All Day Courses
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No Internships due to COVID-19*
*The following description has been included for future planning purposes. Professionalism in the Workplace/Internship Number of Students: Juniors & Seniors who have a 3.0 or higher – Must have placement during fall semester. Cost: $2 - Must have own transportation Instructor: Mrs. Erickson Not just a job shadow. The J Term internship program was created to help students learn about future educational and career options, realize their gifts and abilities, and provide an opportunity to serve our community. During J Term, seniors may participate in internships in one of their top three career choices. The first week of J Term will be their actual internship. The hours of the internship will be determined by the employee they are shadowing. They will be preparing resumes, filling out job applications, and doing mock interviews to prepare them for any real-life situation they may experience in their future work environment. Students must be placed and meet with the business professional during the fall semester in order to participate in this course. |
AM Courses
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“Adulting”
Number of Students: High School Only – 24 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mrs. Doty This class will cover various topics including planning for major life events, career planning, home purchase, finances, and other related topics. |
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“Study Skills”
Number of Students: Junior High – 15 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mrs. Berg We will be talking about how to take better notes, how to better organize and plan for classes, how to read more effectively and many other topics that will help you in your classes for school and even college. As someone has said and you have probably heard, "Study smarter not harder." |
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“Defined – Teen Girls: Who God Says You Are by Priscilla Shirer”
Number of Students: Junior High Girls Only – 12 Maximum Cost: $15 (need to purchase ‘Defined’ by Priscilla Shirer) Instructor: Mrs. Erickson “You’ll spend your whole life either trying to be and become something you were never meant to be or discovering who you are in Him and living up to that standard by the power of His Spirit within you. You are His! And you were created for the purpose of reflecting God’s light to the world. Like all of God's miracles, your life will leave a lasting impact if you'll simply be yourself, surrendered to God, molded by His Spirit, and on mission for Him.” In this course, we will work through the Bible study “Defined.” |
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“Creative Writing”
Number of Students: All Students – 15 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Miss Smith We all have stories, and we were created to tell these stories. One of the best ways to share these stories is through creative writing. In this class, you will have the chance to be part of a community of writers, learn how to improve your own writing skills, and have the chance to be inspired by other writers. We will explore genres including poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Whether you are brand new to creative writing or aspiring to be a published author, this is the perfect class to try your hand at writing! |
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“Fundamentals of Grace Sports”
Number of Students: Junior High Only – 12 Maximum Cost: $10 Instructor: Mrs. McGuirt (and some 2020 graduates) Skill fundamentals and basic game rules of each of the above sports will be taught by former Grace athletes. Stretching, conditioning, and healthy eating choices will also be discussed. Students will be able to learn with hands-on training so come dressed in school-appropriate athletic attire and tennis shoes. Your $10 will cover the cost of some healthy snacks we will be preparing and eating while we learn more about each of these sports. And, how can we teach Grace sports without a little competition? So, be ready to take your new-found skills and compete for a prize! |
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“Peer Counseling and Communication”
Number of Students: High School Only – 10 Maximum Cost: TBD (cost of book) Instructor: Mr. Harris In this class we will discuss effective ways to communicate with peers and how to assist them in navigating through some of the tougher issues that they may encounter. Some of the discussions will include the importance of emotional expression and how to speak to a peer about depression and self-harm. This class is for people that want to make a difference at GCA through opening up effective and positive communication with struggling peers. Students will receive a GCA peer counselor certificate upon successful completion. Please be prepared to open up, share and above all else respect what your classmates say in class and their privacy. |
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“Cake Boss"
Number of Students: All Students – 12 Maximum Cost: $45 Instructor: Mrs. DeBella Ever see those beautiful cakes at weddings or baby showers and wish you could do something like that? Well...you can! Choose "Cake Boss" for one of your courses over J-Term and learn all the professional decorator's tips and tricks! During the first week, students will learn to ready a decorator bag, color frosting, and create several different beautiful borders and drop flowers with leaves. Method of holding the bag, positioning for the various type of decorations, and amount of applied pressure needed for beautiful and successful decor will be taught, along with necessary kitchen-cleaning skills. During the second week, students will learn to level a practice cake and prepare it with a crumb layer, the proper method of frosting the entire cake, and tricks for a perfectly smooth finish. They will then decorate their cakes with white and colored frosting using their decorating skills. Grade will be earned on neatness and proper execution of decorating techniques. They will then show off their beautiful creations to their peers before eating them (their cakes, not their peers!) Students will be able to keep their tips and spatulas and any leftover decorating bags. |
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“Meal Budgeting”
Number of Students: All Students – 6 Maximum Cost: $25 Instructor: Mrs. Basick Freezer Meals- In this course we will learn about meal planning, preparation, and freezing meals for later use. We will also learn and build on valuable kitchen skills like cutting and measuring ingredients. The course will take place at the Basick home, the cost is $25, and each student will go home with 2 meals of their choice. We are offering you the chance to stock your freezer with meals. Below is a list of recipes with prices. If you need to know ingredients for allergy purposes, please reach out to me and I will gladly share. All meals will be in disposable containers and will arrive to you completely frozen. Each meal will come with a sheet of instructions for preparing and serving about 6 people. The sale of these meals (after cost of ingredients) will benefit the Senior class.
