This year we have included this section dedicated to classes designed for elementary aged students.  We hope this makes your decision process easier.

Elementary Classes

Appropriate for grades K-8.  Older music lovers are welcome! Younger children are welcome with a parent.

 Traditional American songs, which include folk songs from around the world, were once known by every schoolchild.  Although they are foundational to an understanding of American literature, culture and history, our public schools dropped almost all of them in the 1970s, along with the fun and historical understanding they include.

In this class we will learn traditional songs from American history and the history/stories behind them.  We will do a lot of singing, clapping and moving with great music while learning about American History.   Carolyn majored in Music History and has been a song leader for several decades.  End your week with music, fun and history!

COST:  $100 per semester (ask about family discounts)

Call Carolyn at EIE 626-821-0025

TARGET: Grades 1-5.

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 14 week semesters – classes begin September 16, 2020)

COST PER SEMESTER  (All materials provided):

• $250 for private pay homeschool families.
• $275 for iLead, Epic, Aveson, Compass, Inspire, Heartland, Blue Ridge Academy, Granite Mountain, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Golden Valley, and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

Students become “neighbors” in a crazy Wild West Town they help create, where they will experience many events through the year including western themed activities, natural disasters, community events, unbelievable mishaps and some silly celebrations!  As each town event effects the “homesteaders”, it will serve as the journal prompt for a creative writing assignment for the week.

“I hopped on my horse to round up some cattle thieves and …”

“I’ve never been to a barn raising before, so today was…”

“The unusual ingredients in my cauldron of stew were…”

Class cowboys and cowgirls will start by deciding what to name their town and establishing their own home and property. Each student will choose a job that will produce weekly earnings. They can use their income to save and upgrade their home, or enhance their property with decorative and fun items from the marketplace.  Neighbors will talk about and compare stories about the wild western events of the week.  Some drawing, crafts, prize games, and other creative expressions will also be incorporated throughout the year.

While the class will have some mini lessons on writing techniques, literary devices, figurative language, and poetry, our focus is not on the formal fundamentals of writing.  The main goal of this class is to motivate kids to put pen to paper to write with enthusiasm and express their ideas in written form.    Journal writing is done during class time, and journal expectations can be varied to adapt to different learning levels and abilities.

REGISTRATION: Beginning May 1, 2020, simply complete the form and payment on the Registration page of WeSparkLearning.com .  Charter School students must request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible, in order to secure enrollment.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

TARGET: Grades 2-6th

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 14 week semesters – classes begin September 16, 2020)

COST PER SEMESTER  (All materials provided):

• $250 for private pay homeschool families.
• $275 for iLead, Epic, Aveson, Compass, Inspire, Heartland, Blue Ridge Academy, Granite Mountain, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Golden Valley, and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

What makes Michelangelo’s artwork so impressive?

Why do we still study Shakespeare’s plays today?

How did Galileo change how we view the world?

Students dive in with hands-on learning about this period of cultural riches in art, invention, philosopy, literature, science, exploration and music.  Celebrate with experiential activities, crafts, games, and exploration of the human achievements that propelled the world.

The seeds of the Renaissance in Europe from 14th-17th centuries, planted the foundations of our modern world.  There is so much to discover!

• Identifying our solar system
• Invention of Gutenberg’s printing press
• Circumnavigation of the earth
• Genius of Shakespeare
• Perfection of Michelangelo’s David
• Daring of Luther and Erasmus
• Breathtaking advances in science
• Marvelous Mathematics
• and much more.

Tuition includes all materials necessary for class, including a folder/binder, writing implements, school supplies, design materials, incentive prizes and goodies for classroom rewards or celebrations.

REGISTRATION: Beginning May 1, 2020, simply complete the form and payment on the Registration page of WeSparkLearning.com .  Charter School students must request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible, in order to secure enrollment.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

TARGET: Grades 2nd-5th

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 14 week semesters – classes begin September 16, 2020)

COST PER SEMESTER  (All materials provided):

• $250 for private pay homeschool families.
• $275 for iLead, Epic, Aveson, Compass, Inspire, Heartland, Blue Ridge Academy, Granite Mountain, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Golden Valley, and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

You are invited to become a savvy problem solver as a member of our distinguished society where we treasure critical thinking  and out-of-the-box ideas.

Your exclusive S.S.S. membership entitles you to solve exciting weekly challenges, that will stretch your brainpower, flex your reasoning, boot your creativity, and harness the power of teamwork!

Your challenges will include:

•         Perplexing Puzzles
•         Detective Mysteries
•         S.T.E.M. Challenges (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
•         Brain Games
•         Treasure Hunts
•         Escape Room Adventures
•         And more!

Your success will merit awards, that could grant you a place in the Secret Solvers Society “Brain Hall of Fame”.

