Free Summer Distance Learning For Kids: Creative, Environmental, Yoga Programs and More
GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team
Free Summer Distance Learning For Kids: Creative, Environmental, Yoga Programs and More
Students can register through RIDE's Go Sign Me Up website, and classes will be taught virtually through Google Classroom.
Enrollment is open to all Rhode Island students, space is limited and RIDE will give priority to students in the core city districts or with financial needs.
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There are a variety of topics to choose from such as art, yoga, nature, and TEF's signature program, “Creative Squad."
CREATIVE SQUAD
Make new friends, read books, share stories, create art, tell jokes, play games and finally let loose during Miss Gail's 2-minute dance parties. Each session begins with a mindful moment, reading a book together and a short conversation about how the stories relate to our own feelings and life experiences. Then launch into a creative activity, such as puppet making, drawing, using the puppets to perform your own imaginative stories and more art projects. Six week series meet once a week for one hour sessions.
Creative Squad Team 1: Grades 2-3 • Starts Monday July 20th, 9-10am
Learn more and sign up here.
Creative Squad Team 2: Grades 4-5 • Starts Monday July 20th, 10:30-11:30 am
Learn more and sign up here.
Creative Squad Team 3: Grades 2-3 • Starts Tuesday July 21st, 9-10am
Learn more and sign up here.
Creative Squad Team 4: Grades 4-5 • Starts Tuesday July 21st, 10:30-11:30 am
Learn more and sign up here.
NATURE DRAWING
Learn to draw from Nature. Artist Eclipse Neillson will guide students step-by-step. Enjoyable for any skill level from beginner to advanced. Each week participants will use colored pencils to draw a plant, animal, bird or insect. The skills learned can easily be expanded into more projects students can do independently at home. While having fun drawing, students will learn science facts, vocabulary words and communication skills. Six week series meeting once a week for one hour sessions.
Nature Drawing Team 7: Grades 2-3, Starts Wednesday, July 22, 9:00-10:00am
Learn more and sign up here.
Nature Drawing Team 8: Grades 4-5, Starts Wednesday, July 22, 10:30-11:30am
Learn more and sign up here.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTIVE CLUB
Meet new friends, share stories about outdoor experiences and work together to come up with some creative solutions to address some of today's environmental problems. After creating a list of actions they can take in their everyday lives to help the environment, club members will be invited to co-produce a Story Walking Radio Hour podcast which will go online in the Fall of 2020. Each participant will get their own set of Wild Plant Magic Cards and a Detective Journal. Six week series meeting once a week for one hour sessions.
Environmental Detective Club Grades 4-5, Starts Tuesday July 21, 12:30-1:30pm
Learn more and sign up here.
SHRI YOGA
Start your morning with 30 minutes of yoga instruction. Each class consists of four components: introductions and intentions, physical practice, group mindfulness, and a community building activity. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that fosters cooperation and compassion. Shri is an acronym for Support, Honor, Respect and Inspire, and these core values are a part of every class. Six week series meeting once a week for thirty minute sessions.
Shri Yoga Team A Grades 3-6, Starts Tuesday, July 21, 10:30-11:00am
Learn more and sign up here.
Shri Yoga Team B Grades 3-6, Starts Tuesday, July 21,11:15-11:45am
Learn more and sign up here.
Shri Yoga Team C Grades 3-6, Starts Wednesday, July 22, 9:00-9:30am
Learn more and sign up here.
Shri Yoga Team D Grades 3-6, Starts Wednesday, July 22, 9:45-10:15am
Learn more and sign up here.
In addition to these virtual classes, TEF is organizing the other following activities.
MONTHLY CREATIVITY CONTEST
Empathy. Friendship. Teamwork. What do these words mean to you? Write a short story or poem, or draw a picture to express the monthly theme. Take a photo of your work. Then find the TEF Contest website page at www.theempowermentfactory.org/contests. Fill out the contest form and upload the photo of your artwork or story/poem to enter for a chance to win prizes. Become a “Community Hero” by spreading joy to others in your community, and earn a “Digital Creativity Badge” and “Digital Community Service Badge.” All Rhode Island students entering grades K-5 or 6-8 in the Fall are eligible.
“What is Friendship?” (July 15 – August 14)
“What is Teamwork?” (August 15- September 14)
“What is Happiness?” (September 15- October 14th)
READ-A-THON
Enter a 3-week reading contest, earn points, and help give books to hospitalized children. Keep track of the number of pages you read with a sibling, friend, adult or on your own. Write down the book titles and the number of pages read each day. Ask an adult to verify and initial each day's entry.
This summer Read-a-thon will launch on July 20th with a virtual presentation of the bi-lingual book The Jester Has Lost His Jingle by David Saltzman, followed by an official start date on July 27th. Registered students can begin logging their pages on TEF’s online student portal. Participants will earn a “Digital Literacy Badge,” and the students reading the most pages for their grade level will win a gift certificate to a local bookstore.
Learn more and sign up here.