KINDERGARTEN
Scienterrific Kids A wide variety of hands-on science experiences -- including neighborhood trips and museum visits -- with emphasis on fun activities that can easily be done at home. Taught by experienced PS87 Afterschool teachers, with guest museum and science educators, under the guidance of renowned science educator Mary Stetten Carson, author of The Scientific Kid and Let's Play Science.
Monster Mash Creative Arts Have you ever seen a creepy, crawly, friendly monster? If you were a unicorn, what color would you be? Here’s a chance for children to create their own world with masks, painting, music, and storytelling. Children will design their fantasy creatures -- playful dragons, wacky monsters -- using a variety of materials, and then engage in inventive activities designed to free creative self-expression. Juried fine artist Andy Marcus and Rockinghorse Nursery School founding director Judy McGerald have been teaching pre-K creative arts classes for nearly 25 years.
Judo C This class will build confidence and develop children's self-awareness and physical fitness. Falling, tumbling, throwing, pinning, and escape techniques are taught. Judo uniforms (available from the instructor) are required. Grouping is by age and ability. Sensei Robin Rosenthal, Black belt in Karate, Judo, Aikido, and Jujutsu, and 7-time US Olympic Training Camp champion, has taught martial arts and self-defense to thousands of children, including at PS87, in more than 20 years' teaching. She particularly enjoys teaching children Judo, the so-called "gentle" Japanese martial arts discipline.
Note: For more individual attention, children in Judo C and Judo D meet in small groups; each group receives 45 minutes of Judo instruction and spends the other 45 minutes with a PS87 coach in activities reinforcing principles taught by Sensei Robin.
GRADES 1 TO 2
Judo D, see Judo C, above. Judo instruction is also available on Mondays for grades K-1 (Judo A) and grades 2-5 (Judo B); class limits will be strictly observed.
KidChef Bakery Children will discover fabulous culinary treats (cupcakes and pie pops to die for!) as they experience the hands-on enjoyment that comes in the preparation. Children will learn to read recipes, try new foods, and create old favorites to share. (If you thought pizza comes only from takeout, just wait until you learn to make your own from scratch!) Taught by dynamic 2nd-grade teacher Lisa Shlansky and Afterschool teacher and pastry chef Jessica Giannone, whose Pie Birds bakery has been featured in the NY Times as a must-go holiday dessert source.
Ice Skating/City Adventures C Ice skating in the rink at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park until April and then -- what’s your pleasure? Boating, bowling, or a home sport in Central Park? Or maybe it's the zoo, the wax museum, or a special adventure designed just for us? There are wonderful opportunities for city adventures all over Manhattan, and we're ready to explore them! Teachers include City Adventures enthusiast and PS87 teacher Bob D'Andrea.
Note: There is a materials fee of $50 for all children. Public transportation will be used and children will return to PS87 around 5:45 PM.
Create-a-Play Musical Theatre (Gr. 1-3), see below.
GRADES 2 TO 3
Create-a-Play Musical Theatre (Gr. 1-3) Caring, dynamic teaching artists from this internationally acclaimed children’s theatre organization give students a vibrant fun-packed experience as they work to create an original musical production. In addition to their final production, each student receives a professionally produced CD of the show’s music. Director Stephen Jacobs has worked with thousands of children in school and summer programs; his Dirty Sock Funtime Band has been featured on Nickelodeon and performed in concerts and festivals acround the world.
Totally Awesome Toy Factory Let’s see, what does Afterschool creative arts teacher Brittany Hall have in store for visitors to Totally Awesome Toy Factory this spring? How about a rubberband-propelled race car, magic bubbles that can encase an entire child, a fishing game that teaches math? Children will have so much fun playing with inventions in the Totally Awesome Toy Factory -- and designing and creating their own toys and games, using materials readily available at home – that they won’t realize they are building science, engineering, and math skills as they go!
Let's Speak Spanish (Language/Latin Culture, Gr. 2+), see below.
GRADES 3 TO 6
Let's Speak Spanish (Language/Latin Culture, Gr. 2+) A practical and fun inroduction to Spanish language and culture, taught by native Spanish speakers and educators. Emphasis will be on auditory learning of basic thematic units taught through in-class and museum explorations of games, music, arts, food, and cultural traditions of countries throughout the world where Spanish is spoken. Taught by experienced dual-immersion enrichment consultant and teacher Gloria Zwick, with dynamic PS87 teacher Ana Elosegui, so you know your children will have fun as they build comprehension and confidence.
Bloody Shakespeare An exciting exploration of the works of William Shakespeare, through creative projects, character study, theatrical combat, and staging. One of the most popular classes in previous semesters, "Bloody Shakespeare" aims to help students understand Shakespeare's world -- and understand our world through Shakespeare. Teachers include accomplished Shakespearean actor and teaching artist Sarah Hankins, 3rd-grade teacher Laura Resnick, and Imagine Me founding director Jill Ahrold, whose "Spontaneous Shakespeare Sundays" program delights Central Park visitors each summer.
Softball Sluggers A popular class that will include skills such as hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running, as well as playing strategies. Instruction will take place in the Gym and outdoor play in nearby yards and the park. Taught by experienced PS87 Afterschool coach Mike Vega and 5th-grade teacher Lauri Posner.