DPIE

Hello Cottonwood Creek Families!!!!

We are delighted to be offering in-person after school classes again. We have some of your favorite teachers back and some new courses to offer you.

We are offering a dynamic selection of courses available from 1st Grade through to 5th Grade.

Winter Session 2023-2024

Actors’ Workshop!

Instructor: Professional Actors from Kenn Adams Synergy Theater
Grade Level: 1 -5
Day/Dates: Wednesday – Dec 6, 13, 20 | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31 | Feb 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 x 1 hour
Time: 2.05 - 3.05pm
Room: C203
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing -$196 After November 30 - $210

It’s laughter, learning and limelight with the After School Drama Club - The Actor’s Workshop! Through a fun series of theater games, acting exercises and scripted scene work, this introductory acting class teaches the fundamentals of the actor’s craft. Students explore the “three tools of the actor” – voice, body and imagination – as they learn how to create characters, interpret scripts and perform for an audience. The class teaches true theater skills such as stagecraft, emotionally truthful acting, and professional theater etiquette, while encouraging creativity and inspiring the imagination. The class culminates with a workshop presentation of scenes and monologues for an invited audience.

Take it once or take it again and again! Students are encouraged to repeat the program several times. While the overall objectives remain the same, there are always new games, new activities and new performance scenes to keep the program varied and interesting. As students progress through successive iterations of the program, they continue to work on more sophisticated material in order to ensure that their skills continue to grow and that they are being appropriately challenged.

Enrollment Open

Advanced LEGO™ Robotics

Instructor:   CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Thursday - Nov 30 | Dec 7, 14 | Jan 11, 18, 25 | Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: C205
Tuition:   Early Bird - $199 After November 23 - $210

Prerequisite: To enroll in this course you MUST have first completed our Lego Robotics, WeDo Lego Robotics for Elementary Students or some other beginning Robotics class so your child is familiar with the basics of block coding. Otherwise, students should enroll in the Lego Robotics class at least once before enrolling in the Advanced Lego Robotics course.

Do you have a budding engineer in your family and a child who just can’t get enough of building and problem solving? Then the Advanced Lego Robotic course might be just the class you’re looking for. Working in teams, students will participate in an interactive engineering design process and will be challenged to construct more complex and dynamic robot projects that enable them to successfully complete a series of engineering challenges.

The Advanced Robotics course is designed for students who have already participated in our Beginning Lego & Robotics course as taught in the DPIE After School Program or a student who has already taken a basic robotics course and learned or is familiar with the basics of block coding.

Note: Students can enroll in this class twice without repeating any of the projects.

Enrollment Open

Chess Academy for Kids (2 Classes)

Instructor: Pacific Chess Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2 and Grades 3-5 (two classes)
Day/Dates: Monday – Nov 27 | Dec 4, 11, 18 | Jan 22 | Feb 5, 12, 26 | Mar 4
Sessions: 9 classes x 67 minutes
Time: 2:05 - 3:12 pm
Room: C103 - Grades 1 - 2 E105 - Grades 3-5
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $198 After November 20- $210

Learn chess with Pacific Chess Academy!

This program is a great opportunity for kids to learn how to overcome obstacles, think strategically, and stay focused. Specially designed for young players with various levels of chess experience (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced) the course offers easy-to-follow instructions, individual recommendations and preparation for chess tournaments. Parents can monitor kids’ progress by using our FREE mobile application PACIFIC CHESS ACADEMY easily downloadable from AppStore with unlimited chess games, studies, puzzles and tournaments.

Our students learn chess tactics and strategies and quickly become decent players ready for any challenge. We also offer make-up classes in online format (2 per semester) to kids who miss their regular class at school. Our students are provided with all necessary chess equipment for lessons so all they need to bring is a big smile and a willingness to win!

Chess Academy after school program at Dublin Elementary Schools

6 Reasons Kids Should Learn Chess

Improves concentration, attention span and memory abilities.
Enhances reading and math skills.
Fosters critical-thinking and creativity in young minds.
Encourages and rewards hard work.
Develops problem solving skills.
Exercises both sides of your brain

Please enroll via your students Grade.

Enrollment Open

Creative Writing for Primary Grades: Historical & Realistic Fiction

Note: Students may re-enroll in all Talent Nook Writing & Reading courses as the themes change from session to session and the students will learn new curriculum each time they enroll in one of their courses.

Instructor: Talent Nook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2
Day/Dates: Tuesday – Dec 5, 12, 19 | Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 | Feb 6, 13, 20
Sessions: 10 x 1 Hour
Time: 2:05 - 3.05pm
Room: C204
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After November 28 - $210

Encourage your child to use their imagination and creativity to explore these two similar yet different genres through reading, writing, and drawing.

