Enrichment
Enrichment for the students is an essential part of the REACH School. Throughout the year, your student will have access to Art, Drama, Poetry, Spanish as well as a broad range of enrichment activities provided through our “Clubs” program. We also attempt to incorporate other visual and performing arts such as dance and music.
Clubs - Clubs are offered in multi-week cycles, and serve to further expand the range of enrichment classes so that students can try a variety of activities that may be of interest to them. Clubs also provide a time when students from different grade levels get to participate in mixed-grade level activities together. We attempt to repeat some of the more popular clubs throughout the year so that more students have access to them. At times, the students go off campus for their club activity. Parents have the opportunity to share their particular interests and skills by offering to sponsor and instruct a particular club activity. Let us know if you have a skill to share through clubs!
Examples of Enrichment Opportunities Given at REACH:
Altering Print Media: An altered book is any book, old or new, that has been recycled by creative means, into a work of art. In this club, Judy Timmerman leads students in play with text and exploring further possibilities of altering books by means of drawing, painting, cutting, folding, adding onto or subtracting from, collage-ing, rubber stamping...and much more!
Chess: Join “Chess for Kids” in a class for all skill levels. The hidden rewards for students of chess surface in: critical and logical thinking skills; improved concentration, pattern recognition, and memory; patience, decision-making, planning, and sportsmanship skills. In addition, chess is plain FUN!
Drawing Techniques for the Beginner: Students learn the principles and elements of design, and use them to grasp the basics of drawing techniques. We use still-lifes, portraits, and free drawing to experiment with how to combine line, value, texture and composition to your pen and pencil drawings. This class is designed to encourage students to feel comfortable with their skills and to sketch freely on their own.
Fencing: Jim Liebich teaches skills and footwork as well as the conditioning level needed to be successful at this sport. Learn to fence just like they do in the Olympics! Fencing is a fun and fast-paced sport, engaging both mind and body as you train your way to harmony between the two. Fencing is great exercise. In our classes we always begin with a vigorous group warmup to practice our footwork and prepare for the fencing to come.
Gardening: This course provides hands-on training in organic vegetable growing using the school garden. In the event of inclement weather, the focus shifts to classroom study of plant science, permaculture, and sustainability. Organic farming is a booming industry. Students learn vocational skills from an experienced and successful farmer. They learn to channel energies into productive work and have an intimate relationship with the natural world. They also have access to freshly harvested produce.
Pottery: Master potter, Cheryl Constantini leads our fortunate students through all aspects of hand-building techniques as well as some work wheel throwing clay vessels. This Club culminates in a field trip to the Nichibei studio where students will learn about the firing and glazing processes.
PowerPoint/Video Production: Students create multiple narrated and timed PowerPoint presentations using content from classwork in creative ways. They are taught how to incorporate still images, music, voice and graphs within their presentations. These files are converted to movie files (by the instructor) and with permission, students learn how to upload these either to You Tube or to a private site.
Projectiles: Building catapults and exploring rocketry for those interested in the physics of propelling objects! Taught by Magi Discoe.
Sculpture: This totally three-dimensional art class is taught by sculptor, Charles Churchill. Students explore working with the abstract, working from the heart, working outside the box. Using wood and other materials as sculptural media, they learn to fuse materials using Weldbond and white glue, sheet rock screws with attention making structurally sound artworks.
Spanish: Through the continued use of story, singing, and some reading exercises, students expand their vocabulary and their reading comprehension and speaking skills. They work with Ben Lev and Guadalupe Tausch toward the goal of writing 100 word compositions (in Spanish) in five minutes.
Speech & Debate: Beyond being exciting and fun, speech and debate provides the avenue for students to develop critical, lifelong communication skills. Debate requires an ability to intellectually understand complex issues, research and gather information on an issue, analytically construct arguments, think clearly and critically, speak persuasively and refine the art of impromptu speaking. These skills build confidence ensuring that students possess the ability to make a powerful impact on the society in which they live.
Service & Leadership: Kathleen Van der Hoorst leads this group through researching, planning and execution of some wonderful community service projects. Activities are student-led and might include singing and entertainment for the senior center, running a food drive, and helping with the United Way campaign. This is also a leadership enhancement club, which will allow students to teach others about community service.
Yoga: Students learn a healthy and fun practice for body, mind and spirit. A yoga class designed for kids to develop strength, flexibility, balance, positive self-image, focus, concentration and well-being will be led by experienced teacher, Kashi Armstrong. The class includes postures and flows for developing strength and flexibility, breathing practices for strengthening the immune system and lungs, concentration and meditation techniques to deepen inner focus and awareness.
'Zine-making/Publising/Journalism: Working with Tricia Watts, students complete their own 'zine (short for magazine) project. A 'zine is an inexpensively produced, self-published, underground publication. These are very fun, creative outlets for self-expression that are somewhat like individual newspapers.
