Ages: Open to all
Time: 9:00-9:30
Room: Gym
Max. Students: All are Welcome

We will start off each Friday morning with an open singing class led by Jay Leeming. Jay is a guitarist and songwriter who has made many different kinds of music over the last thirty years, and he will lead everyone in easy yet interesting songs from around the world. This will be a judgment-free zone where we can all play with sound together. Come join us!

Class leader: Jay

Ages: 9+
Time: 1:30-2:25
Room: Gym
Max. Students: 12 Material Fee: $5.00

Each week we’ll learn new acting techniques to apply toward a filmed project. The project will be a series of connected scenes that we will devise in class together. As the actors tackle scene work, character study, and line memorization, they also expand their emotional vocabularies, deepen their abilities to empathize and learn to communicate more clearly. Students will leave the class with a basic understanding of acting on camera, and a digital copy of everything we film in class!

The ideal student is one who can read aloud comfortably, has interest in the performing arts, and is passionate about supporting fellow classmates in a safe space.

There will be lots of handouts (scripts, etc) that participants will want to bring with them every week. Please bring a folder or binder that can house all of these items. Pencils and highlighters will be provided.

Class leader, Darcy R.

Ages: 9+
Time: 11:30-12:25
Room: GYM Max. Students: 14 Outside Instructor Fee: $20.00

In Ithaca B-ball training sessions, kids will learn:

Basketball drills that measure sharpness.
Drills that easily ingrain fundamental basketball (picks, hand offs, etc).
Mini games that create a competitive environment but results with everyone feeling more confident and filled with excitement.
Drills and thought exercises on how to learn, measure and build skill in anything you do.

When the weather is nice we can walk to the GIAC basketball courts for class.

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay.

Class Leader, Gini V.

Outside Instructor, Coah Will

Hello my name is Wilmer Abreu, Coach Will. I am a happily married father of three. I spend most of my days banging away at a keyboard, coding web applications for large companies and for my own personal endeavors. Coding is a personal passion of mine and I am lucky to also have it be my profession. I love teaching others to code and hope to one day open up my own web development camp to teach anyone willing to learn. I love playing basketball and most of all boxing. I believe it is important to be well balanced physically and mentally and I strive to be on both ends.

Ages: 7+
Time: 9:30 – 10:30
Room: Gym Max. Students: 30

Come learn to swing dance.  We will mostly explore swing dancing but also maybe some zydeco dancing and 2-stepping.  You can pair up and dance with whoever you like or dance by yourself.   This class is open to kids and grown-ups alike. Expect to move to great music and have fun!

Parents and siblings are welcome to audit the class!

No experience or gear required. Please wear clothing, including footware, that you can dance in: Sneakers are easier to dance in than snow boots.

Class Leaders: Jerone G. with Molly K.

Ages: 3-5
Time: 9:30-10:30
Room: Gym Max. Students: 6

We will move and work together to develop coordination and collaboration. We will roll, throw, and kick; run and pass; hide, seek, and relay; and have some fun!

The ideal student would be between 3-5 years old and enjoy active games involving props / equipment such as small basketballs, tennis balls, ping pong balls, badminton birdies.

Please come wearing sneakers or some other shoe that they can grip and move in. A favorite ball that they are willing to share is also encuraged as are water bottles.

Class Leader: Jeff B.

Ages: 7+
Time: 11:30-12:25
Room: Ping Pong Room Max. Students: 20 Material Fee: $15.00

This class is designed to be an all ages, co-learning experience – parents and kids are invited to participate equally as we learn about our local social justice murals and the issues they explore through weekly teach-ins. We will also collaborate to design and create our own justice-themed mural(s) on a wall or electrical box. Weather permitting, we will go on walks to look at murals up close and hopefully meet some local muralists!

The class will be designed for kids ages 7 and up, but I’m open to younger kids who are super interested. Parents are welcome to audit the class, even if you don’t have a kid in the class, just show up! You don’t have to be an artist or want to paint to participate as there will be other roles such as conceptual design, buying paint, securing mural locations, etc.

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay.

Class Leader: Shira Evergreen

Ages: 9-13
Time: 10:30-11:25
Room: Classroom A Max. Students: 12 Material Fee: $5.00

In this class, we’re combining math and art! We’ll explore how shapes, patterns, and symmetry play a role in creating beautiful artwork. From tessellations to geometric designs, we’ll see how math helps artists create amazing masterpieces. We’ll also dive into the world of famous artists like MC Escher and Paul Klee, who used mathematical concepts in their work and illustrations of the Book of Kells. Get ready to unleash your creativity as we discover the magical connection between math and art!

The ideal student would have an interest in math and/or art, with a desire to be creative. Students should be directed to wear clothes that can get messy, or bring a smock.

