Join us each week as we learn about a new animal friend around the world. We will explore their environments, what they eat, how they move, and play, sometimes becoming the animals ourselves (face painting fun!). To learn and keep kiddos engaged we will utilize books, movement, and crafts bringing these animals into the classroom with us. We share this earth with all these special creatures and want to help our kids fall in love with them and want to take care of our planet for them and our future selves as well.

When life gives you lemons...come make lemonade with us!! While reading the chapter book The Lemonade War, this interdisciplinary class will explore the math, economics, marketing, advertising, and planning involved in running a 'lemonade stand.' We will bring our learning together with a lemonade stand of our own during a lunch period later in the fall. Students will need a copy of the book The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies.

Join us in exploring the planets, galaxies and solar systems through art making exercises as a way of playing with line, color, shape and mark making as we explore the stars, constellations and all things related! Using classic drawing artist materials including graphite, blending tools, chamois cloths, textured drawing paper and more, we will integrate the language of fine arts into themes of navigation, astronomy and geography, exploring "space" in our drawings and in the world. This class is intended to build drawing skills and encourage materials exploration. In addition, we will take inspiration from outer space- watch short videos- and ultimately use this to inspire creative art making. Typical class includes:*Warm up/gestures *Intro to subject *Slides/images *Main drawing *Sharing/Discussion Come prepared to get messy! Sketchbooks are recommended for drawing at home and encouraged to bring to class.

Students will learn about the American revolution, what caused it, how it was fought, and what the short and long term effects were. We will also have in-class debates and discussions in which students get to roleplay as historical figures. Be members of Parliament as you discuss what to do about the upstart colonists in Boston. Be George Washington as you boldly cross the icy Delaware River for a surprise attack. Be Benjamin Franklin as you convince France to come to America's aid. And more! 5th graders may register on the waitlist and will be added to the class as space allows.

Are you crazy about chocolate? Come join us as we explore all things cocoa! Do you ever wonder how chocolate is made? Are you interested in finding out where on the planet cacao trees grow? In this class, we will journey through the science, history, geography, and culture of this fascinating crop. We'll round out our interdisciplinary study by reading and discussing an on-topic novel throughout the session. All this learning will probably make us hungry- we may have to strike out into the culinary arts as well. So bring your questions, your curiosity, and all your senses (especially taste!) as we survey the wide world of CHOCOLATE! Potential field trips include visiting actual cacao trees and maybe even a local chocolate factory. Students will need to procure a copy of the book we will read (details sent in early September to registered students).

Through role-playing and skits, students will be immersed in real life scenarios within a safe classroom environment. Skills that will be developed will include active listening, conflict resolution, social awareness and cues, and emotional intelligence. Social skills are the abilities we use to interact and communicate with others effectively. They encompass both verbal and non-verbal communication, including speech, body language, facial expressions, and gestures. (Mature 7th Graders Only). In order to get the most out of this class, participation is highly encouraged, and expected.

This interdisciplinary course will explore the Great Depression through the lenses of history, economics, social change, literature, and fine arts. We will investigate the causes, effects, and lasting impact on both individuals and society. While much of the course will focus on the United States, we will spend time looking at other parts of the world. Students will be exposed to a number of primary sources and be encouraged to make connections between historical events and current issues.

Welcome to Biology! We will study the general topics in biology including cells, plants, genetics, and more. Most of the reading and notes should be done at home during the week. You probably will want to spend 30 minutes to an hour a day on the material, but it is up to you how much time you spend on it. On Friday we will quickly review the topics from the week and then enjoy some activities and lab work. I plan to use the curriculum for Its Not Rocket Science as a backbone for the year. We will most likely not be able to cover all the topics but we will see what works best. There is a quick list of the topics at the link below.

High fives for everyone who lets their kids make a mess! But if cleaning it up is not your idea of a good time, then this Fall send them to me. Getting messy is undeniably good for kids. For most, it is joyful and wildly engaging. Sensory play supports the development of their senses, which is critical for learning about the world and brain development. Its freedom and inherently open-ended nature helps build creativity. Getting the go-ahead to make a mess and push boundaries also helps kids build a sense of self. Have your kiddos join me every week to explore all sorts of materials and get messy. We will be outside as much as the weather allows. Please dress kids in clothing/shoes they can get messy in.

