Classes By Joe Hatem

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A Spectrum of Science Ages 12-14

Joe Hatem

Tuesdays

12:00 - 1:30pm

Fall 2026 Sept. 15th, 22nd, 29th Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Nov. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, Dec. 1st, 8th (13 Days) Fee: $455+$40 (Sibling 1 $425+$40, Sibling 2 $400+$40)

This middle-school class will connect several branches of science, including physics, chemistry, engineering, and astronomy. Hands-on activities and conversations during class will build on the reading and writing students do at home. We will include lab activities as well. Major topics will include chemical reactions, mapping the stars, momentum and inertia, flight (which will veer into biology for a bit), molecules, and the sometimes odd history of science and scientists.

Pre Algebra Ages 12-14

Joe Hatem

Tuesdays

2:00p - 3:30pm

Fall 2026

Sept. 15th, 22nd, 29th Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Nov. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, Dec. 1st, 8th (13 Days) Fee: $455+$40 (Sibling 1 $425+$40, Sibling 2 $400+$40)

We’ll practice the arithmetic skills everyone needs for algebra: basic operations, exponents, percent, decimals, fractions, negative numbers, and order of operations. Then we will jump into algebra, the basis of all advanced math. Algebra uses letters in place of numbers whose values are not known – this lets math students discover missing information. Our topics will include equations with one unknown quantity, equations with two unknown quantities, graphing lines and many sorts of curves, inequalities, and solving two equations at the same time. We’ll discuss real-life examples and do word problems to make the math concepts clear, and explore the history of algebra as well. This class will include an additional homework Zoom each week as well. I will tailor this class to fit and develop what the students already know; students who took the class last year will encounter new topics.

U.S. and the World Ages 12-14

Joe Hatem

Tuesdays

3:45 - 5:15pm

Fall 2026

Sept. 15th, 22nd, 29th Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Nov. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, Dec. 1st, 8th (13 Days) Fee: $455+$40 (Sibling 1 $425+$40, Sibling 2 $400+$40)

What kind of homeland do Americans want? Do they want to be loyal, though frustrated, subjects of a European king? (Nope.) Do they want to be a loose collection of mini-countries? (For a little while, then back to the drawing board.) Do they want to be a nation of owners and owned? (For a long time, then gradually, painfully less so.) Do they want to grow by purchasing land (yes, please!), by starting wars (more than once, yes), and by acquiring colonies (yes, not without controversy)? Can Americans recognize that controlling territories far from the mainland can be impractical and cause resentment? (Yes and no). As the US has grown in size, we’ve had to face a very important question: what, exactly is an American? Can you become one, or do you somehow have to be one already? Is the USA similar to other countries around the world, or are we truly special? We’ll focus on reading history texts and writing about them. Assignments at home and during class will develop responsible, non-AI research skills. Areas of the world we’ll discuss will include Panama, Native America, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico, the Philippines, Liberia, Hawaii, and other places connected with the US.

Writing: Laying the Foundations Ages 14-18

Joe Hatem

Wednesdays

12pm to 1:30pm

Fall 2026

Sept. 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Oct. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Nov. 4th, 11th, 18th, (No class 25th Thanksgiving Break) Dec. 2nd, 9th (13 Days) Fee: $455+$40 (Sibling 1 $425+$40, Sibling 2 $400+$40)

Writing well requires practice, we will practice inside and outside of class. Reading good literature gives us an example of what can be accomplished. Research skills likewise come with practice; it’s hard to recognize useful information, and hard to use it without merely copying it. Each class session will include time for working on short assignments, and getting started on longer ones. Most of our work will be on non-fiction writing (history, music, US and other cultures, for example), but we’ll do creative work also about one-quarter of the time. Grammar and style will be covered to support and enhance our creative process.

The Essentials of Chemistry Ages 14-18

Joe Hatem

Wednesdays

1:45pm 3:15pm

Fall 2026

Sept. 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Oct. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Nov. 4th, 11th, 18th, (No class 25th Thanksgiving Break) Dec. 2nd, 9th (13 Days) Fee: $455+$40 (Sibling 1 $425+$40, Sibling 2 $400+$40)

We’ll cover the basics of Regent’s level chemistry: elements, atoms, molecules, chemical bonding, reactions, equations, phases of matter, solutions, acids, bases, and more. Classroom work will include lab activities, experiments, and demos. We’ll use limited amounts of math when needed. Weekly reading and exercises will be at a Regents level. Doing homework will be required, but not burdensome. We’ll review on a regular basis to help concepts become more familiar.

H.S. Math Feeling Comfortable with Algebra, Geometry & Beyond Ages 14-18

Joe Hatem

Wednesdays

3:30pm -5pm

Fall 2026

Sept. 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Oct. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Nov. 4th, 11th, 18th, (No class 25th Thanksgiving Break) Dec. 2nd, 9th (13 Days) Fee: $455+$40 (Sibling 1 $425+$40, Sibling 2 $400+$40)

This class will include algebra and geometry. We will explore important topics in these fields – linear, circular, and quadratic equations, for example, and presenting math relationships in graph form - and we’ll also get into trigonometry (using triangles to figure out distances and angles) and calculus, the math of motion and limits. This class will help students who are encountering more advanced math for the first time, and it will also be a good review for those who already have experienced some algebra and geometry. We’ll tailor the subjects to what challenges and interests the students. We will have an additional required Zoom meeting once a week; it will last 20-30 minutes. We will find a time that works for every student once we start meeting in person.