Winter/Spring 2024 Tuesdays
3rd-8th Grade Course Descriptions
9:15-10:10 Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
NEW! The U.S. Constitution
5th-8th Grade
Tuesdays: 9:15-10:10
8 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, *2/20, 2/27 March 3/19
(Class On-Line February *2/20 and No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $250
Students are taught the six big ideas in the Constitution: limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. In addition, students learn background information on the Founding Fathers, the Constitutional structure, and why the Constitution was necessary. Students work in small groups to discuss important issues, rotate through stations to build knowledge, and play games to reinforce concepts learned.
Outside Classwork: Students read outside course materials, take notes, and complete any work not finished in class.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
5th-8th Grade
Tuesdays: 9:15-10:10
8 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, *2/20, 2/27 March 3/19
(Class On-Line February *2/20 and No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2)
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $250
Students are taught the six big ideas in the Constitution: limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. In addition, students learn background information on the Founding Fathers, the Constitutional structure, and why the Constitution was necessary. Students work in small groups to discuss important issues, rotate through stations to build knowledge, and play games to reinforce concepts learned.
Outside Classwork: Students read outside course materials, take notes, and complete any work not finished in class.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
10:15-11:10 Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
NEW! The Writer’s Studio: Expository, Descriptive, Persuasive, and Narrative Writing
6th-8th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:15-11:10
12 weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, *2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, *4/23
(Class On-Line February *2/20 and April *4/23)
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2 )
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $380
This semester-long class is designed to introduce writers to the four basic types of writing (expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive) in an engaging and supportive way. Each week, students work on fun writing activities to energize their inner voices and get their creative juices flowing!
During this course, students consistently practice working through the writing process with lots of modeling and feedback. Mini lessons focus on the six traits of writing: purpose, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and mechanical correctness. Students learn the power of their words and build confidence and skills while writing paragraphs and essays on high-quality topics from each genre. Each assignment is followed by detailed, personalized feedback on making their writing smoother, clearer and more interesting. This class will help your student propel their work forward!
Additional Course Objectives Include:
Writers…
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
6th-8th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:15-11:10
12 weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, *2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, *4/23
(Class On-Line February *2/20 and April *4/23)
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2 )
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $380
This semester-long class is designed to introduce writers to the four basic types of writing (expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive) in an engaging and supportive way. Each week, students work on fun writing activities to energize their inner voices and get their creative juices flowing!
During this course, students consistently practice working through the writing process with lots of modeling and feedback. Mini lessons focus on the six traits of writing: purpose, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and mechanical correctness. Students learn the power of their words and build confidence and skills while writing paragraphs and essays on high-quality topics from each genre. Each assignment is followed by detailed, personalized feedback on making their writing smoother, clearer and more interesting. This class will help your student propel their work forward!
Additional Course Objectives Include:
Writers…
- use conventions as they write to make their message clear.
- use details to help their readers experience their work.
- ensure that their writing is focused and stays on topic.
- organize their ideas in ways that are appropriate to their purpose.
- engage in the writing process by employing the following five steps in composing every paper: prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, publishing.
- gain tools to become writers beyond this class
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
11:15-12:30 Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Speech and Debate Semester 2
6th+ Grade and 12+ years old
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
12 weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, *2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, *4/23
(Class On-Line February *2/20. TBD April *4/23)
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2 )
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $390
This class is the continuation of the first semester speech and debate class; however, new students are welcome to join. Students continue to learn and practice the art of speech and debate, develop research, reasoning, organizational, and essay writing skills. Students refine leadership skills while becoming more confident speakers and debaters.
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 polished 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.
Please 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: 11:15-12:30
12 weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, *2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, *4/23
(Class On-Line February *2/20. TBD April *4/23)
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2 )
Location: Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $390
This class is the continuation of the first semester speech and debate class; however, new students are welcome to join. Students continue to learn and practice the art of speech and debate, develop research, reasoning, organizational, and essay writing skills. Students refine leadership skills while becoming more confident speakers and debaters.
