Course Descriptions
Tuesday Classes - Fall 2021
In Person & Live Online
1st-2nd Grade Classes - Jewish Community Center
9:0o-9:55 In Person
Note:
1st-2nd Grade Students May Enroll In Up To Three Classes In A Row: Language Arts, Science, & Math
1st-2nd Grade Students May Enroll In Up To Three Classes In A Row: Language Arts, Science, & Math
NEW! Early Literature: Seeking Science
1st-2nd Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-9:55
8 Weeks: October 5, 12, 19 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class October 26)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition $195
Fact, fiction, or both? This class uses a variety of early literature and informational texts to build reading-to-learn skills. Through investigation, students will use pictures, titles, and text features to identify characters, setting, details, and facts in the reading materials to better comprehend what they read. Texts combine science and literature to help students connect deeply with both subjects.
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less per week.
Instructor: Laura Wong
1st-2nd Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-9:55
8 Weeks: October 5, 12, 19 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class October 26)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition $195
Fact, fiction, or both? This class uses a variety of early literature and informational texts to build reading-to-learn skills. Through investigation, students will use pictures, titles, and text features to identify characters, setting, details, and facts in the reading materials to better comprehend what they read. Texts combine science and literature to help students connect deeply with both subjects.
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less per week.
Instructor: Laura Wong
10:00-10:45 In Person
New! Early Scientific Explorers
1st & 2nd Grade
Tuesdays 10:00-10:45
9 Weeks: October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7
(No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition $235
Bring your wondering mind to explore the science of living organisms. Ask questions and figure out the “rules” for yourself by collecting data and using it to make conclusions. How do we know something is alive? Does it have to move? Come explore your natural world and discover the answers.
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less per week
Instructor: Laura Wong
1st & 2nd Grade
Tuesdays 10:00-10:45
9 Weeks: October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7
(No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition $235
Bring your wondering mind to explore the science of living organisms. Ask questions and figure out the “rules” for yourself by collecting data and using it to make conclusions. How do we know something is alive? Does it have to move? Come explore your natural world and discover the answers.
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less per week
Instructor: Laura Wong
3rd-5th Grade Classes - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Note:
3rd-5th Grade Students May Enroll In Up To Five Classes In A Row: Math, Language Arts, Science, History, and LEGO Engineering.
3rd-5th Grade Students May Enroll In Up To Five Classes In A Row: Math, Language Arts, Science, History, and LEGO Engineering.
9:00-10:10 In Person
Getting Started With Multiplication
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-10:10
7 Weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19, 26
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $195
Leap from learning subtraction and addition to the basic concept of multiplication. First, we will anchor the concept of multiplication in terms of its relation to addition – which your child should already be comfortable with. Students will visualize the idea of repeated addition using arrays. Important multiplication vocabulary and the properties of zeros, ones, twos, threes, fives, tens, and elevens are covered.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Outside Classwork: Ten minutes of daily review
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-10:10
7 Weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19, 26
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $195
Leap from learning subtraction and addition to the basic concept of multiplication. First, we will anchor the concept of multiplication in terms of its relation to addition – which your child should already be comfortable with. Students will visualize the idea of repeated addition using arrays. Important multiplication vocabulary and the properties of zeros, ones, twos, threes, fives, tens, and elevens are covered.
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Outside Classwork: Ten minutes of daily review
Multiplication Fluency
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-10:10
5 Weeks: November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7 (No Classes November 23)
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $140
Do you want to improve your student's multiplication fluency? Join us as we embark on a multiplication journey through the use of skip-counting, pneumonic devices, hands-on activities, and games. Each week students are introduced to new facts while reviewing the previous ones. We continue to build fluency by covering multiplying by fours, sixes and sevens, and eights. Sign up and don't miss the fun!
Outside Classwork: 10 minutes of daily review
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 9:00-10:10
5 Weeks: November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7 (No Classes November 23)
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition $140
Do you want to improve your student's multiplication fluency? Join us as we embark on a multiplication journey through the use of skip-counting, pneumonic devices, hands-on activities, and games. Each week students are introduced to new facts while reviewing the previous ones. We continue to build fluency by covering multiplying by fours, sixes and sevens, and eights. Sign up and don't miss the fun!
