2019 Summer Experience
Esther Elementary - For incoming Kindergarten & 1st graders
These courses are designed for students entering Kindergarten and First grade.
Kindergarten Experiences
Junior Jacket Orientation
For incoming Kindergarten students
This course is designed for incoming Kindergarten students and will focus on life as a new Yellowjacket. Students will learn the basics of entering Kindergarten, how to navigate the building, school behavior expectations, and the important skills of being a first-time student. This class will take 2 field trips.
First Grade Experiences
3, 2, 1 Action!
Bring out the actor in your first grader in this fun-filled summer theater course. In this class, children will be involved in a full theatrical production, complete with simple costumes, set design, singing, acting, and loads of fun. We will be taking two field trips during the four weeks. We will also debut our performance in the last week of summer school.
A Pirate's Treasure for Me!
In A Pirate's Treasure for Me, our class will take on the adventure of a Pirate's Life. In this class, we will discover the challenges that Pirate's face with animals they encounter, weather on the seas, and finding the treasure! Throughout the course, we will build pirate ships and treasure boxes, go on treasure hunts, learn how to read and create maps, along with many other exciting activities! We will plan on taking our adventures to HaHa Tonka, Nelson Park, Bennett Springs, and Wonders of Wildlife! Come join our class on this great pirate adventure to find your treasure!
Calling All SuperHeroes!
This Summer Experience is all about finding our inner Super Powers! SuperHeroes are hard workers and must train mentally and physically. In this class, we will discover and perfect our Super Powers through brain games, physical training, team-building activities, and creation stations. Training will also include STEAM activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. SuperHero Field Trips will include watching the Toy Story 4 Movie at the movie theater and SuperHero Art at The Smiling Goat Art Center in Lebanon. Please join us as we prepare to be SuperHero Leaders of the World!
Circus
Come Experience Summer Under the Big Top!! Come one come all to the greatest study of circus animals. From the soft and cuddly to the creepy and untamed, join the exploration of animal life and ecology. Through hands-on activities, we’ll learn about the habitats of animals, their life cycles, their place in a food chain and their daily way of life. In this class, we’ll enjoy books, art projects, games, movies, popcorn, and outdoor exploration. Possible field trips include visiting the zoo in Springfield to see the animals and visiting the local park.
Dino-Archaeology Adventures: Become a Dinosaur Expert in Summer School
Let's go on an adventure of prehistoric proportions! We will have a dino-mite time with fiction and non-fiction stories, dinosaur math problem-solving, digging into the past with fossil exploration and exciting dinosaur themed trips. In this class, we will use technology to become junior paleontologists and will virtually explore and learn all about dinosaurs. Our trips will include Missouri Institute of Natural Science in Springfield and some Dino-Painting to bring our learning to life! Join the fun and hands-on learning of Dino-Archaeology Adventures!
Get in the Game!
Don't be "board" this summer! Join in on an interactive class that offers a variety of amazing activities such as creative play, board games, math games, reading games, sports games, word games, water games, book games, snack games, indoor games, outdoor games, and so many more! In addition to all of the game mania, your child will actively participate in taking turns, good sportsmanship, confidence building, strategizing, following directions, and making new friends!
Imaginations Gone Wild: Discover Your Inner Artist
While exploring rich literature, students will be exposed to a variety of art mediums, which they will be able to manipulate into their own personal creations. In this class, students will be working on charcoal, watercolor, chalk, print-making, colored pencils, tissue paper, oil pastels and so much more. We will incorporate some science experiments into our research of different mediums/processes. We will make plans to visit the Springfield Art Museum and participate in hands-on workshops, as well as, create a special piece at a local art shop. We will display our masterpieces and give families an opportunity to visit our school gallery. Come and "Discover your Inner Artist!"
LEGO Kingdom
Calling all Knights and Princesses for this land of hands-on learning. In this class, students will be highly engaged as they recreate scenes from their favorite fairy tales and storybooks using LEGOS, Play-Doh, and their magical imaginations. Knights and Princesses will be put to the test in daily LEGO challenges that involve critical thinking and problem-solving. Grab your crown and take a seat in LEGO Kingdom. This summer experience includes a field trip to the Castle Courtyard and The Smiling Goat in Lebanon.
Once Upon a STEM
We are going to take the fairy tales that you know and love and add some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). We will ask, imagine, plan and create ways to help Hansel and Gretel Trap the Witch, construct a New House for Wolf, build a New Bed for Goldilocks and make a Troll Proof Goat Bridge. Possible field trips include exploring Itty Bitty City in Springfield and painting a fairy tale at The Smiling Goat. Hope you can join us for a Once Upon a Time Adventure! Knights in Shining Armor and Princesses this is the class for you!
Shake, Shout, Move It All About
We will be exploring a variety of cultural dances, rhythm, and movement through literature and math. In this class, students will be exposed to a variety of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, African Dance, ribbon dance, etc. Students will have the opportunity to explore dance, rhythm, and movement through GoNoodle programs as well. Possible field trips will be to School of the Performing Arts and Champion Athletics. The students will have an opportunity to "show off" the skills they have learned in a special performance at the conclusion of Summer Experience.