Spring 2019
| Class Name | Description | Ages | Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry Teatime | The idea for this class is based on Poetry Teatime from Brave Writer, but with the addition of a structured poetry-related activity. The class would roughly consist of: an opener that introduces a poetic element/concept/genre to explore through a hands-on, interactive, and fun activity (riddle poems, found poems/blackout poems, guess the title, composing poetry from sounds, etc.). After the activity, students will have the chance to read through an assortment of poetry books while sipping on tea/hot chocolate and enjoying a snack (if we’re allowed to have food!). Also, kids may choose to share a favorite poem or poetry book from home. Students may also choose to create a tea time “centerpiece” at home from recycled materials and bring it in to display during class (optional). Students need no prior experience with poetry. | 8 - 12 | Zahra Aziz |
| Lego Challenge | Each class period will have a different challenge for the kids to complete, either independently or as a group. Some of the challenges may include: build a boat that floats, build a marble maze, or build the highest tower. The challenges will be determined depending on the interest of the class. This class is appropriate for all levels as the challenges are open-ended and are up to the student to decide how to fulfill the challenges. | 6 - 12 | Sue Metcalfe |
| Big History Project (Part 2) | This is a continuation of the fall class using The Big History Project currriculum. Prior enrollment is NOT required however. | 12 - 18 | Merry Demko |
| Spanish | I will follow the Excelerate Spanish curriculum, beginning where the fall class left off. Created by a homeschool mom, Excelerate Spanish is a fun and engaging research-based curriculum that uses gestures and skits to help understand and retain vocabulary and syntax. Because it is skit-based, beginner through intermediate Spanish students can benefit from the course. Beginners who did not attend the fall class can catch up using the text and a little extra effort. See https://exceleratespanish.com/ for more information. The starting age for this class is a proxy for strong reading skills and willingness to sit and pay attention. The curriculum is fun and active, but suitable only for kids who read well and can stay focused for an hour, regardless of age. | 9 - 18 | Jill McClain and Anita Hager |
| Circle Time | This will be an interactive class where we will learn more about the calendar, time, weather, and a character building word each week . We will sing fun songs, work on writing our names, and learn our phone numbers and addresses. We will also be incorporating some activities to improve fine motor skills. | 4 - 6 | Kelley Schnur and Sue Metcalfe |
| Current Events | Every week, students will share and discuss national and international events in science, the arts, politics, sports, and healthcare. Students (and the teacher!) will independently do some digging in various media (print newspapers and magazines, online newspapers and magazines, social media accounts of local and national reporters, etc.) to find coverage of headlines in science, the arts, health and healthcare, and politics. Weekly discussions about each event and what this means in our world will be our weekly focus. | 13 - 18 | Elizabeth Smith |
| Show Club: Stranger Things | Show club: It's like a book club, but instead of books, we discuss shows! This semester, we'll be watching and discussing the first two seasons of the Netflix original series: Stranger Things. "Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s, the first season focuses on the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy amid supernatural events occurring around the town, including the appearance of a girl with psychokinetic abilities who helps the missing boys' friends in their own search. " (description from Wikipedia) We will watch 2 episodes at home per week and in class discuss the plot, twists, characters, background information, easter eggs (The Duffer Brothers were children of the 80s and MUCH of the content contains homages to the life and times of the 1980s) and make our own predictions for Season 3 (released Summer of 2019)! | 13 - 18 | Elizabeth Smith |
Cretaceous Class | Learning about prehistoric creatures while learning letters and numbers with books, crafts, and dinosaur centric activities. | 4 - 6 | Jennifer Sherrill |
| Music and Movement | Changing weekly themes with related songs, movement, games, and some crafts. | 4 - 6 | Jennifer Sherrill |
| Stories and Crafts | We will read stories each week covering a variety of topics and do a corresponding craft or activity. We'll try to have a mix of academic books and fun story books about each topic. | 4 - 6 | Jes Sciulli |
| Positively Perplexing Games and Magic Tricks | This class will be a fun way to play games and learn some magic tricks that can be used anywhere people get together. These are not board games but ones that need only a few items to play. Of course there is an element of competition which can make it more enjoyable for everyone. The magic tricks can amaze and enthrall an audience and you're never too young or old to learn new tricks. | 7 - 12 | Pam Howe |
| Painting 2 | This will be a continuation of lessons from Painting 1. New students are welcome to join. The format is a short discussion on techniques and the assignment and then two class periods to paint the assignment. Outside work is encouraged to help the student progress, and each student is given their own materials to facilitate that work. | 9 - 18 | Celishia Rent |
| Spanish Play | We will play games, sing songs, and create art while utilizing Spanish! Ability to count/recognize numbers is needed, as we will be playing games such as Uno. This class is appropriate for new students or those who participated in prior terms, as we will have a mix of brand new activities and old favorites. | 6 - 10 | Jill McClain and Anita Hager |