Tuition includes all materials necessary for class, including a folder/binder, writing implements, school supplies, design materials, incentive prizes and goodies for classroom rewards or celebrations.

REGISTRATION: Beginning May 1, 2020, simply complete the form and payment on the Registration page of WeSparkLearning.com .  Charter School students must request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible, in order to secure enrollment.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

Inspired by this class, one Build-A-Biz graduate has started her own business selling beautiful handmade paper gifts.  Check out Chillin’ Quillin’s wonderful website!

TARGET: Grades 3rd-5th

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 14 week semesters – classes begin September 16, 2020)

COST PER SEMESTER  (All materials provided):

• $250 for private pay homeschool families.
• $275 for iLead, Epic, Aveson, Compass, Inspire, Heartland, Blue Ridge Academy, Granite Mountain, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Golden Valley, and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

As a classroom entrepreneur you will plan and create your own pizzeria and take care of it’s daily operations, learning dozens of practical concepts related to your new venture along the way.

What will the week’s assignment be: Designing and naming your restaurant? Planning the Grand Opening? Calculating profit? Scripting a commercial? Making a brochure? Conducting an employee job interview?

In the exciting world of business, there is so much you can learn:

• Writing a Simple Business Plan
• Basic Economics
• Money Matters
• Math
• Problem Solving
• Marketing
• Customer Service
• Management
• Nutrition
• and Design.

You will dream up weekly pizza specials to test the market as you look for successful dishes to grow your permanent menu. Will your new recipe be a hit? Find out the following week, through a Consumer Report showing customer sales and reviews.  We will track the collective profits of all class Pizzerias to earn real prizes throughout the year.

In Semester #2, you will have one special project to complete at home,  followed by a chance to present it in front of your fellow “business owners”.  We will finish our year with a real-life Pizza Party to celebrate how well you Build-a-Biz!

Tuition includes all materials necessary for class, including a folder/binder, writing implements, school supplies, design materials, incentive prizes and goodies for classroom rewards or celebrations.

REGISTRATION: Beginning May 1, 2020, simply complete the form and payment on the Registration page of WeSparkLearning.com .  Charter School students must request a P.O./Enrichment Certificate to be issued as soon as possible, in order to secure enrollment.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

TARGET: Grades 2-6

COURSE DURATION: 1 year (two, 14 week semesters – classes begin Sept 18, 2019)

COST PER SEMESTER  (ALL materials provided):

$250 for private pay homeschool families.

$275 for iLead, Epic, Aveson,  Inspire, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Summit, Valiant Prep and Excel Academy Charter students. If you don’t see your school listed, please contact us at WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com so we can apply to become a vendor for you.

Master Criminal Nina Pasadena is at it again!  This time she is determined to capture America’s amazing landmarks to declare this nation the “United States of Nina Pasadena”

Join the Acme Detective Agency on the state-by-state hunt for super spy mastermind, Nina Pasadena.   This time she is using puzzles, secret messages, invisible ink, locked cases, combination codes, and more to communicate with her henchmen about their missions.  The henchmen will be under cover, disguising themselves as famous people from each state.  If we identify and capture them, we can intercept their messages and decode their plans for the next targeted landmark!

Our investigations will include state nicknames, flags, symbols, major cities, significant sites, historical information and more.  We will use books, atlases, encyclopedia, maps and other research materials to stop Nina in her tracks!

Agents will also be responsible for an Agent Special Assignment (aka- a short research paper, and drawing task to work on at home) about a specific state that is a suspected henchman hide-out. Agents will present their Special Assignment in front of the Acme team (oral presentation).

Will we catch Nina Pasadena?  Join us on this Geography Adventure!

PLEASE NOTE: If you took the World version of this class last year, this class uses the same theme, but features new criminals, and is structured differently so that the cases unfold in a fresh new way for our national adventures!

REGISTRATION: Beginning May 1, 2019 visit the registration page at WeSparkLearning.com.  Open Enrollment continues until classes are full.

Questions? Call (626)482-8963 or email WeSparkLearning@yahoo.com

ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES Literature Classes 

Exploring the world through great authors!

ARMCHAIR ADVENTURES is predominantly a literature discussion class, but your child/teen will also be doing worksheets on literary devices, character development, vocabulary and literature analysis.

Recommended for 7-10 year olds. The books will be approximately 100-150 pages long and appropriate for 2nd-4th graders.

Recommended for 10-12 year olds. The books will be approximately 150-300 pages long and appropriate for 5th-7th graders.

WHY HAVE YOUR CHILD PARTICIPATE IN A DISCUSSION LITERATURE CLASS?

TALKING ADVENTURES

The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself . . . . . and Public Speaking!!!

CLASS BEGINS:  September 14, 2020

COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 14 through May 24.

