Elective Courses

Harbor Homeschool offers a wide variety of elective courses.
Below is a list of elective courses offered on Thursdays.

Elective Courses Offered on Thursdays

Kindergarten Block (9:30 - 2:00)

Elementary Projects
Kindergarten Reading Skills
Critical Thinking & Logic
Kindergarten Math Skills
List Literature Projects
Kindergarten Imagination Station
Spanish Culture
Kindergarten Spanish
Sign Language
Kindergarten Sign Language

1st through 12th Grade Classes

3D Printer Tech
Grade 6-12
Afternoon Active Games
Grade 1-8
Around the World
Grade 1-2
Ballet
Grade K-5
Barista: Coffee, Smoothies, Milkshakes
Grade 5-12
Brain Games
Grades 3-5
Build a Greenhouse
Grade 6-12
Cake Pops
Grade 3-4
Ceramics
Grade 3-5, 6-12
Chemistry Experiements
Grades 6-12
Chess
Grade 6-12
Cooking Adventures - Beyond The Basics
Grade 3-12
Cosplay
Grade 6-12
Digital Movie Making
Grades 3-6
Dinosaurs on the Move
Grades K-3
Drama - Shakespeare
Grade 6-12
Engineering Jr Build and Play
Grade K-2
Escape Room
Grade 6-12
Fairy Gardens
Grade K-5
Gelli Plate Printing
Grade 3-5
Guitar
Grade 6-12
Healthy Snacks to Make
Grades K-2
Human Body Projects
Grade 3-5
Imagination Station
Grade 1-2
Junk Drawer Robotics
Grades 6-12
Karate
Grade K-12
Kindergarten Block
K
LEGO (TM) Gadgets
Grade 3-5
Lunch Counter
Grade 7-12
Magic School Bus
Grade 1-2
Magic/Juggling/Performing
Grade 4-6
Morning Stretch
Grade 1-8
Mystery Science
Grade K-5
Ninja Warrior (Athletika)
Grades K-8
Ninja Warrior (Gripz)
Grades K-12
Piano
Grade 1-3
PrintMaking
Grade 6-12
Renewable Energy Projects
Grade 6-12
Rocks Rock!
Grades 3-7
Roller Coaster Science
Grade 3-6
Science & Critical Thinking
Grade K-2
Violin
Grade 1-12
Vocal Music Choir
Grade 3-12
Watercolors
Grade K-5
Wild Kratts Creatures
Grade K-2
Yearbook
Grades 6-12

Schedule of Classes (Spring 2023)