Outside Classwork: 10 minutes of daily review
Instructor: Laurie Weir
10:15-11:15 In Person
Building First-Rate Sentences
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:15-11:15
6 Weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $150
The foundation of strong writing is crafting powerful sentences. “Wow” sentences are the focal point of this six week class. Using literature, students examine how authors write different types of sentences, and how they use colorful words to add details and expand their ideas. After young writers analyze these model sentences, they will put these new tools into practice and have fun writing their own stylish prose.
Outside Classwork: under 30 minutes per week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays: 10:15-11:15
6 Weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $150
The foundation of strong writing is crafting powerful sentences. “Wow” sentences are the focal point of this six week class. Using literature, students examine how authors write different types of sentences, and how they use colorful words to add details and expand their ideas. After young writers analyze these model sentences, they will put these new tools into practice and have fun writing their own stylish prose.
Outside Classwork: under 30 minutes per week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
Literature - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 10:15-11:15
6 Weeks: October 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $170
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 short chapter summaries
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 10:15-11:15
6 Weeks: October 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $170
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 short chapter summaries
Instructor: Laurie Weir
11:30-12:45 In Person
NEW! Environmental Science: Responsible For My Resources
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:30-12:45
6 Weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
It’s never too early to think about your role as a human on earth. What resources do you use? How do you use them? If you keep using them this way every day, how could your actions impact yourself and the planet. Come explore resources such as water, food, and energy and investigate ways that you can be responsible for your resources. One person does make a difference, and it starts with you!
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less
Instructor: Laura Wong
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:30-12:45
6 Weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
It’s never too early to think about your role as a human on earth. What resources do you use? How do you use them? If you keep using them this way every day, how could your actions impact yourself and the planet. Come explore resources such as water, food, and energy and investigate ways that you can be responsible for your resources. One person does make a difference, and it starts with you!
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less
Instructor: Laura Wong
NEW! Biology: Living Things - Grow and Change
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:30-12:45
6 Weeks: October 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
What does it mean to be living? Explore living organisms and components of their habitats to find out what it means to be alive, and how living things respond to their environments. Students study living plants and animals as well as artifacts of living organisms. Students learn about themselves and the world around them by learning how things grow and change.
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less
Instructor: Laura Wong
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 11:30-12:45
6 Weeks: October 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Tuition: $195
What does it mean to be living? Explore living organisms and components of their habitats to find out what it means to be alive, and how living things respond to their environments. Students study living plants and animals as well as artifacts of living organisms. Students learn about themselves and the world around them by learning how things grow and change.
Outside Classwork: Thirty minutes or less
Instructor: Laura Wong
3rd-6th Grade Classes - Jewish Community Center
Note:
3rd-6th Grade Students May Enroll In Up To Five Classes In A Row: Math, Language Arts, Science, History, LEGO Engineering
3rd-6th Grade Students May Enroll In Up To Five Classes In A Row: Math, Language Arts, Science, History, LEGO Engineering
1:15-2:25 Blended Class: The first three weeks are live online and then switch to in person on October 5th.
America's First Nations
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 1:15-2:25
8 Weeks: Live Online: September 14, 21, 28
In Person: October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2
Location: Blended Classes Start Online And Switches To In Person At The Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
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
NOTE: This is a blended class.
The first three weeks are live online and then switch to in person October 5th.
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 1:15-2:25
8 Weeks: Live Online: September 14, 21, 28
In Person: October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2
Location: Blended Classes Start Online And Switches To In Person At The Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
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
NOTE: This is a blended class.
The first three weeks are live online and then switch to in person October 5th.
2:45-3:45 In Person
NEW! Brave and Courageous Explorers
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 1:15-2:25
4 Weeks: November 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $125
We study the brave and courageous explorers responsible for finding many of the lands we live on today. Students discover the reasons for their travel and historical significance, and how the explorers made their voyages and routes. Each week, students learn about the life of one explorer, follow their path across the world map from their homeland to the Americas.
Outside Classwork: Up to an hour a week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 1:15-2:25
4 Weeks: November 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $125
We study the brave and courageous explorers responsible for finding many of the lands we live on today. Students discover the reasons for their travel and historical significance, and how the explorers made their voyages and routes. Each week, students learn about the life of one explorer, follow their path across the world map from their homeland to the Americas.
