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Voyagers Study Group List

Spring 2008

 
APassionForPoetry
When Monday 1:30 - 2:30
Teacher Name TammyAdams
Target Age Range 8 - None
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, Lower High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites ability to listen, write or have parent scribe
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion
Description In this class we will explore different poets and their works. First we will learn something about their lives, read some of their poems, and then create our own poetry based on their style. All you need is a willingness to listen, participate and create -- either individually or in groups.
 
AdvancedDrawingAndPainting
When Thursday 2:00-3:00
Teacher Name JenHeater
Target Age Range 12 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Should have completed at least two or three of Jen's drawing study groups.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials A sketch book for work done at home and some nicer paper than news print such as Strathmore colored paper or Canson. For painting, a pre stretched canvas around the size 9x12 will be needed. Any questions please ask.
Instructor Provided Materials All my regular drawing supplies. I will try and provide paint and brushes
Study Group Style Seminar, Activity
Description This study group is for experienced drawing and painting students who want to take their skills to the next level. We will work on more specific issues like fabrics and reflection. Student must be willing to keep a sketch book.

Contractor fee includes the materials fee

 
AdvancedRecorder
When Tuesday 1:45
Teacher Name LisaHenderson
Target Age Range 8 - None
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School, College
Ability Level Advanced Beginner
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites interest in playing the recorder; some experience with reading music; ability to sit, listen and follow directions;
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials recorder
Instructor Provided Materials "Learn to Play Recorder" books $3.50;participants can purchase directly from instructor in January, can reuse book from previous semester, or borrow from a friend
Study Group Style Activity
Description Recorder lessons for advanced beginners.
 
AlgebraTwoSpring
When Wednesday 1:30-2:30
Teacher Name RichardHussong
Target Age Range 1 - 6
General Grade Level Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Knowledge of algebra up to, say, the Quadratic Formula. Some plane geometry would be helpful.
Book Title Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications (Classic Edition)
ISBN 0201324601
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture
Description This study group covers roughly the same material as a standard high school Algebra II and Trigonometry course. It also serves as a prelude to Calculus. This is a serious course of study, and there will be a good deal of homework assigned (several hours per week for most people). If you don't do the homework, this study group will be a complete waste of your time, so please don't bother signing up unless you intend to do the work. This is a continuing study group from the Fall. Please contact Richard about adding it in the Spring.
 
AlgebraicThinking
When Monday 11:15 - 12:15
Teacher Name SherylIshii
Target Age Range 8 - 12
General Grade Level Upper Elementary
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Reasonable fluency with basic arithmetic, and an ability to respect the materials, the other students and the teacher.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Activity
Description In this study group we will be playing games and doing lesson activities that introduce algebraic concepts in a hands-on way.
 
ArtTradingCards
When Tuesday 1:45
Teacher Name ChristineYablonski
Target Age Range 8 - None
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Able to work independently with art materials. Willingness to part with their creations (at least most of them).
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials The materials fee listed below covers the costs of the popular & quickly used items, such as 3-D paints, glitter glues, & blo pens. I will reimburse families if I don't need all of the materials fee (& definitely underestimated last year).
Instructor Provided Materials I will bring my own stash of art supplies, such as papers, stamps & ink pads, scissors, glue, feathers, stickers, etc., plus the business cards.
Study Group Style Activity
Description Art Trading Cards are, well, trading card sized art! Technically they should be trading card sized, but for this study group I use business cards as the base for the art. Participants use many types of art materials(such as paint, glue, ink stamps, paper, colored pencils, markers, stickers, feathers, pom poms, & blo pens)to create their own personal art. At the end of the session, all of the art work that the participants wish to trade are layed out, & they trade.
 
BeginningLatinThursday
When Thursday 3:30-4:30
Teacher Name KatherineBradley
Target Age Range 10 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title Oxford Latin Books 1 & 2
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Oxford Latin Text
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Seminar
Description This group is for students with little or no background in Latin; if students have studied some Latin, but not enough to read Roman authors in the original, this group can be flexible enough to accommodate those students. We will aim to complete the first and second volumes of the Oxford Latin Course; students with prior experience may be able to move on to the third volume by the end of the year. In addition to learning beginning grammar and vocabulary, we will focus on the city of Rome and on daily life in ancient Rome. This is a group tutorial and substantial work outside group time is required. You can expect to do 4-5 hours per week at home.

Fees will depend on total number of students in the class(es): Some fees based in a 14 week semester: 5 students in 1 class = $224 each. 10 students in 2 classes = $168 each Fee shown is for 5 (total) students in the 2 classes.

