CTY Online

CTY Online Courses
CTY Online courses
Courses Offered
Mathematics	Accelerated Grade 1 Mathematics | Accelerated Grade 2 Mathematics | Accelerated Grade 3 Mathematics | Problem Solving in Arithmetic | Problem Solving in Pre-algebra | Problem Solving in Algebra I, Part I | Problem Solving in Algebra I, Part II | Problem Solving in Geometry | Introduction to Chess | Cryptography: Math and Codes | Math Olympiad for Elementary School Students | MATHCOUNTS Prep | MATHCOUNTS | Competitive Mathematics Prep | Competitive Mathematics for High School Students | Honors Grade 4 Mathematics | Honors Grade 5 Mathematics | Honors Pre-Algebra | Honors Algebra I | Honors Geometry | Honors Algebra II | Honors Trigonometry | Honors Precalculus | AP Calculus AB | AP Calculus BC | AP Calculus C | AP Statistics | Linear Algebra | Multivariable Calculus | Differential Equations | Introduction to Abstract Mathematics | Introduction to Real Analysis | Introduction to Complex Analysis
Computer Science and Technology	Scratch Programming for Elementary Students | Scratch Programming for Middle School Students | Advanced Scratch Programming | Introduction to Web Design | Advanced Web Design | JavaScript | Introduction to Java | Advanced Java Programming | AP Computer Science A
Science	Inventions in Engineering for Young Students | Introduction to Forensics | Earth and Space Science | Life Science | Physical Science | Honors Chemistry | Honors Biology | Honors Physics | AP Biology | AP Chemistry | AP Physics 1 | AP Physics 2 |
Critical Reading	Dragon Tales | Good Dogs | Mystery Stories | Ancient Egypt Rediscovered | Quests and Challenges | Magical Life Lesssons | Greek Myths Revisited | Robot Encounters | Wild Things | In Search Of | The Right Stuff | Dangerous Games and Rebellions | Monsters, Magic, and Mayhem | A Study of Sherlock | Art Meets Science: Nonfiction | Art Meets Science: Literature
Writing	Building Blocks | Grammar FUNdamentals | From Structure to Style | The Process of Writing | Writing for an Audience | Crafting the Essay | Writing Analysis and Persuasion | Crafting Poetry | Crafting Fiction | AP English Language and Composition
English Language Learning	Vocabulary, Grammar, and Writing Using STEM Essay Writing Using STEM | Crafting the Essay for English Language Learners
Visual Fluency	Visual Literacy | Visual Communication
Music Theory	Mastering the Fundamentals of Music
World Languages	Arabic for Elementary School Students | Arabic Language | Arabic Readers' Workshop | Chinese for Elementary School Students | Chinese Language | Chinese Readers' Workshop | Chinese Essay Writing | AP Chinese Language and Culture | Spanish Language for Elementary Students | Spanish Language | Spanish Language Essay Writing | AP Spanish Language and Culture | AP Spanish Literature and Culture | Spanish Readers' Workshop | Spanish Literature Readers' Workshop
History and Social Studies	AP Macroeconomics | AP Microeconomics | AP Psychology | AP United States Governmnent and Politics | AP United States History

CTYOnline is a CTY program for students who don't have the grades for CTY, or cannot afford the tuition. CTYOnline is the most inexpensive CTY program offered. It offers a multitude of courses spanning over multi week programs all from the comfort of your own home.

Elementary Accelerated Mathematics

Elementary Accelerated Mathematics courses build a foundational understanding of computational skills, enhance conceptual understanding, and reinforce the use of problem-solving strategies. The courses are designed around performance objectives that reflect national and state mathematical standards. The courses provide rigorous content through real world situations. Students use online tools to expand their knowledge and explore mathematical ideas with the assistance of their CTY instructor. Assessments promote the use of higher order thinking skills and deliver opportunities for students to apply knowledge acquired throughout the course.

