2020-21 Arts Lead Learning Program Announcement for Middle Grades

Arts Lead Learning (ALL) is a program developed at TR Makers Co whereby the arts, such as visual, performing, and literary arts, are the catalyst for learning about Science, Math, Social Studies, English and more. This program helps every type of learner, by providing hands-on, auditory and visual learning experiences that are aligned with the SC curriculum standards. Whether you are homeschooling your student or providing supplemental educational opportunities, these classes are a great addition to your student’s education. Register now for a single class or join us for multiple over the semester!

Class sizes will remain limited to 9 students in studio, with the opportunity to also attend virtually via our simulcast. All students will be provided the supplies needed to complete the class and guided instruction from our teaching staff. Middle grade classes are offered as an afternoon session (1p-4p) every other Friday during our fall and spring semesters.

Attendance Type

In Studio Attendance

Students can be dropped off for class up to 10 minutes prior to their scheduled class time. All staff will be wearing a mask when in contact with students, but it is not required of the students. Students will have their own dedicated workspace and tool caddie inside the studio. Hand washing will be encouraged and access to personal sanitizing spray bottles will be pointed out at the beginning of class. *New* We will provide a snack for all participants and take a short break during class. If your student would rather have a packed snack from home, you most certainly can opt to bring in your own. Students are encouraged to bring a bottled water to have with them at their work station.   

Virtual Attendance

Prior to your class a supply packet will be created and available for local pick-up or mailing.  The supply packet will include most of the necessary items to complete class along side students in studio.  An email will be sent with instructions for meeting us online for class. Students will meet us in the virtual classroom 15 minutes after the scheduled class start time. This gives everyone a chance to get their technology working and for us to get our class instructions and attendance out of the way. This simulcast experience on Zoom will allow students at home to feel like part of the class! Our virtual assistant and classroom teacher will be available to help your student throughout class.  

Cost

$45 – Includes materials packet and makers tools for creating our art projects, course booklet and at home extended learning materials, as well as the instruction from our teachers and virtual assistant (if applicable). 

Registration

Ready to join the class? Add this class or the multi-day pass to your cart. During checkout please indicate the student’s name and date of birth in the Order Notes under the Additional Information section. We will use this information to add your student to the roster and may reach out to see if you have any other student accommodations we can help with.  Prior to your student’s event we will send out an email reminder with final details. Classes will be marked SOLD OUT when all available spots are taken.

Discounts Available

Sibling Discount

Take advantage of 10% off each student’s class fees when paying for more than one sibling at a time. Simply add the code ALLSIB10 to your cart at Checkout and click Apply. Then after you click Proceed to Checkout include the name of each siblings in the Order Notes field under Additional Information.  Sibling discount cannot be used in combination with the early registration discount or other sales.

Multi-Day Pass Discounts

A student who would like to participate in multiple classes during a single semester can get a discounted rate by booking a 2-Day, 4-Day or Unlimited Day pass. Click the links included to see these options. Multi-day passes are intended for a single student and may not be transferred to another student.

Middle Grade Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 Schedule

Classes happen on select Friday afternoons from 1p-4p. All classes listed below will be held In Studio. Classes marked “Virtual” indicate that you can enroll as a virtual student during these class times. Students should be 11 to 16 years of age by the date of the class. Looking for Elementary Grade classes? Click here.

Register Now	Baseball Stats & Cracker Jacks: A Middle Grade Study in Mathematics  Create an infographic of your team, build a model stadium, and take a swing at understanding practical applications for probability and statistics. Sep 11 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Finding Your Voice: A Middle Grade Study in Writing & Rhetoric Evaluate your own artistic inclinations. Understand the value of your voice. Experiment with imitating a variety of writing styles and work through a variety of journaling exercises to discover ways you’re most comfortable expressing yourself. Then create a word-collage self-portrait as your culminating project. Sep 25 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Portrait of an Insect: A Middle Grade Study in Entomology Use a dichotomous key to identify and categorize insects. Create your own insects from natural materials. And construct an insect trap to continue your entomological studies at home. Oct 9 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Harlem Renaissance: A Middle Grade Study in History & the Arts Celebrate African American culture. Learn about the time period and amazing artistic achievements that occurred during the Harlem Renaissance. Through dance, music and literature, we will honor artists like Billy “Bojangles” Robinson, The Nicholas Brothers, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Claude McKay, Alain Locke, and Langston Hughes, among others. Get ready for a jazzy good time! Oct 23 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Stacked Maps & Survival Skills: A Middle Grade Study in Geography, Cartography, & Topography In this lesson, you’ll convert a flat contour map into a 3D stack model. Along the way, you’ll refine your map-reading skills and learn how to read some of nature’s signs to help you survive in the wild. Nov 6 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Tribal Life in the Upstate: A Middle Grade Study in Social Studies & Art Weave a Wampum belt. Create a talking stick. And construct a life-size Cherokee dwelling. Plus explore Point of View as we consider the influence European settlers had on tribal life in South Carolina. Nov 20 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Employing the Arts at a time of War and Depression: A Middle Grade Study in Art & History How can art bring peace during War times? Did artists really earn a living during the depression? We’ll be drawing lines to connect American artists through WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. Dec 11 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Haiku & Sushi: A Middle Grade Study in Japanese Literature & Culture Raw fish and veggies, wrapped in white rice and seaweed. An edible poem. Join us for this sensory-rich exploration of Japanese culture. Learn to write syllabic nature poems called haikus. Roll (and eat) your own sushi. Then trade in your chopsticks for a paintbrush and create a Japanese-inspired work of art. Feb 12 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Around & Around We Go: A Middle Grade Study in Physics Discover the force that connects a merry-go-round, race cars, and roller coasters as we talk circular motion. Experiment with these properties in several ways, even using liquid to create a mesmerizing spinner.  As we come to a stop, gravity will bring us back down, and we will conclude by creating our own pendulum art machine.   Feb 26 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Escaping World War II: A Study in Holocaust Literature & the Arts Discover the development of literature and the arts during an especially dark season in world history. We’ll look at literary works (from autobiography and nonfiction to historical fiction and even fantasy literature) that came out of or were inspired by the Second World War. And we’ll discover the part that art, drama, and dance played in helping humans process and even survive the Holocaust. Mar 12 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Writing with Carl Sandburg: A Middle Grade Study in Language Arts & American Culture Follow the journey of Carl Sandburg and discover how the son of Swedish immigrants, who traveled for a time as a hobo on the newly-built railroads of his day, embraced the common language of the American working class and branched out into his own style of writing, eventually becoming the Poet of the People. In this class you’ll create an illustration for one of Sandburg’s poems and write your own poem for optional submission in the annual Carl Sandburg poetry contest. Mar 26 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Safari Survey: A Middle Grade Study in African Art & Culture Survey Africa while creating your own illustrated map of the continent. Make your own African thumb piano. Craft an Adinkra cloth. And create your own pattern for a paper Kente. Apr 16 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Garden Methods from Here to Mars: A Middle Grade Study in Math & Biology Build your own square-foot garden box. Learn the formula for creating your own soil. Discuss hydroponics. And explore the possibility of growing things beyond our planet. Apr 30 :: Afternoon Session
Register Now	Into Uncharted Waters: A Middle Grade Study in Oceanography & Nonfiction Literature Cast away on the uncharted waters of the Atlantic Ocean as navigated prior to the 19th century. Join us as we wade through ocean currents and those who used them including kings, tradesmen and pirates. Build your own ship. Decide your motivation for trans-Atlantic passage. And create your crew’s creed of honor. May 14 :: Afternoon Session