Early Bird Reading Bricks Academy - October 2019 - May 2020
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Enrichment at The Academy
October 2019 - May 2020
Early Bird Reading
Bricks Academy
Minecraft
Artspace
Hot Wheels
Division
Roaring with Dinosaurs
Famous Artist Series
Boys and Girls, Ages 4-14 — Adults, too!
San Antonio Academy
117 East French Place
Cathy Cummins, Program Director
Michele Cummins, Registrar
210-733-7331, ext. 210 mcummins@sa-academy.org
Accredited By The Independent Schools Association of the SouthwestEARLY BIRD READING AND READING MASTERS
Cathy Cummins has taught thousands of children to read, and for more than three decades her Early Bird Reading
program has served as a learning model for other instructors who teach the Orton Phonograms. Reading Masters (for more
experienced readers) builds upon the skills acquired through Early Bird Reading. These two programs have enrolled more
than 150 children each month, including girls and boys in the San Antonio area and from cities as far away as Eagle Pass,
Laredo and McAllen.
EARLY BIRD READING WITH CATHY CUMMINS
AGES 4 – 7 YEARS OLD
The Early Bird Reading curriculum consists of Orton-based phonics
and basal readers that use a controlled vocabulary. Students will have
a formal lesson in oral language, rhyming patterns and the 71 English
language phonograms. We play word games, practice manuscript
writing and work on art projects related to the phonograms we are
studying. The group instruction is uniform because all the children
need information about the phonograms, syllabication and the rules of
English. The art project is an important component of the program because it gives the children time to practice fine
motor skills, and to review the phonograms that are being illustrated.
After the instruction period, students work on phonics projects and each child reads aloud with Mrs. Cummins.
Everyone completes a “packet” of exercises related to reading skills, including Word Challenge, which gives the
students decoding practice. There are also drills involving vowels, diphthongs, rhyming, spelling and reading
comprehension. More advanced students will go to the Comprehension Circle to read and complete a packet of
comprehension challenges such as main idea, detail, inference, sequencing and fact-and-opinion. They take home
a reader for practice; as soon as that reader is successfully completed, they receive the next book. In addition,
students take home a folder containing their packet, art project, reader and other materials.
The way to see progress in your child’s reading ability is to be consistent. Please discuss the work with your “Early
Bird,” and read with your child every day for 10 minutes. You will be amazed at the progress made, particularly if you
participate in the learning process.
WEEKDAY EARLY BIRD READING
Weekdays: Classes are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:30 PM; also on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:45 PM. Students attend one class each week for a semester:
September through January, and February through mid-May. Tuition varies according to the number of classes.
There is a Wait List for these sessions. To place your child on the Wait List (there is no obligation), please email
Enrichment Registrar Michele Cummins: mcummins@sa-academy.org. Include the parent’s name, child’s name, age
and (if applicable) grade and school, plus contact information. Michele will call or email you when there are spaces
available.
SATURDAY and SUNDAY EARLY BIRD READING
Mrs. Cummins also offers Weekend EBR classes. There is no Wait List for Weekend EBR; enrollments are processed
first-come, first served. Many Sunday EBR classes are already full; however, there is still limited availability in the
Saturday EBR classes. Morning sessions are from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and afternoon sessions are from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
SATURDAY EARLY BIRD READING SCHEDULE
FOR SEPTEMBER 2019 THROUGH JANUARY 2020
Saturdays, October 26 and November 2, 2019 Saturdays, December 7 and 14, 2019
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM or 1:30 – 4:30 PM 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM or 1:30 – 4:30 PM
$200 $200
Saturdays, November 16 and 23, 2019 Saturdays, January 11 and 18, 2020
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM or 1:30 – 4:30 PM 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM or 1:30 – 4:30 PM
$200 $200
For further information and availability, please email Enrichment Registrar Michele Cummins: mcummins@sa-academy.org.
The schedule of Spring 2020 Saturday and Sunday EBR classes will be available soon.
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
1READING MASTERS WITH CATHY CUMMINS
AGES 7 – 10 YEARS OLD
READING AT GRADE LEVEL 2.9 OR ABOVE
Reading Masters is the next step after Early Bird Reading, yet with the
same back-to-basics curriculum. It is the perfect class for a fluent reader
to maintain speed, accuracy and comprehension. All children need to
continue building the “brain lists” to remember which phonograms are
used in which words to represent identical sounds. This expertise is
gained with exposure, direct instruction and practice.
Maximum effort will be made in the areas of oral and silent reading, phonics and continued word research analysis.
For example, children may be reading fluently, but do they know which phonogram represents the “sh” sound in the
word “commercial”? This is the purpose of word research practice.
“Step Into Reading” materials are used for individual and group reading. Students enjoy solo and buddy reading
of classics and contemporary favorites, combined with exciting follow-up activities in drama, art and creative
writing. Special features include use of the dictionary and thesaurus, examination of Greek and Latin root words
and practicing the rules of English grammar and spelling. Comprehension is enhanced with the McCall series of skill
books, and participants receive notebooks containing exercises in critical thinking, analogies and sequencing. A
bazaar is held on the final class day each semester, when students may use their accumulated “points” to acquire a
variety of items, including gift certificates and electronics.
Reading Masters classes are offered on Fridays or Sundays by the semester; tuition varies according to the number
of classes. There is a Wait List for these sessions. To place your child on the Wait List (there is no obligation), please
email Enrichment Registrar Michele Cummins: mcummins@sa-academy.org. Include the parent’s name, child’s
name, age, grade and school, plus contact information. Michele will call or email you when spaces are available.
: THE ACADEMY KINGS
National Chess Master Alex Weinberg continues the
tradition of superior scholastic chess at San Antonio
Academy. Mr. Weinberg has more than 25 years’
experience as a teacher and coach. A native of Russia,
he was selected (at the age of seven) to receive formal
training at the National Chess School in Moscow. He
earned a B.A. at the University of Texas at San Antonio
and a master’s degree (M.H.A.) from Trinity University.
Please note: Registration is by the semester. Dates and
tuitions given below are for the Fall Semester only.
Kindergarteners – 2nd Graders play on Tuesdays: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
3rd–8th Graders – play on Tuesdays: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Minimum Enrollment: 10 Students Maximum Enrollment: 20 Students
Dates: Semester 1: Tuesdays, September 17, 2019 through January 28, 2020 (17 sessions)
Tuition: $340 for (Fall) Semester 1 (Semester 1 tuition will be prorated after September 17, 2019)
Instructor: Alex Weinberg
Place: Bondurant Library
For further information and availability for Semester 1, please email Michele Cummins, mcummins@sa-academy.org.
