Course Descriptions:
Young writers, Grades 3-6
These courses, taught by our team of highly trained and credentialed educators, are designed to foster students' excitement about writing while cultivating the development of their writing skills. In an interactive, digital environment, students explore the writing styles of different authors, investigate the elements of several writing genres, and connect with their peers. In addition, opportunities for small group tutoring provide students with the targeted instruction and attention they need so that they can grow and develop their talents as writers!
Students will:
Students will:
- Write descriptive, narrative, opinion, and informational texts
- Share their writing with a small peer group
- Learn to revise, edit, and publish their work for an authentic, real-world audience
Emerging writers, grades 7-10
These courses provide a supportive, online learning environment for students of all ability levels! Experienced, credentialed teachers guide student learning using research-based best practices that promote skill development and support students' identities as writers. Interactive strategies are used to engage students in the steps of the writing process- students will plan and organize their ideas, draft, revise, edit, and share their writing. In addition, small class sizes and opportunities for small group tutoring ensure an optimal setting in which instructors can deliver individualized feedback and attend to students' needs.
Students will:
Students will:
- Write across a number of genres, such as poetry, narrative, argument, and informational texts
- Collaborate with other emerging writers
- Revise writing and publish their work for an authentic, real-world audience
Digital storytelling I, Grades 6-8
My Story, History & Heritage Project:
Critical thinking, technology, interpersonal skills, time & resource management, problem solving, and imagination are all essential literacy skills for 21st century learners. This introductory course covers fundamental concepts of storytelling and screen grammar, and provides opportunities for students to explore the specific techniques used by filmmakers and industry artists alike. While working on the "My Story, History, & Heritage Project," students will develop their critical thinking skills and focus on issues of personal identity, cultural heritage and the family journey. Over four weeks, students will learn how to use still & moving images, voice-over narration, music & sound, and interviews to create a digital story that moves an audience.
Frank Guttler, Director of Programs for the Mobile Film Classroom, is a graduate of the California State University, Northridge School of Cinema & Television. He is an accomplished educator and digital storytelling and media arts expert, with nearly two decades of experience in connecting educators with technology, literacy, and filmmaking. He was recruited by the American Film Institute (AFI) to develop groundbreaking curriculum for AFI's K-12 Screen Education Center, making the tools and processes and filmmakers accessible to educators of all subjects and grade levels. Frank has also led filmmaking workshops and seminars for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Apple Distinguished Educators, Discovery Educator Network, and Google Teacher Academy.
Critical thinking, technology, interpersonal skills, time & resource management, problem solving, and imagination are all essential literacy skills for 21st century learners. This introductory course covers fundamental concepts of storytelling and screen grammar, and provides opportunities for students to explore the specific techniques used by filmmakers and industry artists alike. While working on the "My Story, History, & Heritage Project," students will develop their critical thinking skills and focus on issues of personal identity, cultural heritage and the family journey. Over four weeks, students will learn how to use still & moving images, voice-over narration, music & sound, and interviews to create a digital story that moves an audience.
Frank Guttler, Director of Programs for the Mobile Film Classroom, is a graduate of the California State University, Northridge School of Cinema & Television. He is an accomplished educator and digital storytelling and media arts expert, with nearly two decades of experience in connecting educators with technology, literacy, and filmmaking. He was recruited by the American Film Institute (AFI) to develop groundbreaking curriculum for AFI's K-12 Screen Education Center, making the tools and processes and filmmakers accessible to educators of all subjects and grade levels. Frank has also led filmmaking workshops and seminars for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Apple Distinguished Educators, Discovery Educator Network, and Google Teacher Academy.
Digital storytelling II, Grade 6-8
This course builds on our introductory digital storytelling class and provides additional opportunities through which students can hone their skills. Under the guidance of our experienced and credentialed instructor, students will learn how to become creators of content as they engage in three digital storytelling projects (a science demonstration, a historical biography, and a campaign to raise awareness around a community issue). Through participation in these projects, students will expand their repertoire of strategies for using digital media, and they will learn how to use digital tools to effectively communicate their ideas, beliefs, knowledge, and experiences.
In this course, students will:
Digital Storytelling Project
Students will work individually or in groups to create three short digital media projects:
Dr. Vu holds three graduate degrees related to literacy development, digital storytelling, and technology. These include an M.F.A. in film and television from UCLA; an M.A. in education with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); and a Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in Language, Literacy, and Technology. He has written award winning screenplays, produced short documentaries that have aired on NHK Japan Broadcasting, and published articles on the use of technology to support literacy development.
In this course, students will:
- Create video screencasts to share ideas and beliefs, and to demonstrate their knowledge about a learning concept.
- Use various mobile applications (e.g., Sock Puppet and Toontastic) to convey information.
- Become proficient with capturing and manipulating digital image, sound, and video with mobile devices and video editors (WeVideo or iMovie).
