July 9-July 27th

Lower Middle School CampusMonica Clewell & Kathy Sinclair

Summer Enrichment Coordinators

Interest Based Course Offerings

Grades 7-8

Week #1 July 9-13th

Glassworks- $290

Teachers: Deirdre McGrailTime: 8:30-11:30am Learn how to design and create fused glass necklaces and window hangings using colored fusing glass. Students will be able to create a slumped dish or bowl as well as learning about glass compatibility, powdered and chunky frit, and creating designs using colored glass sheets. With demonstrations and hands-on projects, participants explore the unique qualities of this media. Students should provide their own safety glasses.

Cooking for Beginners- $375Teachers: Michael Warvolis Time: 8:30-11:30am Students will learn how to make five different healthy and delicious dinners from Roasted Pork Loin with Mashed Potatoes to Mexican Chicken with Rice. At the end of each class, students will take home a dinner for four people. No need for parents to make dinner this week; your child’s got it covered with Chef Warvolis!

I’m Right! Learn to Debate- $250Teacher: Karen KevorkianTime: 8:30-11:30amWant to convince others to see things your way? Learn the power of persuasion through formal debate and writing in this fast-paced, exciting (and probably loud!) class. We will choose interesting, relevant topics ranging from why there should be no homework (or should there be?) to why the death penalty should be abolished (or should it be?). You will develop stronger research, writing, and oral presentation skills. Best of all, this class will help you understand that when you command language, you command. Language is power (and you can’t convince me otherwise)! “Graduates” of this class may be interested in auditioning for the UMS Debate Team.

Learn To Play Guitar- $290Teacher: David Gordon

Time: 8:30-12:30pm

Have you always wanted to play the guitar? Now is your chance! You’ll learn all the notes on the guitar and how to play the most common chords. By the end of the week, you’ll be able to play several familiar tunes and will be able to strum along with some classic rocksongs. Guitars will be provided (or bring your own if you prefer).

American Film & Culture- $250Teacher: Nicholas EspositoTime: 8:30-11:30amThink you know movies? Are you the person in the movie theatre that explains the film to your friends? If you view movies as more than just entertainment but as a reflection of our society Film Cont…then this course is produced for you. If you are going to spend your summer watching movies anyway, gain a new perspective by watching and discussing films with others who share your passion. From the classics to western’s, gangster’s to romantic comedies and animated films to sports films you will experience the true wonder of the movies this summer! So get your popcorn ready and we will see you this summer!

Cake Decorating- $285Teachers: Jenny Honold & Tiffany Riley Time: 8:30-12:30pm Want to have your cake and eat it too? Experience the excitement of designing and decorating all sorts of desserts! Step by step, you will learn a variety of different tools and strategies to use while decorating your desserts. Students will begin practicing with smaller desserts, and will later conclude the week with their very own design and decorations on larger cakes. Last but not least, you will be able to share your delicious results with family and friends!

Intro To Woodworking- $390Teacher: Jamie MulliganTime: 8:30-12:30pmThe Introduction to Woodworking course is a hands-on course that covers the basic concepts of woodworking and furniture making. This one-week course is a combination of demonstrations and hands-on practice in woodworking. General shop safety and the use of common power woodworking machines will be clearly explained. The course will concentrate on using the scroll saw, bandsaw, drill press, lathe and hand tools for learners new to woodworking. Students will utilize the skills, techniques and tools (both power and hand-tools) being taught in the class in the making of a piece of furniture. Students will turn a pen/pencil set on the lathe, bend wood for an oval box and construct a Shaker end table. Students will be using exotic woods for turning and premium furniture woods, cherry and black walnut, for the table. Skills learned in this course will provide a strong foundation for future woodworking and furniture making experiences.

SAT Math Prep- $265Teacher: Larissa Merritt Time: 8:30-11:30am You plan to take the SAT, but math hasn’t necessarily been your “thing.” Don’t let the thought of that test stress you out! This class caters to students who would like fuller explanation of all the important Algebra and Geometry concepts covered on the SAT. We will re-learn and focus on the most widely covered mathematical concepts on the test, and then practice using strategies to succeed on the SAT. Expect a friendly, supportive atmosphere where your individual needs and ability levels are addressed.

