2013 SPARKS A summer program, designed to SPARK the imagination and creativity of gifted learners is here! The vision of Jeffco SPARKS is to empower the dreams and passions of high ability and gifted learners in order to build a knowledge base for the future. We are committed to providing enriching experiences that promote the development of the whole child. Through a socially stimulating environment, learners will experience unique intellectual learning, leadership development, artistic opportunities, creative expression, as well as critical and creative problem.
July 15 - July 26 Wheat Ridge Middle 7101 West 38th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
ADVANCED ANIMAL ROBOTIC CREATIONS Creative thought and a love for animals brings this advanced course to life as we explore through the Rainforest of Endangered Species, Animals of All Kinds ( Sea Creatures and Beyond), and Unique Programming. In this class, we will adventure to the zoo to learn more about the animal creations that we would love to design and program. A child must be able to program and have had previous experience with Robotics & Engineering- NXT Lego Mindstorm in SPARKS .
Age: 9-14 Available: 12:30-3:30pm
Amazing Adaptations
My Journal July 15, 2013
Description: You will travel to four of Earth's major biomes to discover what it would be like to live there, and to figure out how plants and animals have adapted their bodies, diets and behaviors to survive there. You will discover the plants and animals of the tundra, desert, rain forest and savannah. Your mission is to create a field journal for each biome, detailing the plants and animals that you discover, and documenting the wonderful adaptations they use to survive! You will also act out scenarios about how plants and animals in each biome survive and will create crafts that will enhance your understanding! Age: 4-6 Available: 2:00-3:30pm
American Girl
Description: Ever wonder what life would be like in the past? This class will focus on American history through the lens of the American Girl series. Each session will focus on the life of an American Girl through stories, music, food, and crafts. American Girl dolls are welcome!
Age: 7-10
Available: 10:00-11:30
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Students will investigate how, throughout history, structural necessity has inspired creativity. They will explore the scientific and mathematical principles that allow skyscrapers, bridges, domes, and other structures to stand and endure; then, they will design and execute models of these architectural mainstays. Most importantly, students will learn to appreciate the aesthetic element of architectural design: they will view individual and collective elements of the cityscape as avenues of functional artistic expression.
Grade: 4th-6th Available: 8:30-11:30am
Board Game Bonanza
Do you like to play board games? Have you ever wanted to create your own? Then this is the class for you! This class provides an opportunity to think outside the box. Creative thinking and problem-solving skills are developed using entertaining and thought provoking games and puzzles. Not only will you identify and analyze strategies needed to win popular board games, but you will get to research, design and create your own board game.
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Description: This class will allow your child to express himself/herself and to create. Expression can come in the form of words, or it can come through the arts-painting, drawing, dancing, making music, sculpting and dramatic play. It can also come in the form of ideas, such as looking at a problem in a new way to find a brilliant solution, mediating conflicts with peers, making choices and showing leadership.
AGE: 4-6 Available: 10:00am-11:30am 2:00-3:30pm
Creative Sculpture Description: Do you ever feel like there is not enough time in art class? Then this is your opportunity to use your imagination and creativity to the fullest extent. After choosing and sketching a subject to work with, you will create sculptures both small and large. You will expand your problem solving and art making skills by working with modeling and Model Magic clay, paper mache, as well as watercolor and tempera paints. Come ready to be creative, use your critical thinking skills, and get messy in the process!
PAINT SHIRT REQUIRED! Age: 7-9 Available: 12:30-2:00pm 2:00-3:30pm
Age: 10-14 Available: 8:30-11:30am
Curtain Call: Own the stage, be a star, show the world who you are!
Description Calling all actors and actresses to come create short skits, monologues, and take part in our final presentation. This is a fun filled class, with no expectations where kids can insert their humor and imagination into all activities. Kids will have an opportunity to learn about stage presence and acting lingo.
AGE: 8-14 Available: 8:30-11:30am
Description: This class will challenge the designer and builder in you! You will learn the essential concepts of aerodynamics and structure while building and competing in various challenges. The design and build challenges include: • Catapult - see how far your design will launch an object. • Bridge made of toothpicks - see whose bridge will support the most weight. • Glider - see whose glider will fly the farthest. • Container - to protect 3 eggs from breaking in an egg drop.
