Summer@PBS

with Melissa Guertin, 4th-grade Co-teacher

Are you ready to get creative with language? Join us as we investigate different types of poetry and create our own in the process. We will look at blackout poems, concrete poems, acrostics, and more!

Live instruction the week of July 13.

with Rochelle Mothokakobo, PBS Science Teacher

What's behind that tree?
Where is that bee going? 
These are questions that we might ask when exploring our backyard habitats. Our backyards are easy for us to access, are full of nature, and are fun to discover. 
This week will explore nature outside our homes by participating in scavenger hunts, general nature exploration, including the sky above, nature drawing, and nature sounds. 
We will be outside every day. Students can be in their backyards, front yards, courtyards, or neighborhood park (if parks are open and accessible). 
Some science supplies will be needed, e.g. pencil, paper, craft supplies to create science gear, etc. all supplies should be easy to find around your home, alternative ideas will be provided. 
Optional technology needs: The app Seek will be introduced during class, as a family extension, and access during class will be helpful. 

Live instruction the week of July 27 for grades K–2

with Rochelle Mothokakobo, PBS Science Teacher

Spend a week answering the question: What lives in the leaves? 
Together we'll examine what it might be like to live a lifetime in the trees and never set foot on the ground. 
We'll start by creating the perfect exploration station, build the necessary gear, and personalize our science notebooks. Then together we will experience life in the rainforest canopy, understand how animals build food webs in the trees, how animals travel through the leaves, and learn how scientists explore this hard to reach ecosystem. 
Kit will include: lessons, science supplies, and links to follow up videos of real life canopy dwellers. Some household supplies may be needed, e.g. water, scissors, and your exploration excitement. 

This class is offered during the week of July 20.

with Amanda Tachis, 2nd-grade Lead Teacher

Collage is a technique of art creation, primarily used in the visual arts made by sticking various different materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric onto a backing. Ms. Tachis will lead you in exploring collage techniques, learning about different artists, creating thematic collages, and expressing your individuality through works of art. Each day will focus on a different type of collage using reused materials. Collage types will vary from color block collages, mood boards, and storytelling through collage.

This class is offered during the week of July 6.

with Fiona Watson, 5th-grade Senior Associate Teacher

Have you ever thought 'Why does my school backpack always fall off the hook I hang it on?' or 'My cycle helmet is sooo boring!' or "Why can i never find both my favorite shoes when my mom wants to leave the house NOW!?' Well, this is the opportunity for you to solve these or any other problems you encounter daily by designing and making a prototype of your idea and testing your new design. This program will follow a 'Design Thinking Process'; Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test. Over the 5 sessions we will take part in the following process in varying orders; Brainstorm, Design, Build (prototype), Test, Re-design and Share. We will consider some common problems and everyone will have the opportunity to solve their own design 'problem', resulting in an end design product. N.B. You may need to have a supply of materials to make your design, scraps of fabric, old boxes, tape, paper, empty food packaging, any materials you can repurpose for your prototype.

Live instruction during the week of July 27.

with Keriann Armusewicz, PBS Art Teacher

This class focuses on developing the illusion of space on a 2D surface. Students will learn the principles of one-point perspective during this class, practicing through the creation of several different types of drawings during this one week course. Only paper, pencils, an eraser, and a ruler are needed for this class.

Live instruction during the week of July 27.

with Ariel Petersen, 1st-grade Lead Teacher

Ever wanted to befriend a dragon? Stage the daring rescue of a fairy king? Defend your friends from the forces of evil? Join Miss Petersen as she guides you through dungeons, forests, and towns on an adventure where you get to be the hero. We’ll walk through general rules and character making, so no previous Dungeons and Dragons experience is necessary. Dice provided!

Live instruction during the week of June 22.

with Nina Smith, Pre-Kindergarten Senior Associate Teacher

Driven and Inspired by our love of books and their beloved characters, this box will take a deep dive into our favorite stories. Each day we will focus on a new book and through some reflection and office hour discussions we will learn social, emotional and academic lessons from characters we all know and love. Each story will have an exciting, hands-on activity to complete at home to supplement our learning with most needed material being provided in the box.

with Keriann Armusewicz, PBS Art Teacher

This box provides students with art materials, artist references, drawing and painting techniques, and prompts for drawing and painting outdoors, like the Impressionists. With curricular variations for K-2 and 3-5, this box focuses on developing student’s observational skills and encourages students to engage in making in an outdoor setting. In order to provide aqequaite time for material ordering, this camp will close 4 weeks prior to the run date.

This class is offered during the week of June 29. This class will provide 5 days of activities but will not have office hours July 3rd.

with Ariel Petersen, 1st-grade Lead Teacher

Have you ever imagined you were a hero? A princess? A wizard? A dragon? Join Miss Petersen as you and your fellow campers work together to tell stories. Make up your own original character and follow them wherever your imagination leads. Adventure is out there!

