Course Descriptions
Through the courses listed below, students have the opportunity to expand and enhance their interests, abilities, and skills throughout May Term. But it also offers kids the chance to experience learning differently, build appreciation for a new discipline, and make connections between subjects.
Adulting 101
Ever heard someone say “I wish I would’ve learned that in school”? Well, this is the class that teaches you just that! How do we safely prepare food, what is a W2 form, how do I invest money, how do I sew on a button, and much more! Whether you are planning on entering the workforce, going to trade school, or enrolling in college this course will give you the basic skills to find success in everyday life.
Agriculture- Then and Now
How did agriculture evolve from the horse and plow to super tractors? What is the science behind goats that have been genetically engineered to produce spider-like silk in their milk? Join us on a journey through the history of agriculture and the high-tech advancements that help feed, clothe, provide medicine for, and house 7.8 billion humans!
Business Plans For Spartan Entrepreneurs
Interested in developing your own business? Explore how entrepreneurs transform a business idea into a viable opportunity! This comprehensive course dives into the details of developing a plan and students emerge with a first draft of a sound business plan. Additionally, Spartans will develop relationships with the community by volunteering during these three weeks!
Careers & SEL
Middle school is a rich period of openness and self-reflection. Careers & SEL will provide middle school students with the resources they need to engage in self-reflection, explore college and career options, and familiarize themselves with potential pathways that are relevant to their strengths and passions. This course is packed with hands-on activities that will prepare them well in advance!
College Application & Essay Workshop for Juniors
Planning to attend college? You might not have started to think about the college application process or essay writing. Yes, essay writing for scholarships and some college applications! In this workshop-based course, students will participate in a variety of activities such as brainstorming strategies to help select the perfect topic, learning how to write more descriptively and reflectively, and filling out sample college applications. Students will then be ready to start drafting an essay of their own essay in which they will participate in both peer review sessions as well as receive one-on-one feedback from the teacher as they construct their essay in class. By the end of this May Term workshop, students will leave with a working draft of their scholarship and college application essay.
Credit Recovery
Credit Recovery is a great opportunity for students to get caught up and be on track for graduation! Through the use of Edgenuity (E2020), students will have the time to focus quietly on their credit recovery courses.
Glass & Tile Mosaics
In this class, students will explore the use of glass and ceramic tiles to create intricate mosaic art. We will be looking into the different cultures that used them and the history of mosaic artwork around the world. We will see how mosaic art transformed over the years and what it looks like in modern art today.
Greenhouse Production
Greenhouse Production is designed to develop an understanding of greenhouse production techniques and practices. To prepare for careers in horticultural systems, students must attain academic skills and knowledge, acquire technical knowledge and skills related to horticultural systems and the workplace, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations.
History of the Big Ten
Known as one of the intercollegiate sports’ most successful undertakings, the Big Ten Conference is home to a lineage of legendary names and an ongoing tradition of developing strong leaders, tracing back to over 125 years. Learn about the evolution and transformation of the Big Ten. This class is a must for avid college sports lovers!
MARVELous Movies
Do you like action movies? Do you ever wonder what makes a great villain or a lackluster one? In this class, we will examine the journey of Marvel movie characters and examine what makes some characters and movies lovable icons while others find less success. Examine the hero's ( or villain’s) journey through some of the most popular movies.
MHSAA Officiating and Rules
Do you ever question a call the referee makes at a game? Do you think you have what it takes to officiate a game? There currently needs to be more high school officials in Michigan. This course instructs in knowledge, skills, and the foundation for officiating sports. Topics include rules and their interpretation for selected sports, the mechanics of officiating a contest, as well as how to proactively manage the environment of sports competitions. This course prepares students to take the MHSAA officiating exams.
Motion Picture Studies
In this class, we will be breaking down motion pictures and their contributions to society with historical and artistic mindsets. This will give young individuals the opportunity to understand the making and production of motion pictures, along with where they started and their past. This class will lead to giving students the ability to form and produce their own motion pictures while also striving for safety and vigilance while creating their own masterpieces.
Outdoor Skills
Do you like being outside? This hands-on class will encompass activities and discussions that range from plant and animal identification to water testing. Students use their senses to gain a deeper appreciation and awareness of nature. This is a very hands-on course as students will be outdoors for much of the class.
Pickleball
This is a beginning pickleball course in which students will develop the basic skills to play the game of pickleball. Technical skills include forehand and backhand groundstrokes, volleys, serves, lobs, overheads, dink shots, and proper footwork. Students will also learn the fundamental rules, basic strategies, and court positioning for singles and doubles play. Basic fitness and training principles will be discussed as applicable to the sport of pickleball.
Positively Poultry!
What can you do in 21 days? If you are a chicken, you can grow a brain, heart, feathers, and everything else to create a fully-formed chick! How do they do this? In this class, you’ll find out! Take a journey to learn all about poultry. We will explore breeds, anatomy, and domestication of various species of poultry.
Sand Volleyball
This course provides instruction, strategies, and practice of skills in sand volleyball. This introductory course is offered for students who desire to learn and improve the basic skills, as well as to understand the rules. The course is designed to develop fundamental and advanced skills, knowledge of rules, team strategies, and a desire for future participation during leisure time.
Spartan Beans
In this class, students will explore and taste the different coffees and teas throughout the world. We will be looking into the culture where the coffee/tea comes from and the history of that coffee/tea in the world. We will be going on explorations of how coffee/tea has shaped history from the British tea culture to Ethiopia's coffee bean. Additionally, the class will build the foundations of the Spartan Beans Cafe, set to open in the fall of 2024!
Spartan Cuisine
This course consists of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exploring a wide variety of culinary concepts. Students will be learning about ingredients, organizing a kitchen, personal hygiene, food safety, and cooking and baking techniques. Students will have full use of a kitchen along with supplies.
Spartan Power Hour
This course addresses the principles of physical education while combining strength training, aerobic conditioning, speed and agility training, as well as sport-specific training. Aiming to improve strength and endurance, reduce the incidence and severity of sports injuries, and to improve technique and overall performance. Physical education is the science that deals with helping students secure fitness and learn the skills important to maintaining physical fitness. Health will help you build healthy habits and continue to make good health decisions throughout your life.
Stop Motion Studies
In this class, we will look at the use of and historical importance of stop animation in motion pictures. We will be looking at multiple movies that use this animation method, as well as the making of those films. The stop animation types we will be looking at include Lego/action figures, claymation, cut-outs, puppets, etc. The class will work up to producing a short-stop animation example of their own. This class will help develop students' creativity and creative problem-solving.
The Bird is the Word
This bird class covers bird identification and location, feeding, types of birdhouses, equipment, behavior, and habitats. This will be a hands-on class where students will use a variety of tools to design and create birdhouses and bird feeders. Students will be able to identify a variety of common birds from within the community.