| Observational Drawing | We will build skill of ‘seeing’ using foundational exercises such as blind contour, quick gestural, neg/pos space, and various copywork such as abstract and upside down. Students will have option of homework and a more in-depth project. Age guideline –All ages are welcome, provided that the student would be interested in focused drawing for the duration of class. Music will be played. My background as an architect included visual communication courses taught by artists in college, and some painting and drawing courses thereafter as I pursued a hobby in painting. | 9 - 18 | Theresa Stadt |
| PALS is Putting on a Play! | We need actors, costume designers, scenery builders, and stage crew to perform "Bedtime Stories (As Told By Our Dad) (Who Messed Them Up)." There is a place in this class for those who like to be center stage, those who want to try out a small part, and those who prefer to remain behind the scenes. Students will need to be available for the performance of this 45-65 minute show on May 8th at the Share Fair. Students will also be expected to do work at home each week, including memorizing their lines and reviewing their stage directions in order to pull off a successful production in just 10 weeks. | 8 - 18 | Holly Schnur and Jes Sciulli |
| Active Imaginative Play | In this class, students and teachers will collaboratively create our own imaginative games. We will be as active as possible during class and will play outside whenever possible. (Ideal age range is 5-8, but older students who enjoy pretend play are welcome.) | 5 - 9 | Ryan Mills |
| Experimental Design | Students will be learning about the scientific process. They will design and conduct their own experiment. Students will then write a formal science paper and create a formal poster. The posters will be presented at Share Fair in the manner of a science fair. Instructors will provide the materials needed to create the posters. Each family will be required to purchase the materials needed for their child to conduct their experiment. | 12 - 18 | Ann Walsh and Daria Mochan |
| Our Amazing Bodies | Using hands-on activities and crafts, will learn about human anatomy, starting with the five senses and continuing through the major body systems - circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, digestive, and nervous. | 7 - 11 | Jaime Horst |
| Big Question Debate | This is an introductory debate class geared towards middle-school and early high-school students. Class will be mostly discussion style but there will be some reading and writing required. Topics include exploring the difference between debate and argument, discussing point-of-view, learning how to research, cut and tag evidence for debate, examining types of arguments, and mastering case-writing. | 11 - 18 | Kate Bunton |
| Gym Skills & Crafts | We will spend half of the class hour engaged in fun physical activity, including various sports skills, and the other half in a craft activity. | 7 - 11 | Emily Viehland & Sue Metcalfe |
| American Labor History | TBA | 12 - 18 | Mary Alice Hodgson, Jenny Kalfut |
| Ender's Game | TBA | 10 - 18 | Jenny Kalfut |
| Norse Mythology | TBA | 6 - 18 | Jenny Kalfut |
| The World of Fiber: History and How-To | Learn to spin yarn on a drop spindle, dye it, and knit it into a simple project in this hands-on crafting class. As you learn and practice these arts, we will also discuss the history of fiber arts, learn about the diversity of plant and animal fibers, and a little about the ways fiber is produced today. Special guests will be on hand some days to share their expertise. All you need is interest, and a willingness to learn; no prior experience necessary! Elizabeth Saxon Erikson is a lifelong spinner, knitter, and farmer, and a 16 year homeschool veteran. She lives with her family in Washington County, and raises sheep, goats, and chickens on their small family farm. | 10 - 18 | Elizabeth Erikson |
| Create Your Own World - 2nd Term | Create your own unique setting for fiction writing, role-playing games, or just as a creative exercise. This class can be taken either as a sequel to the prior term, or as a new student. Repeat students can continue to develop their prior setting or choose to work on a new "World" this term. In this workshop style class we will cover topics such as societal organization, "magic" as alternative physics, species adaption to their environment, etc. Students will then create original characters and begin writing scenes or plot outlines for their settings. Students can limit their participation to solely in-class workshop time, or more fully develop their original setting out of class. Editing skills will also be explored for students who are farther along in their writing. My relevant background is as a gaming book editor and writing tutor. | 12 - 18 | Anita Hager |
| Chorus | Do you love to sing? Chorus is a FUN class where we discuss how to improve our singing while learning great songs. We also work on our performance skills so that we can share what we learn at the end of the semester. It is helpful, but not necessary, for students to be able to read. (Students younger than e require prior teach approval). | 8 - 18 | Kate Bunton |
| STEM/Creative Building | Each week students, working in pairs, will be given a challenge and specific supplies to complete each challenge. Challenges will include things like making: a boat, a paper tower that holds weight, a vehicle, etc. Students will be using hot glue guns and box cutters; responsible behavior is a must! Students will be working in pairs; cooperative behavior will be a necessity. | 8 - 12 | Ann Walsh |