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2026
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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āNOTE: 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, Jumpstart 6th Grade Success, is also a full-morning class.
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#010 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
ā#020 ANIMAL ADVENTURES: AN A-TO-Z BILINGUAL JOURNEY
Grades TK, K & 1
Leap into a summer of discovery where we make new friends and meet a new animal every day, from Alligator to Zebra and Aguila to Zorro! Children will build essential reading, writing and artistic skills through a fun, bilingual lens that celebrates both English and Spanish. Hands-on crafts and daily activities will be tailored to every skill level and is the perfect way to keep your little explorer learning and laughing all summer long! Join us -- don’t miss out!
Jessica Chavez
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#030 1,2,3…READY, SET, READ!
Grades K-1
Play, explore and learn! Children will have a blast exploring daily literacy activities while improving their developing literacy skills through art, imaginative play, exciting crafts and interactive read-alouds. We will focus on phonics and phonemic awareness, touch on creative writing and play age-appropriate games that promote confidence. We will be learning and having fun at the same time!
Pat Proft
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#040 ONCE UPON A PROJECT
Grades K-1
Once Upon A Project will whet the mental appetites of young readers. Each week we will dive into a new book, exploring the story elements and developing literacy through art, writing, problem solving and tasty snack creations that align with the story. Weekly themes will focus on animals, fairy tales, famous artists and global cultures, on a variety of reading levels. To engage all students while building confidence and reading skills, instruction will be adjusted to challenge and motivate individual learning needs.
Terri Berman
NOTE: Foods served are often not gluten-free and may contain animal products. Parents of children with allergies are cautioned.
ā#050 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
ā#060 AROUND THE WORLD IN 24 DAYS (World Cup Edition)
Grades K-1
Children will have an adventurous time as world travelers as we explore the nature and cultures of North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia/Oceana and Antarctica. Our day will begin with morning circle time, then transition to read-alouds, writing and vocabulary, followed by art, music, games and dances from around the world. This summer we will add a World Cup component to our days, learning about soccer players from different countries, recapping the matches, tracking tournament winners and eliminations, and learning soccer skills/scrimmaging once or twice a week outdoors. Instruction will be adjusted to challenge and motivate the individual learning needs of each student. All aboard for an educational, artistic, sporty and fun summer journey around the world!
Sara Bock
ā#070 PRIMARY OCEANOGRAPHY
Grades 1-2
This very popular class is back for another year! Taught by a team of 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!
Nallely Aceves, Marisa Jaeger
NOTE: We may attend a research trip to the Santa Monica Pier and schedule a classroom visit from real marine scientists, all to gather knowledge and gain hands-on experiences with sea life.
ā********6th Grade Transition Program*********
#080 JUMPSTART 6th GRADE SUCCESS
Grade 6
Bridge the gap to 6th grade with a dynamic program that blends academic preparation with creative collaboration. Students will sharpen their literacy through an engaging novel study and participate in team-based projects designed to boost critical thinking and enhance problem-solving skills. By integrating executive function coaching with project-based learning, students will build confidence, organization and the social skills needed to thrive in 6th grade. Join us for a valuable and enriching experience that jumpstarts success for your child in middle school this coming August.
Amanda McCoy
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PERIOD 1
8:30AM - 10:25AM
#101 ARTE LATINO: ¡HABLA Y CREA! / LATIN ART: SPEAK AND CREATE!
Grades 2-3
Take a creative journey across Latin America in our Spanish-immersion art experience, where 2nd and 3rd graders explore new countries and geography through fun, hands-on projects. Each day we will listen to beautiful Spanish stories and learn new vocabulary while discovering the amazing traditions that make each culture unique. It’s a joyful and interactive way for students to build their language skills and cultural appreciation while bringing home their own world-inspired masterpieces! No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary.
Judith Alvarez
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#102 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™ and recycled materials. Join us for an action-packed, fun-filled experience and STEAM through the summer!
Lorie Alexander & Carl Avitia-Witt
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#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
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#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
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#105 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 play games online to become a master. All skill levels are welcome.
Gerardo Rodriguez
#106 READ, WONDER, INVESTIGATE
Grades 2-5
What if the amazing events in your favorite storybooks weren’t just fiction? In Read, Wonder, Investigate, we will use beloved children’s literature, such as Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and The Lorax, as a launchpad for scientific explorations. Students will step into the role of investigative scientists, leading discussions, asking essential questions, testing theories and ideas, experimenting, and discovering whether the phenomena in the stories could actually happen in the real world. Join the fun and be a scientific star while improving your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Jennifer Botello
ā#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, and higher-level problem-solving skills will be strengthened. Games are a wonderful way to make friends and learn while having fun.
