WELCOME! Join me for an adventure in learning ✨️

🌍✨ Get ready to embark on an incredible journey into the world of sociology, specially designed for your teens! This isn’t just another high school class—it’s an engaging and eye-opening exploration that will transform the way they see the world! Sociology is the scientific study of social structures, offering a unique opportunity for your teen to examine human behavior, not just on an individual level but within the context of entire groups. 🧠 Imagine your teen unlocking the secrets of sociological imagination—the ability to connect their personal experiences to the broader patterns of society. With this powerful tool, they’ll develop critical thinking skills, challenge traditional views, and make informed decisions about human behavior. 💡

🤗 This class is designed for homeschoolers 🏠, after-schoolers 🎒, or anyone looking for fun and enrichment 🎉!  

✏️ This is not your typical 'fluff' class – it’s packed with engaging, meaningful content that challenges students while keeping things exciting and fun! We dive deep, discuss, and learn actively together, making each session an adventure in understanding. Join us for a class that’s both rigorous and full of enthusiasm! 😊

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

🚀 💸 Are you brand new to Outschool? Is this your teen's first class? If so, use promo code DRKAIKA2020 at checkout after enrolling your teen into this class to instantly save $20.00! 💫 🙌

Sociology is all about understanding the invisible threads that weave our society together. From the smallest interactions between two people to the grand-scale movements that shape entire nations, your teen will explore how people interact, how cultures evolve, and how societies maintain stability and deal with change. They'll learn about the rules, norms, and values that guide human behavior, and how these can vary dramatically from one culture or society to another. 🌐🔍

👥 Throughout this course, your teen will learn to view society objectively, gaining insights into how all its pieces fit together and evolve over time. They will explore the concept of socialization—the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of their culture, which shapes their identity and guides their actions throughout their lives. In today’s fast-paced and complex world, these conceptual tools are invaluable for understanding attitudes, values, behaviors, work, family dynamics, and so much more. They’ll be empowered to navigate social situations confidently and become active, thoughtful participants in society. 💪

We’ll dive into a variety of captivating topics that are relevant and thought-provoking for teens, including genders, non-binary identities, races, and sexualities, as well as ethnicities, inequalities, cultures, religions, and even the role of sports in society. For instance, we’ll examine how gender roles have changed over time and what that means for individuals and communities today. We’ll explore how different cultures celebrate traditions and how these traditions influence individual identity and societal expectations. We’ll also discuss pressing issues like social inequalities and what can be done to promote fairness and justice in diverse communities. Your teen will gain a profound understanding of how social forces shape our lives in ways we often take for granted. ⛩️🏅

📚 This course is part of the expansive Social Sciences field and is designed to be both educational and loads of fun! We’ll use a wide variety of learning and assessment methods, including short essays, interactive videos, slideshow presentations, creative online posters, charts, and graphs, to make sure your teen’s learning experience is as engaging and dynamic as possible. Through these activities, they will not only learn to critically analyze information but also to present their own ideas and findings in a clear, compelling manner. This will help them build essential skills for both academic success and everyday life. 🎥🖼️

And don’t worry—your teen won’t be staring at a screen all day! 🎉 We’ll keep things lively with weekly research on current events, where students will connect what they’re learning in class to real-world issues happening around the globe. These assignments will culminate in short oral reports during our live meetings, providing an opportunity for them to practice public speaking and express their views confidently. We’ll also have fun activities like Kahoot games to review key concepts and keep the class engaged. This way, they’re not only learning but also actively participating and applying their knowledge. 🎤

💡Through sociology, your teen will also gain valuable insights into the social forces that influence their own life, such as peer pressure, family expectations, and media messages. They’ll learn to see beyond stereotypes and challenge assumptions, developing empathy and understanding for people from all walks of life. This is more than just a class—it’s a toolkit for navigating the complexities of the modern world and becoming a more informed, compassionate, and thoughtful person. 🧩

🚀 So, get ready for an exhilarating ride through sociology that will expand their horizons, challenge their assumptions, and empower them to see the world in a whole new light! Your teen will be encouraged to ask big questions, explore different perspectives, and think deeply about the world around them. Welcome to the extraordinary world of sociology—where every class is an adventure in discovery, critical thinking, and personal growth! They’ll come away with a newfound appreciation for the rich tapestry of human society and the skills to engage with it thoughtfully and responsibly.

📅 For more details on what’s in store, please check out the “Syllabus” section below for our weekly schedule and exciting plans! We can’t wait to see your teen thrive and grow as they embark on this transformative educational journey! 🌟📚

👍 High school doesn't have to be a drag with long semesters and rigid timelines. Let’s break free from that mold! Think of high school in terms of grade levels and credits. Remember, high school credit is about the knowledge and effort your teen puts in—not the number of weeks or months they spend studying. With this approach, we can accelerate your teen's learning journey while maintaining the freedom and flexibility that homeschooling allows. Just be sure to follow your state's homeschooling laws, as parents are considered the legal teachers in the eyes of the Department of Education.

