Karen S.R. Coletti Belly Dancing is a fun way to exercise and dance at the same time. Historically, belly dancing is one of the oldest dance forms. It will help to tone your body, increase flexibility and build self confidence. We will focus on proper posture, breathing and how to isolate individual muscle groups while working on graceful movement transitions and expressiveness. Short combinations will be taught and possibly a short routine to perform at the end of the semester.
Wear comfortable clothing such as exercise pants and top. I prefer no long skirts so that I may see what the feet and knees are doing to assure proper posture. We dance bare footed or soft dance shoes (so you can still feel the floor under your feet) are okay if you prefer to have something on your feet. Please no socks, I don't want anyone slipping.
Your materials fee includes a CD of belly dance music and a handout of dance moves.
**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.
Mary Anne Campbell Book club is a truly cooperative effort. As such, you will teach two or three 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 related activities that focus on science, art, history, literature, social studies, and so forth.
A simple online search (book title plus activities) generally leads to enough ideas to get your creative juices flowing. (It's not difficult. Honest. And you can spend lots of time preparing or not very much at all.) Here's an example: Last semester, one mother first read Harold and the Purple Crayon, then briefly discussed primary and secondary colors before encouraging the children to mix the red, blue, and yellow paints she'd provided to produce an original work.
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 is a practical opportunity for you to glean educational ideas from fellow homeschoolers. Please join us!
Craig Van Tilbury Learning the game of chess improves critical thinking skills. Students who know chess typically have higher test scores in math and reading. Chess is fun!
Students are taught the movements and relative values of the chessmen.
Strategy and tactics guide each player in their quest for the ultimate goal, checkmate! Students learn by hands-on application and can often begin enjoying the game on the first day.
Yarrow Ries Mixed Media Class, The first 4 weeks will introduce the child to basic traditional and experimental watercolor and acrylic techniques. We will then explore wax resist, encaustic and paper sculpting, using various fibers and found objects to be incorporated into a finished collage. This is a fast paced, roll up your sleeves, dig in and get messy class.
Laura Johnson Do you love fairies, pixies and sprites? Are you always looking for fairies and elves in your garden or yard? Or do you just love fairies and fairy stories? Join us as we step into the delightful world of the fairies and explore their enchanted land. Dressed in costume each week, the girls will explore fairyland and all of the beings that dwell there, including mermaids, gnomes, pixies and more. We will learn about fairies around the world, fairy dwellings and the magic and mischief of fairies. This class will explore the fantasy world of fairies but will also focus on conservation efforts, as fairies are the caretakers of nature and the earth.
George L. Heinrich This class will encourage children to explore our relationship with the natural world through literature. Students will read selected titles (during class and at home; available from library), including:
The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists by Jeannine Atkins (selected chapters on Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall)
She's Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head by Kathryn Lasky
A Naturalist in Florida by Archie Carr (selected essays)
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono
Weekly lessons will include group reading and discussion, as well as selected DVDs (author bios and film versions).
This class includes a Saturday field trip (week #9, in place of Thursday's class) to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg) where we will take a nature hike highlighting the writings of Archie Carr. Class focus strongly emphasizes ecology and conservation. The goal is to foster a sense of wonder and environmental stewardship, while developing a lifelong love of reading. Homework includes weekly reading assignments (parents may need to assist at home). Parents welcome in class. * Sibling discount applies (includes Wildlife Ecology)
Susan Graham This class is for teens, adults and very interested tweens. We will focus on the human figure, including the face. Anatomy, proportion and shading will be discussed and practiced. Portions of the book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain will be referenced in some of the exercises. I hope particularly to provide a safe environment to overcome those drawing blocks or hurtles.
Laura Johnson Imagine your favorite book. Where does this book take you when you read it? Hogwarts, Middle Earth, Forks, Redwall? What would you imagine doing there? Solving mysteries, battling Voldemort, finding treasure? It might not be possible to really jump into your favorite book, but you can create an amazing board game based on this book that can bring you into the story.