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 polished 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.
Please 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
Geometry & Measurement
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 9:00-9:55
7 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $245
To help reinforce your math skills this year, join us for a special workshop class. Each week starts with a mini-lesson focused on important geometry or measurement skills. Students build math vocabulary and a greater understanding of the subject matter and participate in hands-on activities. Topics include standard measurement and conversions, types of lines and angles, finding the area and perimeter of a shape, understanding the coordinate plane, and measuring angles using a protractor.
Outside Classwork: up to forty-five minutes depending on skill level
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 9:00-9:55
7 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $245
To help reinforce your math skills this year, join us for a special workshop class. Each week starts with a mini-lesson focused on important geometry or measurement skills. Students build math vocabulary and a greater understanding of the subject matter and participate in hands-on activities. Topics include standard measurement and conversions, types of lines and angles, finding the area and perimeter of a shape, understanding the coordinate plane, and measuring angles using a protractor.
Outside Classwork: up to forty-five minutes depending on skill level
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Learning To Solve Word Problems
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-9:55
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $235
Word problems can be tricky for many students. The goal of this class is to guide learners to become problem solvers, by expanding their understanding of how to break down word problems and recognize keywords. Students put into practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while practicing strategies important strategies. In addition to developing strategies, students are given plenty of opportunities to solve problems. This course is designed as additional support to your child's math curriculum.
Outside Classwork: Finish work started in class
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-9:55
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $235
Word problems can be tricky for many students. The goal of this class is to guide learners to become problem solvers, by expanding their understanding of how to break down word problems and recognize keywords. Students put into practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while practicing strategies important strategies. In addition to developing strategies, students are given plenty of opportunities to solve problems. This course is designed as additional support to your child's math curriculum.
Outside Classwork: Finish work started in class
Instructor: Laurie Weir
10:00-11:00 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Intro to Report Writing (Animal Report)
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
8 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 March 3/19 (No Class March 3/4, 3/12)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $250
This course is designed for students who are new to report writing. Students gain an understanding of finding information from different sources, basic note-taking, and using the information from the notes to write informative paragraphs. Included in this class are the elements of the traditional paragraph format: topic sentences, supporting sentences, details, and closing sentences. The class expands upon your child's foundation in writing and help them gain an understanding of writing a report.
Prerequisite: Students must be comfortable with writing sentences and paragraphs.
Outside Classwork: completing research, writing started in class, and editing writing drafts
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Note: Students may easily repeat this class. They can select a different animal.
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
8 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 March 3/19 (No Class March 3/4, 3/12)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $250
This course is designed for students who are new to report writing. Students gain an understanding of finding information from different sources, basic note-taking, and using the information from the notes to write informative paragraphs. Included in this class are the elements of the traditional paragraph format: topic sentences, supporting sentences, details, and closing sentences. The class expands upon your child's foundation in writing and help them gain an understanding of writing a report.
Prerequisite: Students must be comfortable with writing sentences and paragraphs.
Outside Classwork: completing research, writing started in class, and editing writing drafts
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Note: Students may easily repeat this class. They can select a different animal.
Literature- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
5 Weeks: March 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $190
Charlie dreams about finding the golden ticket that would allow him to take a tour of the amazing chocolate factory run by inventor and owner, Willy Wonka. This class is designed to encourage student discussion and engagement in literature. Core skills covered include vocabulary words, identifying and summarizing main ideas, making inferences and predictions, and understanding figurative language and character traits. The course covers core material without being overwhelming.
Outside Classwork: reading and writing short chapter summaries
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00
5 Weeks: March 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $190
Charlie dreams about finding the golden ticket that would allow him to take a tour of the amazing chocolate factory run by inventor and owner, Willy Wonka. This class is designed to encourage student discussion and engagement in literature. Core skills covered include vocabulary words, identifying and summarizing main ideas, making inferences and predictions, and understanding figurative language and character traits. The course covers core material without being overwhelming.
