Course Descriptions
Thursday Winter/Spring 2020
9:00 - 10:00
Writing Essentials: It's My Opinion
4th-7th Grade
Thursdays 9:00-10:00
6 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $165
Encouraging students to express their personal opinions is an important part of the learning process. Writing opinion pieces is an excellent way for students not only to express their opinions, but to explore the strength and validity of those opinions. This six week class walks students through the writing process from brainstorming to publishing an opinion composition. Students will learn the parts of an opinion essay, how to connect opinions with reasons, and form strong conclusions. Close editing skills are also practiced.
Students should be able to independently write an 8-sentence paragraph. All assignments are required to be typed in order to make the revision process easier.
Outside Classwork: Varies depending on skill level. Students write and revise each week. Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 60 to 90 minutes a week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins & Laurie Weir
4th-7th Grade
Thursdays 9:00-10:00
6 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $165
Encouraging students to express their personal opinions is an important part of the learning process. Writing opinion pieces is an excellent way for students not only to express their opinions, but to explore the strength and validity of those opinions. This six week class walks students through the writing process from brainstorming to publishing an opinion composition. Students will learn the parts of an opinion essay, how to connect opinions with reasons, and form strong conclusions. Close editing skills are also practiced.
Students should be able to independently write an 8-sentence paragraph. All assignments are required to be typed in order to make the revision process easier.
Outside Classwork: Varies depending on skill level. Students write and revise each week. Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 60 to 90 minutes a week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins & Laurie Weir
Writing to Explain and Inform
4th-7th Grade
Thursdays 9:00-10:00
8 Weeks: February 27 March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $185
In practical terms most tasks require you to inform or explain. In this class, students focus on understanding the differences between writing to inform and writing to explain while continuing to improve grammatical correctness, vocabulary development, and revision and editing skills. Students analyze and utilize mentor pieces as a model, complete prewriting organizers, and share in skilled based instruction necessary for writing strong essays.
Students should be able to independently write an 8-sentence paragraph. All assignments are required to be typed in order to make the revision process easier.
Outside Classwork: Varies depending on skill level. Students write and revise each week. Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 45 - 60 minutes a week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins & Laurie Weir
4th-7th Grade
Thursdays 9:00-10:00
8 Weeks: February 27 March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $185
In practical terms most tasks require you to inform or explain. In this class, students focus on understanding the differences between writing to inform and writing to explain while continuing to improve grammatical correctness, vocabulary development, and revision and editing skills. Students analyze and utilize mentor pieces as a model, complete prewriting organizers, and share in skilled based instruction necessary for writing strong essays.
Students should be able to independently write an 8-sentence paragraph. All assignments are required to be typed in order to make the revision process easier.
Outside Classwork: Varies depending on skill level. Students write and revise each week. Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 45 - 60 minutes a week.
Instructor: Adrienne Collins & Laurie Weir
10:00 - 11:15
The Renaissance: The Dawn of a New Age
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 10:00-11:15
7 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $180 - FULL
(TO BE PUT ON WAIT LIST PLEASE CONTACT ADRIENNE COLLINS AT INFOC3CLASSES @GMAIL.COM)
The dawn of a new age began when artists, thinkers, scientists, and architects of Northern Italy and Europe began to try new ideas based on what they had learned. Meet the famous Medici Family, Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli, Gutenberg and others who ushered in this age of creativity and learning. The focus of this unit is for students to develop a historical understanding of the Renaissance, and realize that contributions from important individuals during this time had an impact on the present as well as in the past. Through the study of these individuals, the students will learn to appreciate ideals and values expressed during the Renaissance through various mediums. By participating in games and collaborative activities, the students will cultivate an understanding of the advances in culture and life during the Renaissance. This class includes short lectures, note-taking, and related readings.
Outside Classwork:
Instructor: Laurie Weir
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 10:00-11:15
7 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $180 - FULL
(TO BE PUT ON WAIT LIST PLEASE CONTACT ADRIENNE COLLINS AT INFOC3CLASSES @GMAIL.COM)
The dawn of a new age began when artists, thinkers, scientists, and architects of Northern Italy and Europe began to try new ideas based on what they had learned. Meet the famous Medici Family, Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli, Gutenberg and others who ushered in this age of creativity and learning. The focus of this unit is for students to develop a historical understanding of the Renaissance, and realize that contributions from important individuals during this time had an impact on the present as well as in the past. Through the study of these individuals, the students will learn to appreciate ideals and values expressed during the Renaissance through various mediums. By participating in games and collaborative activities, the students will cultivate an understanding of the advances in culture and life during the Renaissance. This class includes short lectures, note-taking, and related readings.
