Brenda Gregory Drawing is the foundation of most visual art forms. Yet unfortunately some kids find it frustrating or they don t think they draw well. This class will help them become comfortable with drawing pencils and sketching with watercolor paint. We will focus on drawing from observation, but will also learn tips and tricks to improving your drawing skills. Students will learn to express themselves with line, shading & texture and have fun doing it! Students will receive a drawing kit including sketchbook, drawing board, pencils, blenders & erasers.
Nora, Dylan and Nina Jenkins Ballroom dancing teaches dance and coordination skills, as well as social and etiquette skills. It promotes health as well as confidence! We will teach the basics of American Rhythm & Smooth styles of dance. Our classes have always been fun, upbeat, stress-free and a happy atmosphere.
Karen S.R. Coletti Belly Dancing is a fun way to exercise and dance at the same time. This form of dance is good for all ages and body types. Historically, belly dancing is one of the oldest dance forms which originated in the Middle East. It will help to tone your body, increase flexibility and build self confidence. We will focus on proper posture, breathing and isolating individual muscle groups. You will learn the basic dance vocabulary and short combinations put to music. This will allow you the ability to learn how to move gracefully and be expressive. Moms are welcome to sign up for the class as well.
We may learn choreography to perform on Showcase Day at the end of the semester. Some costuming may need to be purchased. This will be discussed in the class.
Wear comfortable clothing such as exercise pants and top. I prefer no long skirts so that I may see what your feet and knees are doing to assure proper posture. We dance bare footed but you may use soft dance shoes if you prefer. Please no socks, I don't want anyone slipping.
There may be some misconceptions as to what belly dancing is exactly. It is a dance for women, although it is fine for men to participate too, and is a very ancient art form which is taught and performed in a tasteful manner.
Dave Shepard Students ages 10-16 will learn to perform bluegrass songs such as "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", "Dueling Banjos" and "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrows". They will learn the "Nashville Number System" concerning the theory and nomenclature of chord progressions, use of plectrum and fingerstyle, and explore common keys, chords and scales used in bluegrass music. They may choose to learn one or more of the following instruments: banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass or autoharp. Students will learn to play at least 10 songs and will be encourage to sing along. Students must bring an instrument to class each week. Instruments can be purchased/or ordered from dave during the open house or at the first day of classes. Dave's original book "Bluegrass Explosion" with play-a-long CD will be included in the $12 materials fee. This class is geared for students who already play a little or very motivated, older beginners.
Susan Williams Book club is a truly cooperative effort. As such, you will teach either one or two classes depending on how many families sign up. Each class will consist of reading a book of your choice to the children and leading them in activities that focus on science, art, history, music, dance, and so forth.
A simple online search will generally elicit enough ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Here are a couple of really good examples from last semester: One week, a mom read Would You Rather and led the children in lively fantasy games. Another week, a mom composed a song to go with Time for Bed, the Babysitter Said and asked the children to make and decorate maracas; that class culminated in a noisy, rowdy sing-along.
As book club coordinator, I'll teach the first class. At that time, I'll hand out a schedule for subsequent classes. There's no formal fee associated with the class; instead, you'll simply purchase your own activity materials as your personal resources allow.
Book club allows our children to experience the satisfaction of reading, playing, working, and learning together. Please join us!
Brenda Gregory & Yarrow Ries Co-op Puppeteers soon to be named are back! Due to the smashing success of "Arnold” our larger then life puppet... Brenda and Yarrow are joining talents once again to launch a puppet making and performance troop for ages (6 and older)! We need little people and big people with passions for theater and performance, story telling, narration and drama, the art of puppet making, set design and building or what ever talent you can bring to the class. We will write a play, make our puppets, build sets and perform at showcase and beyond. Join us ... its going to be big!
Rebecca Conroy In this class we will use everyday chemicals to explore natural phenomena in visual, hands on activities. We will experience the power of air, measure the energy change when chemicals react, use chemical reactions to produce different gasses, investigate spices, and other experiments and activities that bring chemistry to life. Everyday Chemistry 1 (3-5) will focus on observations and applications to daily life.
Rebecca Conroy In this class we will use everyday chemicals to explore natural phenomena in visual, hands on activities. We will experience the power of air, measure the energy change when chemicals react, use chemical reactions to produce different gasses, investigate spices, and other experiments and activities that bring chemistry to life. Everyday Chemistry II (6-8) will include learning to measure and predict.
Rebecca Conroy In this class we will use everyday chemicals to explore natural phenomena in visual, hands on activities. We will experience the power of air, measure the energy change when chemicals react, use chemical reactions to produce different gasses, investigate spices, and other experiments and activities that bring chemistry to life. Everyday Chemistry III (9 & up) will include recording data and designing experiments.