In this course, students will be introduced to Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction. Historical Fiction unfolds with past events that repeat into present-day events. All characters and settings resemble the people in history. Tales within Historical Fiction remain grounded in historical characters and events, and many authors introduce some modern-day concepts. An example would be a day in the life of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln’s lifestyle, education, struggles, and accomplishments are true to what we portray today.

Realistic Fiction has outcomes from real-life situations. Here, the characters bear a resemblance to people in the real world, complete with our challenges and how we overcome them towards success. In Realistic Fiction, there is language to convey the actual situation of the “real” characters, such as in The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess. Here, The Cat is the same as any visitor who creates chaos in the home without parental supervision.

Talentnook Creative Writing after school classes at Dublin elementary schools.

Students complete their writing and drawing portfolios, showcasing their newfound skills and creativity. Students gain a deeper appreciation for both genres and learn to relate to characters, settings, and new situations.

Through the readings of Historical and Realistic Fiction, students will:

Develop and understand real-life versus historical events in drawing and writing
Learn about different character development and their roles in the real world
Appreciate the author’s point of view and how it may differ from their own.

Enrollment Open

Creative Writing for Grades 3 - 5: Historical & Realistic Fiction

Instructor: Talent Nook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 3 - 5
Day/Dates:   Friday – Dec 1, 8, 15 | Jan. 12, 19, 26 | Feb 9, 16, 23 | Mar 8
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: B203
Tuition:   Early Bird Pricing - $200 After November 24 - $210

Encourage your child to use their imagination and creativity to explore these two similar yet different genres through reading and writing.

Students will be introduced to Historical and Realistic Fiction, where the characters and setting resemble real life. In this course, students will “feel” the events in their own lives. In Historical Fiction, authors illustrate the events in an effective way by using the language of the “real” characters during their unique period. Students learn to identify with time periods and fictional and non-fictional characters. An example of historical fiction would be Peter Pan. Here, the character is a fictional boy looking to remain forever young and oblivious to the world around him.

In Realistic Fiction, students gain an awareness of both present and past situations. Here, the author portrays the character, culture, and society with more modern twists. Learning realistic fiction aids in understanding global facts, which can be an asset in their own lives. An example of Realistic Fiction is R.J. Palacio's Wonder and the character, August. The disﬁgured character must live in a society that is often cruel, with many misunderstandings of his disability and his plight for acceptance.

Talentnook Creative Writing after school classes at Dublin elementary schools.

Students complete their writing portfolio, showcasing their newfound skills and creativity. They also gain a deeper appreciation for both genres and, learn to relate and identify with character settings, new perspectives, and determine fact from opinion.

Through the readings of Historical and Realistic Fiction, students will:

Develop and understand accurate historical settings
Learn about what makes facts come alive during reading and writing.
Appreciate elements of character, dialogue, setting, theme, plot, conflict, and world-building.

Enrollment Open

Game Development

Instructor: CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Monday –Nov 27 | Dec 4, 11, 18 | Jan 22 | Feb 5, 12, 26 | Mar 4
Sessions: 9 x 67 minutes
Time: 2:05 - 3:12 pm
Room: C104
Tuition: Early Bird - $199 After November 20 - $210

This is a beginner’s course in design and building games. Students will be using the roblox game engine to build 3D games and learning the fundamentals of programming doing so. This is a fun way for kids to learn programming while applying their creative side to design games. They will be learning and practicing the concepts of variables, IF ELSE conditions, Loops, timers, functions, checkpoint, and events in this course.

Note: Students can take this class twice without repeating any projects.

Enrollment Open

Keys to Becoming An Inspirational Public Speaker

Instructor: Gurus Education, East Bay
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Tuesday – Dec 5, 12, 19 | Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 | Feb 6, 13, 20
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: D203
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After November 28 - $210

A highly confident speaker is viewed as being more credible & knowledgeable.

Our goal is to help kids overcome public speaking anxiety, voice their opinion confidently, present impressively and write effectively in 6 easy steps. Students will gain an understanding of various writing formats such as persuasive, narrative, descriptive etc. They will also learn to make strong arguments by providing reasoning and evidence on thought provoking debatable topics.

This course will help kids formulate their thoughts with a clear and concise structure and prepare them for SUCCESS with CONFIDENCE!!

Enrollment Open

LEGO® Robotics

Instructor:   CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 1 - 5
Day/Dates: Friday – Dec 1, 8, 15 | Jan 12, 19, 26 | Feb 9, 16, 23 | Mar 8
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: C206
Tuition:   Early Bird - $199 After November 24 - $210

Kids will have a great time in this hands-on Robotics course while also being introduced to various aspects of mechanical, electrical, and computer science Engineering. Students will be introduced to a block coding language in order to provide an intuitive understanding for programming as well as provide easy to follow instructions to build many simple machines.

