Extra curricular activities open kids’ minds to new interests. They help build skills outside of the classroom. They provide a productive break from study. And they open new social opportunities to grow a community. Here are editor’s picks for interesting new classes to try:
Foreign Language
The many cognitive benefits of learning languages are undeniable. People who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills.*
Theater Games in Spanish – Beginners
Learn Spanish through theatre games and music! We naturally learn language through trial and error and through play. In Theatre Games in Spanish, students learn to communicate in Spanish by playing games and having fun. We strive to joyfully instill a love of language through embodied learning and play.
Grades K – 5
$17/day starting Feb 22
German for Beginners: Singing & Speaking
In this fun and musical class, learners explore German greetings, keywords, introduction vocabulary and pronunciation – through music! Learning a language is fun and easy with Ms. Kelsey – let’s sing, dance and color!
Ms. Kelsey is a professional opera singer and language teacher, and she started Musical Learning in 2016. She has taught German, French, English and ‘Musical Science’ for the past 10 years both online and in person.
Ages 3 – 7
$100/ 8 session series that meets twice a week starting Feb 22
STEM
Skills attained through STEM education include problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship, acceptance of failure and more.*
Explorations in Quantum Physics
In the first 4 weeks of the session, students learn about the electromagnetic nature of matter and energy, including: Magnetism, Magnetic Induction Electricity, Photons, Solar Energy. In the second half of the session, students are introduced to atoms, subatomic particles and the Periodic Table of Elements (Hydrogen to Xenon). They learn how atoms form molecules, and also learn about the structure of the Periodic Table. Class content is taught through engaging visual aids, physical demonstrations and thought-provoking discussion.
Grades 5 – 12
$230/ full series, ongoing until March 22
Python Programming 1: Live Online Class
Python is one of the most feature-packed coding languages ever and today underlies the foundation of many websites, applications, and games.
This fast moving course assumes no prior experience with Python programming but rapidly takes you to high levels of functionality illustrating how you can write your own programs in Python!
Ages 11 – 18
$399 / 16-session series beginning Feb 19
Ancient Greece to Quantum Realms
With An Emphasis on the Homeric epics of The Iliad and the Odyssey, the Milesian School of Thought yielding Thales, Pre-Socratics highlighting Democritus and the Socratic Period illustrative of Socrates Philosophy in the Context of Innovation Ranging from The Theory of Everything to Einstein’s Unified Theory and Quantum Realms.
Digivations Institute has NASA award-winning curriculum and is an ActivityHero Best of 2020.
ages 12 & up
$49/day ongoing until May 25
Curiosity Club S.T.E.A.M. Lab – science & art fun
Join us online for S.T.E.A.M powered fun where you will explore the curious worlds of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Conduct experiments, create art, build, take things apart and enjoy learning how art, science, engineering and technology are connected.
Ages 5 – 10
$96/ 6-session series beginning Feb 22
Homeschooling
Homeschool offers academic flexibility. During these ever-changing COVID times, many families have turned to this option. Try these classes for academic homeschooling and enrichment education!
Martial Arts & Life Lessons
Family Karate provides fun, fitness, karate, and life skills. Now your child can enjoy our unique blend of martial arts and character building in our live online classes with a Master Instructor.
In each class we’ll ask you to set a self leadership goal for your children, and in the next class we’ll follow up progress on those goals.
Ages 5 – 11 but fun for the whole family! Try it as a stress reliever!
$10/day trial classes or $20/day regular price ongoing throughout spring
First Grade Curriculum! Homeschooling 101!
This is a great introductory trial for parents thinking about homeschooling their kids.
In this curriculum which follows the Common Core State Standards, we dive into EVERYTHING your child should learn in First Grade WOW! See below for a snapshot of some of the covered content. In previous classes on different platforms– parents would RAVE how their child would not be able to read at all prior to Mrs. Hendricks Academy and by the end of the curriculum- they were reading whole sentences, creative writing on their own and excelling.
Ages 4 – 8
$7/class. Special discount available $145/month
Princess Story Time Ballet Dance Camp
by Lovely Leaps
Each week we will have a different princess joining the class. After the princess arrives the children will perform their dance while the princess sings, Then they will sit with their favorite toy while the princess reads a fun book! After story time the children will have a chance to each personally interact with the princess! It’s not everyday your child will get to have a virtual Disneyland experience!
Ages 3 – 6
$17/day starting March 4
Tired of online classes? Try a fun Lego® course:
Amusement Park LEGO® Engineering
We bet your child loves going to amusement parks to experience the variety of fast, dropping, and spinning rides, but have they ever thought about the science that goes into building those rides and the people who are responsible for designing them? In Snapology’s Amusement Park Engineering class, students will become engineers building their own amusement park rides like roller coasters, Ferris wheel , Bumper Car and other awesome rides!!
Snapology of Los Gatos serves Almaden, Camden, Los Gatos, Saratoga and Cupertino.
Ages 5 – 12
$150/ 4-session series starting Feb 24
Whether we like it or not, cooking is something everyone needs to learn to do in order to have a healthy and fruitful life. It is our choice whether we approach cooking with a great attitude or a sour attitude, but even more importantly, what will be the attitudes of our kids in the kitchen?