Yarrow Ries This mixed media class will focus on the art of the handmade book. Students will learn "Coptic Binding" known as the punch fold and sew method to design and create a beautiful art book. We will assemble a Concertina book also known as a gallery book to showcase small individual works of art. We will upcycle an existing book to become a personal planner or day book. Build a "Spirit House" book or a pop up alter. Learn how to use a bamboo stylus and a dip pen to illustrate a scroll. Classes will include instruction in transfer methods, stamp making, calligraphy, alternative watercolor ink and acrylic techniques, paper making and collage.
Jessica & Tyler Anderson This hip hop class is a fusion of jazz funk, urban, pop and lock, and break dance - there's a little something for everyone! Each class will include a center floor warm-up, across the floor exercises, center floor combinations, and freestyle. Students will learn a dance to be performed on showcase day.
Students should wear clothes they can move freely in and flat-soled tennis shoes.
Cassidy Brooks (and Tracy Brooks) Our purpose is to introduce kids to the magic of theatre. Theatre helps kids be outgoing, gives them a place to safely express themselves without being judged and is helpful to anyone, for confidence is a skill needed everywhere! We will talk about theatre history and construction, learn about ‘becoming’ a character, rehearse (and perform) some scenes from actual plays (Into the Woods, Willy Wonka etc.) and we will also dabble in some improvisation and play theatre games!
Jennifer Neeley This course is an introductory level geometry class focusing on triangles and squares. Students will learn about the types of triangles (scalene, equilateral, isosceles), kinds of angles (obtuse, acute, right), sum of angles, area, perimeter, art with shapes, and more. This course will provide students with the fundamental skills required to manipulate these shapes and necessary concepts to build upon as they advance throughout mathematics.
George L. Heinrich This new hands-on, science-based class will introduce the study of mammals with an emphasis on diversity, ecology, and conservation of Florida species. Lessons include food chains and webs, predators and prey, skull and fur identification, diets, reading tracks, Florida bats, Florida black bears and Florida panthers (habitat fragmentation and wildlife corridors), Florida marine mammals, “urban” mammals (squirrels, opossums, and raccoons), living with coyotes, and conservation efforts.
There will be two no-cost field trips (evening bat watching at a central Pinellas County location and a visit to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg to learn about manatee research and conservation) in lieu of the previous Thursdays’ classes. The goal is to instill an appreciation for all wildlife and a sense of environmental stewardship. This class includes regular homework. Parents may need to assist at home with weekly assignments and are welcome in the classroom.
Brenda Gregory Display your own personal style by creating your own jewelry & metal work. Beginning students will learn the basics of jewelry fabrication, soldering, surface texture embellishment & intermediate students will continue to develop their skills. Projects include ring making, candleholder, pendant making & stone setting. If time allows we will play with resin.
Dave Shepard Music Explosion II teaches new chords and melodies never learned in past Music Explosion classes. This is a great class for the beginner and especially for students who have been in previous Music Explosion classes and want to learn more. There will be a new book with 12 new songs performed in new keys. New general music concepts will be presented such as the "Cycle of Fifths", key signatures and scale construction. Students will sing and play using the following instruments: Guitar, bass, drums, keyboard or ukelele. students must bring their own instruments to each class. Instruments can be purchased from Mr. Shepard at the open house or during the first class meeting. If you have an instrument, bring it in to be assessed or repaired by Mr. Shepard.
Rebecca Conroy This class is for adults and will cover some of the best things I have discovered on living naturally with easy, homemade, non factory methods. In a hands on, take home, taste and try way we’ll cover things like making your own probiotic rich fermented foods (natural soda, sauerkraut, yogurt, fruits and veggies), nutrient dense snacks the whole family will enjoy, easy enzyme rich salad dressings, natural cleaning supplies, body care (like making your own toothpaste, lip balms, lotions, shampoo methods), and grain free baking.
Jan Anschuetz All new nature related topics will be covered as students learn about nature through the study of animals, plants and the outdoor world we live in here in Florida. Being good stewards of our natural world will be emphasized. Class will include a short story reading, exploring the "Nature Topic of the Week", and hands-on activities or crafts. Material will be sent home with simple ideas for investigating nature in your neighborhood. A Saturday morning Nature Walk will be offered in the Spring.
Al Massip
This Chess program is designed to teach a fun game to students 1st Grade- Adult.
It is perfect for all levels!
Whether you are a beginner or you just want to improve your chess skills,you will love this class! Learn strategies and sharp tactics including pins, traps and double attacks.
Learning how to plan the opening, middle and end game offers different ideas, concepts and solutions.
