Humanities at Sound Christian Academy
Department Overview
The Humanities Department at Sound Christian Academy encompasses a diverse range of subjects that are core to our overall curriculum and instrumental in the education of every student. These include English, world languages, and history, as well as other related areas such as social studies, civics, politics, creative writing, and others. Overall, we seek to develop well-rounded literacy in knowledge in these subjects. Additionally, we aim to build excellent thinking, processing, writing, and other creative skills. Our classes focus on understanding from a biblical worldview and appreciating the richness of God’s creation, the beauty in different cultures, and the redemptive Kingdom purposes that permeate every area of life. We align with our overall school mission to equip students to engage the culture for the Kingdom.
Department Chair
Humanities Department Chair
English Teacher
Email Tom Omli
English Classes
English
English 10 (Full Year)
10th Grade
This course is a study of world literature. Students will read Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as well as selections from the textbook. Grammar is taught through writing and rewriting of the fiveparagraph essay. Students will receive instruction in writing through the five-paragraph structure, which is the springboard for all types of expository essays. Each student will be required to write a five-page research paper. Some creative writing will also be required.
English
English 10 Honors (Full Year)
10th Grade
This course is a study of world literature which includes selections from our textbook as well as the following pieces of literature: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Students will receive instruction in writing through the five-paragraph essay structure, the springboard for all types of expository essays. Each student will be required to write a five-page research paper. Some creative writing will also be required.
English
English 11 – A Study of American Literature/Writing Development (Full Year)
11th Grade
Authors such as O. Henry, Stephen Crane, Sara Teasdale, Robert Frost and many more are studied. Types include suspense, character sketches, reflections of the Civil War era, and historical narratives. Writing projects include historical narrative, analytical, reflective, descriptive, and expository writing. At least one project will require parenthetical citations and MLA formatting. Students will focus on themes that allow them to study, analyze and appreciate the quality of strong writing while emphasizing the importance of applying scripture to the analysis of an author’s work. Students sharpen their critical skills as they observe the strengths of good writing and evaluate various techniques and themes of Christian and non-Christian writers. The writing program will include the five-paragraph essay and a research paper in conjunction with the history department.
English
English 11 Honors – Study of American Literature/Writing Development (Full Year)
11th Grade
Authors such as O. Henry, Stephen Crane, Sara Teasdale, Robert Frost and many more are studied. Types include suspense, character sketches, reflections of the Civil War era, and historical narratives. Novels may include To Kill a Mockingbird, The Scarlet Letter, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, or similar classics which reflect the history of American Literature. Students will focus on themes that allow them to study, analyze and appreciate the quality of strong writing while emphasizing the importance of applying Scripture to the analysis of an author’s work. Students sharpen their critical thinking skills as they observe the strengths of good writing and evaluate various techniques and themes of Christian and non-Christian writers and practice similar writing styles. Expository assignments and a historical narrative will require parenthetical citations and MLA formatting.
English
English 12 – A Study of British Literature / Writing Development (Full Year)
12th Grade
Seniors begin the year with an introduction to the Greek theatre and drama as well as some excerpts from Plato and Aristotle. British literature will dominate the rest of the year, selections include Hamlet, Beowulf, the Canterbury Tales and authors such as Jonathan Swift, Charles Dickens, Frank O’Connor, Lewis Carroll, and William Wadsworth. Poets from the 17th, 18th and 19th century will also be studied. Students focus on themes that allow them to study, analyze and appreciate the quality of strong writing while emphasizing the importance of applying Scripture as a means of analyzing an author’s work.
English
English 12 Honors – A Study of British Literature / Writing Development (Full Year)
12th Grade
Seniors begin the year with an introduction to the Greek theatre through the study of Oedipus the King by Sophocles. British literature will dominate the rest of the year, selections include Macbeth or Hamlet, Beowulf, the Canterbury Tales and the Shakespearean Sonnets. Poets from the 17th, 18th and 19th century will also be studied. Students focus on themes that allow them to study, analyze and appreciate the quality of strong writing while emphasizing the importance of applying Scripture as a means of analyzing an author’s work. Writing projects involve analytical and persuasive emphasis, which include reflective essays, expository writing, written interviews, letters to the editor and essays of argumentation. Honors students will also be required to read The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis.
English
English 9 (Full Year)
9th Grade
This course covers three general areas of study, literature, vocabulary, and grammar. Students learn research, writing, and study skills. Students read Night by Elie Wiesel and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as well as a variety of short stories that focus on literary elements. Grammar and vocabulary are taught or reviewed daily.