There will be separate registration in January 2020 for Semester 2 (February–May 2020).
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
2of LEGO experts, will offer individual
OCTOBER 2019 instruction and assistance, as each
child creates an amazing menagerie
MINECRAFT CLUB: of animals in their native habitats.
Families are invited to view the unique
MINI-GAME PARTY creations at the end of class. Students
Do you enjoy playing mini-games? will take home a goody bag with stuffed
Omar Valdez has created another animals and zoo prizes!
one-of-a-kind event, where Minecraft
lovers will be catapulted into a mini- Date: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 KIDS’ NIGHT OUT:
game bonanza! Come ready to enjoy Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM FRIGHT NIGHT
friendly competition; play alongside Ages: 4 – 6 years old
Tuition: $50 Join us for this “Kids’ Night Out”
and against your friends in Minecraft Halloween tradition! It’s a great party,
dodgeball, hide and seek, capture Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien
and Staff complete with masks, movies, pizza
the flag, paintball and more! If you and crafts. This will be good, safe fun –
enjoy the excitement of being part of a wear a costume if you like, and make a
team, you’ll love our Mini-Game Party monster mask in class. We’ll play Wrap
sessions! Please note: No experience the Mummy and Halloween Jingo, and
necessary. dance the Monster Mash, too. Take a
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019 ghost walk around campus, and listen
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon to spooky stories before you take home
Ages: 7 – 13 years old a treat-filled miniature cauldron!
Tuition: $50 Date: Friday, October 25, 2019
Instructor: Omar Valdez Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: 5 – 9 years old
PHONICS FOR ADULTS Tuition: $55
WITH CATHY CUMMINS Instructor: Julie Smith
This is an intensive course in explicit
phonics; participants will learn and
master the 71 most fundamental written
sounds (phonograms) in the English
language. The first session features
BRICKS ACADEMY:
an introduction to the phonogram HALLOWEEN
system, the Rules of English, and LEGOLAND®
decoding/encoding English words.
Come to a “Spooktacular” morning
In the second session, we’ll focus on
of building haunted houses,
games, phonics applications, a make-
Frankenstein, monsters, ghosts and
and-take component, and suggestions
BRICKS ACADEMY: all things creepy. Using LEGO bricks,
for teaching reading and phonics at
including orange, black, yellow, white
WORLD ANIMALS AND home and in the classroom. Additional
and purple, you can construct an eerie
reference materials include spelling
THEIR HABITATS lists, practice sheets and a guide to
scene. First, your instructors will teach
Bricks Academy kicks off a full slate of you how to interlock bricks and then,
the “Five Silent E’s.” This course is
exciting LEGO® construction classes analyze the physics of balance so
excellent for parents of children in
with “World Animals and Their Habitats.” that your creatures will stand. Holiday
pre-kindergarten through second
Youngsters will study fascinating decorations and special snacks will
grade (including students who are
animals and where they live, from polar enhance the FUN! Take home a
home-schooled); it is beneficial also
bears in the Arctic to whales and sharks cauldron filled with theme-related toys
for parents of older students who are
in the oceans, monkeys and lions in and sweets.
experiencing reading or language
the jungle and camels in the desert. barriers. Teachers and grandparents Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019
Then, using LEGO bricks, they will are welcome, too! Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
design living spaces for the “critters,” Ages: 6 – 12 years old
using mathematics, engineering and Dates: Monday-Tuesday
Tuition: $55
architectural concepts. Measurement, October 21-22, 2019
Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien
estimation, as well as geometry are Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
and Staff
discussed as projects are developed Ages: Adults
and enhanced. Beth and Jim O’Brien, Tuition: $100 per person
this dynamic husband and wife team Instructor: Cathy Cummins
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
3Wizard is famous for, and take home a
treat bag full of goodies!
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Ages: 5 – 10 years old
Tuition: $55
Instructor: John MacLaren
MINECRAFT CLUB: HOT WHEELS RACERS
POKÉMON BONE-OLOGY This will be an exciting, fast paced
EXTRAVAGANZA Do you know what the skull of a deer, pig session that teaches the scientific
and rat look like? How about a human principles of force, inertia and
Take one of the world’s greatest skull? This workshop offers students momentum. Receive a driver’s
phenomena and blend it with a game an opportunity to observe and make backpack and collection of Hot
beloved the world over! Combine diagrams of skeletal systems. There Wheels, including some color shifters
Pokémon and Minecraft to create will be various mammalian bones, that can be custom decorated! Make
a fabulous Minecraft Club session. x-rays and models to help participants a checkered flag, paint wooden cars,
We’ll explore a unique modification understand bone structure. View a and use Crystal Climbers, Magna-
to Minecraft, where every animal is bone cell under the microscope, and Tiles and other materials to construct
a Pokémon and every structure is use stickers to assemble the human garages and other buildings. Finally,
an actual Pokémon-themed place! skeleton. Dissect an owl pellet and arrange the tracks and ramps to stage
Participants will have a chance to compare your findings with a chart to THE BIG RACE. Everyone takes home
pick their first Pokémon in the game, learn the names of the bones you find. a prize!
and literally walk around and catch Everyone will take home a treat bag.
Pokémon to their heart’s content. Join Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019
Omar Valdez to take on Pokémon Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Extravaganza in this one-of-a-kind Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Ages: 5 – 9 years old
Minecraft experience! Please note: No Ages: 6 – 10 years old Tuition: $50
experience necessary. Tuition: $55 Instructor: Kathleen Proctor
Instructor: Patricia Valdez
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Ages: 7 – 13 years old NOVEMBER 2019 AMAZING SHARK
Tuition: $50 ADVENTURE
Instructor: Omar Valdez DRAWING MASTERS Sharks are fascinating cartilaginous
Talented artist and dedicated educator creatures! Why must they keep
William Woodland thinks everyone can swimming all the time? How can
learn to draw if the correct techniques they smell a drop of blood from miles
are properly taught. This morning, Mr. away? Today, avid undersea explorers
Woodland will demonstrate the skills will have books, maps and displays
that students should develop in order to to study many of the species found
progress in the art of sketching. Topics in our oceans, from the nurse shark
include light, point of view, form, texture, in the Sunlit Zone to the goblin shark
SPOOKY SCIENCE line, mass, positive and negative space, that lives in the Deep Abyss. Study
shading and perspective. If weather shark anatomy from the inside out, and
This is the ultimate chemistry class with
permits, students may sit under The discover how they can float without an
exciting Halloween-inspired science
Academy’s 500-year-old oak tree to air bladder. Design an Ocean Zone
experiments. Create different brews
enjoy this drawing class. Mr. Woodland is chart and enjoy cool crafts; everyone
in miniature cauldrons that will bubble
experienced in working with youngsters; will take home a treasure bag of shells
and boil with the magic ingredient of
they will benefit from excellent instruction and toys.
dry ice. There will be a “feely” table of
animal bones for you to explore, and and individual attention. Participants will
receive a portfolio with a sketchbook Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019
you can go Egyptian, too - make a Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
miniature mummy! Wizard MacLaren and drawing pencils.
