Programs and Classes

Tuesdays @ a Glance

Session I

Session II

Lunch

Session III

Session IV

Mobile Friendly Version

Winter 2020 Class Catalog

Tuesdays, Session I, 9:50-10:40

All Tuesday classes are available for non-members at $65 each.

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Language & Lit for Littles

Facilitator(s): Christi Brabec

Target age range: 4-8

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 14 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, verbal, artistic

Member cost: $6

Each class will consist of an arts & crafts project, drawing in sketchbooks & learning vocabulary as we read the children's books of Gene Zion & Margaret Bloy Graham.

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Story Time Snacks

Facilitator(s): Chelsea Green

Target age range: 4-12

Age flexible? With parent involvement for younger learners, older learners welcome

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 30 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, spatial, artistic, social

Cost: $10

Kids get excited about reading with Story Time Snacks! Each week we will read aloud a seasonally appropriate book and children will have a chance to assemble and eat a fun snack that relates to the story. They will have fun creating snacks that look like snowmen, snowflakes, bears and more! Children under four are welcome with a parent/POD.

This class will meet 6 of 8 weeks. During the two off weeks, learners aged 4+ will be in Real Recess.

Allergy Alert: In this class we will be using peanut butter, milk and egg products and more. If your child has a food allergy please plan on attending with your child.

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Real Recess Session I

Facilitator(s): None

Target age range: 5-18

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 20 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $5

*Add Story Time Snacks with registration $15 for both

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If your child is artistic or creative, loves to play outside, or is looking for an opportunity to meet other homeschoolers, this may be the perfect fit for you. Real Recess is self-directed, unstructured play and exploration in a mixed age environment. Some choices include:

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• Show & Tell - Learners and parents are welcome to bring something to share with the group.

• Outdoor playground - Covered and fenced with new equipment; basketball court, tag, paddle ball, parachute.

• Imagination Room - Stocked with lots of art and craft supplies for creating.

• Indoor Cold Weather Room - Board games in all age ranges available, construction & educational toys including Lego, K'NEX, Contraptions, Jix, Gears!, Suspend.

• Space to simply "be" - bring technology, or a book or project from home; chill with friends

Ewww, Bugs!

Facilitator(s): Heather Friesenhahn

Target age range: 5-8

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 12 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $10

Insects will teach learners about the most common insects in our area/Texas.  There will be hands-on games, experiments, crafts, and other activities.

Felicity: An American Girl

Facilitator(s): Grace Perkins

Target age range: 6-10

Age flexible? With facilitator approval

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 10 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: verbal, artistic, social

Cost: $17

Go back in time with us to Colonial America! Each week we will read from the Felicity Story Collection by Valerie Tripp with a short discussion time afterwards. Learners will also have fun making crafts/playing games specific to Felicity's time period. Learners are welcome to obtain their own copy of the series to read at home, but it is not required.

Stop Motion Storytelling

Facilitator(s): Jo Lynn Siebenhor

Target age range: 6-10

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 10 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, artistic, social

Cost: $8

Stop motion is a fun way to tell a story! We will work in groups to brainstorm story ideas then bring them to life with Stikbots stop motion sets.

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NOTE: Learners must have a tablet or cell phone.

Waldorf Puppetry

Facilitator(s): Meagan Duncan

Target age range: 7-15

Age flexible? Top end only

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 10 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, artistic

Cost: $15

During the class learners will decide on a story, make marionettes, learn how to manipulate them, design and bring to life our setting and props, and perform our story at the end of the term. There may be other small Waldorf crafts involved. The class vibe will likely be on the calm more reverent side.

NOTE: This is calm class with lots of fine motor work for the hands and fingers.

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Lost In The Pacific, 1942

Facilitator(s): Bridgette Hunt

Target age range: 8-18

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 15 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, verbal, logical, spatial

Cost: $12

We will be listening to the audio version of the book Lost In The Pacific, 1942, over the course of the term, while providing tactile experiences during the listening parts (puzzles, clay, rice tray, drawing, etc). We will have group discussions covering the history, geography, literary aspects of the book, plus time for journaling and exploring different topics that arise.

