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2025
CLASSES
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For our younger elementary students, we have full-morning classes so that students entering Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and even Grade 2 can stay in one class all morning for the entire five weeks of Summer Adventure.
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Our older elementary students will be able to select classes for each of the two periods so they can build a program that most appeals to them! Pick one class from Period 1 and one class from Period 2 for them to enjoy the entire five weeks of Summer Adventure.
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​NOTE: All classes will run subject to enrollment. If a class is canceled due to a lack of enrollment, you will be contacted. The teacher designated after each class description is tentative, and all class offerings depend on enrollment.
FULL-MORNING CLASSES
8:30AM - 12:30PM
Summer Adventure’s full-morning classes for younger elementary students have a teacher and two aides 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!
The new 6th grade transition program, Where Do You Want to Go?, is also a full-morning class.
#010 AN ANIMAL A DAY
Grades TK-K
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 furry 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 served are often not gluten-free and may contain animal products. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.
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#020 STEAM ENHANCED PHONICS/MATH WORKSHOP
Grades TK, K & 1
Our STEAM workshop (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) provides a head start on essential early literacy and math skills to prepare your child for TK and Kindergarten, or as reinforcement for incoming 1st graders. Literacy and math skills are explored and strengthened through fun, engaging and hands-on activities that are adjusted for the learning needs of each child. Keep current with your child’s progress via their personalized Seesaw Digital Portfolio!
Veronica Juarez
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#030 VIVA LA CULTURA
Grades TK, K & 1
This interactive class will take young learners on a journey that explores vibrant cultures, languages and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. Through fun crafts, games, songs and hands-on activities, children will learn basic Spanish, discover new foods, dances, animals and get a taste of countries like Mexico, Argentina and Spain. This immersive experience promises to engage children in a world of fun, while making new friends, gaining a deeper appreciation for other cultures and building language skills in an interactive, exciting journey! Instruction will be adjusted to challenge and motivate the individual learning needs of each student.
Jessica Chavez
NOTE: Foods served are often not gluten-free and may contain animal products. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.
#040 ALL ABOARD FOR A TRAVEL ADVENTURE!
Grades K-1
Join us and embark on a unique journey around the world! Together we will explore different cultures, traditions and experience new adventures through enriching activities involving reading, writing, history, math, poetry, music, dancing and art. We will be learning and having fun at the same time! Instruction will be adjusted to challenge and motivate the individual learning needs of all students.
Akiko Gooden
#050 BOOK COOKS
Grades K-1
Book Cooks will whet the physical and mental appetites of young readers. We will spend 3-4 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 served are often not gluten-free and may contain animal products. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.
#060 AROUND THE WORLD IN 24 DAYS
Grades K-1
Children will have a great time as we embark each week on a journey to a new continent. We will be world travelers as we unpack and explore the cultures of Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica. Our day will begin with sharing in morning circle time, then focus on read alouds, writing, vocabulary, art, music, movement and dance. We will also learn and play age-appropriate games from around the world. Instruction will be adjusted to challenge and motivate the individual learning needs of each student. All aboard for a wonderful summer journey!
Sara Bock
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#070 PRIMARY OCEANOGRAPHY
Grades 1-2
This very popular class is back for another year! Taught by a team of three experienced 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, including stories, riddles, pop-up books, and under-the-sea murals, just to name a few. Math, science and writing 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!
Katja Alexander, Marisa Jaeger, Bailey Richey
NOTE: 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.
***6th Grade Transition Program***
#080 WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Grade 6 (incoming 6th graders for August 2025)
Join us for an innovative experience that provides tips, insights and useful skills to enhance academic readiness for the transition to middle school. Each day students will explore people and fascinating places around the world, as well as those who are right next door. Local, national and international communities will be investigated through a variety of projects, such as travel booklets, hand-drawn maps and international sock puppets. We will immerse ourselves in art, geography, literacy, culture and cuisine, while forging new peer connections through group games and activities. Be prepared for sixth grade in a fun way! Connect with others and enhance academic readiness, focusing on collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication. Students will be prepared and excited about their transition to middle school in August.
Maximillian Kornell
NOTE: Foods served are often not gluten-free and may contain animal products. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.
PERIOD 1
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 problems. We will be 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
#102 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
#103 THE MAGIC OF MINDFULNESS
Grades 2-5
Zen out this summer by practicing mindfulness awareness through art, yoga and meditation. We will draw, paint, make friendship bracelets and create crafty art in a calming environment. Students will learn how to relax using breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. We will study mindfulness through creative art projects and improve our writing skills through daily gratitude journal entries. No actual magic or magic tricks are involved in this class. Come join us and be ready for chilled-out summer fun!
Ursula Caise
#104 LET’S DANCE
Grades 2-5
Discover your groove this summer! Leap into a playful world of movement and let your feet do the talking. Come and dance with us! No excuses – life is better when you dance! You will experience the power of creative dance while developing confidence, problem-solving, perseverance and collaboration. Dancers will choreograph and perform their own creations. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Join us for summer fun, show your moves, and dance like nobody’s watching!
Linda Brown
#105 CHESS CHAMPIONS
Grades 2-5
Did you know that there are more possible chess games than atoms in 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
#106 STORIES THAT POP UP!
Grades 2-5
Express yourself with words and 3-D pop-ups! Awaken the creative writer and artist within you! Once you learn the basic steps for making pop-ups, you can create your own designs. Use your imagination in new ways to illustrate and illuminate your stories using crafty materials. Write better paragraphs with captivating details that actually jump off the page. Have fun improving your essential writing skills. Our summer session will culminate with a writers and artists showcase for families to attend. Freedom of expression is your key to Stories That Pop Up!
