AOF Summer Online Courses Offered

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

Geometry’s primary objective is the study of Euclidean Geometry as a formal, logical system. Where possible, excursions are made into three-dimensional figures and elementary analytic geometry. Some review of algebraic materials may be included. This course begins with developing visualization and some drawing skills. Both algebraic and geometric models are introduced and are further enhanced throughout the course. Proofs are developed slowly in the first half of the course. Various proof formats, including paragraph, flow-chart, and two-column proofs are presented. Students are expected to be actively involved in their own learning. The use of manipulatives is integrated into this course.

Prerequisite: A minimum B average (or department approval) required in current math course.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is a more intensive and extensive study of topics introduced in Algebra 1. The primary objective of the Algebra 2/Trigonometry curriculum is to prepare students for Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus Honors. The course is designed to prepare students for college level mathematics and is beneficial for those who will pursue further study in mathematics or related fields. Extensive work is included with equalities, inequalities, absolute value, fractional and negative exponents, radicals, systems of quadratics, and logarithms. The content of the course is organized around families of functions, including linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, radical and rational functions. Students will learn to represent functions in multiple ways, including verbal descriptions, equations, tables, and graphs. Students will also learn to model real-world situations using functions. Graphing calculator skills will be taught and used extensively in this course. Throughout this course, students will develop learning strategies, critical thinking skills, and problem solving techniques to prepare for future math courses.

Prerequisite: A minimum B average (or department approval) required in current math course.

NOTE: Final grade of Algebra 2 SOC will determine fall course placement: AFA (B or below); Precalculus (B+ or above) 

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

The primary objective of the precalculus curriculum is to prepare students for calculus. Integral to the learning process is the systematic review of earlier concepts learned in Algebra 2 and/or Advanced Math and procedures in which students use previously learned skills to develop proficiency with more advanced concepts, especially trigonometry.

Prerequisite: A minimum B+ average (or department approval) required in current math course.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This advanced course is an introduction to the fundamental topics comprising calculus. Algebraic, trigonometric, and transcendental functions are studied in the context of differentiation and integration. At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to use calculus methods in a variety of applications and problem solving situations. Students that successfully complete this course are encouraged to take Advanced Placement Calculus.

Prerequisite: A minimum B+ average (or department approval) required in current math course.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is designed with the premise that the study of physics and its application to everyday life are vital to all students. Concepts involving mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and light are developed in a unified and logical sequence. The course shows how physics is related to the other sciences and includes some aspects of the history and philosophy of science. There is no lab component to this course.

Prerequisites: A minimum B+ average in Chemistry. Must have taken Algebra 2/Trigonometry.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

Using the Java programming language and the Processing framework, Computer Science develops problem-solving skills, computational thinking strategies, and a deeper understanding of everyday technologies. Students will learn to program by creating art, animations, simulations, and games with Processing, in addition to developing console-based programs to explore the foundational computing ideas that every modern software product relies on. Lessons are centered around engaging, collaborative projects. By the end of the course, students will have a working knowledge of programming and will be prepared for more advanced courses in computer science, such as Mobile App Development, Video Game Design, and AP Computer Science A.

Prerequisite: A minimum B+ average in current math course.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is designed to further develop and strengthen students’ communicative skills in Spanish, with a focus on aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing at a novice level. Given the rigorous and accelerated nature of the summer course, students are expected to meet twice a week to practice their speaking skills and to keep up with new content and written assignments weekly. Classes are organized asynchronously and diligent work is expected to consolidate the skills required to attain an intermediate level of Spanish. Students will be using authentic cultural resources and will engage in meaningful interaction to enhance their proficiency. Attention is also given to the cultures and heritages of the Spanish-speaking world as the course rests upon the premise that language is largely cultural and it can only be learned through familiarity with the culture(s) that speak it. This course is targeted to students that need to consolidate an elementary level of proficiency in Spanish, students aspiring to be placed on the Spanish honors track, and students pursuing full credit for Spanish 2. 

