Description:
This class has a little bit of everything! Perfect for the adventurous crafter, this session will explore many forms of arts and crafts. Students will complete hands-on projects while discovering new artists and ideas. Through engaging activities and new things, this class will foster creativity and community in lower elementary grades.

Description:
A child-led exploration of creative building using a wide variety of materials. Students will engage in hands-on building challenges and prompts designed to spark creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Through teamwork and imaginative problem-solving, participants will develop essential STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) skills while building confidence and fostering social connections.

What kids will learn:
Chess Basics: Understand the board, piece movements, and rules through interactive lessons.
Tactics & Strategy: Explore smart moves like pins, forks, and planning ahead.
Critical Thinking: Solve real-game puzzles and boost decision-making skills.
Friendly Competitions: Enjoy group play, mini-tournaments, and team challenges.
Life Skills: Build confidence, focus, patience, and perseverance.
This session will be fun, supportive, and designed to spark a love for chess while building essential academic and social skills.

Description:
If you have an enthusiastic reader who wants to dive into stories and share their thoughts with friends, we would love for them to join us on this yearlong exploration through genres! Each week, we will spend time learning about the elements of literature and literary devices. We will be reading one middle grade book per month and breaking down character, setting, theme, and plot elements. Our discussions will explore writing techniques and deepen comprehension through sharing. We will read through a variety of novels and broaden our horizons of what we read!
Students will need to be prepared to read one group book per month outside of the classroom so we can come together to discuss (audiobook format counts!).
In this class, we will read and discuss The Phantom Tollbooth, Medusa: Myth of Monsters, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mascot, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Eye of the Storm, and Book Scavenger. Books are subject to change based on student participation.

Description:
Let’s keep playing! Your young musician will continue their music study as we dive deeper in playing as an ensemble. They will learn more complex rhythms, expand their tonal range, and play longer and more exciting pieces! At the end of each semester, students will present a concert to showcase their progress.
Prerequisite: Successfully completing Beginner Band with Ms. Ashley or one year of experience on a band instrument is required with approval from Ms. Ashley.
Homework Expectations: Students will be expected to practice their instruments daily. Practice expectations will be provided through Google Classroom.

Description:
A student-led exploration of all things creative! In this process-art-centered class, students are encouraged to embrace the joy, and messiness, of making. Together, we’ll dive into materials, experiment with techniques, and celebrate unexpected outcomes. The direction of our creative journey will be shaped by the interests and strengths of the students, allowing room for everything from artist studies to skill-building in drawing and beyond. Most of all, this is a space for students to express themselves, and focus on enjoying the process of creating without stressing about the final outcome.
Older grades will experience more in-depth concepts and intricate projects in this class.

Description:
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of science where biology meets chemistry and engineering! In this hands-on, discovery-based course, students will explore the amazing history and foundational concepts of biology, biochemistry, and genetics. We’ll learn how life is built from tiny atoms and molecules, study important biological molecules like DNA, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and even explore 3D models to see how these molecules work in real life.
Through fun experiments and microscope work, we’ll look closely at the microscopic world and understand how living systems are organized. We’ll also uncover the secrets of genetics: learn how traits are passed down and how genes affect everything from eye color to inherited diseases.
But that’s not all! We’ll take our learning a step further by exploring bioengineering: a field where science and technology team up to solve real-world problems. Students will design and build simple machines, then compare them to similar systems found in the human body. We’ll look at how engineering can help fight diseases, improve farming, create new medical tools, and develop sustainable energy.
This course encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. A Google Classroom will be used to share materials, ask questions, and keep the conversation going outside of class.