Foothill Learning Academy
K-12 Homeschool Enrichment Program
Friday Seminars
Friday Fun-Day Seminars are stand alone, two hour, unique learning opportunities. Each seminar is designed to provide the student with an "snap-shot" of a specific topic, skill, or area of study. Seminars are held at Foothills Chruch in Cameron Park. To enroll in a Seminar, please contact the individual teacher.
Seminars are offered based on student demand & specific parent requests.
Please let us know what you would like to see offered in the future.
All Classes are held from 9-11 a.m. in Room 303/304. See Schedule page for class dates.
Dissection Labs
Grades 4-8 (3rd graders with special permission)
Fee: Rat Dissection $48
Other animals $40
Students will dive into the unexpected contents of a frog's stomach, marvel at the beauty of the tapetum lucidum in a cow's eye, feel a crayfish's stomach "teeth", learn about their own body systems by dissecting a rat, and much more. Super gross, but super fun and interesting! In the dissection lab, students will explore the internal and external structures of specimens (rat, frog/earthworm, crayfish/cow eye, and perch/grasshopper labs). Students will have their own specimens to dissect along with their own set of dissection tools to use and will label diagrams to reinforce what they have observed during the dissection. Dissection classes are for grades 4 and up, however, attendance is at the instructor's discretion. 3rd graders will be admitted by special permission. Students must be mature, willing and able to follow detailed instructions and focus for 2 hours, and have excellent fine motor skills (they will be using a very sharp scalpel and scissors.) Class registration closes and payment is due 10 days before class so I can order specimens for your student. The class fee is non-refundable if I am unable to fill your cancelled spot in class.
Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh
email: lisahindmarsh@yahoo.com
phone/text: 530.313.3789
website: www.handsonsciencefun.com
Science Fair Project
Grades 4-8 (parent attendance optional but highly recommended)
Fee: $70 for part 1 and part 2 (must attend 2 days)
This is a two-part seminar in which students perform a simple experiment and learn about the elements needed for a science fair project. Topics to be covered include the scientific method, independent/dependent variables, controls, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and graphing. Students are encouraged to bring a computer to the second session so they can learn how to create a graph using Google Sheets.
Since a spot in the science fair is held for all students attending this seminar, the science fair participation fee is included in the seminar fee.
Teacher: Lisa Hindmarsh
email: lisahindmarsh@yahoo.com
phone/text: 530.313.3789
website: www.handsonsciencefun.com
Science Fair Project
Grades K-3 with parent attending
Fee: $40
In this seminar, students will perform a simple experiment and learn about the elements needed for a science fair project. Topics to be covered include the scientific method, independent/dependent variables, controls, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and graphing.
Since a spot in the science fair is held for all students attending this seminar, the science fair participation fee is included in the seminar fee.
Teachers: Lisa Hindmarsh and Sara Diggs
email: lisahindmarsh@yahoo.com
phone/text: 530.313.3789
website: www.handsonsciencefun.com
Study Skills & Note taking Seminar #1
Grades 4-8
Fee: $25
Basic study skills for student success in Jr. High will be reviewed and modeled, including organization and planning tactics. Students will be introduced to the Cornell note taking method and J.O.T.T. t-notes.The majority of the seminar in class time will be spent in guided practice of noting taking from text.
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: Lchiappe@comcast.net
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Note taking Seminar #2
Grades 4-8
Fee: $25
This seminar continues where Seminar #1 ended, focusing on note taking skills from text. Seminar #1 introduced the students to the Cornell note taking method and J.O.T.T. t-notes. These methods will be reviewed and the students will be introduced to Mind Mapping (which is similar to the brainstorming webs). Attendance of Seminar #1 is NOT a prerequisite to attendance. New students are welcome.
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: Lchiappe@comcast.net
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Introduction to Google Drive
Grades 4-8
Fee: $25
Google Drive is a safe, easy, user-friendly way for students and teachers to create, store, and share documents. Schools around the world are using Google Drive as the primary way for students to collaborate on projects and receive useful feedback from their teachers. In this seminar, your child will learn how to navigate Google Docs, create documents and files, and, most importantly, invite others to collaborate and provide feedback. Students will be excited to learn the ease with which they can work with others on group projects and receive individualized revision suggestions from teachers. Google Docs allows multiple students to work on the same document at the same time, without the hassle of attaching and sending files back and forth. It also allows them to share their work in progress with teachers and receive immediate, detailed feedback. Google Drive is set up so that student work can be accessed by invitation only. Each student selects who they share their documents with and can choose to allow either editing, commenting, or viewing-only privileges.
