Classes
Northern Light FALL 2026 Session
Fall session orientation is Sept 25th; Classes run on Fridays, Oct 2nd – Dec 4th 2026.
NLLC is not a drop off program, but an opportunity to co-create a community for your whole homeschooling family.
2026 Fall Session Important Dates:
Brainstorming and Submissions:
- Brainstorming Session: Friday August 28th
- Class Proposal Deadline: Monday Sept 7th
- Fall Session Schedule Building Friday Sept 11th, at Camp Comstock 10:45-12:30pm
Registration:
- Class Leader Registration: Thursday Sept 17th, 9am
- Open Registration: Sunday Sept 20th, 9am
Fall Session Dates:
- Orientation at Stewart Park, Friday, September 25th 10am-2pm
- First day of Classes Friday, Oct 2nd
- Last day of Classes Friday, Nov 20th
- Thanksgiving break: Friday Nov 27th
- Culmination Session Friday, Dec 4th
Register to become a NLLC co-op member (Once per year)
If the cost is a barrier to becoming a NLLC member or attending classes, apply for a scholarship.
Already a Member? Register for classes through the Member’s Portal (Starting 9/23/26 at 9:00am)
2026 FALL Class Schedule
To download a PDF of the schedule, click here.
Last Updated: 9-28-26
FALL 2026 Class Descriptions
Last Updated 9/17/26
Classes have a base $15 fee to help cover rent. Some classes also have materials fees collected.
(There's no $15 fee for Morning Singing and Committee Block. Just show up!)
| Activity and Leader Names | Class Time: | Max Students: Material Fee: Class Length: | Class/Activity Description | Ideal student for this class/activity. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Becoming A Better Teacher with Uriel C. | Class Time: 12:30-1:25 Location: Ping Pong Lounge | Max Students: 12 Class Length: 55 mins | Teaching is a skill, and whether we are "naturals" or nervous as heck speaking to a crowd, it's always possible to be better. In this class we'll take something immensely large and somewhat vague, and shrink it down to bitesize portions which we can look at with clarity. Our topics will start out with some low-hanging fruit: Simple things to do right now, today, to make the experience students have in our classrooms better. The focus will be on the kinds of situations that Homeschooling uniquely presents, but at the same time encompass the universal dynamic between teachers and students worldwide. | Ideally it is important that everyone in the room wants to be better at teaching. All Are Welcome |
| Civics in Action! with Shira E. | Class Time: 1:30-2:25 Location: Ping Pong Lounge | Max Students: 10 Material Fee: $15.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Do you want to change the world? Let's think global and act local! In our time together, we will research and take action on issues that we care about from the environment to human rights. We will learn about how our local government is structured, how to contact our elected officials, and have a guest from Common Council. We will visit Seedbomb on the Commons and make our own zines, buttons, stickers, and posters, which we can distribute around town. We will also visit some of our social justice murals and help repaint a mural that was recently vandalized, which was an expression of support for LGBTQ+ community and which many NLLC youth helped restore in the past. My intention is for this to be a full year club and that we can dig deep on some meaningful projects! | The ideal student is 10 and up and wants to action to make the world a better place. Also ideal participants have the ability to take walks, listen to others, and work collaboratively. 8+ Yes- but siblings should be quietly engaged in their own activity (unless signed up for the class) |
| D&D Club with Kai B. | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Room B | Max Students: 6 Class Length: 55 mins | Student-led by an experienced DM, players will explore a complex world and navigate struggle both personal and systemic. Students will advance their skills in improvisational role-play as well as cooperating in problem solving with puzzles and moral dilemmas centered around a fantastical world sure to keep them engaged. Please bring a D&D character sheet, preferrably already filled out with their character | Students/players would ideally be at least acquainted with the Dungeons and Dragons (Fifth Edition) game, with the exception of those eager to learn or who are already experienced with other tabletop role-playing games. Each player should also be willing to take the time to develop their own character's personality and history for the sake of a more interesting game, and they should also be okay with actively engaging in cooperative storytelling (the DM is just a guide - the players are the ones who really shape the story!) 11+ Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Design and create with Shannon O'C, Ananda B, Kate M, Kristen | Class Time: 9:30-10:25 Location: Room A | Max Students: 12 Material Fee: $8 Class Length: 55 mins | Design and Creat is a hands-on multi medium art and design class where young makers explore their imagination, build fine motor skills and learn basic elements of art. We will work to build confidence in problem solving and creative thinking. Throughout the 8 weeks we will work with a variety of art mediums (clay, paints, fabrics, nature crafts, mixed media and more…… | This class is for kids willing to get creative and messy as well as can clean up after each project. 7-10 |
