Sturgeon Bay
Elementary
Summer School
2015
Course offering booklet
Grades 3-5
ACADEMIC PORTION OF THE MORNING:
Each child will be involved in math, reading and writing activities geared toward his or her level of
development during the first hour each morning. Using school year assessments, teachers will design
skill practice and academic learning activities. The academic portion of the morning will be taught by
many of the same teachers who will teach enrichment courses.
ENRICHMENT PORTION OF THE MORNING:
During the second half of the morning students will participate in enrichment classes they have chosen.
All classes are free with the exception of “Fun in the Kitchen” where there will be a $15 fee for food.
TWO-WEEK COURSES: Repeated Weeks 1 – 2 and Weeks 3 - 4
Around the World in the Month of July:
Teachers: Mr. and Mrs. Taylor
Join us as we travel to all corners of our world! Together we will have a hands-on experience with the
language, art, games, food and stories that span the globe. Each morning our time together will feature
playing exciting games from areas of the world; reading and hearing thrilling stories from continents like
Africa, Australia and Asia; sampling foods that haven’t graced our dinner table but are tasty none-theless; dabbling in different art projects ranging from making maps from areas of the world in which we
most interested to painting like some of the greatest artist from Europe and beyond. We’ll bring it all
together by learning basic foreign language words and phrases that highlight the activities we have
shared from all over the world!
Finally, we'll conclude our weeks together by hosting an international fair featuring all the treasures
from our journey around the world. Families are welcome to come to the international fair and/or
anytime we gather in the morning during July at Sunrise!
Let’s Put on a Show:
Teacher: Ms. Hill
Do you like to act? Sing? Dance? Then this class is for you! During each two-week session we’ll put
together our own show, complete with costumes, scenery, and, of course, the stars on stage! We’ll
perform our show on the last day of class.
Guys Read:
(Weeks 1-2)
Teacher: Mr. Meyer
Explore reading (and writing) from a guy's point of view! Students will read, rate, talk about and
'perform' books they like from multiple genres. This course is geared toward incoming 4th - 6th graders.
Guys Read is designed to motivate under-motivated readers to become engaged in reading. Instruction
will focus on increasing reading fluency and prosody through repeated readings of student selected
passages to 'perform' for others.
Vocabulary Blaster:
(Weeks 3-4)
Teacher: Mr. Meyer
Take your vocabulary to the next level while having fun! Group and individual activities include affix and
root word games, word-Jeopardy games and illustrating the multiple meanings of words. Based on
research-based methods, students will focus on becoming masters of semantic feature analysis and will
bring together reading and writing around student-based research.
ONE-WEEK COURSES: Week 1
Astronomy by Day:
Teacher: Mr. Tellstrom
Explore the solar system and discover what lies beyond our Earth’s atmosphere. We will learn about
constellations; discover what a shooting star really is; and check out the latest in the world of space
exploration. Grab your space suit and be ready to blast off into the cosmos.
Basketball Fundamentals:
Teacher: Mr. Benesh
Do you want to be a great basketball player? If so, this class is for you. Basketball fundamentals will
teach you the skills to play the game and will help improve your current skills. Each day the students will
put these skills to use with full court scrimmaging. Look forward to a great week of basketball.
Flea Market Flip:
Teacher: Ms. Wavrunek
Junior bargain hunters in this class will use flea market finds to show off their creativity and craftiness by
turning them into fabulous repurposed items. Imagination and originality will guide participants as they
turn something old into something new.
Fun In The Kitchen:
Teachers: Mrs. Bumgardner and Mrs. Townsend
We will bake, make a recipe file, learn how to read recipes, plan a meal and learn about healthy eating.
NO experience is necessary! This class will begin at Sunrise and students will walk to the high school
Family and Consumer Education room. (There is a $15 fee for this course.)
