Spring 2024 Class Offerings

MONDAYS

2:30-3:30

DRAWING, DOODLING, & BEYOND (K-2): There are lots of “tricks” to improving your drawing skills. In this class, we will focus on the little things that make a big difference: like blending, shading, and perspective. PLUS, we’ll learn how to use mathematical principles to draw“perfect” shapes. Anneloes van Beek

EXPLORA STEM (K-2): Students will make discoveries by questioning, experiencing, and investigating. Explora educators engage young engineers and scientists in engaging hands-on activities that incorporate science, art, and fun! Explora educator Mali Nichols

BALL GAMES (3-5): Soccer, basketball, football, wall ball, dodge ball, and more. Students will develop skills in hand-eye coordination, catching, passing, and teamwork. Gwen Delmargo

BEGINNING PIANO (3-5): This class introduces students to the basics of piano, while establishing a sense of rhythm in a group setting. Students will learn to read basic sheet music, a useful foundation for learning band and orchestra instruments. Amy Maestas

3:30-4:30

MAKERSPACE: THE ART OF INVENTION (3-5): This class series will begin with activity lessons designed to build an understanding of the six simple machines: plane, lever, wedge, wheel & axle, pulley, and screw. Once we have established a foundational knowledge of the simple machines, students will be presented with “Challenge Projects” which require mechanical solutions. Anneloes van Beek

MINDFUL EXPLORERS (K-2): Children will learn to use their breath to focus and gain a better understanding and awareness of their feelings and emotions. During stressful situations they can learn to apply breathing and coping skills as they grow emotionally, intellectually and socially with added confidence and a sense of well-being. We will be using art, poetry, storytelling, role play and mindful movements in this class. Delia St.Louis

LEGO LAND (K-5): Students will use their imagination, creative thinking and reasoning skills to build with Lego bricks. Students will be given weekly challenges of things to build. This hands on class will wake up the architect and engineer in any child. Gwen Delmargo

4:30-5:00

OPEN ART STUDIO (K-5):  A self-directed open art studio for multimedia artists: drawing, crafts, sewing, and more! Finish a project or start something new. Anneloes van Beek

TUESDAYS

2:30-3:30

ART MASTERS (3-5): Van Gogh, Kahlo, Klimt, Monet, and more. Learn the history, techniques, and practices of master artists! Create original art in a style similar to the artist being studied. Tuesdays, 2:30-3:30 with Patty Gillis

ART & WORD: SKETCH & LISTEN (K-5): Listen to terrific short stories and novels read aloud by the teacher, while discussing with the class. During the read-aloud, students will work on individual and collaborative art projects. Anneloes van Beek

TEAM BUILDING CHALLENGE GAMES (2-5): Collaboration is super important when working with others, whether it’s a sports team, a group project, or a band. But here’s the thing - for collaboration to work, you have to communicate effectively. That way, everyone knows what they’re doing and the end goal. This class is about building up your teamwork skills and communication strategies. We will use team sports, icebreakers and games to get the job done as a team and have a blast doing it! Kellee Larison

DANCE AROUND THE WORLD (K-2) In this class students will study a variety of traditional folk dances, music and culture from different countries. Students will develop an understanding of rhythm, identifying cultural and geographic regions, and understanding the history and context of cultural dances. Students will also have the opportunity to explore and introduce their own cultural backgrounds and how dance relates to their family history and community. Corinna Roche

3:30-4:30

3D ART LAB: OUT OF THE BOX, OFF THE PAGE (K-5): In this class we will explore natural and recycled materials to create engaging , kinetic,  three dimensional sculptures. Students will gain familiarity with the materials and close attention will be paid to how their creations feel in the hands, how they move and the sounds they make. Patty Gillis

DIY MACHINE SEWING (2-5): If you are a total beginner with a sewing machine, welcome! You’re in the right place. Learn the basics of setting up, operating, and maintaining a sewing machine. If you are already familiar with a sewing machine, you will be presented with challenging projects designed to expand your skill set! Anneloes van Beek

