Fall 2022 Thursdays
3rd-8th Grade Course Descriptions
9:00-9:55
NEW! Mastering Core Math Skills
3rd-5th Grade
Thursdays: 9:00-9:55
12 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8
(No Class October 13 and November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $325
In this engaging class, students learn and also review core math skills for grades 3rd–5th! Each class includes a lesson to understand key math concepts through activities and games that provide meaningful practice. The games and lessons are designed not only to help students improve and practice their math skills but to foster a love of math! The goal is to build confidence and a firm foundation in core math concepts.
Outside Classwork: Finish assignments started in class and up to forty-five minutes a week of practice.
Instructor: TBD
3rd-5th Grade
Thursdays: 9:00-9:55
12 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8
(No Class October 13 and November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $325
In this engaging class, students learn and also review core math skills for grades 3rd–5th! Each class includes a lesson to understand key math concepts through activities and games that provide meaningful practice. The games and lessons are designed not only to help students improve and practice their math skills but to foster a love of math! The goal is to build confidence and a firm foundation in core math concepts.
Outside Classwork: Finish assignments started in class and up to forty-five minutes a week of practice.
Instructor: TBD
10:00-10:55
Literature: Sign of the Beaver
3rd-5th Grade
Thursday: 10:00-10:55
6 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20 (No Class October 13)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $175
Students read the extraordinary survival story of a thirteen-year-old boy in the 1700s who is left to guard his family's new claim in Maine. While Matt waits and guards their cabin, he is robbed. He meets a boy from the Beaver clan and begins adapting to life in the wilderness. He learns many difficult survival lessons. As we read this book, students are introduced to the geography of Maine, become familiar with the Penobscot Tribe, and discuss the plot and vocabulary. Skills covered include context clues, cause and effect, point of view, analysis, main idea, and summarizing. The course covers core material without being overwhelming.
Outside Classwork: Assigned reading and writing brief chapter summaries
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
3rd-5th Grade
Thursday: 10:00-10:55
6 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20 (No Class October 13)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $175
Students read the extraordinary survival story of a thirteen-year-old boy in the 1700s who is left to guard his family's new claim in Maine. While Matt waits and guards their cabin, he is robbed. He meets a boy from the Beaver clan and begins adapting to life in the wilderness. He learns many difficult survival lessons. As we read this book, students are introduced to the geography of Maine, become familiar with the Penobscot Tribe, and discuss the plot and vocabulary. Skills covered include context clues, cause and effect, point of view, analysis, main idea, and summarizing. The course covers core material without being overwhelming.
Outside Classwork: Assigned reading and writing brief chapter summaries
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
NEW! Learning To Write Paragraphs
3rd-5th Grade
Thursdays: 10:00-10:55
6 Weeks: October 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8 (No Class November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $180
Writing fantastic paragraphs is a fundamental step for students to progress in their writing skills, such as essays and reports. This 6-week course focuses on helping students develop clear and interesting paragraphs that have a beginning, middle, and end. Students learn to create topic sentences, include supporting details, and bring it all home with stellar closing sentences. While learning to write different types of paragraphs (expository, narrative, and descriptive) on a variety of topics, students engage in every part of the writing process and edit their paragraphs for grammar, style, and punctuation errors.
The goal of this class is for students to learn the parts of a paragraph, engage in regular writing and revising practice, and have fun writing!
Outside Classwork: Students write and revise each week.
Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 1 hour each week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
3rd-5th Grade
Thursdays: 10:00-10:55
6 Weeks: October 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8 (No Class November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $180
Writing fantastic paragraphs is a fundamental step for students to progress in their writing skills, such as essays and reports. This 6-week course focuses on helping students develop clear and interesting paragraphs that have a beginning, middle, and end. Students learn to create topic sentences, include supporting details, and bring it all home with stellar closing sentences. While learning to write different types of paragraphs (expository, narrative, and descriptive) on a variety of topics, students engage in every part of the writing process and edit their paragraphs for grammar, style, and punctuation errors.
The goal of this class is for students to learn the parts of a paragraph, engage in regular writing and revising practice, and have fun writing!
Outside Classwork: Students write and revise each week.
Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 1 hour each week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
11:00-12:10
US Geography
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 11:00-12:10
12 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8
(No Class October 13 and November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $325
Join us as we explore our nation’s geography from sea to shining sea! By learning about the characteristics of each region, students gain a much broader understanding of our country's geography and become familiar with each region and the states within it. Class will include some historical information, including how some of the states got their shapes. In addition to completing a large map of the United States, fact sheets, students are challenged to learn the states and capitals.
Outside Classwork: Homework includes reviewing states and capitals and finishing up work that isn’t completed during class.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 11:00-12:10
12 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8
(No Class October 13 and November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $325
Join us as we explore our nation’s geography from sea to shining sea! By learning about the characteristics of each region, students gain a much broader understanding of our country's geography and become familiar with each region and the states within it. Class will include some historical information, including how some of the states got their shapes. In addition to completing a large map of the United States, fact sheets, students are challenged to learn the states and capitals.
Outside Classwork: Homework includes reviewing states and capitals and finishing up work that isn’t completed during class.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
12:30-1:25
Writing Essentials: A Paragraph A Week
4th-7th Grade
Thursdays: 12:30-1:25
7 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20, 27
(No Class October 13 )
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $205
By building on what students already know, this class is designed to strengthen writing skills bit by bit. Each week we focus on constructing paragraphs using a streamlined method. This scaffolded approach to paragraph writing is perfect to help your child write solid detailed paragraphs! Students write weekly paragraphs, focusing on the organization and format of the paragraph itself. Mini-lessons and engaging classroom activities are added piece by piece, giving the students more challenging tasks as they progress into exceptional writers.
All of the writing prompts are student-centered, so students do not get bogged down on the topic but rather focus on writing the paragraph itself. A variety of writing formats are included. In addition to mastering the paragraph format, students practice revising and editing skills. Each week students are provided with detailed feedback on their work.
Outside Classwork: Students write and revise each week.
Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 1-1.5 hours each week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
4th-7th Grade
Thursdays: 12:30-1:25
7 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20, 27
(No Class October 13 )
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $205
By building on what students already know, this class is designed to strengthen writing skills bit by bit. Each week we focus on constructing paragraphs using a streamlined method. This scaffolded approach to paragraph writing is perfect to help your child write solid detailed paragraphs! Students write weekly paragraphs, focusing on the organization and format of the paragraph itself. Mini-lessons and engaging classroom activities are added piece by piece, giving the students more challenging tasks as they progress into exceptional writers.
All of the writing prompts are student-centered, so students do not get bogged down on the topic but rather focus on writing the paragraph itself. A variety of writing formats are included. In addition to mastering the paragraph format, students practice revising and editing skills. Each week students are provided with detailed feedback on their work.
Outside Classwork: Students write and revise each week.
Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 1-1.5 hours each week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
Literature: Tuck Everlasting
5th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 12:30-1:25
5 Weeks: November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8 (No Class November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $145
Natalie Babbit, a gifted artist and writer, has crafted an enchanting tale about a young girl's summer adventure. While exploring the woods around her home, Winnie Foster comes across a mysterious boy and his family. When Winnie tries to drink from a small spring of water, she learns about the Tuck's family secret and is faced with a puzzling dilemma. This modern day fantasy has a suspenseful plot that keeps the reader wanting to know more. Literary devices studied include: symbolism, personification, details that advance the sequence of events, and suspense.
Outside Classwork: assigned reading, comprehension, and vocabulary
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
5th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 12:30-1:25
5 Weeks: November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8 (No Class November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $145
Natalie Babbit, a gifted artist and writer, has crafted an enchanting tale about a young girl's summer adventure. While exploring the woods around her home, Winnie Foster comes across a mysterious boy and his family. When Winnie tries to drink from a small spring of water, she learns about the Tuck's family secret and is faced with a puzzling dilemma. This modern day fantasy has a suspenseful plot that keeps the reader wanting to know more. Literary devices studied include: symbolism, personification, details that advance the sequence of events, and suspense.
Outside Classwork: assigned reading, comprehension, and vocabulary
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
1:30-2:30
Egypt, The Land of Mystery
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 1:30-2:30
6 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20 (No Class October 13)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
Learn the fascinating truth about the ancient Egyptians. They were incredible builders, but why did they build those pyramids? Were they in love with death? Most Egyptians worked hard, but what else did they do? How did the Nile shape the success of the Egyptian culture and legacy? Each week focuses on one or two aspects of Ancient Egypt. Lessons topics include: pyramids and temples, rulers, scientific contributions, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian writing and art, and much more. During this class students, practice the art of note-taking during short lectures and assigned reading.