Grade: 4th-6th Available: 12:30-3:30
Everything Princess
Your little princess will enjoy a fun filled week of activities including story time, music, dancing and magical princess crafts. We will also learn how to be a perfect princess with some princess etiquette. Please come and join in the princess fun! AGE: 4-6 Available: 8:30-10:00 / 12:30-2:00
Everything Science Description: Curiosities abound as we learn to explore our world with a scientific eye. Your child will jump into scientific investigations by posing questions and finding solutions. Your child will delve into science through exploring Dr. Suess’s Ooblek, Eric Carle’s The Honey and the Robber, and recipes for edible play dough!
AGE: 4-6 Available: 10:00-11:30am 12:30-2:00
AGE: 7-9 Available: 8:30-10:00
"So... be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!" A corner stone in children's literature, Dr. Seuss can invoke creativity as well as teach valuable lessons. Through the works of Dr. Seuss, your child shall discover their place in the world, as well as their responsibilities to the earth. They shall explore geography and use their imaginations to create a place all their own, while also working with grammatical elements, such as onomatopoeia and rhyme.
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Fiber Arts and Textile Design Are you fascinated by colors and textures? Do you see patterns and designs when you look at our world? In this class, we will explore the art of fabrics and textiles and create a permanent piece to display. Students will learn how to utilize color to achieve their specific mood and purpose, how to dye fabrics, how to select textures to enhance a piece and create symbolism, how to incorporate natural textures into a visual scene, and how to use the needle arts to bring a piece to life. We will sew our heart and soul into a fabric masterpiece!
AGE:7-10 Available: 8:30-10:00/10:00-11:30 AGE: 10-14 Available: 12:30-3:30
Description: In-depth literature study of the Harry Potter series. Have you read and re-read the Harry Potter series? Have you watched the movies again and again? Have you ever wondered what your patronus would be? Have you ever found the errors in J. K. Rowlings writing? Have you ever just wanted to know more about the wonderful world of Harry Potter? If so, please join us as we jump into the literature!
Prerequisite: Read All 7 Harry potter novels AGE: 9-14 Available: 8:30-11:30pm
FORENSIC SCIENCE Students will use hands-on lab activities to solve “crimes.” They will love collecting dental impressions, studying their classmates’ fingerprints, looking at tool marks left at the scene of the crime, analyzing mysterious powders, and discovering the various types of counterfeit checks.
AGE: 11-14 Available: 2:00-3:30pm
GREAT INVENTORS Great Inventors
Age: 10-14
Available: 8:30-11:30
Description: Take a journey through the great inventors of all time. Starting with Leonardo Da Vinci students will be introduced to the life, world, and incredible mind of Leonardo Da Vinci through hands on building projects that explore his ideas. Students will have the opportunity to bring some of these ideas to life! We will also look at other great inventors like Ben Franklin; from his groundbreaking scientific discoveries and inventions to his career as a writer, printer, and politician, giving young readers a comprehensive look at the man who gave us the lightning rod, the harmonica, bifocals, the post office, the first public library, and so much more!
Her Majesty the Queen Few women in history have sat on the throne as the ruling monarch, but those that did made quite an impact. Some stole their thrones, others had to fight for their right to rule, and others ruled reluctantly. Join me as we discover how several famous Queen’s got their thrones, how long they ruled, and explore the changes that they made in art, science, politics, and their economy.
Age: 7-14 Available: 12:30-2:00pm
Description: Take a leap into history’s most famous crimes and criminals. Let the tales of Marie Antoinette, Jesse, James, Anne Boleyn, Al Capone, and many others show you how history was changed because of tragedy. You will go into an in depth look at the details behind the crimes, and how these personalities forever changed the face of history. Whether you like learning about history or true crimes, this course will challenge you!
