SOCIAL STUDIES 2025 – 26

Did you know that Geography is everything?  It covers places, landforms, history, cultures, music, languages, religions, astronomy and even math?

Learn every state and country in the world and lots of important information about them through games!  We will play a variety of games every week from Carolyn’s vast collection of geography card and board games and the National Geographic Geography Bee.

Note:  This class can count for High School Credit; ask Carolyn for information.

OST:  $50.00 per family per semester

• Yes, the cost is per family, not student.  We feel this would be a great family style class for High school and older.  Parents and siblings are encouraged to attend at no additional cost.

OPEN ENROLLMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!  Call Carolyn at EIE 626-821-0025

• Where did it come from?
• Has it been changed?
• Does it have errors?
• Does it still hold up today?

COST:  $50.00 Per Family Per Semester

In Apologetics I we covered science and Christianity as well as som other religions.

With Apologetics II we will investigate the various major religions of the world and do a side by side comparison to Christianity.  At the end of the class you will be equiped to handle any discussion between the various major religions of the world.

CONTACT:  MARTY OR CAROLYN (626) 821-0025 OR JUST DROP ON IN.

Grades 7-12

Cost:

• $250.00 for private pay per semester and
• $300.00 for charter schools.  
• $25.00 deposit  towards tuition is requested to hold your spot in the class. 
• Charter funds accepted and A-G aligned.

“We are not the makers of history.  We are made by history.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

 This extensive survey course will cover U.S. History from the end of Reconstruction, through the end of the American Frontier, the second Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age, the Progressive Age, the Roaring Twenties, The Great Depression, WWI and WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Civil Rights Movement, the ages of Kennedy/Johnson/Nixon/Carter/Reagan/Bush and into the  21st century.  Along the way we’ll explore America’s evolving relationship with the rest of the world and the evolution of the American psyche.  The class will involve lectures interspersed with interactive discussions and games, and will go beyond the simple description of events to explore underlying causes and consequences for the future.

SUBJECT: World Geography

TAUGHT BY: Ani Janbazian

VENDOR: We Spark Learning

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 13 week semesters)

DATES:

Semester 1 runs Sept -Dec 2025

Semester 2 runs Jan-may 2026

COST PER SEMESTER :

$296.00 (discount given to those who pay for class in full on day of registration).

We are an approved vendor for most area Charter schools. If not, we’ll contact you to start the vendor process for your school!

Upon registration, you will be provided with a simple materials list of some basic school supplies that will be needed for class.

REQUIRED TEXT: National Geographic Ultimate Globetrotting World Atlas (available used or new for $5-$15)

Join the Acme Detective Agency on the hunt for super spy criminal mastermind, Nina Pasadena.  She and her henchmen are stealing treasures, and monuments from around the world.  You and the other Acme Agents will follow the clues leading you through countries of the world, exploring exotic cultures and locations — all to deduce and track down the identity of the criminals and return the stolen goods.

 As Nina and her gang escape to different parts of the globe, you will give chase by solving clues and fact finding using your student world geography book (more info upon registration). Each case will take you to three continents, three countries, and three cities on your hunt for suspects.

 You will be given one Agent Special Assignment during the year (aka- a short research paper, and drawing task to work on at home) about a specific country that is a henchman hide-out. You will present your Special Assignment in front of the Acme team (oral presentation).

Will we catch Nina Pasadena in the end?  Join us to find out!  This crime-solving class is sure to be full of mystery and intrigue!

REGISTRATION: Opens on April 10th.  Simply complete the form for either private-payment or charter families here at  WeSparkLearning.com . Charter School students should follow up with a request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible to complete your registration with us.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

DATES:

• Semester 1 runs Sept -Dec 2025
• Semester 2 runs Jan-may 2026

 COST PER SEMESTER :

• $360 (discount given to those who pay for class in full on day of registration).
• We are an approved vendor for most area Charter schools. If not, we’ll contact you to start the vendor process for your school!
• Upon registration, you will be provided with a simple materials list of some basic school supplies that will be needed for class.

TARGET: Grades 7th-12th

SUBJECT: World History and Culture

VENDOR: We Spark Learning

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 13 week semesters)

Students will learn more about the real history, archeology, locations, relics, people, and cultures, that inspired the adventures of Indiana Jones.  We will follow along with Indy through his epic journey, seeking to know more about the people, places and things that cross his path through each of the first 4 films in the franchise: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, TEMPLE OF DOOM, THE LAST CRUSADE, KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

Each week we will watch a segment of film (approx 20-25 min.), discuss real-life historical elements that are featured in the story, weigh the truth or exaggeration of its Hollywood portrayal, expand the lesson using relevant terminology, definitions, or timelines, and leave with a bonus Quest Challenge for extra knowledge on the subject. We will spend 5-6 classes on each film. Students will need to access Google Classroom for assignments and grades.

• What are the Crusades?
• Who are the Knights Templar?
• What is the Ark of the Covenant?
• Where is the real city of Petra?
• What do we know about the Nazca Lines?
• Is a Sankara Stone a real relic?
• What is the story behind the Crystal Skulls?
• Is there a Hanger 51 in Roswell, Nevada?
• Who inspired the character of Indiana Jones?

