Meadow Hill Independent Class Descriptions Fall 2026

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Credit level, full year course, Monday & Wednesday, 11-12am, Live interactive online

This course, a high school level literature and writing course, will develop students’

reading, writing, and analytical skills across a variety of genres. Students will explore

novels, short stories, poetry, biographies, and speeches. In collaborative discussions

and writing, the students will analyze diverse authors and time periods with regard to

theme, characterization, setting, tone, symbolism, and figurative language. We will

follow the trajectory of American history from post-Civil War Reconstruction to the late 1900s.

Our writing will be guided by the Structure and Style method of the IEW (Institute for

Excellence in Writing) program, although we will not use a particular level or book.

Writing assignments will include analytical essays, creative writing, research projects,

and reflection paragraphs intended to strengthen organization, argumentation,

grammar, and vocabulary skills. The reading list will be age-appropriate and available in August.

This class can ideally be taken with US History, as the same reading will be required for both classes.

This class is being taught by Bridget Henne, a registered IEW instructor. The cost is $250 per semester. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Bridget Henne at Bridget@bridgetosuccesseducation.com

 Monday & Wednesday, 1-2pm, Sept 9- Oct 14 - Class will take place at Venture.

Let’s Explore Earth/Nature  Science using a hands/on  approach.  Learn about what our beautiful planet is made of.  Examining how the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life) of this planet makes this planet unique. .Students will use experiments, hands-on activities, reading, and investigation to discover facts about the science world.  This will not be just a class but an experience.  Please dress students appropriately for the weather and make sure they have a change of clothes, as this class will be outside occasionally. The class will meet twice a week, and when taken along with Physical Science (to be offered Spring of 2026) is meant to fulfill science at a curricular level for the school year.  Students will complete a project of their own choosing. Families will need to supply each student with a kit of simple supplies, averaging $15-$20, the contents of which will be provided shortly before the beginning of the class. Cost is $150. There will be an optional family Presentation Night. If you have any questions or to sign up for this class Contact Rebecca Noss at Becn4kids@gmail.com

 Monday & Wednesday, 1-2pm, Oct 26- Dec 9 - Class will take place at Venture

The Expansion of our Country, Reconstruction and the Industrial Revolution  is one of the most exciting times in history.  It was a time that pushed our country forward to lead the world.   Join our adventures as the  class will explore the events, people and ideas that lead to the birth of the United States.  Students will delve into the causes of the war, key figures involved , and major battles and events culminating in the creation of a new nation. Students will create a journal which will include research, sketches, and facts about the time period.  The students will discover history through the creation of projects.  Geography will be a big part of this class as they use maps to discover where history took place. This class will use hands-on activities, reading, experiments, and so much more to discover this amazing part of American history. A Pennsylvania History spotlight will be included each week which will meet the Pennsylvania History requirement. Students will learn what it was like to live in the colonies and watch how the world changed right in front of their eyes, even when they didn’t realize it. Venture also has field trips planned to enhance the class that families will be invited to attend. Please dress students appropriately for the weather and make sure they have a change of clothes, as this class will be outside occasionally. This class will meet twice a week, and when taken along with ‘The 20th Century- Exploring the Decades,  (to be offered Spring of 2027) is designed to fulfill History & Geography at a curricular level for the school year. Students will complete a project of their own choosing. Families will need to supply each student with a kit of simple supplies, averaging $15-$20, the contents of which will be provided shortly before the beginning of the class. This class will lead into Venture’s Earth/Nature  Science class to be offered in January.’ Cost is $150. There will be a Thanksgiving Break  and an optional Family Presentation Night. If you have any questions or to sign up for this class Contact Rebecca Noss at Becn4kids@gmail.com

 Mondays, Noon-1pm, HS credit level (motivated Middle Schooler), full year class

Spanish 1 is an introduction to the Spanish language and culture of Latin American countries. Students will develop basic skills in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish using a variety of materials with an emphasis in literature. Students will start speaking Spanish right away, which helps them remain engaged while studying the more technical aspects of language instruction. They will learn to discuss their activities, basic needs and wants, and other everyday topics in Spanish.

No previous knowledge of Spanish is required, however a good comprehension of grammar is strongly recommended.

Weekly written assignments will be given to fulfill 150 hours equivalent to 1 credit.

Pricing: $200 per semester, no text required, I will be supplying written materials, some of which will need to be printed at home.

About the teacher: Flor Tamara Keckler, kecklerflor7@gmail.com

 Mondays, 230-4, Elementary, full year Exploration of Art -  Class will take place at Venture.