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“Strategy Game”
Number of Students: All Students - 16 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mr. Berg This J-term is designed to develop critical thinking skills such as predicting outcomes and reasoning by playing games. Games also provide a great opportunity to develop community through strengthening relationships. There is a suggested donation of $2-$5. The money will be used to purchase some of the games that we will be playing such as Risk, Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan. |
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“Sewing 101”
Number of Students: All Students – 10 Maximum Cost: Approximate cost: $20, actual cost will vary and depend on sale price, what fabric is chosen, and how much fabric is needed Instructor: Mrs. DeYoung This is a basic sewing class where we will learn the basics of a sewing machine - how to thread the machine, wind and thread the bobbin, adjust the tension and stitch length, and use different stitches. We will also learn how to read a pattern, purchase fabric, and notions, cut out the pattern, and sew a finished garment (pajama pants). We will take a trip to Joann Fabrics where each student will purchase fabric for their project. Previous experience needed: none. |
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“Grandmaster Strategy”
Number of Students: All Students – 18 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mr. Nutter The art of chess has been refined and honed for centuries, and its practical skills are still applicable today. Whether you are a seasoned veteran learning the Grunfeld defense for the first time or learning how pawns can be your best friends for the first time, I welcome you to learn about chess this year. It is an exciting exercise of the mind that pits you against your opponent in a battle of wits, and I will also be teaching you how to notate where the pieces move each turn! If you have been in chess previously and want to test out of the history of chess, that will be an option this year, and then we will have a chess tournament to get us ready for the real tournament in February. Hope to see everyone interested! |
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“Apologetics”
Number of Students: All students – 20 maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mr. Most The apostle Paul in 1 Peter 3:15 argues that believers should be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is us”. The goal for this J-term is to equip and encourage students to honor Christ (also from 1 Peter 3:15), be comfortable with speaking about their faith, and practical tools to explain the gospel. The course will utilize a wide variety of resources, answer the toughest questions posed towards Christianity, and use role-playing activities to get students out of their comfort zones. |
PM Courses
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"Japanese 201"
Number of Students: All Students – 10 Maximum Cost: $10 Instructor: Mrs. Most Dive into the Japanese language and culture for two weeks by speaking, eating, cooking, reading and writing Japanese. This year we will focus on Kanji (Chinese characters) and learn about their history as well as how to read and write them. |
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“Fun with Food”
Number of Students: All Students (that haven’t taken Home Ec.) – 10 Maximum Cost: $20 Instructor: Mrs. DeYoung In this class we will learn safe food handling practices, how to read a recipe, and make lots of delicious food! We will be making things like chicken dumplings, macaroni and cheese, apple pie, and chocolate cake. And the best part is we get to eat all our wonderful creations! |
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“1st in a Series Book Club”
Number of Students: All Students - 20 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mr. Berg This J-term is designed to introduce students to popular series for young adult readers. We will be reading The Ruins of Gorlan from the Ranger’s Apprentice Series, Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins from the Underland Chronicles, and Stormbreaker from the Alex Rider series. There is no cost for the students to participate other than providing their own copies of the books. |
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“Card Games and More!”