Outside Classwork:
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Middle Ages: STEM Challenges
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 10:00-11:15
7 Weeks: March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195 - FULL
(TO BE PUT ON WAIT LIST PLEASE CONTACT ADRIENNE COLLINS AT INFOC3CLASSES @GMAIL.COM)
Our study of the Middle Ages concludes with two exciting STEM Challenges. The first is designing and building a battering ram. The ram must be suspended in the air by string and must effectively swing back and forth to exert force on an opposing structure. The battering ram must also have wheels and axles, moving forward and backward.The second challenge is to create a watermill. The watermill must properly spin when water is poured from the top of a wheel without falling apart. Join us for this hands-on and minds-on class!
Outside Classwork: Finish work not completed in class.
Instructor: Laurie Weir and Adrienne Collins
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 10:00-11:15
7 Weeks: March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195 - FULL
(TO BE PUT ON WAIT LIST PLEASE CONTACT ADRIENNE COLLINS AT INFOC3CLASSES @GMAIL.COM)
Our study of the Middle Ages concludes with two exciting STEM Challenges. The first is designing and building a battering ram. The ram must be suspended in the air by string and must effectively swing back and forth to exert force on an opposing structure. The battering ram must also have wheels and axles, moving forward and backward.The second challenge is to create a watermill. The watermill must properly spin when water is poured from the top of a wheel without falling apart. Join us for this hands-on and minds-on class!
Outside Classwork: Finish work not completed in class.
Instructor: Laurie Weir and Adrienne Collins
11:15 - 12:30
World Geography
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 11:15-12:30
14 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $299
Get ready for an exciting voyage to all seven continents! Throughout this semester students take an in depth look at the continents. This class studies each of the continents while learning about geographic features, regions, and climates. Students become familiar with the world map, country locations, and build a strong geographic vocabulary. In addition, we cover the five themes of geography and build a geography notebook. Students have the opportunity to make presentations and work on a creative project.
Outside Classwork: finish classwork not completed
Instructor: Laurie Weir
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 11:15-12:30
14 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 and 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $299
Get ready for an exciting voyage to all seven continents! Throughout this semester students take an in depth look at the continents. This class studies each of the continents while learning about geographic features, regions, and climates. Students become familiar with the world map, country locations, and build a strong geographic vocabulary. In addition, we cover the five themes of geography and build a geography notebook. Students have the opportunity to make presentations and work on a creative project.
Outside Classwork: finish classwork not completed
Instructor: Laurie Weir
11:30-12:30
PE - Sports Mania: Basketball & Volleyball
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 11:30-12:30
8 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $70
The goal of this class is to promote healthy and active lifestyles, while instilling positive values through structured, cooperative, and fun activities. Students in grades 4th-8th are provided with a 60 minute physical education program, supplementing their PE curriculum. This is an inclusive program, meaning that children of all skill levels and abilities will be included.
Students will learn the fundamentals of the sports, Basketball and Volleyball. In addition to learning how to play the game, the program is designed to develop each participant’s skill set in the following areas:
Basketball: ball-handling, passing, shooting, and dribbling
Volleyball: passing, setting, spring, blocking, digging, and serving
Note: Please enroll in this class by contacting the Mission Viejo Family YMCA.
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 11:30-12:30
8 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $70
The goal of this class is to promote healthy and active lifestyles, while instilling positive values through structured, cooperative, and fun activities. Students in grades 4th-8th are provided with a 60 minute physical education program, supplementing their PE curriculum. This is an inclusive program, meaning that children of all skill levels and abilities will be included.
Students will learn the fundamentals of the sports, Basketball and Volleyball. In addition to learning how to play the game, the program is designed to develop each participant’s skill set in the following areas:
Basketball: ball-handling, passing, shooting, and dribbling
Volleyball: passing, setting, spring, blocking, digging, and serving
Note: Please enroll in this class by contacting the Mission Viejo Family YMCA.
PE - Sports Mania: Kickball, Wiffleball, Four Square, Capture the Flag
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 11:30-12:30
6 Weeks: March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $50
The goal of this class is to promote healthy and active lifestyles, while instilling positive values through structured, cooperative, and fun activities. Students in grades 4th-8th are provided with a 60 minute physical education program, supplementing their PE curriculum. This is an inclusive program, meaning that children of all skill levels and abilities will be included.
Sports are meant to be fun and entertaining. Each week students will learn and participate in a new activity which provides the opportunity for students to interact with each other allowing them to strengthen self-esteem, social skills, team work, sportsmanship, and physical health.
Note: Please enroll in this class by contacting the Mission Viejo Family YMCA.
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 11:30-12:30
6 Weeks: March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $50
The goal of this class is to promote healthy and active lifestyles, while instilling positive values through structured, cooperative, and fun activities. Students in grades 4th-8th are provided with a 60 minute physical education program, supplementing their PE curriculum. This is an inclusive program, meaning that children of all skill levels and abilities will be included.
Sports are meant to be fun and entertaining. Each week students will learn and participate in a new activity which provides the opportunity for students to interact with each other allowing them to strengthen self-esteem, social skills, team work, sportsmanship, and physical health.
Note: Please enroll in this class by contacting the Mission Viejo Family YMCA.
