SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Emotional Learning: Training Aliens K-2nd; 3rd-5th
Instructor: Nikki Williams
$47/month ($188/semester)
Training Aliens teaches social and emotional skills in a fun, confidence-building way. NASA has asked Space Camp attendees to teach visiting aliens about making friends, managing emotions, and participating in groups as part of a test program.
When the aliens have difficulty with a skill, campers are given two common options to manage the behavior. Using a you-choose format, camper learn that both options are ineffective with humorous consequences.
After reading the story in the text, teachers lead campers through the related mission to find appropriate solutions.
Students grow in confidence as the learn skills they need to train aliens about:
Meeting new people
Managing frustration
Joining a group
Sibling rivalry
Apologies & More
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American History Unit Study Rotation
$54/month ($216/semester)
All students enrolled in this course will rotate through three units of American History, spending 4 weeks on each unit in the fall semester and 5 weeks on each unit in the spring semester.
Students will be assigned to the same classroom throughout the year, and teachers will bring a new topic to them each month.​
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American Settlements & Colonies: Life in the New World
Instructor: Amy Carrington
9 week unit (4 wks fall, 5 wks spring)
Travel back in time to the days of early explorers, brave settlers, and the first American colonies! In this exciting 9-week unit, students will explore how people came to North America, built new homes, and started communities that would shape the future of the United States. From Jamestown to Plymouth, and from Native American partnerships to colonial life, we’ll dive into the real stories of survival, cooperation, and growth.
Each week will include engaging activities, hands-on projects, interactive maps, and role-playing to bring history to life. Students will learn about the different colonies, what made them unique, and how daily life looked in the 1600s and 1700s. We'll also explore the challenges settlers faced, how they interacted with Native American tribes, and what it took to build a new world.
By the end of the course, students will not only understand how America’s early settlements began—they’ll also discover how these roots continue to influence our country today.
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America: The Revolution to the Constitution
Instructor: Emily Millen
9 week unit (4 wks Fall/5 wks Spring)
Get ready to step back in time and explore one of the most exciting chapters in American history! In this 9-week adventure, students will discover how the 13 colonies came together to stand up for their rights, fight for freedom, and create a brand-new country.
From the Boston Tea Party to the writing of the U.S. Constitution, we’ll learn about the brave people, bold ideas, and big decisions that shaped the United States.
Through fun activities, creative projects, and interactive lessons, students will:
Meet key figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Betsy Ross.
Learn about major events like the Declaration of Independence and Continental Congress.
Discuss big ideas like freedom, fairness, and working together
This course will help students build critical thinking skills, understand important historical concepts, and see how history connects to the world around them today as we prepare to celebrate 250 years of independence.
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American Explorers & Frontiersmen
Instructor: Summer Jessee
9 week unit (4 wks fall, 5 wks spring)
Pack your bags and grab your compass—we’re heading out on an adventure through early American history! In this 9-week course, students will journey alongside brave explorers and daring frontiersmen who helped shape the United States. From the waterways of Lewis and Clark to the wilderness trails of Daniel Boone, we’ll discover the real-life stories of those who traveled into the unknown.
Each week, students will explore a new figure or region through interactive stories, hands-on projects, maps, and fun activities. Along the way, they’ll learn about Native American cultures, the challenges of wilderness survival, and how exploration helped expand the American frontier. This course combines history, geography, and storytelling to inspire curiosity and build a deeper understanding of early America.
Topics may include:
Early Native American life and landscapes
Lewis and Clark’s expedition
Daniel Boone and the Appalachian frontier
The Oregon Trail
Mountain men and fur traders
Pioneer life and westward expansion
Frontier forts and daily survival skills
Tall tales and legends of the American frontier
The lasting impact of explorers and frontiersmen
Perfect for young adventurers and history buffs, this course encourages critical thinking, creativity, and a spirit of exploration!
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Literature-Based World Geography
Instructor: Amy Carrington
$47/month ($188/semester)
This class is designed to be a notebook approach to world cultures and geography for the primary student. Using children’s books, we will study nature, folktales, fables, art, poetry, history, and gentle Socratic questions to prompt discussion and discovery. Geographic elements include country maps and flags for students to cut out, paint, or color. Beautiful drawings of indigenous animals familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. As the student compiles these elements in a journal, they create a memorable keepsake recording all they have learned.
