Group 1 is working on balance and strength in this semester's yoga class.  From learning new stretches and new postures, the kids are realigning their bodies.  They are learning how to bring certain postures back home if they have certain ailments like a headache or stomach ache.  I am incorporating yoga into this semester's theme of "hands around the world" with poses that are done as a group holding hands.  I encourage the kids to feel comfortable with their bodies and love themselves just as they are.  Relaxation and meditation time is always integrated into my class, which gives the kids time to quite down and breathe.  Yoga poses, fun games, and relaxation are an effective way at providing the kids with a well rounded class that leaves them feeling great!

Ceramics, Nancy Pawlowski

Ceramics class includes hand-building techniques including slab, coiling as well as glazing. Projects include vessels with the study of stamped repeating patterns, group projects of bowls with socially conscious themes such as “Erase Hate” and slab hands modeling selected expressions. And, this semester’s theme of “Hands around the World” incorporates projects slab hands modeling selected expressions with each hand holding a gift they are giving to different countries around the world.

Also, a “Potter of the Week” is introduced weekly to familiarize students with master ceramic artists. “Potter of the Month” is also awarded to the student monthly exhibiting excellence in specific techniques and forms of expression.

Creative Class, Watercolor and Pastels, Jessica Lennertz

During this course the students are learning the basics of both watercolors and pastels as well as advanced techniques to achieve the desired texture (such as salt on watercolor).  We are creating various pieces of artwork around this semester’s theme “Hands Around The World”.  We have been working on pieces such as ‘project earth’ where we have looked at aerial views of land, volcanoes and rivers and then recreated them with watercolor and pastels.

African Dance, Lanecia Radcliff

This class is titled Discovering the rhythms and dances of West Africa. In this class, students focus on the music and dance of a particular area in Africa, the west region of Africa. There are over 2,000 languages in Africa, and you can spend a lifetime learning the culture of just a few ethnic groups. Students  focus on a particular rhythm and dance and learn about where that rhythm comes from and the learn about how the choreography is in sync with the dance. This spring we are focusing on Kakilambe, a rhythm that comes from the Baga People of Lower Guinea west Africa. Kakilambe represents a giant mask that protects the sacred forest, and once a year the people in the village ask Kakilambe for a good harvest, for their family to be healthy, and prosperity. The children are not only learning these concepts but they are learning the dance, and a broad familiarity of the the music.

Movement as a Metaphor, Andrea Bowen, LCSW, CFLE

Dance and movement will be tailored to allow an introspective approach to mind/body/spirit.  Six sessions will encourage self discipline, self expression and self-esteem building through the use of creative movement.  The final product is to strengthen each youngster’s self-confidence and develop a repertoire of creative movement with the use of a variety of rhythm patterns, sequence and choreography. The class aims to motivate self awareness and encourage teambuilding, creativity and character development, while becoming aware and respectful of various cultural and ethnic forms of dance such as hip/hop, modern, ballet and liturgical/ praise.

Hands Around the World  -- Painting Class -- Ms. Audrye S. Arbe, Artist/Teacher

In all classes, the students discuss Hands Around the World, and what it can mean for them personally, such as friendship, peace, cooperation, fun, and whatever else comes up.  Classes sketch what their paintings may look like, so they see their preliminary ideas on paper.  Each students does an individual acrylic-tempera painting that depicts whatever Hands Around the World means to them.  There is a lesson in how to install screw-eyes and wiring, so students gain proficiency in preparing their paintings for display.  In groups, students are also creating large paintings as a mixed-media piece, with paint and picture montage.  All classes begin with a breathing attunement and visualization to center and quiet the students and facilitate their getting in touch with their inner self, artist and creator.

Mixed Media, Dora Hishmen

Mixed Media class which touches on the elements of art such as line, shape, color, texture and value through the use of different mediums. This includes, but not limited to the use of acrylic and watercolor paints, charcoal, oil pastels, crayons, colored pencils, and found objects. They will learn about color schemes, blending and specific art terms that are related to the project and theme. Through the use of different mediums they should be able to focus on composition, balance and unity as well as aesthetics. Some projects will be collaborative as well as solo, and will range from simple  drawings to large collage pieces.

Intro to Drawing and Technical Drawing, George Magalios

Introduction to Drawing will introduce basic drawing skills to children ages 5-8 (Please verify this age group). The course will teach kids how to integrate basic drawing skills into their lives by giving them well-structured basic exercises that teach line application, proportions, color, and composition. The class will include work executed in graphite, charcoal, and ink.

Drawing Techniques will offer young kids basic drawing excercises in graphite, ink, charcoal, and other media. Students will be given introduction to value drawing, contour drawing, cross hatching, and other techniques. Assignments will include still lifes, portraits, and more. The class will have a variety of exercises designed to introduce students to critical viewing, drawing with both technical precision and imaginative thinking; and the ability to think more critically concerning pictures and images.

Yoga, Hope Waina

Milagro STARS will take a yoga adventure around the world to discover spectacular natural wonders.  Using strength, flexibility, coordination and balance they will demonstrate their mind, body and spirits interpretation of our world's beauty.  They will express themselves, one pose at a time, toward a peaceful life with themselves and the world around them.