AGE: 11-14 Available: 10:00-11:30
Hunger Games You fortunate few have been selected for a most prestigious honor: you are this year’s tributes! During the next two weeks you will train and learn the ways of the wilderness so that you can weather the storms and work your way to eternal victory in the Tribute’s Triathlon. However your responsibilities don’t end there. During this process you will also have the opportunity to become a true leader, just like Katniss! Come study the ways of the world, and discover the power of knowledge as you construct your own District, and discover what it takes to form a successful nation.
AGE: 11-14 Available: 8:30-11:30am
Knit and Crochet Description: There’s more to knitting than meets the eye! The rhythmic action of knitting/crocheting benefits the mind and body as it soothes stress, improves hand-eye coordination, inspires creativity and provides a work out for the brain. Join this hands-on class to learn the basic techniques of knitting and crocheting, the ins and outs of yarn, how to read a pattern, how to select an appropriate project and much more.
Requirements: $6.00 materials fee (participants will be allowed to keep a set of knitting needles, a crochet hook, and projects).
Age: 7-9 Available: 8:30-10:00am Age: 9+ Available: 10:00-11:30am
MARVELOUS BIOMES & ZOOLOGY Description: Marvelous Biomes and Zoology takes kids on a circumnavigation of the globe to learn about the Earth’s terrestrial and aquatic biomes. They’ll wander through forests, sizzle in deserts, shiver in the tundra, plunge beneath the seas to explore coral reefs, and slog through marshy waters. Along the way, kids will encounter flora and fauna adapted for survival in each unique climate zone. They’ll learn about learn about gnarly krumholz trees, bioluminescent sea creatures, camouflage, carnivorous plants, and blubbery marine critters. In each biome, people who use science in their jobs are highlighted, whether at the site of a disastrous oil spill or an oh-so cool mastodon.
Age: 9-12 Available: 2:00-3:30pm
Math Statistics using Fantasy Football
Description: One of the best ways to create interest and passion about mathematics is to show its application in real life situations. Fantasy football can help students acquire a love for mathematics and can be a great bonding experience for both friends and family. In this class we explore the basics of how fantasy football is played, and learn how to create the best team we can. Skills that students learn include conversion, estimation, cost and benefit analysis, graphing and opportunity cost. At the end of the class we will create our own fantasy football league and compete for a prize during next football season.
Age: 9+ Available: 10:00-11:30 / 12:30-2:00
Who is ready to get up and groove? This class offers students the opportunity to have a variety of experiences incorporating music, rhythm, and movement. Students will explore music with the use of instruments, dance, movement, vocals, and song writing. Age: 4-6 Available: 8:30-10:00am
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Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus Exploring Mythology and Life through Literature Description: Join us as we venture on our own quest through classical mythology and archetypal themes inspired by the Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series. Students will take part in inspiring discussions, interesting writing projects, and LOTS of fun hands-on activities. Prerequisites: Familiarity with Percy Jackson novels Requirements: One plain orange t-shirt
Age: 8-11 Available: 12:30-3:30 pm
In this course students will begin by taking a personality test to determine their own individual personality type. We will discuss how these different personalities contain both strengths and weaknesses, but are each essential to contributing to a balanced environment. Students will begin to associate personality types with people in their lives such as family members, colleagues, and friends. We will discuss body language and how to present your best self in their future career goals. Students will spend time evaluating how to become the best version of themselves and how to interact appropriately with various personality types. Students will begin to learn about and perceive the world and people around them and discuss skills that will allow them to appropriately interact with various types of people. Students will interact with their peers through various challenging and mentally stimulating activities where they have to put themselves in the leadership role. We will discuss the best practices to become leaders and which careers they desire in the future. Students will also be able to profile and evaluate those people in their lives that they identify as leaders and the reasons and qualities those people possess. They will take a day to dress up as those people they consider leaders or motivating forces and present them to the class. A field trip to a designated non- profit organization may be arranged to see how they can lead in society through volunteering efforts which looks great on college applications and resumes and build their understanding of other people. Students will actively improve leadership, communication, self awareness, time and stress management, critical thinking and relationship building skills through this two week course.