Week #1 July 9-13th continued…

“Moneyball” An Intro to Advanced Baseball Statistics/Sabermetrics-$245Teacher: Jeff TagliareniTime: 8:30-11:30amDo you enjoy baseball? Statistics? Math? Do you know what WARP, PERA, and LIPS mean? If not, sign up for “Moneyball!” This course will be an introduction to baseball sabermetics. Each day will have a different focus and theme, so your child will be able to analyze the true performance of both past award winners and their favorite players. Bring your favorite cards and a calculator to perform “choice” comparisons. We will have access to computers to look up basic information as well. ***Students will be broken into different groups based on age and ability to understand the basic math. Different activities will be offered based on interest and grade.***

From Alpha to Omega: It’s all Greek to Me! - $245Teacher: Brian BeyerTime: 8:30-11:30amDo you have an interest in the language and culture of ancient Greece? This one week course will explore the history of the written word in ancient Greece, focusing on the following questions: Where did alphabetic writing originate? What was revolutionary about it? Who was Homer? Did he really exist? Was he really blind? Were Homer's Iliad and Odyssey originally written or spoken? Why was the New Testament written in Greek? Did Roman historians write in Latin or Greek? Students will receive a practical introduction to the pronunciation of ancient Greek, the Greek alphabet, and some basic mechanics of the language. By the fourth week, participants will read an actual paragraph of ancient Greek (heavily adapted from Greek comedy).

Glassworks- $290Teachers: Deirdre McGrailTime: 8:30-11:30am Learn how to design and create fused glass necklaces and window hangings using colored

fusing glass. Students will be able to

create a slumped dish or bowl as well as learning about glass compatibility, po

wdered and chunky frit, and creating designs using colored glass sheets. With demonstrations and hands-on projects, participants explore the unique qualities of this media. Students should provide their own safety glasses.

Advanced Cooking- $440Teachers: Michael Warvolis Time: 8:30-11:30amStudents will learn how to make five different and more advanced recipes from Grilled Chicken with Spinach, artichokes, and goat cheese to Grilled Salmon. Like in the Beginner Course, students will take home a dinner for four people. No need for parents to make dinner this week; your child’s got it covered with Chef Warvolis!

Sports in Society- $245Teachers: Nicholas Esposito Time: 8:30-11:30amDo you love sports and watch “Sportscenter” five times a day? Or do you dismiss sports simply as silly games? No matter which end of the spectrum you fall, you cannot deny the enduring social impact of sports on our lives today. From reading engaging articles and participating in riveting discussion to watching hilarious comedians and some of our favorite sports movies we will analyze through a sociological scope the role that sport plays in society. Our issues will include the philosophy of youth sports, race in sports and gender in sports. Solving the Rubix Cube & Other Famous Puzzles- $265Teacher: Keith FritzTime: 8:30-11:30amBelieve it or not, everyone can solve the Rubik’s Cube… and some people can solve it really fast! Even better, some can solve it one-handed or even blindfolded! This course will teach you how to solve the cube even

Week #2 July 16-20th

if you’ve never picked one up. It’ll also show you how to solve it fast. And, yes, you’ll even how to solve it blindfolded. Having learned these skills, we will also venture into the world of other famous Tavern Puzzles such as the “Old Shackles” and “The Devil’s Needle”. Students are encouraged to bring their own puzzles as well. The overall course will focus on the various skills and methods of puzzle solving.

Fun With Fondant- $290Teachers: Jenny Honold & Tiffany RileyTime: 8:30-12:30pmIf you enjoy playing with clay, then you will truly love working with fondant. Not only can you roll it out, cut shapes, make imprints, form flowers, and other creative designs but you can eat it too! Fondant is easy to use when decorating cakes of all shapes and sizes. Your cakes will look like you’ve been decorating for years after learning a few simple techniques.

Robotics- $285Teachers: Tim Leicht & Nicholas MyloweTime: 8:30-12:30pmThis week long camp is designed to introduce Grade 6, 7, 8 students into the world of robotics. Students will have the opportunity to build and program a robot to autonomously compete in a series of challenges based on real world issues. The Lego Mindstorm Robotics System will be utilized in this course. Students will be divided into 4 member teams and will learn to work together using team building activities. The week will be filled with challenging activities to promote learning, team work and fun!

Intro To Woodworking- $390Teacher: Jamie MulliganTime: 8:30-12:30pmThe Introduction to Woodworking course is a hands-on course that covers the basic concepts of woodworking and furniture making. This one-week course is a combination of demonstrations

and hands-on practice in woodworking. General shop safety and the use of common power woodworking machines will be clearly explained. The course will concentrate on using the scroll saw, bandsaw, drill press, lathe and hand tools for learners new to woodworking. Students will utilize the skills, techniques and tools (both power and hand-tools) being taught in the class in the making of a piece of furniture. Students will turn a pen/pencil set on the lathe, bend wood for an oval box and construct a Shaker end table. Students will be using exotic woods for turning and premium furniture woods, cherry and black walnut, for the table. Skills learned in this course will provide a strong foundation for future woodworking and furniture making experiences.