-- Main.MoiraTenHove - 04 Nov 2007

New students may be welcome but must contact Katherine Bradley prior to enrollment to assess need for appropriate remedial work to be completed prior to the start of the semester

 
BeginningRecorder
When Tuesday 10:00
Teacher Name LisaHenderson
Target Age Range 8 - None
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School, College
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites interest in learning the recorder; ability to sit, listen and follow directions; fine motor skills
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials recorder
Instructor Provided Materials "Learn to Play Recorder" books, $3.50, can purchase directly from instructor in January or borrow from a friend
Study Group Style Activity
Description Learn to play the Recorder!
 
BeginningSpanish
When Tuesday 11:00
Teacher Name MelissaWafer
Target Age Range 5 - 8
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, All Welcome
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites As I’m planning the study group for lower elementary level learning, rudimentary writing and reading skills will be helpful, but I can accommodate a wide variety of skill levels with a little extra help or enrich the offerings for participants with more advanced skill levels.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials worksheets
Study Group Style Lecture, Activity
Description We’ll concentrate on basic conversational skills, proper pronunciation, and most importantly, fostering a lasting enthusiasm for learning a new language. Games, songs, and role playing will make the study group interactive and aid in memory. We’ll work on making our own study books during the course and (if I can get some help with this) possibly an audio aid. As no one can really learn a new language in an hour a week, I’ll provide weekly hints for participants to bring home to their families so they can share what they’ve learned and try to assimilate it into their daily lives. The goal here is to lay the groundwork for more serious study in Spanish language, literature, and culture at a later date.

I would like a co-leader or assistant (could be an older child) with either some Spanish experience or a good ear.

 
BooksAlive
When Tuesday 1:45
Teacher Name MaryEllenGilligan
Target Age Range 3 - 7
General Grade Level Little Kids, Lower Elementary, All Welcome
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites able to attend to story
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials crafts related books
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity
Description We'll read quality books for little kids and do related arts & crafts projects and games.
 
BrainandTheHumanBody
When Monday 1:30 - 2:30
Teacher Name MichelleMalachowski
Target Age Range 10 - 12
General Grade Level Upper Elementary
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites will need to be able to sit and listen to lectures; the activities will require focus and ability to work on their own without disruption
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Activity
Description The first 6-7 weeks will focus on the brain and the nervous system, learning about the different areas of the brain and their functions. Then we'll move to studying other systems of the body. This study group will include lectures and activities.
 
ChapterBookReadAloud
When Monday 9:30 - 10:00
Teacher Name SherylIshii
Target Age Range 4 - 7
General Grade Level Lower Elementary
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Must be able to sit stillish and quietly and listen respectfully.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture
Description Come listen to fun chapter books! This is similar to the fall study group, but with different books. If I didn't have to be out of here to the airport in 10 minutes, I would look for my previous description and place it here.
 
ChessChallenges
When Thursday 2:00-3:00
Teacher Name RichardHussong
Target Age Range 6 - Adult
General Grade Level All Welcome
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity, Competitive
Description This is a chance for kids to get together to play Chess. As long as you can be quiet enough to let others think, you are welcome.

Ideally will include some instruction and tournament play. New participants welcome.

 
ClassicCinemaWedSpring1
When Wednesday 9:30-10:30
Teacher Name JessicaWrightLichter
Target Age Range 10 - None
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Ability to listen quietly and analize the movies.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials All the movies.
Study Group Style Discussion
Description History of Cinema

The purpose of this study group is to help the student attain "Cultural Literacy" in film. We will discuss and see examples of different film genres such as Comedy, Thrillers, War (and Antiwar) movies, Westerns, Romance, Science Fiction, Film Noir and Drama. Most of these films have appeared on many of the “Top 100 films” lists. We will be watching the movies and discussing them in study group time.

Considering the age of the students, I have avoided R rated films. Students and their parents can feel free to skip any movie that they are uncomfortable with.

Here are the films I am considering:

Comedy –

The General(Buster Keaton), Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum, City Lights, Son of Paleface (Bob Hope), Big (Tom Hanks), Duck Soup, Love and Death, The Court Jester;

Thrillers:

North by Northwest, Notorious, Rear Window, Vertigo, Witness for the Prosecution, Rebecca, Charade, Raiders of the Lost Ark;

War and antiwar movies:

Bridge Over the River Kwai, Friendly Persuasion, Das Boot, Glory, The Great Escape, Dr. Strangelove;

Westerns:

The Searchers, High Noon, Silverado;

Romance: The Philadelphia Story, Days of Heaven, Gone with the Wind, Some Like it Hot, It Happened One Night;

Science fiction:

The Day the Earth Stood Still, 2001: a Space Odyssey, Close Encounters, ET;

Film Noir:

The Big Sleep, Casablanca, Double Indemnity, The Maltese Falcon;

Drama:

Citizen Kane, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Seventh Seal, Lawrence of Arabia, Rain Man, The Seven Samurai, The Manchurian Candidate, All the President’s Men, Whale Rider

 
ClassicalKids
When Monday 10:15 - 11:15
Teacher Name ChristinaKennedy
Target Age Range 5 - 8
General Grade Level Lower Elementary
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials music, picture books, games, art supplies as needed
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion, Activity
Description We will work on music listening skills and learn about different orchestral instruments, composers, & types of classical music via pictures books, games, activities, and art projects.
 
