (though grammar and structure can be at a beginning level). Units will be 4-6 weeks with hands on activities and include culminating final projects.
Points will be given for going above and beyond through outside (optional) homework. The skills we will be working on to prepare for the Scholar Phase are notetaking, time management, project based learning, reading, writing, research, participation and group learning, memorization, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites and Guidelines-In order to take this class, students must be able to do these things without help:
Da Vinci Discoveries is a Transition to Scholar class designed to help students fall in love with learning and build confidence in their ability to learn. As a Transition to Scholar Phase class it will continue to encourage a Love of Learning Phase, but will begin to build scholar skills so that the youth will be better prepared for the Scholar Phase. Youth in this class should be able to read and write independently (though grammar and structure can be at a beginning level). Units will be 4-6 weeks with hands on activities and include culminating final projects.
- Art to see patterns and shapes, build confidence, learn skills, and use creativity in beginning a notebook
- Creative Writing to ignite a love of writing and expand our notebooks
- Logic as we find connections, explore critical thinking and problem solving
- Great Brain to explore passions by research and create projects and presentations for the class (and showcase to the Junior Program)
- Physics to learn about the Scientific Method, inventions, and build
Points will be given for going above and beyond through outside (optional) homework. The skills we will be working on to prepare for the Scholar Phase are notetaking, time management, project based learning, reading, writing, research, participation and group learning, memorization, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites and Guidelines-In order to take this class, students must be able to do these things without help:
- Read a chapter book
- Write at least two paragraphs (grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation are not necessary). Being able to put your thoughts down on paper that you can read is essential for what we’ll be doing.
- A desire to take the class (student’s desire, not moms :)
- Students will need to sign a contract agreeing to take responsibility for their education (it is not the parents' responsibility); a parent mentor will also sign, agreeing to hold weekly mentor meetings with their child.