Around the World with Literature

Reading Together to Explore Other Cultures

Students in grades 3-5 are invited to expand their knowledge of geography and culture while reading great books! We will be studying four countries in this 14 week class. To learn about each country’s geography, economy, food, and culture students will read a book that takes place in that country. Class time will be part book discussion and part country exploration. Students will learn the give-and-take of good discussion skills as well as having the opportunity to share what they’ve learned about the country at home while completing their “explorer job.” (These jobs vary from week to week.) All curious kids are welcome to join us on our trip around the world!

• Homework. Every week: Time to read about 50 pages (or listen to a read-aloud).
  Every other week: an “explorer job” which will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Since this is a new elective, the amount of reading may be adjusted after week 2.

• Supplies: Students must buy or borrow the four novels for the course (not included in tuition). The book list will be provided after registration.

Drawing

Free-hand: The purest form of drawing

Free-hand drawing without tools or mechanical instruments is the purest form of drawing and the foundation for all the visual arts. It combines creative and cognitive processes. Students will learn to render objects in the visual world as well as from their imagination. They will learn observational skills, line control, perspective, depth of field and proportion. We will use graphic pencils, pen & ink, charcoal, and conte crayons on a variety of paper types. Students will render difficult objects such as glass objects, water, folded fabrics, still life, landscapes, and portraits. They will utilize drawing techniques such as cross-hatching, shading and tonal value representation. Sharpening their visual perception, they will even have fun drawing upside down! Come learn to use your hand as a powerful artistic tool!

• Sections: Drawing can be taken multiple times to allow for continued growth. Repeat
  students will receive advanced assignments. New students who wish to be considered for the advanced work will need to submit a portfolio or sketchbook.

• Homework: 45-90 minutes per week

• Supplies: Students will receive a supply list in advance of the class.

• Credit: High school students will receive 1/4 credit for this course.

Latin 1-2 Combo

Listen, read, play, think in Latin!

In this immersive class, rather than focusing on translating Latin into English, students learn to comprehend, speak, play, and think in Latin. The core text is Hans Ørberg's Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: Familia Romana, which tells the story of a Roman family in the second century A.D. Students absorb vocabulary and grammar inductively as they learn about Roman culture, history, and mythology.

This combination course covers Latin 1 and 2 during a single year. This pace is suitable for students who are able to focus on reading for a significant amount of time each week, which will allow the class to cover the equivalent of a full year of college Latin over the course of 2 years at Greenhouse. Students will encounter a variety of stories beyond the core textbook, including mythology, legends, and history from other eras and regions of the Latin-speaking world.

• Versions: Latin 1-2 Combo can be taken at a Basic level for which written homework is optional, or at an Enhanced level which includes written homework.

• Prerequisite: A student must read at or above the 7th grade level or seek teacher's prior approval.

• Homework: Reading 50-100 lines of text per week. Students seeking credit must also complete graded, written homework.

• Credit: 8th grade and up may take the Enhanced version of Latin 1-2 for 1 credit.

• Text: Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: Familia Romana by Hans Ørberg is used over multiple years.

Outdoor Adventure Skills

Prepare for when adventures call!

This course is designed as an introduction or supplement to basic outdoor living, adventuring, and camping skills with a focus on servant-leadership. Outdoor Adventure Skills will prepare high school students to participate in or lead adventure experiences beyond high school all from the foundation of a Christ-centered biblical worldview.

Topics will include things such as: rope craft, backcountry cooking, use of fires, health, hygiene, rationing, nutrition, safety, map and compass, adventure devotions, journaling, navigation, campsite and campground selection, permits, proper selection and use of equipment, shelters, creation care, how to pack a med kit, basic wilderness first aid, environmental awareness, and Leave No Trace ethics.

• Homework: About 90 minutes of exercise, practice or project work per week

• Credit: 1/4 credit for high school students

Rivendell Writers & Readers Guild

Inspired by the Oxford Inklings

The Oxford Inklings group showed the world the power and potential impact of a small group meeting weekly in Christian fellowship to intentionally grow as writers and thinkers. In that same spirit, we will meet for 90-minutes each week to share original creative writings, offer feedback, and engage in hearty group discussion. The discussions will focus on topics near and dear to Chesterton, Lewis, Tolkien, and the Inklings, for example: Christ-centered Biblical worldview, the power of writing, imagination, spiritual maturation, abiding discipleship, apologetics, the writing process, poetry, the power of story, and living in what Lewis calls the True Myth.

Students must be willing to engage in literary analysis, philosophical inquiry, creative and analytical writing, honoring group discussion, and healthy feedback. Each participant is expected to arrive ready to read, write, and participate in small and large group discussion each day. This style of learning is decidedly independent and self-directed. In addition to many writing and reading skills, students will gain essential experience in large and small group discussion and cultivating Kingdom Fellowship within an academic setting.

• Homework: About 1-1/2 to 2 hours per week

• Credit: 1/4 credit for high school students. Those taking the class for credit will be evaluated based on participation, writing, and achievement of personal goals collaboratively set by Mr. D. and the student.

• Text: Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings by Diana Pavlac Glyer and James A. Owen

Spanish 4

Spanish acquisition via an exciting mystery adventure!

Spanish 4 is centered around  a Spanish video series which incorporates systematic review + expansion of  grammar and vocabulary.  Students study the history of Spain, including the Spanish Civil War, as well as Spain's most well-known artists, with a particular emphasis on Picasso's masterpiece, "Guernica." Outside of class students become proficient in the use of 2 language learning apps, Duolingo and Garbanzo. By way of the Destinos episodes students learn about the history, geography, and cultures of Spain, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Students create a Travel Project in which they choose, research, and organize a solo trip to one of those countries. By the end of year students have been taught all tenses and all moods of the Spanish language and have increased their proficiency in reading and listening comprehension , as well as in written and spoken communication of Spanish.

• Sections: Class meets twice a week for 75 minutes each.

• Homework: 60-90 minutes per week

• Credit: 1 credit for high school

• Note: Spanish 1 & 3 and Spanish 2 & 4 are offered on alternate years.

Consideration Song

*NEW* Savor Summer Pace … Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays ONLY.

Wednesday, May 29 – Friday, June 7

Come share your gifts to inspire and equip servant leaders. We want to include your voice!

Collaborate with other experienced Writers Workshop students to write and publish Consideration Song, our 12th book in the Greenhouse Servant Leadership Series. Working through our writing process, each student will contribute one “final copy” personification poem to our book. Each page of Consideration Song will feature one student's poem.

Buy the book: Families will be able to order the Consideration Song book which the students produce for about $20. These are beautiful 11X8 hardcover books, which look and feel very much like a library book. (Click to view Summer Camp 2023 Awareness Song online.)

Mrs. Michel will host our book signing and poetry reading (optional) in August.

• Homework: Pre-writing assigned before the summer session and is required for the first class Wednesday, May 29. 30-45 minutes to prepare for each day of camp.

Optional Add-On (for those with Lit Circle experience)

The Gospel of Matthew, Lit Circle style

In the time nestled between the two Writers Workshop sections, experienced Lit Circle students can opt-in to read and discuss the Gospel of Matthew Lit Circle style! It is a fun way to know Jesus better and grow in our faith.

• Homework: A reading and role will be assigned before the summer session and is required for class Wednesday, May 29. 30-45 minutes for each day of camp.