- Navigate multiple web applications (e.g., WeVideo, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms) simultaneously to complete a project.
- Develop online surveys (using Google Forms) and incorporate the findings into a digital project.
- Conduct online research and access online historical content
- Produce a digital story that spotlights and advocates for change in a social issue that affects the community.
- Learn how to collaborate virtually with other students on a digital project.
- Convey information and ideas through storytelling techniques.
Digital Storytelling Project
Students will work individually or in groups to create three short digital media projects:
- Science Demonstration (individual)
- Historical Biography (individual)
- Community Issue (group)
Dr. Vu holds three graduate degrees related to literacy development, digital storytelling, and technology. These include an M.F.A. in film and television from UCLA; an M.A. in education with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); and a Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in Language, Literacy, and Technology. He has written award winning screenplays, produced short documentaries that have aired on NHK Japan Broadcasting, and published articles on the use of technology to support literacy development.
Argument writing, grades 6-8
This interactive, digital workshop will introduce students in grades 6-8 to the foundations of argument writing. Students will use critical thinking skills to analyze literary and nonfiction texts, evaluate multiple perspectives, use strategies of debate, and apply the structures of argument. Students will also explore digital tools, and learn methods for evaluating the credibility of information and the reliability of sources they find online. Small class sizes and opportunities for small group tutoring will provide an optimal learning environment for students to receive targeted instruction from our team of highly trained professionals.
The course will cover the following:
Components of Argument Writing:
Mrs. Estrada teaches in the Irvine Unified School District, where she has been teaching eighth grade English (Honors and Core), and seventh and eighth grade Reading Lab for fourteen years. Mrs. Estrada received her teaching credential while attending the University of California, Irvine, where she also earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in English. She was accepted to the UCI Writing Project's prestigious Summer Institute in the summer of 2007 and is a UCI Writing Project Fellow.
Ms. Bonk has 24 years of experience teaching English Language Arts and supporting student learning is her passion! She currently teaches Honors courses at Yorba Linda Middle School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. In Ms. Bonk's class, it is about the future of education -- student voice, student choice and creativity are at the helm. In 2018, she was recognized as Orange County's Middle School Teacher of the Year, by the California League of Schools. Ms. Bonk is also a UCI Writing Project Fellow and serves on the advisory board for the UCI Writing Project.
The course will cover the following:
Components of Argument Writing:
- Claim/thesis/position statements
- Evidence
- Commentary
- Transitions
- Structure of argument writing
- Response to literature analysis to elicit claim
- Participation in mock trial to develop commentary and address counter-argument
- Evaluate credibility and reliability of sources
- Proper citation format
- Summary skills based on informational texts
- MLA format
- Introduction to GoogleDrive features: GoogleDocs and GoogleSlides
Mrs. Estrada teaches in the Irvine Unified School District, where she has been teaching eighth grade English (Honors and Core), and seventh and eighth grade Reading Lab for fourteen years. Mrs. Estrada received her teaching credential while attending the University of California, Irvine, where she also earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in English. She was accepted to the UCI Writing Project's prestigious Summer Institute in the summer of 2007 and is a UCI Writing Project Fellow.
Ms. Bonk has 24 years of experience teaching English Language Arts and supporting student learning is her passion! She currently teaches Honors courses at Yorba Linda Middle School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. In Ms. Bonk's class, it is about the future of education -- student voice, student choice and creativity are at the helm. In 2018, she was recognized as Orange County's Middle School Teacher of the Year, by the California League of Schools. Ms. Bonk is also a UCI Writing Project Fellow and serves on the advisory board for the UCI Writing Project.
young math & science, grades 3-6
The Young Math/Science Workshops offer students the opportunity to further develop higher level thinking skills in a digital, interactive learning environment and small group setting. Experienced and credentialed teachers use research-based best practices to promote students' development and their understanding of foundational mathematic and scientific principles. The courses incorporate a number of hands-on activities that promote critical thinking and foster the use of a variety of problem solving strategies, such as making charts and diagrams, looking for patterns, estimating, and employing logical reasoning. In addition, coursework aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and helps students to explore connection across the different science domains (physical science, life science, earth and space science, and engineering design).
This course supports the following standards:
This course supports the following standards:
- Next Generation Science Standards, Grades 3-6
- Common Core Mathematical Standards, Grades 3-6
Emerging mathematicians and scientists, Grades 7-8
*Project: Destination Mars
In this exciting online course, students learn about the science of space travel! Our experienced and credentialed instructor uses a combination of synchronous digital instruction, simulation, and hands-on applications to engage students in applying mathematic and scientific principles. Virtual and augmented reality tools, along with concept simulations, allow for an interactive and highly engaging experience while students tackle challenging cognitive work. Crosscutting concepts outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Mathematics Standards are addressed. Come join our online learning community as we plan a trip to the Red Planet!