• Accelerated Grade 1 Mathematics: AG1
• Accelerated Grade 2 Mathematics: AG2
• Accelerated Grade 3 Mathematics: AG3

Middle School Problem-Solving Mathematics

Problem-Solving Mathematics courses are extensions of the online Honors courses they follow. The courses reinforce the concepts seen in their corresponding Honors course through different problem-solving approaches and techniques, challenging assessments, and real world applications. Students use online tools to expand their knowledge and explore mathematical ideas with the assistance of their CTY instructor. A weekly online help room for all students in a Problem-Solving Mathematics course is also offered so that students can work with other students, clarify concepts, and answer challenging questions presented by the weekly moderator. Online interactives are provided by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

• Problem Solving in Arithmetic: PS1
• Problem Solving in Pre-algebra: PS2
• Problem Solving in Algebra I, Part I: PS3
• Problem Solving in Algebra I, Part II: PS4

Mathematics Enrichment

Academically advanced students may have strong mathematical techniques, but younger students do not always have the mathematical maturity to understand the beauty that is mathematics. The study of mathematics is not a race, but a journey. The goal is not to study calculus at a young age, but to reach instead a deeper understanding of the applications of math through the world around us. These short courses keep students engaged in mathematical and algorithmic thinking through games and exercises. Problem solving, creative thinking, real world applications, and fun are stressed throughout.

• Introduction to Chess: CHE
• Cryptography: Math and Codes: CMC

Competitive Mathematics Series for Elementary and Middle School Students

This series is designed to teach the major strategies of problem solving, foster mathematical creativity, and stimulate enthusiasm and love for the various types of problems students encounter in all levels of competitive mathematics. These courses help students at the elementary and middle school levels develop the skills necessary for success in Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School Students, MATHCOUNTS®, and the AMC 8, the premier middle school math contests in the United States.

Competitive math courses diff er from other individually paced courses in that each week, students explore a specific problem-solving strategy or mathematical concept. Students in each course may attend a weekly one-hour web-based group lesson with the instructor in the virtual classroom. Each session provides interactive experiences for students and focuses on the mathematical concept, topic, or strategy of the week. Different topics are covered weekly, so it is important that students who miss virtual classroom sessions watch the recording. Check the online course description pages for virtual classroom session times for each course.

• Math Olympiad for Elementary School Students: OL1
• MATHCOUNTS Prep: MCP
• MATHCOUNTS: MCO

Competitive Math at the High School Level

CTY’s Competitive Math Series extends to the high school level. Secondary Mathematics education in the United States is accompanied by a series of national mathematics competitions of increasing difficulty: American Mathematics Competition (AMC), American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), and USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO). Some colleges have begun asking their applicants for their AMC and AIME scores on their application forms.

In contrast to the standard curriculum, these math competitions challenge the talented student with non-routine problems whose solutions require creativity and intellectual flexibility. While about 250,000 students participate in the AMC, only about 5 percent go on to AIME and only about 5 percent of those go to USAMO. Students find the level of math from AMC to AIME or USAMO difficult, and one of the goals of these courses is to help students feel more confident in solving advanced problems. Information on virtual classroom session times for these classes is available on the web on the course description page.

• Competitive Math Prep: CPM
• Competitive Math for High School Students: CMH

Honors Mathematics Sequence

CTY’s Honors Mathematics Sequence begins with Honors Grade 4 Mathematics and extends through Precalculus. This sequenceincorporates dynamic explanations that use animations, videos, and real-time feedback. Students use online tools to expand their knowledge and explore mathematical ideas with the assistance of their CTY instructor. They practice applying concepts by solving real-world problems and by completing online problem sets and exams. Online videos are provided by Thinkwell in all courses except Honors Grade 4 Mathematics.

• Honors Grade 4 Mathematics: HG4
• Honors Grade 5 Mathematics: HG5
• Honors Pre-Algebra: PAL
• Honors Algebra I: AL1
• Honors Geometry: GEO
• Honors Algebra II: AL2
• Honors Trigonometry: TRI
• Honors Precalculus: PRE

Advanced Placement Mathematics

CTY offers four Advanced Placement (AP) mathematics courses: AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus C, and AP Statistics. An AP course consists of a full high school academic year of work that is comparable to statistics or calculus courses in colleges and universities. Students will be prepared to take the corresponding AP exam to seek college credit, college placement, or both, from institutions of higher learning. However, taking the actual AP exam is not required. CTY’s online AP math courses can be taken to replace or supplement a standard, non-AP course in either calculus or statistics.