Chess teaches many important life principles like patience, concentration, planning, calculation, values and more…
These chess instructions include the Socratic Method (dialectics). This proven method uses logic, inductive and deductive reasoning to understand positions and identify weak and strong patterns over the board. Aside from learning chess, the student will discover and develop other critical thinking skills that may be used in Math, History, and Science.
* Sibling discount applies
Science and Nature with Doug Scull (I: 3-5, II: 6-8, III: 9 & up)
Doug Scull Famous Inventors and Scientists
The children will meet the following Inventors and Scientists. The younger kids swear they are meeting Mr. Doug
in a costume, but we know better! Archimedes- famous Greek inventor, mathmetician and scientist. Lessons: mirrors, light, levers, catapults...
Ben Franklin- American inventor and politician.
Lessons: static electricity, current electrician, making simple electrical circuits...
Rube Goldberg- American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer and inventor.
Lessons: creating complicated machines to do simple tasks, making a marble drop, inventing a mousetrap car...
Peter Durand- English inventor of the metal can to preserve food for a long period of time.
Lessons: various ways to preserve food, food poisoning, making a mummified chicken.
Mr. Doug brings in a different animal friend of his to each class. the animals are not necessarily related to the class topic of the day.
Jennifer Neeley This class will serve to fully equip students with the basic math knowledge necessary to proceed on to more complex math courses. Such concepts as order of operations, prime and composite, absolute value, GCF & LCM, fundamental properties, operations utilizing positive and negative integers, intro to exponents, and mean, median, and mode lessons will be thoroughly explained and practiced.
Jessica & Tyler Anderson This class will serve as an introduction to tap dance. Each class will begin with a center floor warm-up, followed by across the floor exercises, and/or center floor combinations. Students will learn a short dance to be performed on Showcase Day.
Students should wear clothes they can move comfortably in and tap shoes.
Jessica & Tyler Anderson This class is for girls and boys ages 2-6. We will introduce several forms of dance to the students in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Boys and girls will play movement games, learn combinations, sing, dance, wiggle, giggle, and more! And along the way we will learn proper technique and dance terminology, too! We will put together a fun routine to be performed on Showcase Day. The last day of class will end with a dance party celebration. You don't want to miss it!
*Dance clothes are suggested, but not required. Make sure they are able to move comfortably and freely.
*Each student should have a pair of jazz or ballet shoes, tap shoes, and tennis shoes. * Sibling discount applies (includes Hip Hop & Tap Dance)
Yarrow Ries This is a gentle but structured class taught in Waldorf and Montessori traditions. Class will begin with a brief circle to introduce the lesson. Waldorf and other high quality art materials will be used to facilitate meaningful art experience. Both teacher and assistant are professionally trained artists, skilled in early childhood and have a very complementary style in the classroom. The first week will be devoted to "wet on wet watercolor", at this time we assess our students and the classroom dynamic for the level we need to teach. I am hoping to introduce; wet felting, beeswax block crayons, beeswax modeling, paper making and paper mache, textile painting and or cold batik and traditional Waldorf form drawing.
Older two's will be considered, as well as summer sixes. Parental participation is strongly encouraged for 2-4 year olds.
Karen S.R. Coletti Come one come all for a dancing tour of our world!! This class will focus on the folk dances of different countries each week. Some of the countries we will ‘visit’ will be Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Israel, Russia, dances of Polynesia and South Pacific (New Zealand, Hawaii and Tahiti), Italy, Greece, Egypt (Belly and Folk styles), South Africa and more!
You will experience different rhythms and sounds and learn how other people move to music around the world. Some dances are done in circles, lines, open circles, and couples. We will locate the areas we will be visiting on a map and some informational handouts will be provided. Homework assignments can be given upon request.
Some dances will require hard soled shoes (sneakers will be fine too, but hard soles will be a little easier for turns and stomping) and some we will do barefooted. We will pick a dance or two to perform for Showcase Day at the end of the semester.
Folk Dancing is a multi-generational event in most cultures. This class is open to all ages, no dance experience necessary, just a willingness to learn and have fun!
Jennifer Pierson, RYT Yoga is focused movement in action that can be the catalyst for understanding and healing. This class will focus on the following areas: breathing, posture, balance, flexibility, and meditation (quiet time, focused on breathing for relaxation and de-stressing the body in daily life). We will focus on Hatha yoga techniques, expressed through nature and the animal world as a way to create understanding and by the end of the semester the children-young adults will have the concepts of fundamentals of Yoga integrated into their daily life. We will also focus on mandala coloring in each class, this part of the program allows the students a "time-in" to get focused on the lesson for the day, as well as connecting them and their practice to what is going on in the world around them, and how they can find peace through movement and meditation.
Students will need to bring a water bottle and a yoga mat with them to class.