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With pleasure, we invite you to come to our Pinkalicious land. Please?! We will have so much fun dancing around in each of Victoria and Elizabeth Kann’s Pinkalicious books, and we’ll find some magical surprises while we are there. We will make crafts, cupcakes, and really anything that is pink during our hour and a half land where imagination, politeness, and kindness rule!! All while never forgetting that PINK is the limit. Oh, don’t forget to wear your pink, but if you do, no worries. I am sure we can find something. We are going to have SO much fun. See you soon! Hugs and Pink!
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With pleasure, we invite you to come to our Purplicious land. Please?! We will have so much fun dancing around in each of Victoria and Elizabeth Kann’s Purplicious books, and we’ll find some magical surprises while we are there. We will make crafts, cupcakes, and really anything that is purple during our hour and a half land where imagination, politeness, and kindness rule!! All while never forgetting that PURPLE is the limit. Oh, don’t forget to wear your purple, but if you do, no worries. I am sure we can find something. We are going to have SO much fun. See you soon!
Available: 2:00-3:30 Age: 4-6
Did you ever want to create, invent, laugh, and learn while bring your imagination to life? In this course, students will research information on engineering and robotics. Using this information, students will create a robot incorporating a Lego NXT creation and program their robots to move, talk, and develop in action.
AGE: 6-14 Available: 8:30-10:00am/10:00-11:30am
Science Experiments you can EAT Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 2 weeks
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value*
Description: Mmm, Mmm, Good! Who knew knowledge could taste so good? In this class students will be learning about how science applies to the real world through tasty experiments that will bring a hands-on and engaging perspective to science basics. You are what you eat... in this class you’re a smart cookie!
Age 7-9 Available: 12:30-2:00 * Percent daily Values are based on a GREAT EDUCATION!
Sports in Theory & Practice
This class is designed for students interested in learning skills, rules, and strategies of team sports. This course will include daily skill instruction and implementation of those skills into a competitive game setting. Sports may include, but are not limited to: basketball, flag football, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball. This course will also include daily cardiovascular fitness. Age: 6-14 Available: 8:30-10:00 / 2:00-3:30
Grade: 7-14 Available: 8:30-11:30 / 12:30-3:30
Colorado has one of the most diverse landscapes in the continental United States. We have the rugged Rocky Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes, and the vast Eastern Plains. The different environments provide a lot of hidden dangers; however, they also provide an abundance of solutions. This course is designed to teach kids the “Art of Self-Reliance.” We will learn how to produce a basic survival kit, tailored to each individual trip. In addition, the kids will become well equipped with the S.T.O.P technique and W.E.T technique’s taught in wilderness survival. But more importantly, the kids will learn to adapt and improvise to their situation, so they can overcome their obstacles and SURVIVE. We will finish the course off with a final survival project, which will challenge every student to have fun and critically think.
NO you're not going to eat bugs! Unless of course, you want to :)
Description: Within each of us there is a superhero, a powerful being ready to do good deeds to save the world! Your child will use their imagination and creativity to develop their superhero costume, side kick, super powers, and potions. They will use math to measure their super abilities, science to create super hero potions, and literacy to document their superhero experiences, along with reading about superheroes in fiction and non-fiction literature. Age: 4-6 Available: 2:00-3:30pm
WILDLIFE FORENSICS This course provides an introduction to wildlife crime. Students learn about international laws that govern wildlife and wildlife trade and examine the impacts that humans make on various animal populations. Students are trained in forensic techniques, including distinguishing between antlers and horns, fingerprinting, DNA fingerprinting, mammal identification using skulls and hair, blood-typing, and interpretation of trace fossils and tracks. Once trained, student investigators apply their newly learned forensic techniques as they investigate a potential wildlife crime, determine whether or not a crime has been committed, choose appropriate analysis techniques, and draw conclusions about who-done-it. After the forensic work is finished, students interview a cast of characters who add eyewitness accounts to the data. Teams work together to pool forensic data, press charges, and finish up with dramatic court procedures.
