2010-2011 Course Catalog

Grades listed for courses are recommendations. Classes must have a minimum of six students and will have a maximum of fourteen students unless stated otherwise in the course description. City Gates reserves the right to deny registration in a given class based on placement test scores.

This page is a summary. Click the course title link for all the details. 

Art Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
4-8 Art! Multi-Media

This is scheduled for the Spring semester. This course instructs the students in the basics of line, color, and form. They will have the opportunity to explore many different mediums while producing crafts of both utilitarian and artistic function. Some of the projects are paper mache masks and figures and comic strip drawing.

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4-8 Art! Drawing and Painting

This is scheduled for the fall semester. This course covers the fundamentals of drawing including color theory, and design. Students will use these drawing skills to painting the student’s own “famous painting”. Other activities include printmaking and figure drawing.

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Bible Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
4-8 Bible Study

A Bible devotion will be offered at no charge. We encourage all students to participate and spend some time with the Lord.

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English Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
5-6-7 Language Arts I

This class introduces and lays the foundation for writing using The Institute for Excellence in Writing.  The class will also include a review of various literature, including poetry, short stories and Shakespeare. The class is a two year curriculum based program. Parents will be responsible for guiding students in completion of teacher assigned work in grammar and vocabulary as part of their work at home.

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6-7-8 Language Arts II

This class runs over two years.  It endeavors to prepare the student for high school with intensive writing based on the Institute for Excellence in Writing. We are currently pursuing accreditation. A typical selection of three books a year may include The Lord of the Rings,Where the Red Fern Grows, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, The Yearling and Cheaper by the Dozen. Poetry, short stories and Shakespeare are addressed. Other components to the program are the Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary series, Dailygrams and  Editor in Chief.  Parents are responsible for guiding their childrenin teacher-assigned work in grammar and vocabulary

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4 Language Arts A

Easy Grammar 5/6, Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary, possible books  such as Pippi Longstocking, Charlotte's Web, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Little House in the Big Woods. All classes will focus on composition (using The Institute for Excellence in Writing program) and reading and review of several literary works. The purpose is twofold: effective writing (including skills for completing research papers) and development of skills to analyze and appreciate literature. Parents will be responsible for guiding students in completion of teacher assigned work in grammar and vocabulary as part of their at home work.

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Gym Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
5-8 Physical Education

The class meets with a minimum of 10 students. This will cover the fundamentals of a few major team sports: baseball, kickball, basketball, volleyball.  The focus will be on basic skill development, the concept of the game, critical thinking, the benefits of teamwork and problem solving, all while having fun.  All skill levels are welcomed.

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History Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
5-7 Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation History

A Medieval Feast marks the end of the Middle Ages section. Grade appropriate in-class presentations facilitate public speaking skills and project presentation.

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7-8 American History: Explorers to 1815

Grade appropriate in-class project presentations to facilitate public speaking skills. Students also read and report on a historical fiction book of their choice.

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4-6 Ancient History - Grades 4-6

Grade appropriate in-class presentations facilitate public speaking skills and project presentations.

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7-8 American history: 1815 - present

Grade appropriate in-class presentations facilitate public speaking skills and project presentation.  Timelines are used to facilitate organizational skills.  The year ends with a "20th Century Project" where students delve into their own family history, interview grandparents about "the past", discover the trends of the era gone by.

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Language Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
6-8 Latin 2

This class will continue Latin vocabulary, basic grammar and English words that are derived from Latin.  Students will begin to use their Latin vocabulary and grammar to read stories in Ecce Romani.  Students will also learn about ancient Roman culture.  Students take the National Latin Exam and consistently score well.   Class activites include building their Domus Meus, dining at the Latin Feast, and participating in the Latin play at the end of the year.

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7-9 Latin 3

Using Ecce Romani, students will continue to delvelop their skills with grammar and vocabulary, while applying it to reading stories in Latin. Students also continue to learn about ancient Roman culture.  Students take the National Latin exam and score consistently well..  They participate in the Latin feast and in the Latin play at the end of the year.

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5-8 Latin 1

This class will teach Latin vocabulary, basic grammar and English words that are derived from Latin. Class uses teacher made curriculum based on Latina Christiana and Ecce Romani.The class holds a Latin feast and participates in a Latin play as a finale to the year

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4-8 FUNdamentals of Spanish A

This fun Spanish class is for students who have little or no prior experience.  The workbook includes a CD for regular review

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5-8 FUNdamentals of Spanish B

This is for students who have taken Fundamentals of Spanish A or have some prior knowledge of basic Spanish including present tense verb conjugation.  This course will expand vocabulary, pronunciation, verbs: present and past tense conjugation, irregular verbs, commands as well as grammar and comprehension skills.

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Math Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
5 Math 5

This class uses the Abeka 5th grade book and is for average to advanced Math student. 

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6 Math 6

This class used the Abeka 6th grade math book and for is the average to advanced student.

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7/8 Math 7/8 Pre-Algebra

This class is for the average to advanced student.  The text is the Abeka pre-Algebra book.  This class meets twice a week, due to the nature of the material taught. The time will be determined and the cost depends on the number of enrolled students.

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8/9 Algebra I

This course uses Teaching Textbooks Algebra I. It is for the average student.  The text has engaging pictures and story problems.  This class meets twice a week.  The time of the second class is determined when the school schedule is in place.  The cost is determined by the number of students who sign up.

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6-7 Honors Math 6-7

This is an advanced Math class for those who like a challenge and are movitated, but who aren't quite ready for pre-algebra.  This class will move rapidly and have plenty of fun challenges!  Due to the nature of this class, a second hour is required.  The time will be determined when the schedule is in place.  The cost will be deteremined by the number of students in the class.

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8-9 Honors Algebra I Grades 8-9

This course is designed for those who like the challenge.  It will move rapidly and have plenty of intrigue.  The class meets twice a week due to the nature of the class.  The time ofthe second class will be determined when the school schedule is in place.  The cost will be determined by the number of students in the class.

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4 Math 4

This class is for the average to advanced student.  The Abeka Math 4 will be the text.  Class meet once a week. Tuition to be determined by the number of students in the class.

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7 Math 7

This class is for students who are not ready for pre-algebra and need a firmer foundation in math.  The text is Abeka Math 7.  This class meets twice a week.  The day is determined when the rest of the schedule is complete.  The tuition is based on the number of students in the class.

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Science Courses

Grade Level(s) (suggested) Course Description Sessions/Week
4-5 Science - Grades 4-5

This science class will encourage a hands on approach, covering most major areas of science. It is designed to foster a love of science. It is a two year curriculum using Christian Kids Explore: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Earth and Space.

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6-7 Science - Grades 6/7

This class is a two year curriculum.  It uses the Prentice Hall Science Explorer series: From Bacteria to Plants, Animals, Environmental Science, Health and the Human Body, Inside Earth, Sound and Light – Class works through textbook and workbook. Classroom format encourages note taking/outlining skills, hands on activities such as animal dissection, rock/mineral display, and visual demonstrations and in-class presentations.

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8-9 Science - Grades 8-9

Earth Science, Chemical Building Blocks, & Chemical Interactions) - Class activities include experiments in chemistry, weather charting, oceanography and many visual demonstrations.

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6,7,8 Science Fair

Science students in grades 6,7 and 8 choose two out of three years to participate in the City Gates Academy Science Fair. It is held in December.  The CGA Science Fair is a strong program with yearly winners in the New Castle County Science Expo.

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