Number of students: All Students – 11 Maximum Cost: $0 (Students must bring a deck of their own cards) Instructor: Mr. Norton This class will introduce students to different kinds of card games. |
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“Art 101”
Number of students: All Students - 10 Maximum Cost: $50-$60 (average cost for all materials; price may vary depending on brands purchased; utilize sales/coupons!) Instructor: Mrs. Robinson This is a basic art class where we will learn the fundamental principles and elements of sketching, drawing, and color. We will study elements of Line, Value, and Color Theory as well as Color Harmony. We will be studying different art movements and students will get to explore different mediums and how they affect the final look of an art piece.
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“Finding Jesus in Athletics”
Number of Students: All Students – 15 Maximum Cost: Instructor: Mrs. Erickson This course will walk through 3D Coaching curriculum. As you embark upon a journey of understanding the 3D framework, you will begin to discern with clarity your transformational purpose. It will help you create a plan to fulfill your purpose with practical 2nd & 3rd dimension strategies. Along the way, you will make important discoveries that will increase your capacity to effectively coach the 21st century athlete.
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"Wilderness Survival"
Number of students: 10 or more students of any class Instructor: Mr. Nutter Cost: 5 Our adventure will include outdoor survival skills, team-building exercises, literature evaluations, navigating, backpacking, how to put up a tent, spelunking, geology and more. Do you have the skills necessary? Introductory safety course on archery and gun safety will be included. |
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“Philosophy”
Number of Students: High School Only – 12 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Miss Smith Is true beauty subjective or objective? Is rational thought possible without freewill? In addition to discussing some of life’s deeper questions, we’ll explore the ideas of history’s greatest thinkers and evaluate how their ideas are compatible with a biblical worldview. We’ll practice developing logically sound arguments and learn some of the most common logical fallacies. Prepare to get a mental workout through having conversations that matter. |
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“Peer Counseling and Communication”
Number of Students: All Students – 12 Maximum Cost: TBD (cost of book) Instructor: Mr. Harris In this class we will discuss effective ways to communicate with peers and how to assist them in navigating through some of the tougher issues that they may encounter. Some of the discussions will include the importance of emotional expression and how to speak to a peer about depression and self-harm. This class is for people that want to make a difference at GCA through opening up effective and positive communication with struggling peers. Students will receive a GCA peer counselor certificate upon successful completion. Please be prepared to open up, share and above all else respect what your classmates say in class and their privacy. |
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“Boom-wackers and Bells”
Number of Students: High School Only – 20 Maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mrs. Doty Bells and boomwhackers will be a group effort learning some musical numbers using boomwhackers and bells that will be performed during spirit week. Musical experience appreciated but not required. |
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“Yearbook”
Number of Students: High School students – 3 maximum Cost: $0 Instructor: Mrs. Marshall Students will work in the school office with Mrs. Marshall to develop the pages and content of the 2020-2021 yearbook. |
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“Candle-Making”
Number of Students: 6 Maximum Cost: $90 (please see break-down of items) Instructor: Mrs. DeBella In this J-term you will be learning the skills of basic candle making, along with some tips and tricks that make it not only the most totally awesome DIY EVER but also cost-efficient. If you absolutely LOVE candles, this J-term is perfect! Activities include making our own wicks, cleaning and recycling old candle jars, making wick holders, several different sized and scented candles, wax melts, and decorative candle holders. Parents need to be aware of the fact that their child will be working over open flames with hot glass jars, boiling water, and melted wax, all of which pose possible injury. Only mature and capable students with a serious interest in this skill will be admitted, and it is entirely to my discretion who those will be. This course is a bit “pricey” and due to the fact that all materials need to be ordered online and shipped from various suppliers, fees must be paid upfront before we break for Christmas. Please contact Mrs. DeBella for the list of all supplies needed for this course; they will all be purchased by me on behalf of your student to ensure the proper materials are used. |
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Grace Christian Academy
& Grace Baptist Church 2499 Waldron Rd. Kankakee, Il 60901 (815) 939-4579 FAX: (815) 939-1334 Consider Supporting the ministries of GCA with a monthly donation. A ministry of Grace Baptist Church |
© 2020 GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Grace Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to GCA students. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admissions procedures, tuition assistance awards, athletic and other school administered programs. We do, however, reserve the right to deny admission to any individual who cannot benefit from enrollment based on past academic achievement, disqualifying disability, or whose personal life-style is not in harmony with the stated philosophy and purpose of Grace Christian Academy.