Morning Program Classes

Tue, Wed, Thu — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Our 2-hour morning classes allow students to spend more time exploring and building on core areas of study such as reading, math, science and social studies.

A to Z, Read with Me

Kindergarten  - Tuesdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Lauren)

This fun and interactive class is designed to help young learners build a foundation for reading and writing. We’ll sing songs, practice penmanship, work on phonemic awareness and blending letter sounds to form short words. We’ll use a combination of principles from the Pink, Blue & Green Program (Montessori) and the Dwyer Method, while incorporating engaging stories, art and other materials. 

Beginning Reading & Writing

Grades 1-2  - Tuesdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Naomi)

For students who are beginning to build upon their reading and writing foundation. We’ll work on strengthening reading skills using a combination of stories, interactive notebooks, and other fun projects; and we’ll work on spelling and handwriting using materials from the Waseca reading program.

Adventures in Storyland: Magic Treehouse

Grades 2-5  - Tuesdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Sara)

Come along as we bring reading and storytelling to life! Inspire a love of reading as we follow Jack and Annie on their adventures, beginning with the very first book in the Magic Treehouse series, Dinosaurs Before Dark. We’ll create fun interactive notebooks to help us build our skills in reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and the elements of story. Students will also be encouraged to work on their own individual story projects, from picture books with simple sentences to their own long-form chapter books. Designed for students in grades 2-5 who are already reading chapter books, or are simply ready to start.

The class will listen to the audio version of the books, as well as read aloud in class (for those who wish to). Having physical copies of the first 13 books would be beneficial (lending libraries are a great no-cost resource).

The Great Outdoors

Grades K-3  - Wednesdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Naomi)

In this curiosity-driven class students will become ecologists, geologists, gardeners, botanists, and environmental scientists as they investigate the many mysteries of the outside world around us.

Why do fawns have spots? Where does our local water come from? What are those weird things that fall off oak trees every year? We’ll spend as much class time outdoors as possible, exploring scientific concepts such as animal & plant adaptations, weathering & erosion, the water cycle and more — through observations, critical thinking, and engaging scientific discussion.

We’ll also work on actual garden projects such as planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting while immersed in hands-on learning experiences. We’ll explore scientific topics including plant biology and soil structure, learn about nutrition and joyful movement, and practice problem solving and maintaining a growth mindset as we work together on garden tasks.

Story of the World

Grades 2-5  - Wednesdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Lauren) In this year-long class, we will be working through Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times - From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor (Revised Edition). We’ll bring History and Geography alive by utilizing the accompanying Activity Book full of fun and interesting hands-on arts & crafts projects, games, recipes and more!

Class materials are included, students do not need to purchase their own curriculum.

Fun with Math

Grades K-2  - Thursdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Lauren) Time flies when you’re having fun! This class will be full of playful opportunities to improve math skills and build confidence working with numbers. We’ll practice skills such as number recognition and number writing, along with everyday applications like counting money, skip counting, addition, subtraction, and telling time. This class combines group activities, songs and games with independent discovery time for children to explore various math stations using Montessori and other hands-on materials.

Real-World Math & Games

Grades 2-4  - Thursdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Sara) Let’s explore how we use math in everyday life! We’ll practice important math and critical thinking skills through fun real-world examples, project-based learning, and even fun games like Monopoly, Yahtzee, card games, and more. Together, we’ll explore common everyday concepts like time, money and measurement, followed by fun hands-on projects such as designing a food truck (money, geometry, etc) or planning an obstacle course or city map using spatial concepts like area, perimeter, etc. We’ll also play games, discover fun number tricks, and work together to solve math puzzles, riddles and mysteries. Join us for this fun and interactive class as we learn all about math and numbers in the world around us.

Montessori Math

Grades K-3  - Thursdays 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Ms. Naomi & Ms. Kelly) WAITLISTED Designed to grow with students, this class will offer a variety of Montessori math materials and individualized lessons. Depending on their skill development, students can continue building on addition, subtraction, and place value concepts using Montessori math materials (golden beads, hundreds board, colored beads, etc.), or, for those who are ready, they can move on to multiplication, fractions, geometry, and even beginning algebra skills using materials like decimal mats, geometry stick box, etc.

Regular Program Classes

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri (times vary)

Our regular program classes are shorter (55 min.) elective-style classes that allow students to explore specific topics of interest, including art, music, entrepreneurship, creative writing, and more.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Around Our Community

Grades K-2  - Tuesdays 2:00 pm (Ms. Sara) 

Let’s learn about the importance of communities — from signs and symbols like the American flag and Statue of Liberty, to local jobs and service members who help in everyday life. We’ll introduce and compare geography terms including towns, counties, states, and countries. We’ll meet many different members of our community, including small business owners — and maybe even some local heroes like police officers and firefighters. Finally, we’ll also discuss the importance of being a good citizen and how we can help others in the community.