Outside Classwork: reading and writing short chapter summaries
Instructor: Laurie Weir
11:15-12:30 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
NEW! Hands-On Physical Science
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
7 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $280
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 will be NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Energy, Force, Earth’s Spheres and Space
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
7 Weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $280
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 will be NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Energy, Force, Earth’s Spheres and Space
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 Life Science:
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 11:15-12:30
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Tuition: $255
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
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 will be NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Ecosystems, Adaptations and Plants
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: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Tuition: $255
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
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 will be NGSS aligned, so class work can be submitted to your charter school as work samples.
Ecosystems, Adaptations and Plants
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: Tuesdays: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2)
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: Tuesdays: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2)
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: Tuesdays: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2)
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: Tuesdays: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
(No Class March 3/5, 3/12 and April 4/2)
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
12:45-1:55 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
NEW! The Westward Expansion
3rd-6th Grade
Tuesdays: 12:45-1:55
7 weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $275
Join us as we learn about Thomas Jefferson’s great purchase: The Louisiana Territory. Explore this new and unchartered land with the Lewis and Clark expedition. Meet Sacajawea their famous Shoshone guide, who helped make the expedition a success. Then travel along the Oregon Trail that emigrants traveled from Missouri to Oregon. During this class student read primary sources, learn about the geography of the expansion, and practice their note-taking skills. Students also create an interactive notebook and play games to review new concepts.
Outside Classwork: In addition to light reading assignments and watching assigned videos, students will complete any work not finished in class.
Instructors: Laurie Weir
Suggested Companion Class: The Lewis & Clark Sketchbook Class
3rd-6th Grade
Tuesdays: 12:45-1:55
7 weeks: January 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 February 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $275
Join us as we learn about Thomas Jefferson’s great purchase: The Louisiana Territory. Explore this new and unchartered land with the Lewis and Clark expedition. Meet Sacajawea their famous Shoshone guide, who helped make the expedition a success. Then travel along the Oregon Trail that emigrants traveled from Missouri to Oregon. During this class student read primary sources, learn about the geography of the expansion, and practice their note-taking skills. Students also create an interactive notebook and play games to review new concepts.
Outside Classwork: In addition to light reading assignments and watching assigned videos, students will complete any work not finished in class.
Instructors: Laurie Weir
Suggested Companion Class: The Lewis & Clark Sketchbook Class
NEW! Colonial America
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 12:45-1:55
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $250
Step back in time to Colonial America to explore the colonies! If students traveled to Colonial America in the 1700s, they would learn many things and meet interesting people. We will take a peek at the land and its resources and discover how each region was unique. We then find how colonists made a living and talk about different social classes. Students then meet one of our most beloved colonists and Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin. Skills taught include note taking, mapping, reading comprehension, and leadership roles while participating in activities and games.
Outside Classwork: Up to an hour of homework each week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 12:45-1:55
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $250
Step back in time to Colonial America to explore the colonies! If students traveled to Colonial America in the 1700s, they would learn many things and meet interesting people. We will take a peek at the land and its resources and discover how each region was unique. We then find how colonists made a living and talk about different social classes. Students then meet one of our most beloved colonists and Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin. Skills taught include note taking, mapping, reading comprehension, and leadership roles while participating in activities and games.
Outside Classwork: Up to an hour of homework each week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
2:00-3:00 Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Engineering with LEGO: Mega Motor Madness
3rd-6th Grade
Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $200
This class will get students’ motors running! Through this course students will build models designed to introduce them to core concepts essential to science, technology, engineering, and math. Children will also utilize LEGO® Power Functions to illustrate fundamental principles of simple machines and mechanisms.
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: TBD
3rd-6th Grade
Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00
6 Weeks: March 3/19, 3/26 April 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (No Class April 4/2)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $200
This class will get students’ motors running! Through this course students will build models designed to introduce them to core concepts essential to science, technology, engineering, and math. Children will also utilize LEGO® Power Functions to illustrate fundamental principles of simple machines and mechanisms.
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: TBD