Here are the class details for 2024-2025 EPIC Homeschool Academy
Elementary Classes
Brief course descriptions of elementary classes for 2nd-5th graders are listed below. For detailed information, including expectations and prerequisites, please see the Course Description Handbook. Many academic classes have classes or skills needed prior to enrolling to help set up a student for success.
Yearly Tuition: $270 per class
American Sign Language (ASL)
A fun and engaging introduction to American Sign Language and d/Deaf culture. Students use a variety of activities to learn the language in class and at home. Daily practice helps build vocabulary and conversational skills. This is a mixed-aged class for 2nd-5th grade.
Art
Creating various projects using multiple art forms and periods. Paint, sculpture, print, drawing, watercolor, oils, and more highlight this creative enrichment experience. Three sections are offered (2/3rd grade, 4/5th grade, and a 2nd-5th grade combined class). 24-student capacity.
Bible
This class works through the Bible canonically (studying the books in the order they appear in the Bible), showing students how everything is connected into One Big Story - a story centered on Jesus Christ and his invitation to each one of us to be part of God’s kingdom. As with all of our EPIC classes, we utilize lots of hands-on and project-based activities as we learn about the principles and stories in Scripture. Along the way, we also have many opportunities to learn about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus and to develop skills and ideas that help us grow in our faith— including Scripture memorization and Bible study basics. (Offered in three levels - 2nd-5th grade combined class, 2nd/3rd grade, and 4th/5th grade)
Gym Class
An introduction to a wide variety of sports and an opportunity to practice them in a group environment. Students learn teamwork and are encouraged in personal physical fitness. The class focuses on the virtues of perseverance, encouragement, cooperation, and humility. Max enrollment of 20 students. Three separate class hours are offered. (2/3rd, 4/5th, and a combined 2nd-5th class).
Language Arts
Introducing Language Arts during the elementary years is critical to the success of students in the future. Typically, the content covered in the general Language Arts curriculum in traditional education settings covers phonics, reading skills & comprehension, writing, handwriting, phonics, grammar, and variations of speaking & listening. A complete Language Arts program is NOT POSSIBLE in our one-day-a-week, combined grade-level format. However, EPIC desires to come alongside and EQUIP parents in at least one of the areas of language arts. These classes do NOT offer a comprehensive elementary Language Arts experience but can take the load off of one of the areas and provide a tremendous amount of INSPIRATION to your student.
Please look at the resources listed to help choose the appropriate level for your child. All classes are inspired by God’s Word, exemplary literature, and the diverse needs of students. Students will transition from focusing on the elements of literature to being creators of their own compositions through the elementary grades. The course prerequisites are not suggestions. Students who do not display evidence of these skills should not be enrolled.
Literature Workshop- 2/3rd Grade, 3rd/4th Grade
Literature workshop will provide instruction in the areas of reading skills and analysis through an introduction to various types of literary work across genres. Students will learn not how to read but learn to appreciate the art of the story and the power of the written word. Each theme will include skill focus, literary vocabulary, as well as a literary response project. Content and types of literature studied will rotate every other year. Sample lessons and anticipated scope & sequence can be provided upon request. There is a two-year rotation on content and genres studied, with some review built in to ensure students are all on the same page.
Writer’s Workshop- 4th/5th Grade
Writer’s Workshop will provide instruction in the areas of writing composition in a variety of genres as well as introductory grammar. Students will be inspired and instructed in key writing elements through projects and literature. Each unit will include instruction on the type of writing, skills needed to excel in that genre, and a project as a way to express progress and learning in the concepts. At this time, students will most likely experience the same writing genres and projects each year. Sample lessons and anticipated scope & sequence can be provided upon request.
English A - Middle School Preparatory Writing *New for 2024-2025*
English A is a middle school preparatory English class designed for 5th and 6th graders. This class will consist of basic grammar, composition, and one novel study each semester. This class will be 90 minutes long and priced according to the middle school level. This class is geared for 5th-grade students who are working above grade level or need more challenging material and pacing or for 6th-graders who need to work on basic writing skills to help set them up for writing success across all middle school classes. Access to Google Classroom required.
Music
Students learn the basics of music theory, history, instruments, and more! Hands-on experience with boomwhackers and other small classroom instruments along with singing brings practical application to the class. Minimal homework for practice and retention. Offered at two different grade levels (1st-2nd Grade and 3rd-5th Grade).
1st/2nd Grade
Students will explore the elements of music as we sing, move, and play instruments. They will learn about the instrument families of the orchestra and explore ways to become better musicians through games and songs! This is an active class with an experience-based approach to learning.
3rd-5th Grade
This introductory music class will bring understanding to the elements of music through singing, instrument playing, and movement. Students will identify the instruments of the orchestra as we learn about composers through the ages. Students will also learn how to read music notation as they also learn to play the recorder. This is an active class with an experience-based approach to learning. Students who have had previous private lessons or class in recorder may not find this course challenging.
Odyssey of the Mind
*New for 2024-2025 - Enrollment for 3rd-5th Grade Only*
Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition that engages students in their learning by allowing their knowledge and ideas to come to life in an exciting, productive environment. During class time at EPIC, students use many different STEAM skills (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and creative problem-solving to figure out a solution to their assigned problem.
Elementary Odyssey is a workshop-based class. Students will have the opportunity to learn and explore more facets of what Odyssey of the Mind offers. Students will be put on teams and solve an Odyssey of the Mind problem, showcasing their work for family and friends during 4th quarter. This will allow us to invite more students to participate in the class and be more flexible with our teams.
Science
Project-based and hands-on learning experiences both in the classroom and at home. Cooperative creative discovery with God’s amazing world is the goal of these elementary science classes. Engaging activities for home enhance the content being discovered during class time with quarterly projects providing hands-on experiences with the material. Curriculum is based on Apologia Elementary textbooks and other teacher-created materials. Class is split into 2/3rd grade and 4/5th grade classes.
Spanish
A fun and engaging introduction to the Spanish language and cultural diversity of Spanish-speaking countries. Students learn through song, story, and play both in class and at home. Two main cultural projects are presented to the students, one per semester. Daily practice helps build vocabulary and conversational skills in the language. A mixed-aged class for 2nd-5th grade.
S.T.E.M. Workshop
A true project-based workshop class inviting students to explore the areas of science, technology, and engineering. Units may include proper scientific methods, hands-on experiments, applied technology to solve a problem, basic engineering, and more. A broad overview and exposure to different STEM projects and experiences is the goal of this class. Three identical sections of this mixed-aged class for 2nd-5th grade are offered. New concepts are taught every other year.