Awesome Art

My youngest seems to be a budding artist and especially loves getting creative with clay. She's been taking weekly art classes at SPARK Family Enrichment Center for a few months, and it's so much fun to see what projects she comes home with each week. The theme for the past six weeks has been Animals Around the World, and this is her cat sculpture from the final week.

New Homeschool Classes at SPARK!

A brand new Super Six Weeks of homeschool fun begins next Monday at SPARK. "Food for thought" is the theme for the next six weeks of art, science, geography and architecture! 


Art
In these 6 weeks, we will learn a little about the nutrition of food and all the other things that food can provide us with. We’ll paint beautiful landscapes with dies made out of vegetables, fruits and spices and make a sandwich out of clay!!! Prepare to have a blast!

Week 1 - Stamp art with fruits and vegetables
Week 2 - Paint Landscape with food dies made out of blueberries, beets, spices, green leaves, etc.
Week 3 - Still Life with fruits and pastries in oil pastels
Week 4 - Printmaking- Making cards with food impressions
Week 5 - Clay Sandwich
Week 6 - Recycled paper fruit sculpture 

Science
What better way to enjoy science than with food??? For the next six weeks, the SPARK science lab invades the kitchen for some Kitchen Chemistry, Eggsperiments, Conducting & Crystallizing and more! 

Architecture
Have you ever wondered how much goes into designing a themed restaurant? Not only does the designer consider the programmed functions of the building and how they are organized (dining areas, kitchen, restrooms) but he or she must also decide how the building looks from the exterior and how the interior spaces are shaped and treated.

The lucky kids at SPARK who participate in this class will learn from our own architectural designer who is a specialist in themed restaurants. The students will be exposed to ideas on how to go about designing a restaurant for several culinary experiences! We will touch on Mexican, Italian and Japanese vernacular architecture in the process, and each student will learn to wrap all these new thoughts into their own set of drawings for their own unique restaurant! 

Geography
Why do people eat what they eat?
What did the ancient Aztecs eat?
What did the first Colonists eat, and how did the American Indians help the Colonists survive?

Through our exploration of the history of food, students will act and think like nutritional anthropologists to investigate food that is eaten around the world today. They will learn how the climate and geography of a region affect what’s for dinner, see how science and technology have changed our diet and explore how canning, freezing, modern farming and air travel have changed the way people eat.

Classes are $10.00 per class if paid individually ($1.00 sibling discount). Save 10% when you pay in full for all 6 weeks (Payable in 2 installments). Preregistration is required. call 407-679-7775 to register today!

SPARK Offers Great Classes for Central Florida Homeschoolers

For those of you in the Orlando area, check out SPARK's new lineup of homeschool classes! Mondays have an animal theme and encompass art, science, geography and architecture, while Wednesdays focus on chemistry, writing and history. Tuesdays and Thursdays are Montesourri time, and art is always on the agenda!

In addition to homeschool and enrichment classes, SPARK also offers music lessons, private tutoring, a monthly Parent's Night Out and an adult art class, Sip & Sketch. No matter what the subject, classes at SPARK are among the most innovative and educational we've found!

Mondays:

SPARK! Super Six Week Session #2  February 27th - April 9th (no classes on March 19th)
$10.00 per class if paid individually ($1.00 sibling discount)
Save 10% when you pay in full for all 6 weeks (Payable in 2 installments)

9:00AM-10:00AM - Music Appreciation
Taught by Michael Grier
Music is a universal language, one that crosses barriers of race, age, gender, and social class. Cultivating an appreciation of music among children is especially important, as making and listening       to music can enhance and promote language development, coordination, creativity, and social skills, as well as cultivate a better understanding of one's history and culture. Indeed, much of a culture's ideals and heritage are embodied and preserved in its songs and music.

Young people are naturally drawn to music, and this attraction can also help them learn other subjects. Music has been proven to help develop parts of the brain that are used for academic work, for example, such as math and reading. Exposure to music can also significantly enhance a child's spatial reasoning, logic, and sensory motor skills. And it rarely takes long for children to move and dance with the music they hear or make themselves. Such a response heights their appreciation of music and provides them with physical exercise as well.