Ages: 6 – 10 years old
and his able assistant Sylvia will lead Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 Tuition: $55
you in the art of making spooky slime Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon Instructor: Patricia Valdez
– add glitter and put the mixture in Ages: 7 – 12 years old
containers to take home. Get ready for Tuition: $50
some boom and bang explosions the Instructor: William Woodland
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
4EXAM PREP: display of retablos, pre-Columbian alphabet. Using the Palmer Method,
artifacts and many items from their Mrs. Cummins will provide instruction
ISEE AND SSAT home in Mexico City. We’ll enjoy in correct pencil position, posture,
This test prep class is specially Mexican snacks, también! letter size and form; participants
designed for 8th graders who are will have ample time to practice in a
preparing to take entrance exams for Date: Sunday, November 3, 2019 casual atmosphere, free of pressure.
admission to independent high schools. Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM Tuition includes workbooks and writing
However, students from 7th through Ages: 5 – 12 years old equipment.
10th grade are welcome to register Tuition: $55
for practice. The ISEE (Independent Instructor: Cathy Cummins Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019
School Entrance Examination) is Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
required of many students entering Ages: 3rd Graders and older
AFTERSCHOOL
private schools such as TMI and St. Tuition: $65
Mary’s Hall. The SSAT (Secondary ARTSPACE: Instructor: Cathy Cummins
School Admissions Test) is required BLACK & WHITE MEDIA
of some 8th graders applying for SAA art instructors Cary Gates and
admission to other independent high Dana Parish offer this three-session
schools. In this two-session class, Karl class in black-and-white media:
Graf prepares students for both English charcoal, graphite and pen-and-ink.
and math sections, using practice Participants will receive instruction
exams from ISEE, SSAT and Catholic in creating light and shade, and
high school entrance tests. This class understanding values, composition
is excellent preparation for all types of and perspective. Enrollment is limited
standardized tests, and tuition includes to 14 students, so that Mr. Gates
a workbook to use in class and to take and Mrs. Parish may provide plenty
home for further practice. of personalized instruction. Tuition
includes special papers, pencils and
Dates: Sundays,
pen.
Nov. 3 and 10, 2019 BRICKS ACADEMY:
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Dates: Thurs., Nov. 7, 14, 21
Ages: 7th – 10th Graders FIRST RESPONDERS
Time: 3:45 – 5:15 PM
Tuition: $180 Ages: 3rd Graders and older Today, students will enjoy using LEGO
Instructor: Karl Graf Tuition: $165 bricks to construct an entire village
Place: Charlotte Hall, Room 304 Instructors: Cary Gates, Dana Parish of buildings that house community
Place: Art Room helpers! First, learn the essential skill of
interlocking the individual bricks. Then,
you can build a police station, a fire
department and a medical center. Your
fire station can have doors, windows
and even a helicopter pad. Role-play
with a hook and ladder engine, and
firefighters serving as first responders.
The medical center can feature a
doctor’s office, ambulances and
specialized medical equipment. The
police station will have motorcycles,
FAMOUS ARTIST SERIES: cruisers and helicopters. Dress in
FRIDA KAHLO AND community helper costumes as you
DIEGO RIVERA stroll around the completed village.
BETTER CURSIVE Movable walls will enable participants to
Cathy Cummins invites young artists
IN A DAY reconfigure the emergency responder
to study two great Mexican artists! centers over and over again. Students
Frida Kahlo was famous for her small Cathy Cummins brings back this
will take home a goody bag of theme-
paintings of autobiographical events, class by request! Many children
related toys!
and many self-portraits that included lack information and practice in the
her pet monkeys and parrots. Today, important communication skill of Date: Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019
we’ll explore Kahlo’s work and that handwriting. Even in this age of texting Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
of her husband Diego Rivera; then, and emailing, students should still learn Ages: 4 – 6 years old
students will paint their own renditions the correct way to write by practicing Tuition: $55
of typical Mexican subjects. See a the proper strokes for the entire cursive Instructors: Bricks Academy Staff
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
5MINECRAFT CLUB: EXTREME WIZARDRY
JURASSIC WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
Minecraft is back by popular demand, Enter the Hogwarts Lab to mix up
with more fun and awesome concoctions for the spooky season.
challenges! In this class, students Choose your House: Gryffindor,
will be immersed in the world of the Hufflepuff; Ravenclaw or Slytherin;
Jurassic Period, using a “mod” geared make a wand, and play with Professor
toward adding dinosaurs to the game. MacLaren’s collection of Harry Potter
Students will get a chance to build their memorabilia. Don your wizard hat and
FREE PARENTING very own Jurassic Park, fly a helicopter mix fantastic potions. Turn a liquid into
LECTURE: around a prehistoric kingdom, and a solid by making orange gak - you can
play alongside their friends in the play with it and mold it, but it doesn’t
THE SMARTEST KIDS exciting game we all know and love – stick to floors or furniture. Experience
IN THE WORLD Minecraft! Please note: No experience extreme explosions too! Create
BY AMANDA RIPLEY is necessary. homemade butterbeer and watch it
bubble in your cauldron – you’ll want a
Join us this evening for a fascinating Date: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 chocolate frog, too! Enjoy lots of extra
review of Amanda Ripley’s bestseller Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon crafts and maybe a game of quidditch.
THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE Ages: 7 – 13 years old Everyone will take home wizardry
WORLD: And How They Got That Way, Tuition: $50 prizes.
and a discussion of differences among Instructor: Omar Valdez
schools in America and abroad. Ms. Date: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019
Ripley states that it’s a 21st Century Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
mystery: America’s most privileged Ages: 6 – 11 years old
students have high-tech schools and Tuition: $55
well-educated parents and teachers. Instructor: John MacLaren
We even spend more on each student
than any other nation. Yet, our students
perform lower in reading than affluent
kids in 17 other countries, and lower
KEYS TO READING
in math than children in 27 other COMPREHENSION
countries! To discover why, Ms. Ripley Many children are excellent readers,
decided to spend a year traveling in but comprehension is another level of
the “smart-kid” countries. She followed performance that takes much practice.
three American teenagers, each In this two-session class, instructor
visiting a country whose students have Carmina Trejo will show students how
demonstrated remarkably improved to excel on daily reading assignments
academic success in recent years: JUNIOR SPACE FORCE and standardized tests. Participants
Finland, Poland and South Korea. Prepare to launch! This afternoon, we will receive a notebook with exercises
Her findings detail the similarities and will explore the wonders of our solar featuring analogies, fact-and-opinion,
differences in educational practice, system. Study Mars, our neighbor, and inference, summarizing, cause-
ideology and curriculum. The book is experiment with Martian space sand; and-effect and author’s purpose.
an essential read for anyone interested put it in water, then scoop it up and out. Focused, meaningful practice and
in the future of American education. The sand stays completely dry! Build entertaining high-interest topics will
Participants will receive additional with Star Wars Legos and play Space motivate students to strengthen their
reviews and related articles, plus Jingo for real NASA patches. Work with comprehension skills. We’ll also read
examples of standardized tests used to glow-in-the-dark constellation cards, a book or magazine and write about
assess skill levels in essential subjects. and make your own solar system the content, using graphic organizers.
Admission is free, but space is model to hang in your room. Enjoy Take home your binder and a
limited; for reservations, email some space ice cream, learn about the comprehension workbook.
Michele Cummins: mcummins@sa- life and work of an astronaut and take
academy.org, and please include home an inflatable space shuttle. Have Dates: Saturdays,
your telephone number. a blast in this great science class! November 16 and 23, 2019
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 Date: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 Ages: 7 – 11 years old
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Tuition: $110
Ages: Adults Ages: 6 – 10 years old Instructor: Carmina Trejo
Tuition: Free Tuition: $50
Lecturer: Cathy Cummins Instructor: Rebecca Udzik
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
6BRICKS ACADEMY:
THE HOLIDAY EXPRESS
ALL ABOARD! The LEGO Express is
heading for Santa’s Village! Use your
math and engineering skills to construct
several train track configurations that
run in various directions. Then, build
SAT EXAM PREP a train engine and boxcars that can
CSI: SPY ACADEMY travel down the route to Toyland. Also,
FOR 7TH GRADERS design landscape features like bridges,
This is an exciting addition to John
This test preparation class is designed MacLaren’s Enrichment class fences, trees and train stations. Add
specifically for 7th graders who are schedule. Spy Academy offers a how- LEGO figures, snowflakes and quaint
taking the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude and-who-dunnit format. Put on your lab cottages. Participants will wear an
Test) as part of the Duke University coat and examine the evidence to name engineer’s cap and take it home along
Talent Identification Program (TIP). the culprit! Participants will analyze with a stocking stuffed with toys and a
For many years, veteran educator fingerprints, DNA, hair samples and big train whistle. This will be wonderful
and tutor Jerry Campa has assisted secret codes; then, dress in a police seasonal fun!
students who are preparing to take this officer uniform and use handcuffs
important exam. In this two-session Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019
to make an arrest once the suspect
class, students will practice with Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
is identified. This class encourages
sample tests; they will also receive Ages: 4 – 6 years old
teamwork and features role play,
a Princeton Review or SAT College Tuition: $55
too. Learn mysterious codes to send
Board workbook (a $35 value) to use Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien
messages to your team, and create a
in class and take home for continued and Staff
disguise to hide your true identity!
practice.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019
Dates: Sundays, November 17 Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
and December 1, 2019 Ages: 7 – 12 years old
(Note: No Class on Tuition: $55
November 24) Instructor: John MacLaren
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Ages: 7th Graders
Tuition: $225 (includes Workbook)
Instructor: Jerry Campa
DECEMBER 2019
KIDS’ NIGHT OUT: MATH TOY STORE
BRICKS ACADEMY: HOLIDAY LEGOLAND A great class for holiday fun! Today’s
GIVE THANKS! It’s time for the annual Friday Night
session with veteran instructor
This special holiday class offers Kathleen Proctor is designed to teach
Holiday Lego party! Julie Smith will set
LEGO enthusiasts a challenge: build young children about coins and relative
up an impressive collection of Lego
a beautiful Pilgrim village, using bricks value. Each student will receive
stations, including pirates, Indiana
that reflect the autumn colors. First, a “cash drawer” with both paper
Jones, Star Wars, Mission to Mars
check your skills at interlocking bricks. currency and plastic coins. Hands-on
and City Vehicles. There will also be
Then, create an entire holiday table games with math manipulatives will
a large free-play center. With holiday
setting with all the favorite foods of instruct students in money matters,
movies as our backdrop, we’ll enjoy
the harvest. Or, perhaps you’d like to and also offer practice in addition
our traditional pizza, dessert and
build the Mayflower, the log houses of and subtraction. Finally, participants
special treats, and play Bingo for Lego
Plymouth, or Squanto’s wigwam. Add will visit The Academy “toy store” to
prizes. Participants can interact, share
turkeys, cornstalks, deer and pumpkins purchase favorite items; toys, books
building experiences and design their
to recreate the First Thanksgiving. and an old-fashioned candy counter
own projects, with adults available to
Participants will enjoy special snacks will be available. Students will take
help construct their dream creations.
and take home a muslin bag of treats. home their purchases, money kits, and
Everyone takes home a Lego-filled
a holiday treat bag!
stocking!
Date: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019
Date: Friday, December 6, 2019
Ages: 6 – 12 years old Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Tuition: $55 Ages: 4 – 7 years old
Ages: 4 – 9 years old
Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien Tuition: $50
Tuition: $55
and Staff Instructor: Kathleen Proctor
Instructor: Julie Smith
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
7FOLLOW THE STAR BRICKS ACADEMY:
Charlotte Cox, president of the LEGO® WINTER
Coppini Academy of Fine Arts, offers WONDERLAND
a special holiday class based on
Scripture, to teach the true “Reason Bricks Academy presents a dynamic
for the Season.” Read the story of the building workshop for the Season!
