ELEMENTARY CLASSES

FULL-MORNING CLASSES
8:30AM - 12:30PM

Summer Adventure full-morning classes for younger elementary students have a teacher and one aide in the classroom. Each class has an academic component, to help prepare students for the coming school year. Although the class titles and descriptions vary, they all involve reading, writing, art, and a lot of fun!

​

#010 AN ANIMAL A DAY

Grades K-1

Join our summer safari as we travel through oceans, jungles, forests, and farms to meet an animal a day. We will practice letters and sounds, counting and patterns, and learn about animal habitats as we circle the globe to find some animal friends. Along the way, we will explore reading, writing, math, science, social studies, cooking, sculpting, painting, puppets, and music to learn fun facts about the animal world!

Elayne Borenstein

NOTE:  Foods may contain gluten, dairy and other allergens. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.

#020 BOOK COOKS

Grades K-1

Book Cooks will whet the physical and mental appetites of young readers. We will spend three to four days diving into a new book, studying the story elements, focusing on vocabulary, and writing a response. We will then finish the book with a culminating cooking activity that aligns with the story! We will focus primarily on fiction titles, at a variety of reading levels to engage all students, as we feed our brains and our bellies!

Jamie Sharpe

NOTE:  Foods may contain gluten, dairy and other allergens. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.

#030 CREATE, LEARN AND EXPLORE!

Grades K-1

Join us if you’re not quite ready to be finished with Kindergarten fun! Students will enjoy continuing to practice and learn letters, sounds, numbers, and writing as they engage with literacy, phonemic, and number-sense rich activities. Don’t forget the fun art projects, crafts, storytime, animal studies, and snacks as part of our daily routine!

Hannah Coughlin

​

NOTE:  Foods may contain gluten, dairy and other allergens. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.

#040 CREATIVE KINDERGARTENERS AND FIRST GRADERS

Grades K-1

Children will have a blast exploring their relationship with the world through a wide variety of literature, art, music, yoga, dance, and age-appropriate games inspired by nature. In our daily routine, students will prepare for Kindergarten and 1st Grade by improving motor skills, growing in confidence, and learning strategies that will last a lifetime.

Lauren O’Brien

#050 JUST THE WRITE STUFF!

Grades K-1

Children will become authors and learn to retell a “small moment” story from their lives, using mentor texts as examples. Following age-appropriate strategies and expectations, students will dictate or write their narrative using thinking maps to organize details in order. Stories will be enhanced by adding details through guided word choices. Artwork and drawings will be included to match each part of the story. Using a variety of digital tools, children will publish their personal books to share.

Danielle Royer

#060 PRIMARY OCEANOGRAPHY

Grades 1-2

This very popular class is back for another year! Taught by a team of three experienced primary teachers, this course is an in-depth study of sea life. Students will be encouraged to apply their knowledge of sea life in a variety of activities: sea life stories, sea life riddles, pop-up books, and under-the-sea murals, just to name a few! Math and science will be integrated throughout the program. Teachers will adjust instruction to challenge and motivate the individual learning needs of each student. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Nallely Aceves, Martha Cueva, Emma Fujiwara

NOTE: Following COVID-19 protocols and restrictions in place at the time, we may attend a research trip to the Santa Monica Pier and schedule a classroom visit from real marine scientists, all in order to gather knowledge and gain hands-on experiences with sea life.

#070 SUMMER FUN CAMP

Grades 1-2

This class is for you! Incoming 1st and 2nd graders will reinforce and maintain their academic, artistic, and social skills. We will read, write, draw, talk, sing, dance, create, build, play age-appropriate games, and explore foundational math and scientific concepts, all while having fun and meeting new friends. Play, explore and learn! Come join us!

Chrysta Powell

PERIOD  I
8:30AM - 10:25AM

#101 MAKER-SPACE: STEAM THROUGH THE SUMMER!

Grades 2-4

Do you like to tinker? Do you like to invent and create new things? Then this is the class for you! You will be encouraged to create something unique that has never been seen before. For part of each week, you will have the freedom to explore your own interests and come up with projects you would like to create. For the remainder of each week, you will work with a partner or team to solve a variety of Scientific, Technological, Engineering, Artistic, and Mathematical (STEAM) problems. We will be cooking, building, creating, and solving challenges using LEGO™, K’Nex™, computers, and recycled materials. Join us for an action-packed, fun-filled experience and STEAM through the summer!

