MOA is a not for the faint at heart. It is fun and inspiring and intensive, and it demands a lot of reading - reading that students today are not accustomed to, since about half or more of all they read in this class is written in the "Founder's English," which writing and logic is more advanced than what we are used to. Some have shared that this is "college level" work. They are not too far off. However, it's not impossible to grasp, it only takes extra time and bit more effort. Because of this, it is asked that students be at least 15 years old when they begin the class. We do accept adults in the class as well if they are interested in it. Parents are always welcome to stay in class as well (We love their added insights!)
Each week there are anywhere from 3-15 pages to be read (remember, it takes longer to read in order to understand what is being read in this 'Founder's English'), anywhere from 4-20 reading comprehension questions to be answered and emailed in each week, weekly quizzes based on the reading, the video we watch in class, and twice per year the students take a 3 hour exam (all short-answer) based upon the reading and work done up to that point in class.
Also, each week, students have a lesson presentation of some sort on the reading that was assigned for that week. Sometimes this may be "teaching" the material to class that day, or participating in a "debate" with another student, role-playing, etc. (It varies to keep it fun, interesting and challenging.) These are fun presentations where the students are encouraged to use their creativity to present the main points of the lesson. It helps get the students involved, and those who present usually end up learning the most! :)
Students should plan on spending roughly 2-6 hours of reading/assignments outside of class in preparation for each week's class, with perhaps an extra 1-2 hours during their "Presentation" week.
We also hold some main events each semester, as long as a parent steps up to lead them (easy to do, but just too much for me on top of all the other class prep) -
In the Fall we hold the Focus on the Founders event, which is an oral presentation of a report they write on a lesser-known Founder. This is presented in front of families and friends who are invited to the event and lead by 1 or 2 parents who plan the event from a-z. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, as judged by the criteria I have set out for and shared with them at the beginning of the semester.
In the Spring we hold the Constitution Bowl, an competitive event which tests the students' knowledge on the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Founders studied previously. Students split up into teams, and a judge or judges take turns asking roughly 100 questions (of the 200+studied.) Friends and family are also invited and make up our audience. There are prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd and 3rd place, based on previously disclosed criteria.
Each year there is a Special Report the students will be writing as well. These reports are based on selected topics (a list will be handed out in class), that will usually have some connection with current events, and the students present these in class.
We may have occasional field trips when possible (so long as there is a parent who will volunteer to plan and lead.) Our field trips are fun bonding events.
We hold opening and closing socials, and we also have a year-end Auction with great items that are "auctioned" off to the students who "pay" by using tickets earned throughout the year in class. These tickets are earned incentives for good work, extra work, turning in assignments on time, arriving to class on time, proper work on their Special Reports, participation in class, doing the "challenges" in class when they are offered, answering the weekly questions, grades on quizzes (the higher the grade, the more tickets), etc. It is a highlight for the year, after months of hard work and students have looked forward to this the most!
There are times we may take a trip to Austin for "Capitol Days" or our own reason for going, and this is an all-day event, leaving early in the morning (think 4am-ish) and returning by midnight during a weekday. Again, if enough parents volunteer to help.
MOA has proven to be a bonding class for students who attend, as they spend so much time together, and they 'teach' together during their presentations in class. Not to mention the socials. We become a 'family' of sorts. We love to also celebrate their birthdays when they come up and we just generally have a great time together. Many of them become life-long friends. They will always have "MOA" to connect them!
Class is held for 3-3 1/2 hours each week, due to the amount of work to be covered plus time included for breaks and some "fun" extras like a Constitution Game, Movies, etc. on certain days.
* PLEASE NOTE: This class is a three-year class, meaning that when you are considering signing up, please consider the commitment level for the next three years. Of course, we all try to remain flexible and we understand things change, but generally speaking if you sign up, I expect the student and parent to be committed to the full three years, to attending each week with the assignment completed and to actively participating in class. I strongly discourage anyone attending if they only wish to be here for the social side of it, to be with a certain friend, or because mom and/or dad wanted them here.
I also encourage you to talk with your student and make sure they are committed to the full three years, and they are willing to commit to doing the work each week. I put a LOT of time, effort, money, and passion into preparing for this class, and it simply won't do if a student treats this as a "come and go" or a "book club" where the work is optional or there are always reasons and excuses for not getting it done. There must be serious commitment to doing to the work and sticking it out the three years (of course, I am flexible and recognize there may be times a student needs to quit). There is a huge benefit at the end of the three years if they will do that! :)
With all of this, you can see that the attention span of the student must match not only the level of reading in regard to the "Founder's English", but also the amount of time and level of responsibility spent on focusing on this subject. It is definitely a little draining, but oh so, so worth it!