The projects the students create will be full sized games, with multiple components and fun 3-D pieces. Students will keep a simple journal and design diary. We will also look at the history of games, study chance/probability, develop a fair monetary system and other mathematical skills. We will explore literary elements such as characters, conflict & setting, and will learn to write clear rules for their game. Students will experience the process of bringing an idea from concept to development. Our step by step journey will take students through this process while they explore game design, with lots of fun & imagination. Some students may need parent support to help them with their assignments and games.
Brenda Gregory This class will run for the first two periods.
Students will learn the basic skills used to fabricate jewelry. Adults can attend as well, and in fact this would be a great class for parent and child to take together. Each student will be able to make a pendant and a ring and more if time allows. They will employ sawing, drilling, filing, torch soldering, cold-connecting parts and a variety of texturing techniques.
Susan Graham There are no mistakes in face painting! Learn some basic techniques to create a multitude of favorite faces. This class will go over the basics of base colors and how to apply them, along with the linework that defines the face. Lots of practice is key, so be prepared to paint and be painted in class!
Dan Roeder This course is designed to introduce students to classical logic. Students will learn to recognize and use logical statements, perform basic logical operations on them and build and use truth tables to assess statements. Students will also learn to form basic logical arguments, and recognize common logical fallacies.
Prerequisite skills/Expectations:
1. Ability to read and write in full sentences
2. Participate in discussion, be able to speak in front of the class
3. Be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers
4. Come to class each week with a 3 ring binder, and a pen or pencil
5. Complete approximately 30-60 min of homework each week
Each week a new element of logic/logical reasoning will be introduced. Students will practice using the new skill in class verbally in discussion, and with class worksheets. Students will have homework to practice the skill during the week.
Example Topics/Skills
1. Introduction:
What is logic,
Who/how is it used,
Logical Statements
2. Conjunction
3. Disjunction
4. Conditional Statements: Hypothesis, Conclusion
5. Negation
6. Converse
7. Inverse
8. Contra-positive
9. Truth Tables
10. Logical Arguments 11. Logical Fallacies
Barbi Parent Create your own magazine using your own interests. Do you love music, art, environmental causes, manga, travel, animals? The possibilities are endless! You can include poetry, interviews, fiction, photos, drawings or anything else. Use your imagination, along with some research, organizational and writing skills, and some fun.
Brenda Gregory Discover the creative potential of recyclable plastics like yogurt containers, mike jugs and laundry containers. Students will learn to cut, fasten, heat-form, pop-rivet plastic. There is no end to the imaginative and whimsical possibilities.
Dan Roeder This course focuses on gaining proficiency in the basic operation of arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Students will be learning to use the basic operations on whole numbers. Direct instruction and practice will be used and supplemented with various games, puzzles etc to help build skills.
Pre-requisite skills: Ability to count and write numbers to 100 and add single-digit numbers.
Students are expected to come to class every day with a sharp pencil and have a 3-ring notebook in which to keep all their materials.
Dave Shepard 3-WAY Class is a class in which students learn 1) general music skills 2) group performance and 3) multi-instrumentalism. Every student learns the basics of performing on 3 instruments: 1) the guitar (lead and bass) 2) the keyboard and 3) the electronic drum set. At the end of each session, the students play simple songs together. It is a great way to gain an understanding of the basic rock instruments, expand your current skills and to find out what your musical interests and potentials are.
Dave Shepard ROCK BAND Class builds confidence and skills allowing the formation of a contemporary musical ensemble capable of a live performance presenting the member’s favorite rock and country hits. The emphasis is on repertoire development, corporation, perseverance towards a goal (concert), keeping time with other musicians, memorization and personal expression.
The ensemble will perform at the end of the semester and will be invited to take part in a concert with other youth bands at the ROCK’n’BLUES Academy’s new concert venue at 3226 Bennett St. St. Pete Fl 33713 - (727) 520-ROCK!
Doug Scull Inventors & Scientists! This semester, we will meet important inventors and scientists from history. Exciting hands-on activities will be related to each theme.
Thomas Edison
Galileo
Make a solar system
Build a bottle rocket
Louis Pasteur (ANTIBODIES AND DISEASES)
Johnny Appleseed (PLANTS AND BOTANY)
Arbor Day (April 25th)
Make a forest in a jar Make a simple bonsai
Barbi Parent Create your own teen zine using your own interests. Do you love music, art, environmental causes, manga, travel, animals? The possibilities are endless! You can include poetry, interviews, fiction, photos, drawings or anything else. Use your imagination, along with some research, organizational and writing skills, and some fun.