Grade: 6th-8th Available: 8:30-11:30
Wondrous Words Do you delight in language? Does art stimulate your imagination? Then join us in writing wondrous words and creating illuminating illustrations. Our class will drink in poetry and study great art. Then we will become the masters, creating our own inspiring pieces. At the end of the session students will entertain an audience with a poetry reading and a gallery display of original artwork. Write, create, imagine and dream with us this summer.! AGE: 7-9 Available: 8:30-10:00am AGE: 9-14 Available: 12:30-3:30/10:00-11:30
World Celebrations & Expression Travel the world with excitement and cause for celebration. Your child shall study geography, while incorporating celebrations and traditions from many countries, including dance, food, and local customs. They shall learn native dances, the reason for dance, meaning of movements, as well as some local dress or foods. Explore dance and festivities from Africa, Brazil, and many more!!
Age: 7-11 Available: 10:00-11:30am
YOGA Goals: Energy Attention Integration of Yoga as a teaching tool across all curricula Character building Environmental awareness Connect to nature Fitness fun Feeling great Objectives: Provide students with simple behavior management strategies. Revitalize students’ energy. Establish appropriate outlets for excessive energy and emotional overload. Reduce test anxiety via relaxation strategies. Improve concentration. Promote self-esteem, self-control, and respect for self and others. Link learning to movement, addressing bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Honor students’ individual learning styles. Integrate health, English/language arts, mathematics, fine arts, science, social studies, and music curriculum. Build cooperation and communication skills. Improve coordination, strength, balance, poster, and flexibility.
AGE: 4-6 8:30-10:00
AGE: 7-9 2:00-3:30
Young Movie Makers Description: Do you like movies? Would you even like to make and star in your own movie? Well then this class is for you! The class is two weeks long and will include all the elements of making a movie. With the help of an experienced Gifted and Talented teacher who has a passion for working with young children and technology, you will create your own story idea, write a script, film and edit a movie. Your final product will be ready to share with your family and friends.
AGE: 7-10 Available: 10:00-11:30am AGE: 11-14 Available: 8:30-10:00am
Classes for the GT Parent
Morning (8:30-11:30) July 15-19: Fueling 21st Century Gifted Parenting with Creativity July 22-26: Love & Logic-Easy Tips for the Gifted Parent Afternoon (12:30-3:30) July 15-26: Parent Scrapbooking|Parent Support Time
Nurturing Your Child’s Creativity: Tips for Parents Dr. Richard Shade Jeffco SPARKS program
All children are creative. They are curious, ask questions, explore, are imaginative, and need self-expression. The challenge for you is to help your child become even more creative and support them to maintain their creativity through adolescence and adulthood, don’t you agree? Creativity is a necessary 21st century skill, isn’t it? This workshop provides suggestions and strategies to parents about how to foster and encourage creativity and creative thinking in your child. Help teach your child to think creatively without the box! You will learn: - How to view mistakes differently for the rest of your life - Why many creative behaviors are viewed negatively by teachers and parents - Simple steps you can take to create a more creative climate at home - How play is essential in the creative process - A number of easy, fun, inexpensive creative activities you can do at home tonight with your child - And much more! Workshop Goals: - To acquire new skills and activities related to creativity - To plan to apply these at home - To share your experiences with other parents - To have fun!
Love & Logic Parenting Easy Tips & Techniques for Gifted Kids Dr. Richard Shade Jeffco SPARKS program
Parenting gifted children can be demanding at times, don’t you agree? Their questions are non-stop. They remind us of promises we forgot long ago. Their chatter is constant. They are born lawyers. And neatness? What's neatness? If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Parenting is a challenge - any child, any age! No child is born with an owner's manual, and gifted children come with their own unique challenges. This workshop presents simple techniques designed to effectively assist parents in dealing with these everyday situations. As a result, the children become better decision makers, problem solvers, and thinkers while their parents become less stressed and enjoy parenting more! You will learn: - The pluses and minuses of different parenting styles - How to easily shared control (and the benefits) - The power of choices - Fighting words vs. thinking words - Five steps to solving problems - The advantages of delaying consequences - How to avoid Brain Drain – yours! - And more! Workshop Goals: - To share your experiences with other parents (you are not alone!) - To introduce you to the Love & Logic Philosophy - To allow you to acquire new parenting skills and techniques to try - To begin a plan to apply some of these new skills at home