Kratos International has facilitated a social studies unit study for four families with children in Grades 2-4 in the fall of 2011.  Based on the requests of the families involved, Kratos created a custom unit to fulfill learning outcomes in the BC curriculum for elementary social studies.  One request of the parents was that they wanted the topic of technologies of the past, present, and future be addressed.  To fulfill that outcome, I had the students research a different technology each week, allowing them to choose whether it would be past, present, or future.  Topics included housing, transportation, entertainment, clothing, and foods.  As the students reported the next week, it also gave them opportunities to improve their oral communication skills that they need for their Language Arts.

Another topic discussed were the symbols of Canada and some basic geography.  The grade 4 boys memorized the names of the provinces and territories.  Along with this went some basic mapping skills.  Each student was given a notebook that gave them activities relating to the topics discussed each day.  We were using the Donna Ward Canada, My Country text.  In the final weeks, this same text was used to discuss the basic governmental structure in Canada.  We end the session with a look at the cultural diversity in Canada.

For a final topic, it was requested that a Native Studies unit would also be taught, and once again Donna Ward came through with a guiding text, Canada’s Natives of Long Ago.  Each week a different group of aboriginal groups was studied alongside their geographical area in Canada.

In all, it seemed to be a well received class and it was a pleasure to break into this new genre of teaching for the company in such a wonderful way.  In the spring, Kratos will gear up to work with the same group of children in a science unit.  If you have a need, contact us to see if we can customize a course just for you.

Starting on September 21, 2011, a new club was started called Science For Girls.  Kratos began an 8 week series of middle school level science classes designed for home learners to supplement their science curriculum in a small group setting–with all girls.  For this experimental class, we took on the Grade 8 learning outcomes for Fluid Systems and Optics.  There have been 8 girls that have met with me on Wednesday afternoons for 1.5 hours at a local church.  Sene and Sarah are in Grade 6.  Asha is in Grade 7.  Sarita, Rebekah, Anna, Janelle, and Paule are in Grade 8.

In each class I have worked through some chapters from the BC Science 8 textbook and we have done experiments and activities along the way to reinforce concepts.  Some of those activities have included making wacky straws, testing the buoyancy between Diet and Regular Coke, using syringes and tubing to make a simple hydraulic system, playing with lenses and mirrors, and watching a virtual eye dissection.

When this class set ends on November 9, there will be a break until next March.  While demand will dictate the next subject areas, it is likely that chemistry topics will be addressed.  If you are interested in this club for yourself or your daughter, let me know of your need and I’ll take it into consideration when planning for the next session.