A class devoted to the study of interesting, important, and innovative women throughout recent history. Each week we will "meet" one woman and learn about who she was, what amazing things did she do, and how she inspires us. We will have a project each week that relates to her inspiration. We will talk about why studying history and women's contributions matters. There will be a small amount of writing, we will watch some short videos, and there will be some "hands on" fun. There may be snacks some weeks, so please let me know if there are food allergies (outside of being nut free).

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... science! Whether it's the aerodynamics of Wonder Woman's invisible plane or the force behind the Hulk's *smash*, in Superhero Science, we will break down the science behind the powers of our favorite heroes through hands-on experiments in physics, biology, engineering and more!

In this class we will explore the medium of "collage" as a true artistic format. Using magazines and a variety of papers to create various types of collages both as 2D creations on their own, but also as a way of covering and transforming various surfaces. Specific collage assignments will work with elements of design and composition. Formal art concepts will be discussed and re-inforced in this class and we will also look at examples of collage art from art history and current trends . Students may be asked to bring collage materials from home for certain projects.

Come build your world! In this hands-on class, we will explore key concepts from biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics by building physical models that will bring complex ideas to life. Examples of topics include simulating plate tectonics, building atoms and molecules, or modeling cell structure. This will be part 1 of a 2 part class (part 2 offered in the spring). Some short outside reading and/or videos will be provided to help students prepare for classes (30 min or less typically). 1-2 weeks/projects may (potentially) involve some food items, so please let me know of any concerns.

In this class we will explore the elements of poetry as we read, write, and analyze poetry together. The class will alternate between learning about types of poems and analyzing the work of famous poets. We will touch on how poems can be memes, stories, statements, and more. Some lessons will include creating our own poems in groups or as individuals. Hands on activities, recitations and games will all be part of taking our learning deeper. Students uncomfortable with reading and writing will have accommodations and options for participation.

The class every teen should take. We will learn the basics, but this class will go beyond checkbooks and budgets. Learn real-world skills for smart spending, saving, and investment strategies. What are IRAs and how to maximize their returns for the future. Students will learn how to live debt-free and build wealth, even on a fast-food income. Understanding how to take advantage credit cards, different types of loans & investment interest, and how to build healthy money habits for life.

Explore world geography through food! The spices and flavors of a culture tell you a lot of the land and its people. Come along with us as we try the dishes from different lands and learn how the food tells you about the land, agriculture, people, and climate of that country. We would love for the high schoolers to take ownership of this class some weeks, by choosing a country to teach about and sharing a native dish with the class. Please note allergies and we will do our best to accommodate.

Students will be encouraged to experiment with a rainbow of colors and materials to foster their imaginations while learning the fundamentals of various techniques. They will follow along to complete guided projects of various mediums (paint, clay, fabric, etc...) The goal is to develop artistic confidence and create art that feels uniquely their own through a balance of gentle instruction and creative freedom. 3rd graders are welcome to register upon request- please join the waitlist.

Join me as we work our way through card game history. We will be playing different card games so we can learn about their mechanics. With that knowledge, the students will design and play test their own card game.

Have you ever wanted to paint like Picasso? or draw like Degas? In this class, we will briefly study an artist each week and then create a project inspired by a famous work of that artist. Messy might happen... some art supplies used may be more permanent than others. Please have your child dress in clothes that are okay for messes or bring a smock/ over-shirt.

Every week we will look at a different period in geologic time, and discuss the many different creatures from that period. Before class, every student will briefly study a creature from that period and discuss it with the rest of the class, so we can get a look into what Earth was like through time.

Explore world geography through food! The spices and flavors of a culture tell you a lot of the land and its people. Come along with us as we try the dishes from different lands and learn how the food tells you about the land, agriculture, people, and climate of that country. We would love for the middle schoolers to take ownership of this class some weeks, by choosing a country to teach about and sharing a native dish with the class. Please let us know of any allergies and we will do our best to make accommodations.

This class will explore the idea and creation of an artist's sketchbook. We will look at examples of artists' sketchbooks through history and create our own along the way. The sketchbook is an ideal place to practice drawing skills, try out new ideas and generally improve your drawing. We will learn different approaches to sketching to find what works for you. In class assignments will work on skill building and homework assignments will help reinforce skills through practice and repetition. In order to see improvement, students will be asked to make a habit of sketching regularly. Students will be asked to provide their own sketchbooks 9" x 12" or larger. Students will be required to have drawing supplies including several drawing pencils of their preference, eraser, blending stump/chamois and anything else they like to use. Supplemental supplies will be provided for specific assignments.