NOTE: Learners need to be able to work quietly so that all learners are able to hear the (true) story. This book touches on some mature themes and language and has religious references in it. For more details, contact the facilitator or Programs and Classes Leader.

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Logic Puzzles, Brain Teasers, and More!

Facilitator(s): Erin Wallace

Target age range: 10-18

Age flexible? With facilitator approval

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 12 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, logical, spatial

Cost: $8

Each week will be learning new kinds of logic puzzles, brain teasers, and games. These will include logic games and puzzles using cards, dice, etc that can be played individually (like versions of solitaire) and logic games played in pairs. Learners will come home with supplies to be able to teach their family and friends. Come join the fun!

NOTE: Reading and some simple math (adding up points, for instance) required

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Tuesdays, Session II, 11:00-11:50

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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Facilitator(s): Melyenda Heller

Target age range: 3-5

Age flexible? With facilitator approval

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 12 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $8

This is a three term class, meaning it will go through Fall, Winter, & Spring! Each week we will learn about a different letter in the alphabet through hands on, sensory based activities. This class is meant to be a fun introduction to the alphabet and phonemic awareness, not a mastery of those skills.

**Please be mindful of the time commitment when choosing to sign your child up for this class. I would request that only those who can commit to the three terms (Fall, Winter & Spring) sign up, as this will be a cumulative learning class.

NOTE: Age range is 3-6. A very young three year old may need more parental assistance.

Puppet Show

Facilitator(s): None/Meagan Duncan

Target age range: 2-8 or older

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 30

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $0

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Puppetry will bring alive puppets and stories in fun puppet shows for kids to enjoy. While the plays are especially for younger kids, 2-8, all learners are welcome to watch!

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Real Recess Session II

Facilitator(s): None

Target age range: 5-18

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 20 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $5

Note: attendance at Puppet Show included.

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If your child is artistic or creative, loves to play outside, or is looking for an opportunity to meet other homeschoolers, this may be the perfect fit for you. Real Recess is self-directed, unstructured play and exploration in a mixed age environment. Some choices include:

​​

• Show & Tell - Learners and parents are welcome to bring something to share with the group.

• Outdoor playground - Covered and fenced with new equipment; basketball court, tag, paddle ball, parachute.

• Imagination Room - Stocked with lots of art and craft supplies for creating.

• Indoor Cold Weather Room - Board games in all age ranges available, construction & educational toys including Lego, K'NEX, Contraptions, Jix, Gears!, Suspend.

• Space to simply "be" - bring technology, or a book or project from home; chill with friends

Hablamos Espanol

Facilitator(s): Mariel Juarez

Target age range: 5-8

Age flexible? With facilitator approval

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 10 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, verbal, social

Cost: $8

Students will continue with their simple introduction to Spanish. We will review different topics, practice as a group, and speak individually for facilitator encouragement. We will also play games to wrap up and review for class.

NOTE: Our Fall term class, "Let's Speak Spanish Together" is a prerequisite to Hablamos Espanol. Students who have some knowledge of Spanish, but who did not take the previous class can contact the facilitator about possibly joining the class.

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Learn to Draw

Facilitator(s): Rachel Rendall

Target age range: 6-9

Age flexible? Top end only

Attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 12 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, artistic, spatial

Cost: $9

In this class, learners will be taken through step-by-step instructions for drawing a new creation (or two!) each class using lessons from the Art for Kids Hub and other various DIY drawing channels on YouTube. We’ll have time to practice, repeat, and customize each drawing so that the student will leave class able to replicate the drawing and integrate the new learned skilled into their daily creating!

Maturity disclaimer—We will use permanent marker each class for outlining!

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Stop motion Storytelling

Facilitator(s): Jo Lynn Siebenhor

Target age range: 7-10

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 10 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, artistic, social

Cost: $8

Stop motion is a fun way to tell a story! We will work in groups to brainstorm story ideas then bring them to life with stikbots stop motion sets.

NOTE: Learners must have a tablet or cell phone.

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Wizard School

Facilitator(s): DeeDee Putzel

Target age range: 8-12

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 12 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal

Cost: $20

Welcome to Wizard School! This will be a year long class where we will read and discuss the Harry Potter books, watch the movies, and study courses such as Alchemy, Astronomy, Charms, Enchantments, Herbology, Incantations, Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, Potions, and Spells. These courses are the subjects commonly referred to as: language arts, science, history, art, and music. We will do hands on projects, play games, have lively discussions, do experiments, and create things using our imaginations and the Wizarding World as inspiration.