• AP Calculus AB: CAB
• AP Calculus BC: CBC
• AP Calculus C: CAC
• AP Statistics: STA

College Mathematics Sequence

CTY offers six online courses at the college level, based on the curriculum for an undergraduate mathematics major at Johns Hopkins University. All six courses are textbook based and require the purchase of a textbook. These courses do not earn college credit from Johns Hopkins University, but they may be used to determine placement when the student attends college. In each course, students receive detailed feedback on submitted work and engage in mathematical dialogue with their instructor. For specific details regarding the required texts, please visit the online course description. All college mathematics courses are typically six months in length. The recommended school credit for these courses is one full year of high school credit or one semester of college credit equal to or greater than an AP class.

• Linear Algebra: LIN
• Multivariable Calculus: MVC
• Differential Equations: DIF
• Introduction to Abstract Mathematics: IAM
• Introduction to Real Analysis: IRA
• Introduction to Complex Analysis: CPX

Computer Science and Technology

CTY’s online computer science and technology program provides a wide range of courses from Scratch Programming for Elementary Students to AP Computer Science A for high school students. Popular topics such as web design and Java are also offered. These engaging and challenging courses are designed to teach creative problem solving and programming skills. All courses have prerequisites, so please check the course prerequisite requirements carefully before applying. We strongly urge CTY students who are qualified to enroll in computer science and technology courses to visit cty.jhu.edu/ctyonline/courses/placement_test.html for more information about free online placement tests, which are available for all computer science courses except for Introduction to Java.

• Scratch Programming for Elementary Students: ESP
• Scratch Programming for Middle School Students: MSP
• Advanced Scratch Programming: ASC
• Introduction to Web Design: WEB
• Advanced Web Design: WD2
• Java Script: JSC
• Introduction to Java: IJA
• Advanced Java Programming: AJA
• AP Computer Science A:

Science and Engineering Enrichment

CTY’s online science and engineering enrichment courses introduce students to topics not covered in a standard science curriculum. These 12-week session-based courses allow students to interact with their instructor and their peers as they explore the use of the scientific method in real-life scenarios. Concepts in mathematics, science, and society come together to help students understand the world around them. Creativity is fostered through laboratory exercises and projects. Courses may require purchase of materials kits; please read the course descriptions carefully.

• Inventions in Engineering for Young Students: IEYS
• Introduction to Forensics: IFOR

Middle School Science Series

CTY’s middle school science series includes individually paced Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science courses. Students interested in scientific inquiry, problem solving, and critical thinking are engaged through an award-winning, vibrant, online environment with graphics, animations, video, real-time feedback, activities, projects, and assessments. Students build knowledge and reinforce concepts with interactive applications that develop and strengthen analytical skills. They are introduced to the scientific method through hands-on experiments and are guided by highly qualified instructors who understand the needs of academically gift ed students. CTY instructors are expert science educators. The content in the middle school science series correlates to state and national curriculum standards. Middle school science courses draw on software from Plato Courseware.

• Earth and Space Science: EAS
• Life Science: LIF
• Physical Science: PHY

High School Science Series

In CTY’s individually paced high school science series, students learn complex scientific concepts in a dynamic online environment that includes graphics, animations, video, and audio-narration. Students review and apply knowledge through interactive activities. Unit tests provide feedback and help students prepare for comprehensive midterm and final exams. The laboratory component includes both hands-on experiments using common household materials and virtual exercises. Students work under the guidance of expert science educators.

• Honors Chemistry: HCH
• Honors Biology: HBI
• Honors Physics: HPY

Advanced Placement Series

CTY’s online Advanced Placement (AP) science courses are designed to extend students’ knowledge of scientific concepts beyond the high school level. These courses cover material typically found in an introductory college-level course. An emphasis on the major themes in each field is coupled with an in-depth look at the underlying principles within and across the scientific disciplines. Laboratory experiences allow students to apply their knowledge of the material to real-life situations, and foster critical thinking and troubleshooting skills. Highly qualified instructors guide students and provide important feedback on their work. AP science courses draw on soft ware from Thinkwell.

• AP Biology: APBI
• AP Chemistry: APCH
• AP Physics 1: APH1
• AP Physics 2: APH2

Humanities

A well-rounded education includes the study of human culture and its accomplishments. Humanities courses offer students the opportunity to explore how people process and document the human experience through writing, critical reading, grammar, visual fluency, and music theory.