Outside Classwork: Up to an hour a week
Instructor: Laurie Weir
2:30-3:30 In Person
New! Engineering With LEGO: Amazing Ancient Structures
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 2:45-3:45
9 Weeks: October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $228
Through this hands-on class, students will use thousands of LEGO blocks to explore ancient engineering marvels. They will be introduced to structural engineering concepts such as joints, pyramids, and columns and learn a little history about great structures like the Pyramids of Giza. Students will put their projects to the test against our custom test equipment, such as our earthquake simulator and a cannon. Awards and prizes will be given out on the final day, and students have a chance to earn medals for the top engineering project! This class is considered beginners.
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: TBD
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 2:45-3:45
9 Weeks: October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: In Person - Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $228
Through this hands-on class, students will use thousands of LEGO blocks to explore ancient engineering marvels. They will be introduced to structural engineering concepts such as joints, pyramids, and columns and learn a little history about great structures like the Pyramids of Giza. Students will put their projects to the test against our custom test equipment, such as our earthquake simulator and a cannon. Awards and prizes will be given out on the final day, and students have a chance to earn medals for the top engineering project! This class is considered beginners.
Outside Classwork: None
Instructor: TBD
6th-9th Grade Classes - Jewish Community Center
11:15-12:40 Blended Class: The first three weeks are live online and then switch to in person on October 5th.
Speech and Debate - Fall Semester
6th+ Grade and 12+ years old
Tuesdays 11:15-12:40
12 weeks: Live Online - September 14, 21, 28
In Person - October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7
(No Class November 23)
Location:Blended Classes Start Online and Switches To In Person at the Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $360
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
NOTE: This is a blended class.
The first three weeks are live online and then switch to in person October 5th.
6th+ Grade and 12+ years old
Tuesdays 11:15-12:40
12 weeks: Live Online - September 14, 21, 28
In Person - October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7
(No Class November 23)
Location:Blended Classes Start Online and Switches To In Person at the Jewish Community Center of Mission Viejo
Tuition: $360
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
NOTE: This is a blended class.
The first three weeks are live online and then switch to in person October 5th.
2:30-3:30 Live Online
Writing Skills Seminar: The Writer’s Notebook
6th-9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:30-3:30
12 weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: Live Online
Tuition: $340
It takes time and practice to learn proper writing techniques. This semester-long course keeps students engaged in consistent writing practice and provides regular personalized feedback. Each week focuses on one type of writing and uses clever and creative ways to keep writing fresh. Students practice and refine their writing skills through lively instruction which focuses on the six traits of writing: purpose, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and mechanical correctness. Through the use of games and collaborative activities, literary devices and techniques are also practiced. This class is designed to be fun and inspiring and provide a supportive atmosphere to foster creativity and self-expression.
Many kinds of non-fiction writing opportunities are taught including quick-writes, summarizing, persuasive and opinion pieces, a news story, a character sketch, and informational and procedural writing. Students also explore dialogue, descriptions, and transitional words, phrases, and clauses that help move their essays through a sequence of events.
Note: If you are looking for a year-long writing program, this class with The Writer’s Toolbox & Creative Writing class is a perfect combination.
Outside Classwork: Students write and revise each week. Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 1-1.5 hours a week
Instructor: Adrienne Collins
6th-9th Grade
Tuesdays 2:30-3:30
12 weeks: September 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (No Class November 23)
Location: Live Online
Tuition: $340
It takes time and practice to learn proper writing techniques. This semester-long course keeps students engaged in consistent writing practice and provides regular personalized feedback. Each week focuses on one type of writing and uses clever and creative ways to keep writing fresh. Students practice and refine their writing skills through lively instruction which focuses on the six traits of writing: purpose, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and mechanical correctness. Through the use of games and collaborative activities, literary devices and techniques are also practiced. This class is designed to be fun and inspiring and provide a supportive atmosphere to foster creativity and self-expression.
Many kinds of non-fiction writing opportunities are taught including quick-writes, summarizing, persuasive and opinion pieces, a news story, a character sketch, and informational and procedural writing. Students also explore dialogue, descriptions, and transitional words, phrases, and clauses that help move their essays through a sequence of events.
Note: If you are looking for a year-long writing program, this class with The Writer’s Toolbox & Creative Writing class is a perfect combination.
Outside Classwork: Students write and revise each week. Depending on ability level, students should expect to spend approximately 1-1.5 hours a week
Instructor: Adrienne Collins