CREATIVE DANCE: STEPS & STYLES (3-5): Explore yourself and your environments through movement! Students will learn to experiment and discover through guidelines that facilitate their exploration. We will work individually and in groups to explore key dance concepts such as space, time, energy, relationship and body awareness. Through structured improvisations, skill building and creative problem solving, students are immersed in the artist's process and empowered to make creative choices in a supportive and fun environment. Corinna Roche

MORE THAN DOWN DOG: MIND & MOVEMENT (K-5): Yoga? Not Yoga? Did you know yoga is not just about poses like Downward Dog or Tree Pose? There's a lot more to it than that! There are eight different aspects to yoga that people hardly talk about. To truly understand yoga and all its benefits, we can explore these lesser-known aspects together. We'll try out fun activities, listen to music, share stories, and make some art, too! You'll see that yoga is more than just a workout when we're done. Kellee Larison

4:30-5:30

IMAGINATION STATION: STORYTELLING & PUPPETRY (K-5): Art with an emphasis on imagination and play. An open art studio for multi-media art making: dollhouse miniatures, puppets, monsters, stuffed animals, board games, play food, snowball fights, and more. Patty Gillis

WEDNESDAYS

2:30-3:30

ART OF WOOD 101 (3-5): In this course, students will learn how to use basic woodworking hand tools in a closely monitored project based class setting. Keeping safety at the forefront of our creative endeavors, we will construct small, functional woodworking projects: like boxes, toys, and picture frames. Having basic woodworking skills is not just a fun hobby, it’s a new lens to view and understand the world! This class will build confidence, strength, and foster an engineering mindset which will prove itself useful throughout the lives of these children. Anneloes van Beek.

GARDEN TO PANTRY (K-5): Kids will learn to reconnect to their food in a fun and educational way.  of the class we will be working in the garden, in the second half of the class we will be using what we have grown and cook healthy snacks! Patty Gillis

JUMP STARS: DOUBLE-UNDER, DOUBLE-IN (3-5): Jumping rope is an activity that never gets old and has been around in China since the 17th century. People of all ages and backgrounds have enjoyed this fun activity for years. Whether a beginner or a pro, there are endless ways to jump rope, from Double-Under and Double-Over to simple jumps and complicated rhymes. Jumping rope has an incredible culture, including technique, style, music, and community. In this class, you'll learn about the fantastic history of jumping rope while getting in a great workout and having fun with a group of supportive jumpers. Grab your rope and get ready to bounce your way to fitness and fun! Kellee Larison

CREATIVE MOVEMENT: BODIES IN MOTION (K-2): Master dance skills and vocabulary through creative expression. This class will align with the physical and socio emotional development of this age range as they explore themselves and their environments through movement. Corinna Roche

3:30-4:30

WOODWORKING MASTERS (3-5): Continue honing your woodworking skills with more advanced projects in this continuing woodworking course. Woodworking 101 or Woodworking Boot Camp are mandatory prerequisites. Anneloes van Beek.

EDIBLE ART: THE ART OF FOOD (K-5): From still life drawings of grapes, to crafting play food, to frosting cookies, this class will explore the fun and delicious intersection between Art and Food. Patty Gillis

JUNIOR JUMP STARS (K-2): Whether a beginner or a pro, there are endless ways to jump rope, from Double-Under and Double-Over to simple jumps and complicated rhymes. Jumping rope has an incredible culture, including technique, style, music, and community. In this class, you'll learn about the fantastic history of jumping rope while getting in a great workout and having fun with a group of supportive jumpers. Grab your rope and get ready to bounce your way to fitness and fun! Kellee Larison

CHOREOGRAPHY: DANCER’S TOOLBOX (3-5): Explore creative dance! Students will learn collaborative skills and create within groups. We will work with and learn a variety of dance concepts such as spatial pathways, formation, canon and unison. Students will create movement that aligns with these concepts. To create choreography students will engage in a collaborative process of choosing a topic and as a group responding to that topic through this process. Corinna Roche

4:30-5:00

EDIBLE ART CONTINUES (K-5): Continue cooking, baking, assembling, drawing, and snacking on whatever projects took place in the first hour or Edible Art. Students do not have to be registered for the first hour of Edible Art to join in the fun. Patty Gillis