This course supports the following standards:
Mark Wakita teaches Science and Computer Science at Red Hill Lutheran School and he has a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Wakita has over 25 years of experience as an electrical engineer, and he strives to bring this real world knowledge to the classroom. He has been recognized as the Teacher of the Year by Parenting OC magazine and the Teacher of the Month by Eduporium.
In this exciting online course, students learn about the science of space travel! Our experienced and credentialed instructor uses a combination of synchronous digital instruction, simulation, and hands-on applications to engage students in applying mathematic and scientific principles. Virtual and augmented reality tools, along with concept simulations, allow for an interactive and highly engaging experience while students tackle challenging cognitive work. Crosscutting concepts outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Mathematics Standards are addressed. Come join our online learning community as we plan a trip to the Red Planet!
This course supports the following standards:
- Next Generation Science Standards, Grades 7-8
- Common Core Mathematics Standards, Grades 7-8
Mark Wakita teaches Science and Computer Science at Red Hill Lutheran School and he has a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Wakita has over 25 years of experience as an electrical engineer, and he strives to bring this real world knowledge to the classroom. He has been recognized as the Teacher of the Year by Parenting OC magazine and the Teacher of the Month by Eduporium.
INTRO TO COMPUTER SCIENCE, GRADES 6-8
Introduction to Computer Science and Video Game Design introduces students to the wide world of computer science in a hands-on, fun, and interactive context! This course develops students' problem solving and programming abilities - while also pushing students to creatively develop video games of their own designs. Guided by an experienced instructor, students develop their existing mathematics knowledge and apply this knowledge to construct fully immersive games. Students also learn to work collaboratively and have the opportunity to present their work to others in a supportive, online environment.
Steven Kahn is a mathematics and computer science teacher at Esperanza High School in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He currently teaches three courses: Exploring Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A (Intro to Java). Prior to his career in education, Steven earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and worked as a software developer, in addition to serving in various roles in the information science and technology sector. As an educator, he strives to bring his professional, industry, and educational background into the classroom, creating experiences for his students which mirror real-world challenges, assignments, and expectations.
Steven Kahn is a mathematics and computer science teacher at Esperanza High School in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He currently teaches three courses: Exploring Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A (Intro to Java). Prior to his career in education, Steven earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and worked as a software developer, in addition to serving in various roles in the information science and technology sector. As an educator, he strives to bring his professional, industry, and educational background into the classroom, creating experiences for his students which mirror real-world challenges, assignments, and expectations.
Intro to Computer Science, Grades 6-8 is offered as a Math/Science - Tuesday/Thursday course.
INtro to Computer Science, Grades 9-12
In this short but intensive introduction to computer science and programming, students will be exposed to, and gain hands-on understanding of many of the foundational topics in computer science, including: algorithm design, instructional sequencing, logical selection, repetition, logic statements (if, if-else, while, for, etc.), abstraction, encapsulation, and program efficiency. Students will engage in project-based learning, working independently or in small groups to produce a variety of programs in a high-level programming language. For this course the Processing programming language will be used, which is a logical abstraction and add-on to the industry standard language, Java. Java is the current language used on the AP Computer Science A exam, in addition to many university computer science programs.
During the course, students will engage in logical problem-solving in order to accomplish complex tasks. Guided by our highly qualified and credentialed instructor, students will design programs and create algorithms that generate dynamic graphics and sound through the application of underlying mathematical and physics-based models. Successful completion of this intensive programming course will provide students a substantial edge in major-level college and AP courses. The logical problem solving and programming techniques learned in this course should be easily transferable to a variety of programming languages and other disciplines.
Steven Kahn is a mathematics and computer science teacher at Esperanza High School in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He currently teaches three courses: Exploring Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A (Intro to Java). Prior to his career in education, Steven earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and worked as a software developer, in addition to serving in various roles in the information science and technology sector. As an educator, he strives to bring his professional, industry, and educational background into the classroom, creating experiences for his students which mirror real-world challenges, assignments, and expectations.
During the course, students will engage in logical problem-solving in order to accomplish complex tasks. Guided by our highly qualified and credentialed instructor, students will design programs and create algorithms that generate dynamic graphics and sound through the application of underlying mathematical and physics-based models. Successful completion of this intensive programming course will provide students a substantial edge in major-level college and AP courses. The logical problem solving and programming techniques learned in this course should be easily transferable to a variety of programming languages and other disciplines.
Steven Kahn is a mathematics and computer science teacher at Esperanza High School in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He currently teaches three courses: Exploring Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A (Intro to Java). Prior to his career in education, Steven earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and worked as a software developer, in addition to serving in various roles in the information science and technology sector. As an educator, he strives to bring his professional, industry, and educational background into the classroom, creating experiences for his students which mirror real-world challenges, assignments, and expectations.
Intro to Computer Science, Grades 9-12 is offered as a Math/Science - Monday/Wednesday course.