Young Readers' Series for Verbal Qualifiers

In these popular courses designed to enhance critical reading skills, instructors work closely with each student, and students interact in virtual communities of lively and articulate learners. There are separate courses for students in grades 2 and 3 and for students in grades 4 to 6. Students typically read and share written responses every other day (fall, spring, and early summer sessions) or daily (intensive midsummer session). Classes are not live. Work is posted in the virtual classrooms at the student’s convenience as long as deadlines are met. Parents are encouraged to review the books carefully before deciding on the best theme for their child. Please note: Students are required to purchase the books read for each course.

Young Readers' Series for Grades 2 and 3

Here’s the perfect suggestion for young children reading at a fifth-grade level or above who enjoy getting lost in a good book. Advanced readers in grades two and three read three or four thematically connected, age-appropriate books. Students learn to make accurate inferences to understand plot and character. Discussion forums and plot-driven creative writing assignments challenge students to engage in high level thinking with online classmates from around the world. Students are exposed to advanced vocabulary and literary devices in the texts, discussions, puzzles, and games.

• Dragon Tales: YYDT
• Good Dogs: YYGD
• Mystery Stories: YYMS

Young Readers' Series for Grades 4-6

Challenging courses entice students to go beyond simple comprehension and engage in high-level thinking about issues ranging from the ethics of time travel to the dangers of subliminal advertising. In these critical reading courses designed for children reading at a middle-school level or above, students read three thematically connected books participate in online written discussions with classmates from around the world, post plot-related creative writing assignments, and master sophisticated vocabulary words and literary devices through online games and puzzles.

• Ancient Egypt Rediscovered: YRAE
• Quests and Challenges: YRQC
• Magical Life Lessons: YRML
• Greek Myths Revisited: YRGM

Young Readers' Series for Verbal or Math Qualifiers

Young Readers’ courses for verbal or math qualifiers include the same level of challenging books, creative writing, and critical thinking as the traditional Young Readers’ Series. Students also receive individualized written feedback from their instructor about each lesson’s work. What is different is that these four courses are open to both verbal and/or math qualifiers and feature many web tools to enable students to work with online posters, slideshows, and VoiceThreads. Students typically read and share written responses every other day (fall, spring, and early summer sessions) or daily (intensive midsummer session). Classes are not live. Work is posted in the virtual classrooms at the student’s convenience as long as deadlines are met. Parents are encouraged to review books carefully before deciding on the best theme for their child. Please note: Students are required to purchase the books read for each course.

Young Readers' Series for Grades 2 and 3

Our courses Robot Encounters and Wild Things offer both verbal and math qualifiers the opportunity to enhance their critical reading skills by reading challenging, thematically connected, age-appropriate books. Students learn to make accurate inferences to understand plot and character and are encouraged to provide textual support for their points in written discussions with online classmates from around the world. Discussion forums and plot-driven creative writing assignments challenge students to engage in high level thinking about such topics as appropriate wild animal habitats, animal communication, and artificial intelligence. Students are exposed to advanced vocabulary and literary devices in the texts, puzzles, and games.

• Robot Encounters: YYRE
• Wild Things: YYWT

Young Readers' Series for Grades 4-6

In Search Of and The Right Stuff encourage students to go beyond comprehension and engage in high level thinking in their reading, creative writing, and written discussions with peers around the globe. Students will work with web tools, sophisticated vocabulary words, and literary devices, using online software and games.

• In Search OF: YRIS
• The Right Stuff: YRRS

Young Adult Readers' Series for Verbal or Math Qualifiers

In this digital age, the availability of the internet has made memorization less important than critical thinking. Students must learn to carefully investigate the credibility of claims and judge the validity of opposing arguments. Students must also become adept at making their own persuasive arguments. In this series for students reading at a high school level, students enhance their critical reading, thinking, and writing skills through high interest, thought-provoking books, analytical discussions, and creative writing assignments. The courses also encourage students to create multimedia content using web-based tools. Students receive individualized written feedback from their instructor and engage in online written discussions with classmates from around the world. Writing assignments include narrative stories; expository and compare/contrast essays; and persuasive writing. Classes are not live; work is posted in virtual classrooms at the students’ convenience as long as deadlines are met.