English
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition (Full Year)
High School
AP English is an intensive course that emphasizes reading with comprehension and writing skillfully, clearly, and analytically. Students will read a variety of short and long works of British, American, and world literature including poetry, short stories, essays, novels and plays. These works will be taken from a variety of time periods ranging from the Anglo-Saxon period to contemporary. The class will read, discuss, explore, and write about the ideas and techniques used in the literature, with the goal of preparing for post secondary education and the advanced placement test given in the spring. Written communication skills will be practiced through journal writing, essay writing (both timed writes done in the classroom and essays composed outside of the classroom), creative writing and projects. Through various assignments and activities, the teacher acts as a guide and facilitator, allowing students to assume responsibility for their own learning. AP students will show themselves to be strong writers and discerning thinkers based on the materials read, class discussions, and completed writing assignments. They will also have opportunities to discuss how the materials studied compare/contrast to a Biblical world view.
English
Creative Writing (offered if there is a need or desire)
High School
This class explores a wide range of descriptive and narrative writing. Students explore character, plot, and theme development. Exercises focus on word choices, the importance of character names, and dialogue. Students will experiment with poetry, skit writing, humor writing, children’s themes, and various writing styles.
English
English Language Learners
High School
This course provides instruction in the four skills of the English language: listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as English grammar for speakers of other languages. The goal is to help students develop proficiency in English so they will be able to work more effectively and confidently in the regular classroom.
History Classes
History
AP US History (Full Year)
High School
U.S. History is taught as a study of the United States from its roots in the Age of Exploration and continuing through the present. Emphasis is placed on major decisions made by leaders in each period of our history and attitudes expressed by Americans, comparing those attitudes and decisions to biblical principles. Students are taught to connect decisions of the past with current conditions. Emphasis is placed upon recognizing and being thankful for the blessings that God has given to our nation. This course is intended to prepare students to succeed on the Advanced Placement U.S. History Test.
History
Civics (Semester)
High School
This course is designed to provide our students with a practical knowledge and understanding of our American government and its direct connection to them. Students will analyze original source documents of our country’s government and the Christian roots from which it was developed. Students will be expected to be informed in current events, which will be discussed in class. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the American system of government functions as well as the impact on individual citizens. Students will also be able to demonstrate their understanding that US citizens have both rights and responsibilities in order for our government to maintain order in our society
History
Contemporary World Problems (Full Year)
High School
Students are taught to express their own thoughts on world problems through writing essays and participating in class discussions. It is taught from a biblical worldview and students are encouraged to engage our culture in a civil manner.
History
US History (Full Year)
High School
U.S. History is a study of the United States from its roots in the Age of Exploration and continuing through the present. Emphasis is placed on major decisions made by leaders in each period of our history and attitudes expressed by Americans, comparing those attitudes and decisions to biblical principles. Emphasis is placed upon recognizing and being thankful for the blessings that God has given to us as citizens of this nation.
History
World History (Full Year)
High School
World History is taught as a survey of world history from creation to the 20th century. Students will study the history and geography of a variety of civilizations, while analyzing how this affects us today. Students will make connections between historical and current events and discuss how God’s plan has been seen throughout history. The class includes in-depth studies on World Wars, as students engage in hands-on activities. The class is also designed to present the Biblical picture of the growth of human civilization, and prepare the student for a class on worldviews by studying the growth of human philosophy over time.
History
Pacific Northwest History (Semester)
Middle School
Pacific Northwest History is the study of WA, OR, & ID beginning with creation by God to the present day. The anthropology, geography, economics, and political science of the state will be examined. Students gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for the land, history, and people of the Pacific Northwest and will recognize that history is the unfolding of God’s sovereignty. This class is typically taken by SCA Middle School students and is a graduation requirement.
Language Classes
English Language Learners
Spanish III (Full Year)
High School
Students will continue to develop their ability to recognize, understand, and communicate in Spanish. They will learn to produce meaning communication in Spanish in a variety of everyday contexts. These contexts include personality, emotions, and personal relationships; parts of the house and household chores; nature and the environment; health and well-being; exercise and physical activity and professions and occupations.
World Languages
Spanish II (Full Year)
High School
Students will gain the ability to recognize, understand, and produce meaningful communication in Spanish in a variety of everyday contexts. These contexts include clothing and shopping; colors; daily routine and food; health, medical terms and conditions; parts of the body; the car and its accessories and computers and the internet. They will begin to engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Students will be able to articulate their understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the Spanish language and their own. They will recognize connections and have a greater understanding of comparisons between their own culture and those of the Spanish-speaking world.
World Languages
Spanish I (Full Year)
High School
Students will gain the ability to recognize, understand, and produce meaningful communication in Spanish in a variety of everyday contexts. These contexts include greetings; identifying themselves and expressions of courtesy; the classroom, class schedules, and school life; the days of the week; fields of study and school subjects; family life; identifying people, professions and occupations; pastimes; weather and vacations. They will begin to engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Students will be able to articulate their understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the Spanish language and their own. They will recognize connections and have a greater understanding of comparisons between their own culture and those of the Spanish-speaking world.