10:00AM - 11:00AM - Animal Art (K-2)  Taught by Fabiola Hansen
11:00AM - 12:00PM - Animal Art (3rd-5th)  Taught by Fabiola Hansen
Classes will focus on learning how to sketch, draw and paint animals of all kinds and from there producing more creative art in the same theme. We will start by learning how to draw certain animals, their physical characteristics and the environment they live in. Basic color theory will come next with color pencil techniques, oil pastels, watercolor and tempera paints. This class will learn about mixing colors, color schemes and their applications. In the last few classes, students will be able to apply what they have learned to projects in which they will have more freedom of expression, such as collage and 3 dimensional work.

10:00AM - 11:00AM - Animal Science (3rd-5th)  Taught by Denise Archilla
11:00AM - 12:00PM - Animal Science (K-2)  Taught by Denise Archilla
Budding zoologists will learn about Birds of Prey, Night Creatures, Great Apes, Big Cats, Safari Animals, and Sea Creatures! We’ll study the animals’ behaviour, habitats, and all kinds of fun facts. Of course we will have some hands-on fun, too, as we explore the ZOO!

12:00-12:30- Supervised Lunch
12:30PM - 1:30PM - Where Do the Zoo Animals Come From? (K-2)  Taught by Lisa Narva
   1:30PM - 2:30PM - Where Do the Zoo Animals Come From? (3rd-5th)  Taught by Lisa Narva
Students will embark on a global adventure to learn which animals come from each different part of our world!

12:30PM - 1:30PM - We're Building a Zoo! (K-2)  Taught by Lisa Ikegami
   1:30PM - 2:30PM - We're Building a Zoo! (3rd-5th)  Taught by Lisa Ikegami
In this class, Miss Lisa's architecture students will dive into designing a zoo! We will learn everything about how animal habitat meets with local environment and how to shape the local vernacular to accommodate the animals' needs and the visitors' enjoyment. Concepts to be explored include siting, interior and exterior plan design, and structual concepts. The students' new knowledge will incorporate construction of a three-dimensional model that demonstrates their new understanding and allows for creative exploration in model building. Come let your animal creativity out and get into our virtual zoo!

Tuesdays:

(Limit 6 kids per class)

10:00AM - 1:00PM - Montessori (Ages 6-9) - This enrichment program is perfect for the child who learns well in a hands-on environment. As in true Montessori manner, the class size will be kept small. We will explore Math, Language, Geography, Science, Art, Music, and Practical Life. The curriculum will be progressive and it is advised that your child attend both sessions each week. Students will be allowed to progress at their own rate within each subject area and also be encouraged to explore areas of interest beyond the classroom.

10:00AM -1:00PM Preschool Montessori (Ages 3-5) - This Montessori based preschool program for ages 3-5 will include a variety of hands on activities to enhance and inspire your child’s educational exploration. Primary areas of concentration will include math, language arts and practical life. Studies show that the earlier children are introduced to math, the easier it is for them to understand and connect  math concepts and facts. Children use concrete materials – such as blocks, beads, and tiles – as they learn. Language Arts includes learning the letter sounds before learning their names, as phonetics is used as a foundation for reading.  Basic skills such as handwriting, cutting, sorting, pouring, pin-pushing, geometrical solid recognition and more are also introduced and practiced with an emphasis on promoting self confidence and independence. Children are allowed and encouraged to move around and work at their own pace whether individually or in groups. As Maria Montessori said, “The hand is the chief teacher of the child.”

Wednesdays:

SPARK! Super Six Week Session #2  February 27th - April 9th (no classes on March 19th)
$10.00 per class if paid individually ($1.00 sibling discount)
Save 10% when you pay in full for all 6 weeks (Payable in 2 installments)

9:00AM - 10:00AM - Art Adventure (Taught by Fabiloa Hansen)
Students in both elementary and middle grades will love this exciting class! Taught by award winning instructor, Fabiola Hansen, this class will appeal to any child  who loves art! Offering both basic and complex projects, which will never repeat,this is not your typical art class! Students will learn to combine cultural diversity, and art history, and add his or her own unique creativity to the projects as well! Children will be introduced to basic skills and a mix of media. Typical projects and materials will include sketching in pencil and charcoal, chalk and oil pastel work, watercolor painting, and clay exploration. Every week is a different adventure! Spark! was voted #1 Art Program In Orlando Nickelodeon’s Parents Choice award for this class!

10:00AM - 11:00AM  -  Chemistry  (Taught by Denise Archilla)
Join us for 6 weeks of Chemistry fun! Experiments include making Elephant Toothpaste, Slime, GAK, and the classic Volcano, of course. We’ll even get to “play” with food to demonstrate not only chemical changes but states of matter as well. It’s going to be a BLAST!)

