Fall 2023 Tuesdays
3rd-8th Grade Course Descriptions
9:15-10:15 Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
NEW! Drawing Greek Mythological Characters
4th-8th Grade
Tuesdays 9:15-10:15
6 weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $240
Learn to draw some fantastical characters from Greek mythology, Percy Jackson style! Students will get to character design infamous beings such as Medusa, the Minotaur, and Pegasus. Various media will be used such as collage, paint, ink, and oil pastel–Plus, learn a few facts about Greek art and design.
Outside Classwork: Research various myths and characters the week before we draw them, so student can 'know' their character.
Supplies: thick and thin tip sharpie, mixed media pad--8x10 or larger, watercolors--tube color preferred, set of simple brushes, pencil, and kneaded eraser
Instructor: Vicki Frazier
4th-8th Grade
Tuesdays 9:15-10:15
6 weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $240
Learn to draw some fantastical characters from Greek mythology, Percy Jackson style! Students will get to character design infamous beings such as Medusa, the Minotaur, and Pegasus. Various media will be used such as collage, paint, ink, and oil pastel–Plus, learn a few facts about Greek art and design.
Outside Classwork: Research various myths and characters the week before we draw them, so student can 'know' their character.
Supplies: thick and thin tip sharpie, mixed media pad--8x10 or larger, watercolors--tube color preferred, set of simple brushes, pencil, and kneaded eraser
Instructor: Vicki Frazier
NEW! Lewis and Clark Sketchbook Class: Animals of the Mountains and the Pacific
4th-8th Grade
Tuesdays 9:15-10:15
6 weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28, December 12/5
(No Class November 21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $240
This course continues on from the original Lewis & Clark course, Animals of the Plains. Add more animals to your sketchbook as we discover the Grizzly Bear, Otter, Whale, and more. Students will learn how to sketch and draw the animals plus parts of their habitats and use feather pens dipped in ink just like Lewis & Clark. Even if you did not join us for the first part of Lewis & Clark you can jump right into this one.
Instructor: Vicki Frazier
4th-8th Grade
Tuesdays 9:15-10:15
6 weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28, December 12/5
(No Class November 21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $240
This course continues on from the original Lewis & Clark course, Animals of the Plains. Add more animals to your sketchbook as we discover the Grizzly Bear, Otter, Whale, and more. Students will learn how to sketch and draw the animals plus parts of their habitats and use feather pens dipped in ink just like Lewis & Clark. Even if you did not join us for the first part of Lewis & Clark you can jump right into this one.
Instructor: Vicki Frazier
10:30-11:25 Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
A Page Out Of History: Social Studies & Writing
6th-8th Grade
Tuesdays 10:30-11:25
12 weeks:
September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10, *10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
*Live Online: October 10/24
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $380
History is an epic story—learn how to write it! This class supports higher level thinking and encourages students to view history as a fun investigation, all while being respectful to the circumstances of America’s development. Students examine and analyze real historical evidence from primary and secondary sources. While collaborating with classmates, students acquire discussion and problem solving skills. This class is a great first step learning how to write well thought out answers to document based questions (DBQ) and essays. Students also write a cause and effect essay, an argument essay, and a narrative response essay.
Some of the topics investigated include:
Students should be able to independently write a 10-12 sentence paragraph before signing up for this course.
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
6th-8th Grade
Tuesdays 10:30-11:25
12 weeks:
September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10, *10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
*Live Online: October 10/24
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $380
History is an epic story—learn how to write it! This class supports higher level thinking and encourages students to view history as a fun investigation, all while being respectful to the circumstances of America’s development. Students examine and analyze real historical evidence from primary and secondary sources. While collaborating with classmates, students acquire discussion and problem solving skills. This class is a great first step learning how to write well thought out answers to document based questions (DBQ) and essays. Students also write a cause and effect essay, an argument essay, and a narrative response essay.
Some of the topics investigated include:
- The Great Molasses Flood
- Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Infamous Duel
- The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
- The Mystery of the Stolen Mona Lisa
Students should be able to independently write a 10-12 sentence paragraph before signing up for this course.