| Design and create with Shannon O'C, Ananda B, Kate M, Kristen | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Room A | Max Students: 12 Material Fee: $8 Class Length: 55 mins | Design and Creat is a hands-on multi medium art and design class where young makers explore their imagination, build fine motor skills and learn basic elements of art. We will work to build confidence in problem solving and creative thinking. Throughout the 8 weeks we will work with a variety of art mediums (clay, paints, fabrics, nature crafts, mixed media and more…… | This class is for kids willing to get creative and messy as well as can clean up after each project. 11-13 |
| Engineering Challenges! with Johanna B. | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Ping Pong Lounge | Max Students: 12 Material Fee: $10.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Join us for some engineering fun! Each week we will have an engineering challenge for you: How far can you make a rubber band powered car go? How strong can you make a cardboard bridge? How may marbles can your aluminum foil boat hold? We'll learn about the physical principles behind our weekly challenges, and you will use your creativity to solve problems, test your designs, and then challenge yourself to improve your creations! | This class is for kids who want to challenge themselves with some creative problem solving, while working with others in a respectful and supportive environment. In any engineering project there will be some failures, as well as some successes, so part of the class will be practicing handling our frustration in constructive ways and persisting through our setbacks! This class is going to be mainly designed for the 6-9 year-old age range. I would recommend that younger students have a parent present to assist them. Students should be able to handle things like hot glue guns and sharp scissors safely. 5-10 Parents may be required to help younger children fully particiapte |
| Engineering Club with Nora B. and Johanna B. | Class Time: 12:30-1:25 Location: Gym | Max Students: 5 Material Fee: $16.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Challenge yourself to build something new! Collaborate with others on something you've always wanted to make! This will be a space for students to bring their engineering projects to life, with support and collaboration from peers and adult leaders. We will start the session with materials and plans for building mousetrap cars, and then follow student interests into other projects as the session progresses. | This club is for students who want to build stuff, challenge themselves, practice creative problem solving, and persist through failures and set backs. This will be a primarily student-lead club, with support from adult leaders in choosing projects and obtaining supplies, so participants should be self-motivated and willing to collaborate with their peers. 12+ Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| Flat breads to French pastries: History and Science of Baking with Liz H. | Class Time: 9:30-10:25 Location: Kitchen | Max Students: 8 Class Length: 55 mins | In this class we will dive into some history and science of baking. From ancient grains and the biology of yeast to modern day ovens and thermodynamics. Each week we will travel along a historical timeline following the changes in baking along with some science behind the emerging ingredients. Each week there will be an optional home bake experiment to expand on our topic. | The ideal student likes a bit of history and is curious about the science behind the secrets of baking. This class will talk about and potential sample items made with gluten, dairy and eggs. 13+ Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| Geography with Uriel C. | Class Time: 9:30-10:25 Location: Room B | Max Students: 12 Class Length: 55 mins | Geography -The study of our home planet, the Earth, and what it means to live here. We will be zooming in. We will be zooming out! We'll learn how to Navigate the distance between Local and Global, without (hopefully) getting too lost along the way. We will have maps. Maps! What's not to love about maps? | Really, all students should have some basic appreciation for Earth. Also helpful if everyone in the class has plans to remain here, as we will NOT be wasting any time talking about Mars or the remaining pantheon of planetary abodes. 11-13 Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Homemade Snacks with Ananda B and Amanda S | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Kitchen | Max Students: 12 Material Fee: $12 Class Length: 55 mins | We will be creating, making and baking our own homemade snacks. From granola, granola bites!, crackers, muffins and more. Possibly chips, flavored popcorn, guacamole, salsa and the like. The goal is to teach how to make homemade snacks, learn what’s in our food and enjoy delicious goodies. Kids will either enjoy snacks at the end of each class or bring home some of what they made. | This class is perfect for kids interested in making or baking food. Kids who can listen to or read and follow directions. No kitchen experience is required. Everyone must participate in clean up at the end of each class. 7-10 Parents may be asked to participate in clean up if their is unwilling. |