These are just some of the questions this class will answer!

IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS

The Indiana Jones series is rated PG-13, and parents will be required to complete a permission form for students viewing these films as part of this course.  Even though special effects are before computer generated realism, they nonetheless depict gun violence, deaths, gross-out scenes with bugs, snakes, and blood, incinerations, and temple torture scenes that can be quite gruesome.  There is also a little salty language on occasion. To read more about the content of this film series, I recommend CommonSenseMedia.org for their age-based reviews or the Parents Guide at IMDB.com. 

REGISTRATION: Opens on April 10th.  Simply complete the form for either private-payment or charter families here at  WeSparkLearning.com  . Charter School students should follow up with a request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible to complete your registration with us.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

GRADES 7 – 10

COST: $250.00

This class will follow the timeline of Architectural History as it parallels the history of the world, the country and locally. By looking at the relationship between the development of Architecture over time and the factors that influence it we can better understand all forms of culture such as transportation, arts. entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, communication, furniture, business etc.

We will travel through time starting with Native Americans and ending in present day to see how each era is its own testament to Architecture and how different Architects and ethnicities contribute to that story.

Class activities will use such things as nature and Froebel blocks to influence artistic vision and awareness – that basic geometric shapes are found within the outer shape of everything. Once a month there will be an optional field trip to visit actual buildings, neighborhoods and districts to explore Architectural characteristics and styles and the hidden history that surrounds all of us every day.

Students will take away a new sense of appreciation for the hidden history that surrounds us and the need for its preservation.

Inquires & Information         cindrabarnes@yahoo.com or

                                                           TEXT ONLY 909-993-2203

Register                                         At the above contact info

AGE:  GRADES 8-12

 COST: $375.00 per semester (discount for direct payment)

 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides background and insight into the workings of the American Government from its earliest design to the current issues surrounding the way that our government functions and impacts us all.  We will look at a variety of historical documents, events and persons that have impacted the United States from before its formation to current day legislation and functions. We will read through the Constitution in its entirety (it’s really not that long!) as well as the Declaration of Independence, famous speeches, letters, Supreme Court decisions, and other artifacts that give us insight into the way our government functions. In the end, we will be better prepared to be citizens of this great nation.

 Textbook: No textbook required. Primary sources are available in the public domain.

About the Teacher:

Ms. Flora is an educator who loves looking at the world in new ways and with multiple kinds of students.  She received her Bachelor’s in English (with minors in History and Spanish) from Westmont College, She has taught in both formal and informal settings, and her favorite students are her four children (three high school boys and a daughter in middle school.).  She earned her MA in English from Claremont Graduate University.

CONTACT:  Flora Krook

•             Phone number: (916)216-6469
•             Email: krookf@aol.com

AGE:  GRADES 8-12

 COST: $375.00 per semester (discount for direct payment)

 COURSE DESCRIPTION: The world “economics” can be intimidating.  Really, it’s just about how people decide how they are going to use their resources.  It’s about how they made decisions and what impacts those choices. We all participate in the economic system in some way. This course will provide you an introduction to the world of economics and the global economy.  We will learn about fundamentals like banking, trade, taxation, supply and demand, government spending, etc., giving you the vocabulary and skills to understand local and global systems, and to think critically and thoughtfully about real-world scenarios.  As a social science, we will delve into the theories, principles and practices that are encompassed in the study of the economic system, and we will question, explore and discover this thing called “economics.”

Textbook: To be determined.

About the Teacher:

Ms. Flora is an educator who loves looking at the world in new ways and with multiple kinds of students.  She received her Bachelor’s in English (with minors in History and Spanish) from Westmont College, She has taught in both formal and informal settings, and her favorite students are her four children (three high school boys and a daughter in middle school.).  She earned her MA in English from Claremont Graduate University.

CONTACT:  Flora Krook

•             Phone number: (916)216-6469
•             Email: krookf@aol.com

AGE:  High School grades 8-12

 COST: $375.00 per semester (discount for direct payment)

 COURSE DESCRIPTION: We all love a good story.  Add in some monsters, some extraordinary adventures, and some larger-than-life characters and you have the makings of a great myth, or at least a really good movie!  In this course, we will explore mythologies from around the world and look at ways in which the myths that are created are reflections of the humans themselves. We will have opportunities to create, analyze, express and learn from a variety of sources, including looking at modern-day interpretations of myths (Rick Riordan and Marvel movies for example). In response, we will be writing, creating and acting out some of the stories that we read, learning together and having fun!

Textbook: No textbook required, but I will suggest some resources that you may find helpful.

About the Teacher:

Ms. Flora is an educator who loves looking at the world in new ways and with multiple kinds of students.  She received her Bachelor’s in English (with minors in History and Spanish) from Westmont College, She has taught in both formal and informal settings, and her favorite students are her four children (three high school boys and a daughter in middle school.).  She earned her MA in English from Claremont Graduate University.

CONTACT:  

• Flora Krook
• Phone number: (916)216-6469
• Email: krookf@aol.com