SCIENCE & STEM

LEGO & Everyday Engineering 1 & 2

Grades K-1, Grades 2-5  - Thursdays 1:00 & 2:00 pm (Ms. Lauren) 

This fun and interactive class uses a variety of materials — from LEGO® bricks, magnet tiles, Keva planks and marble mazes, to common items like paper, string, or plastic cups — to explore the world of engineering, building and motion.

Together we’ll create projects that build and extend on one another, solve unexpected building challenges, and share ideas for refining and improving our projects. Examples could include anything from catapults, villages, ziplines or marble mazes for younger learners, to more complex machine-based projects with moving parts for learners in grades 2-5.

Depending on enrollment and lesson material, we may combine grade levels for specific projects or lessons.

Hands-On Science Lab 1

Grades K-1  - Thursdays 1:00 pm (Ms. Sara) Full description coming soon.

During the Fall, we’ll focus on Physical Science, including matter, forces, and an introduction to chemistry.

During the Spring, we’ll focus on Earth Science.

Hands-On Science Lab 2

Grades 2-5  - Thursdays 2:00 pm (Ms. Sara) Full description coming soon.

During the Fall, we’ll focus on Physical Science & Chemistry.

During the Spring, we’ll focus on Earth Science & Geology. 

PRACTICAL LIFE

Sewing

Grades K-1, Grades 2-5  /  Wednesdays at 1:00 pm — (Ms. Lauren)
This interactive class teaches practical skills for life and home. Through a variety of hands-on projects, including a throw pillow, we’ll explore beginning sewing, needlework and embroidery techniques — both by hand and on a sewing machine.

Once Upon a Snack Time

Grades K-2  /  Wednesdays at 2:00 pm — Spring only (Ms. Lauren) Where story time meets snack time! In this yummy class, we’ll read a new children’s book each week and then learn to make the corresponding snack, food, drink or dessert. We’ll learn about kitchen tools, cutting and measuring, and each day will come away with some sweet or savory goodies to take home and enjoy.

Gardening

Grades K-5  /  Wednesdays 1:00 pm (Ms. Naomi) Let’s garden together! This fun, active class will focus on establishing and maintaining a garden space on the academy campus. Students will be engaged in actual garden projects such as planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting while immersed in hands-on learning experiences. 

Together we will explore scientific topics including plant biology and soil structure, learn about nutrition and joyful movement, and practice problem solving and maintaining a growth mindset as we work together on garden tasks.

Entrepreneurship 1

Grades 2-5  /  Tuesdays 1:00 pm — Spring only (Ms. Sara) Emerging entrepreneurs will learn what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs. Through this fun and engaging program, students will explore their natural gifts and talents, while gaining competence in the terms and processes necessary to become successful entrepreneurs (business plan, budget, marketing, etc). This program will be very collaborative and students will share ideas and implement a business idea to present at the 5th Annual Children’s Business Fair.

Entrepreneurship 2

Grades 5-8  /  Wednesdays 2:00 pm — Spring only (Ms. Sara) In preparation for the 5th Annual Children’s Business Fair, students will focus on Economics and Entrepreneurship.  Students will learn how entrepreneurship is an important part of our modern economy, learn pricing strategies and explore the financial aspects of entrepreneurship, and learn how to analyze basic financial statements at a deeper level.  Students will also explore the basic business entity types and the pros/cons of each.

CREATIVE ARTS

Art Mixed Media 1 & 2

Grades K-4  /  Tuesdays 1:00 & 2:00 pm (Ms. Lauren) Let’s explore the world of art through hands-on activities and craft projects! Students will be able to experiment with a variety of different mediums and techniques, including drawing, painting, watercolor, collage, jewelry making, and working with clay.

Art Mixed Media 2

Grades 5-9  /  Wednesdays 1:00 pm (Ms. Naomi) Description coming soon.

A Year at Hogwarts

Grades K-2 & 3-8  /  Tuesdays 1:00 & 2:00 pm (Ms. Erynn) This magical class explores Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone through a variety of hands-on, themed projects. Students will study aspects of science, history, language arts, and math through unit study projects inspired by Harry Potter lore. Class projects may include a wand, a castle model, Patronus painting, dragon artifacts, and more! (Activities may adjusted for ability level and interest to best serve as many students as possible).

Guitar & Drums

Grades 3-5  /  Wednesdays 2:00 pm — (Mr. Travis) Description coming soon.

Rock Band 1 & 2

Grades K-5  /  Wednesdays 1:00 pm — (Mr. Travis )
Grades 4-8  /  Wednesdays 12:00 pm — (Mr. Travis)

Get ready to join the band! Together we’ll explore guitar, drums, piano/keyboard, and singing… and learn how to put them all together to play as a real Rock Band!. We’ll also discuss music theory and discover how we can learn the form and structure of each song. We’ll even name our band and participate in the Upcountry Academy concert at the end of the year!