11:00AM - 12:00PM  

INSTITUTE for EXCELLENCE in WRITING (Grades 3-5) (Taught by Denise Archilla)
Elementary students will learn to love writing and learn all of the basics needed to progress academically. Taught by a certified IEW instructor, students will get a comprehensive and challenging writing program.

INSTITUTE for EXCELLENCE in WRITING (Grades K-2) (Taught by Karen Shaddeau)
Early elementary students will be immersed in the arts of language through this course based on the new Primary Arts of Language curriculum by Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This course will follow IEW’s prescription by providing a language-rich environment where students will be exposed to an abundance of literary works and will be encouraged to model good writing through copy work exercises.  Students will practice story summaries, learn essential spelling rules, and begin learning parts of speech and stylistic techniques for writing.  The aim of the course is to lay a firm foundation in language arts for students to build upon.


12:00PM - 12:30PM - Supervised Lunch

12:30PM - 1:30PM - Hands-On History: American Explorers (Taught by Lisa Narva)
Each week we will look at a different Explorer. We will talk about the era the explorer lived in, and how their exploration impacted the world. Each week the students will create a collage on the topics covered in class.

Thursdays: 

Limit 6 kids per class

10:00AM - 1:00PM - Montessori (Ages 6-9) - This enrichment program is perfect for the child who learns well in a hands-on environment. As in true Montessori manner, the class size will be kept small. We will explore Math, Language, Geography, Science, Art, Music, and Practical Life. The curriculum will be progressive and it is advised that your child attend both sessions each week. Students will be allowed to progress at their own rate within each subject area and also be encouraged to explore areas of interest beyond the classroom.

10:00AM -1:00PM Preschool Montessori (Ages 3-5) - This Montessori based preschool program for ages 3-5 will include a variety of hands on activities to enhance and inspire your child’s educational exploration. Primary areas of concentration will include math, language arts and practical life. Studies show that the earlier children are introduced to math, the easier it is for them to understand and connect  math concepts and facts. Children use concrete materials – such as blocks, beads, and tiles – as they learn. Language Arts includes learning the letter sounds before learning their names, as phonetics is used as a foundation for reading.  Basic skills such as handwriting, cutting, sorting, pouring, pin-pushing, geometrical solid recognition and more are also introduced and practiced with an emphasis on promoting self confidence and independence. Children are allowed and encouraged to move around and work at their own pace whether individually or in groups. As Maria Montessori said, “The hand is the chief teacher of the child.”

SPARK! Classes in Lake Mary

SPARK! - a Winter Springs-based enrichment center that offers a wide variety of homeschool classes - has recently announced two classes for elementary-aged students at a new Lake Mary location this fall.

Here are the details:

Spark! Lake Mary Location
(Grace United Methodist Church)
499 N. Country Club Rd
Lake Mary, Fl. 32746

Starts 8/23/11 and ends 9/27/11 

Art of the Ancients and Greeks- Join Ms. Fabiola for an art adventure back in time to make projects reminiscent of the Ancient peoples. Tuesdays for six weeks, 9:30-11 am. - Cost $12 (includes materials) 

Discover the Myths- Greek Mythology is made fun in this six week course. Come one week or all six! The students will explore a different myth each week. The time for this class is 11-12 on Tuesdays. The cost is $8 per class. 

$108.00 (both classes for all six weeks) if paid in full.

For additional information - or to register - visit their website or call SPARK! at407-679-SPRK (7775).

Field Trip Friday - Children's Art Center of Winter Park

You've probably seen me blog about it before, but the Art Adventures classes at the Orlando Museum of Art are among our absolute favorites - due in no small part to the teacher, Catherine Cross. She always does an amazing job of introducing children to a wide variety of art forms, tools and techniques, all in a fun, engaging manner.

When my kids were young, I remember hearing someone say that a craft is where all the completed projects are supposed to look the same - but art is where all the completed projects should look different. This has really stuck with me through the years, and so many of the art classes we've tried have fallen more in the "craft" category. However, I know that whenever my kids are with Mrs. Cross, they are truly learning about the concepts and techniques of art.