I have each student sign a commitment form at the beginning of the first class, so they understand what is expected and commit to doing their best work in regard to these things.
If you have any questions about this class, feel free to contact me using our contact form to the right.
Each week there are anywhere from 3-15 pages to be read (remember, it takes longer to read in order to understand what is being read in this 'Founder's English'), anywhere from 4-20 reading comprehension questions to be answered and emailed in each week, weekly quizzes based on the reading, the video we watch in class, and twice per year the students take a 3 hour exam (all short-answer) based upon the reading and work done up to that point in class.
Also, each week, students have a lesson presentation of some sort on the reading that was assigned for that week. Sometimes this may be "teaching" the material to class that day, or participating in a "debate" with another student, role-playing, etc. (It varies to keep it fun, interesting and challenging.) These are fun presentations where the students are encouraged to use their creativity to present the main points of the lesson. It helps get the students involved, and those who present usually end up learning the most! :)
Students should plan on spending roughly 2-6 hours of reading/assignments outside of class in preparation for each week's class, with perhaps an extra 1-2 hours during their "Presentation" week.
We also hold some main events each semester, as long as a parent steps up to lead them (easy to do, but just too much for me on top of all the other class prep) -
In the Fall we hold the Focus on the Founders event, which is an oral presentation of a report they write on a lesser-known Founder. This is presented in front of families and friends who are invited to the event and lead by 1 or 2 parents who plan the event from a-z. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, as judged by the criteria I have set out for and shared with them at the beginning of the semester.
In the Spring we hold the Constitution Bowl, an competitive event which tests the students' knowledge on the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Founders studied previously. Students split up into teams, and a judge or judges take turns asking roughly 100 questions (of the 200+studied.) Friends and family are also invited and make up our audience. There are prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd and 3rd place, based on previously disclosed criteria.
Each year there is a Special Report the students will be writing as well. These reports are based on selected topics (a list will be handed out in class), that will usually have some connection with current events, and the students present these in class.
We may have occasional field trips when possible (so long as there is a parent who will volunteer to plan and lead.) Our field trips are fun bonding events.
We hold opening and closing socials, and we also have a year-end Auction with great items that are "auctioned" off to the students who "pay" by using tickets earned throughout the year in class. These tickets are earned incentives for good work, extra work, turning in assignments on time, arriving to class on time, proper work on their Special Reports, participation in class, doing the "challenges" in class when they are offered, answering the weekly questions, grades on quizzes (the higher the grade, the more tickets), etc. It is a highlight for the year, after months of hard work and students have looked forward to this the most!
There are times we may take a trip to Austin for "Capitol Days" or our own reason for going, and this is an all-day event, leaving early in the morning (think 4am-ish) and returning by midnight during a weekday. Again, if enough parents volunteer to help.
MOA has proven to be a bonding class for students who attend, as they spend so much time together, and they 'teach' together during their presentations in class. Not to mention the socials. We become a 'family' of sorts. We love to also celebrate their birthdays when they come up and we just generally have a great time together. Many of them become life-long friends. They will always have "MOA" to connect them!
Class is held for 3-3 1/2 hours each week, due to the amount of work to be covered plus time included for breaks and some "fun" extras like a Constitution Game, Movies, etc. on certain days.
* PLEASE NOTE: This class is a three-year class, meaning that when you are considering signing up, please consider the commitment level for the next three years. Of course, we all try to remain flexible and we understand things change, but generally speaking if you sign up, I expect the student and parent to be committed to the full three years, to attending each week with the assignment completed and to actively participating in class. I strongly discourage anyone attending if they only wish to be here for the social side of it, to be with a certain friend, or because mom and/or dad wanted them here.
I also encourage you to talk with your student and make sure they are committed to the full three years, and they are willing to commit to doing the work each week. I put a LOT of time, effort, money, and passion into preparing for this class, and it simply won't do if a student treats this as a "come and go" or a "book club" where the work is optional or there are always reasons and excuses for not getting it done. There must be serious commitment to doing to the work and sticking it out the three years (of course, I am flexible and recognize there may be times a student needs to quit). There is a huge benefit at the end of the three years if they will do that! :)
With all of this, you can see that the attention span of the student must match not only the level of reading in regard to the "Founder's English", but also the amount of time and level of responsibility spent on focusing on this subject. It is definitely a little draining, but oh so, so worth it!
I have each student sign a commitment form at the beginning of the first class, so they understand what is expected and commit to doing their best work in regard to these things.
If you have any questions about this class, feel free to contact me using our contact form to the right.
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