Summer 2023 Group Class Schedule
Virtual and in-person group and private classes.
Registration is open now. Spots are limited.
Summer enrollment is per calendar month in June, July & August.
To enroll or inquire, please email or contact me via the form on the website.
Want private classes, not group?
Please reach out to be placed on a waiting list.
Wishing you a light-hearted summer!
Janel
Voces y Vistas
Voices & Views: A Spanish Music & Conversation Class
Tuesdays, 5:20-6:00 p.m. Middle and High School, online class
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
The only way to learn to speak a new language is by listening and speaking...a lot!
Music is among the most powerful mechanisms for lasting language acquisition, and the rich and diverse international community of Latin American, Spanish and Latinx music artists opens a vibrant and highly engaging auditory world of thought-provoking and upbeat inquiry.
In this class we will simultaneously build Spanish vocabulary and a Spotify playlist.
Using song lyrics and popular music as a point of departure for vocabulary study and conversation, each class we will read/study the lyrics of a new song, listen to or watch a performance by the original recording artist, and then engage in related exercises designed to foster conversation and listening comprehension.
Explored themes will include: authentic identity, justice and courage, the planet and environment, friendship, and the power of hope and optimism.
Musical artists/groups whose work we may explore: Marc Anthony, David Rees, Shakira, Diego Torres, Bomba Estéreo, Carlos Vives, Alisa Amadour, among others.
Voices & Views: A Spanish Music & Conversation Class
Tuesdays, 5:20-6:00 p.m. Middle and High School, online class
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
The only way to learn to speak a new language is by listening and speaking...a lot!
Music is among the most powerful mechanisms for lasting language acquisition, and the rich and diverse international community of Latin American, Spanish and Latinx music artists opens a vibrant and highly engaging auditory world of thought-provoking and upbeat inquiry.
In this class we will simultaneously build Spanish vocabulary and a Spotify playlist.
Using song lyrics and popular music as a point of departure for vocabulary study and conversation, each class we will read/study the lyrics of a new song, listen to or watch a performance by the original recording artist, and then engage in related exercises designed to foster conversation and listening comprehension.
Explored themes will include: authentic identity, justice and courage, the planet and environment, friendship, and the power of hope and optimism.
Musical artists/groups whose work we may explore: Marc Anthony, David Rees, Shakira, Diego Torres, Bomba Estéreo, Carlos Vives, Alisa Amadour, among others.
Spanish, Music & Motor Skills
Caregiver & Me, in person, Palo Alto, CA (Ages 0-6)
Note: For the in-person class, a vaccinated adult must be present with your child.
Please provide proof of vaccination at time of enrollment.
Tuesdays, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
Contextualizing new vocabulary with a wide range of highly engaging, age-appropriate songs, finger plays, and movement, we work thematically through word groups (i.e. the body, African animals, farm animals, pets, weather), simultaneously emphasizing colors, counting, etc., with the intention of building a broad Spanish vocabulary base.
This class uses humor, puppets, visual aids, movement and a theatrical approach to language transmission. Music is a constant presence in the class and as we intentionally repeat lyrics and melodies, children as young as 18 months begin to sing along.
Caregiver & Me, in person, Palo Alto, CA (Ages 0-6)
Note: For the in-person class, a vaccinated adult must be present with your child.
Please provide proof of vaccination at time of enrollment.
Tuesdays, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
Contextualizing new vocabulary with a wide range of highly engaging, age-appropriate songs, finger plays, and movement, we work thematically through word groups (i.e. the body, African animals, farm animals, pets, weather), simultaneously emphasizing colors, counting, etc., with the intention of building a broad Spanish vocabulary base.
This class uses humor, puppets, visual aids, movement and a theatrical approach to language transmission. Music is a constant presence in the class and as we intentionally repeat lyrics and melodies, children as young as 18 months begin to sing along.
Material Matters
Spanish, Design Thinking & Art
Thursdays, 5:00-5:45 pm., in person, Palo Alto, CA, ages (8-12)
Summer classes begin on June 8, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
As a point of departure for building functional vocabulary, in this Spanish art and design class we will study the unusual materials used by a range of well-known (and lesser known) artists. Each week we will look at the properties of a unique material through the lens of artistic exploration. For example, the work of sculptors Herb Williams (crayons) and Molly Gombardella (pencils), Janina Mello Landini (rope), Georgie Poulariani (scrap metal), Steve Martin (wire), Linda Biggers (eggshell), Jane Perkins (repurposed plastics), among others.