NOTE: Must be able to read independently, must be familiar with the Wizarding World and Harry Potter.

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Paper Mache

Facilitator(s): Janeen Guynn

Target age range: 8-15

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 15 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, artistic, spatial, social

Cost: $18

We will tackle four different paper mache projects in this class. These projects will include a hot air balloon, a fish, and two student chosen projects. In addition to creating the paper mache sculpture, we will be painting and decorating the items we create.

Allergy Alert: We will be using latex balloons and white glue.

NOTE: Wear clothing that you don't mind getting paint/glue on.

Psychology

Facilitator(s): Sandra Carrasco

Target age range: 12-18

Age flexible? No

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 16 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, verbal, logical, social

Cost: $8

Study Psychology experiments and learn how to apply that to yourself or others.

Tuesdays, Lunch, 11:50-12:40

Lunch and Listen: Treasure Island

Facilitator(s): Rachel Rendall

Target age range: 5-18, Families welcome

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 24 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, verbal, artistic

Cost: $3

Join us for lunch as we listen to Treasure Island on Audible. We'll eat lunch and have several hands on stations for learners so they can sculpt, build, and stay busy as they listen to Jim's adventure. In March the facilitator will host a field trip to Midland Community Theatre to watch Pickwick Players performing Treasure Island. The class will not finish Treasure Island, but should about 75% when class ends, and can continue on their own if they found it compelling enough.

NOTE: Learners must be quiet and respectful during the audio book, but will have plenty of opportunities to move around and stay busy. Parents and families are welcome to join us.

Learner's Council

Facilitator(s): Janeen Guynn

Target age range: 5-18

Age flexible? Based on maturity

Weekly attendance: Prefer regular attendance but flexible is okay 

Max. # of Participants: 20

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: are interested in programming and leadership

Cost: $0

This term we will meet for the first 15 minutes of lunch each week. We will be advertising and promoting our themes of the week that we decided on. We will also host at least one off campus event. Participants from the previous term will be automatically re-enrolled unless the facilitator is informed otherwise. New members are welcome to join us.

Tuesdays, Session III, 12:40-1:30

Real Recess + CEP Workshops, Session III

Facilitator(s): None

Target age range: 5-18

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 80 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $5

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If your child is artistic or creative, loves to play outside, or is looking for an opportunity to meet other homeschoolers, this may be the perfect fit for you. Real Recess is self-directed, unstructured play and exploration in a mixed age environment. Some choices include:

​​

• Show & Tell - Learners and parents are welcome to bring something to share with the group.

• Outdoor playground - Covered and fenced with new equipment; basketball court, tag, paddle ball, parachute.

• Imagination Room - Stocked with lots of art and craft supplies for creating.

• Indoor Cold Weather Room - Board games in all age ranges available, construction & educational toys including Lego, K'NEX, Contraptions, Jix, Gears!, Suspend.

• Space to simply "be" - bring technology, or a book or project from home; chill with friends

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During Session 3 of Real Recess there may be CEP Workshops offered during this time. These workshops might include make and takes, on-going or short-term classes, youth led classes, show and tell, or community presenters. We invite members to suggest and lead workshops. You can sign up for your choice of workshop when you arrive on campus. ** Some CEP Workshops might have an additional cost for materials.**

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Buttercream Art

Facilitator(s): Grace Perkins

Target age range: 7-18

Age flexible? With parent present

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 10 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: artistic, social

Cost: $30

Learners will be introduced to basic cake decorating techniques and practice what they learn in class. Some weeks we will use cupcakes as our canvas, and learners may eat their work. On the last week, they will each have a cake to decorate and take home as well as some of the decorating tools they used in class.

Allergy Alert: The facilitator will be bringing food supplies from her house, which is not allergy compliant. If your child has an allergy and would like to participate, the facilitator would be happy to talk to you to determine if there are reasonable alternatives.