CodeBreaking
When Monday 9:00 - 10:00
Teacher Name JeffAdams
Target Age Range 9 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School, College
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Students must be fluent readers. They should be able to do perform complex tasks such as "count the number of times the letter 'Q' appears in the odd-numbered positions in this message".
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Students will need access to a computer. They will need to be able to download / read notes from the Internet. They will need to be able to load and edit a Spreadsheet (e.g. Excel, but other freeware packages like OpenOffice Calc will also work)
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture
Description Imagine that you are a secret agent and that you have just intercepted a secret message from the enemy: ZSSZBJ ZS CZVM. What does it say? How can you break it? If you think you have broken it, how can you be sure?

In this study group, we will explore many different kinds of codes, ciphers, and hidden writing. We will practice making, and breaking, each other's messages. We'll also learn a little bit about some exciting real-life codes, and code-breaking, that changed history.

We will not use a book for this class, but will rely on notes from the instructor and various online references.

Jeff Adams, the instructor, can neither confirm nor deny that he spent several years employed by the U.S. Government as a codebreaker.

NOTE: This class has mandatory participation. Students who don't participate in the exercises (either in class or out of class) will be asked to withdraw. Fortunately, participating should be a lot of fun, so we don't expect a lot of problems here. Parents, please elicit a commitment to participate from your child before signing up for this class.

 
ConceptualMechanicalEngineeringSpring
When Wednesday 10:30-11:30
Teacher Name LeishaMarcoccio
Target Age Range 10 - 16
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School
Ability Level Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Attentiveness, and ability to work in teams. Willingness to finish in-class assignment as homework, if it is not completed during class.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials A three-ring notebook. I may solicit families to help provide materials for the hands-on activities.
Instructor Provided Materials I will provide most of materials for hands-on activities.
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion, Activity
Description The primary objective of this study group is to gain familiarity with mechanical engineering concepts through experience and observation. Considering the definition of work (force x distance) and Newton's Laws, we will focus on how simple machines and structural mechanics are used in design.

Largely through building with K'NEX, straws and other household items, we will investigate and gain an intuitive understanding of many structural mechanics concepts. We will also discuss Newton's Laws of Motion, where applicable. There will be little homework. Lecture will be limited and engaging, using multi-media presentations (Powerpoint, video clips, etc.). Some classes will incorporate mini-whiteboards, where participants will record their own answer to some question/answer segments. Collection, recording, interpetation and graphing of data

By the end of this study group you will be able to identify and understand the major design criteria for Beam, Truss, Cantilever, Bascule, Arc, Suspension and Cable-stayed bridges. You will also be able to understand the use of pullies, inclined planes, levers, and gears in design. And you will have a grasp of Newton's Three Laws of Motion. Most important, you will have a greater appreciation of the physical laws which govern our world.

 
ConceptualNewtonianPhysics
When Monday 10:15 - 11:15
Teacher Name LeishaMarcoccio
Target Age Range 10 - 16
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School
Ability Level Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Willingness and ability to focus on a 15 minute group discussion/lecture. Willingness to do 15-30 minutes of homework per week. Ability to work in teams.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials A three-ring notebook. I may ask some items to be brought in from home for our hands-on work.
Instructor Provided Materials I will provide most everything needed for the study group.
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion, Activity
Description This study group will have fun gaining an intuitive and empirical understanding of Newton's Three Laws of Motion, and how they apply to our world. We will explore concepts of distance, speed and velocity; the relationships among force, mass and acceleration; how to use graphs and interpret their results. We expect to then extend how these laws apply to the effectiveness of simple machines.

We will use K'NEX, spring scales, Hot Wheels, marbles, straws and more to experiment. We will review/learn the metric system, conversions, and basic algebra needed to rearrange a few equations. Some classes will incorporate mini-whiteboards, where participants will record their own answer to some question/answer segments. Lecture will be limited and hopefully engaging, using multi-media presentations (Powerpoint, video clps, etc.). We will work with formulas (e.g. F=ma; a=F/m), however Math is not a focus and we will use calculators whenever needed.

There will be some small amount of homework for each class, which is required to help minimize the knowledge gap among the group and to prepare for the next meeting. I am hopeful we can maintain a fairly rigorous but fun class.