In this class students will learn the basics of major world religions. We will cover Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism as well as others. Giving students a general overview of beliefs and historical and geographical significance, similarities and differences of these religions will be part of the class. Course will include discussions, and hands on activities as appropriate. Students will be assigned videos to watch outside of class to enhance class time. They may also be asked to do research to share with the class.

In this class, we will examine the topic of challenged and banned literature within the United States. We will look into the history of book banning, discuss the rationale behind it, and explore several works, both fiction and nonfiction. We will read short stories, poetry, and music lyrics as well as 4 novels. This class is designed for high school students and by the very nature of the content includes the reading and discussing of mature themes. A book list will be provided prior to the first day of class. Each student will need to acquire the novels.

Creation Station will provide our youngest students time and space to learn and grow through open-ended play stations (including a rotating "building station" with legos/k'nex/magna-tiles, an art station, a board game station, a dress up station, etc...). This unstructured and flexible form of play enhances cognitive skills, encourages the exploration of natural curiosities, and provides endless opportunities for socioemotional learning (self-awareness, regulation, empathy, effective communication and other interpersonal skills). Creation Station is inspired by FlexLab, but catered to younger students who may benefit from having a smaller scaled, age-adjusted environment. 3rd graders are welcome to register upon request- please join the waitlist. **Please note, price reduction is reflective of a change in curriculum. Differing from previous sessions, Creation Station will not offer a guided art project. This will facilitate more engaging and imaginative play. Alternatively, I am offering a separate art class, Color and Craft, which will allow for more comprehensive art instruction.**

Flex Lab is a wonderful, creative space for open-ended fun with Scoop friends at the end of each Friday! Adult facilitators will be available for assistance but not necessarily for instruction. We will have an Art Lab component with basic art supplies for free-form creative use. 'Special' supplies will be rotated and each week will feature different 'special' (paint, model magic, sculpting dough, perler beads, jewelry making, etc). We will have a craft space that will feature rotating projects complete with instructions, some seasonal and some by special request (students encouraged to submit ideas)! There will be a game station for calm, quiet play indoors (Rush Hour, Suspend, Tangrams, Cube Puzzles, etc). We will also have an open ended building station in the foyer, with Legos, K'inex, Magnatiles, castle toys, etc available on a rotating basis (different choice each week). Also available will be outside equipment for pick up games, collaborative fun, and exercise. This 'check-out' station will be set-up by the front doors and may include a basketball, a football, playground balls for four square, jump ropes, a frisbee, and more. On inclement weather days, we will pull out additional board and card games to enjoy with friends. All will be available in one open ended 'class' that changes a little each week! While adults are present in all parts of flex lab, adult supervision is not heavy or constant. If you would like to provide close supervision for your student(s), please join them in flex lab and hang out! The goal of this class is to provide space, supplies, and support for kids to enjoy some unstructured creative time or fun play time.

Explore how history has influenced fashion through the ages! Hands on projects including sketching of outfits, using various fabrics to create outfits, making accessories from each time period, exploring fashion genres through games, various projects, and group work. Assistant Teacher: Marguerite Harris 5th graders are welcome to register on the waitlist and will be moved into the class as space allows.

Join me as we work our way through card game history. We will be playing different card games so we can learn about their mechanics. With that knowledge, the students will design and play test their own card game.

This class will delve into the basics of theater, its characteristics and functions, and go into acting techniques, scene study, and character analysis, and culminate in a final performance at the end of the semester. Mature 7th graders may register on the waitlist and will be moved into the class as space allows. Participation is highly encouraged, and expected.

This class will introduce fitness through a variety of outdoor activities. We will focus on sport-related activities, team- building activities, and simple game strategies. Students will have opportunities to learn and practice individual and dual sports. Some options include dodgeball, kickball, basketball and track & field. Pickleball? Who knows! Our goal is to have fun and be active.

Ever wonder why people think, feel, and act the way they do? In this introductory psychology course, we'll explore key concepts in the study of the mind and behavior. Students will engage in class discussions, hands-on activities, and simple experiments to better understand themselves and others. This class is perfect for anyone curious about human nature, interested in helping professions, or just wanting to understand why we are the way we are!

We'll be playing a "Dungeons and Dragons" style roleplaying game with a Greek Myth theme! Players will battle iconic mythological beasts while accomplishing great labors. No prior experience in table top gaming is necessary, beginners welcome!