GREAT STRIDES

Great Strides Summer School Course Descriptions

SESSION 1: 8:00-9:30AM

Studio Art

During this 3-week course students will reinforce their fundamental understanding of Visual Art with an emphasis on the Elements of Art as the basis for creating thoughtful, creative work. Students will get to participate in the art of character design illustrations, plein air watercolor painting, as well as, sculpture using polymer clay or paper mache. Student artwork will reflect their personal identity and values, as well as, the exploration of cultural and historical contexts. No prior art experience is necessary; willingness to engage in the creative process is the only prerequisite. For incoming 6th, 7th & 8th graders.

Language Arts 6th

This course is for incoming 6th graders who have not yet mastered grade level reading and writing standards. In reading, students will understand and apply thinking and reading strategies in order to help them fully comprehend informational text as well as fiction. Students will also understand and apply grammar, usage, and mechanics to clearly communicate and support their thinking through writing.

Study Skills

Students will learn strategies to help them be efficient and effective learners: We will include strategies for test taking, time management, test anxiety, note taking, setting goals, organization, and advocating for self. For incoming 6th, 7th & 8th graders.

SESSION 2: 9:30-11:00AM

Cooking

Take a magic trip through far away lands. This summer we will join Maribel to make some of her mom’s healing arepas, create supercalifragilisticexpialidocious candy apples with Mary Poppins, and take a magic carpet ride to replace the baguette Aladdin stole. Join us this summer as we learn how to make some favorite foods from popular movies. For incoming 6th, 7th & 8th graders.

Math 6th

This course is for incoming 6th graders who have not yet mastered grade level math. The math block is designed to create learning opportunities with computation and problem solving. Computation will be taught using and applying real-life skills including number sense and reviewing grade level standards. There will be a strong focus on fraction and decimal operations.

Stop Motion Animation

An animated filmmaking technique created by manipulating clay figures and small objects, taking photographs for every individual frame, and when the frames are shown in sequence they create a short film. For incoming 6th, 7th & 8th graders.

Study Skills

Students will learn strategies to help them be efficient and effective learners: We will include strategies for test taking, time management, test anxiety, note taking, setting goals, organization, and advocating for self. For incoming 6th, 7th & 8th graders.

Great Strides - Your student may enroll in one course in Session 1 AND/OR one course in Session 2.

COLTS CORRAL

This program is designed to ensure a positive and smooth transition by providing strategies for student success in middle school. Students will become familiar with Cimarron and meet new friends and staff members to ease the transition to middle school.

Colts Corral Transition Program Description

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Receive an early copy of their schedule and find their core and elective classes

• Gain an understanding of a typical middle school day

• Learn how to manage multiple classes and homework

• Learn how to get around the building with ease

• Learn about the middle school culture and expectations

• Learn organization tips

• Learn effective ways to use the required planner

NOTE - If your student is going into 7th or 8th grade and you are new to Cimarron, you are welcome to attend any Colts Corral Session; if you would like to be with grade level peers, we recommend Session 3.

Cost includes t-shirt. In the event Tri-County Health Department advice determines that Colts Corral should be cancelled, $60 refunds will be issued and the t-shirts will be distributed when school resumes.

Parents are invited to join their student during the last 15 minutes on day three when your student can walk you through their daily schedule.

If you need scholarship information for Colts Corral, please contact Jill Bull, Summer Programs Coordinator, at jkbull@dcsdk12.org.