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
11:30-12:45 Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Speech and Debate - Fall Semester
6th+ Grade and 12+ years old
Tuesdays: 11:30-12:45
12 Weeks:
September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10, *10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
*Live Online - October 10/24
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $385
This is the first half of a year-long course where students are taught the fundamentals of effective oral communication skills. While collaborating with other students, your student can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the power and responsibility of a well trained voice, increase their confidence, and consistently use critical thinking skills. Through games and meaningful application, students learn proper speech techniques and polish delivery.
Students engage in structured argumentation, learn how to research and support their developing perspectives, and apply their learning through debates. Using our unique teaching approach, we incorporate several team and partner assignments, along with key concepts from the renowned National Speech and Debate Association.
Note: If your child has taken speech and debate with us before, each year follows a new curriculum, so the class may be taken multiple times.
Outside Classwork: Students are expected to research topics, write speeches, and rehearse presentations outside of class.
Instructors: Adrienne Collins and Laurie Weir
6th+ Grade and 12+ years old
Tuesdays: 11:30-12:45
12 Weeks:
September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10, *10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
*Live Online - October 10/24
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $385
This is the first half of a year-long course where students are taught the fundamentals of effective oral communication skills. While collaborating with other students, your student can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the power and responsibility of a well trained voice, increase their confidence, and consistently use critical thinking skills. Through games and meaningful application, students learn proper speech techniques and polish delivery.
Students engage in structured argumentation, learn how to research and support their developing perspectives, and apply their learning through debates. Using our unique teaching approach, we incorporate several team and partner assignments, along with key concepts from the renowned National Speech and Debate Association.
Note: If your child has taken speech and debate with us before, each year follows a new curriculum, so the class may be taken multiple times.
Outside Classwork: Students are expected to research topics, write speeches, and rehearse presentations outside of class.
Instructors: Adrienne Collins and Laurie Weir
9:00-9:55 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Building A Strong Foundation In Multiplication
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 9:00-9:55
12 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $325
Leap from learning subtraction and addition to the basic concept of multiplication. First, we will anchor the concept of multiplication in relation to addition – which your child should already be comfortable with. Students will visualize the idea of repeated addition using arrays. Next, join us as we embark on a multiplication journey through skip-counting, pneumonic devices, hands-on activities, and games. Each week students are introduced to new facts while reviewing the previous ones. Essential multiplication vocabulary and the properties of zeros, ones, twos, threes, fives, tens, and elevens are covered first then we move on to the other facts. We continue to build covering multiplication facts 0 - 12's. Sign up, and don't miss the fun!
Outside Classwork: 10 minutes a day of review
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 9:00-9:55
12 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $325
Leap from learning subtraction and addition to the basic concept of multiplication. First, we will anchor the concept of multiplication in relation to addition – which your child should already be comfortable with. Students will visualize the idea of repeated addition using arrays. Next, join us as we embark on a multiplication journey through skip-counting, pneumonic devices, hands-on activities, and games. Each week students are introduced to new facts while reviewing the previous ones. Essential multiplication vocabulary and the properties of zeros, ones, twos, threes, fives, tens, and elevens are covered first then we move on to the other facts. We continue to build covering multiplication facts 0 - 12's. Sign up, and don't miss the fun!
Outside Classwork: 10 minutes a day of review
Instructor: Laurie Weir
10:00-11:00 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Writing Fabulous Sentences
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
6 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$200
The foundation for writing is knowing how to craft powerful sentences! Students learn to use colorful words to add details and expand their ideas using a variety of sentences. Mentor sentences provide excellent examples to analyze and discuss sentences that pop and show rather than tell.
Topics covered include: subjects and predicates, types of sentences, vivid verbs, adjectives, sentence starters, and coordinating conjunctions.
Outside Classwork: Up to 30 minutes a week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
6 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$200
The foundation for writing is knowing how to craft powerful sentences! Students learn to use colorful words to add details and expand their ideas using a variety of sentences. Mentor sentences provide excellent examples to analyze and discuss sentences that pop and show rather than tell.