While OMA offers Art Adventures and a homeschool class each once a month, Mrs. Cross is now teaching additional classes out of the Children's Art Center of Winter Park, an organization she founded in 2005. With over 30 years of art programming experience for both children and adults, she is now offering preschool, after school and homeschool classes at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church.


The homeschool classes will take place on certain Fridays from 1-3PM, and pre-registration is required. The cost is $15 per class, which covers all materials and a snack. Here are the dates and topics for the spring: 

March 18 - Creating with Clay - Greece and Egypt

April 15 - Painting with Watercolor - Winslow Homer

April 29 - Creating with Clay - Ancient Americas

May 6 - Color Mixing with Acrylic and painting on canvas

May 13 - Art and the Environment - Collages

All students will have the opportunity to participate in a special art exhibit for families in May. For additional information, contact Catherine Cross at 336-508-2407 or ccross336@aol.com

Orlando Groupon - $7 for Any Art Class at SPARK

Today's Groupon is a great deal for any homeschoolers in Orlando - just $7 for any art class at SPARK Enrichment Center in Winter Springs. The certificate is good for one year, and you can buy up to three per person. Though SPARK specializes in homeschool and after-school classes, they also offer classes for adults.

Field Trip Friday - Orlando Museum of Art

My kids love being on the go as much as I do. If we all had our way, every day would be a field trip! We’ll be home more this year, but every Friday, I’ll be sharing a field trip that we’ve done or have planned, along with how we tied it in to our studies at home.

 

After a few changes over the past few months, November marked the return of the Art Adventures class we love! Led by art teacher Catherine Cross, this class takes us through OMA's galleries and back to the studio to replicate some of the themes and techniques we've seen in the exhibits. This month, the kids recreated their own Native American scenes by building/decorating teepees, creating landscapes with sticks, stones and other natural materials and sculpting clay pots and figurines out of clay.

 

Art Adventures now takes place on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The cost is $10 per adult; first child free with a fee of $3 for each additional child (discounts for OMA members). Upcoming classes include:

 

December 28th - December Dinosaur Dig

January 25 - Jammin' January Paintbrushes

February 22 - Fun Loving February HeART Art!
March 22 - March Winds May Blow

 

Also a welcome addition is OMA's new homeschool series, a two-hour program held once a month for homeschool students preK to 8th grade. The class is $21/child with $5 off tuition for each additional child (discounts for OMA members).

 

December 10th - Clay Handbuilding

January 14th - Black and White - Drawing and Creating 3D

February 11th - Recycled Books

March 4th - Exploring Color with Paint

April 8th - Sculpture and Architecture

May 6th - Landscapes and Gardens on Canvas

 

Visit the OMA website for details or call Gina at 407-896-4231 x262 to register for either class. 

Field Trip Friday - New Homeschool Art Classes at OMA

My kids love being on the go as much as I do. If we all had our way, every day would be a field trip! We’ll be home more this year, but every Friday, I’ll be sharing a field trip that we’ve done or have planned, along with how we tied it in to our studies at home.

While browsing the Orlando Museum of Art website, I noticed that they now offer a once-a-month homeschooling class with our favorite teacher, Mrs. Cross. The classes will take place on Friday afternoons from 1-3PM, and the cost is $20/class. 

September 24 - Drawing with Pen and Ink (plus sharpies and microns) - Edward Gorey

October 22 – Printmaking

November 5 - Painting Exploration - Canvas and Watercolor

I'm going to get some details when we're there for Art Adventures next week - specifically to see if there's a minimum age and if parents stay or drop off. Either way, it sounds like something my two would love!

Special BOGO Class Offer at Spark for Homeschooling in Heels Readers!!!

Just a reminder, through the end of September, the wonderful folks at Spark Enrichment Center are extending a very special offer to Homeschooling in Heels readers - purchase any one class and get another one free. Here's what you do:

1. Sign up to follow Homeschooling in Heels blog.

2. Like the Homeschooling in Heels page on Facebook.

3. Call over to Spark to sign up for your classes, and be sure to tell them that Homeschooling in Heels sent you!

Check out Spark's fall schedule here or on their website. If you take advantage of this offer, we'd love to hear about your Spark experience! Please comment back on this post or on the Facebook page to let us know which classes you enjoyed.

Field Trip Friday - Weather Watchers Class at Orange County Regional History Museum

Somehow, we haven't yet been to the Orange County Regional History Center, but after browsing the list of upcoming homeschool classes on their website, that's likely to change! Each two-hour class engages students and their families in interactive curriculum and hands-on activities, including crafts, museum tours and take-home packets.