One Stop Success- $280Teacher: Larissa Merritt and Karen Kevorkian (Grades 7-8)Time: 8:30-12:30pmWould you like to set yourself up to begin school next year as a competent, confident student in math and Language Arts? This class is like an energy drink – it will give you that needed boost to succeed! With us, you will get the best of both worlds. For half of the time, we’ll strengthen your math skills, and for the other half, your reading and writing skills. This class is a great alternative or supplement to tutoring-- we will tailor the lessons and activities to what YOU need and make them easy to understand. Have FUN in this interactive and supportive environment! We will also send you home for the rest of the summer with suggested activities that will continue to strengthen your skills. You deserve to feel great about yourself as a student!

Week #2 July 16-20th Continued…

Week #3 July 23-27th

Solving the Rubix Cube & Other

Famous Puzzles- $265Teacher: Keith FritzTime: 8:30-11:30amBelieve it or not, everyone can solve the Rubik’s Cube… and some people can solve it really fast! Even better, some can solve it one-handed or even blindfolded! This course will teach you how to solve the cube even if you’ve never picked one up. It’ll also show you how to solve it fast. And, yes, you’ll even how to solve it blindfolded. Having learned these skills, we will also venture into the world of other famous Tavern Puzzles such as the “Old Shackles” and “The Devil’s Needle”. Students are encouraged to bring their own puzzles as well. The overall course will focus on the various skills and methods of puzzle solving.

Hunger Games: Catch the Fever!- $245Teacher: Enrica PironeTime: 8:30-11:30am Are you obsessed with “The Hunger Games?” Come and share that passion with other enthusiasts. We will be “tearing apart” all three books together. All you need to bring is yourself and all three books.

This is Sparta! An Introduction to the Masters of the Ancient Battlefield- $245Teacher: Brian BeyerTime: 8:30-11:30amDo you have an interest in the history of Sparta and other ancient Greece city-states? This one week course will explore the following questions:Who were the Spartans? What were their methods of warfare? What made them so effective? Did Spartan children really join the army at age seven? Did 300 Spartans really hold off 300,000 Persians? Did anyone ever defeat the Spartans in pitched battle? Were the Athenians any match for the Spartans? How did Philip of Macedon defeat the Greek city-states? This course will also explore the portrayal of the Spartans in popular culture (such as in Frank

This is Sparta Cont..Miller’s 300),and discuss what was historical about these portrayals as well as what was fanciful about them.

Robotics $285Teachers: Tim Leicht & Nicholas MyloweTime: 8:30-12:30pmThis week long camp is designed to introduce Grade 6, 7, 8 students into the world of robotics. Students will have the opportunity to build and program a robot to autonomously compete in a series of challenges based on real world issues. The Lego Mindstorm Robotics System will be utilized in this course. Students will be divided into 4 member teams and will learn to work together using team building activities. The week will be filled with challenging activities to promote learning, team work and fun!

You ARE a Writer!- $250Teacher: Karen KevorkianTime: 8:30-11:30amDeep down, everyone is a writer. Writers express the observations, beliefs, fears, hopes and dreams that we all have but may not be able express through speaking. Join us in this encouraging, comfortable atmosphere where we explore the wonderful world of writing. We will read published poems, vignettes, editorials, short stories – and we will write our own. If you like sharing your writing, you may do that, and if you prefer to keep it private, that’s fine, too. You will finish this week a more aware, skilled writer, with a Writer’s Notebook that can be the start of a journal you will keep forever.

Military History in Miniature $275Teacher: Scott MasonTime: 8:30-12:30pmThis consisted of explaining how military battles fought throughout history reflected both culture and technology of those who took part; and by presenting history in this alternative way students may be inspired to do more independent study of the eras covered. First, an explanation of the first battle to be undertaken;

the battle of Maiwand Simulation of the first day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863Simulation of Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia, 1812

2 Week CoursesJuly 16-27th

How To Survive 9th Grade English $405Teachers: Evangeline Gumbs & Temmy KimTime: 8:30-12:30pmAre you nervous about starting high school? Does high school English also make you nervous? No worries!!! This informative and fun course will provide you with the tools, resources, and skills to help you make a smooth transition to the expectations of high school English. From fun grammar games to writing structure to classroom conduct, you will leave feeling ready to take on MHS!!!!

SAT Verbal Prep- $405Teachers: Kimberly MarshallTime: 8:30-12:30pmThe SAT verbal class is structured to address all aspects of the Critical Reading and Writing sections of the new SAT. The topics covered include recognizing common grammar errors, using vocabulary in context and utilizing critical reading techniques. Students also practice and study high frequency SAT words and additional vocabulary enhancement is promoted through learning Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes and roots. In preparation for the essay, the students are taught to write competently according to the College Board’s rubric. The course begins with a diagnostic which is then used to teach students techniques. A wide variety of resources and materials are used to provide students with ample practice and a strong emphasis is placed on timed drills utilizing actual SAT tests.