Super Saturday Courses

Fall 2013 courses will be announced in mid-August

Spring 2013 Super Saturday courses

Abracadabra!  Beginning Stage Magic

10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-5 | Materials fee:  $5
Come learn to be a magician!  Each week you’ll learn the secrets of magic tricks that can be performed with cards, coins, string, and other everyday household objects.  Along the way, we’ll explore the fundamentals of stage magic, including sleight-of-hand, misdirection, forced choice, and the all-important patter.  (Daniel Withrow, B.A., Environmental Studies and Political Economy, Elementary School Teaching License)

Bricks 4 Kidz:  Construction Craze

9:00-10:20 | Grades 3-5 | Materials fee:  $10
Put on your hard hat and create your own LEGO^© construction site!  Build motorized models of “tools of the trade,” from power drills and saws to a tough, all-terrain bulldozer.  Learn about the history of these tools, how they work, what they’re used for, their parts, and how machines make our lives easier.  What is “mechanical advantage?”  What is a jib?  What does “pneumatic” mean?  Dump trucks, jackhammers, cranes – you’ll build models of these, and other powerful tools!  (Wendy Land, B.A., Elementary Education)

Bricks 4 Kidz:  Space Adventures

10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-5 | Materials fee:  $10
Calling all budding astronauts!  Inspired by NASA, this class is packed with building adventure!  We’ll learn about real life space exploration and build motorized LEGO^© models related to the NASA space program.  We’ll construct a satellite, a lunar module, an astronaut’s treadmill, a space “robot,” and more.  Discover the science behind launching things into orbit, and hear about the most distant human-engineered object in the universe.  What is a centrifuge?  What is g-force?  Blast off with us and find out!  (Wendy Land, B.A., Elementary Education)

Cartooning

9:00-10:20 | Grades 3-8 | Materials fee:  $6
Welcome to the wonderful world of cartooning!  In this class you’ll learn methods to create your own characters for a comic strip.  Each student will work toward creating a five-frame comic strip which will be put into a class cartooning comic book at the end of the session.  (Jessica Tranchina, B.F.A., Studio Art)

Chess Adventures 1

9:00-10:20 | Grades 3-8 | Materials fee: $5
Are you ready to explore the fun and exciting mental battlefield of chess? Great! Meet the King, Queen, Bishops, Knights, Rooks, and Pawns! Learn to checkmate with ease, find attacking patterns, and discover all the amazing possibilities this ancient "Game of Kings" has to offer. We’ll learn the rules, basic techniques, and the opening ideas of chess. This class is for beginners or for those who know how to play but are not very familiar with the game. (Justin Lalor, expert-rated chess player, U.S. Chess Federation)

Chess Adventures 2

10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-8 | Materials fee: $5
The adventures continue! Advanced chess players will study more King slaying and Pawn saving techniques, and additional ways to defeat the Black Knights. We’ll also examine more advanced attacking and defending strategies that will give you the upper hand when facing your foe on the mental battlefield. This class is for those who play chess somewhat regularly, or who have taken chess classes before, or who feel very comfortable with the rules. (Justin Lalor, expert-rated chess player, U.S. Chess Federation)

Engineering… What Does That Mean?

9:00-10:20 | Grades 3-5
10:30-11:50 | Grades 6-8
Materials fee: $11
Engineers are involved in almost every minute of your day (and night), but do you know how? Hands-on projects and computer exploration will lead us in our search. From the Pyramids of Egypt to the Curiosity rover, we’ll look at ancient and modern achievements, catastrophes, and future trends. Bring an unwanted device (cell phone, remote control, hair dryer, toy, etc.; does not need to be electronic) to take apart for the first meeting. This class meets requirements for the BSA Engineering Merit Badge, but is open to all. (Cheryl Alderman, M.S., Geology; M. Eng., Industrial)

French 1:  Beginning

9:00-10:20 | Grades 3-6 | Materials fee: $6
Bonjour! How would you like to immerse yourself in a French speaking class and understand what is being said? Lots of hands-on materials make learning fun and easy. We’ll count, sing, learn vocabulary including food and animals, act in skits, play games, and see slides of Paris, all with a creative, step-by-step immersion approach. (Susan Ratner, B.A., French; Teaching Credential - French)

French 2:  Beginning Too

10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-6 | Materials fee: $6
Bonjour classe!  Did you have fun in French 1 and want to continue learning this beautiful language?  Then this class is for you!  We’ll learn colors, family, parts of the body, clothing, more numbers, the French alphabet, foods, act in a new and funny skit, and see a “French Castles and Art” slideshow, all through new songs, creative games, and a fun, hands-on immersion approach.  Even if it has been a long time since you took French 1, you’ll feel comfortable, since we focus on different topics.  French 2 is offered once per year, Spring only.  (Susan Ratner, B.A., French; Teaching Credential - French)