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay.

Class leader: Susanne Q.

Co leader: Shannon O.

Ages: 7-13
Time: 9:30-10:25
Room: Ping Pong Room Max. Students: 12

Let’s get together and play comedy improv games. We’ll try out a different game each week and repeat favorites along the way. Ideas for games and warm-up exercises welcome!

Ideal kids are willing to be silly and be good listeners so they can collaborate with their peers in creating comedy.

Student Leader: Lion E.

Adult Support: Shira E.

Ages: 9+
Time: 9:30-10:25
Room: Classroom B Max. Students: 9

Trees work not as individuals but as a collective community. They provide a wonderful model of cooperation and reciprocity. If we want a sustainable community, we can begin by looking at the trees. In this class, students will learn more about the tree community near NLLC, consider trees from different perspectives, and understand how we, as humans, can be better stewards of the trees. I hope to also connect with the City Forester or other person caring for trees in our community during or outside class time. Finally, we consider the question, Who speaks for the trees? I hope the answer will be US! Students will use persuasive and informational writing skills (such as writing to the Ithaca Times or the mayor, an info label to hang from a tree, or a brochure) to educate and/or advocate for the trees in our community. Students need to be fluent readers and write a paragraph or two for this class. I will provide instruction and support for writing, such as graphic organizers. Many of these lessons are part of my research and I will be taking pictures.

Target age range is 9+. Students need to be fluent readers and write a paragraph or two for this class. Students should be able to follow directions especially when we go outside!

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay.

The instructor will be absent: 4/19, 5/10

Class Leader is Rachel T.

Ages: 9+
Time: 10:30-11:25
Room: Ping Pong Room Max. Students: 12

Each week the students will read a short article, essay or story at home in preparation for class. We will be rereading and discussing these short texts together and learning how to read more closely. And participate in stimulating group discussions. Some goals will be learning how to make connections, identify ideas, themes and arguments, learning how to take notes, improve retention, and participate in meaningful discussions about the texts.

Participants should be independent readers with an interest inbecoming more comfortable and confident participating in discussions about texts. Students who do most of their reading with audiobooks or listening to parents read aloud can absolutely participate if they are motivated to develop and hone their comprehension and group discussion skills.

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay.

Please be sure to bring your notebook, a pen or pencil, copies of the text comprehension’s that week, with you each week.

There will be a book club that takes place on the two sessions that I will miss, 4/19 and 5/10. Class will still take place.

Class Leader: Jeanette D.

Ages: 9+
Time: 1:30-2:25
Room: Memorial Lunch Room Max. Students: 9 Material Fee: $5.00

In this class we will be exploring the relationship between humans and plants throughout history and across cultures, especially in our very own backyards & community. With hands-on exercises and class discussions we will cover topics including, but not limited to: Botany Basics, Plant Ecology, Plants as a Vital Source: Food, Medicine, Materials, and the very Air we breathe. We will also explore the concepts of Reciprocity and Reverence for the gifts of the plants.

The ideal student will be curious about foraging, herbalism, and ancestral skills with a desire to deepen their ability to Notice Nature. Reading & writing skills will be helpful but not crucial. Most importantly a desire to participate in collaborative discussions and activities, with the ability to quietly listen to peers.

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay.

Class Leader: Hana P.

Ages: 7+
Time: 11:30-12:25
Room: Classroom A Max. Students: 13 Material Fee: $15.00

The aim will be to work on several different project ideas, some of which will include sketching in nature, learning about how colors interact, Pysanky egg design, and starting a great sketchbook!

Whether your student thinks of themselves as an artist already or not, this class is ideal for anyone curious about art and building new skills. The aim is to create a very judgment free space for us all to have a fun time together making art!

Please bring a hardcover sketchbook, ideally 8×8/8×10 or larger.

Adults are welcome to audit. Please speak with the leader about materials.

Class Leaders: Sara T. Shannon O. , and Susanne Q.

Ages: All are Welcome
Time: 11:30-12:25
Room: Classroom B Max. Students: 10 Material Fee: $2.00

This class will be for kids of all ages who like to read and be read to. Each week we will have a book theme and read all together and in pairs or small groups then do projects related to our books. Possible themes are: Friendship books and make friendship bracelets, interview our buddies and make book marks. Journey or fairy tail and make story maps and/or our own board games. Animal books and make simple puppets to retell stories or making play dough animals. Fantasy and acting out the story or play make up your own stories games.

Ideal student enjoys reading to younger kids, just reading themselves or likes to be read to. Student should be excited to make their own stories, games, drawings and puppets to relate to book themes.

Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay

Class Leaders: Liz H. and Amanda S.

Student Leaders: Fiona B. and Lena B.