| Hot Topic! Debating issues, big and small with Sara T. and Darcy R. | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Ping Pong Lounge | Max Students: 15 Class Length: 55 mins | We all have different ways of seeing things, and what a better way to celebrate our individual perspectives than to talk about things together! Conversations can build community and help us find common ground, or help us stay open minded, or even more sure of how we feel about an issue! We will have lively discussions about many topics, from simple opinion-based and casual subjects (Vanilla vs. Chocolate! Pie vs. Cake! Spring vs. Fall!), to issues that impact us as citizens, both local and global, (wind farms vs hydro electric power, bikes vs cars, buying local vs. having access to products from around the world,etc). We will chat about how to craft a persuasive argument, and how to research a topic if you are neutral about it, but for the most part we will use our 50 minutes to casually discuss the day’s topic/s. I hope you will join us! | We welcome all young learners (ages10+) to join us, whether you have strong opinions about everything, only some things, or are more go-with-the-flow about everything! The more voices the merrier! 10-16 Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Ithaca Scavenger Hunts with Susanne Q | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Gym Annex | Max Students: 15 Material Fee: $4.00 Class Length: 55 mins | How well do you really know Ithaca? In this interactive class, students will explore downtown Ithaca through themed scavenger hunts that encourage them to look closely, ask questions, solve clues, and discover the stories hidden in familiar places. Each week may focus on a different theme, such as art and expression, music, nature, history, culture, accessibility, community, and local mysteries. Students will work together to explore public spaces, complete challenges, and record their discoveries through writing, drawing, photography, and discussion. The class materials fee will be put towards copies of the scavenger hunt papers. Please bring pencil or pen and folder. | This class is ideal for curious, observant students who enjoy exploring and learning by doing. Because we will be walking around downtown Ithaca and navigating public spaces, students must be able to follow safety instructions, stay with the group, pay attention to their surroundings, and behave responsibly and respectfully while outdoors and around the community. Students should be comfortable walking and participating actively with a team. 12+ Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Learning ASL with Elena M. and Tom St.Clair | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Room B | Max Students: 6 The outside instructor fee, of $35, will be donated to further Rochester Deaf Kitchen. Rochester Deaf Kitchen is a food pantry providing food and other essentials for approximately 1,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in need each week. Class Length: 55 mins | 7 sessions are offered to learn to learn and practice words and phrases in American Sign Language (ASL). This will review simple vocabulary, classifiers, and short sentences. So you can have a simple conversation with others who know or are learning ASL. Resources will be provided for learning fingerspelling, counting, and continued independent study. Depending upon interest and compatibility, we may be able to extend class through additional sessions. | The ideal students are able to actively participate and concentrate on learning a new language who are willing to try and practice both in and out of class. No previous experience is necessary, but continuing students are welcome! 11+ Parents are welcome to join, so they can practice at home too. |
| Math and Movement with Ellen R. | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Gym | Max Students: 15 Material Fee: $8.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Class will engage in physical Movement games while learning math! We will combine body movements with numbers and math concepts to create a full body brain experience! Please wear or bring shoes or socks to move in! | Ages 5-8 Who can recognize all the numbers and do basic counting. Siblings welcome. Must be willing to be on their feet during class. 5-10 Parents may be required to help younger children fully particiapte |
| Morning Singing with Jay L | Class Time: 9:00-9:30 Location: Gym | Max Students: 50 Class Length: 30 mins | We will gather each morning to sing songs from around the world in a meditative and supportive way. Everyone is invited, and no singing experience is required-- come one, come all! | All are Welcome Parents may be required to help younger children fully particiapte |
| Nutrition for Littles: Fueling our bodies for FUN with Tiffani T. and Kara C. | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Kitchen | Max Students: 14 Material Fee: $7.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Nutrition for Littles is a hands-on adventure into food, nutrition, and healthy habits. Through games, simple experiments, crafts, food activities, and plenty of curiosity, children will discover how food helps their bodies grow, move, think, and play. We’ll explore carbohydrates as fuel, protein as building blocks, healthy fats as helpers and protectors, vitamins and minerals as tiny superheroes, and water as an essential part of keeping our bodies working well. Children will also learn practical skills like choosing smart snacks, drinking more water, and becoming “food detectives” who can look at simple food labels and ask, What is it? What’s inside? How much is a serving? We’ll focus on balance and curiosity rather than calling foods “good” or “bad,” and children will be encouraged to explore without pressure to taste anything. The course is designed to be inclusive of vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous families. As a bonus, we’ll explore farm-to-table and where our food comes from, potentially with a visit or lesson led by a local farmer. Most importantly, Food Explorers will help children build a positive, age-appropriate understanding of food and learn to ask one simple question: “What can this food do for my body?” | The ideal student is a curious child ages 5–7 who enjoys asking questions, hands-on activities, and learning how things work. No prior nutrition knowledge is needed—students simply need to be ready to explore how food helps their bodies grow, move, play, and stay healthy. 