All Spring 2023 Courses

3D Printer Tech
Grade 6-12
Design and create 3D objects using a 3D printer! This course provides a brief history of older manufacturing techniques, an introduction to 3D printers and related processes, and gives students the opportunity to design components using CAD software and create physical objects using one of our 3D printers.
Afternoon Active Games
Grade 1-8
Our fun fitness duo is back for Spring'23 - 30 minutes before and after our usual class times. These classes, together, count as one class for funding and self-pay purposes ($175) with a SINGLE associated haiku about living a healthy lifestyle. Students have the option to participate in both classes or just one! The morning session will be a gentle wake-up mix of stretching and light exercise. For this afternoon session, we are planning a variety and sampling of different fitness activites (eg. Bootcamp workouts, cardio drumming, etc).
Around the World
Grade 1-2
Students will explore several countries, cultures and cities across the globe with fun hands-on activities and crafts.
Ballet, beginning
Grade 1-4
We'll be learning the fundamentals of Russian style ballet, including stretching, barre, and center floor work. We will lay a good foundation for understanding movement and movement with music. Taught by a former semi-pro ballerina.
Barista: Coffee, Smoothies, Milkshakes
Grade 5-12, 6-12
Learn to make popular coffee shop and yummy soda shop drinks. Explore some classics together and also some creative and trendy drinks both hot and frosty.
Build a Greenhouse
Grade 6-12
Brand new! Yes, we will build a couple Greenhouses and use them! Other projects will be related: starting seeds, potting plants, testing soils, temperature, humidity, much more.
Brain Games
Grades 4-5
A fun, social class where students will explore activities that will increase cognitive abilities, concentration and problem solving through hands on, logic and skill based games.
Cake Pops
Grade 3-4
In this sweet little Baking class students will have fun together and (of course) practice making yummy baked goods and treats. Students in this class should not have any severe food allergies. We are careful to use alcohol-free vanilla and no lard or other meat products in this class.
Ceramics
Grade 3-12
Our perennially popular Ceramics class will have new projects to shape, fire, and glaze, and to challenge and dazzle both new and continuing students.
Chemistry Experiments
Grades 6-12
We will be working in small groups in this fascinating class. Ms. Nicole makes this fun and very educational - it is NOT necessary to take Chemistry concurrently with our lab, but can reinforce concepts covered in a core chemistry course or act as a great introduction to the topic!
Chess
Grade 6-12
Mr. Myles' chess class is fun competition for all skill levels, but he does ask that students come knowing how all of the pieces move on the board.
Cooking Adventures - Beyond the basics
Grade 3-12
Our culinary emphasis for this class will be making delicious foods (of course!) utilizing a wide variety of cooking tools like a pasta maker, falafel maker, bread tubes, fondue, ice cream maker, grain grinder, electric food mill, french fry maker, crepe maker, gnocchi board, noodle drier, spiralizer, dutch oven and even more.
Cosplay
Grade 6-12
Learn to build your very own props, armor, horns, and much more to complement your cosplay! We will be creating basic to complex elements using professional grade materials and tools.
Digital Movie Making
3-6
Students will work together to create all the artistic elements for short movie that they create. Students will handle all of the movie’s technical details including using a digital movie camera and digital editing . A green screen and props may be used and the movie may be highlighted at Showcase!
Dinosaurs on the Move
K-3
This class will sharpen a child’s storytelling abilities and fine motor skills. History will come to life, as students create card stock dinosaur figures and participate in other exciting crafts and activities. Our classroom becomes the new stage for age-old dinosaur battles. Who will rule the dinosaur kingdom? Tyrannosaurus rex? Triceratops? They will also learn fascinating facts about these massive creatures: length, weight, habitat, diet, the location of fossil discoveries, and key features.
Drama - Shakespeare
6-12
Students will be introduced to the wonderful world of Shakespearian theater. Students will have input as to which play will be performed!
Engineering Jr Build and Play
Grade 1-2
We will have all new projects for Spring semester! Students develop building and motor skills by using simple tools (eg. a large screw driver) and improve their ability to follow directions and work in a logical, orderly manner.
Escape Room
Grade 6-12
Using a fun Escape Room format, this class will transport students to different places and countries around the world.. Students will work together to solve cryptic clues and puzzles for unveiling secrets and solving the mystery!
Fairy Gardens
Grades K-5
New! Our hands-on class projects in this class focus on : ""fairy"" gardens, terrariums, container gardens, and more. Students will learn about plants, soil, climate, propogation, humidity, etc., at a level they can understand.
Gelli Plate Printing
Grade 3-5
Do you love surprises? Love playing with paint in different ways? Try our Gelli Plate class! Gelli Plate Printing uses a special gelatin (Like a super stiff piece of jello!) as a surface for your paint. You can use paint brushes, a brayer (like a rolling pin with a different handle), or objects like stencils and leaves to press into the paint on the Gelli Plate. Then, you can lay paper, fabric, or other objects on the plate to pull off the paint and make prints. Both crafters and professional artists use Gelli Plates now to make a surprising number of projects. Discover a whole new way to make amazing art!
Guitar
Grade 6-12
Our Guitar class is open to new or continuing students in the Fall! Come learn with us and make some music. We plan to have a short group performance at the end of the semester.
Human Body Projects
Grade 3-5
Learn about major systems of the body with a hands-on, creative approach. Ms.Catherine always plans fascinating projects and this one will not disappoint. This class will NOT be covering the reproductive system - parents can do that one at home. :-)
Imagination Station
Grade 1-2
Ms. Rasha will read aloud from classic and award-winning literature while our young students quietly play with manipulatives, building blocks, modeling clay, or other imagination-based products. The remaining part of class will include hands-on crafts, games or activities related to the literature reading to further encourage the imagination.