Christine Brewer
ā#108 PE FUN IN THE SUN
Grades 2-5
Our daily focus is high engagement, with lots of energy and exciting fun! Students will play and build skills through a variety of PE games that are demonstrated throughout the school year. We will introduce new games and play familiar classic games designed to build sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation and coordination skills. The importance of daily aerobic activity, improving athleticism, warming up, staying hydrated, cooling down and maintaining a positive attitude will be emphasized.
Simona Gonzalez-Mortensen, Tony Murphy
ā#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, as well as 3D flowers following the technique of Yinka Shonibar 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
NOTE: Art projects can be messy. Please send an old shirt with your child that can serve as a smock.
ā#110 BE A BROADWAY SINGER
Grades 2-5
Do you love all things Broadway? Do you imagine yourself singing on Broadway or at the Hollywood Bowl some day? Take a deep dive with us into all things Musical Theatre! We will view and study different musicals, learn songs, perform in class, as well as stage our own Cabaret at the end of Summer Adventure. If you love singing and musicals, you don't want to miss this class! All skill levels are welcome and no experience is necessary to join the musical fun!
Sarah Barrett
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#111 LIGHTS! CAMERA! WRITE!
Grades 3-5
Step into the world of movies and make your stories come alive! In this hands-on class, students will spend each day creating their very own screenplays. We will build memorable characters, craft exciting plots and write dialogue that jumps off the page. Along the way, we’ll reveal the secrets of storytelling for the big screen and witness how a story transforms from idea into action. By the last week, your stories will be ready for their close-up – lights, camera, write!
Monica Gonzalez & Courtney Hayes
ā#112 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
PERIODĀ 2
10:35AM - 12:30PM
#201 BASKETBALL: JUNIOR BALLERS ACADEMY
Grades 2-5
Learn essential basketball skills and fundamentals while making new friends and meeting new teammates! We will introduce basketball concepts starting with practice drills, then play low-pressure scrimmage games that reinforce the life skills of teamwork, positive attitude, respect, hand-eye coordination and sportsmanship. Rules, hustling, encouragement and FUN will be prioritized over competition. We will use age-appropriate basketballs and courts. Basketball is a great sport to learn, make friends, be active and enjoy for a lifetime!
Simona Gonzalez-Mortensen & Tony Murphy
#202 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 five-sided acrylic painting. We will use a variety of media including watercolors, pastels and more. Join us for a wonderful art experience!
Heather Mc Adams
NOTE: Art projects can be messy. Please send an old shirt with your child that can serve as a smock.
#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 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 play games online to become a master. All skill levels are welcome.
Gerardo Rodriguez
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#206 READ, WONDER, INVESTIGATE
Grades 2-5
What if the amazing events in your favorite storybooks weren’t just fiction? In Read, Wonder, Investigate, we will use beloved children’s literature, such as Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and The Lorax, as a launchpad for scientific explorations. Students will step into the role of investigative scientists, leading discussions, asking essential questions, testing theories and ideas, experimenting, and discovering whether the phenomena in the stories could actually happen in the real world. Join the fun and be a scientific star while improving your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Jennifer Botello
#207 SUMMER ADVENTURE THEATRE COMPANY
Grades 2-5
Students will form our 2026 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
#208 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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#209 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™ and recycled materials. Join us for an action-packed, fun-filled experience and STEAM through the summer!
Lorie Alexander & Carl Avitia-Witt
#210 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. 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 tech-minded child with some experience using technology.
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#211 LIGHTS! CAMERA! CALCULATE!
Grades 3-5
Lights, camera…numbers! Students will plan, budget and film their own movie projects while learning how mathematics drives real-world decisions. From managing costs to scheduling productions, we will learn how creativity and calculation work together. When the cameras roll, they’ll know the math adds up – lights, camera, calculate!
Monica Gonzalez & Courtney Hayes
#212 ARTE LATINO: ¡HABLA Y CREA! LATIN ART: SPEAK AND CREATE!
Grades 4-5
Take a creative journey across Latin America in our Spanish-immersion art experience, where 4th and 5th graders explore new countries and geography through fun, hands-on projects. Each day we will listen to beautiful Spanish stories and learn new vocabulary while discovering the amazing traditions that make each culture unique. It’s a joyful and interactive way for students to build their language skills and cultural appreciation while bringing home their own world-inspired masterpieces! No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary.
Judith Alvarez