General Science

Course Information

Course Title: General Science

Teacher: Sunshyne Hummel

Semester/Year: Full Year Class, 2026/2027

Grade Level: Junior High Class

Day and Time: Meets: Wednesday, 12:45-1:45 p.m. CST

Live Online General Science for Junior High Homeschoolers

General Science at True North Academy is a live, weekly online junior high science class for homeschooling families. Students meet every Wednesday on Zoom with their teacher, work through hands-on experiments at home, keep a real science notebook, and finish the year with a working understanding of Earth science and astronomy — the world we live on and the sky above it.

This is a real classroom, not a recorded video library. Your middle schooler joins a small class of peers, asks questions in real time, runs experiments with household materials, and learns to see the natural world the way a scientist does — with curiosity, careful observation, and a sense of wonder at the order of creation.

What Your Student Will Study

Semester 1: Earth and Its Four Spheres

Students investigate Earth as a system, exploring how its four spheres interact:

• Lithosphere — rocks, minerals, soils, plate tectonics, and the shaping of the land.
• Hydrosphere — oceans, rivers, the water cycle, and freshwater systems.
• Biosphere — living systems and the relationships among Earth’s creatures and habitats.
• Atmosphere — weather, climate, and the air that surrounds the planet.

Semester 2: Astronomy and the Night Sky

In the spring semester, the class shifts upward — to the moon, the seasonal constellations, and the relationship between space and Earth. Students will:

• Track lunar phases and seasonal constellations
• Practice sky observation and journaling
• Recognize patterns in the night sky over time
• Complete a term astronomy project

Students will need regular access to the night sky or the free Stellarium app for Android or Stellarium for iOS.

What to Expect Each Week

• Live, weekly Zoom class with a real teacher and a small group of peers
• Discussions and Q&A — your student is part of the conversation, not just an audience
• Hands-on experiments using common household materials
• A science notebook your student keeps and adds to every week
• Real-world connections that tie what students see outside to what they learn inside
• Interactive games and activities to reinforce vocabulary and concepts
• Regular homework, formal assessments, presentations, and participation grades

Course Details at a Glance

Course name: General Science

Grade level: Junior high (middle school)

School year: Full year, 2026 / 2027

Day and time: Wednesdays, 12:45–1:45 PM CST

Format: Live, weekly online class on Zoom

Teacher: Sunshyne Hummel

Class size: Small, discussion-friendly

Accreditation: Cognia-accredited junior high coursework

Grading: Assignments, formal assessments (in-class and independent), student presentations, discussions, and participation

Faith integration: Rooted in the Christian conviction that creation reveals Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

Required Materials

Texts

• Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth: A First Book About Geology by Herman Schneider and Nina Schneider
• The Stars: A New Way to See Them by H. A. Rey (please purchase the updated 2016 edition)

Supplies

• A Mead or similar composition notebook, or a three-ring binder with loose leaf paper
• Writing utensils — pencils, colored pencils, pens
• Common household lab and project supplies (a full list will be provided before class begins)

Technology

• A working camera and speaker/microphone for use in the live classroom
• Access to a working printer for assignments and lab sheets
• Access to the night sky or the free Stellarium app (iOS or Android)

How Technology Supports Learning (SAMR Model)

We integrate technology with purpose — using the SAMR model to deepen learning, not replace teaching.

1. Substitution. Students use digital platforms for note-taking and online quizzes — directly replacing traditional paper methods without changing the underlying task.
2. Augmentation. Interactive simulations and multimedia presentations bring Earth science and astronomy concepts to life with richer visualizations than a textbook can offer.
3. Modification. Collaborative projects and digital data-collection tools transform group work and experimentation, allowing students to share results, journal observations, and analyze findings together in real time.
4. Redefinition. Virtual lab experiences, the Stellarium sky simulator, and live online collaboration open up new ways of learning — students can observe constellations, walk through Earth systems, and connect with classmates in ways that were not possible in a traditional science classroom.

Why Families Choose True North Academy for Junior High Science

Homeschooling families come to True North Academy because they want the freedom of home with the structure and accountability of a real school. Here is what makes General Science different:

• A live teacher, not a recorded lecture. Every class meets in real time on Zoom.
• Hands-on at home. Students run experiments, keep a notebook, and observe the real night sky.
• Small class sizes. Your student is known, called on, and supported.
• Cognia-accredited. Coursework counts on the academic record families can carry into high school.
• Families first. You are the parent. Mrs. Hummel is the teacher. We support you both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade levels is General Science for?

General Science is designed for junior high students (typically grades 6–8). It is a strong foundation course before high school biology, physical science, or chemistry.

Is this a live class or self-paced?

General Science is a live class. Students meet weekly on Zoom with their teacher and classmates — every Wednesday from 12:45 to 1:45 PM CST. It is not a video library and not a self-paced app.

Who teaches General Science?

Sunshyne Hummel teaches General Science at True North Academy. Mrs. Hummel leads the live classroom, gives feedback, grades assignments, and guides each student through Earth science in the fall and astronomy in the spring.

How are students graded?

Grades combine assignments, formal assessments (both in-class and independent), student presentations, discussions, and participation. Parents receive clear, regular feedback on progress.

Do families need to supply lab materials?

Yes — but most experiments use common household items. A full supply list is sent before the school year begins, so families know exactly what to gather.

Do students really need to look at the night sky?

Real sky observation is part of the astronomy semester. Families who cannot easily see the night sky can use the free Stellarium app on iOS or Android, which simulates the sky from any location.

Do parents need to teach the science at home?

No. True North Academy is the school. Mrs. Hummel teaches, assigns, and grades. Parents support the learning environment at home — they do not teach the content.

What technology does my student need?

Students need a working camera, speaker, and microphone for live class, plus access to a printer for assignments. The Stellarium app is free.

Want to See How General Science Fits the Bigger Plan?

General Science can stand on its own — or anchor a junior high year inside a larger pathway at True North Academy. From Core 4 foundations through high school and Dual Degree options, we help homeschooling families build a clear, customized roadmap. Education with a Difference — designed to prepare your student for the future, not just the next test.

Enroll in General Science or Talk With an Advisor

Cognia-accredited. Live. Hands-on. Schedule a free academic advising session and let’s map the path together. You do not have to figure this out alone.