 
ConversandoenEspanol
When Thursday 4:30-5:30
Teacher Name RosemarieCepeda
Target Age Range 5 - None
General Grade Level All Welcome
Ability Level Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Willingness to speak in Spanish is a must!
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials none
Instructor Provided Materials handouts, games, music, movies
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity
Description In this study group we will improve our Spanish by using it in every day conversations. Intended for those who have previously had some Spanish or a beginner who doesn't mind diving in!

We will use music, games, movies and books to support our learning and make it fun. New participants welcome.

 
CookingtheAyurvedaWay
When Thursday 3:00-4:30
Teacher Name PattiAndrews
Target Age Range 12 - Adult
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Adventurous about foods and tastes. Reading and following handouts and recipes. Some pre-prep of food, some shopping for ingredients. Keeping track in a journal/notebook.
Book Title TBA
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Some food, spice, herb ingredients. Notebook for handouts, recipes. Possibly cookbook purchase -- tba depending on interest.
Instructor Provided Materials Handouts, recipes, some food, spice, herb ingredients.
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity
Description Cooking using Ayurveda principles, recipes, spices and herbs. We'll cook, taste, and talk about food and cooking the Ayurveda way, especially about what is doable in our busy lives in this country at this time. This will not be typical Indian hot-spice fare! Hot spices have their place, and we will see when and where they are good and not so good to use, along with other ingredients.

Ayurveda is a system of knowledge originating in India 5,000+ years ago. Its knowledge about health and healing pre-dates most modern approaches whether they be using food and acupressure/acupuncture or yoga or herbs, drugs, and surgery, to name a few.

 
CoopCafeTues
When Tuesday 11:00
Teacher Name KimLueders
Target Age Range 4 - 14
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School
Ability Level Advanced Beginner
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites basic knowledge of money to run the register or able to work on a team to serve the lunches or able to take orders
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials uniforms
Study Group Style Activity
Description Come work in our Coop Cafe! Prepare (assemble, not cook) yummy and nutritious lunch, take orders, run the "register", serve food. This study is an old favorite, finally being resurrected. Be aware that if a ton of people register for this study, it might end up being half a session, for each of two groups of participants, so more can participate.
 
CraftsForTeensSpring
When Wednesday 1:00-2:30
Teacher Name SusanLevitin
Target Age Range 11 - Adult
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Good attention span for working on one project in detail for an hour to an hour & a half, some over several weeks. Ability to listen carefully to sequence of instructions & follow written & pictorial instructions. Ability to distinguish between individual & group materials and keep these separate. I don't want any 1 or 2 students not to be able to really focus on their own projects due to helping others. (This is one reason for the middle school & up age range.) Sharing ideas, on the other hand, will be greatly encouraged.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials sharp scissors for cutting paper and any of the above items which you might already own. Special materials brought for a particular project can be for participant only or shared if desired.
Instructor Provided Materials I will supply what is needed for the projects.
Study Group Style Activity
Description Fun projects you might have done when you were younger but can now do start to finish in greater detail & with more sophistication. Projects for this semester will include some or all of the following: origami, bookmaking, beading, stenciling, lanyards, friendship bracelets, friendly plastic (for jewelry, wands, etc.), window clings, and colored beadlets for decorating picture frames, photo albums, etc. Once we have gotten started with the project each week, be prepared for some great social time with interesting conversations and a chance to get to know your fellow Voyagers better!

This study group is now being led by Susan Levitin.

-- Main.ElizabethFox - 11 Apr 2006

 
CreateaWorld
When Tuesday 11:00
Teacher Name Gillian O.
Target Age Range 6 - 16
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School, All Welcome
Ability Level Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Child must be willing to draw and/or write
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials notebook
Instructor Provided Materials special paper
Study Group Style Activity
Description Kids from ages 6-16 can come here and create their own worlds .. from maps to flags to alphabets to stories to creatures to whatever anyone might imagine.
 
CreativeAndInventiveThinking
When Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Teacher Name PersisThorndike
Target Age Range 8 - 14
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites able to listen, control in somewhat open learning situation. Some fine motor skills in activities
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Students will make an invention during the semester from materials at home. Also, I would like if students could bring in 1 take apart object.
Instructor Provided Materials handouts, copies, materials for activities
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion, Activity
Description Creative and Inventive Thinking explores methods to encourage creative, "out of the box" thinking. We will do "instant challenge" creative projects each meeting where we often build something new from everyday objects, study some inventors, look at the patent process, learn to look at things in new ways, learn new ways to brain storm and expand our thinking.
 
DiplomacyTheGameWedSpring
When Wednesday 11:30-12:30
Teacher Name JoshShaine
Target Age Range 12 - Adult
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Activity
Description Diplomacy is a board game, war game, and strategy game set in Europe in the era before the beginning of World War I. Diplomacy differs from most war games in several ways: All units move simultaneously, with players writing down their moves during a negotiation period, and all moves are revealed and put into effect simultaneously. All units are of equal strength, and combat resolution contains no element of randomness — no dice are rolled and no cards are shuffled. The result of a move depends on the support or opposition of the units in neighboring spaces, making social interaction and interpersonal skills, the formation and violation of alliances, and calculated lying and backstabbing, crucial parts of the game play.

