KINDERGARTEN
CAP's Rainbow Stages Musical Theatre (Gr. K-1) Caring, dynamic teaching artists from Create-a-Play give students a vibrant fun-packed experience as they work to create an original musical theatre production. In addition to their final staged production, each student receives a professionally produced CD of the production's music. Create-a-Play founding 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 clubs, concerts, and festivals around the world.
Chess, Yes! (Gr. K-1) Children will learn the elements of chess, and will also explore other fun board games that encourage creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. National Chess Master Joe Lux is an experienced coach in NYC school and afterschool programs; board game instruction led by trained KidzMath teacher Gloria Zwick.
Note: Chess, Yes! continues Fall 2011 instruction; new players should consider Monday's Chess & Other Strategic Board Games beginner's club.
Storybook Cooks Whisks, egg beaters, and measuring spoons -- that's only half of the fun. The best part is that our young chefs will get to eat their culinary creations! During prep time and clean-up, children will be entertained by readings from children's literature featuring food. Taught by experienced Afterschool cooking teachers including PS87 Media Specialist Dawnica Conyette and pastry chef Jessica Giannone, whose Pie Birds bakery has been featured in the NY Times as a must-go holiday dessert source.
Fiesta! (Latin Culture/Language, Gr. K-1), see below.
GRADES 1 TO 2
CAP's Rainbow Stages Musical Theatre (Gr. K-1), see above.
Fiesta! (Latin Culture/Language, Gr. K-2) An imaginary journey through the Caribbean and Central and South America, drawing upon our visits to the American Museum of Natural History People's Center, as well as in-class explorations of the music, dance, cooking, sports, crafts, and traditions of each of the countries the children "visit." An introductory Spanish language component is included. Taught by experienced Dual Immersion teacher Josephine Mangual, so you know this will be a lively fiesta!
ChessKids Club (Gr. 1-3) Engaging and challenging instruction on the elements of chess and strategies of the game will encourage players' creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they have fun playing. Players will be introduced to tournament play opportunities in the New York area as well as resources to use at home. Instruction directed by National Chess Master Joe Lux, an experienced coach in NYC school and afterschool programs.
Note: ChessKids Club continues Fall 2011 instruction for this age group; new players should consider Monday's Chess & Other Strategic Board Games beginner's club.
Animation & Digital Design Working on computers and in the classroom, children will create flipbooks, thaumatropes and other optical toys, publish online comics, and make short stop-motion animated films and other creative media projects. Experienced "Imagination Station" and "Movie Magic" teacher Amey Goerlich has been teaching children's film and theatre classes for more than a decade.
GRADES 2 TO 3
ChessKids Club (Gr. 1-3), see above.
Sew Much Fun (Gr. 2+) Beginning with instruction in hand sewing, students will progress to an introduction of basic skills using sewing machines. Activities will include creative explorations of fabrics and textures, designing simple projects, and creating soft sculptures and simple clothing. Taught by experienced “wearable art” Afterschool teacher Arshea Hall.
Afro-Caribbean Percussion (Drums, Gr. 2+) Small group instruction in percussion, with an experienced master. Accomplished drummer and recording artist Renato Thoms, a finalist in the prestigious international Thelonius Monk jazz competition and a featured performer in the televised Latin Grammy Awards, has performed solo and with acclaimed Latin artists including Eddie Palmieri, Hilton Ruiz, Paquito D’Rivera, and Ricky Martin.
Monet, Matisse & Me (Studio Art, 2+), see below.
GRADES 3 TO 6
Sew Much Fun (Gr. 2+), see above.
Afro-Caribbean Percussion (Drums, Gr. 2+), see above.
Monet, Matisse & Me (Studio Art, 2+) This exciting class will be conducted in a studio environment in which young artists will work individually on creative projects as they are guided in mastering specific concepts such as line drawing, color mixing, painting techniques, and symmetrical design. A variety of media will be used.
For motivated students who want to develop thorough knowledge and use of materials as well as an enhanced artistic eye. Taught by 3rd-grade teacher and juried fine artist Rosa Alfaro-Carozzi.
Mercury Radio Theatre From the creator of "I Make iMovies" and "Reel Science" comes an amazing project in which children will create, produce, and perform an original radio program for live performance and podcasting. "Mercury Radio Theatre" combines the latest technology, science learning as children devise sound effects, improvisational theatre exercises to develop scripts, and super-fun exploration of classic children's radio clips and projects (secret decoder rings, anyone?) With a creative team that includes Imagine Me director Jill Ahrold and actor Branislav Tomich -- both veterans of Gotham Radio Theatre's live productions -- you know this will be a fabulous, one-of-a-kind experience!
Creating Comics Children will produce their own comics, learning how to create characters, develop story lines, make their adventures come “alive,” and publish their own comics. Curriculum will be modeled from the award-winning Comic Book Project (www.comicbookproject.org), an arts-based literacy initiative at Teachers College, Columbia University. Teachers include experienced Afterschool teacher and comic artist Rafael Velez.
Basketball I (Gr. 3-4)/Basketball II (Gr. 5+) This class will develop sports-specific strategies and skills -- dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, offensive and defensive play -- as well as coaching in the rules of the game. Individualized skill-building, working as a team, and sportsmanship skills are emphasized. Coaches include veteran physical education teacher Mike Vega and assistant coach Francis Arena.