Spring Session 2023-2024
- Actors Workshop (Wednesday)
- Advanced LEGO™ Robotics (Thursday)
- Chess Academy for Kids (Monday)
- Creatif: Exploring Art through Drawing and Painting (Tuesday)
- Creatif: Springtime Kawaii Art Adventure (Monday)
- Creative Writing for Grades 3-5: Comedy and Thriller (Friday)
- Creative Writing for Grades 1-2: Comedy and Thriller (Tuesday)
- Game Development (Monday)
- LEGO® Robotics (Friday)
- Mandarin Immersion Class for K-Grade 3 (Tuesday)
- Masters of Public Speaking: Present With an Impact! (Tuesday)
- Noetic Math – Inspire the Mathematician Within Your Student (Wednesday)
- Read Aloud! for Grades K-2 (Wednesday)
- Reading Comprehension and Writing Strategies - Literary Fiction for Grades 3-5 (Tuesday)
- Reading Comprehension and Writing Strategies - Literary Fiction for Grades 1-2 (Monday)
- Spanish Safari: Sing, Rhyme, Play, and Write! - For Grades K-5 (Thursday)
- WordSMASH! Reading and Word Fun for Grades K-2 (Friday)
Actors’ Workshop!
Instructor: Professional Actors from Kenn Adams Synergy Theater
Grade Level: 1 -5
Day/Dates: Wednesday – March 13, 20, 27 | April 10, 17, 24 | May 1, 8, 15, 22
Sessions: 10 x 1 hour
Time: 2.05 - 3.05pm
Room: E206
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing -$196 After March 6 - $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.
Advanced LEGO™ Robotics
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.
Instructor: CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Thursday - March 14, 21, 28 | April 11, 18, 25 | May 2, 9, 16, 23
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: E206
Tuition: Early Bird - $199 After March 7 - $210
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.
Chess Academy for Kids (2 Classes)
Instructor: Pacific Chess Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2 and Grades 3-5 (two classes)
Day/Dates: Monday – March 11, 18, 25 | April 8, 15, 22, 29 | May 6, 13, 20
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05 pm
Room: C103- Grades 1 - 2 C104 - Grades 3-5
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $198 After March 4 - $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!
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
Creatif: Exploring Art through Drawing and Painting
Instructor: Creatif Art Instructor
Grade Level: 1 – 5
Day/Dates: Tuesday - March 19, 26 | April 9, 16, 23, 30 | May 7, 14
Sessions: 8 classes x 75 minutes
Time: 2:05 - 3:20 pm
Room: E205
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $199 After March 12 - $210
Join us for an exciting and interactive drawing and painting class tailored specifically for young artists. Through this fun session they will be introduced to basic drawing and painting skills. They'll have the opportunity to express themselves artistically, creating vibrant artworks.
No prior experience required as this class is designed to inspire creativity and foster a love for art. Join us as we embark on a colorful journey of self-expression and creativity! Enroll your child today to ignite their passion for drawing and painting.
Creatif: Springtime Kawaii Art Adventure
Instructor: Creatif Art Instructor
Grade Level: 1 – 5
Day/Dates: Monday – March 18, 25 | April 8, 15, 22, 29 | May 6, 13
Sessions: 8 classes x 75 minutes
Time: 2:05 - 3:20 pm
Room: Change to Middle Flex Room
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $199 After March 4 - $210
Creatif is excited to invite your child to a delightful spring-themed Kawaii art adventure! Join us for an enchanting session where participants will dive into the world of drawing adorable Kawaii characters. This engaging class will immerse your child in the joyful art of creating cute and vibrant spring-inspired Kawaii art.
Every student will receive an individual sketchbook to nurture their spring-themed Kawaii artistry. They'll explore these newfound skills while crafting treasured mementos like windchimes, bookmarks and canvases adorned with delightful kawaii designs. Our creative journey will traverse through an array of mediums, embracing the use of pencils, sharpies, colorful markers, and other imaginative tools.
Don't miss out on this exciting and highly sought-after class; secure your spot today! We are looking forward to creating art with your child.
Creative Writing for Grades 1-2: Comedy and Thriller
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 – March 12, 19, 26 | April 9, 16, 23, 30 | May 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 x 1 Hour
Time: 2:05 - 3.05pm
Room: C105
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After March 5 - $210
Embark on an imaginative journey with our upcoming course, Creative Writing. Designed to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and a love for storytelling, this course introduces students to the dynamic worlds of Comedy and Thriller genres.