Lorie Alexander & Carl Avitia-Witt

NOTE:  Foods may contain gluten, dairy and other allergens. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.

#102 CHESS CHAMPIONS

Grades 2-5

Did you know that there are more possible chess games than atoms on the earth? Do you have what it takes to be the next great chess champion? In this class, you will learn basic strategies of chess playing and work on your master openings and defenses. You will have an opportunity to play traditional chess against partners, play four-player chess, and also play games online to become a master. All skill levels are welcome.

Gerardo Rodriguez

#104 HEROES, MONSTERS AND MYTHS

Grades 2-5

Journey back in time 2,500 years. You will be introduced to the world of Ancient Greece, where monsters had snakes for hair and heroes were stronger than lions. We will recreate our favorite Greek myths into comics, sculptures, mosaics, masks, stories, and more! We will finish the summer with our version of the first Summer Olympic Games. Grab your suitcase and let’s go!

Rosio Medina

#105 CARDBOARD CREATIVES

Grades 2-5

In this engaging class, we will explore and study design, conservation, upcycling, and recycling materials. Students will express themselves by creating art using cardboard and hone their skills in cutting, planning, arranging, and constructing. Students will work and plan together to design and build their very own town.

Jennifer Mack

#108 PE FUN IN THE SUMMER

Grades 2-5

We will play and build skills through a variety of PE games that are demonstrated throughout the school year. All our favorite games are designed to build sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation, skills, and FUN! We will play games from SPARK® PE, part of the current SMMUSD curriculum. New games and skills will be introduced as well. The importance of sportsmanship, daily aerobic activity, improving athleticism, warming up, staying hydrated, cooling down, and maintaining a positive attitude will be emphasized.

Tony Murphy

#109 THE MAGIC OF MARVEL

Grades 2-5

Not all heroes wear capes! Together we will explore and learn about many of the classic superhero comic characters, stories, and illustrations, including those from Marvel and DC. Students will create a personalized comic book or series using the fundamentals of cartooning in comic style. Come join us for creative fun!

Koko Mesrobian

#110 BASKETBALL “FUN”-DAMENTALS

Grades 2-5

Basketball is a great game that teaches collaborative skills that students take with them beyond the court. Children of all skill levels will be introduced to the fundamentals of the game through engaging, team-oriented drills and games. In this fast-paced class, emphasis will be placed on developing team-building skills, good sportsmanship, and having FUN!

Kenji Yamamoto

#111 UNPLUGGED MATH AND LITERACY GAMES

Grades 2-5

We will have fun while gaining confidence in mathematics and boosting our literacy skills. Students will sharpen their number sense, build math proficiency, increase vocabulary and improve reading and writing skills through games. Using a variety of board games, dice, and cards, your addition, subtraction, multiplication, as well as higher-level problem-solving skills will be strengthened. Games are a wonderful way to make friends and learn while having fun.

Christine Brewer

#112 GCCSR EXPLORATIONS: Gears, Circuits, Coding, Simple Machines & Hands-On Robotics

Grades 3-5

This class is for the curious-minded student and will provide a collaborative, hands-on experience exploring and creating various projects, with partners and teams, using Gears, Circuits, Coding, Simple machines, and Robotic exploration projects. Groups will collaborate and rotate, on a weekly basis in order to create unique inventions and share creative ideas. Your imagination will be challenged while having fun working together and thinking creatively.

Deborah Talbott

#113 MASTERPIECE ART

Grades 3-5

Get your paintbrushes ready! Immerse yourself in the world of art! Join us and learn about the most famous artists of all time. Students will learn about the artists’ backgrounds and techniques. We will then use our skills to reproduce a variety of their greatest masterpieces.

Lili Glassman

PERIOD  2
10:35AM - 12:30PM

#201 MASTERPIECE ART

Grades 2-4

Get your paintbrushes ready! Immerse yourself in the world of art! Join us and learn about the most famous artists of all time. Students will learn about the artists’ backgrounds and techniques. We will then use our skills to reproduce a variety of their greatest masterpieces.