Gasshuku:  Discover Martial Arts

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-8 | Materials fee: uniform $20 (optional)
Gasshuku is an intensive martial arts experience that packs a lot of training into a short time. You’ll learn different martial arts styles and gain exposure to their cultures, including China, Korea, Japan, and Brazil. You’ll learn about personal safety skills, the excitement of competition, and martial arts in the International Olympics. Styles covered include Karate, Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Ju-Jitsu, and more. Class includes historical storytelling relating to life lessons for today. Wear comfortable clothing.  Recommended but optional: martial arts uniform, $20. (Hanshi C.D. Wilcox, Ph.D., 9th Dan; Shihan Jeff Rhodes, 2010 USA Karate National Champion and 2011 Ju-Jitsu National Champion, 5th Dan; CMA-USA staff)

German Language & Culture

10:30-11:50 | Grades 6-8 | Materials fee: $5
Guten Tag!  Do you want to learn how to speak German?  Are you interested in what life is like for a typical German student your age?  Join us as we learn about modern German youth, families, and daily life.  We’ll listen to German pop music, and discover the country’s geography and culture.  Pick your German name, take part in role plays and games, learn colors, hobbies, greetings, and more!  (Julia Shuster, M.A., International Education, UNC Asheville Foreign Languages department)

Greek Mythology & Percy Jackson

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 4-8 | Materials fee: $7
Calling all fans of the Percy Jackson book series, and those interested in Greek mythology! In this class we’ll use passages from the books to analyze how author Rick Riordan created characters based on Greek mythology. You’ll explore Greek gods and goddesses, create your own mythological characters (including special powers, costumes, and weaponry), and work together to tell a story or comic featuring your characters. We’ll end with a game of Capture the Flag, played in character and costume, Camp Half-Blood style! (Cassandra Love, B.S. Ed., curriculum consultant and developer)

Hand Built Pottery

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-7 | Materials fee: $5
Create pottery through a variety of techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab. Explore pottery as an artist as well as an archeologist, chemist, and geologist! Learn to score, wedge, texture, and stain your clay... the techniques professional potters use. You'll learn about earthenware and porcelain while making your own stoneware. Be a part of Asheville's ceramics community! (Lin Barber, M.A.Ed., N.B.C.T.; potter and educator)

Hands On Geometry with Zome

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-5 | Materials fee: none
Leave your pencils at home because this math class is strictly hands-on! Learn about numbers the way the ancient Greeks did. Study the interrelationships of numbers in your own 3-D constructions. Lego-maniacs are encouraged to apply! By the end, students will design shapes of dazzling complexity and symmetry, in the style of geodesic domes. (Ian Riddell, B.F.A., Performing Arts Theatre)

Knots, Braids & Weaves 1 & 2

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-8
Materials fee: $8 (level 1) or $10 (level 2)
This combination class is for beginners and those who have taken the class before. Both level 1 and level 2 students learn how to interlock cords, yarns, and basket reeds to create 3-D objects. Learn knotless netting to make dream catchers, and spiraling half knots, square knots, and overhand knots to make a bracelet. Make a bookmark with the Japanese braiding technique called Kumihimo. Use colorful hemp to craft fabulous necklaces. Weave a small basket using plain weave, twining, step-up, and lashing techniques, and embellish your projects with beads and feathers. Level 2 students create projects with added levels of complexity, using advanced techniques and additional materials. (Janine Brearley and Yvette Brearley, instructors)

Logic in Fun & Fun in Logic

10:30-11:50 | Grades 5-8 | Materials fee:  none
Explore the foundation of reasoning in this logic safari, and discover how to construct good arguments!  Be on your toes and detect a stinky argument from a mile away.  Determine which arguments are airtight and which ones have holes.  Learn to show clearly what you mean and what you don’t.  Be a fallacy detective and find the faulty reasoning in many popular advertisements!  Discover why we should think before buying something, even though a celebrity says we should get it.  We’ll explore basic logic tools that are useful every day.  Through fun group activities, logic will come to life!  (Team-taught by UNC Asheville students in the Introduction to Logic course.  Advisor:  Keya Maitra, Ph.D., Philosophy, UNC Asheville Philosophy department)

Math in the Real World!

