After School Programs

Here is a description of the Fall 2008-2009 afternoon classes:

Science Adventures: 1st-5th
Make and take home projects every week with "Hands On" curriculum
designed to encompass all of the national science content
standards. This Fall there are 3 different programs to choose from.
You may attend as many as you like!

Fantastic Physics
Wanted, scientists interested in finding out "how things work". Take
a closer look at the mysteries of magnetism and the secrets of cup
stacking. Bowl your way through Newton's laws of motion and learn
about levers as we catapult through Fantastic Physics.

Spy Tek
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to discover the
science behind Gizmo's top secret spy tools. Gear up for adventure
with a flashlight, a finger print kit, secret messages, and more. This
message will self-destruct in 5…4…3…2…1……..

Sports and Fun
Sports and Fun is for boys and girls, kindergarten through 2nd
grades. New this year we are offering a separate Sports and Fun
program for Kindergarteners. Program offers a variety of sports and
games. There's constant activity, minimal waiting in line and
enthusiastic instructors. Classes are set up in a supportive
environment and a lot of fun! Director, Jim Heebner taught physical
education to kindergarten through fifth graders for seven years in
Menlo Park. Currently Jim is directing Sports and Fun at six local
schools.

Sports and Fun for Kindergarten
This class will focus on motor development, ball skills and
sportsmanship. Also, program will work on a variety of activities such
as: Jumping rope, hula hoop, tag, relays, obstacle courses and
parachute.

Sports and Fun for 1st & 2nd Grades
This class will focus on sports skills and sportsmanship. The main
sports will be working on are: Soccer, basketball, tennis and wiffle
baseball. Also, playing recess games, all-time favorite games and
many more challenges.

After School Hoops: K-5th
This is a weekday, after school program for aspiring young players.
Combines fundamental skill instruction with organized team
competition with the goal of providing an enjoyable and educational
after-school athletic event. Boys and girls of all skill levels are
encourages to join. After School Hoops provides children with an
opportunity to improve their overall physical fitness, develop
sportsmanship and athletic integrity, and gain an understanding of
the game of basketball.

Lego™ Engineering FUNdamentals: 1st - 5th grades
Do you like building things? Design and build motorized machines,
catapults, pyramids, demolition derby cars, buildings and other
constructions out of LEGO® bricks. While exploring engineering,
architecture and physics, students will develop problem solving and
critical thinking skills.

Fun Afterschool Math: K - 5th grades
Would you like for your child to get extra time learning math in a way
that is challenging and fun? Or would you like to take the fear out of
math for your child? In Fun Afterschool Math, children work in small
groups with Stanford undergrads who make learning fun and are
great role models for the children. Children are placed in small groups
based on what they know and what they need to learn next, which
makes the program appeal both to children who are seek additional
challenge, and children who would like to strengthen their math
fundamentals. The program was started at Stanford, is run by
Stanford students and Alumni, and uses an international math
curriculum.

Berlitz Languages: K-5th grades
Berlitz Kids offers fun, age-appropriate Spanish , French and
Mandarin classes taught by native speakers. Classes are
immersion-based (all in the target language) with a conversational
focus, and new vocabulary is reinforced through games, songs, role
plays, arts and crafts, etc. The lessons are engaging and fun and
open new doors to the world.

Chess: K - 5th grades
Chess teaches critical and abstract thinking, planning, logic and
patience. These chess classes are suited for any student interested
in chess, from utter beginner to the more advanced student. We will
review basic chess rules, and then proceed to chess notation, basic
tactics, and tournament rules. A typical class will include 30 minutes
of instruction and 30 minutes of games.

Choir: 2nd - 5th grades
In this class, your child will learn the basics of healthy
singing-individually and as part of a vocal ensemble-all within a fun
learning environment where they will explore the basics of rhythm
and melody (and peripherally, good citizenship and how to work as a
team). Using a dynamic, positive teaching approach, Karen Carle will
lead students on a musical journey of self-discovery through
classics, folk and show music.

Film-Making: 3rd - 5th grades
Working in small groups, kids will write, film, and produce a film. The
class will focus on the team effort required in film making...who does
what, why they do it and how they do it. Kids will learn the
technology used in making films and be part of the magic of
film-making. The course will conclude with a premiere of the films
created by students.