In every class session students will use Lego pieces to build figures like airplanes, alligators, a smart spinner, etc., and they will be introduced to mechanical and electrical mechanisms like sensors, gears, pullies. They will then use block programming to help their fit all these pieces together to create their own moving project.

Note: Students can enroll in this class two times without repeating activities.

Enrollment Open

Noetic Math – Inspire the Mathematician Within Your Student

Instructor: Instructor from Math Trek Program
Grade Level: 1 - 3
Day/Dates: Wednesday – Dec 6, 13, 20 | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31 | Feb 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 X 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: E206
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $192 After November 29 - $205

Help your child discover the “magic” of math by enrolling them in our Noetic Math course. This class is different from a typical math class as it focuses on problem-solving skills that help students discover their own mathematical abilities and learn to appreciate how math can help them in the real world. During the course students will work on problems both individually and in teams to solve complex math problems through a variety of math games that are fun, challenging and inspirational.

Students will not only learn to effectively multiply, divide. they will be introduced to algebraic concepts that help them learn math conceptually. The class takes a gradual approach of exposing students from conceptually easy problems to progressively more complex problems. Not only will their math skills improve but they will be inspired to learn and enjoy math on a level they may not have experienced in the past. During our time together students will have the chance to participate in a variety of math contests that challenge them to apply the skills they are learning. Students who choose, can participate in semi-annual Noetic Learning Math Contests (NLMC) for elementary students which we will let our families know about.

The goal of our program is to help students develop their problem-solving skills, enhance their enjoyment of math and to inspire them to excel in math as time goes on.

Enrollment Open

Reading With Comprehension Strategies for Primary Grades: Expository Reading

Instructor: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2
Day/Dates: Wednesday – Dec 6, 13, 20 | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31 | Feb 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 -3:05pm
Room: E105
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After November 29 - $210

Expository style explains a topic using facts in simple stories with pictures, often including an argument, fact, and a conclusion summarizing the information. In this reading course, students will interpret simple text to understand different opinions in the world through reading and illustrations with important messages.

Students will read passages that help explain information at their level of understanding. The most common examples of expository writing include reports, essays, and magazine articles. Different articles either compare and contrast, state a problem with a solution, or describe a situation with cause and effect. Expository writing has a clear purpose: to educate the reader. This style persuades readers through observations and experiences through simple text and illustrative techniques. Early elementary students learn through identifying and observing text.

Reading Expository Passages will enable your student to:

Explain to the instructor and understand the reading passages.
Understand the author's point of view and determine whether they agree or disagree!
Learn to evaluate evidence, opinion, and accuracy.

Enrollment Open

Reading Comprehension Strategies for Grades 3 – 5: Expository Reading

Instructor: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 3 - 5
Day/Dates: Tuesday – Dec 5, 12, 19 | Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 | Feb 6, 13, 20
Sessions: 10 x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: C104
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After November 28- $210

Expository writing primarily aims to provide factual information about a particular topic, subject, method, or concept. It serves as a means to explain information, encompassing various forms such as reports, essays, and magazine articles. In contrast to creative writing, such as fiction, expository writing focuses on delivering factual content, making it the language of learning and understanding the world around us.

In this course, students will read descriptive reading passages where characteristics, traits, and examples define topics. Essays outline a series of steps needed to complete a task or produce something and will also be covered. Comparative/contrast passages will demonstrate how two or more subjects are the same and different. Cause/effect will describe how one step leads to a

result. Problem/solution presents a problem with possible solutions backed by data and facts, and Classification reading material breaks down a broad topic into groupings. Your student will get a chance to sample all four expository writing pieces. Students will determine if the reading is factual or fictional and be able to cite evidence from the text to prove their theories.

Reading with Comprehension Strategies course will enable your student to:

Identify four subtopics of expository writing.
Understand and annotate various types of writing and attempt to comprehend details.
Begin to cite accurate evidence in writing practice for cohesion and sophistication.

Enrollment Open

Stop Motion Animation

Instructor:   CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Thursday – Nov 30 | Dec 7, 14 | Jan 11, 18, 25 | Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05pm - 4:05pm
Room: C104
Tuition:   Early Bird - $199 After November 23 - $210

Everyone has a story to tell. Make yours memorable with Frames. Combine imagination, art and technological skills to create stop motion animation projects to share at your school, with family or with friends. Learn how to use cool special effects while creating your project that will be the envy of all your friends. You will learn how to use stop motion as can be seen in many popular movies such as Kubo, Missing Link, Boxtrolls, and even Robocop. During the course you will learn the step-by-step instructions, from video editing to the compilation of pictures, to make your own movie.