5-7 Yes- and siblings are encouraged to join in the class activities.Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Paper Trails: Art History Through Paper with Amanda S. | Class Time: 9:30-10:25 Location: Room C | Max Students: 8 Material Fee: $5.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Travel through art history using paper as our primary material - tearing, cutting, folding, and layering. We'll journey from cave paintings to ancient Egypt to medieval stained glass and more. Students will be able to work on their fine motor skills and be able to take a closer look at art, all the while creating an art portfolio of their own. Come join us in exploring how people told stories through art for thousands of years! | Students are expected to independently: -hold and use scissors safely -glue with reasonable control -tear, fold, and manipulate paper -draw simple shapes and outlines -sit for short lessons (5–10 minutes of instruction) -follow multi-step directions -wait briefly while materials are being passed out 5-7 Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area. |
| Parents'/Adults' Support Group & Social Time with Tali F. | Class Time: 12:30-1:25 Location: Playground | Max Students: 30 Class Length: 55 mins | A social time for us grownups! Come share your homeschool-parenting joys and struggles (though it's really the struggles where it's extra nice to get support, right?). This is a low-key gathering. No need to register, just know that I will be at the playground during the lunch time, ready to hold space and connect! I know I need this for myself. If you'd like it too, come join me! (Weather-permitting). | Any homeschooling adult/parent/caregiver, who wants support & connection! It's for the parents! |
| Pokémon Club with Nomi T. and Student Leader Benjamin F. 9 | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Gym Annex | Max Students: 21 Class Length: 55 mins | Bring your Pokémon cards, hang out, trade cards, and talk Pokémon! We will bring some library books with Pokémon stories to share, and may over the course of the eight weeks introduce a couple of games that can be played with the cards. This will be a leisurely Pokémon social time. | Any student with interest in and enthusiasm about Pokémon is welcome! Students should preferably have some familiarity with Pokémon, and some of their own cards for trading. All Are Welcome Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| RC Club with Field and Leo S. | Class Time: 1:30-2:25 Location: Gym | Max Students:9 Material Fee: $5 Class Length: 55 mins | Bring your own RC vehicle to this class, we will be sharing info/soecs, creating courses and jumps and helping each other with maintenance or upgrade ideas. If you have any RC tools bring them with you! Bring your own: RC vehicle, chargers, spare parts | The ideal student is someone who is enthusiastic about RC vehicles, who will respect other people’s RC vehicles and who wants to learn more about the topic. 9+ Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| Reading and Writing with Puppets with Hannah B. | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Room C | Max Students:10 Material Fee: $10 Class Length: 55 mins | This class would be for kids with a range of reading skills- from no reading experience or up to a beginning 2nd grade reading level. We will learn the basics of phonics and word families with an emphasis on reading decidable words in a fun way with storytelling. The kids will also have an opportunity to tell their own stories with puppets focusing on the idea creation aspect of writing. Students will boost their phonics skills as well as know the difference between decidable words and sight words. Ideally students will be motivated to engage with reading and phonics after learning that they can read many words and sentences. Students will have an opportunity to be creative with their storytelling. This class with be dynamic- shifting to meet the needs of the learners however the undercurrent of the class will focus on real-life reading and writing skills. Readers read in the world, not just on worksheets. Writers tell stories and share facts- whether it is through oral storytelling, writing, typing, text notes, voice notes etc. Writers begin with ideas. | All reading levels from students having no experience reading to reading at a beginning 2nd grade level are welcome. Reluctant readers or students with special needs in the area of reading are welcome. The ideal student will have a caregiver who is willing to fill out a detailed survey about their child’s reading experience. 5-7 Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Rope Flow Skills & Games with Matt J. | Class Time: 10:30-11:25 Location: Gym | Max Students: 10 Material Fee: $10.00 Class Length: 55 mins | Imagine spinning a rope around you in cool patterns and then whipping the rope out to hit a target. That’s “Rope Flow” – it looks amazing and is fun to do. And it’s a popular skill used by pro athletes, dancers, and martial artists to build coordination, speed, and control. See what it looks like here: https://bit.ly/rope-flow In this class, you'll learn core rope flow moves, then put them to the test with target practice, balance challenges, and movement games. You’ll get your own rope to keep and practice with. | Ideally kids who like to move and don't mind messing up before getting it – the moves take some practice! Kids should be ok with doing movement activities during the entire period. *Parents are welcome to join in! Adult-size ropes available for an additional $15 – or borrow one of our spares. 