Creative Writing:
Teacher: Ms. Kirschman
How did Beverly Clearly, Patricia Polacco and Lois Lowry become such great authors? First of all, they
love to write. This class will help your child get excited about writing. It will focus on various writing
strategies and give students a chance to explore their imaginations. Each class will have a mini lesson
focusing on a writing strategy. We will look at developing ideas, word choice, voice and sentence
fluency. Organization and conventions also will be used. Students will create their own stories and
poems while incorporating descriptive details, similes, metaphors and onomatopoeias. Get your
creative juices flowing….and LET’S WRITE!
Lego Robotics Class:
Teacher: Mr. Donaldson
Do you like to work with Legos? Do you have an interest in robotics or model building? Are you adept or
interested in problem solving and engineering? Do you just want to experience fun, creative, hands-on
learning? This exciting robotics class will ignite an enthusiasm for discovery, science, engineering and
cutting edge technology. Who knows, this may become your career someday! Teams of 5 students or
fewer will learn how to plan, engineer, program and run a Lego Robot.
ONE-WEEK COURSES: Week 2
Junior Rangers at Crossroads:
Teacher: Mr. Tellstrom
The week will be spent exploring nature and doing outdoor activities such as plant and animal
observation, identification and field research. We will be investigative Junior Rangers on a mission to
discover some of the secrets of nature.
Geo-caching:
Teacher: Mrs. Weber
Like a high-tech treasure hunt, geo-caching can be done in your own neighborhood or while you are onthe-go! Students will be introduced to the adventure of geo-caching, talk about cache etiquette and
responsibilities, and maybe even create and register their own cache!
Fundamentals of Softball/Baseball:
Teacher: Mr. Benesh
Student athletes will be taught the fundamentals of fielding, throwing, hitting, pitching, bunting and
running bases. In addition, students will learn the basics of a specific position. Class will consist of a
combination of drills and scrimmages. The class will meet at Sunrise and use the softball diamonds
located near the school.
Game Frenzy:
Teacher: Ms. Wavrunek
Are you a fan of games? Board games, yard games, team and party games will be the focus of our
activities during the week. Participants will enjoy spending time with friends while learning all kinds of
different games. Be prepared to use strategy, have fun and laugh!
Fun In The Kitchen: (Repeat)
Teachers: Mrs. Bumgardner and Mrs. Townsend
We will bake, make a recipe file, learn how to read recipes, plan a meal and learn about healthy eating.
NO experience is necessary! This class will begin at Sunrise and students will walk to the high school
Family and Consumer Education room. (There is a $15 fee for this course.)
Lego Robotics Class: (Repeat)
Teachers: Mr. Donaldson
Do you like to work with Legos? Do you have an interest in robotics or model building? Are you adept or
interested in problem solving and engineering? Do you just want to experience fun, creative, hands-on
learning? This exciting robotics class will ignite an enthusiasm for discovery, science, engineering and
cutting edge technology. Who knows, this may become your career someday! Teams of 5 students or
fewer will learn how to plan, engineer, program and run a Lego Robot.
Creative Writing: (Repeat)
Teacher: Ms. Kirschman
How did Beverly Clearly, Patricia Polacco and Lois Lowry become such great authors? First of all, they
love to write. This class will help your child get excited about writing. It will focus on various writing
strategies and give students a chance to explore their imaginations. Each class will have a mini lesson
focusing on a writing strategy. We will look at developing ideas, word choice, voice and sentence
fluency. Organization and conventions also will be used. Students will create their own stories and
poems while incorporating descriptive details, similes, metaphors and onomatopoeias. Get your
creative juices flowing….and LET’S WRITE!
ONE-WEEK COURSES: Week 3
Wade Into the Wetlands at Crossroads:
Teacher: Mr. Tellstrom
You can’t be afraid of mud for this class. Wading into Wetlands is an investigation of the unique aquatic
plants and animals that inhabit the wetlands at the Crossroads at Big Creek. The importance wetlands
play in the local environment will be stressed.
Leadership/Team Building:
Teachers: Mrs. Vogel
Do you enjoy being a part of team challenges? Are you wondering what it takes to be a good leader?
Here is your chance to practice the skills it takes to be a good leader and work with teammates.
Students in this session will participate in fun activities and teambuilding exercises that help develop
leadership and communication skills. Wow your friends and family with your ability to be a team player
and a successful leader in your community!