Prerequisite: A minimum B+ average in Spanish I, or department approval.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

Geometry’s primary objective is the study of Euclidean Geometry as a formal, logical system. Where possible, excursions are made into three-dimensional figures and elementary analytic geometry. Some review of algebraic materials may be included. This course begins with developing visualization and some drawing skills. Both algebraic and geometric models are introduced and are further enhanced throughout the course. Proofs are developed slowly in the first half of the course. Various proof formats, including paragraph, flow-chart, and two-column proofs are presented. Students are expected to be actively involved in their own learning. The use of manipulatives is integrated into this course.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is a more intensive and extensive study of topics introduced in Algebra 1. The primary objective of the Algebra 2/Trigonometry curriculum is to prepare students for Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus Honors. The course is designed to prepare students for college level mathematics and is beneficial for those who will pursue further study in mathematics or related fields. Extensive work is included with equalities, inequalities, absolute value, fractional and negative exponents, radicals, systems of quadratics, and logarithms. The content of the course is organized around families of functions, including linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, radical and rational functions. Students will learn to represent functions in multiple ways, including verbal descriptions, equations, tables, and graphs. Students will also learn to model real-world situations using functions. Graphing calculator skills will be taught and used extensively in this course. Throughout this course, students will develop learning strategies, critical thinking skills, and problem solving techniques to prepare for future math courses.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

The primary objective of the precalculus curriculum is to prepare students for calculus. Integral to the learning process is the systematic review of earlier concepts learned in Algebra 2 and/or Advanced Math and procedures in which students use previously learned skills to develop proficiency with more advanced concepts, especially trigonometry. Successful completion should position students well heading into the fall.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is designed to give students an introduction to material they will see in either regular or honors calculus in the fall. The course starts with a review of rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions, all of which are important in the study of calculus. Significant time will be spent on limits and differentiation.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is designed with the premise that the study of physics and its application to everyday life are vital to all students. Concepts involving mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and light are developed in a unified and logical sequence. The course shows how physics is related to the other sciences and includes some aspects of the history and philosophy of science. There is no lab component to this course.

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

Using the Java programming language and the Processing framework, Computer Science develops problem-solving skills, computational thinking strategies, and a deeper understanding of everyday technologies. Students will learn to program by creating art, animations, simulations, and games with Processing, in addition to developing console-based programs to explore the foundational computing ideas that every modern software product relies on. Lessons are centered around engaging, collaborative projects. By the end of the course, students will have a working knowledge of programming and will be prepared for more advanced courses in computer science, such as Mobile App Development, Video Game Design, and AP Computer Science A. 

Dates: June 5 - July 28 (mid-term June 30; final July 28)

This course is designed to further develop and strengthen students’ communicative skills in Spanish, with a focus on aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing at a novice level. Given the rigorous and accelerated nature of the summer course, students are expected to meet twice a week to practice their speaking skills and to keep up with new content and written assignments weekly. Classes are organized asynchronously and diligent work is expected to consolidate the skills required to attain an intermediate level of Spanish. Students will be using authentic cultural resources and will engage in meaningful interaction to enhance their proficiency. Attention is also given to the cultures and heritages of the Spanish-speaking world as the course rests upon the premise that language is largely cultural and it can only be learned through familiarity with the culture(s) that speak it. This course is targeted to students that need to consolidate an elementary level of proficiency in Spanish, students aspiring to be placed on the Spanish honors track, and students pursuing full credit for Spanish 2.

Dates: July 3 - July 28 (Final Exam July 28)

Applied Economics: Introductory Economic Concepts, Personal Finance, Business and Stock Valuation Analysis, and Entrepreneurship 

This course is designed for students interested in exploring an economics, business, or finance undergraduate major as well as for students who want a better understanding of basic economic concepts. These include: opportunity costs, supply, demand and market equilibrium, personal finance (such as budgeting, credit card calculations, saving and investing, fundamental business analysis), understanding and/or writing a basic business plan or business analysis, stock analysis and relative financial valuations, and the skills and abilities required to be an entrepreneur: pulling together the necessary resources from within and outside the company to successfully launch a new company based on an innovative new product or service the start-up company researches, develops, and manufactures/delivers. Students will have an online mock stock portfolio competition with the rest of the online class. No previous classwork or experience is necessary. 