Nativity, and browse through a display This will be a great way to celebrate
of illustrated books about the First the holidays by constructing a village
Christmas. In addition, there will be a with buildings such as a library, airport, TEDDY BEAR
restaurants, houses, a hospital, police
unique display of Nativity scenes from HOLIDAY TEA
various cultures. Participants will enjoy station, fire station and residents. You
can work on a masterpiece of your A holiday tradition at SAA! Today’s
Christmas treats and design traditional
choosing. Then, we will put all the the day the Teddy Bears have their
crafts: an angel ornament and a hand-
components together to complete the Christmas Tea, and you are invited.
painted rendering of the Holy Family.
winter wonderland. Add evergreen Hear holiday stories and decorate mini
In addition, students will create a chest
trees and sprinkle snowflakes around evergreen trees with ornaments and
containing precious gifts of the Magi,
for a wintry look. There will be plenty candy canes. Make a stocking and
including oils of frankincense and
of individual instruction and assistance festive hat for your bear. Create two
myrrh, and embellished with gold leaf.
from Beth and Jim O’Brien, and gifts for family members, and then sit
In addition to their beautiful projects,
participants will take home a stocking down for a sumptuous tea with special
everyone will take home a holiday
filled with holiday surprises! treats. Play Bingo and holiday games,
stocking filled with toys and candy!
and take home an old-fashioned
Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 Date: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 stocking filled with toys for “good little
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM girls and boys.”
Ages: 6 – 12 years old Ages: 6 – 12 years old
Tuition: $55 Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019
Tuition: $55
Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Instructor: Charlotte Cox
and Staff Ages: 4 – 7 years old
Tuition: $50
Instructor: Amalia Aguilar
FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL:
THE POLAR EXPRESS BRICKS ACADEMY:
One of SAA’s annual Holiday Hits!
SANTA LEGO® MAGIC!
Receive a giant sleigh bell necklace as
you enter our workshop this evening. Join Beth and Jim O’Brien for an
Hear seasonal stories; decorate amazing LEGO workshop, paying
FROG BIOLOGY cookies and frost a tiny tree with tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus,
glistening snowflakes. Paint a jolly their reindeer and the magical wonder
Patricia Valdez, “The Frog Lady,” is they create for girls and boys all over
wooden Santa – perfect for your holiday
a well-known instructor who offers the world. Learn how to interlock LEGO
table or mantel décor. The whole class
popular science workshops in San bricks. Use balance, measurement and
will build a big snowman together, and
Antonio and other Texas locations. patterning to create your unique holiday
students will also create individual
Using a wide variety of reference figures. Build Santa and his sleigh, the
Texas snowmen to take home. One
materials including books, charts and North Pole village, elves, candy canes
of Santa’s elves will deliver our pizza,
models, Mrs. Valdez will help you learn and other items associated with “The
and we’ll enjoy seasonal snacks, too.
the anatomy of a frog. Participants will Jolly Old Elf.” You can even construct
Mix up reindeer munch, and fill holiday
dissect their own preserved specimen, an arctic scene with snow mounds
treat bags to give to friends and family.
and make notes and drawings in a lab and polar animals. The best surprise
We’ll save time to watch a portion of
notebook. Safety is our main concern, of all: our LEGO engineers will receive
The Polar Express, and everyone will
and students will wear goggles, aprons a visit from Santa himself! To spread
take home a stocking with treats and
and gloves in this carefully supervised his unique brand of Holiday Cheer,
toys.
laboratory workshop – this will be a he’ll bring a toy-filled stocking for each
great class for avid science fans and Date: Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 participant. Happy Holidays!
future pre-med majors! Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: 4 – 8 years old Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019
Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Tuition: $55
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Ages: 6 – 12 years old
Instructors: Kathy Bolner and
Ages: 7 – 12 years old Tuition: $55
Cathy Cummins
Tuition: $55 Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien
Instructor: Patricia Valdez and Staff
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
8HOLIDAY FAMOUS ARTIST SERIES:
MARSHMALLOW RENAISSANCE MASTERS
JANUARY 2020
BLASTERS This Sacred Art workshop is an annual
Back by request, master science event at The Academy, providing
teacher John MacLaren offers this students an opportunity to create
holiday class featuring principles works based on Scripture. We’ll study
of engineering. First, make your Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and
marshmallow blaster out of PVC pipe. other Masters who created priceless
Then, decorate it with a favorite design treasures for the churches and
or logo - maybe a superhero or a coat- cathedrals of Italy. Students will paint a KIDS’ NIGHT OUT:
Madonna or Holy Family to take home
of-arms. After you create a coordinating
as a beautiful centerpiece, and other
COACH’S GAME NIGHT
shield to go with your blaster, we will
Christmas projects will be available for Tonight, Coach David joins Julie Smith
be ready to go outside for the “fluffy”
participants to prepare for gift giving. for a wonderful evening of games
battle of the century. Consult with your
We’ll save time to snack on seasonal galore, including indoor bowling,
teammates to develop a strategy to
treats! basketball and goofy relays. Enjoy
outsmart your opponents during the
Tinker Toys, Magna Brix and Lincoln
“Marshmallow War of the Century” – Is
Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 Logs, too! We’ll have a hula hoop
anyone able to defeat Mr. MacLaren?
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM contest and do the Limbo; watch
Each student takes home a holiday
Ages: 5 – 12 years old movies, munch on pizza and dessert,
stocking with candy and toys. It will be
Tuition: $55 and play Bingo for prizes. Everyone
a BLAST!
Instructor: Cathy Cummins receives medals and ribbons, plus a
Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 party bag to take home.
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Date: Friday, January 10, 2020
Ages: 7 – 12 years old
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Tuition: $50
Ages: 4 – 9 years old
Instructor: John MacLaren
Tuition: $55
Instructors: Julie and David Smith
BRICKS ACADEMY:
FANTASTIC FAÇADES
HOLIDAY CHESS Using LEGO® bricks and elements,
TOURNAMENT explore the world of building façades,
U. S. Chess Master Alex Weinberg with the interlocking construction of the
hosts a festive Chess class and front and two sides of your structure.
tournament! First, there will be free The back side is left open so you can
play and discussion of International work on the intricate and creative
HOLIDAY CAMP “finishing out” of the space. Participants
Chess Masters and historic matches. A
three-round tournament follows, with a Need to do some last-minute shopping can create the interior of the various
souvenir holiday chess trophy for each and decorating? Mrs. Cummins and rooms found in homes, offices, or other
participant. Additional trophies will her elves will be glad to entertain your structures, as well as gardens and
be awarded to the top three players. little ones with lots of holiday fun and other spaces. Your imagination might
This will be a fun way to celebrate the cheer! We’ll hear seasonal stories, lead you to enhance your builds beyond
holidays, and a chance to sharpen play games and create beautiful gifts your initial conceptual design. This
your skills in the world’s greatest game! for family and friends. After lunch we’ll fantastic façade adventure is for LEGO
We’ll save time for seasonal treats, and go on a field trip to see a movie; when enthusiasts who enjoy a challenge, as
participants will take home a holiday we return, we’ll enjoy games and free- opportunities for both individual and
stocking, too. Maximum enrollment is play until pick-up time. Please bring a team projects will expand their range
12 players, so please register early. sack lunch; drinks and snacks will be of artistic creations. We’ll save time for
Please note: Players at all levels are provided. snacks and LEGO prizes, too!
welcome to participate.
