Minimester Course Descriptions

Fall, Winter, Spring

Minimester Course Offerings

April 7th- May 1st, 2008

Landscaping                                                                                        Instructor:  Randa Jobe

Students will learn the basics of landscaping and plant propagation while, at the same time, beautifying our school.  We will explore propagating plants from clippings, slips and seeds which will be used for planting around the school and for our Spring Plant sale to be held the end of May.  Students will learn about various types of plants native and non-native to our area through hiking, observation, and collecting trips as well as shopping trips to local greenhouses.  They also will help select plants to be used in plantings at the school.  We will explore the differences between perennials, biennials, annuals, and tropical plants as well as learning which plants grow well together through symbiosis and complimentation.  Students will also learn about various herbs and their properties.

Maximum- 9 students

Drawing the Human Form and More                                               Instructor: Ellen Petty

Do you want to be able to create a realistic drawing?  Are you intimidated by the thought of drawing the human form?  This is the class for you.  Ellen’s experience as a portrait artist has taught her how to take the mystery out of the process and get you drawing at a higher level.  Students will establish a baseline by drawing a self-portrait without any instruction.  They will then study some of the masters’ self-portraits and begin to unlock the drawing process learning “tricks of the trade” through a series of right brain drawing exercises.  Students will complete another self-portrait near the end of the class.  The class will work primarily with pencil, charcoal, or other sketching media.  Materials fees will go toward a sketchbook and other drawing supplies for each student.

Maximum- 10 students                                                                         Materials Fee- $15.00

Dungeons and Dragons                                                         Dungeon Master: Jim Killebrew

Myth and imagination, storytelling and literacy, arithmetic and probability, character development and team building, cooperation and communication, … all of these and more are required to succeed in the many-faceted jewel of a game called Dungeons and Dragons. Dungeons and Dragons ("D&D") was created by gaming enthusiasts Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974. Since then, the game has spawned countless copies in the current world of computer role playing games (RPG's) that are so prevalent today. But instead of letting a computer roll the dice and dictate the game to you in pre-fabricated sentences and canned images, here it all takes place in the imagination of the players. Success is up to you and your team. If you want see where it all started, and you feel like you are up to the challenge, climb aboard. For this minimester, we will be exploring the classic D&D module, The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth.  Priority will be given to students who have not experienced this offering.

Maximum- 8 students                  

Sew What?  Fabric to Wear!                         Instructors: Corky Ashcraft and Annie Harlow 

Students who register for this class will create their own pattern on white muslin using a variety of dye and coloration techniques, and then use the fabrics to sew a reversible tie and reversible vest.  These items can be personalized with embellishments like lace or buttons.  Students will be encouraged to bring small pieces of fabric and trim from home or a fabric store.  Time permitting, students will be allowed to work on other projects.  An additional materials fee may be required for larger projects.

Maximum- 10 Students                                                                         Materials Fee- $10.00

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January 28th-February 21st, 2008

Spanish Language and Culture                                                     Instructor- Barbra Rodichok

Would you like to travel the world? Sample food you've never heard of? Celebrate a new Holiday? Discover the Spanish language, and a little bit of culture, too! We'll begin by taking a trip around the globe to count the many countries where Spanish is the official language. We'll spend an afternoon in the café and one in the market. We'll travel by plane and by bus, and learn about money exchange. We'll even spend some time at the discoteca, listening to great music and even try out a few dance moves! For each place that we visit, we'll learn some basic Spanish words and phrases that really come in handy for the traveler in all of us. The minimester ends with a big fiesta, or celebration!

Although we'll be learning a new language, there are no tests, no writing or reading assignments. All that's required is a big imagination and a brave spirit to venture into a new and foreign place!

Maximum- 10 students

Mixed Media                                                                               Instructor- Audrey Ellington

The mixed media class will consist of two or maybe three projects, if time allows, using materials of all kinds.  Our first project will be a "road trip" which incorporates a creative storyline using personal experiences along with chosen images, maps, objects, and paint. The second project will revolve around a social, political, or cultural issue of your choice.  By selecting an issue about which you feel passionate, you will create a powerful, unique piece using found and personal objects. These projects will strengthen your use of composition and narrative images and your ability to see objects not as they are but what they could be. 

Maximum- 8 students                                                                           Materials fee: $10.00

Printmaking                                                                                   Instructor- Corky Ashcraft

Students will learn the history of printmaking, from early Japanese woodcut prints to modern techniques like serigraphy/silk screen printing.  Discover why printed words and images were important in the development of our modern world.  Mr. Myers will show examples of his own work and printmaking projects done by children who have taken his classes.  He will also explain how the prints were done.  Myers will provide instructions to each student on how to use Styrofoam, linoleum, wood, metal plates, and silk screens to create an image that be can reproduced multiple times.  Participants will have the opportunity to create their own designs, learn how to use printmaking tools and materials, and understand the importance of safety rules and equipment.  Students will finish off their projects by matting and framing their favorite work of art. 