 Your student’s imagination will soar in this Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons Themed course as he or she is introduced to The Mule and His Buyer, Bellerophon and the Chimera, and Tiger Tamer, and that is just the beginning.

During the course, students will take notes, summarize narrative stories, write from pictures, compose creative essays, and more. Additionally, with the activities, games, and parties, there will be enough silliness and fun to keep the atmosphere light while students learn.

The goal of the course is NOT to receive a good grade or compare one student to another. The goal is to develop a love for and interest in writing. We are looking for progress. With realistic expectations, progress is determined by comparing a child’s writing in September to his/her own writing in January and in June.

COST: $225.00 per semester ($250 if a charter student) plus books, etc.  Plus, a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $25, which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.

Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

TEXT BOOK REQUIRED Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons [Student Book only]

By Maria Gerber

ISBN: 978-1-62341-309-5

Edition/Printing: Third Edition, May 2019

Copyright Date: 2019

Please note: The textbook is not available through the EIE bookstore.

CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626) 232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com

CLASS BEGINS:  September 14, 2020

COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 14 through May 24.

In this U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons Themed course, students will read and write about topics such as the civil war, the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, the Sinking of the Lusitania, and many more.

From the Native Americans to the Statue of Liberty, from the Westward Movement to Transportation Milestones, students will learn about the history of this great nation while learning to write using IEWs structure and stylistic techniques.

Top of Form

During the course, students will take notes, summarize narrative stories, write from pictures, compose creative essays, and more. Additionally, with the activities, games, and parties, there will be enough silliness and fun to keep the atmosphere light while students learn.

The goal of the course is NOT to receive a good grade or compare one student to another. The goal is to develop a love for and interest in writing. We are looking for progress. With realistic expectations, progress is determined by comparing a child’s writing in September to his/her own writing in January and in June.

 COST: $225.00 per semester ($250 if a charter student) plus books, etc.  Plus, a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $25, which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.

Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

TEXT BOOK REQUIRED U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons [Student Book only]

By Lori Verstegen

ISBN: 978-1-62341-324-8

Edition/Printing: Second Edition, November 2019

Copyright Date: 2019

Please note: The textbook is not available through the EIE bookstore.

CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626) 232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com

Recommended grade levels – 4^th through 7th

 CLASS BEGINS:  September 14, 2020

COURSE DURATION:  1 school year, from September 14 through May 24.

 This class will focus on the basics of grammar and writing. The year will begin with the students learning how to write sentences and paragraphs. In time for Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year, we will focus on how to write thank you notes and letters to family and friends. With the start of the new year, we will write about our hopes for the coming year and future years. In February, we will write about Presidents and patriotic topics in celebration of Presidents’ Day. During March and April, we will study how to write persuasively, how to write a how-to paper, and more. The last topic of the year will be poetry, because we are going surprise Mom (Shhh!!! Don’t tell her.) for Mother’s Day!

 Fees: $250.00 per semester ($275 if a charter student..
Plus a one time non-refundable registration fee of $25 which is waived for students whose paid tuition and registration are postmarked before August 1.

 Miss Lilli is a vendor for: Sky Mountain, ILEAD, Excel Academy, Sage Oaks, Golden Valley, Gorman, Inspire, and more.

CONTACT: Lilli Witczak (626)232-7932 or email at: lilli.witczak@gmail.com

Cost:          $153.00  for each 11-week session per  student.  

Recommended   ages:   5  to    13   or   grades   K  to   8.

Open  to  beginners  and  advanced   students

Students  will learn to play the game of Chess and learn winning strategies.  They will become prepared for tournament  play which is organized  by  Coach  Jeff.  Tournament  play  is not required but is an added bonus.

Chess  is  a  wonderful  game that helps children develop mental discipline, analytical  skills, strategic  thinking, and  do  better academically.  Studies  have shown that   students   studying   Chess    demonstrated    a  marked   development   of  their  verbal    and math  aptitudes.  This  class  is  a great way for kids to have fun, improve  in  Chess, and  make  new  friends.

Added  bonus:   As  Coach  Jeff’s    program    is  in  twenty-one    elementary   schools   in   the  San  Gabriel   Valley,  Coach  Jeff organizes    three   tournaments   per  semester.

About  Coach  Jeff:   Jeff  Schwartz  has  played   tournament  chess    from  the  time  he  was  a  freshman   in  college.   Coach  Jeff  is a  Life  Member    of  the  United  States   Chess  Federation,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Arcadia  Chess   Club. Coach  Jeff  has taught  Chess   since   2007,   helping  hundreds   of   students  mature  in  the  world  of  Chess,  even  while  he   uses  an individualized  approach   for  each  student.