This class will follow the same format as it did last year with new countries to explore:
France, Spain, Holland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, and Chile
(Last year we focused on Asia, Australia, Antarctica, & Africa. This year we will focus on Europe and South America.)
Each unit will conclude with a unique & fun culinary tasting of the country studied.
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Key of Liberty American History/Gov't: Revolution & Constitution
Instructor: Dena Erickson
$64/month; $256/semester
Key of Liberty is not just another history program. It ignites a passion for freedom, responsibility, and leadership. With this unique program, you and your scholars will:
Explore the Roots of Freedom: Dive deep into the rich tapestry of American history by reading and discussing freedom classics and by studying and memorizing portions of core documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Engage in Historical Simulations: Bring history to life through immersive historical simulations that allow your scholars to experience the challenges and triumphs of the past.
Compete in a Constitution Bowl: Foster teamwork and intellectual growth as your scholars compete in a Constitution Bowl, showcasing their knowledge and understanding of the foundational principles of the United States.
Delve into Crucial Topics: Explore a wide array of topics, including the purpose of government, world crises, leadership, statesmanship, and personal choices during times of hardship. Understand what it means to be a virtuous citizen and the traits of a hero. The first semester will focus on the Revolutionary War and founding of America, and second semester will move to a study of the constitution and government.
Transform Lives: Key of Liberty can have a profound impact on scholars. This program not only builds knowledge but instills a deep understanding of constitutional rights and a sense of purpose in the world.
This course will give priority to high school students but 7th and 8th graders will be able to enroll as space permits.
This course could count toward High School credit in either American History or Government.
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Logical Fallacies
Instructor: Jennifer Wright
$54/month; $216/semester;
This is a two-semester course and will continue with all new material in the spring semester.
This course will cover twenty-eight informal fallacies such as begging the question, the straw man, ad hominem, etc. Clear explanations and illustrations, along with dialogues, worksheets, and dialectic discussion questions will make the fallacies fun to learn. The fallacies will become relevant with teacher-directed practical applications such as analysis of current social, commercial, and political issues, as well as advertisements.
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Foundations of Personal Finance
Dave Ramsey Education
8th+
Instructor: Jennifer Wright
$57/month( $228/Semester);
55 minutes;
(Includes all licenses, workbooks, and an on-line subscription to the course for each student. Students will need internet access to complete homework.)
Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices.
Topics covered will include:
Introduces the topic of personal finance, explores the evolution of the American credit industry, and highlights the importance of both knowledge and behavior when it comes to managing money.
Saving: Emphasizes the importance of saving and explains the three reasons to save: emergencies, large purchases, and wealth building.
Budgeting: Explores the purpose and process of writing a budget and the basics of banking, including balancing and reconciling a checking account.
Debt: Identifies the devastating costs of using debt as a financial tool, debunks credit myths, explains the elements of a credit score, identifies organizations that maintain consumer credit records, and summarizes major consumer credit laws.
Life after High School: Explores 21st Century post-secondary education and career options, highlights the importance of avoiding debt as a young adult, and explains how to cash flow a college education.
Consumer Awareness: Identifies factors that influence consumer behavior and the effect of inflation on buying power
Bargain Shopping: Highlights the importance of bargain shopping as part of a healthy financial plan and identifies important negotiation strategies.
Investing and Retirement: Establishes basic investing guidelines, describes and compares various types of investments, and identifies elements of employer benefits and retirement plans.
Insurance: Identifies the purpose of financial risk management as well as the appropriate and most cost-effective risk management strategies.
Money and Relationships: Identifies the differences among people's values and attitudes as they relate to money and highlights communication strategies for discussing financial issues.
Careers and Taxes: Examines the importance of pursuing a career in line with your strengths, the elements of effective goal setting, the best practices of successful people, and types of income and taxes.
Giving: Highlights the importance of giving of your time, talents, and money in order to serve others and leave a lasting legacy.
Meets or exceeds standards in all 50 states. California Common Core Standards alignment can be found here: https://cdn.ramseysolutions.net/education/ramseyeducation/standards/california.pdf