First up this year is Weather Watchers (Friday, September 10th) where kids will learn the science behind temperature and weather conditions. Classes start every 30 minutes between the hours of 10AM and 1PM. Classes are free for OCRHC members, and non-members pay just $4 per adult and $6 for students five and up with children four and under being free. Prices include museum admission, and families are encouraged to bring a lunch to enjoy in Heritage Square.

Other classes scheduled for the 2010-11 school year include Conquistadors of La Florida (November 5th), Pint-Sized Pioneers (February 4th) and Mr. & Mrs. President (April 8th).

Special Offer at Spark for Homeschooling in Heels Readers!

Through the end of September, the wonderful folks at Spark Enrichment Center are extending a very special offer to Homeschooling in Heels readers - purchase any one class and get another one free. Here's what you do:

1. Sign up to follow Homeschooling in Heels blog.

2. Like the Homeschooling in Heels page on Facebook.

3. Call over to Spark to sign up for your classes, and be sure to tell them that Homeschooling in Heels sent you!

Check out Spark's fall schedule here or on their website. If you take advantage of this offer, we'd love to hear about your Spark experience! Please comment back on this post or on the Facebook page to let us know which classes you enjoyed.

Sale on Homeschool Classes at SPARK!

Spark! Enrichment Center in Winter Springs recently announced their Great Homeschool Class Sale, offering discounts on their already competitive class pricing. Now would be a great time to try out their new fall classes!

- Music Appreciation
   (10 weeks at $100) Sale $80

- Biology w/Lab
  (12 weeks at $180) Sale $130

- Anime/Cartooning
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

- Readers' Theater
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

- American Girl Book Club
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

- Picturing America
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

- Aerospace/Rocketry
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

- Architecture
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

- Creative Writing
  (Pay as you go $10/class) Sale Buy 10 classes for $80

New Fall Homeschool Classes at SPARK! Family Enrichment Center

Spark! Family Enrichment Center kicked off their new fall homeschool schedule this week with an amazing assortment of classes every day of the week. In addition to language (French, Spanish and Mandarin), science, math, language, music and writing classes, they have some really unique offerings such as Picturing America, Reading Theater, Architectural Explorations and American Girl Book Club. 

If you're looking for your child to study for a day or two outside the house or are interested in specific topics you don't feel comfortable teaching, be sure to check out Spark! Both of mine have taken classes there, and in addition to it being a fun learning environment, the staff is amazing and I felt very comfortable leaving them there. They also have a parent's lounge with Wi-Fi if you want to stick around while the kids are in class.

In addition to their homeschool classes, Spark! offers support services to homeschooling families, including evaluations and standardized testing. They're also hosting an upcoming homeschooling seminar series with Jan Zeiger that starts tomorrow! 

Here's a peek at their current schedule; class descriptions and pricing can be found on their website.

Monday:

9:00-10:00 Study Hall (by the hour)

9:30-11:00 Art Grades K-5

10:00-11:00 Life Science/Biology Grades 5-8

10:00-11:00 Spanish Grades 1-4 

11:00-12:00 Geography/Map Skills Grades 1-4

11:00-12:00 Spanish Grades 5-8

11:30-1:00  Teen/Adult Art

12:00-12:30 Lunch12:30-1:30 Architectural Explorations Grades 5-8 

12:30-1:30 Science Grades 1-4

1:30-2:30 Architectural Explorations Grades 1-4

1:30-2:30 TBA Grades 5-8

3:00-4:00 Mandarin Chinese Grades 1-6

Tuesday:

9:00-12:00 Study Hall (by the hour)

9:30-11:00 Biology with Lab Grades 8-12 

11:00-12:00 Cartooning/Anime Ages 7+ 

10:00-1:00 Montessori Grades K-2 

*** Afternoon is open for in-house field trips for Homeschoolers ***

Wednesday:

9:00-10:00 Study Hall (by the hour)

9:00-10:00 French Grades K-2

9:00-10:00 Art K-2nd Grades

10:00-11:00 Aerospace/Rockets Ages 5-8

10:15-11:00 French Preschool

10:00-11:30 Physics Grades 8-12

11:00-12:00 Art Grades 1-6

11:30-12:30 Aerospace/Rockets Ages 9  and up 

12:00-1:00 Science Grades K-3 

 