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-6 | Materials fee: $5
Learn real-world applications of mathematics!  Our topics include cryptology (electronic privacy and security), music (scales, harmony, rhythm), and economics (recessions, profits, banks).  Discover the mathematical models of disease outbreak, how the fundamentals of origami are used in the design of airbags and space telescopes, and more!  (Team-taught by Dustin Nichols and Laura Tinney, UNC Asheville Math students. Advisor: Patrick Bahls, Ph.D., Mathematics, UNC Asheville Math department)

Movie Making & Animation

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 5-8 | Materials fee: $10
Bring your ideas to life with clay, paper, white board, found objects, or toys! Learn the process of stop-action animation and create movies using Windows Movie Maker. Shoot images, edit, and add sound to make an animated movie of your name, and another project of your own choosing. Learn the basics of animation in the first class by making flip-books and Thaumatropes (a spinning toy). This class is designed for beginners and those with some experience, too! Students must bring their own point & shoot digital camera, USB cord, and memory stick to each class. (Lisa Smith, M.A., Film Production)

Painting & Drawing Endangered Species

9:00–10:20 | Grades 3-5 | Materials fee: $10
Giant Pandas, Grey Wolves, Bighorn Sheep, and Blue Whales are just some of the endangered species that we’ll draw and paint in this class.  We’ll learn about their habitats and environment, their hiding places, dangers, and friends, all while using paints, colored pencils, and chalks to make our creations!  (Jennine Hough, M.F.A., Painting)

Painting Like the Modern Masters, part 2

10:30-11:50 | Grades 5-8 | Materials fee: $12
This class is open to new and returning students!  We’ll study different artists from last session.  Do you like to paint and draw? Have you ever wondered how the masters worked?  In each class you’ll discover a different famous artist, study their life, the period in which they painted, and their artistic style. You’ll draw and paint while thinking and working like that artist. We’ll study masters such as Piet Mondrian, Henri Rousseau, and Roy Lichtenstein, and explore styles such as Abstract Expressionism and Pop art. No art experience necessary!  (Jennine Hough, M.F.A., Painting)

Physics is All Around Us!

9:00-10:20 | Grades 6-8 | Materials fee: $5
This class is open to new students and those who have taken Physics Is Phun.  New topics!  Physics:  it’s in your video games, on your school bus, behind the piano, and even in the refrigerator.  Physics is just waiting to explain hidden mysteries and neat tricks!  We’ll study the physics in music, Olympic sports, roller coasters, Hollywood special effects, rocketry, vacuums, cooking, and more.  We’ll experiment, model, and explore physics all around us!  (Team-taught by UNC Asheville Society of Physics students; James Perkins, Ph.D., Physics; and Randy Booker, Ph.D., Physcs, UNC Asheville Physics department)

Quilt in a Shoebox I, II, III

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-8 | Materials fee: none
You’ll be provided with a shoebox full of supplies needed for basic quilting. Beginning students will make a wall hanging using simple quilting techniques. Students who have attended previous sessions will learn more advanced techniques and design, such as a quilt block challenge or a crazy quilt pillow. Each class will consist of beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. What can you do with a shoebox of supplies? Come find out! (Team-taught by Joan Tolley and members of the Asheville Quilt Guild)

Spoken Word Poetry

10:30-11:50 | Grades 5-8 | Materials fee: $2
Express yourself!  Not a poet?  Not to worry!  In this supportive, inspiring environment that combines writing and performance, you’ll learn techniques to turn your words into performance poetry, full of rhythm, exploding with expression, and overflowing with style.  Theatre and writing exercises will sharpen your performance skills and get your words and ideas flowing.  We’ll watch some youth poetry slam performances, learn about the evolution of spoken word poetry, and practice your own ideas.  Got something to say?  Let your voice be heard!  (Erinn Huntley, B.A., Theatre & English)

Starry, Starry Night

9:00-10:20, 10:30-11:50 | Grades 3-5 | Materials fee:  $8
Join us as we learn about the night sky!  What science and folklore can we find in the stars?  What are the basics in choosing and using a telescope?  How can we create and find resources to further our understanding of the stars?  We’ll take “planet walks,” build a take-home solar system model, and learn how to identify constellations.  Create a star chart for navigation, discuss the Hubble Space Telescope, explore the zodiac, eclipses, legends, and more!  (Kristy Stiefel, B.A., Elementary Education)

Theatre Arts

9:00-10:20 | Grades 5-8 | Materials fee: $2
Sharpen your skills of communication and creativity through theatre arts!  Improvisation, group games, and movement and acting exercises will allow us to explore core theatre performance concepts in a welcoming, group setting.  Learn stage directions, projection, and other theatre basics.  Become more aware of yourself and the space around you while having a great time!  No experience necessary, just an open mind and willingness to try!  Wear comfortable clothing.  (Erinn Huntley, B.A., Theatre & English)