CLASSES

This page gives information about classes, activities and resources that AAEN members have used and been pleased with. While many of these classes are run by religious groups (reflecting the sad shortage of secular opportunities existing at this time), they are all open to all homeschoolers, and none require a statement of faith. AAEN does not sponsor these opportunities and makes no warranties regarding them.

2007-2008Exciting New All-Secular Class Opportunity!
Classes for homeschooled middle and high school students (6-12th grade) will be offered this fall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, 86 Mt. Vernon Hwy. (at Sandy Springs Circle). Classes begin September 11. For more information,including directions, teacher bios and class descriptions see our website at http://www.sandyspringsclasses.org.

Many of the teachers and organizers are AAEN members, and have taught at AAEN in the past. Please email a request to Karen@pharsalia.com.

2007-2008Math and Science Classes at the Paul's
Long-time homeschooler Angela Paul teaches a complete line-up of high school math and science classes at her home in Tucker. These are all taught using mainstream, secular texts. Many AAEN families have enjoyed them. Click for details. Contact Angela at 770-939-1006 or jimangpaul@juno.com.

2007-2008Math and Science Classes with Derek Owens
Derek Owens teaches high school math and physics classes at the Dunwoody Coop and Lilburn Alliance Church. Both groups are Christian, but the classes are open to all and Derek's are secular in content and materials. Go to http://www.derekowens.com for details. Contact Derek at derek_owens@comcast.net.

2007-2008Sophia Forum
AAEN and the Dunwoody Co-Op will be presenting year two of the Sophia Forum high school humanities class for 2007-2008. Check out the Dunwoody Co-Op website for more details.

2007-2008Other Classes at Dunwoody Co-Op
The Dunwoody Co-Op offers other classes for middle and high schoolers as well. Some classes use Christian materials, others are secular in perspective, so check with each teacher if that is an issue for you. Click here for more information, or contact
Trez Dabbs at trezevant@mindspring.com.

2007-2008Classes at Lilburn Alliance
Lilburn Alliance offers classes for all ages, with a heavy emphasis on High School core subjects. Some of the history classes use Christian materials, and most science classes are taught from a creationist perspective using Apologia texts, but the Physics and Math classes are entirely secular in content and materials. Their website is http://www.lachomeschool.com/.

2007-2008High School Girls' Health
Tentative meeting time: Wednesdays, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 per class

This year-long class will meet weekly at an intown location. The teacher is Marilyn McGinnis, a home schooling mom who holds a degree in nursing and has had several years' nursing experience. She has also taught social studies classes to home schoolers for 13 years.

This class will offer a solid personal health curriculum, but will also look at health issues from a community and global standpoint. Students will be expected to perform two health-related community service projects, and will be given assignments that ask them to assess the impact of health concerns on their communities. Plenty of emphasis will be given to mental health and to healthy relationships. Among the topics to be covered are nutrition; alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; safety; reproductive health; stress and stress management; depression and suicide; and disabilities.

By limiting the class to girls, an open environment conducive to sharing concerns and discussing personal issues can be created. The goal is to give young women the tools they need as they approach adulthood to take responsibility for their own health in all its many facets.

You can call Marilyn for more details.
404-624-3205
marilyn.mcginnis@earthlink.net

Joyful Noise Homeschool Band
Joyful Noise Home School Band provides band instruction on four levels, beginner through elite. They offer Concert Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band ensemble and performance opportunities. Many AAEN families participate.
http://www.joyfulnoiseband.com/

Masters Academy Band
Master's Academy in Covington is offering band and you don't have to enroll in Master's to do just the band. Also, the band leader there is the director of another group called H.O.M.E.- Homeschoolers Offering Music Education.
The website for H.O.M.E. is : http://www.homeschoolers-music.org/
The main website for Master's Academy of Fine Arts is: http://www.mafa.net
The website for the COVINGTON Master's that offers the band program is: http://www.mafa.net/schools/covington

CURRICULUM

We often get questions from new homeschoolers (and those of us looking for a change) about curriculum options. Here are some resources that various AAEN members have used and are happy with. As always, AAEN has no ties to these opportunities and makes no warranties regarding them.

Calvert School, the granddaddy of elementary grade distance education, offers a complete, traditional MSACS accredited curriculum through grade 8.

Oak Meadow School is a complete Waldorf based curriculum through grade 12. Its high school is SACS accredited (the same as Georgia public schools, so transfer should be easy).

Sonlight is another complete curriculum through grade 12, heavy on literature. It is Christian, but includes books that contain diverse points of view. Even if you don't use the curriculum, it is worth a look for its many interesting book recommendations.

Ambleside Online is a curriculum guide and booklist (complete through grade 11) designed to follow Charlotte Mason's method of homeschooling. Each year/grade has a list of books to lay out what resources will need to be collected or purchased, and an optional 36-week schedule to break the resources into smaller increments to help with pacing the books throughout the year. There is no fee to use the curriculum or website. Parents may use as much or as little of the booklists and schedules as they like.

The Well-Trained Mind, a book published in 1999 by W.W. Norton, serves as a resource for parents wanting to educate their children according to the classical model of education. The website has resources and discussions for families using the classical approach.

Clonlara has been used by some AAEN members in the past. They have a flexible curriculum that you can tailor for your kids - and they give academic credit for real life experiences (what a concept (-; ).

Even families who mostly unschool or avoid textbooks sometimes want one for math. Sonlight has an interesting discussion comparing some of the most popular programs, giving pros and cons of each and appropriateness for various learning styles. Many AAEN families use Singapore Math.

CULTURAL EVENTS

And here are some of the many cultural venues in Atlanta that offer programs for homeschoolers. Again, AAEN does not sponsor these opportunities and makes no warranties regarding them.

Georgia Shakespeare Festival
Many AAEN members have enjoyed the programs presented by the Georgia Shakespeare Festival. Sometimes we organize group field trips, but one can sign up as an individual as well.
Georgia Shakespeare Homeschool Events

SPORTS

There is an ever-expanding range of sports opportunities for homeschoolers these days. Some of these have been used by AAEN members, some by other homeschoolers we know, and some just sound interesting. AAEN does not sponsor these opportunities and makes no warranties regarding them.