The game ends when one player gains control of more than half of the continent, or by agreement among all surviving players.

The rules are convoluted. There is no luck. And, for many players, there is as much fun coming up with rationales (and story lines) for what is happening to them or because of them as there is in determining the moves themselves.

We will play the game – while trying to figure out how to play it better still. You may sign up on Wednesdays or Thursdays or both.

(First two paragraphs are quoted from Wikipedia.)

 
DungeonsAndDragons
When Thursday 4:30-7:00
Teacher Name GregWestland
Target Age Range 12 - 18
General Grade Level Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Prior experiance with the game preferred. Basic math skills and willingness to do your own charecter bookkeeping a must.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials The Player's Handbook -- a must! -- and your own set of dice.
Instructor Provided Materials A wide variety of D&D supplements, dice, a battle map and mini figures.
Study Group Style Activity
Description For anyone who's not played D&D before -- Dungeons and Dragons is a pen-and-paper roleplaying game where you create a charecter in a fantasy world -- a powerful mage, a strong fighter, a stealthy theif, what have you -- and play through adventures created by the Dungeon Master (me). The D&D Player's Handbook is all that's neccesary to play the game, though having additional books do help.

For those who have played before -- the game I'll be running will be set in a standardish D&D setting, so standard races are allowed, as well as anything with LA +0 through +2. I'm allowing core and Complete series classes, so go ahead and think about what you want to play, and a bit of backstory. This will be a Roleplay-Heavy campaign, so be ready to really play your charecter.

-- Main.GregWestland - 16 Nov 2007

This study group includes the dinner break. Participants should schedule both 4:30-5:30 and 6:00-7:00

 
DungeonsAndDragonsTues
When Tuesday 1:45
Teacher Name Daniel Levitin
Target Age Range 10 - None
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites A brain, ableness to work in groups and debating skills are highly recommended. An experience in Roleplaying is to be a big help. You need to be able to be quiet and listen as well.
Book Title Too many to list
ISBN
Family Provided Materials A person. Player's Handbook is highly reccomended - the more we can get, the better! PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY OTHER BOOK THAN A PLAYER'S HANDBOOK.
Instructor Provided Materials Player's Handbook, Monster Manual 1 & 3, Character Sheets
Study Group Style Activity
Description The slow sound of dripping water fills your ears, and a sense of dread creeps over your heart as you move along the corrider. A faint growling echoes suddenly around the passage, then fades slowly. As you peer down the corridor, you notice a wooden door at the end. You steal towards the door and push it open to reveal a small room. A fire is crackling merrily in a fireplace, and four armchairs are set around an elaborate wooden table. A man is discovered sitting in one of the chairs, his hair wonderfully dark against his pale skin. Small pointed teeth protrude out of his mouth. "Welcome." He says quietly. "Do come in..."

Creepy dungeons...

Dragons and monsters...

Magic and kings...

Worlds to be saved...

Treasure to be gained...

The world of Dungeons and Dragons awaits you.

Dungeons and Dragons is a fun, interactive roleplaying game where you pretend to be a made-up character adventuring through a made-up world. But it's not all as childish as it seems - deadly monsters around every bend, and people who are not as they seem. Not intended for the faint of heart, it is a game of chance, and life and death.

Please note that if you join, you don't only come to study group when you want to. You have the first two weeks as an add/drop period. If you don't like D&D within that time, drop it by all means. But after that, you are stuck with us =K

 
FictionClassicsSpring
When Wednesday 11:30-12:30
Teacher Name ElizabethFox
Target Age Range 13 - None
General Grade Level Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Excellent reading skills and willingness to read and discuss new material.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Book list will be available before term begins
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion
Description We will read several works of Fiction, both short stories and novels, possibly plays. Titles/authors will most likely be chosen from the following list:
  • Short Stories by Edgar Allen Poe
  • Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde/Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Frankenstein
  • Dracula
  • Edith Wharton
  • Ayn Rand (her books might be too long for us)
  • The Awakening/Kate Chopin
  • A Separate Peace/John Knowles
  • Daisy Miller/Henry James
  • Sinclair Lewis
  • Return of the Native or Tess of the D'Urbervilles/Thomas Hardy
  • Sister Carrie/Theodore Dreiser
  • Wuthering Heights/Emily Bronte
  • Cat's Cradle/Kurt Vonnegut
  • Death Be Not Proud/John Gunther
  • The Glass Menagerie/Tennessee Williams
  • Hiroshima/John Hersey
  • A Member of the Wedding/Carson McCullers
  • A Room with a View/E. M. Forster

If you are currently in this group or are planning to be, please let me know your preferences. We generally discuss each book for 2 weeks, although you should be finished reading the book by the first week. Books are usually 300 pages or fewer. I will publish the exact list a couple of weeks before the term begins, although we occasionally make some adjustments during the term.

