Themed Units
The program would be implemented by the mentor teacher. The teacher would be responsible for creating project based learning themes which are derived from the students interests and the grade standards for middle school and high school curricula. These units will be planned, scheduled and taught by the teacher. These will mostly, but not limited to, social studies and science based units. This block is designed to provide a social learning experience for homeschool learners that lets them engage with their peers in kinesthetic learning strategies.
Some examples; Life Science - 6 sessions, Modern Global Migration - 3 sessions, Environmental Impact - 4 sessions, Poetry - 2 sessions, Financial Literacy - 6 weeks. A list can be co created with the students so they have personal interest in each unit.
Mentorship
We believe that a main component of teen learning that is missing from the public school experience is the development of the self. This is an individualized experience where the mentor plans learning opportunities about facing life as a budding adult. This would include career and passion exploration to teach these future adults that goals are attainable and outline strategies for success. This could be exercises that illuminate their personal path as well as setting up volunteer opportunities that can help them explore careers. Other examples in this period can be learning how to be a student, how to study successfully, the power of now, college simplified, resume writing, how to reach a goal.
We would like to encourage the teens to become changemakers in their lives and their own communities. To create the future they wish to see. These opportunities would be created by the families and the mentor teacher to help students feel a part of the larger world. Part of building community connections is reciprocity. Giving back to the teen center we are renting from is important to us. The students can volunteer at the community events the teen center puts on. We desire to have a community/student connection so that the teens can give back to their communities through volunteering their time in areas they find personal value and importance.
Math
One important skill learned in high school is how to alter expectations of different instructors, therefore, hiring a supplemental teacher for math may be a strategy worth pursuing. This depends on the skill set and comfort level of the main mentor teacher.
One idea is creating a separate program, a Math Learning Center, that happens concurrently to the Teen pod and is an optional add on. Students will be assessed at the first session and assigned course work at their individual level. Each week they will return to the center to go over work and ask for clarification. This time can also be used as a tutorial center for focused learning and assistance for students to utilize as needed, the main mentor can be available during this time in this space. With a separate payment structure this program can enroll other students from other programs which will help create sustainability for both programs. The parameters of this will be created by the facilitator. However, the vision is to support learners 10 and up at a fixed rate tuition that can help subsidize the rental contract with the teen center.
Book Club
A list of novels or other readings will be provided at the start of the semester. One learning period per week will be dedicated for analytical breakdown of the reading assignment for each week. In a collaborative dialogue they will explore vocab, symbolism, character investigation ect. At the conclusion of each book a project will be created for deeper learning. This could look like a report, an essay, a skit. This position could be filled by the main mentor teacher or a supplemental teacher depending on desire and skill of the main mentor.