OPEN STUDIO WOODSHOP (3-5): Complicated projects take time, and this extra 30 minutes every week will add up to almost ten extra hours of work time in the woodshop over the course of the semester. Take the time to do your best, and stick around an extra half hour in the ZFFC woodshop! Anneloes van Beek

THURSDAYS

2:30-3:30

PIXEL PRINTMAKING (K-5): An introductory printmaking class. Students will create pixel art that will then be transferred to plates to print using various flat bricks. Lots of fun and creative exploration! Amy Maestas

WOW OF SCIENCE: MAGIC MOMENTS (3-5): The field of science is truly fascinating! It has a certain magical quality to it, wouldn't you say? Every aspect of it is captivating, from the awe-inspiring explosions to the intriguing, sometimes repulsive, specimens that we study. And some of our experiments can be so intense that they'll leave an indelible impression on your mind. Science is truly mind-blowing! We will delve further into this field and explore some of the experiments that may seem like magic to the uninitiated. Kellee Larison

ZFFC FITNESS BOOTCAMP (3-5): Fun and Fitness! Build strength, focus, coordination, and agility in a challenging and fun environment. We will work on our overall physical fitness in this class and play games as well. Gwen Delmargo

FIBER ART: SEWING CREATIONS (K-2): Students will get creative with fabulous fiber materials. Fabric, felt, yarn, stuffing, buttons, and more. Create puppets, costumes, stuffed animals, pockets and all manner of fiber-based art projects. Patty Gillis

3:30-4:30

BLOCK PRINTING 101 (3-5): Traditional block printing using erasers or foam printing blocks. Students will learn the differences between negative and positive spaces, mirroring images and story telling through use of multiple blocks. Amy Maestas

BRAIN GAMES: TRIVIA, JEOPARDY, & QUIZ GAMES (3-5): Brain Busters! Get ready to have a blast! We have a bunch of quizzes, trivia, and brain games that will keep you entertained. They're like a fun workout for your brain, so you'll expand your knowledge and challenge your mind while having a good time. You'll also learn about New Mexico's excellent connection to one of the first TV game shows, which makes the whole experience even more exciting. So come on in, boost your brainpower, and let's have some fun! Kellee Larison

KIDS FITNESS: LEARNING THROUGH PLAY (K-2): Fun and Fitness! Build focus, coordination, agility, and play while having lots of fun with friends old and new! Gwen Delmargo

ART OF CRAFT (K-5): Students will work with a variety of art materials and explore all their creative possibilities. Fabric, collage, assemblage, knitting, and more. Patty Gillis

4:30-5:30

MAKE IT BREAK IT: TINKERER’S ACADEMY: Recycle, repurpose, reconfigure! We will refashion objects and explore natural and recycled materials to create engaging, kinetic, 3D sculptures. Patty Gillis

FRIDAYS

2:30-3:30

LISTEN TO YOUR ART: DRAW, PAINT, CREATE (K-5): What can you do with a piece of paper and some color? Students will work with a variety of art materials and explore all their creative possibilities. Drawing, collage, painting, clay, and more. Patty Gillis

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: CHARACTERS & COSTUMES (K-5): Students will embark on an epic journey through various trials, exploring majestic lands across fantastical distances. They will have the opportunity to create their own characters and costumes. Each character will be imbued with their own special abilities to help their chances of succeeding in mastering trials, earn “gold” in exchange for rewards throughout the game. Trials will consist of STEM, art, reading and active challenges that will engage students academically in a fun and imaginative setting. Marissa Loya

BASKETBALL ACADEMY: ZFFC HOT SHOTS (3-5): In this class students will play basketball and practice drills to sharpen their hoops skills; passing, dribbling, shooting, offense. Gwen Delmargo

3:30-4:30

BIRDS EYE VIEW: ART & NATURE (K-5):  Build, create, learn, sow, make, listen, see, find, explore. A class devoted to understanding the outdoors by interacting, observing and being part of it. Drawing, writing, recording what we see and making creative projects from natural materials. Patty Gillis

DODGEBALL: ARTFUL DODGERS (2-5): Throw, dodge, catch! A battle to end! Students will play exhilerating and challenging games of Dodge Ball with foam balls. This is a favorite among elementary students. Joe Sanchez