The study group will be mostly discussion and will include background information on authors. Study guides will help direct reading and discussion. Reading requirement of approximately 200 pages a week. -- Main.ElizabethFox - 16 Nov 2007 -- Main.ElizabethFox - 04 Apr 2007

 
FigureDrawingSpring
When Wednesday 10-11:30
Teacher Name JenHeater
Target Age Range 12 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Need to have other drawing with me or special permission
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Large pad of news print and 8.5x11 sketchbook
Instructor Provided Materials All types of dry drawing supplies
Study Group Style Lecture
Description This is an advanced study group for experienced students that have taken my object drawing study group, or have my permission. We will explore the clothed human form in detail. We will work on proportion and use of color and texture on short and long drawing techniques. This study group is 90 minutes.
 
FunPoemsSpring
When Wednesday 10:30-11:30
Teacher Name AlysaDudley
Target Age Range 7 - 13
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Ability Level
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Listening in a group, and having fun
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity
Description Fun With Poems AND MORE

PLEASE REMOVE SEAL BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT, the sign on the box clearly read. I don't have a seal, but I'm taking no chances -- I'll toss out my walrus instead. (From "a PIZZA the size of the SUN" by Jack Prelutsky)

Let's get together and have some fun with poetry - and more! This Session I will be reading short stories, legends, myths, fables, and even some songs in addition to poetry.

 
GameDesignInGamemaker
When Thursday 4:30-5:30
Teacher Name PeterSchmidtNielsen
Target Age Range 12 - 18
General Grade Level Lower High School, Upper High School, College
Ability Level Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Basic or even no understanding of programming, and not necessarily even game programming. A working windows computer.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Windows laptops for class.
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Seminar
Description There are a lot of false dichotomies in programming, such as the idea that a programming language is either powerful, or easy to use. This is to some extent true. But every so often you get a tool that is both, and Gamemaker is just such a tool. Gamemaker is a semi-free GUI game design tool that has a very powerful "drag-and-drop" programming interface, and a yet more powerful language built in.

We will be going over the basics of game design and game programming with Gamemaker. By the end, each student will have several Gamemaker games he/she can compile into Windows executables, and the skills to make many more.

Near the end I hope to cover some of the hidden workings of Gamemaker and other game programming languages , including things like double buffered graphics.

Note: Gamemaker is not quite free. The basic or "Lite" version is free, but the full version is $20. I am so used to having the full version, that if a student has the "Lite" version, I may forget what he/she can't do with it, and entire class sessions that use features not in the "Lite" version may be irrelevant. Therefore, all students are required to get full version.

 
GamesForReadingAndWriting
When Monday 11:15 - 12:15
Teacher Name ChristinaKennedy
Target Age Range 5 - 7
General Grade Level Lower Elementary
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Activity
Description I'll bring in different games or activities each week from the Peggy Kaye books, Games for Reading and Games for Writing, which are designed to enhance literacy. We might make words from play-dough and then paint them the following week, or make pretzel letters. I might tell a story with silly mistakes in it for the kids to catch or present a problem for the kids to solve, or we might pretend to interview an alligator. There might be some paper cutting, painting, or collage making of words and pictures, etc.
 
GeographyClubOurHeritage
When Tuesday 9:00
Teacher Name SusanLevitin
Target Age Range 8 - 12
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Ability to find information at a library or on the web about the countries we will study. Can do this with an adult.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Occasional materials for posters or other presentation items.
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity
Description In this club, we will learn about the countries that our families come from. We will choose together on the first day which countries we will explore this term. Then, each participant will do some research and bring something to share with the group about those countries. Participants can do this with a parent. People might choose to learn folk tales from a country, learn about the country's population, customs, climate, etc. We may spend more than one week on a country if there is enough material. Each participant will be expected to bring something to share about each country. When we study a country that your family is from, please bring family customs, stories, etc. that relate to that country.
 
GeographyClubPlacesInTheNews
When Wednesday 11:30-12:30
Teacher Name SusanLevitin
Target Age Range 7 - 14
General Grade Level Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Ability to find information on web or in a library about countries.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Occasional material for poster or other presentation of information to group.
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Discussion, Activity
Description In this club, we will choose several countries that are in the news headlines to learn about. We will choose them together and set a schedule on the first day. Then, each participant will be expected to learn something about each country to share with the group. People could choose to explore folktales of a country, its population, climate, culture, etc. We may spend more than one week on a country if need be. Participants will be expected to do some research, either at a library or on the web, most every week to be ready to share with the group.
 