NOTE: This class requires a laptop computer.
*4th & 5th grade students must be comfortable with technology.
* *By enrolling in this seminar, parents are giving permission for their child to create a gmail account, including a gmail email address, if they do not already have one.
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: Lchiappe@comcast.net
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Multimedia Presentations
Grades 4-8
Fee: $25
In today’s technology based society, the ability to communicate digitally is crucial. During this seminar, students will be introduced to three of the most commonly used presentation methods: PowerPoint, Google Slides & Prezi. In class, each student will create a digital presentation.
NOTE: This class requires a laptop computer.
*4-5 graders must be comfortable with technology.
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: Lchiappe@comcast.net
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Advanced Current Event Socratic Seminar
Grades 6-8
Fee: $25
This seminar is designed specifically for students with a strong interest in social sciences. Students will be lead in a Socratic round table discussion of world events, based on the new current news cycle. As a group, we will explore the history behind the current events and the impact on the future. The seminar will also focus on credibility of sources
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: Lchiappe@comcast.net
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Cardboard Boat Regatta: STEM Challenge
Grades 4-8
Fee: $35
Students will work in groups to design, analyze, build, and race a boat made entirely of cardboard and duct tape. This project will incorporated a variety of engineering standards which will allow students to critically think about the design of their boat, how it is to be constructed efficiently, and the effectiveness of the boat as a sea-faring vessel. The key to success for this project is the ability to collaborate as a group.
*Class meets at Mrs. Chiappe's home in El Dorado Hills
**Students must know how to swim - their boat may sink!
Teacher: Laurie Chiappe
email: Lchiappe@comcast.net
phone/text: 408-472-6155
website: historyrockswithmrschiappe.com
Fall Fun
Grades K-5
Fee: $35
The weather is cooling and fall is coming! Join us for a fun-filled, informative morning as we celebrate the season through the creation of unique, personalized, autumn projects that are sure to become cherished heirlooms. We will also explore the signs of the season and how it is welcomed around the country.
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com
Pumpkin Carving Challenge
Grades K-8
Fee: $35
Get ready for some pumpkin carving fun! Students will be using stencils to design and create award-winning carved pumpkins for the autumn season. Each student will go home with their own pumpkin, cleaned, carved, lit, and ready for fall festivities. Last year these turned out amazing, I can’t wait to see this year’s creations! Be sure to wear clothes that can get dirty!
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com
Let’s Be Thankful!
Grades K-5
Fee: $35
Does it ever seem like we jump from Halloween straight to Christmas, barely pausing for Thanksgiving? Well, not this year! Gratitude is a gift, and this seminar was designed to help students take time to unpack it! We will explore the art of being thankful through crafts, creativity, and compassion. This is one your kids won’t want to miss!
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com
Celebrate Around the World
Grades K-5
Fee: $35
Tis’ the season! Join us for an opportunity to express your creative side and celebrate the season with friends. During this seminar, students will learn, play, and create as we explore Christmas celebrations around the world. Each student will come home with four handmade, keepsake ornaments (representing the cultures discussed) and a greater understanding of how people in other countries enjoy the holidays.
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com
Valentine’s Day Extravaganza!
Grades K-5
Fee: $35
Love is in the air! Come create one-of-a-kind Valentine gifts for your loved ones. During this hands-on seminar, students will learn the history of the heart and how it became the symbol of love. Together we will design and create “lovely” gifts for our loved ones that are sure to be cherished for years to come.
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com
Saint Patrick’s Day Shenanigans
Grades K-5
Fee: $35
It actually is easy being green! Join us as we learn all about this lucky Irish holiday! Students will get the opportunity to hear the true story of Saint Patrick and create unique keepsakes using the symbols of the season.
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com
Spring Surprises
Grades K-5
Fee: $35
Spring is the perfect season for surprises, and this seminar is full of them! Your kids won’t want to miss the astonishing, unexpected, “surprising” crafts and activities this seminar has to offer. Come join us and be surprised!
Teacher: Mary Frederick
email: messages2mary@att.net
phone/text: 916-990-3494
website: writeon4kids.com