In this way, we push back at functional fixedness* and simultaneously expand our creativity and language skills.
2D and 3D Building/Art in Spanish
Exploring the design potential of the week's featured art material, in each class we will make art or engage in design thinking of our own. I place a heavy emphasis on open-ended creative experimentation and ask students to fully embrace the inevitable reality of mistake-making and mishaps in the creative process.
*Note: Functional fixedness in psychology is a type of cognitive bias that blocks people's ability to use an object for something other than its originally intended use.
Spanish, Design Thinking & Art
Thursdays, 5:00-5:45 pm., in person, Palo Alto, CA, ages (8-12)
Summer classes begin on June 8, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
As a point of departure for building functional vocabulary, in this Spanish art and design class we will study the unusual materials used by a range of well-known (and lesser known) artists. Each week we will look at the properties of a unique material through the lens of artistic exploration. For example, the work of sculptors Herb Williams (crayons) and Molly Gombardella (pencils), Janina Mello Landini (rope), Georgie Poulariani (scrap metal), Steve Martin (wire), Linda Biggers (eggshell), Jane Perkins (repurposed plastics), among others.
In this way, we push back at functional fixedness* and simultaneously expand our creativity and language skills.
2D and 3D Building/Art in Spanish
Exploring the design potential of the week's featured art material, in each class we will make art or engage in design thinking of our own. I place a heavy emphasis on open-ended creative experimentation and ask students to fully embrace the inevitable reality of mistake-making and mishaps in the creative process.
*Note: Functional fixedness in psychology is a type of cognitive bias that blocks people's ability to use an object for something other than its originally intended use.
Animal Antics
Spanish, Games, and Art
Tuesdays, 3:30-4 p.m. (6 to 10) on Zoom
Thursdays, 4:05-4:50 p.m. (ages 4.5 to 9) in person, Palo Alto, CA.
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and June 8, 2023 respectively and run in June, July & August.
With a new animal (and an accompanying musical message to assist with retention) featured each week, this class employs humor, memory, movement, art and interactive play to provide a powerful context for effective and engaging language acquisition. While the class also has a Spanish reading component, children who are not yet literate will not be at a disadvantage.
Art & Games in Spanish
During each class we engage in both a topic-relevant art/craft project and game, both of which are designed to foster language acquisition. The relaxed and focused time provides us with an ideal environment for natural language absorption.
Spanish, Games, and Art
Tuesdays, 3:30-4 p.m. (6 to 10) on Zoom
Thursdays, 4:05-4:50 p.m. (ages 4.5 to 9) in person, Palo Alto, CA.
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and June 8, 2023 respectively and run in June, July & August.
With a new animal (and an accompanying musical message to assist with retention) featured each week, this class employs humor, memory, movement, art and interactive play to provide a powerful context for effective and engaging language acquisition. While the class also has a Spanish reading component, children who are not yet literate will not be at a disadvantage.
Art & Games in Spanish
During each class we engage in both a topic-relevant art/craft project and game, both of which are designed to foster language acquisition. The relaxed and focused time provides us with an ideal environment for natural language absorption.
Pajamas & Literacy (ENGLISH)
Thursdays, 5:55-6:40 p.m. (4-7 years) in person, Palo Alto, CA
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
With funny puppets, engaging imagery for visual learners, rhyming, and word games, we will play with word groups and learn about their functions.
The primary goal of the class is to inspire a love of reading and an openness to and excitement about letters and literacy.
This class is appropriate for all children who have shown an interest in letters and their sounds. It is also designed for children in non-English language immersion programs, and children for whom English is not a first language.
Thursdays, 5:55-6:40 p.m. (4-7 years) in person, Palo Alto, CA
Summer classes begin on June 6, 2023 and run in June, July & August.
With funny puppets, engaging imagery for visual learners, rhyming, and word games, we will play with word groups and learn about their functions.
The primary goal of the class is to inspire a love of reading and an openness to and excitement about letters and literacy.
This class is appropriate for all children who have shown an interest in letters and their sounds. It is also designed for children in non-English language immersion programs, and children for whom English is not a first language.