In the first five sessions, students will be engaged in interactive comedic tales featuring relatable characters and settings, which will be narrated. These stories will introduce them to the whimsical world of Comedy, emphasizing the humor derived from everyday situations. Through laughter and perspective, students will naturally connect with characters whose experiences mirror their own, fostering a sense of familiarity.
Through the readings of the Thriller genre, students will analyze character traits and behaviors in suspenseful contexts that lead to tension and climax of events. By exploring how characters respond to mysterious situations, students will recognize the parallels between the characters in the stories and their own experiences, making the circumstances more relatable.
Through the readings of Comedy and Thriller, students will:
- Gain an appreciation for the diverse ways stories can be told, from humorous narratives to suspenseful plots.
- Experience various emotions, from hearty laughter during comedic readings to the anticipation and excitement of thrilling stories
- Develop the ability to identify elements that contribute to the comedic or thrilling nature of a story.
Creative Writing for Grades 3-5: Comedy and Thriller
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: 3 - 5
Day/Dates: Friday – March 22 | April 12, 19, 26 | May 3, 10, 17, 24
Sessions: 8 classes x 75 minutes
Time: 3:05 - 4:20pm
Room: C104
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After March 15 - $210
In this course, students will explore the mysterious elements of plot twists, character development, and enigmatic settings, inviting them into a world of intellectual discovery. This course is a rollercoaster ride through the worlds of comedy and thriller, promising an unforgettable blend of laughter and suspense.
This captivating Course is not just an academic endeavor, it's an opportunity for the students to explore the magic of Comedy and Thriller genres, tapping into the essence of human connection, emotion, and shared imagination. Each student will get a chance to share personal reflections on how comedic and thrilling tales resonate with their own experiences.
This course aims not only to educate but to touch the hearts and minds of your exceptional students. Through laughter, suspense, and heartfelt narratives, we are confident that this expedition will profoundly impact their literary journey.
Through the reading of Comedy and Thriller, students will:
- Gain an appreciation for the diverse ways stories can be told, from humorous narratives to suspenseful plots.
- Experience a range of emotions, from hearty laughter during comedic readings to the anticipation and excitement of thrilling stories.
- Develop the ability to identify elements that contribute to the comedic or thrilling nature of a story.
Game Development
Instructor: CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Monday –March 11, 18, 25 | April 8, 15, 22, 29 | May 6, 13, 20
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: D203
Tuition: Early Bird - $199 After March 4 - $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.
LEGO® Robotics
Instructor: CompuChild Instructor
Grade Level: 1 - 5
Day/Dates: Friday – March 22 | April 12, 19, 26 | May 3, 10, 17, 24
Sessions: 8 classes x 75 minutes
Time: 3:05 - 4:20pm
Room: C205
Tuition: Early Bird - $199 After March 15 - $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.
Mandarin Immersion Class for K-Grade 3
Prerequisite – This classes is designed for student who have some experience listening to daily use of Mandarin in their home. However, speaking, reading and writing skills are not required and English explanations will be used in the classroom as needed to facilitate learning.
Instructor: Ms. Yu Wang, Owner Joyful Thoughts Mandaring Immersion Program
Grade Level: K - 3
Day/Dates: Tuesday - March 12, 19, 26 | April 9, 16, 23, 30 | May 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: D104
Tuition: Early Bird - $205 After March 5 - $215
Join our dynamic Mandarin Immersion class where language comes to life through explorations, interactive activities, and cultural adventures. Ignite your child’s curiosity, make friends, and embark on a language journey full of fun and discovery! All classes are designed to combine academic and social-emotional learning (SEL) to foster language fluency, vocabulary, grammar and expression, cultural awareness, self-esteem, and respect for diversity through immersive classes.
Learning goals are set up for each class with two reference materials, YCT (Youth Chinese Test) and HSK (Chinese proficiency Test). We also incorporate oral Mandarin expressions and daily used sentences into our lessons.
In our Mandarin Immersion program, students will be actively involved in the whole Mandarin learning process. A unique topic is designed for each class covering real-life problems, culture, community, nature, art, or social-emotional development. Students start thinking, observing, and discussing from a driving question. They also lead the exploration process by asking more questions and participating in group discussions. The class will have abundant hands-on activities that students will have a chance to finish their “work”— a final presentation, a poster, a handcraft, or a questionnaire, etc.