Master the creative foundational skills of stop motion animation and graphic design concepts

Project-based, instructor guided class. Students work on 135 frame movie from inception to publishing the movie

Final project involves envisioning concept, script writing and development (visual & sound editing, frame rates, frame duration, shapes, adding nodes, pan & zoom, animating texts etc.). Presentation and peer evaluation in the last class

Introduction to different animation styles (Claymation, object, cut-out and pixilation) through examples and discussion. Our program promotes out of the box thinking, observing, communicating and reflecting.

Enrollment Open

WordSMASH! for Grades 1-2: Reading and Word Fun

Instructor: Certified Instructor from Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2
Day/Dates: Friday – Dec. 1, 8, 15 | Jan 12, 19, 26 | Feb 9, 16, 23 | Mar 8
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: C104
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After November 24 - $210

Shh! Between you and me, this is an academic language course, but the children do not believe it. This engaging reading and vocabulary course is jam-packed with word games, jokes, rhymes, wacky prompts, and silly books that inspire your child to read, figure out, and laugh out loud. It's a complete mishmash of reading and words that makes language entertaining, so much so that children have no idea they are learning complex language skills.

Each week delivers a theme from FLAG DAY TO ZOO ANIMALS. The theme starts with reading and becomes a riot of fun language to ignite your child's imagination. From SOLAR SYSTEM DAY to TREASURE HUNTS, we offer "rhymes, puns, word search, crossword puzzles, nonsense, and other secret delights. We laugh at English language exceptions to rules, ironies, “what ifs,” “can you match this,” which makes each child learn phonics, diction, and figurative language through lighthearted humor to get everyone excited to read, play, and learn. The collaborative and energetic environment encourages participation, and your child will let loose and let the words and ideas flow.

Each student creates a folder filled with their dazzling creations after reading thematic stories, poems, and literature full of jokes, puzzles, word searches, themes, limericks, scrambled words, silly sagas, and funny situations. Please be aware that they will laugh on their way home. Your child's imagination is the only limit! (Caution: This course is contagious to other family members! Enjoy)

WordSMASH! will enable your child to:

Enjoy and develop reading and word skills with fun and inspiration.
Read and develop endless possibilities that only a young child can imagine.
Complete their endings, projects, and loose ends through words

Enrollment Open

Writing with Comprehension Strategies: Expository Writing for Primary Grades

Instructor: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2
Day/Dates: Thursday – Nov 30 | Dec 7, 14 | Jan 11, 18, 25 | Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: B205
Tuition: Early Bird - $200 After November 23 - $210

In this writing course, students improve their grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary through reading passages and direct instructor input. The ingredients of language arts, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and reading are developed to create better writers. Students attempt to organize their thoughts into words and sentences and understand information through pictures and reading.

Students use previous skills taught in the classroom and continue to reflect their own opinions in popular children’s nonfiction reading passages. Advanced critical thinking skills become more fluid and organized. Communication through context grows as students develop strategies for engaging in conversations and class discussions, leading to articulate writing. Students write in a harmonious atmosphere to enhance their understanding of text and discussion.

Students develop new strategies for writing skills. Through language, vocabulary, and writing practice, students focus on developing thought and improving writing with confidence, understanding, and interest.

Writing with Comprehension Strategies course will enable your student to:

Identify the specific purpose at a basic level.
Develop advanced vocabulary, grammar, and language skills for academic writing.
Write more detailed responses from non-fiction reading passages.

Enrollment Open

Writing with Comprehension Strategies - Expository Writing for Grades 3-5

Instructor: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 3 - 5
Day/Dates: Wednesday – Dec 6, 13, 20 | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31 | Feb 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: D201
Tuition: Early Bird - $200 After November 23 - $210

In this writing course, students improve their grasp of grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and the use of language with engaging reading passages and direct instructor input. The ingredients of language arts, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and reading are developed to create better readers and writers in this academic course. Students benefit from reading a variety of different points of view.

Through varied and interactive reading passages, students learn to compare and contrast different points of view, author’s tone, figurative language, opinions, and facts presented in educational literature. Informational text is analyzed with reading and writing strategies for accuracy and speed for the later stage at the elementary level.

Students build skills by conversing on grade-level topics and reading texts with supporting details. Textual information is presented with engaging questions discussed in class, which leads to better descriptive writing. With greater understanding, writing builds confidence and awareness.

Writing with Comprehension Strategies course will enable your student to: