Classes
2024 Fall Session
NLLC is not a drop off program, but an opportunity to create a community for your whole homeschooling family.
2024 Fall Session Important Dates
Friday September 6th- Class Submissions Due
Wednesday September 18th – Class Leaders Early Register.
Friday September 20th – Open Class Registration for membership.
Friday October 4th – First Day of Fall Classes
Friday November 22nd – Last Day of Fall Classes
Already a Member? Know what classes you want to sign up for? Register for classes through the Member’s Portal.
If the cost is a barrier to becoming a NLLC member or attending classes, apply for a scholarship.
2024 Fall Class Descriptions
| Class | Time | Class Description |
|---|---|---|
| FULL: Artful Cooking For Ages: 11+ Instructors: Chelsea & Presley Room: Lunch room | 10:30 - 11:25 | This class will focus on basic cooking skills at an intermediate level. We will explore kitchen safety, composting, knife skills, artful plating, sautéing, boiling, baking, and creative recipes focusing on healthy vegetarian cooking. We will as a team make a variety of foods using different techniques and learn to be creative with the ingredients. Cooking is an Art that you can apply every day in your life and best of all you can share it with your friends and family! Families: to keep the class fee lower, there may be times that your child will be responsible for bringing in ingredients based on their creative recipes. Ideal student: An interest in cooking. You should have some experience using a small knife, peeler, and grater (we will go over these skills and become more comfortable with them). If you do not have experience using the stove that is ok. Clean up after cooking is a big part. The most important thing is the ability to listen and stay focused during the demonstrations in order to keep your friends and yourself safe, as cooking can be dangerous if you are not paying attention. Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| FULL: Arts and Crafts Club For Ages: 11+ Instructor: Allison Room: Room A | 11:30 - 12:25 | This is an opportunity to socialize while working on arts and crafts projects of any kind-- drawing, knitting, building, etc. Participants will also have the option to sign up to lead a "how-to" session if there is a particular project they want to demonstrate to classmates. Participants should bring projects they are currently working on, and should bring materials from home they are already using, but the instructor will also bring materials and project ideas for anyone needing inspiration who isn't already working on something. I hope that participants might end up collaborating on projects and teaching one another new skills, but the main goal is to relax and enjoy time with friends. The ideal student is one who is self-motivated to pursue arts and crafts projects. Students should be able to focus on a project while talking to friends. We'll be socializing but not getting too loud or running around. 12 and up is the ideal age range, but 11-year-olds who are very interested in making things and can stay focused are also welcome. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Bring materials from home you are currently using for your project; it's also fine not to bring anything. |
| FULL: AURORA FILM CO-OP (Improv Filmmaking) PT 1 For Ages: 9+ Instructors: Lion & Shira Room: Ping Pong Lounge | 12:30 - 1:25 | A 3-Session (Fall, Winter and Spring) Filmmaking Project where we Record, Edit, and Present. Fall is Where we Record our Films. Each Week we Record our Film (the first day is an intro film) and Come up with the Idea for Next Friday's Film, or, if you wanna just help Record, bring a Camera, and join in that way! Ideal student: Versatile Acting Skills, Camera Skills, Theatre Experience, Supportive of Others Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area Supplies to bring with you: Camera if you want to help film (not a phone), costumes as needed |
| Band Club For Ages: 7-11 Instructors: Keshet & Shira Room: Gym Annex | 12:30 - 1:25 | If you've ever wanted to be in a pop/rock/folk band, come hang out during band club. Some of us have a band in formation and we will use this time to work on songs, design a logo and other band stuff. If you don't want to be in our band, you can start another band and share the space. We hope to have a concert at the end of the session for the rest of NLLC! Ideal student: Kids who like writing and performing music and/or are interested in behind-the-scenes stuff like graphic design, fashion, promotion, merch, lights, etc. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: a portable instrument if you have one |
| FULL: Chapter Quest: A Journey Through Books For Ages: 9-13 Instructors: Rachel & Jeanette Room: Room A | 9:30 - 10:25 | In this book club style class, we'll dive into the exciting story A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger! Winner of the Newberry Honor Award, this book combines traditional Lipan Apache storytelling with magic, monsters, science, and modern-day Texas. The story follows an Apache teen girl and a cottonmouth snake as they come together to save friends and family. We'll have fun with literature circles, where you'll lead the discussions and share your ideas about the book! We'll also do some fun activities, short writing projects, and dive deeper into topics in the book that we are curious about. This class will require students to read 60-70 pages each week and prepare for their role in the discussion group. While listening to the audiobook is acceptable, students should be able to read independently and write at least a paragraph. Reach out with questions or accommodations before registering. This is considered a young adult novel; please preview the book on a website, such as Common Sense Media, before signing up. Students must purchase or borrow a physical copy of the book from the library. Students need to be able to read or listen to 60-70 pages of the book and prepare for discussions each week. They should want to be in the class! Students should be able to read fluently and write a paragraph. Some writing support will be provided. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: Pencil, the book 10/25 both instructors will be absent- we will ask if a parent would like to sub |
| Contempletive Dance and Creativity For Ages: 11+ Instructor: Michael Room: Lunch Room | 1:30 - 2:25 | Together we will create a small community and safe space for exploring our creativity though the practice of Contempletive Dance also known as Authentic Movement. Contempletive Dance seeks to explore our relationships with ourselves and others as we flow through space and time. One main theme is impulse. What does your body want to do now? What happens to you when you allow your body to move in this new way. Contempletive Dance can inspire creativity and each class will include writing and drawing time. The dances are often done without music. Actual movement is NOT required. Here is a video that embodies my experience with this practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pvFP63D8QA Each class will open with a brief circle and meditation. Then we will find creative ways to warm up our bodies. Once those are done we will move into a number of short dance cycles, maybe 2-5 per class. Each cycle will include dance, time to write or draw, and time to share. This class is appropriate for tweens and older, or anyone who can respect and hold a meditative space. Any parents who have a free period and would like to join should let me know. I will defer to what the students decide about a larger group in the first class. On the surface, this class is about dance. Underneath it is about connection, community, creativity, self exploration and more. Join us if any of that is interesting. Dance experience is not required. Movement during class will not be pushed. Stillness is a dance and silence is a song Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| FULL: Dungeons and Dragons The Fire Caves For Ages: 9+ Instructors: Rowen & Sharon Room: Ping Pong Lounge | 11:30 - 12:25 | The campaign we will be playing is for all levels beginner or experienced players we will be starting at level three and adventuring through the caves of the Fireheart mountains which are named after a famous breed of lion and sabertooth tiger (D&D for those of you that don't know is a roll playing and dice game). Ideal student: Everyone that has a interest in D&D can come as long as you have the ability to listen and focus when necessary Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area Supplies to bring with you: if you have dice or a ready to play level three D&D character sheet you are welcome to brig it though it is not required Rowen gets overwhelmed easily and cannot have a lot of noise your child should have the ability to not yell when asked though it will not be strictly prohibited |
| Finding the MaFUNth For Ages: 9+ Instructor: Tamar Room: Gym Annex | 10:30 - 11:25 | Ready to find the fun in math? Together we are going to explore a number of topics generally taught in fifth grade math - but it's going to be fun, I promise! Each week we will do a new project to help us understand topics like multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, geometry, and data graphs. A lot of the projects will have an art component and I invite you to get creative! We will start each class with a short discussion of the project and the math involved, and then we will work through the projects together. Hope to see you there! The ideal student for this class should be willing to engage in math – I know it can feel like an intimidating subject! Everyone should have a basic sense for addition and subtraction, and some knowledge of multiplication would be helpful but not necessary. Students should be able to focus on the instruction for the first 15 minutes and then transition to working on the project. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: Paper or a notebook, a pencil. |
| FULL: Games Club For Ages: 7+ Instructors: Johanna, Nora & Eli Room: Room A | 10:30 - 11:25 | Join us to play some fun board/card games together! We will bring lots of games to choose from each week, and have one or two planned to learn and play together. Participants are encouraged to bring their own games to share as well, and are welcome to teach the group new games! (No screen-based games please) Ideal student: Games club participants should be willing to learn new things, work together as a group, and be able to win or lose a game gracefully! Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: Bring any games you want to share with the group. |
| FULL: Geography Journey For Ages: 7-9 Instructor: Margaret Room: Room C | 9:30 - 10:25 | Join us to learn more about the world that we live in. We’ll begin as we all did, in the Cradle of Civilization. Through the fall session as a class we’ll travel over land going through country by country as they are today. Each week (not the first week) kids will choose a country that they will do some research on, draw the flag and be prepared to give a brief presentation to the class to share what they learned. Ideal student: Curious kids who can gather information between classes and present it to the group. You also are able to listen actively to presenters. An additional skill we’ll work on in this class is reading maps. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supples to bring with you: A folder with pockets would be helpful but not required. |
| FULL: Life Drawing 101 - Beginner to Intermediate For Ages: 9+ Instructor: Alicia Room: Gym | 11:30 - 12:25 | This is a beginning to intermediate drawing class where students will learn basic drawing techniques of line, shading and composition. The focus will be drawing things we see from life with different themes each week. Areas of study will be the figure, still life, drawing things in nature, landscape and portraiture. We will be using charcoal and pencil then merge into color for a few of the lessons at the end in pastel or colored pencils. We will have group critiques at the end of the class to show others our drawings. At the last day of the semester we can have a student art show of your favorite drawings. The ideal student would be interested in learning more of the technical aspects of drawing and focus on what you see rather than imagined. This class will be a positive encouraging environment for anyone wanting to learn how to draw from the very beginner to the intermediate level. Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area Supplies to bring with you: 11" x 17" drawing pad, 18" x 24" drawing pad including newsprint for quicker sketching, vine charcoal, a set of pencils with varying degrees of hardness, chamois, erasers, sharpener, set of pastels. |