Date: Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 Date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020
Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM Ages: 5 – 9 years old Ages: 7 years and older
Ages: 6 – 12 years old Tuition: $100 Tuition: $50
Tuition: $55 Instructors: Cathy Cummins and Staff Instructors: Bricks Academy Staff
Instructor: Alex Weinberg
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
9SCIENCE SAMPLER
This unique lab experience will inspire
your budding scientist to discover more
about our natural world. With master
teacher Pat Valdez, participants
will enjoy a variety of hands-on
experiments and displays in several
areas of science: physics, geology,
microbiology and chemistry. We’ll
begin by learning the Scientific Method
with mystery capsules. In physics,
perform the egg drop experiment; in the
MASTER chemistry lesson, we’ll watch steel wool
ignite. Examine rocks in the geology
AFTERSCHOOL MULTIPLICATION
segment, and learn the differences
ARTSPACE: Does your child need to memorize among igneous, metamorphic and
the multiplication tables once and for sedimentary specimens. Build an
ACRYLIC PAINTING all? Many students are going forward aluminum foil volcano and watch it
An annual tradition at SAA. Are you to advanced math concepts without erupt! Use a microscope to view what
serious about art? In this three-session knowing the basics, and often they lurks in a drop of pond water, and draw
acrylics workshop, SAA art instructors are not receiving the extra help they your observations in a lab journal. This
Cary Gates and Dana Parish will need to master these facts. In this two is a perfect class for young science
share with you their expertise in color session class, Jerry Campa will make enthusiasts!
theory and mixing, composition and multiplication easier to understand.
application with brush and palette Each participant’s current skill level will Date: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020
knife. Participants will explore and be assessed, followed by drills, games Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
express their own artistic talents by and plenty of review to help students Ages: 6 – 12 years old
completing (depending on size) one or learn to multiply. Additional take-home Tuition: $55
two works of their own choice. Students exercises will be provided so students Instructor: Patricia Valdez
should bring to the first class at least can continue to boost their skills.
two simple pictures they would like to
paint. These can be photos, prints, etc. Dates: Saturdays,
January 18 and 25, 2020 BRICKS ACADEMY
(without too many details). Enrollment
is limited to 14 students, so please Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon LEGO RACERS
register early! Ages: 2nd – 4th graders Build your own racing machines,
Tuition: $110 using LEGO® bricks and elements!
Dates: Thursdays, Instructor: Jerry Campa During this process, participants
Jan. 16, 23, 30, 2020 will learn how size, weight, stability,
Time: 3:45 – 5:15 PM ART ON CANVAS and the force of gravity affect their
Ages: 3rd Graders and Older vehicles’ performance. Mathematics,
Tuition: $175 Today’s art workshop is all about
physics, and engineering concepts
Instructors: Cary Gates, Dana Parish Invention, Creation and Inspiration!
are involved in the design of their
Place: Art Room First, students will set up a palette
personal renditions. After testing their
with a variety of colored acrylics, and
unique build on the four-lane racetrack,
prepare to paint on stretched canvas:
MINECRAFT CLUB: one large piece, and a smaller one that
students can redesign their vehicle to
enhance its power and speed during
MINI-GAME PARTY can be displayed on an easel. Students
subsequent races on the track. Take-
Please refer to Page 3 for course may create using suggested subject
home prizes will include a Hot Wheels®
description. matter, or they may paint a self-portrait
vehicle and LEGO bricks.
on canvas board. Additional projects
Date: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 include a decorated artist’s apron and Date: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon a tote. Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Ages: 7 – 13 years old Ages: 7 years and older
Tuition: $50 Date: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020
Tuition: $55
Instructor: Omar Valdez Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien
Ages: 4 – 7 years old
and Staff
Tuition: $50
Instructor: Rebecca Udzik
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
10YOUNG WRITER’S appropriate documentary about his fossilized shark teeth. Play Dinosaur
paintings. Then, we’ll load our brushes Jingo to study important facts about
WORKSHOP with oil paint and whirl it around the these prehistoric creatures. Stage a
Creative writing is one of the most canvas to create our own masterpieces. mock battle between herbivores and
challenging skills that students In addition, participants will paint a carnivores, excavate dino claws and
are asked to demonstrate. They vase and fill it with sunflowers and paint a model of a T-Rex tooth. Finally,
are required to write essays for irises. Take-home materials include go on a dinosaur egg hunt to find the
standardized tests throughout school; a portfolio containing beautiful color nest of the mother Myosaurus. Take
later they must write themes, articles prints of Van Gogh’s work. Our young home a goody bag with a dinosaur
and speeches in many career fields. artists will enjoy French snacks and, grabber and realistic models.
Yet, most students receive little direct weather permitting, we’ll stage an
instruction or practice to acquire this outdoor exhibit at the end of class. Date: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020
essential proficiency. In this two-session Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
class, Kathy Bolner will introduce a Date: Sunday, January 19, 2020 Ages: 4 – 7 years old
variety of writing genres including short Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM Tuition: $50
stories, poetry and narrative prose. Ages: 5 – 12 years old Instructor: Rebecca Udzik
Using a keyword graphic outline, Tuition: $55
participants will organize ideas and Instructor: Cathy Cummins
JUNIOR DOCTORS
structure information. The young
authors will write a biographical sketch, This exciting class with science
BRICKS ACADEMY: educator John MacLaren is perfect
a poem, and a short story or non-fiction
report. They will learn how to “build” MACHINES & for youngsters who are interested
the plot, the climax and the conclusion, MECHANISMS (S.E.A.M.) in anatomy. Today, students will
taking time to develop clear language work with real instruments including
Join us as we explore activities a stethoscope, a blood pressure
to explain the characters and setting. that develop S.E.A.M. (science,
This is a good way to hone skills monitor, a reflex hammer and more.