Live instruction during the week of June 22.

with Margaret Hock, 

Where does food come from? What will happen if I swallow a seed? What snacks can be prepared using freshly harvested produce? Garden explorers will find out the answers to these questions and more as they gather, investigate and  prepare tasty treats in the edible garden outdoor kitchen. This session examines many elements of food from how it grows, preparing meals with lots of fruits and vegetables, play games and create artwork inspired by the flavors of the summer.

This class is offered during the week of June 15.

with Katie Nerod, Science Associate Teacher

Calling all future CEOs, sales people and entrepreneurs! In this weeklong camp, young creative minds will be provided with a kit to develop a plan for a fully functioning lemonade business from the ground up.  Campers will make integral business decisions revolving around budgeting, materials, marketing, product individuality, giving back to the community, and perfecting the perfect lemonade recipe!  

This class is offered during the week of July 6.

with Aracely Diaz, 4th-grade Lead Teacher

Join Ms. Diaz in exploring mindfulness through the art of doodling. You'll take a moment for pause, learn some great patterns, create brilliant zentangle inspired works of art and create your own patterns to teach your friends. All you need is an ink pen or marker, a pencil and somewhere to draw!

Live instruction during the week of June 22

with Rochelle Mothokakobo, PBS Science Teacher

Spend a week diving into the depths to explore mysteries of the deep sea, discovering the unique, mysterious, and recently discovered wonders. We'll start by creating the perfect exploration station, gear to wear, and a notebook to gather our data. Then together we will experience how to camouflage in the deep sea, understand the pressure deep sea organisms are under, learn how scientists explore the deep sea, and witness the creation of brand-new sea floor. Kit will include: lessons, science supplies, and links to follow up videos of real life deep sea explorations. Some household supplies may be needed, e.g. water, scissors, and your excitement.

This class is offered during the week of June 15.

with Jon Wheatley, After-school Program Associate

Join Mr. Wheatley and jump into the world of at-home photography and develop both the technical and creative aspects of taking beautiful photos. Using iPad or phone cameras; students will learn key concepts including framing, lighting, and perspective and will put these skills into practice through exciting activities such as photo scavenger hunts. Campers will use kid-friendly editing apps to continue developing their photography skills. By the end of this session, campers will have frame worthy photography, ready to be hung on the wall!

Live instruction during the week of July 13 for grades 3–5, and July 27 for grades K–2.

with Keriann Armusewicz, PBS Art Teacher

This box provides students with art materials, artist references, sculpture techniques, and prompts for sculpting outdoors in the environment. With curricular variations for K-2 and 3-5, this box will focus on developing student’s creativity through visual risk-taking and exploration and encourage students to engage in making in an outdoor setting. This box also encourages fine-motor development through the manipulation of materials.

In order to provide adequate time for materials ordering, this camp will close 4 weeks prior to the run date.

This class will be offered the week of July 20.

with Rochelle Mothokakobo, PBS Science Teacher

Together we'll embark on an exploration of the natural world visited by characters in fictional stories. Classes will use books to explore literacy principles, hands-on science practices that could happen between the pages, and grade level math skills to develop a deeper understanding of the story. Be prepared to explore stories and wonders as you never have before! Book list will be provided prior to class, all books will be read out loud in class. Some science supplies will be needed, e.g. water, cups, ruler, cardboard, etc. all supplies should be easy to find around your home, alternative ideas will be provided.

Live instruction during week of June 22 for grades K–2, and the week of July 13 for grades 3–5.

with Tanner Taylor, Special Programs Manager

Let’s jump into the kitchen and make something delicious! Join Mr. Taylor with some follow along videos, or use a provided recipe to craft some delicious desserts from scratch! Everything we make will be completely nut free and a combination of baked and no-bake recipes; however, our recipes will be sweet. Campers will learn the basics of baking, work on measurements and conversions, and explore some more advanced ideas like piping and substitutions. Material kits will include non-perishable ingredients and minimal baking gear. Perishable items such as eggs or butter will need to be provided.

This class is offered during the week of June 29. This class will provide 5 days of activities but will not have office hours July 3rd.

with Naomi Kinsman
Play your way to the page with Naomi Kinsman this summer!

In the Young Inklings Studio, writers will collaborate online, using games and other active strategies to generate ideas, sprint through drafting sessions, and develop a collection of short pieces by the end of the week. We’ll explore a variety of genres including personal narrative, personal essay, flash fiction, and poetry. By the end of the week, writers will have developed a greater sense of writing confidence, stamina, creativity, and style.

Live instruction during the week of June 22.

with Naomi Kinsman 

Play your way to the page with Naomi Kinsman this summer! In the Young Inklings Studio, writers will use improv games to collaboratively adapt a picture book into a online production that we will perform (and film) on the last day of camp. Through the process, participants will build a range of acting and storytelling skills, and will come away with a greater sense of writing confidence, creativity, and style.

Live instruction during the week of July 13.