Thursday:

9:00-11:00 Study Hall (by the hour)
9:00-10:00 Readers Theater

10:00-1:00 Montessori Grades K-2

9:30-11:00 Physics Grades 6-9
10:00-11:00 Picturing America Grades 2-6
11:00-12:00 Music Appreciation
11:00-1:00 Math Lab Grades 6-9 (by the hour)
11:00-12:00 Architecture Explorations  Grades 6-12
12:00-1:00 Creative Writing Grades 3-6
12:00-1:00 Spanish Grades K-2
12:00-1:00 Architecture Explorations Grades 2-6
12:00-1:00 American Literature Grades 6-8
1:00-2:00 Spanish Grades K-2

Friday:

10:00-11:00 American Girl Book Club Grades 2-4
11:00-12:00 American Literature Grades 8-12
1:30-2:30 American History Grades 8-12

March Art Adventures at OMA

We always love Art Adventures at the Orlando Museum of Art, and today's class was no exception. As usual, we began with some time in the gallery, and the kids looked for different types of lines and colors in one specific piece of art.

Since the work featured buffaloes, today's class was called "Where the Buffaloes Roam". Back in the studio, the project involved creating dioramas with natural elements and (if the kids wanted) sculpting buffaloes out of clay to put inside. The kids went to town gluing in bark, leaves, sticks, moss, stones, dirt and sand.

Noah created a really cool campfire scene, complete with a tree, clouds and the sun. Ava covered her background with sand and dirt, glued on some leaves and bark and spent the rest of the time with her clay - rolling it and decorating it with dots and patterns. I love that these classes always have specific themes and guidelines but that the kids are given the freedom to make what they want - with the idea being that each piece of art should be different rather than all looking the same.

After dragging the kids from the studio (they always want to stay and do "just a little more"), we enjoyed some more time in the gallery before heading out. As always, we will look forward to next month's class!

Homeschool Enrichment Classes at Misty Forest

Noah's only taken a few classes at Misty Forest, but he's always had a great time and I've been very pleased with the types and content of classes they offer and their unique approach to education. From their website:

Misty Forest is an enrichment center for children, families and the community that offers alternative education focused on self esteem and being green. Classes, projects, groups and clubs are just a few of the offerings here at Misty Forest. Our goal is to create a place where children and parents can come to find the tools, skills, support, encouragement and confidence to evolve, enrich, enhance and become who they hope, and are meant to be.

Last year, they started a once-a-week homeschool program, offering a half day of classes for homeschool students of all ages. We're still waiting for the right mix of classes to meet Noah's interests, but I wanted to share their current schedule in case they're a great fit for anyone else. The K-6 enrichment program meets every Thursday from 9:30AM - 1:30PM with classes in Sign Language, Magic and Music. Classes run in six week sessions, and multiple-class discounts are available.

Misty Forest also offers after-school classes and summer camps. Details can be found on the website.

New Homeschool Classes at Spark Enrichment Center

The new homeschool classes at SPARK! look so great, I wish we had more time and money in our homeschool budget right now (and that we lived closer to the center). Rarely, do I find several classes Noah would love back-to-back like this; they they have some great offerings right now!

SPARK! has been voted #1 art class in Orlando and received a five-star rating from Playground Magazine, along with being chosen best Cool Camp by Fox 35. Classes are being offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at a cost of $10/class.

Monday
10:00-11:30 - General Art
11:30-12:30 - Spanish
12:30-1:15 - Sign Language

Wednesday
9:30-10:30 - French
10:30-11:30 - Drama
11:30-12:30 - Etiquette (5 week series $60.00)
12:30-1:30 - Chess

Friday
10:30-11:30 - Mandarin Chinese
11:30-12:30 - Architectural Exploration
1:00-2:00 - Sewing
2:00-3:00 - Creative Writing

Discounts are available for groups of eight or more students.

SPARK! also offers field trips either in-house or at your location. Field trip options include:

Culinary Arts: Take a trip around the world or travel to another time period through food. The children will have a hands-on experience making and tasting different dishes from other countries, and learning about different traditions and time periods.

Science: We will bring in different science experiments based on your studies. This is action-packed and is adaptable to work with your curriculum.

Story & Crafts: Start with a story and from there design a craft that fits into the plot. The children will enjoy having a special handmade project to bring home.

Others: Etiquette, Cooking, Intro to Equine, Art, Rocketry and more.