Please join us, enroll now and empower your child with the gift of bilingualism!
Masters of Public Speaking: Present With an Impact!
Instructor: Gurus Education, East Bay
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Day/Dates: Tuesday – March 12, 19, 26 | April 9, 16, 23, 30 | May 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: C204
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After March 5 - $210
Help your child build their presentation confidence by learning the important skills of public speaking. The skills practiced in this class will help your child make effective presentations that they will use the rest of their lives.
The course will focus on six important presentation skills that enhance your child’s public speaking ability:
- Non-Verbal communication skills – Students will come to understand how expressions, gestures, eye contact and body language help make presentations more impactful.
- Eliminate Irritating Mannerisms – Students will learn how to identify and eliminate distractions like filler words, fidgeting & interruptions can detract from a presentation.
- Vocal Expression – Students will learn how voice and tone can help them enrich their presentations and help them make important points.
- The3 P’s, Prepare, Practice & Present – Like an attorney who is preparing to go to court, students will learn that proper preparation will help them make effective presentations.
- Making Strong First Impressions – Students will come to understand the importance of strong opening statements and how they can help them effectively capture the attention of their audience.
- Have Fun – The more relaxed the presenter the more fun it will be for everyone.
Kids learn how to think critically and impact an audience effectively. Students begin to conduct research on more current issues and make powerful presentations with the use of Power Point, Charts, Posters and other Audio/Visual Aids. This course will help kids formulate their thoughts with a clear, creative and concise structure.
Our goal is to develop well-rounded confident individual and to give kids with any level of prior knowledge a HANDS-ON experience in each class!!
Noetic Math – Inspire the Mathematician Within Your Student
Instructor: Instructor from Math Trek Program
Grade Level: 1 - 3
Day/Dates: Wednesday – March 13, 20, 27 | April 10, 17, 24 | May 1, 8, 15, 22
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 Hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: C205
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $192 After March 6 - $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.
Read Aloud! for Grades K-2
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: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: K - 2
Day/Dates: Wednesday – March 13, 20, 27 | April 10, 17, 24 | May 1, 8, 15, 22
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 -3:05pm
Room: E203
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After March 6 - $210
This is a fun library reading hour after school. The reading material encompasses reading picture books to simple text, where children learn to follow characters, plot, and dialog. Here, we also use pop-up books to create tension and color in the stories. The books are read in a friendly, happy environment to provide a love of reading for pleasure.
The teacher engages each and every student with a theme of the week, reading material from Animal Babies to A Trip to the Airport. Children are encouraged to bring their own books to read with the class if they have a favorite to share. Children are asked questions about the story, share their thoughts, identify the lousy character/good character (protagonist/antagonist), and comment whether they liked or disliked the story and why. Each story is followed by coloring a picture and some new words to learn and sound out, along with discussions, hands-on activities, and animations. There is fun and smiles along the way as children learn the importance of reading for pleasure, information, and leisure activities.
Read Aloud will enable your student to:
- Develop a love of reading, listening, and word skills
- Stimulate language and reading by reading books with plot
- Read books and learn the art of discussion and character development
Reading Comprehension and Writing Strategies - Literary Fiction for Grades 3-5
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: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 3 - 5
Day/Dates: Tuesday – March 12, 19, 26 | April 9, 16, 23, 30 | May 7, 14, 21
Sessions: 10 x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: C104
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After March 5- $210
This comprehensive Reading and Writing course is targeted to academically enhance students' grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary skills through a carefully crafted curriculum that combines academics with comprehension techniques and direct instructor input.
With expository reading passages, the understanding of the text will emphasize the alignment of thought development and writing expression to produce better writers. This course encourages the development of details, analysis, and summarization.
Students will develop new strategies for reading and writing skills that enhance reading comprehension to create writing output that is taught and practiced. The course encourages students to express their thoughts through correct words and proper sentences. The integration of comprehension strategies supports holistic language development and academic success in years to come. By reinforcing skill building, we create thoughtful understanding and expression through reading and writing.