• Dangerous Games and Rebellions: YADG
• Monsters, Magic, and Mayhem: YAMM

Art Meets Science Series

Students discover how creative writing and scientific inquiry off er different perspectives on the same complex and unfolding universe. Readings are inspired by science and provide students with models for creating their own poems, stories, and essays. For example, students might consider how Einstein’s theory of relativity has influenced the images and themes of 20th-century poets, or how an essay about childhood memories is enhanced by understanding neuroscience. These critical reading courses involve substantial discussion of readings as well as writing workshops in which the instructor and peers off er constructive criticism. Students typically read, discuss, and write at least every other day (fall, spring, or early summer) or daily (intensive midsummer).

• Art Meets Science: Nonfiction: NAMS
• Art Meets Science: Literature: LAMS

Grammar Matters

A deep understanding of grammatical structure allows students to make informed choices about style. In Building Blocks, the lessons and exercises encourage students to think like linguists to discover how the parts of speech and sentence patterns can be used to build effective sentences. Grammar FUNdamentals covers a broad range of topics to meet current middle-school grammar standards, and reinforces lessons with grammar games, puzzles, and tests. From Structure to Style encourages students to write analytically about grammatical usage working in an online collaborative community, and then apply the analysis to their own creative writing. All three courses include writing assignments critiqued by CTY instructors to give students the opportunity to practice their grammar prowess. Students emerge from these courses understanding how their grammatical choices can affect the quality of their prose.

• Building Blocks: IRUL
• Grammar FUNdamentals: GFUN
• From Structure to Style: RUL1

CTY Writing Series

CTY’s Writing Series began in 1983 with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. These courses provide students with the rare opportunity to work with professional writers and explore both creative and academic writing. Students may take just one course, or they may continue to progress throughout their middle and high school years, emerging with a thorough understanding of the writing process, techniques to create original works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and tools to refine any piece of writing. The courses correspond to those offered in CTY Summer Programs, and students may use either CTY online or summer courses to meet prerequisite requirements. Some courses allow qualified students to submit writing samples to meet the requirements. See the prerequisites in the course description for more details.

• The Process of Writing: EMA1 (email) or EM1F (flexi-paced)
• Writing for an Audience: EMA2 (email) or EM2F (flexi-paced)
• Crafting the Essay: EMA3 (email), CDW3 (web-based), or EM3F (flexi-paced)
• Writing Analysis and Persuasion: EMA4 (email), WRW4 (web-based),or EM4F (felxi-paced)
• Crafting Poetry: CDPO
• Crafting Fiction: DFIC
• AP English Language and Composition: APWR

English Language Learning

Some non-native English speakers have not yet acquired proficiency in English. Students can qualify for CTY with a very high verbal score and still desire to enhance their language skills. CTY created these online courses to help non-native speakers use English more confidently. These are above-grade-level courses and appropriately challenging for CTY students. We have also integrated these courses with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content area vocabulary.

• Vocabulary, Grammar, and Writing Using STEM Essay Writing Using STEM: ELD1, ELD2, ELD3, ELD4, ELDW
• Crafting the Essay for English Language Learners: CDBL

Visual Fluency

Digital technology has made the ability to create and share images commonplace. “The ability to both read and write visual information; the ability to learn visually; to think and solve problems in the visual domain—will, as the information revolution evolves, become a requirement for success in business and in life,” says information designer Dave Gray. Visual fluency is now as vital as verbal fluency to success in college and life. These courses incorporate principles of communication theory, design theory, cognitive psychology, and art history to provide a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of effective visual communication.

• Visual Literacy: VLIT
• Visual Communication: VCOM

Music Theory

In 2007, CTY began collaborating with the Johns Hopkins University Peabody Institute, world-renowned school of music and one of the nation’s major sources of professionally trained musicians. As a result, CTY students can now enroll in a course developed by Gavin Farrell of the Peabody Institute.

• Mastering the Fundamentals of Music: MUSF

World Languages

CTY offers online world languages series in Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish. Each series features interaction with an instructor, teaching assistants, and other students, using Internet-based conferencing soft ware and virtual classrooms with small class sizes. Materials are tailored to the different age groups. Broadband Internet access is necessary for all world languages courses, so check technical requirements carefully before enrolling.

Arabic

• Arabic for Elementary School Students: ARL1, ARL2, ARL3, ARL4