12:45-2:00
Art Exploration: Lab
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 12:45-2:00
8 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $280
Students will be able to explore a variety of thinking processes, art forms, materials and methods in this class; thus, lighting their creative fire. Inspiration will come from observation, memory, and imagination while being guided through specific techniques to support students individual progress. Projects include classic and creative techniques in acrylic painting on canvas, watercolor, figurative or geometric sculpture, as well as sketching, printmaking and concepts of collage art in a vast variety of medium. The focus is on three emphases: process, product, and understanding.
This class is fun, educational, and accessible class for young artists of all experience levels. Projects are new in every session.
Outside Classwork: There is no outside class work - projects go home after they are finished. Mostly every week.
It’s up to the students if they want to work on it more at home.
Instructor: Sandy Reid
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 12:45-2:00
8 Weeks: January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $280
Students will be able to explore a variety of thinking processes, art forms, materials and methods in this class; thus, lighting their creative fire. Inspiration will come from observation, memory, and imagination while being guided through specific techniques to support students individual progress. Projects include classic and creative techniques in acrylic painting on canvas, watercolor, figurative or geometric sculpture, as well as sketching, printmaking and concepts of collage art in a vast variety of medium. The focus is on three emphases: process, product, and understanding.
This class is fun, educational, and accessible class for young artists of all experience levels. Projects are new in every session.
- To see a sample of the types of projects we create each week and for more Information about Sandy’s Art Studio visit www.sandysartstudio.com.
- To follow current projects in class visit Instagram and Facebook.
Outside Classwork: There is no outside class work - projects go home after they are finished. Mostly every week.
It’s up to the students if they want to work on it more at home.
Instructor: Sandy Reid
Art Exploration: Components & Concepts
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 12:45-2:00
6 Weeks: March 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $210
This art exploration class is rich with opportunities for artistic exploration, as well as creative work and dialogue with an inspiring artist and teacher. In this multi-media class students have time for both individual artistic exploration, along with building skills and learning new techniques. From drawing to painting and everything in-between, come join us and explore your inner artist while learning and experiencing various mediums from acrylic to chalk pastels. Projects include classic and creative techniques in acrylic painting on canvas, watercolor, figurative or geometric sculpture, as well as sketching, printmaking and concepts of collage art in a vast variety of medium. Stay creative!
This class is fun, educational, and accessible class for young artists of all experience levels. Projects are new in every session.
Outside Classwork: There is no outside class work - projects go home after they are finished. Mostly every week.
It’s up to the students if they want to work on it more at home.
Instructor: Sandy Reid
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays: 12:45-2:00
6 Weeks: March 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $210
This art exploration class is rich with opportunities for artistic exploration, as well as creative work and dialogue with an inspiring artist and teacher. In this multi-media class students have time for both individual artistic exploration, along with building skills and learning new techniques. From drawing to painting and everything in-between, come join us and explore your inner artist while learning and experiencing various mediums from acrylic to chalk pastels. Projects include classic and creative techniques in acrylic painting on canvas, watercolor, figurative or geometric sculpture, as well as sketching, printmaking and concepts of collage art in a vast variety of medium. Stay creative!
This class is fun, educational, and accessible class for young artists of all experience levels. Projects are new in every session.
- To see a sample of the types of projects we create each week and for more Information about Sandy’s Art Studio visit www.sandysartstudio.com.
- To follow current projects in class visit Instagram and Facebook.
Outside Classwork: There is no outside class work - projects go home after they are finished. Mostly every week.
It’s up to the students if they want to work on it more at home.
Instructor: Sandy Reid
2:15-3:30
Science - Details Coming Soon!
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 2:15-3:15
Weeks:
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 2:15-3:15
Weeks:
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition:
Game Design With Sphero Programming
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 2:15-3:30
7 Weeks: March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 or 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $175
Sphero is a rolling robot you control from your phone or tablet. But more than playing with a fun remote control toy, kids will be programming the Sphero to drive their chariot around the Coliseum track, racing against human and computer driven opponents! Can you meet the challenge? Can you add a crazy, colorful light show to your chariot with your new coding skills? What else will your team dream up?
Second half of the course will be Game Design with Scratch. Kids will choose projects like Animate a Name, Hide and Seek Game, Story Teller. Experienced programmers will jump right into new projects.
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: Cheri Haggard
4th-8th Grade
Thursdays 2:15-3:30
7 Weeks: March 5, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (No Class March 12 or 19)
Location: Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $175
Sphero is a rolling robot you control from your phone or tablet. But more than playing with a fun remote control toy, kids will be programming the Sphero to drive their chariot around the Coliseum track, racing against human and computer driven opponents! Can you meet the challenge? Can you add a crazy, colorful light show to your chariot with your new coding skills? What else will your team dream up?
Second half of the course will be Game Design with Scratch. Kids will choose projects like Animate a Name, Hide and Seek Game, Story Teller. Experienced programmers will jump right into new projects.
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: Cheri Haggard