GoAGame
When Thursday 3:00-4:30
Teacher Name RichardHussong
Target Age Range 13 - 17
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Students should be able to sit through mini-lectures and demonstrations of various scenarios and tactics.
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Folder or binder to keep handouts
Instructor Provided Materials 1-2 Go sets (complete with board and stones) Tactic/Scenario handouts and possible other learning materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Activity
Description Go: Takes 5 minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master.

Be you just a beginner or an experienced player who wants to meet others, come and join us to play the game of Go. You'll learn interesting and useful tactics and get to practice them frequently. Every student will get a chance to play every class.

No previous playing experience necessary.

Ongoing Study group from Fall, Beginners welcome.

 
HistoryOfPirates
When Thursday 6:00-7:00
Teacher Name EmilyWestland
Target Age Range 1 - 6
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Ability to read 30/40 pages a week
Book Title The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pirates
ISBN 1592573762
Family Provided Materials Students NEED to have the textbook. For the first class, if possible.
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion
Description Come learn about pirates! We'll talk about where and when piratism began, and where it went from there, as well as modern pirates, and pirates in movies and books. Get ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know, and more!

We will focus mainly on reading and discussing, with each student writing a biography paper about the the pirate of his/her choice near the end of the term.

 
HistoryTheWorldWars
When Wednesday 1:30-2:30
Teacher Name MelindaStewart and JessicaWrightLichter
Target Age Range 11 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Intermediate, Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Students must be willing to do writing assignments, group projects and homework. Must be willing and able to meet deadlines. Students may participate at a variety of levels. This group continues from Modern World History in the fall.New members are welcome in this group but may need to do some extra reading. Students may meet independently with Melinda or Jessica as they work on their research projects. We will have separate writing assignments for High School and Middle School students. Students will self-assign to these groups based on interest and experience, not age.
Book Title World history :A Human Odyssey
ISBN 978-0538423298
Family Provided Materials textbook and various library and internet resources. Will need to pay for field trips if you go. May be able to get library passes.
Instructor Provided Materials videos, copies, encouragement and support.
Study Group Style Lecture, Seminar, Discussion, Activity
Description This group will cover topics in Modern World History from the The Industrial Revolution to World War II. This is a project based group that requires a substantial amount of homework (5-6 hours per week). The projects will be created in response to student interest and may include mock trials, diplomacy conferences and/or historical reenactment This group includes a writing component which will focus on formal research presentation and analytical essays. We will have at least one field trip on a different day and may do an overnight (this will be really fun, educational and open to parents and sibs, but obviously not essential)
 
HistoryandGeography
When Monday 1:30 - 2:30
Teacher Name CharlotteOtt
Target Age Range 8 - 12
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Participate in discussion. Show respect while others are talking
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion, Activity
Description This study group focuses on the period from the Scientific Revolution to modern times. Through lively stories and engaging hands on activities, students will: Learn about the Age of Enlightenment and the investigations of Isaac Newton and Ben Franklin. Meet James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution. Explore the causes and consequences of the French Revolution. Learn about independence movements in Latin America. See how great changes—nationalism, industrialism, and imperialism—shaped, and sometimes shattered, the modern world, leading to the two World Wars. Get to know many inventors and innovators who achieved great advances in communication, transportation, medicine, and government. We will plan an optional trip to the MFA to view the Napoleon Exibit.
 
HowDoIThinkHowDoIStudyHowDoILearn
When Wednesday 10:30-11:30
Teacher Name JoshShaine
Target Age Range 10 - Adult
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion
Description -- Main.CherylLevine - 28 Nov 2007 In the immortal words of Monty Python, through the lead character in The Life of Brian, "You are all individuals!" "You are all different!" What these differences are helps to determine which subjects are easier, which are harder, which you can learn while the music is blaring, and which you need silence for. In this workshop, we will take a bunch of tests - some serious and some silly - and conduct some experiments. It should be both fun and useful.
 
HowDoIThinkHowDoIStudyHowDoILearnThurs
When Thursday 2:00-3:00
Teacher Name JoshShaine
Target Age Range 10 - Adult
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion
Description -- Main.CherylLevine - 28 Nov 2007 In the immortal words of Monty Python, through the lead character in The Life of Brian, "You are all individuals!" "You are all different!" What these differences are helps to determine which subjects are easier, which are harder, which you can learn while the music is blaring, and which you need silence for. In this workshop, we will take a bunch of tests - some serious and some silly - and conduct some experiments. It should be both fun and useful.
 
HsChemistry
When Thursday 1:00 - 3:00
Teacher Name TrinaToups
Target Age Range 12 - Adult
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Readiness for algebra, simultaneous study of algebra Familiarity with basic ideas of science.
Book Title Chemistry the Central Science, ONLY the 8th edition
ISBN 0-13-010310-1
Family Provided Materials Internet access at home is helpful. Inexpensive scientific calculator is needed in class and out.

