Upper School Summer Programs

List of 5 items.

• Introduction to Algebra I - Weeks 3 & 4

  Intro to Algebra I

  Weeks 3 & 4 (June 9 - June 20)   ·   9:00 - 10:30AM   ·     Fee $290   ·   (8th-9th)
  
  This class will present basic algebraic concepts to prepare students for Algebra I.  Students will participate in a variety of hands-on activities to develop their grasp

  of the concepts covered.  The emphasis will be on the understanding of balancing and factoring of equations and learning to use the steps of the equations to solve the problem.  This class is designed for students in need of practice and reinforcement of general algebraic concepts. In addition to work done in class, students will be given extra enrichment packets for practicing math problems at home.

  **Please note: 6^th-8^th Grade students will not be allowed to remain unattended on campus before/after/between academic or athletic summer offerings.  For fee supervision will be offered between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for those students needing to arrive early or who are waiting between activities. Details regarding this supervision will be included in confirmation notes send prior to activity start dates.

• Introduction to Algebra II - Weeks 3 & 4

  Intro to Algebra II

  Weeks 3 & 4 (June 9 - June 20)   ·   12:30 - 2:00PM  ·   Fee $290   ·   (10th-12th)

  This course will review basic algebraic concepts including a review of algebraic manipulation and an introduction to logarithmic functions, exponential functions, and conic section. This class is designed as an enrichment course for students who have completed Algebra I and/or Geometry and feel a need to practice and build on skills as they move forward to the next math level. Students should take this class if they would like to be introduced to some of the major topics they will be covering in Algebra II.

• Introduction to Geometry - Weeks 3 & 4

  Intro to Geometry

  Weeks 3 & 4  (June 9 - June 20)   ·   10:30AM - 12:00PM   ·    Fee $290   ·  (8th-10th)
  
  This course is designed to be taken by students who would like to be introduced to some of the major topics they will be covering in Geometry. Students will study deductive reasoning, points, lines, planes, congruence, and parallel lines. The course will emphasize understanding of two-column, geometric proofs. This introduction will give students practice and basic skill building.

  *Students are recommended to have completed Algebra I before taking this offering.*

  **Please note: 6^th-8^th Grade students will not be allowed to remain unattended on campus before/after/between academic or athletic summer offerings.  For fee supervision will be offered between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for those students needing to arrive early or who are waiting between activities. Details regarding this supervision will be included in confirmation notes send prior to activity start dates.

• Geometry: An Accelerated Credit Course - Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7

  Geometry: An Accelerated Credit Course
  
  

  Weeks 1 - 7 (May 27 - July 11)  ·  In-Person  ·  (9th-12th)  ·  Fee: $850

  5/27 – 5/29 – Meeting Times 3:00 to 5:00PM

  5/30 – 7/11 – Meeting Times 8:00 to 10:30AM

   

  Geometry introduces students to real applications of algebra and to logical reasoning needed in higher level mathematics courses. The course will consist of deductive and inductive reasoning, basic geometric figures, parallel lines, congruent triangles, quadrilaterals, triangle inequalities, similar polygons, circles, area, volume, coordinate geometry, and transformations. There will be a heavy focus on algebra throughout the course.  The content of this course will be identical to that found in the standard, year-long course. Material is covered each day in an amount roughly equivalent to four days during the regular school year.

  This is not a remedial course. This is a highly academic course requiring students to attend class daily (8:00 am to 10:30 am), complete homework daily, complete weekly graded assignments, and take three major exams throughout the seven-week period. Grades are determined by participation in class, daily assignments, unit graded assignments, and three major exams. Students are expected to attend class in person.  Please contact Mr. Blackburn, the course instructor, with questions or concerns about the course before registering (sblackburn@johncooper.org). 

  * This course is open to Cooper students only.   

  PURPOSE:

  Successfully completing this course will mean that those students will get credit for Geometry in the Upper School. Therefore, this course will count toward the Upper School’s three-year math requirement and a student’s grade will count towards his or her cumulative upper school GPA.

   

  ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES:

  Students that have completed 9th or 10th grade must have obtained a B average or higher in Algebra 1.

  Students that have completed 8th grade must have a test average of 95% or higher in Algebra 1 and have scored in the upper third percentile (7 stanine and above) on both the Quantitative and Math sections of the ERB in the fall of this year. The student also must score at least 85% on a comprehensive exam on topics covered in Algebra I. This exam will be administered in the student’s Algebra I class.