SPARK! is conveniently located at the corner of Tuskawilla and Red Bug in the Albertson's shopping center, 2nd floor next to Red Sun Yoga.

Discovering the Gift of Art

This month's Art Adventures class at the Orlando Museum of Art focused on the "gift of art". Class began in the gallery where the kids explored different works of art - textiles, jewelry, etc. - that would typically have been given as a gift.

Back in the studio, they were turned loose with paint, fiber, sequins and jewels to create their own gifts of art. Mine were thrilled to decorate wooden treasure boxes and paint a few masterpieces to give to family this holiday season. As always - I had to drag them from the studio when class was over and bring extra supplies so they could continue at home.

Halloween Puppet Extravaganza at Gateway Center for the Arts

Looking for a fun Halloween activity? Then check out the Puppet Extravaganza being presented over the next two weekends at Gateway Center for the Arts. All ages will enjoy this 1 1/2 hour Halloween-themed adventure featuring 30" marionettes, hand puppets and humans . . . all interacting with the audience.

My mom volunteers at Gateway - which is a new art center right off 17-92 in DeBary - and has been watching the show come together for the past few months. From what she's told me, it sounds like it will be lots of fun. She and Noah will be attending this weekend!

Show Times are as follows:
October 23...7 pm
October 24...2 pm/7 pm
October 30...7 pm
October 31...2 pm

Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for kids 4 and up with children under four being free. Tickets are available by calling 386-668-5553 or visiting their website.

Gateway also offers a variety of classes for both kids and adults, included classes specifically geared towards homeschoolers. Information on classes, which include art, music, drama and dance, can be found on their website or by calling the center.

Homeschooling in Orlando - Disney HS Day

Notice anything interesting about this photo? Yes, I know it's Cinderella's castle. But did you notice that there's nobody in front of it? Except for us, that is. This was our view this morning as we were granted early admission to the park for Disney Homeschool Days!

I'd known about this event for quite a while, but for some reason, we were unable to participate last year. This year, I really wanted to try it, so I set a "school date" with Noah. I wanted to be able to really focus on him for the day, so I arranged for Jim to work from home to watch Ava.

Now I have to tell you, navigating the event website was not easy. Disney does so many things really well, but websites do not seem to be one of them. Since I had a hard time finding info, I'll break it down for you here.

• Day 1 (yesterday) included a speaker series featuring international cast members. Students learned about countries from around the World Showcase, and participated in a Q&A session with cast members. They were also provided materials for a self-guided educational tour around the World Showcase. The cost for this part of the program was $16/student (plus park admission). Several YES programs (see below) were offered in the afternoon. We were unable to attend on this day due to the plants / gardening co-op, but we hope to catch this part next time.

• Day 2 (today) offered a variety of classes through the YES (Youth Education Series) program. The K-2 topic was "How Things Move" while older age groups learned about "The American Story", "Millennium Cultures", "Disney's Ocean Discoveries" and "Disney's Leadership Excellence". The cost for each YES program was $25 each for both parents and children, and classes were 2 1/2 to 3 hours in length.

When we arrived at the park this morning, we were greeted by a YES cast member and taken into the park. The main street area appeared to be open to resort guests, but as we made our way to Fantasyland, we were taken behind the ropes and asked to put away our cameras until the park opened at 9AM (lest we capture something "less than magical" as cast members prepared for the day).

After learning about different ways things move - and the different power sources behind the motion - they were made Imaginears for the day and asked to observe what made several rides move as they rode them - Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, It's a Small World and Goofy's Barnstormer. After the rides, they sat back down and compared their observations to the power sources they saw in the beginning - for example, how the pinwheel they moved with wind in the beginning was similar to the pinwheels on the Dumbo ride.

They also learned about magnets, attraction and gravity, drew their own designs for a new Disney attraction and worked as a team to assemble a "ride" (a miniature car zooming through a series of connected tubes).

All in all, it was a wonderful experience and we'll definitely participate again. Disney hosts homeschool days every September and January. (Limited) details are available on their website.

Homeschooling in Orlando - OMA Update

To follow up on my previous post about educational opportunities at the Orlando Museum of Art, I wanted to share some updated information about the Art Adventures classes. With school back in session, they ended up without sufficient interest in a weekly class. Art Adventures will resume on the second Tuesday of each month (9:30 - 10:30AM) beginning in October. Advance reservations are required.