When you buy the used text, try for a copy that states CD-Rom is included. Nice, but not essential to have CD-Rom. Please only buy the 8th edition, it will make it easier to assign homework and refer to in class, besides saving you a lot of money

Instructor Provided Materials Chemicals and labware I scored big and got the lab manuals for 99 cents each!
Study Group Style Lecture, Activity, Extra Meetings
Description We will do lecture, homework problems, light lab experiments, and teacher demonstrations. Regular attendance/homework is crucial to success in this course. We will also attempt to schedule a couple of mutually agreeable lab days during Voyagers break time. If students are interested in studying for the SAT subject test or AP test, I will be willing to hold some extra study sessions after the end of the spring term

* Don't bother to take this class if you won't commit to doing at least some of the homework every week. It's not worth your time or mine. *

-- Main.TrinaToups - 03 Apr 2007

Ongoing class from Fall 2007

 
HumanBody
When Tuesday 11:00
Teacher Name KathleenCullenLutter
Target Age Range 8 - 12
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Basic reading and fine motor abilities. Ability to sit and attend to short lecture. Some dissection may occur.
Book Title to be determined/provided
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Paper/Pencil/Colored Pencils/posterboard and/or presentation materials internet access
Instructor Provided Materials text/lecture materials puzzles/models of Human Body Occ organs for dissection(non human of course!)
Study Group Style Lecture, Discussion, Activity
Description Human Body, basic anatomy and physiology. If any question about appropriateness of this for your particular child, please contact facilitator.
 
ImprovActingReturns
When Thursday 4:30-5:30
Teacher Name SaraLucchini
Target Age Range 10 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials
Instructor Provided Materials Any props needed for games.
Study Group Style Activity
Description Do you want to expand your acting skills? Looking for a new opportunity to present yourself in front of others? This group is all about the spontaneous art of Improvisation. I welcome everyone from beginners to intermediate actors into this group. We will be learning a lot of basic skills that are needed in improv acting as well as playing a varity of games to help exercise these skills. So come learn more about improv acting, the impulsive art! After a break of a semester, Improv Acting Returns! Full of fun games that will improve your acting skills, i guarantee another great semester is ahead! Join in, the more the merrier!
 
IntermediateAdvancedLatin
When Thursday 4:30-5:30
Teacher Name KatherineBradley
Target Age Range 12 - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Intermediate, Advanced
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Completion of Basic Latin Grammar
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials Selected Text
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Seminar
Description In this group we will read Roman authors in the original, so students should have mastered basic Latin grammar. (In a typical school setting, this would mean at least two - three years.) As we begin the year, our focus will be the poets Catullus and Ovid, although other authors may also be read and discussed, according to student interest. Grammar review, as well as poetic devices, meter and the historical context for the poems, will also be a part of the study group. This is a group tutorial and students should plan on spending at least 5 hours a week at home.

* If you have some Latin but not enough to read original authors you should consider Beginning Latin which can be structured to address your needs. *

Fees will depend on total number of students in the class(es): Some fees based in a 14 week semester: 5 students in 1 class = $224 each. 10 students (total) in 2 classes = $168 each. Fee shown is for 5 students in 2 classes.

Ongoing class from the Fall

 
IntroToProgrammingSpring
When Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Teacher Name RichardHussong
Target Age Range None - None
General Grade Level Middle School, Lower High School, Upper High School
Ability Level Introductory
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites
Book Title
ISBN
Family Provided Materials As we have a limited number of decent computers at Voyagers, it would be best if most people brought their own laptop computers. I plan to use only system-independent languages, so Windows, Mac (OSX10), and Linux machines should all be fine.
Instructor Provided Materials
Study Group Style Seminar
Description Programming is the art of getting a computer to do what you want it to do, when you want it to do it. The purpose of this study group is to get you on your way to being able to do just that. Exactly what we study, and what computer language or languages we use, will depend on what you want to be able to do, but just so you know, we shall not be doing game programming, as I have absolutely no experience in game programming. However, I am confident that the skills you develop in this study group will be useful for any sort of programming you want to do.

Topics I plan to cover include, but are not limited to: data types, objects, functions, iteration and recursion, string manipulation, graphic elements, GUI controls (menus, buttons, etc.), data models, and possibly some simple concurrent programming. Oh, yes, and debugging, since hardly anything works the first time, no matter how simple it ought to be.

 
InventionEngineering
When Tuesday 11:00
Teacher Name TriciaSchwartz
Target Age Range 8 - 12
General Grade Level Upper Elementary, Middle School
Ability Level Advanced Beginner
Skill Requirements/Prerequisites Must be able to work independently to build their inventions at home. Will be expected to produce "Manuals" for their inventions.
Book Title