Reading and writing with Comprehension Strategies course will :
- Boost students' confidence in their academic abilities by refining their reading and writing
- Develop essential literacy skills that carry over into all academic subjects
- Instill an appreciation for reading and writing that develops critical thinking
Reading Comprehension and Writing Strategies - Literary Fiction for Grades 1-2
Instructor: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: 1 - 2
Day/Dates: Monday - March 11, 18, 25 | April 8, 15, 22, 29 | May 6, 13, 20
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 hour
Time: 2:05 - 3:05pm
Room: E105
Tuition: Early Bird - $200 After March 4 - $210
Implementing reading comprehension and writing strategies offers a wide array of benefits for students. Exposure to well-written texts contributes to the development of proper grammar and language usage in student’s writing and comprehensive reading methods which enhance vocabulary, thus empowering students with a richer language experience even at a beginning level.
In this course, students will build a more extensive vocabulary through exposure to a variety of texts to understand and implement context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words and sound them out. Reinforcement to apply proper grammar, punctuation, and language usage in reading enhances writing. This comprehensive course aims to provide a well-rounded set of literacy skills, preparing students for more advanced reading and writing tasks while fostering a love for literature and practical written and textual communication.
Reading and writing with Comprehension Strategies course will :
- Boost student confidence in translating suspense and tension into their writing
- Create a foundation of understanding the author’s purpose in written material
- Learn to illustrate writing into words and pictures from unknown events
Spanish Safari: Sing, Rhyme, Play, and Write! - For Grades K-5
Instructor: Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: K - 5
Day/Dates: Thursday - March 14, 21, 28 | April 11, 18, 25 | May 2, 9, 16, 23
Sessions: 10 classes x 1 Hour
Time: 3:05 - 4:05pm
Room: E104
Tuition: Early Bird - $199 After March 7 - $210
“Spanish Safari” is an enriching language program tailored to captivate young minds early on and deepen their understanding of the Spanish language and culture. In our Spanish course, our dedicated teachers are committed to providing a comprehensive and engaging learning experience that starts from the very basics. Week 1 of the course will be a foundational journey into the world of the Spanish language, beginning with essential elements like greetings, alphabets, numbers, and colors. Subsequent weeks dive into a diverse array of subjects, including personal and relatable topics like my home/family, parts of the body, weather, animals, telling time, hobbies, routines/school, and much more.
Each week offers an immersive and dynamic learning experience, incorporating interactive activities, games, music and discussions to make language acquisition engaging and enjoyable. Students get to showcase what they've learned through exciting projects. These projects focus on Spanish-speaking countries and cultural activities, allowing students to apply their language skills in creative and meaningful ways.
Spanish Safari will enable your student to:
- Cultivate cultural awareness, tolerance, and an appreciation for global perspectives
- Open up global opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.
- Enhance problem solving skills, as learning a new language requires navigating grammar rules, vocabulary, and sentence structures.
WordSMASH! Reading and Word Fun for Grades K-2
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: Certified Instructor from Talentnook Writing Academy
Grade Level: K - 2
Day/Dates: Friday – March 22 | April 12, 19, 26 | May 3, 10, 17, 24
Sessions: 8 classes x 75 minutes
Time: 3:05 - 4:20pm
Room: B203
Tuition: Early Bird Pricing - $200 After March 15 - $210
WordSMASH! at the kindergarten to second grade level is a combination of reading, playing, and drawing fun that ignites your child’s creativity and love for language. This course is jam-packed with sensory details and engages play-on words and letter recognition sounds. In this most basic program for our youngest learners, WordSMASH! comes alive with new themes, games, fun, laughter, and music. It will make language inspiring for their age level with phonics, word families, and rhymes.
WORDSMASH! offers weekly activities ranging from “Color My World” to “Make a Wish” and many more out of the box themes. Our program includes engaging word games, find the mistakes, rhymes, jokes, nonsense words, connect-the-dots, and more. With activities like "Can you rhyme with?" and "Music to write with," we bring laughter and learning together, encouraging a fun and interactive reading experience for children.
Our teachers let their inner child come out to play with your students. WordSMASH! provides the perfect foundation for kids to unleash their understanding of letters, sounds, and drawings to listen, laugh, and smile as their words flow. Warning: WordSMASH! is extremely entertaining, and your students might tell you everything that happened as they laugh out loud.
WORDSMASH will enable your student to:
- Develop thinking skills with phonics, word families, and tactile word games
- Stimulate language with sensory and drawing manipulatives.
- Complete portfolios with illustrative language and activity projects.