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

🗓️ Our journey begins in the first live meeting where I'll introduce myself, the subject, and some background information. Students will have the chance to introduce themselves by sharing their preferred name, where they're from, why they chose this class, and a fun fact about themselves. We’ll also go over the class structure, weekly assignments, and I'll kick off the first week's readings with a brief overview.

🗓️ In our following live meetings, we’ll engage in meaningful group discussions about the previous week's readings, lessons, and homework. Each student will present their insights and discoveries from the past week, sharing their newfound knowledge through notes and short talks. We'll also dive into current events with brief oral reports, and I'll introduce the new week's chapters, lessons, and homework. Questions are always welcome, and I'm here to provide answers, support, and additional context. Together, we'll make each discussion a rich learning experience.

✨️ Our weekly live meetings, which last about 45 minutes, will follow this exciting format:

1.) 🤗🙋‍♂️ Warm Welcome & Check-In  

2.) 🗣 📰 Current Events Presentations: Students share their findings with slideshows tailored to the week’s topic.  

3.) 🗣💡 Knowledge Sharing: Students present their key takeaways and insights from the previous week’s readings and research.  

4.) 🗣🍎 Interactive Mini-Lecture: I’ll dive deeper into the past week's chapters and answer any lingering questions.  

5.) 💻📚 Preview of the Week Ahead: I’ll introduce the upcoming week's topics, chapters, and assignments, setting the stage for what's next.  

6.) 🚀🎮 Kahoot Review: We'll reinforce the week's lessons with a fun and competitive Kahoot game!  

7.) 🤔✔️ Closing Remarks & Q&A: We'll wrap up with a chance for students to ask questions, express concerns, or offer suggestions.

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

Your tuition covers so much to ensure your teen has a fulfilling and supportive learning experience! 🎉 This includes weekly live meetings, engaging assignments, and exciting projects, all conducted in our virtual classroom. I provide detailed feedback on each student's work, plan lessons weekly, and grade homework with care. 💼✨

🍎 📃 Here's a list of everything I do "behind the scenes" 7 days a week, each week to support our class: 

• Provide detailed feedback on every student's assignments, adding extra context, information, and examples to enhance learning 📚✨

• Design fun and educational Kahoot games for our live meetings to make learning enjoyable 🎉🎮

• Carefully plan each week's lessons and assignments for posting to the "Assignements" tab in the classroom to ensure meaningful engagement and progress 📅 ✍️

• Respond to all parent and student private messages within 24 hours to stay connected and supportive 💬📥

• Prepare progress reports every three weeks for each learner, giving parents a snapshot of their teen's achievements and areas of growth 📊📋

• Grade homework thoroughly, ensuring every detail is reviewed to guide improvement and celebrate strengths 📝💯

• Prepare and host our weekly live meetings, where students can interact, ask questions, and deepen their understanding through engaging discussions plus prepare my mini-lecture for after their shares 🌍🗣️

• Create engaging assignments and exciting projects, making our virtual classroom an inspiring place to learn and grow 💼🌱

Your tuition covers all of this and so much more, ensuring your teen has a supportive, fulfilling, and dynamic learning experience! 🌟

I’m fully committed to supporting your teen every step of the way, offering assistance seven days a week! You can count on quick responses to messages within 24 hours, and I’m also available for private, one-on-one video meetings up to two times during the semester, if needed, to provide extra help or guidance. 😊 It’s my goal to make sure your teen feels supported and successful throughout the course! 

📚 As professional educators, we recognize that students benefit most from interactive sessions, not long or even moderate lectures. We strive to be coaches, guides, and mentors, facilitating meaningful conversations through strategic questioning and creating valuable teaching moments.

🔁 👐 In my class, I use an exciting blend of both the flipped classroom and open classroom models to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience for your teen! These models are highly effective at helping students truly grasp the material. 💡 The flipped classroom approach means students come to our weekly live meetings fully prepared by engaging with lesson materials beforehand—whether it's through videos, textbook readings, or even independent research. During our live sessions, students step into the role of both learner and teacher by giving a verbal presentation on their takes and learnings from the weekly lesson!  

🗣 ✍️ Students give verbal presentations based on their note-taking, sharing what they’ve absorbed from the weekly lesson materials with their classmates. This is such a powerful way for them to solidify their understanding, and it builds the confidence to explain concepts in their own words. It’s so inspiring to see them take charge of their learning! Even better, their presentations allow classmates to pick up on details or perspectives they might have missed. Everyone’s voice is heard in this class, and every student plays an active part in the learning process. 