Throughout history art has been a constant; sometimes a force and sometimes a whisper.  This unique art class will delve into art that was formed and also marked events during the late 19th and 20th Centuries. Students will engage in the history of art, learn about Artists and make creative projects. Students will also be taught different techniques and use different mediums which will include painting and sculpting. This art class  is appropriate for both beginners and skilled artists.  The class will meet the student at their individual ability level.  Please dress students appropriately for the weather and make sure they have a change of clothes, as this class will be outside occasionally. Families will need to supply each student with a kit of simple supplies, averaging $15-$20, the contents of which will be provided shortly before the beginning of the class. This class will lead to Exploration of Art - ‘Building America through the 20th Century’’ which will be offered in January. Cost is $175 per semester. There will be a Thanksgiving Break November and an optional Family Presentation Night. If you have any questions or to sign up for this class Contact Rebecca Noss at Becn4kids@gmail.com 

 9-11am, Full year class With Cheryl Heck. This class is also open to motivated Middle Schoolers. This is the first half of a full year class. Over the full year, we will be exploring 4 different American Handicrafts in depth: Back Strap Weaving, Basketry, Leather tooling, Scherenschnitte. There will be approx. 3-4 hours of homework a week, to fulfill the requirements for a credit. There is no text required. Cost is $225, plus a $50 materials fee, per semester. A simple kit of tools will be required, we’re working to keep this as low priced as possible. For more information and to sign up please contact Deb Imholte at houseonahilled@Gmail.com

 Wednesdays, 1-3pm, HS credit level, full year course -  Class will take place at Venture.

In this first semester of a full year course, we will cover from the Reconstruction after the Civil War through the 20th Century. Throughout this year a significant amount of PA history will be covered.

We’ll be using literature read in our English class, primary documents and mapwork studying all sides of the country’s growth, what has made us what we have become. (The lit booklist will be available in August) We will use many resources available to us regionally to truly attempt to understand why history unfolded the way it has. There will be homework and discussion assignments each week, totaling approx 3-4 hours a week outside of class time. It is critical that students do their homework as this will be a class heavily reliant upon discussion. Often students will study their choice of historical figures and recount summaries to the rest of the class. Students will also have opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge through media other than writing: art, music, architecture, etc will all be occasional options.

Families of students attending this class will have the opportunity to travel with the Venture families to support class study if they wish.

The only text necessary is the ‘Sourcebook’ from History of US by Joy Hakim. Literature for this class will be assigned through our Literature and Writing class. The cost is $200 per semester. If you’d like more information or to sign up for this class, contact Deb Imholte at houseonahillhed@gmail.com 

Important: this class is designed to be taken with our Literature and Writing class, which will use the same reading assignments.

 Classes begin Oct 28, auditions November 4, Production in May. Wednesdays 3-5. This class is a ton of fun! There is no better way to learn Shakespeare than to produce one of his plays. This is a drama class, teaching acting skills such as physicality and voice control. It is also a study of one of Shakespeare's comedies. We will finish class with a full production of an abbreviated version with original language and a narrator. All students will audition; all students will be awarded a part. Homework is required -the amount of time will depend upon how quickly students memorize their lines. Students must be able to read well to successfully participate in this class.  Parents will need to purchase a script (under $10), supply simple costumes and help out with production (a list of options will be available in November) -families who cannot help with production will pay an additional $50 per student. Families may also be asked to sell ad space in our playbill. There may be an additional cost ($20 or less) to rent the performance venue.

Note: physicality is an inherent part of theater, therefore students should be prepared to physically and verbally interact with other students.  The cost is $250 per student for the full year, $150 per additional family member. Drama takes personal risk on the part of the student, when cast members leave after relationships begin to form it hurts the whole cast; please make sure your student is committed to following through for the full year. To sign up, please email Deb at houseonahilled@gmail.com

 Thursdays, 230-4, High School, credit, Full year Exploration of Modern America. This is not just an art class, it is  an adventure.  The class will delve into early American art through observation, hands-on projects and stories.  Different techniques and  mediums will be introduced  which will include painting and sculpting.  Please join this artistic adventure as the class travels back in time and sees the building of America through its art.   Students should dress appropriately for the weather and make sure they have a change of clothes, as this class will be outside occasionally. Families will need to supply each student with a kit of simple supplies, averaging $15-$20, the contents of which will be provided shortly before the beginning of the class. This class will lead to Exploration of Art - ‘Building America through the 20th Century’ which will be offered in January. Cost is $175 per semester. There will be a Thanksgiving Break November 26-29 and an optional Family Presentation Night. If you have any questions or to sign up for this class Contact Rebecca Noss at Becn4kids@gmail.com