SPRING+2012+Classes+Submitted

SPRING 2012 Classes As of Wednesday 1/4/12

**5-7 Year Olds**
Who doesn't love a story, especially one that features our forest friends who might just have a lesson to teach us? This class will begin each week telling an original fable about a familiar animal. The stories will include puppets and props, so students will have an opportunity to participate as well as listen. Then we will talk a little about the science of that week's animals--where they live, what they eat, and some special characteristics they have. Finally, we'll do a craft project so students will have a visual reminder of that week's animal to take home.
 * Animal Tales** (Carol)

We'll explore color, lines, shapes, texture, etc. while observing the world around us, examining famous pieces of art and of course, experiementing with hands-on projects of our own.
 * Art** (Amy)

Strap on your swim fins and get ready to dive in! Each week, our little learners will explore a different undersea animal, habitat, or other feature to create a greater understanding of Earth's oceans. We'll do lots of reading, a little creative writing (writing level not important), some art, and other hands-on activities to explore science concepts.
 * Under the Sea** (Casey)

Topic To Be Determined
 * Science Class** (Kristin)

**7-9 Year Olds**
**Intro to Playwriting** (Kara) In this class we will take turns transforming our favorite stories into plays. More details to follow soon!

**The Math of Pythagorus** (Laura) You may just think he is the guy behind the Pythagorean Theorem (you know, a2 + b2 = c2), but he is known for so much more than that. He is the heart of the Greek mathematics revolution that changed and moved the human world. Learn about Pythagorus and his many mathematical interests and contributions.

What is an atom? What are the elements? How are molecules bonded? What are acids and bases? These are a few questions we will answer during class. Every lesson will include a hands-on lab directed to reinforce the topics covered in class. Homework will consist of fun review activities.
 * Introduction to Chemistry** (Rahel)

We will spend time discovering different forms of folk art and learn why it is sometimes called primitive art, as well. We will cover painting, junk art, some woodcarving, quilting and other forms of fabric art. Over the course of the session, we will spend time on American folk traditions and trace them back to their origins, learning about the various cultural traditions that have been brought to America throughout our country's history. We will also spend some time making projects with the techniques we learn about. Some research projects and presentations for homework, never more than 30 min a week.
 * Folk Art Traditions** (Angela)

This will be a general overview of Earth Science: Earth composition, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, rock types. Will try to incorporate some fun hands-on stuff. Exact topics and activities yet to be determined. Expect some homework, but no more than 20 minutes a week. This class will be taught from an evolutionary standpoint.
 * Geology Overview** (Sheri)

Do you like to eat? Do you like to help out in the kitchen? Would you like to know how to fix healthy, delicious snacks and meals for yourself and your family? In this class, we will clean and chop, decorate and display a variety of foods that don't need any cooking. We will be using math to follow or change recipes, divide things into fractions, and measure lengths and volumes. Finally, we will learn about the benefits of eating raw foods and how they help growing bodies. This will be the tastiest class you'll have all year!
 * No-Cook Cooking** (Lesha and Allison)

Who were the Vikings? We'll explore both European history and Norse mytholgy to understand Viking life, culture, and exploration.
 * Vikings** (Amy)

With elections approaching, this is a great apportunity to learn what democracy really is, how and why our government works, and how our Constitution protects us. The class's objective is to provide the tools and opportunity to critically examine the democratic society in which live. Participants will be expected to complete review activities at home and come prepared to class. Cost will mostly cover copies. Every student will receive a reader that will include the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
 * //We the People//** (Rahel)

**10-12 Year Olds**
If you love animals, find fish fascinating, long to study snakes and spiders, or feel a bond with beautiful birds, this class is for you! Together we will investigate each of the 6 animal classes: mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. Taking our study beyond the basics, we will delve into physiology, phylogeny, distinguishing class characteristics, unique life cycles, and more. Each week students will research the specimen of their choice and bring back interesting reports to share. This class involves outside homework, independent research, and facilitated class discussions.
 * Zoology** (Carissa )

If you love a well spun story, long to write a tale of your own, and enjoy sharing your thoughts and ideas, this is the class for you! We will read and discuss the __**Wizard of Earthsea**__ and other magical works. Using these as inspiration, we will write and share our own original stories. This class requires outside reading and writing and the willingness to engage in facilitated sharing and discussion.
 * Book Club** (Carissa)

**Science Club-"The Story of Science, Aristotle Leads the Way"** (Theresa/Melody--8 week class) This "Science Club" class will be based on Joy Hakim's book "The Story of Science- Book One Aristotle Leads the Way". The class will incorporate science, math, geography, history, multicultural perspective, language arts, and art. It will be set up in cooperative team learning units of 3-4 students/team and will involve directed readings both in the classroom and at home as well as homework. There will also be writing and critical thinking analyses involved. There are technically 45 lessons that are distributed over five units. However, the last two lessons of each unit are really assessments. I will be giving assessments to my own children and will be happy to provide them to your students as well. Here is a link to Joy Hakim's website: [] must get workbook and textbook. Both can be found at Amazon.com for a total cost of $23.13, not including shipping. Other expenses to be determined. ~1 hour/week take home work.

We will use ideas from the book, __Funny Bones: Comedy Games and Activities for Kids__ by Lisa Bany-Winters and possibly catch a live show at ComedyWorx in Raleigh for some inspiration. Students must be willing to work collaboratively to create hilarious improvisational games and perform comedic scenes. There may be some light homework to complete class assignments or to rehearse lines.
 * Fun with Comedy Games and Creative Improv** (Nadine)

**11-14 Year Olds**
Students will study the issue of censorship and First Amendment rights through the topic of book banning and will write a structured persuasive essay advocating against (or perhaps FOR!) the banning of the book. Emphasis will be on writing an organized, cohesive, and fluent essay with a strong thesis and effective support. This class will involve some reading outside of class.
 * Banned Books - Persuasive Writing** (Casey)

This class will be a combination of an intro to Art History and Art Appreciation. We will explore various important works of art and learn some basic critical lingo that will add depth to our understanding of the artist's intentions, the artwork's historical significance, and help us coherently share our views and responses to the artwork. In learning how to write critically about art, students will gain a broader understanding and deeper relationship with the works they encounter. We will also have some hands-on art making, maybe every other week, practicing the technique in the examined work, and creating our own version of the piece. Homework : One or two short essays each on a piece chosen by the student.
 * Art Appreciation** (Angela)

Literature, history, and social studies
 * Mythology** (Kara)

Come learn about the physics of flinging and firing things!! In this class we'll spend part of the class learning some theory behind what we're doing, and then move onto doing hands-on projects (including potato cannons) from the book, __Backyard Ballistics__ by William Gurstelle, to demonstrate these concepts. For more information, see the book description at [|Amazon.com] here: <[]>. (cost tbd, ~$7-10)
 * Backyard Ballistic Physics** (Karen)

Learn about the physics of light (diffraction, wavelength, polarization,etc.) using laser pointers. Hands-on, in-class, experiments.
 * Physics & Light** (Carol)