Topics covered include: subjects and predicates, types of sentences, vivid verbs, adjectives, sentence starters, and coordinating conjunctions.
Outside Classwork: Up to 30 minutes a week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
NEW! Literature: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 (No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$235
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed field mouse, seeks to protect her children and home from the destruction of the farmer's plow during the spring planting. Her son Timothy is sick and cannot move from the house. The Rats of NIMH, a group of highly intelligent rats, are enlisted to help rescue the family.
In class, we have shared discussions, build vocabulary and play games, analyze characters, and identify and discuss sensory and descriptive language and so much more. The course covers core material without being overwhelming.
Outside Classwork: assigned reading and writing short chapter summaries.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 (No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$235
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed field mouse, seeks to protect her children and home from the destruction of the farmer's plow during the spring planting. Her son Timothy is sick and cannot move from the house. The Rats of NIMH, a group of highly intelligent rats, are enlisted to help rescue the family.
In class, we have shared discussions, build vocabulary and play games, analyze characters, and identify and discuss sensory and descriptive language and so much more. The course covers core material without being overwhelming.
Outside Classwork: assigned reading and writing short chapter summaries.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
11:15-12:30 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
NEW! Hands-On Earth Science
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
6 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $255
Students learn the steps of the scientific method with fun and engaging science experiments. Students work collaboratively to explore and analyze data to solve problems.
Topics are NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Natural Resources, Erosion, Weather, and Water
Outside Classwork: Most work will be finished in class. Homework may include watching videos to prepare for class, reading assignments, and/or to finish unfinished classwork and will take less than 1 hour per week.
Instructor: Jana Ixmay
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
6 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $255
Students learn the steps of the scientific method with fun and engaging science experiments. Students work collaboratively to explore and analyze data to solve problems.
Topics are NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Natural Resources, Erosion, Weather, and Water
Outside Classwork: Most work will be finished in class. Homework may include watching videos to prepare for class, reading assignments, and/or to finish unfinished classwork and will take less than 1 hour per week.
Instructor: Jana Ixmay
NEW! Hands-On Physical Science
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 (No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $255
Students learn the steps of the scientific method with fun and engaging science experiments. Students work collaboratively to explore and analyze data to solve problems.
Topics are NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Properties Of Matter, Mixtures, Physical and Chemical Changes
.
Outside Classwork: Most work will be finished in class. Homework may include watching videos to prepare for class, reading assignments, and/or to finish unfinished classwork and will take less than 1 hour per week.
Instructor: Jana Ixmay
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 (No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $255
Students learn the steps of the scientific method with fun and engaging science experiments. Students work collaboratively to explore and analyze data to solve problems.
Topics are NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Properties Of Matter, Mixtures, Physical and Chemical Changes
.
Outside Classwork: Most work will be finished in class. Homework may include watching videos to prepare for class, reading assignments, and/or to finish unfinished classwork and will take less than 1 hour per week.
Instructor: Jana Ixmay
Keeping Fit! Elementary PE
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:15
Monthly: Sept 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 Oct 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21 )
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $64 Members and $75 non-members
Warm-Ups, activities, group games, and group sports to help prepare students for a life of physical fitness, fitness testing, improved social/emotional awareness, and self-esteem. Activities and sports can be adjusted depending on age and skill level of students. Our goal is to keep youth active and excited about lifelong skills and healthy habits while having fun! Youth develop friendships, cooperation, and character values. Healthy team competition providing a context for practicing humility, overcoming obstacles, strategic thinking, and being part of a community!
Note: Contact the Mission Viejo Family YMCA to Enroll. Charter School Funds Accepted
Instructor: Certified YMCA Instructor
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:15
Monthly: Sept 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 Oct 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21 )
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $64 Members and $75 non-members
Warm-Ups, activities, group games, and group sports to help prepare students for a life of physical fitness, fitness testing, improved social/emotional awareness, and self-esteem. Activities and sports can be adjusted depending on age and skill level of students. Our goal is to keep youth active and excited about lifelong skills and healthy habits while having fun! Youth develop friendships, cooperation, and character values. Healthy team competition providing a context for practicing humility, overcoming obstacles, strategic thinking, and being part of a community!