engineering, art, and mathematics) Mr. MacLaren will dissect an eyeball
and overcome any writing blocks. skills. Using LEGO® bricks, elements,
Mrs. Bolner will critique and edit the and discuss organs and body systems.
and figures, participants will learn how Students will build a life-size skeleton
written work; students will take home a to build machines and mechanisms
portfolio, including a journal and writing puzzle, color a canvas “digestive
such as a spinning top, see-saw, system” apron, and receive a “brain
instruments. windmill, and vehicle. An understanding cap” with illustrations of the various
of balance and symmetry, the force centers of the brain. Participants will
Dates: Saturdays
of gravity, logical thinking, and also have a unique opportunity to hold
January 18 and 25, 2020
creative exploration are skills that are a sheep’s heart, brain and kidneys. A
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
enhanced. Both individual and team dynamic, hands-on way to learn about
Ages: 7 – 13 years old
projects bolster the range of artistic the amazing human body!
Tuition: $110
designs that are created. Take home a
Instructor: Kathy Bolner
treat bag full of goodies! Date: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
Date: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 Ages: 5 – 10 years old
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Tuition: $55
Ages: 4 - 6 years old Instructor: John MacLaren
Tuition: $50
Instructors: Bricks Academy Staff
FAMOUS ARTIST SERIES:
VINCENT VAN GOGH
FATHER OF EXPRESSIONISM
READ TO UNDERSTAND
Today’s session highlights the work of ROARING WITH Many students can read fluently,
Vincent Van Gogh: Starry Night, Café THE DINOSAURS
Terrace at Night and his portraits of but still struggle to master effective
residents in the French town of Arles. Calling all young paleontologists to comprehension. In this two-session
Students will hear anecdotes about the an afternoon of “dinomite” learning! course, instructor Carmina Trejo
artist’s life and style, and view an age- Our classroom will be decorated will use “think aloud” prompts on
with dinosaur replicas, trilobites and interesting topics to encourage
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
11students to visualize, infer and predict to improve monitoring techniques. each animal; learn how to care for
the meaning of a passage or story. Admission is free, but space is them. At craft time, decorate a water
Excerpts will be taken from both limited; for reservations, email bowl and assemble 3-D models. Mr.
fiction and non-fiction selections, and Michele Cummins: mcummins@sa- MacLaren will teach you fascinating
comprehension questions will assist academy.org, and please include facts about veterinary medicine, and
participants in reflecting upon what your telephone number. you can even take home a tiny pet
has been read. We’ll also use graphic cricket that sings for you!
organizers and journals to help focus Date: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020
on details. Participants will receive a Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
home-study kit that includes plenty of Ages: Adults Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
practice exercises. Tuition: Free Ages: 5 – 10 years old
Lecturer: Cathy Cummins Tuition: $55
Date: Saturdays, January 25 & Instructor: John MacLaren
February 1, 2020
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM FEBRUARY 2020 LEONARDO’S JOURNALS
Ages: 7 – 11 years old
Tuition: $110 This is a charming new offering from
Instructor: Carmina Trejo Charlotte Cox, renowned local artist
and president of the Coppini Academy
of Fine Arts. Ms. Cox will create a
leather-bound journal containing 100%
cotton pages for each participant.
Students can add jewels or charms to
hang off the journal’s spine, and “ghost
images” of drawings by Leonardo da
Vinci will be printed on some of the
MINECRAFT CLUB: pages. The classroom will be decorated
JURASSIC WORLD with many natural objects, including
Please refer to Page 6 for course feathers, leaves, flowers, animal skulls,
FREE PARENTING description. bones, shells and rocks. Students can
sketch these and then add quotes by
LECTURE: Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 da Vinci to embellish their beautiful,
ENDING THE HOMEWORK Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon one-of-a-kind journals. Participants
HASSLE Ages: 7 – 13 years old will also take home a da Vinci edition
Tuition: $50 of Kids Discover magazine as well as
BY JOHN ROSEMOND Instructor: Omar Valdez a collection box containing nature’s
This evening, Cathy Cummins leads gems!
a discussion of the book by John
Rosemond, a family psychologist Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
and nationally recognized parenting Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
authority. In Ending the Homework Ages: 6 – 12 years old
Hassle, Rosemond guides parents Tuition: $65
through a practical, time saving Instructor: Charlotte Cox
program that will put an end to their
over-involvement in what should be
primarily a student’s responsibility.
Discover step-by-step methods for
implementing a successful homework PET VET
management system, one that
strengthens responsibility, self- This is a great beginner medical
sufficiency and self-esteem. The author science class for young children.
Participants will receive a set of four FROG BIOLOGY
also addresses just about every school
performance problem imaginable, pet animals (cuddly, stuffed ones): a Please refer to Page 8 for course
including when to seek remedial help, cat or a dog, a fish, a bird and a snake. description.
how to motivate the underachiever, Make and decorate a pet habitat. Then,
practice working with all the tools a Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
and what parents should know about Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
home schedules and establishing good veterinarian needs: thermometer,
stethoscope, bandages, and even Ages: 7 – 12 years old
family values. Participants will have Tuition: $55
an opportunity to analyze their office supplies, signs and forms. Look
at x-rays, and study the anatomy of Instructor: Patricia Valdez
current management style and how
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
12BRICKS ACADEMY: PHONICS FOR ADULTS
VALENTINE WORKSHOP WITH CATHY CUMMINS
A fun Sunday class for boys and girls Please refer to Page 3 for course
who love to build with LEGO bricks! description.
Today, participants can create hearts,
cupids, flowers or many other symbols Dates: Monday-Tuesday,
associated with Valentine’s Day. Beth February 10-11, 2020
and Jim O’Brien from Bricks Academy EXTREME SHARKS LAB Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
will include red, white and pastel- Ages: Adults
This will be a special dissection class
colored bricks for you to use. Extra Tuition: $100 per person
on sharks; safety is our first concern, so
crafts will be available, too. You can Instructor: Cathy Cummins
students will wear goggles and gloves.
make a greeting card and use fabric Educator John MacLaren will fascinate
markers to design a tote bag or wallet participants with his knowledge of the
for a best friend or a favorite relative. inner structures of these creatures
Take home a treat bag with candy and of The Deep. Study the outside first,
toys! then move to the underside; dissect
a dogfish shark to examine its inner
Date: Sunday, February 2, 2020
organs. Other specimens will include
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
a stingray, starfish, and squid. Record
Ages: 4 – 12 years old
your observations and drawings in
Tuition: $50
your lab journal. Many marine animal
Instructors: Beth and Jim O’Brien
specimens, models and reference
and Staff
books will be available for extra
research. Make a shark tooth necklace, FREE PARENTING
and take home a goody bag of theme- LECTURE:
related prizes. NURTURE SHOCK
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 This evening, we welcome SAA’s
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Associate Head of School, Kimberly
Ages: 8 – 13 years old Dunn, who will guide our conversation
Tuition: $65 centering on Po Bronson and Ashley
Instructor: John MacLaren Merryman’s New York Times bestseller
Nurture Shock. In this popular book,
the authors point out how our instincts
SUNDAY SPECIAL: about children can be off-the-mark.