Outside Classwork: Students will practice taking notes from short reading assignments and finishing projects started in class.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 1:30-2:30
6 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 20 (No Class October 13)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
Learn the fascinating truth about the ancient Egyptians. They were incredible builders, but why did they build those pyramids? Were they in love with death? Most Egyptians worked hard, but what else did they do? How did the Nile shape the success of the Egyptian culture and legacy? Each week focuses on one or two aspects of Ancient Egypt. Lessons topics include: pyramids and temples, rulers, scientific contributions, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian writing and art, and much more. During this class students, practice the art of note-taking during short lectures and assigned reading.
Outside Classwork: Students will practice taking notes from short reading assignments and finishing projects started in class.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
Ancient Greece: A Lasting Legacy
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 1:30-2:30
6 Weeks: October 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8 (No Class November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
Gifts from the ancient Greeks impact our lives today in literature, science, math, the arts, philosophy, and politics. Come take a closer look at these gifts. Learn about Alexander the Great, architecture, and the Greek’s influence on modern civilization. As we study ancient Greece, students also work on the art of showing and not telling in writing. Using descriptive language, students craft weekly postcards home, sharing their new knowledge and fun facts about Ancient Greece.
Outside Classwork: Students may need to finish up other work not completed in class.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 1:30-2:30
6 Weeks: October 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8 (No Class November 24)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
Gifts from the ancient Greeks impact our lives today in literature, science, math, the arts, philosophy, and politics. Come take a closer look at these gifts. Learn about Alexander the Great, architecture, and the Greek’s influence on modern civilization. As we study ancient Greece, students also work on the art of showing and not telling in writing. Using descriptive language, students craft weekly postcards home, sharing their new knowledge and fun facts about Ancient Greece.
Outside Classwork: Students may need to finish up other work not completed in class.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
2:45-3:45
NEW! Art Explorations
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 2:45-3:45
6 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29. October 6, 20 (No Class October 13)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $230
Students will be able to explore a variety of thinking processes, art forms, materials and methods in this class; thus, lighting their creative fire. Each fun class session centers on experimenting with the Elements of Art: line, shape, form, space, value, texture, and color. Students learn how each of the elements works together to produce various types of compositions and art from simple sketching to painting to sculpture. The focus will be on observation, skill-building, and learning to see in new ways in order to spark creativity, and individual expression. Projects will include pen and ink rendering, watercolor and mixed media, using clay to work with form, plus lessons to develop drawing skills. Students will be using masterworks of art as well as a few animated cartoon characters as examples and inspiration. This class will be fun for all skill levels and artistic interests.
This class is fun, inspirational, educational, and an accessible class for young artists of all experience levels.
Supply List:
Instructor: Vicki Frazier
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 2:45-3:45
6 Weeks: September 8, 15, 22, 29. October 6, 20 (No Class October 13)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $230
Students will be able to explore a variety of thinking processes, art forms, materials and methods in this class; thus, lighting their creative fire. Each fun class session centers on experimenting with the Elements of Art: line, shape, form, space, value, texture, and color. Students learn how each of the elements works together to produce various types of compositions and art from simple sketching to painting to sculpture. The focus will be on observation, skill-building, and learning to see in new ways in order to spark creativity, and individual expression. Projects will include pen and ink rendering, watercolor and mixed media, using clay to work with form, plus lessons to develop drawing skills. Students will be using masterworks of art as well as a few animated cartoon characters as examples and inspiration. This class will be fun for all skill levels and artistic interests.
This class is fun, inspirational, educational, and an accessible class for young artists of all experience levels.
Supply List:
- Sharpies: black ink only; 1 fine tip and 1 thick tip
- A simple set of oil pastels
- A cake watercolor palette (the typical box of watercolors usually in circles with a plastic folding lid) **no tube watercolors! They are messy and take extra class time to clean up.
- Pencil
- A white eraser or a kneaded eraser (no pink erasers, they leave the paper pink!)
- One drawing pad 9x12 (I recommend Strathmore, Canson, or the Hobby Lobby or Michaels brand pads)**be sure it is a Drawing Pad and not a sketch pad.
Instructor: Vicki Frazier