   

  EXIT REQUIREMENTS:

  To earn credit for this course, students must take all three exams and hold a C or better course average at the end of the seven-week course.

   

  MATERIALS:

  1.  A copy of the textbook – Geometry 2022 – Big Ideas Learning - Larson - ISBN13: 978-1-64432-865-1.

  2.  Protractor, ruler, compass, paper, graph paper, pencils, and organizational folders/binder.

  3.  Daily access to a computer and internet.  

  4.  Ability to submit assignments online on OneNote.

  5.  A TI-Nspire CAS CX calculator (available at Cooper bookstore). 

   

  ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION:

  Due to the accelerated nature of this course, students must make every effort to attend class daily. Students are required to take three exams in person.  May 26 and July 4 are recognized as holidays with no class or required activities. Students/parents should email the instructor before registering if they are planning to miss more than two days of class for approval (sblackburn@johncooper.org).  Class ends July 11.

• Spanish: An Accelerated Course - Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7

  Spanish 4 : An Accelerated Course

  Weeks 1 - 7 (May 27 - July 11)  · In-Person  ·  (10th - 12th Grades)  ·   Fee: $850

  5/27 – 5/29 – Meeting Times 3:00 to 5:00PM

  5/30 – 7/11 – Meeting Times 8:00 to 11AM

   

  Course Overview: This course focuses on advancing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, with a primary goal of increasing comfort and confidence in speaking. Students will have daily opportunities to speak on a wide variety of topics, including issues in the contemporary Spanish-speaking world. Throughout the course, students will read news articles on Spanish-language websites and report on current events and issues relevant to the Spanish-speaking world. They will learn sophisticated vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and review complex grammatical structures to enhance their communication skills in both speech and writing. The accelerated course aims for the same proficiency objectives as the standard year-long course, with students striving for the Intermediate High proficiency level as defined by ACTFL standards.

  Expectations: Due to the accelerated nature of the course, students are expected to complete assigned practice and reading daily in addition to class hours. Students must attend class daily according to the schedule above, complete daily assignments, and prepare for oral and written assessments in all forms of communication: presentational, interpretative, and interpersonal. Assessments will be scheduled throughout the seven-week period, with formative checkpoints occurring weekly. Attendance in person is required.

  * This course is open to Cooper students only. For additional information, please contact Sra. Mata, World Languages Dept. Chair, at mmata@johncooper.org.  

  Purpose: Successful completion of this course allows students to earn credit for Spanish 4, enabling them to enroll in AP Spanish Language & Culture in the fall. Credit earned in the accelerated Spanish 4 course will count toward the Upper School’s three-year World Language requirement and the student’s grade will count toward their cumulative Upper School GPA.

  Course Objectives: By the end of the seven-week course, students should be able to:

  • Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
  • Understand and interpret written and spoken Spanish on a variety of topics.
  • Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on diverse topics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the practices and perspectives of Hispanic cultures and make comparisons between these cultures and their own.
  • Reinforce and further knowledge of other disciplines (math, science, art, etc.) through the use of Spanish.
  • Show evidence of becoming a life-long learner by using Spanish for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

  Academic Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish 3 or Advanced Spanish 3 with a B average or above in both the course and the final exam. In addition, new students must demonstrate their readiness for this course by taking the US World Languages placement test and meeting the criteria for Spanish 4 placement.

  Exit Requirements: To earn credit for this course, students must take all exams and maintain a C or above average at the end of the seven-week course.

  Required Texts and Materials: Students must come prepared for class with all listed materials and completed assignments:

  • Textbook: PERSPECTIVAS. Print + Digital access ISBN: 978-1-54333-930-7. Vista Higher Learning (https://vistahigherlearning.com/school/TheJohnCooperTX
  • Access to Quizlet & Conjuguemos (codes provided by the instructor)
  • Pen, red pen, pencil, and highlighter
  • Notebook with pocket for handouts
  • Headphones and laptop with audio & video capabilities
  • Flashcards/index cards

  Attendance & Participation: Due to the accelerated nature of this course, daily attendance is crucial. Students must take all exams in person. May 26 and July 4 are recognized holidays with no classes or required activities. Students/parents should email the WL Dept. Chair before registering if they plan to miss more than two days of class for approval at mmata@johncooper.org. 

  Class ends on July 11