| Morning Singing All are Welcome Instructor: Jay Room: Gym | 9:00 - 9:25 | We will start off each Friday morning with an open singing class led by Jay Leeming. Jay is a guitarist and songwriter who has made many different kinds of music over the last thirty years, and he will lead everyone in easy yet interesting songs from around the world. This will be a judgment-free zone where we can all play with sound together. Come join us! All are welcome, and no musical experience is required. The instructor will be absent October 11th. |
| FULL: Quads Class For Ages: 7+ Instructor: Cadence Room: Gym/Outside | 1:30 - 2:25 | We will be practicing the sport of moving on all fours, also know as quadratics. We will explore walking (on all fours), trotting, cantering, and if we are feeling confident we can try our paws at jumping. On good weather days we shall walk (on two legs) to the Casacadilla Gorge Trail Park. To practice in the grass, on the trail, and maybe in the shallows. (Have change of cloths handy just in case!) Ideal student: Kids should be ready for physical activity! This means wearing clothing that you can move in easily. Kids should be willing to participate to the best of their abilities and not be judgemental of others as we are all in at different stages. This class is meant to be a safe space for everyone to have opportunity to move their bodies and make mistakes. Parents' permission to leave St. Paul's will be required for each adventure and a secondary adult will be required and can be coordinated weekly. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: change of clothes (just incase of water play) |
| Social Committee All are Welcome Instructors: Shannon & Gini Room: Ping Pong Lounge | 1:30 - 2:25 | Join a group of kids and adults planning NLLC social activities throughout the year. We'll create a calendar of activities; break into subcommittees such as Yearbook, Artist Market, and February Dance; as well as do hands-on art and project building. Bring your ideas and how you can contribute to make them happen. The ideal student or adult must be interested in helping to plan and execute fun NLLC community activities. We'll need a variety of skills - graphic design, spreadsheets, budgeting, fundraising, decorating, baking, making, moving the occasional table and keeping track of the post-it notes. Parental involvement is encouraged and siblings are encouraged to join in the class activities. Supplies to bring with you: Journal, pen |
| FULL: Spanish class For Ages: 3-7 Instructor: Ananda Room: Room B | 11:30 - 12:25 | Hola, This class is Spanish for beginners. Age is listed for 7 & under but older children are welcome with the understanding that this is for beginners. In this class we will learn: colors, numbers, letters, greetings, feelings, seasons, animals and so much more. We will play games and listen to/learn songs. Ideal student: Children attending this class should be able to listen and potentially interested in coloring. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: Please bring something to color with. |
| FULL: The Magic of Enchantment For Ages: 10-13 Instructors: Susanne & Shannon Room: Ping Pong Lounge | 9:30 - 10:25 | Discover the magic within. This class is tailored for those enchanted by the mystique of magic, and we will explore the wonder of the natural world. We will delve into historical and scientific concepts while featuring hands-on handcrafts, activities, and projects. Topics will include: exploring plants that can be helpful or harmful, concocting elixirs, symbolism, identifying familiar, famous acts of wizardry, and more. We might read some tea leaves and dabble in combustion. Journaling will happen daily so the ideal candidate is willing to write in a reflection journal we make in class. Ideal student: Curious youth, ages 10+ interested in mysticism, history, science, handicrafts, and writing are ideal candidates. Journaling will happen daily so the ideal candidate is willing to write in a reflection journal we make in class. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. |
| FULL: The Magic of Enchantment: For Ages 5-9 Instructors: Liz and Sara Room: Ping Pong Lounge | 10:30 - 11:25 | Discover the magic within. This class is for those enchanted by the mystique of magic, and we will explore the wonder of the natural world. We will delve into historical and scientific concepts while featuring hands-on handcrafts, activities, and projects. Topics will include: exploring plants that can be helpful or harmful, concocting elixirs, symbolism, identifying familiar, famous acts of wizardry, and more. Ideal student: Children should be interested in hearing stories and doing some writing with help if needed. Parental involvement is encouraged but siblings should be quietly engaged in their own activity (unless signed up for the class) |
| Writing Workshop For Ages: 9+ Instructors: Shannon, Michael & Jeanette Room: Room B | 10:30 - 11:25 | The Writing Workshop will support students through the writing process from idea development, outlining, drafting, revision, editing and publishing. Each week we will engage in a mini-lesson followed by sustained writing time. Students will move through the writing process at their own pace supported with one-on-one conferences with class leaders or peers. A few students will share their work each week. Students will publish their work at the end of the session in a group anthology. For students of any age; emergent writers can participate with a parent partner. Ideal student: This is a class for writers or students wishing to improve their writing. Must be willing to put pencil to paper each week where quality, not necessarily quantity, will be celebrated. An ideal student will be supportive of others when sharing writing pieces. Parents and (quietly self engaged) siblings are welcome to stay in the room but are not required to stay. Supplies to bring with you: Journal. Pencils. |