Gavel Club

Facilitator(s): Janine Deckard

Target age range: 10-19

Age flexible? Needs to be interested, can read and write

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 15 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, verbal, logical, social

Cost: $8

Learner's lead class in prepared and impromptu speaking. They learn how to lead a meeting and professional speaking skills.This class will help improve speaking and leadership skills.

NOTE: Must be able to read and write

Card Mania

Facilitator(s): Tyler Day, Kari Day

Target age range: 12-18

Age flexible? No

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 14 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, social

Cost: $0

Participants will be learning card games using face cards. We will also be playing Magic the Gathering for those that want to participate.

Move

Facilitator(s): Molly Frieri & Bridgette Hunt

Target age range: 11-Adult

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 15

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, artistic, social

Cost: $0

Parents....Do you want to get a workout in while your kids are in class or do a workout WITH your kids? Teens and Tweens....Would you like to improve your fitness? Join us for an hour of movement. We will use online videos (a mixture of yoga, barre and Pilates) to get moving!

Parent Book Club

Facilitator(s): Melynda Heller

Target age range: Adult (parent or other adult)

Age flexible? No

Attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 20

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, verbal, logical, social

Cost: $0

Winter term we are going to read “The Call of The Wild and Free: Schooling That Reclaims The Wonder of Childhood” by Ainsley Arment.

NOTE: Each participant is responsible for purchasing their own copy of the book. We will meet in the Auditorium if the weather is bad.

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Tuesdays, Session IV, 1:50-2:40

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Real Recess + CEP Workshops, Session IV

Facilitator(s): None

Target age range: 5-18

Age flexible? Yes

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 80 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $5

​

If your child is artistic or creative, loves to play outside, or is looking for an opportunity to meet other homeschoolers, this may be the perfect fit for you. Real Recess is self-directed, unstructured play and exploration in a mixed age environment. Some choices include:

​​

• Show & Tell - Learners and parents are welcome to bring something to share with the group.

• Outdoor playground - Covered and fenced with new equipment; basketball court, tag, paddle ball, parachute.

• Imagination Room - Stocked with lots of art and craft supplies for creating.

• Indoor Cold Weather Room - Board games in all age ranges available, construction & educational toys including Lego, K'NEX, Contraptions, Jix, Gears!, Suspend.

• Space to simply "be" - bring technology, or a book or project from home; chill with friends

​

During Session 4 of Real Recess there may be CEP Workshops offered during this time. These workshops might include make and takes, on-going or short-term classes, youth led classes, show and tell, or community presenters. We invite members to suggest and lead workshops. You can sign up for your choice of workshop when you arrive on campus. ** Some CEP Workshops might have an additional cost for materials.**

Woodworking 101

Facilitator(s): Molly Frieri

Target age range: 8-18

Age flexible? No

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 10 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $19

Do you love creating with wood? In Woodworking 101 we will discuss woodworking safety then complete projects using a tape measure, hammer, drill and possibly a hand saw! We will create wooden robots, wood stamps, paper airplane launchers, water balloon launchers and much more!

NOTE: We will be using nails, hammers, drills and possible and handsaw. Please bring your own hammer and tape measure to class. Safety goggles required.

Video Game Social

Facilitator(s): Amanda and Tony Schaffrina

Target age range: 8-18

Age flexible? No

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 13 Sold Out

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, visual, verbal, logical, artistic, social, spatial

Cost: $0

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Ready to hang out and socialize while playing our favorite video games together? Bring your own phones, tablets, or games/gaming systems to play on and share. Video monitor(s) will be provided by Open Skies if you are bringing a system. 

Exploring Language

Facilitator(s): Janine Deckard

Target age range: 10-19

Age flexible? Needs to read and write

Weekly attendance: Flexible

Max. # of Participants: 15 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: visual, verbal, artistic, social

Cost: $15

This class is for any child interested in spoken language. My own passion is for Sign Language (SEE), Hebrew, and French, but my family uses Spanish, Russian and Japanese on a regular basis. We will explore Latin roots of the romance languages and learn conversational speech in whatever language our learners want to.