SAT EXAM PREP PUBLIC SPEAKING One of the most important chapters,
FOR 6TH GRADERS FOR KIDS “The Inverse Power of Praise,” says
A new offering, designed especially for some research suggests if you tell
This class is designed to teach
6th graders who are taking the SAT in your children they’re special, you can
youngsters the basic elements of good
their 7th grade year as part of the Duke actually ruin them! Other chapters
speaking, and to give them confidence
University Talent Identification Program discuss sibling rivalry, bullying, jump-
in communicating orally with others.
(TIP). Veteran educator and tutor Jerry starting children’s language skills,
We’ll discuss note preparation,
Campa will help you get a head start in why kids lie, and teaching children
attention-getters, body language,
your test prep to ensure stellar scores! about race issues. This book is an
inflection, speed and eye contact.
In this two-session class, students will eye-opener, so come ready to join the
After learning the techniques of public
get plenty of practice using sample discussion. Participants will receive
speaking, we’ll put our knowledge
tests; they will receive a commercial hand-outs containing pertinent articles.
into practice with various activities:
practice notebook to use in class and Admission is free, but space is
introductions, interviews, debates,
take home for further practice. Space limited; for reservations, email
persuasive speaking and how-to talks.
is limited, so register early! Michele Cummins: mcummins@sa-
Parents are invited to attend the finale,
academy.org, and please include
when each orator will give a solo
Dates: Sundays, your telephone number.
speech and join a partner in a duet.
February 2 and 9, 2020
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Date: Wed., Feb. 12, 2020
Date: Sunday, February 9, 2020
Ages: 6th graders Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuition: $200 (including notebook) Ages: Adults
Ages: 2nd Graders and older
Instructor: Jerry Campa Tuition: Free
Tuition: $75
Lecturer: Kimberly Dunn
Instructor: Cathy Cummins
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
13SHARKS IN THE DARK JUNIOR
Put on your head lamp and glow-in-the- PALEONTOLOGISTS:
dark jewelry for a dive into the abyss! DINOSAUR DISCOVERY
Enter the darkened classroom to view
bioluminescent sea creatures like the Children love dinosaurs! Today’s class
lantern shark, dragonfish, comb jellies is offered by highly regarded teacher
and more. The main focus of today’s John MacLaren and his fabulous
workshop will be sharks, the living sidekick, Miss Sylvia. Kids will be
fossils of the ocean. Make your own met at the door by talking, moving
shark tooth necklace with real teeth dinosaur animatrons. Participants will
and colorful beads. Then, make an excavate bones and shark teeth in a
“ocean in a box” filled with specimens SUPERHERO mock sand pit, and make plaster molds
of fossils. Play dinosaur Jingo for
of shells, coral samples, starfish and ADVENTURE prizes, assemble and paint a wooden
sponges. Play Ocean JINGO for prizes,
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s a super T-Rex model, and stain a model tooth.
make marine animal rubbings and go
party! Join Mrs. Aguilar for a Saturday Take home a wonderful goody bag of
on a shark hunt to find a treasure chest
afternoon of POW, BOOM and ZAP dinosaur replicas plus your own fossil
loaded with take-home goodies. We’ll
fun! Kids who love the Avengers, collection.
have a fascinating study with books,
Captain America, Spiderman, The
replicas of different shark species from Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Hulk and Iron Man will enjoy the
the tiny dwarf shark to the Great White, Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
special activities today. We’ll do crafts,
and hands-on activities. This will be a Ages: 5 – 9 years old
play Jingo, and design our own comic
JAWSOME experience! Tuition: $55
strip with The Avengers as the main
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 characters. Build a cityscape with Instructor: John MacLaren
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM Legos, and use Superhero figures to
Ages: 6 – 9 years old complete the dynamic scene. Decorate
Tuition: $50 your own cape, shield and mask. Learn
Instructor: Rebecca Udzik the theme songs of each hero, and
then perform a mini-play. Take home a
goody bag of Superhero prizes!
Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Ages: 4 – 8 years old
Tuition: $50
Instructor: Amalia Aguilar
READ AND WRITE
This two-session workshop helps
GREEK AND LATIN STUDY SKILLS students improve their reading and
ROOT WORDS It’s never too late to improve test-taking writing skills. We’ll start with a set
A perennial favorite! Once again, Cathy skills and everyday organizational of four short, high-interest books
Cummins offers this half-day workshop abilities. Identify your individual in different genres; two non-fiction
on Greek and Latin root words. When learning style, and practice skimming, texts, one folktale and one biography.
students have a solid background in process of elimination, following Participants will read the books
root words, vocabulary and spelling directions, planning and prioritizing. together and perform comprehension
skills increase and SAT scores soar! Participants will brush up on outlining, exercises to increase recall and
Today, we’ll review 100 words; then, note-taking and mnemonic techniques attention to detail. Ms. Trejo will guide
we’ll do projects and play exciting as well; these are skills that immediately students through written responses to
games such as Jeopardy and “Fact improve scholastic performance and each story’s content. Finally, students
File.” In addition, enjoy performing a last a lifetime! Students will receive a will write a paragraph summarizing
Reader’s Theater Greek mythology notebook containing practice sheets each book. Take-home materials
play. Participants will receive a portfolio for home study. include the set of readers, a notebook
of practice sheets and a deck of 100 and a response journal.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Root Word Cards (a $20 value).
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon Dates: Saturdays,
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 Ages: 8 – 12 years old February 22 and 29, 2020
Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PM Tuition: $55 Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
Ages: 7 – 12 years old Instructor: William Woodland Ages: 7 – 12 years old
Tuition: $85 Tuition: $110
Instructor: Cathy Cummins Instructor: Carmina Trejo
All classes held at San Antonio Academy in Taylor Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
14You can also read