Contact:    chesscoachjeff@live.com or (626) 232-5466

COST: 

• $125 per month private funds
• $150 with charter funds made out to Home School Coaches 

So…Whatever you’re thinking an acting class for kids and teens is, you will be happily surprised!  This acting class, taught by professional casting director and set coach of over 15,000 kids and teens, Chris Gilmore.  It is much more than just a class where students learn how to act professionally on camera for movies, television and commercials.

The added benefits of this incredible series of classes are:  It builds the student’s self esteem and self image.  It teaches discipline and focus as well as teaching students to use their creativity and imagination.  It empowers the students to be able to speak in front of a group with great confidence and improves memorization, improvisation and even helps develop a sense of humor.

From start to finish all students will learn the art of comedy, drama, two-party scene study, cold-reading, monologue technique, comedy improvisation as applied to on-camera film and television performances as well as commercial techniques.  Every month is a different acting theme.  This course is the Real Thing, and if acting professionally is the goal, students will receive all the skills necessary to pursue a professional acting career while having fun learning them.

LITTLE STARS CLASS

• This class is designed for the younger 5 – 9 year old children.
• Primary goal is to discover the child’s talent and introduce the concepts of creatity and imagination.
• Introduce child to cold reading skills and improve vocabulary to build communication skills.
• Improvisation to develope their on the spot problem solving and communication confidence.
• Teach discipline and focus.
• Works on a goal and reward system allowing the child to experience an instant gratification experience.
• Ideal class to work on communication skills including eye contact and body language.

BEGINNING ACTING CLASS

This class is highly suggested for kids 9 years old through 18.

• Assorted acting skills including comedy improv, method acting, on camera scene study, and much more.
• A  class which encourages the student to ask questions and learn the techniques of acting from the beginning steps on.
• A strong focus on building the student’s confidence in themselves and in letting go the fear of performing in front of others
• In this class, the teacher also evaluates the student’s learning style, confidence level, emotional needs, and develops a teaching plan for each individual student
• Great class for a trained actor who has developed bad acting habits and needs to relearn the skills from a new perspective. (such as a theatre-trained actor who needs to learn how to tone-down “theatre acting” and approach acting from a more organic and internal level.

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ACTING CLASS

This class is highly suggested for teens

• A faster paced class where students are challenged to utilize their acting skills to the max, as they learn new and more advanced skills
• Many acting challenges are given which builds even more confidence
• Great class for trained actors who are looking to continue growing in the art of on camera acting and seriously considering a professional acting career.

THE ADDED BONUS:  At the end of every month, all parents will receive an on-line video of the students’ performances in class so you can watch their progress. (upon request)

CONTACT: 

• Chris Gilmore  (661) 600-7372
• http://www.creativekidsacting.com
• mail to:creativekidsacting@gmail.com

SCIENCE-2-U ELEMENTARY CLASSES

What does it take to be an inventor and make some of the most famous inventionsof all time? We will complete some of the experiments that were used by inventors like Galileo (make a telescope) and Thomas Edison (make a light bulb).

You will even make a few inventions of your own, like an apparatus to safely escort and egg from the top of a building to the ground. Put on your thinking caps before you come to this class!

Come discover how wonderfully intricate the human body is! We’ll explore the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems as well as bones and muscles. You’ll learn how your own body works. Come join the fun!

You’ll become a real forensic scientist as you use modern day crime solving techniques to solve a variety of mysteries. Some of the tests you will perform are fingerprint analysis, chromatography (ink analysis), hair analysis using microscopes and more! There will be a new case to crack each week. Come join the fun!

Christmas Break  December 21, 2020 – January 4, 2021

Welcome to the wonderful world of microbes! We’ll look at the differences between plant and animal cells and also discover protists and bacteria. With the use of our microscopes we’ll also discover what lives in a drop of pond water as well as some crazy new organisms each week! fi causes some things to float while others sink?

Let’s find the answers through hands-on experiments!

The final frontier….come explore the planets of our solar system including satellites like our moon! We’ll discover what planets are made of and what the differences are among them. We’ll even discover why the Earth is the perfect place for us to live. You’ll get to make your own rocket to launch on the last day of class!

Come explore the fascinating world of rocks and minerals! We’ll explore crystal formation, and learn how to identify minerals through various tests like the Mohs hardness test, specific gravity, color, streak and others. We’ll also learn about sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Why do birds have feathers?

What kind of birds live near your home?

What are the different types of beaks and feet that birds have and what does that say about what they eat and where they live?

We’ll answer these and many more questions as we take an in-depth look at the biology of birds. We’ll even piece together what an owl had for breakfast by dissecting owl pellets! You won’t want to miss this fascinating look into the world of birds.

Come learn about the fascinating life of plants. Plants provide us with life giving oxygen. In this class we’ll grow our own plants and learn all about the different parts of plants, photosynthesis and the carbon-oxygen cycle and we’ll also discover the process of germination and transpiration. You’ll be a real green thumb when you finish this class.