11+ Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Social Committee with Shannon O'C, Gini V, and Susanne Q. | Class Time: 1:30-2:25 Location: Kitchen | Max Students: 20 Material Fee: $10 Class Length: 55 mins | We love the party planners! We need those who prefer behind the scenes - students and adults who want to create flyers, do social media posts, decorating, helping to sweep the floor after an event. We also need technology help - creating spreadsheets, managing Google Drive, and managing photos. Help us plan our season of community events. | All are welcome. Younger students will need adult assistance. Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |
| Storytime with Hannah B | Class Time: 9:00-9:25 Location: Kitchen/Lunchroom | Max Students: 15 Class Length: 25 mins | This class is for all ages but focuses on our littlest learners. We will read books, say and sing nursery rhymes and do simple songs with movements. | This class is perfect for kids under the age of 5. It is a flexible class in which babies and kids can practice being in a circle and experiencing language in a fun away. All Are Welcome |
| Tools For Academic Success with Uriel C. | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Room C | Max Students: 111 Class Length: 55 mins | Homeschooling is obviously far superior to all other ways of learning! Except for in the ways it sort of isn't. This class will be fun! But at the same time it is geared for some serious focus on how to fill in the holes left for many of us in our homeschooling curricula. Each class will have two parts: The first half offering some hard skills aimed at assisting students in all their chosen areas of study. Followed by facilitated discussion on how our homeschool experiences are proceeding so far, and creating individualized plans for how to do better moving forward. | The class will offer valuable tools for everyone, across the spectrum of future plans. So, no matter if you might head to "real" school before the end of the year, are aiming for an early start in college, or intend to be a self-taught life long learner, you'll benefit from the time we share. 13+ Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| US Geography with Allison S. and Elizabeth H. | Class Time: 11:30-12:25 Location: Room A | Max Students: 8 Material Fee: $5.00 Class Length: 55 mins | This class will explore the different regions of the United States and the geographical characteristics that make each one unique. Students will have opportunities to research the states that make up each region and share interesting facts with the group. We will also be creating a variety of craft projects based on the regions we explore. | The ideal student should come prepared to listen, and participate with curiosity and creativity. They should be able to follow directions and craft with minimal adult assistance. Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| Word Craft with Sara T. and Jay L. | Class Time: 1:30-2:25 Location: Gym Annex | Max Students: 10 Class Length: 55 mins | Join us for an exploration into the wonderful world of words! We will create different types of poems, using our imaginations, visual imagery, stories from the past, myths, legends, and music! I also hope to incorporate illustration this time, which will add a new element to our explorations! Please bring a blank notebook or sketchbook | The ideal student for this class would be creative, curious, and someone potentially willing to share their work at times, and be a good listener when others are sharing. (Sharing poems is not required, just encouraged. We create a safe space for everyone to be present, and it is important to agree to keep the poems that are created and shared shared between us in the room). 13-16 Parents and younger siblings are asked to remain in the waiting area |
| Yoga and Movement Games with Hannah B. | Class Time: 9:30-10:25 Location: Gym | Max Students:10 Material Fee: $10 Class Length: 55 mins | In this class we will learn the basics of yoga with fun themes and games. Students will learn a short 10 minute flow and then we will connect poses with a theme such as forest animals, superhero poses, nature and more. Then we will play movement games, for example “yogi says” like Simon says but with yoga poses, silent ball, musical yoga mats and many others. We will end with a relaxing picture book. Yoga is a way for kids to build focus and strengthen their core for everything from improving handwriting to soccer! Kids’ yoga doesn’t look like adult yoga, it’s louder, more dynamic, and will lots of kid fun mixed in. Although kid yogis experience the poses differently, the benefits of yoga remain. Students can take home their yoga mat at the end of the session. | Students should be motivated to participate or willing to watch if they don’t want to do specific poses or activities. Students will be asked to follow two guidelines during the yoga portion- 1) keep their body on their own mat 2) keep their mind on their mat (meaning not commenting on what others are doing) in order to create a safe environment for everyone. All abilities and levels are welcome. Students with high energy and short attention spans will likely enjoy this class. 5-7 Parents and siblings are welcome but not required to stay in the room. |