Lili Glassman

#202 CHESS CHAMPIONS

Grades 2-5

Did you know that there are more possible chess games than atoms on the earth? Do you have what it takes to be the next great chess champion? In this class, you will learn basic strategies of chess playing and work on your master openings and defenses. You will have an opportunity to play traditional chess against partners, play four-player chess, and also play games online to become a master. All skill levels are welcome.

Gerardo Rodriguez

#204 HEROES, MONSTERS AND MYTHS

Grades 2-5

Journey back in time 2,500 years. You will be introduced to the world of Ancient Greece, where monsters had snakes for hair and heroes were stronger than lions. We will recreate our favorite Greek myths into comics, sculptures, mosaics, masks, stories, and more! We will finish the summer with our version of the first Summer Olympic Games. Grab your suitcase and let’s go!

Rosio Medina

#205 FANTASTIC FABLES

Grades 2-5

This creative class offers an opportunity for students to write and illustrate their own spin on classic fables. During each of our five weeks together, students will share, explore and discuss different versions of classic fables. This will provide a plot for them to determine their personal spin and embellishments to the story. Visual art projects will accompany each week’s fable.

Jennifer Mack

#208 BASKETBALL SKILLS FOR THRILLS!

Grades 2-5

Learn essential basketball skills and fundamentals while making new friends! We will start with practice drills, then play games that reinforce teamwork, all while promoting a positive attitude and sportsmanship. Rules, hustling, encouragement, and FUN will be emphasized. We will use age-appropriate basketballs and courts. Basketball is a great sport that you can enjoy for a lifetime!

Tony Murphy

#209 VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Grades 2-5

Join us for creative fun! Our adventure begins with a look into the evolution of video games and their many genres. With assistance, students will design and create a proposal and story map, introducing the group to their original game idea. In the design process, students will focus on ideas for the setting, characters, plot, challenge, and goals related to their video game creation.

Koko Mesrobian

#210 CO-OP PLAYGROUND GAMES

Grades 2-5

This class is designed to make students laugh, sweat, play hard and learn to work together. Classic playground games will be introduced with a twist, including games from diverse cultures, with an emphasis on developing the life skills of cooperation, self-confidence, communication, respect, and discipline. We will be learning, participating, and having fun at the same time!

Kenji Yamamoto

#211 SUMMER ADVENTURE THEATRE COMPANY

Grades 2-5

Students will form our 2022 Summer Adventure Theatre Company to produce and star in a series of scenes from popular children’s shows. We will make our own props, posters, and programs, and coordinate costumes. Students will learn stage terminology and how to break down a script as an actor and as the producer, and experience the rehearsal process from both onstage and backstage. All students will have a speaking role. We will present an informal performance for parents during the last week of Summer Adventure.

Christine Brewer

#212 MAKER-SPACE: STEAM THROUGH THE SUMMER!

Grades 3-5

Do you like to tinker? Do you like to invent and create new things? Then this is the class for you! You will be encouraged to create something unique that has never been seen before. For part of each week, you will have the freedom to explore your own interests and come up with projects you would like to create. For the remainder of each week, you will work with a partner or team to solve a variety of Scientific, Technological, Engineering, Artistic, and Mathematical (STEAM) problems. We will be cooking, building, creating, and solving challenges using LEGO™, K’Nex™, computers, and recycled materials. Join us for an action-packed, fun-filled experience and STEAM through the summer!

Lorie Alexander & Carl Avitia-Witt

NOTE:  Foods may contain gluten, dairy and other allergens. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.

#213 DIGITAL STORYTELLING

Grades 3-5

Are you a creatively minded, tech-savvy kid looking for tons of fun? Join us and you’ll be given an opportunity to learn and master the art of storytelling using animation applications, storyboards, and digital tools that bring your ideas to life! Stories will be produced using technology tools, digital cameras, LEGO™, still life props, green screen, and a variety of art materials including clay. Come work in collaborative, story-interest groups and use the available technology to present your work for the class to enjoy. Are you ready to be a digital star?

Deborah Talbott

NOTE: This class is for any child already tech-minded with some experience using technology.