Dave Shepard Students learn the basics of vocal production including breathing techniques, pronunciation, pitch and vibrato as well as develop self-confidence and the ability to express themselves through singing. They will learn to harmonize with a group, sing solo and use a microphone properly. There will be a mini-concert at the end of the semester.
Mary Elena Wisterman This is a class designed to introduce children to the Spanish language. Focus will be on aural skills and Spanish vocabulary.
Our lessons will revolve around the following notions: colores y nombres (colors and names), numeros (numbers), letras (alphabet), animales (animals), comida (food), dias y meses (days and months), el tiempo (weather), el cuerpo/derecha y izquierda (the body/right and left), los cinco sentidos (the five senses), la ropa (clothing), las emociones (emotions and moods), descripciones (personal descriptions) A typical lesson would open with a song and review, a presentation of new vocabulary, TPR time, an activity, a story time to cool down and a short game during the remaining time.
This class is taught entirely in Spanish. Students are very capable of understanding language when contextualized, and they will not be held responsible for comprehending everything spoken in class. * Sibling discount applies (includes Spanish II)
Mary Elena Wisterman This class is very similar to Spanish 1, and should still be considered an introductory course with a focus on aural skills and Spanish vocabulary. However, this class will move at a faster pace and incorporate grammatical concepts as well as vocabulary. It is recommended for older children or for children who have already had some exposure to Spanish and are motivated to improve their skills. It is also more "academic" in comparison to Spanish 1. Spanish is used as the medium of instruction. Parent participation is welcomed but not required.
Our lessons will revolve around the following notions: colores y nombres (colors and names), numeros (numbers), letras (alphabet), animales (animals), comida (food), dias y meses (days and months), el tiempo (weather), el cuerpo/derecha y izquierda (the body/right and left), los cinco sentidos (the five senses), la ropa (clothing), las emociones (emotions and moods), descripciones (personal descriptions) A typical lesson would open with a song and review, a presentation of new vocabulary, a fun review and then some written grammatical work during the remaining time.
This class is taught entirely in Spanish. Students are very capable of understanding language when contextualized, and they will not be held responsible for comprehending everything spoken in class. * Sibling discount applies (includes Spanish I)
Peter Thibado Moral and Social Developement through Martial Arts, with physical discipline for the Body, concentration and knowledge for the Mind, ettiquette and good behavior for the Heart.
The students will learn proper ettiquette for entering and leaving school, greeting others, asking questions, relating to peers. The students will learn a form or series of movements timed together for a performance on the last day. The students will learn basic stances, hand and foot movements, team skills, relationship exercises including offences and defences as well as listening skills.
Yarrow Ries This class will run for the first two periods.
The play group will consist of a morning circle with movement, music, verses and song. Waldorf art supplies will be used during a one hour art/handwork period to include "wet on wet watercolor" beeswax modeling, lambs wool roving, beeswax block crayons and a surprise or two given our progress. A loom will present in the classroom and each child will be encouraged to contribute to a class piece that if completed will be placed in a local hospital or nursing home. The class will close with a puppet play or fairy tale. We will have a traditional seasonal theme and any birthdays can be celebrated with the "Rainbow Bridge" ceremony.
Parents are asked to volunteer for one Thursday during the 12 week semester.
George L. Heinrich This hands-on, science-based class is designed for children with a strong interest in nature and will focus on the ecology of Florida's wildlife and natural communities. Lessons include biodiversity, food chains and webs, predators and prey, natural cycles and processes, habitat fragmentation, non-native species, and conservation. Hands-on activities will allow students to practice nature detective skills such as identifying bioartifacts - found natural objects, reading animal tracks, and determining what a species has been eating by examining its scat.
This class includes a Saturday field trip (week #11: in place of Thursday's class) to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg) where we will explore the diversity of habitats and wildlife that call the preserve home. The goal is to instill both an appreciation for wildlife and sense of environmental stewardship. Includes handouts and some homework; parents welcome.
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 animals postures for a fun approach to fitness.
Students will need to bring a water bottle and a yoga mat with them to class.