Island Mayhem

Facilitator(s): Nichole Day, Zippy Deckard, Kari Day

Target age range: 10-18

Age flexible? No

Weekly attendance: Regular attendance recommended

Max. # of Participants: 10 Very limited availability

This class is likely to appeal to learners who are: kinesthetic, verbal, logical, artisticCost: $8

Participants will create an island with a government or monarchy. As the President or Monarch, they will decide how the island reacts and responds to other islands. The participants will be required to draw their island, create terrain, resources, and monetary value. They will be required to write their laws and or Constitution and be ready to go to war and possibly create a treaty.

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Wednesdays

Community Membership classes.

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What is a healthy ecosystem?

Facilitator(s): Irene Perry of UTPB

Location: Sibley Nature Center

Date: January 15

Time: 9:30-11:30

9:30 am arrival, program begins 10:00 sharp 

Target age range: All

Max. # of Participants: 50 Sold Out

Cost: $0

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We will explore and discuss what an ecosystem is in an ecological context looking at the different levels (population, community, ecosystem, landscape, biosphere). We will investigate factors of a healthy ecosystem and services that an ecosystem provides.

Native Butterfly Plants

Facilitator(s): Michael Nickel

Location: Sibley Nature Center

Date: February 19

Time: 9:30-11:30

9:30 am arrival, program begins 10:00 sharp 

Target age range: All

Max. # of Participants: 50 Sold Out

Cost: $0

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This program will be about the structure and function of flowers and their use in identifying plant families with an emphasis on those families in the Sibley Garden.

Thursdays

Community Membership classes.

Where is it Located?

Facilitator:  Kaylee Cochran

Location: George W. Bush Childhood Home

Date: January 9

Time: 2:00-3:00

Target age range: 7-15, flexible with interest

Max. # of Participants: 15 Sold Out

Cost: $0

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Learning about the 50 States is already a challenge, but trying to locate them is even harder. The students will learn where each state is located and with the help of context clues and fun facts will help them learn more about our 50 states.

• The students will get a chance to try and locate the 50 States on our US Map. 

• The students will watch video clips about The Lone Star State and The Roy Rogers Show.

Note: General geography knowledge will be helpful.

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Tiny Art

Facilitator(s): Melissa Rowland

Location: Museum of the Southwest

Date: January 16

Time: 2:00-3:30

Target age range: 6-18

Max. # of Participants: 20 Sold Out

Cost: $2

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Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact.  Learn how to zoom in close and examine objects and artworks you might not notice or that might not be visible to the human eye.  Learn how to use viewfinders and microscopes to examine the world around you and create a miniature work of art.

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Lunar New Year

Facilitator(s): Valerie Rodriguez

Location: Museum of the Southwest

Date: January 23, 2020

Time: 2:00-3:30

Target age range: 8-18

Max. # of Participants: 25 Sold Out

Cost: $2

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We will be investigating and exploring what the Lunar New Year means both historically and scientifically. We will look back at how the moon helped shape calendars based off astronomical events in our sky.

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Road to Revolution

Facilitator:  Kaylee Cochran

Location: George W. Bush Childhood Home

Date: January 30

Time: 2:00-3:00

Target age range: 7-15, flexible with interest

Max. # of Participants: 15 Sold Out

Cost: $0

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The American Revolution is the foundation of our rights and freedom today, but there were grievances that led us to this monumental declaration. The Road to Revolution will show the students what those grievances were and to what our breaking point was that led to the Boston Tea Party and to our own Declaration of Independence (Break-up letter) to King George III.

• The students will watch an episode of PBS's Liberty Kids and Schoolhouse Rock clip of the Boston Tea Party.

• The students will get to write their own Declaration of Independence or "Break-up" Letter to King George III.

Note: Very basic knowledge of the American Revolution will be helpful.

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It Began with a Cape

Facilitator:  Kaylee Cochran

Location: George W. Bush Childhood Home

Date: February 27

Time: 2:00-3:00

Target age range: 5-15

Max. # of Participants: 15 Sold Out

Cost: $0

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Superheroes have been around since the early 19th century. The students will learn about what it means to have patriotism and how our beloved comic book characters tie in to patriotism of America. They will also learn how they have evolved to continue facing similar or new problems we face in the USA today.

• The students will get to create their own superheroes representing what they stand for.

• The students will also watch an episode of either the Avengers, Spiderman, X-Men and the origins of Captain America and Superman.

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Note: Some knowledge about WWII will be helpful.

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