Geo-caching: (Repeat)
Teacher: Mrs. Weber
Like a high-tech treasure hunt, geo-caching can be done in your own neighborhood or while you are onthe-go! Students will be introduced to the adventure of geo-caching, talk about cache etiquette and
responsibilities, and maybe even create and register their own cache!
Reader’s Theater:
Teacher: Ms. Kirschman
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to become someone else? Now’s your chance to express
yourself! This class will focus on reading fluency and character development in a story. While students
are having fun creating a character, using voice and facial expressions, and performing for their class,
they are also building their reading fluency. We will use reader’s theater scripts and storybooks.
Students will have an opportunity to analyze and discuss the motivation behind their character and how
to express that emotion through different inflections in their voice and facial expression. This also will
help students to read with excitement. The class will perform their reader’s theater the last day.
Lego Robotics Class: (Repeat)
Teacher: Mr. Donaldson
Do you like to work with Legos? Do you have an interest in robotics or model building? Are you adept or
interested in problem solving and engineering? Do you just want to experience fun, creative, hands-on
learning? This exciting robotics class will ignite an enthusiasm for discovery, science, engineering and
cutting edge technology. Who knows, this may become your career someday! Teams of 5 students or
fewer will learn how to plan, engineer, program and run a Lego Robot.
Sports of all Sorts:
Teacher: Mr. Benesh
If sports are your name, I have your game. From soccer to volleyball, this course has it all. Ninety
minutes a day of play, play, play. Refine your skills and sportsmanship, while participating in an array of
“ball” games. All you need is a pair of good shoes and a positive attitude.
Beginning Spanish:
Teacher: Ms. Canilho
Have you always wanted to learn a second language? This course will teach beginning Spanish
vocabulary and some fun phrases and songs. This will give students a taste of what middle school
Spanish will be like.
ONE-WEEK COURSES: Week 4
Space Camp:
Teacher: Mr. Tellstrom
Venture into the fascinating world of micro-gravity and the challenges it creates. What would it be like
to live on the International Space Station? What have scientists learned so far about living in space and
what do they hope to learn in the future? Will it be capturing an asteroid and setting it in orbit around
the moon? Or a trip to Mars?…fade to the cosmos.
Gardening:
Teacher: Mrs. Vogel
During this session students will get the opportunity to learn about all that is involved in taking care of a
garden. They will learn about planning a garden, planting, tending to it and harvesting, as well as
making delicious dishes out of their harvest.
Reader’s Theater: (Repeat)
Teacher: Ms. Kirschman
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to become someone else? Now’s your chance to express
yourself! This class will focus on reading fluency and character development in a story. While students
are having fun creating a character, using voice and facial expressions, and performing for their class,
they are also building their reading fluency. We will use reader’s theater scripts and storybooks.
Students will have an opportunity to analyze and discuss the motivation behind their character and how
to express that emotion through different inflections in their voice and facial expression. This also will
help students to read with excitement. The class will perform their reader’s theater the last day.
Lego Robotics Class: (Repeat)
Teacher: Mr. Donaldson
Do you like to work with Legos? Do you have an interest in robotics or model building? Are you adept or
interested in problem solving and engineering? Do you just want to experience fun, creative, hands-on
learning? This exciting robotics class will ignite an enthusiasm for discovery, science, engineering and
cutting edge technology. Who knows, this may become your career someday! Teams of 5 students or
fewer will learn how to plan, engineer, program and run a Lego Robot.
Beginning Spanish: (Repeat)
Teacher: Ms. Canilho
Have you always wanted to learn a second language? This course will teach beginning Spanish
vocabulary and some fun phrases and songs. This will give students a taste of what middle school
Spanish will be like.
Nature Makes Sense: Learning about Barn Owls
Teacher: Mr. O’Handley
Students will develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the skeletal and muscular systems of
barn owls. The class project will involve dissecting a barn owl pellet to examine and reconstruct its
contents. Students will use skeleton charts and teacher guidance to help them reconstruct the skeletons
of the creatures in the pellets. A fun way to learn all about barn owls!