As they present, I join in to add extra information, clarify key points, or offer additional context, making the discussion lively and interactive. This method not only enhances their communication skills but also reinforces their learning in a way that feels collaborative and fun! 🎓 Watching them grow into mini-experts is truly a rewarding experience for everyone involved! 🔥

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

🎒 Although this is a thirteen-week class, we’ll actually have fourteen live meetings. The extra session at the end serves as a wrap-up to address any lingering questions and provide and receive feedback. it also doubles as a pre-scheduled “make-up” meeting if, in a rare occurrence, any previous live meetings had to be canceled.

🚫 This class doesn’t include live meetings or assignments during the following weeks:

🍂 Fall Semester: FALL BREAK is the 4th full week of November  (Thanksgiving, USA)
🌺 Spring Semester: SPRING BREAK is the 1st full week of March

You are not charged for these weeks.

💁‍♂️ Parents will need to assist their teens in setting up their free Canva accounts and guide them in creating slideshow videos. You will also need to help them learn how to download their slideshow videos, save them as an MP4 file, and attach them to their assignments. These tools are user-friendly once learned, and I’ve included detailed instructions in the "Supply List." 

⌛ This class requires very good time management skills and self-motivation as students will complete the coursework independently and asynchronously from me and from the live meetings. But don't worry—I'm always available through private messages to answer questions, provide guidance, give support, and offer them coaching. Your teen is never alone, and I respond promptly, even on weekends, 7 days a week on the same day or by the next morning! If a longer conversation is needed I'm available for a private, one-on-one live video meeting up to two times during the semester in the Outschool Classroom for both you and your teen. Just send a message at least 72 hours in advance to schedule.

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

🫣 The "Hidden Curriculum" also known as "Adulting" of this class:

In this class, there’s more than just the subject material — I’m thrilled to prepare your teen for the broader world, offering a glimpse into life beyond the classroom. Most of this will take time and practice, and that’s exactly what we’re here to do: learn and practice. Here’s how we’ll achieve that:

⏰ Firstly, we focus on time management and setting schedules to meet deadlines. This skill is crucial not only in high school but also in college, vocational schools, and future careers. Students need to submit their assignments by their due dates every week, with deadlines staggered to give them ample time to plan and organize their work.

📰 Secondly, independent research is a key component. Students will delve into current events related to our weekly topics, honing their ability to find reliable sources and create presentations. They’ll have a current event assignment where they’ll conduct internet research to find unbiased articles or videos, take notes on the "who, what, when, where, why, and how," create a simple two-slide slideshow with relevant photos, and then share their slides and articulate their findings concisely in a presentation.

🗣️ Next, we emphasize clarity and public speaking. Learning to communicate effectively and succinctly is invaluable throughout life. Students will practice giving their "talks" and actively participating in discussions during our live meetings. This mirrors the real-world skills of presenting ideas clearly and engaging in professional discussions, essential for success in any career.

✍️ Efficient note-taking is another skill we’ll develop. Students will take brief notes on chapter introduction videos, the textbook, and any additional research they find interesting or valuable. They’ll focus on topics that gave them new knowledge or that they believe are important to discuss in our live meetings. This skill links to the real-world necessity of capturing and processing key information quickly, a valuable asset in both academic and professional environments.

📽️ In addition, students will learn how to create engaging slideshow videos using Canva. For some assignments, they’ll make a slideshow video that not only answers assignment questions but also showcases their creativity. They will incorporate photos, images, emojis, animations, music, and more to craft visually appealing and informative presentations. This task will help them develop skills in digital content creation, a valuable asset in many modern careers where effective visual communication is essential.  This experience mirrors the real-world skill of creating multimedia content, an important aspect of many professions today.

🌍 Lastly, staying informed about the world around them is encouraged. This habit of curiosity and self-directed learning prepares them for lifelong learning, a cornerstone of personal growth and success. They’ll research and prepare their current events to share, and actively listen to and engage with their classmates’ presentations, fostering a well-rounded perspective on global issues.

👀 Throughout the week, I provide feedback on assignments with additional details, context, information, and real-world examples. It’s important for students to read, assimilate, and acknowledge this feedback to fully benefit from the learning process. This approach ensures they’re not only meeting the requirements but also gaining deeper insights and practical knowledge.

🪞 Together, these lessons form a “hidden curriculum” that mirrors the demands of higher education, careers, and adult responsibilities. It’s not just about getting through this class; it’s about preparing for a successful future.

🧑‍🏫 I’m committed to being kind, compassionate, and flexible. If any adjustments are needed for individual students, I’m more than happy to discuss them. Just send me a private message, and we can ensure that your teen is getting the most out of the class while meeting their unique needs.

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

We're not in school; we're OUTschool, and that makes all the difference! This course is designed to somewhat mirror the structure of programs at in-person and online colleges, trade schools, vocational schools, and future careers, offering your teen an incredible head start on their journey into adulting! 🎓 It’s a challenging and rigorous experience, but the rewards are absolutely worth it! While the course is accelerated and somewhat advanced, don't worry — I am always here to provide flexible support for each teen’s unique abilities and needs to the best of my abilities! 🚀