Dates: July 3 - July 28 (Final Exam July 28)

The AOF Summer Trigonometry course is an intensive look into this very important part of upper-level high school math. The course begins with the origins of trig in geometry, from similar triangles and the so-called "special" right triangles (30-60-90 and 45-45-90). The introduction of the three primary ratios and solving triangles using "SOH-CAH-TOA" formulas. Once knowledge of the primary ratios is solidified, the introduction of the reciprocal ratios will round out all of the functions. Another primary part of trig, the Unit Circle, will show that the trig functions (all positive values in right triangles) can also be negative values. The Unit Circle, along with the Pythagorean Theorem, will introduce a number of identities that can be used to solve further equations. Deeper study finds the inverse ratios and adapting to more triangle solving, along with graphing and the understanding of the periodic nature of these graphs, another result of the Unit Circle. The Cosine Law and Sine Law, along with the inverse trig functions further the understanding of the subject. The course ends with verification and/or simplification of identities. While the only calculator needed for this course is a scientific calculator, students may find that a graphing calculator may be beneficial.

This .5 credit (half credit) course is designed for the following students:

Strong Algebra 2 students who want to take Precalculus in the fall but lack the trigonometry background.

Strong AFA students who want to take Precalculus in the fall but want to shore up their trigonometry skills.

* Prerequisite: To take the course for credit, a minimum of a B+ year-long average or department approval is required.

NOTE: Placement into Precalculus in the fall will be based not only on final grade but also teacher recommendation for credit students looking to advance from Algebra 2 or AFA to Precalculus.

This Course Open For Avon Old Farms Students Only

Dates: July 31 - August 25 (Final Exam August 25)

The online course in United States History uses the themes and events of the first periods of U.S. history (from the pre-Columbian Period through the Market Revolution) to introduce students to the historical thinking skills emphasized in the year-long U.S. History course. By focusing on and analyzing both primary and secondary sources, students will learn how to judge the efficacy of their sources and how to use them as evidence to support an historical argument. They will learn and practice a historical method that includes the concepts of cause and effect, comparison, continuity and change over time, and periodization.

The course will also serve to prepare students for the year-long Advanced Placement U.S. History course. Students will become familiar with the requirements of the A.P. program and develop a level of comfort with the types of questions asked on the A.P. exam. 

Assignments will involve reading and analyzing primary (and some secondary) sources, and assessment will consist of practice Document-Based Questions, Long Essay Questions, Short Answer Questions, and Multiple Choice Questions.

Dates: July 31 - August 25 (Final Exam August 25)

The 4-week Calculus C course covers concepts of the later part of AP BC Calculus.  Students will see the use of integral calculus along with differential equation concepts.  Particularly, students will work through BC-level integration techniques of integrating by parts (repeated and terminating), partial fraction decomposition, trigonometric substitution and improper integrals.  Polar and parametric equations along with their derivatives and integrals will be introduced, as well as a look at numerical approximation with Euler's method during the differential equations portion.  The course will finish with the Taylor series polynomial where students will be expected to manipulate and derive an approximation using the definition.  The course will involve use of a graphing calculator and problem sets that dive deep into the integral calculus portion of AP BC Calculus.  Successful completion of this course will prepare students for Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations. 

This course is for Calculus AB students who want to move to post-AP math but lack the C material. Teacher approval required. 

This course can also be taken as a non-credit Review course for students moving from Calculus BC to post-AP math.

Dates: July 31 - August 25

This structured four-week intensive course focuses on preparing the students for the Critical Reading portion of the New SAT. Students will create a Khan Academy account within our Avon Old Farms “class” as determined by the teacher. Students will use the Khan Academy videos to identify areas of strength and weakness for further work. Unlike our other courses, this course will have mandatory online sessions on Mondays from 6 - 8 p.m. where students will work with our teacher to focus on skills, get support and guidance, and work one-on-one. There will also be one enrichment time per week as needed. During the rest of the week, students will be expected to continue working with the videos as well as content generated by the teacher focused on each student’s individual needs. This course is recommended for rising juniors and seniors.

Dates: July 31 - August 25

This structured four-week intensive course focuses on preparing the students for the Math portion of the New SAT. Students will create a Khan Academy account within our Avon Old Farms “class” as determined by the teacher. Students will use the Khan Academy videos to identify areas of strength and weakness for further work. Unlike our other courses, this course will have mandatory online sessions on Wednesdays from 6 - 8 p.m. where students will work with our teacher to focus on skills, get support and guidance, and work one-on-one. There will also be one enrichment time per week as needed. During the rest of the week, students will be expected to continue working with the videos as well as content generated by the teacher focused on each student’s individual needs. This course is recommended for rising juniors and seniors.