Ila Sender
#107 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
#108 PE FUN IN THE SUN
Grades 2-5
We will play and build skills through a variety of PE games that are demonstrated throughout the school year. Our favorite games are designed to build sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation and skills…all while having FUN! We will play games from SPARK® PE and introduce new games. 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, Simona Gonzalez-Mortensen
#109 SCULPTURES MANY WAYS
Grades 2-5
Pablo Picasso stated, “Sculpture is the art of the intelligence.” Sculpture fuses engineering with art. Keeping this in mind, students will explore and create a variety of artistic projects including magical, fairy tale creatures constructed with papier-mâché, inspired by the artistic style of Pedro Linares Lopez; 3D flowers following the technique of Yinka Shonibare; and wire sculptures, in the manner of Calder, to name a few. This creative experience fuses a variety of artistic skills and STEAM components, including design, engineering, sculpting, painting and contour line drawing. How can you make your sculpture structurally sound while also making it art? Join our class and find out!
Heather McAdams
#110 BOARD GAME MANIA
Grades 2-5
Do you love playing games? In this exciting class you will have fun playing board games, then design and create your own dream board game – Dungeons and Dragons, Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, math fun, strategy challenges – the sky is the limit! You will incorporate a variety of materials in your game-creating project, while enriching your problem-solving skills. Improve your critical thinking and express your creative ideas and designs while having fun! Be a game-creating star!
Sarah Barrett
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#111 GCCSR EXPLORATIONS: Gears, Circuits, Coding, Simple Machines & Hands-On Robotics
Grades 3-5
This class is for curious-minded students and provides a collaborative, hands-on experience exploring and creating STEM projects, with partners and teams, using Gears, Circuits, Coding, Simple machines and Robotic exploration. Groups will collaborate and rotate, on a weekly basis, to create unique inventions and share ingenious ideas. Each week ends with a CHALLENGE for all groups to exhibit their skills! Express your imagination and have fun while working together and thinking creatively.
Deborah Talbott
PERIODÂ 2
10:35AM - 12:30PM
#201 THE MAGIC OF NUMBERS
Grades 2-5
Have you heard about the greatest number ever discovered? Do you know the trick with 9s? Improve your basic math skills beyond your grade level, using a variety of fun math activities. Challenge yourself to figure out math puzzles using logic and reasoning. We will practice mental math and computation, use critical-thinking skills, play dice games, play money math, solve algebra problems and engage in math art projects and games. You may choose to do class activities with partners or in small groups. Strengthen your confidence in problem-solving as you apply your knowledge to create your own math game board. The Mathematical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you to The Magic of Numbers!
Ila Sender
#202 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
#203 THE MAGIC OF MINDFULNESS
Grades 2-5
Zen out this summer by practicing mindfulness awareness through art, yoga and meditation. We will draw, paint, make friendship bracelets and create crafty art in a calming environment. Students will learn how to relax using breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. We will study mindfulness through creative art projects and improve our writing skills through daily gratitude journal entries. No actual magic or magic tricks are involved in this class. Come join us and be ready for chilled-out summer fun!
Ursula Caise
#204 LET’S DANCE
Grades 2-5
Discover your groove this summer! Leap into a playful world of movement and let your feet do the talking. Come and dance with us! No excuses – life is better when you dance! You will experience the power of creative dance while developing confidence, problem-solving, perseverance and collaboration. Dancers will choreograph and perform their own creations. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Join us for summer fun, show your moves and dance like nobody’s watching!
Linda Brown
#205 CHESS CHAMPIONS
Grades 2-5
Did you know that there are more possible chess games than atoms in 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
#206 BASKETBALL: FUTURE HOOP MASTERS!
Grades 2-5
Learn essential basketball skills and fundamentals while making new friends and meeting new teammates! We will start with practice drills, then play scrimmage games that reinforce teamwork, all while promoting a positive attitude, respect, hand-eye coordination and sportsmanship. Rules, hustling, encouragement and FUN will be emphasized. We will use age-appropriate basketballs and courts. Basketball is a great sport to learn, make friends, be active and enjoy for a lifetime!
Tony Murphy, Simona Gonzalez-Mortensen
#207 INSPIRED BY CONTEMPORARY AND POP ART
Grades 2-5
Warhol, Haring and Murakami, oh my! Our art explorations will include ink blotting and printmaking in the style of Andy Warhol, 3-D paper art inspired by Keith Haring, as well as pattern play following the technique of Takashi Murakami. In addition, we will explore neo-expressionism-Basquiat-style stencil work and self-portraits inspired by Mickalene Thomas and Gio Swaby, using a of variety of media, including water colors, pastels and more. Join us for a wonderful art experience!
Heather McAdams
#208 SUMMER ADVENTURE THEATRE COMPANY
Grades 2-5
Students will form our 2025 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, how to break down a script as an actor and 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
#209 BOARD GAME MANIA
Grades 2-5
Do you love playing games? In this exciting class you will have fun playing board games, then design and create your own dream board game Dungeons and Dragons, Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, math fun, strategy challenges – the sky is the limit! You will incorporate a variety of materials in your game-creating project, while enriching your problem-solving skills. Improve your critical thinking and express your creative ideas and designs while having fun! Be a game-creating star!
Sarah Barrett
#210 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 problems. We will be 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
#211 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, a green screen, and a variety of art materials. 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?
NOTE: This class is for any tech-minded child with some experience using technology.
Deborah Talbott