Junk Drawer Robotics
Grades 6-12
Junk Drawer Robotics: Through a multidisciplinary approach students will collaborate in this class and will be challenged to build robots from everyday items. Students will use a Robotics Notebook to record their learning experiences, robotic designs and data from their investigations. In Level 1 - Give Robots a Hand, students will explore and learn about robot arms. Concepts covered include pneumatics, arm designs, and three-dimensional space, form and function, scientific habits of mind, and engineering design.
Karate
Grade K-12
Open to new students, our continuing Karate class now has opportunities to test for different belts. Uniform available to purchase at cost, but NOT required!
Kindergarten Block
K
Imagination Station, Math, ASL, Reading, Spanish
LEGO (TM) Gadgets
Grade 3-5
Design and build moving machines! We will be using LEGOs and other elements to build ten (or more) awesome machines that do simple tasks. Your gadget machine could whirl, flip, punch, or cruise. Students will follow directions, create, modify, and experiment.
Lunch Counter
Grade 7-12
Understanding and handling money properly is very important. So plan to have some fun with money skills! The activities you do will include problem solving, estimating costs, managing an inventory, filling orders, and making change while you do real life tasks at a snack counter during our school lunch period. (Profits, in the past, have been used to purchase laptops, renovate a corner of kitchen for our Lunch Counter, and purchase rolling cabinetry for Harbor storage.)
Magic School Bus
Grade 1-2
Hands-on Science adventures with everyone's favorite Ms Frizzle. This was a favorite 5 years ago and we're bringing it back for a new group of young students!
Magic/Juggling/Performing
Grade 4-6
Learn juggling and magic! Students will learn foundational juggling patterns, starting with the basic three-ball pattern, the cascade. In this class we cover everything from correct technique to how to create your own tricks and routines. See why this ancient sport offers not only incredible fun, but also stress relief and cardiovascular exercise. In the magic portion, students will learn card basics, sleights, card tricks, card flourishes, and how to perform! At the end of the semester, students will be able to take home their new juggling balls and cards to impress their friends and family with a performance of their new skills!
Morning Stretch
Grade 1-8
Our fun fitness duo is back for Fall '22 - 30 minutes before and after our usual class times. These classes, together, count as one class for funding and self-pay purposes ($150) with a SINGLE associated haiku about living a healthy lifestyle. Students have the option to participate in both classes or just one! This morning session will be a gentle wake-up mix of stretching and light exercise. Those in the afternoon session will play a variety of active games, outdoors whenever possible.
Mystery Science
Grade K-5
This popular class returns, seeking answers on various science topics in a fun, engaging, hands-on format.
Ninja Warrior (Athletica)
K-8
Tuesday classes at Fitness in Livonia. Students will have a blast as they train on obstacle courses and work on skills such as speed and agility training. 12:00 K-4th grades 1:00 5th-8th grades
Ninja Warrior (Gripz)
K-12
Friday classes at Gripz Gym off 8 Mile and Telegraph. Students will have a blast as they train on obstacle courses and work on skills such as balance and agility training. 10:00 K-2nd grades 11:00 3rd-5th grades 12:00 6th-12th grades
Piano
Grade 1-4
Using Piano keyboards, students will learn Piano playing basics in a small group setting with a simple group performance at Showcase. (Piano or keyboard needed at home for practicing - Harbor provides Keyboards for in-class use.) We buy your first book for you.
PrintMaking
Grade 6-12
Printmaking is a fascinating process that allows the artist to make multiple original works of art. It involves creating a design on one surface that is then transferred to another surface, usually paper or cloth. In this class we will explore different methods of printmaking
Renewable energy Projects
Grades 6-12
Students will learn how we can use wind, water, heat, sunlight and algae to produce the energy we need for a sustainable future. They will experiment with solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric generators, and thermoelectric panels to learn how electricity can be generated and they will grow algae to learn how environmentally friendlier fuels can be produced.
Rocks Rock!
Grades 3-7
Students will study rocks, minerals, fossils, stalactites, quick sand, and crystals and the unique characteristics of each. Students will explore the changes that earth has undergone over time and how fossils and rock formations can be used to tell us what might have happened in the past.
Roller Coaster Science
Grade 3-5
Learn some of the science and history behind rollercoasters. In class we will build our own roller coasters with different kits and materials. We will be strengthening our logic skills as well!
Science and Critical Thinking
K-2
This class will reinforce and enhance what your child is learning in science. Through games and fun activities we will be exercising and strengthening logic and reasoning skills. Lessons will also be designed to help children find or increase enjoyment in science and related subjects.
Violin
Grade 1-12
Come have a blast learning to play the violin in a small group setting! New and continuing students are welcome to take this class in the Fall. Our new instructor, Mr. Joseph, will be continuing with the Suzuki Method. We will have a group performance at Showcase!
Vocal Music Choir
Grade 3-12
A choir that will perform at showcase!
Watercolors
Grade K-5
Young students will be introduced to materials and equipment related to painting with watercolors. We will experience color mixing - how to make new colors from mixing two colors. We will try wet-in-wet and wet-on-dry painting, splatter painting and several other fun techniques. The goal of this class is for students to enjoy the creative process and is especially suitable for those students who think they can’t paint or draw.
Wild Kratts Creatures
Grade K-2
A creative science class based on the Wild Kratts Creatures shows where our students will have fun learning about different animals and their amazing adaptations.
Yearbook
6-12
Students will learn to be photographers, reporters and editors, they will work together on layout and design strategies, use the key elements of successful journalism and develop project management skills. Aspects of newspapers may be covered in the Buzz class.