Note: Contact the Mission Viejo Family YMCA to Enroll. Charter School Funds Accepted
Instructor: Certified YMCA Instructor
Lunch Bunch
Tuesdays: 12:15-12:45
Monthly: Sept 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 Oct 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21 )
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $35 Members and $35 non-members
Time for fun! This is a supervised period where students eat their lunches in between classes. This community-building environment is great for giving students some interaction between classes.
Note: Contact the Mission Viejo Family YMCA to Enroll. Charter School Funds Accepted
Instructor: Certified YMCA Instructor
Tuesdays: 12:15-12:45
Monthly: Sept 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 Oct 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5
(No Class October 10/17 and November 11/21 )
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $35 Members and $35 non-members
Time for fun! This is a supervised period where students eat their lunches in between classes. This community-building environment is great for giving students some interaction between classes.
Note: Contact the Mission Viejo Family YMCA to Enroll. Charter School Funds Accepted
Instructor: Certified YMCA Instructor
12:45-2:00 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
American's First Nations
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 12:45-1:55
6 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$250
American history would not be complete without taking time to study the Native Americans who called this land home long before Europeans arrived. This course covers the five Native American Regions (Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, Southwest, Northwest coast, and southeast region, and if time, the Arctic Region) Students are engaged through high interest readings, short captivating lectures, hands-on activities, and much more.
Outside classwork: Students finish work not completed in class and work on a Native American Project to share with the class on the last day.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 12:45-1:55
6 Weeks: September 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 October 10/3, 10/10
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$250
American history would not be complete without taking time to study the Native Americans who called this land home long before Europeans arrived. This course covers the five Native American Regions (Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, Southwest, Northwest coast, and southeast region, and if time, the Arctic Region) Students are engaged through high interest readings, short captivating lectures, hands-on activities, and much more.
Outside classwork: Students finish work not completed in class and work on a Native American Project to share with the class on the last day.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Brave and Courageous Explorers
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 12:45-1:55
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 ( No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$250
We will study the brave explorers responsible for finding many of the lands we live in today. Students discover the reasons for travel and how they made their voyages, routes, and historical significance. Each week, students learn about the life of one of the explorers and follow their path across the world map from their homeland to America. Explorers include John Cabot, Amerigo Vespucci, Leif Erickson, Henry Hudson, and Juan Ponce de Leon. Students read, participate in discussions, mapping activities, and much more during class.
Outside classwork: less than an hour a week.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 12:45-1:55
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 ( No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:$250
We will study the brave explorers responsible for finding many of the lands we live in today. Students discover the reasons for travel and how they made their voyages, routes, and historical significance. Each week, students learn about the life of one of the explorers and follow their path across the world map from their homeland to America. Explorers include John Cabot, Amerigo Vespucci, Leif Erickson, Henry Hudson, and Juan Ponce de Leon. Students read, participate in discussions, mapping activities, and much more during class.
Outside classwork: less than an hour a week.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
2:00-3:00 Mission Veijo Family YMCA
NEW! Engineering with LEGO: Marvelous Superhero Adventures
1st-3rd Grade
Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 (No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $200
“With great power comes great responsibility.” Dive into the fascinating and exhilarating world of superheroes. Explore superheroes, villains and the worlds in which they live. Kids will use fun facts and logic to help solve the dilemmas superheroes find themselves in on a regular basis. Along the way students will create wonderful stories of adventure and drama. You have the power it takes. Get ready for this wild and marvelous adventure with LEGO®
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: TBD
1st-3rd Grade
Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00
6 Weeks: October 10/24, 10/31 November 11/7, 11/14, 11/28 December 12/5 (No Class November 11/21)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $200
“With great power comes great responsibility.” Dive into the fascinating and exhilarating world of superheroes. Explore superheroes, villains and the worlds in which they live. Kids will use fun facts and logic to help solve the dilemmas superheroes find themselves in on a regular basis. Along the way students will create wonderful stories of adventure and drama. You have the power it takes. Get ready for this wild and marvelous adventure with LEGO®
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: TBD