Maximum- 15 students                                                           Materials fee: $10.00

Photography                                                                                         Instructor- Joan Fenton

Want to be in the dark about photography?  Do pinhole cameras really work? In this digital world of photography, how about stepping back into the world of black and white, learning to develop film and use an enlarger to print photos. You will also learn the meaning of apertures and shutter speeds. Join us for a positive experience in the negative world of photography.     

Maximum- 6 students.                   

Dungeons and Dragons                                                        Dungeon Master- Jim Killebrew

Myth and imagination, storytelling and literacy, arithmetic and probability, character development and team building, cooperation and communication, … all of these and more are required to succeed in the many-faceted jewel of a game called Dungeons and Dragons. Dungeons and Dragons ("D&D") was created by gaming enthusiasts Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974. Since then, the game has spawned countless copies in the current world of computer role playing games (RPG's) that are so prevalent today. But instead of letting a computer roll the dice and dictate the game to you in pre-fabricated sentences and canned images, here it all takes place in the imagination of the players. Success is up to you and your team. If you want see where it all started, and you feel like you are up to the challenge, climb aboard. For this minimester, we will be exploring the classic D&D module, The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth.

Maximum- 8 students    

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Minimester Course Offerings

Fall, 2007

Hip-Hop Dance                                                                             Instructor- Barbra Rodichok

You've seen all the shows and you know all the music. Now it's time to get creative, get active, and learn how to dance! Hip-Hop as a dance form is popular the world over. We'll explore the basic moves and learn how ballet, African, jazz, and other dance forms influence contemporary hip-hop. You'll learn how to find the rhythm, break down the beats, follow choreography, and even create your own moves. Boys and girls are welcome to participate, and all that's required is a pair of sturdy gym shoes. Music is specifically chosen by the instructor to be appropriate and tasteful. Discover how good it feels to dance!
Maximum- 16 students

Landscape Painting                                                                      Instructor- Audrey Ellington

Get in touch with your inner Van Gogh, Monet, or Manet.  In this class students will explore different techniques of painting with and without a brush.  Each student will learn to build, stretch, and gesso their own canvas. With completed canvas in hand, they will journey to the great outdoors for our subject matter.  Materials fees will go toward covering the cost of palettes, brushes and paint.  Each student will have an easel, on loan from the instructor. 
Maximum- 8 students                                                                         Materials fee: $15.00

Stained Glass                                                                                Instructor- Jim Myers

Have you always wanted to immerse yourself in stained glass….well, at least metaphorically?  Here’s your chance.  Students enrolled in this course will learn the ancient history of stained glass, from early Christian church windows to modern buildings all over the world. Discover how stained glass windows are important in telling stories to the viewers, and their function for providing light to the inside of a building.  Participants will have the opportunity to create their own designs, learn how to use glass-working tools and materials, and understand the importance of safety rules.  Students will finish off their project by adding hooks and a chain to hang their beautiful stained glass. 
Maximum- 15 students                                                                     Materials fee: $10.00

Wilderness Survival                                                                       Instructor- Jim Killebrew

The next time you fall out of a tour bus in the middle of nowhere, or parachute out of a plane flying over the wilderness, you may need a few skills to stay alive until help comes… unless you have taken a class in wilderness survival! Eight highly motivated individuals are invited to take part in a class that will teach you the basics: finding water, making shelter, making fire, making clothing, and finding food. Specific topics will include: making fire with a bow-drill, tracking animals and reading signs, finding and collecting water, and constructing debris shelters in less than an hour that can keep you warm in below zero temperatures! In addition to this, we will learn what to do if you fall through the ice on a lake, how to brain-tan rawhide, how to identify edible wild plants, how to preserve food, and how to cook in a wooden bowl or underground. All this and more will be covered in this “wild” class. A $5.00 materials fee and parental permission to do homework using a knife are necessary prerequisites for this course.
Maximum- 8 students                                                   Material fee: $5.00

Photography                                                                                   Instructor- Joan Fenton

Want to be in the dark about photography?  Do pinhole cameras really work? In this digital world of photography, how about stepping back into the world of black and white, learning to develop film and use an enlarger to print photos. You will also learn the meaning of apertures and shutter speeds. Join us for a positive experience in the negative world of photography.   
Maximum- 6 students.                   

Registration Policy

Students in grades 6-8 will fill out a form indicating their top four preferences.  If a class is overenrolled with “first-choice” students, the spaces will be chosen by lottery.  If it takes a combination of first and second- choice students to over enroll a class, first-choice students will be given spots and the remaining spots will be chosen by lottery.   Spaces will continue to be filled in this manner.  We reserve the right to cancel an offering due to low enrollment.

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