After School at Home

Summer Wishes from the After School Team!

Week of June 1

Bedtime Book Club

Each week Ms. Fross will be reading a chapter from James Howe’s classic Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery! So put your pajamas on, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and get cozy.

Drumming with Mr. Rubinshteyn

BDS Perc. Demo, Timur R (1).mp4

Stretching With Mr. Ridore

Bow Pose

One of the significant benefits of bow posture stretching is to improve spine flexibility. Practicing this exercise regularly would help in reducing strain in the neck, back, and also release muscle tension. Also, it enhances the blood flow and strengthens the upper body.

  • Lie on the belly with the head towards one side and the hands alongside the body.

  • Turn the head to touch the floor with the chin. Exhale, fold the knees, and grab the right ankle with the right hand and left ankle with the left hand.

  • Inhale, slowly lift the chest and raise the knees while continuing to hold the ankles with hands.

  • Exhale and slowly lower chest and feet. Return to the original position in step one.

Cobra Pose

Cobra pose helps in relieving backache, improving hunger, and reducing abdominal fat. It can also help in strengthening the stomach and spine.

  • Lie down on the belly with face down, elbows bent and hands placed next to the face.

  • Gently push the hands to the floor and lift the body upwards. Gradually straighten the elbows and raise the head while doing so.

  • Put the weight on the palms and raise the upper body.

  • Hold this position for 10 seconds and come back to the initial position.

Seated Toe Touch

This stretching exercise is good for the hamstring and the lower back. It releases hamstring tension, flexes the spine, and improves the motion of hips.

  • Sit on the floor with legs straight forward and feet next to one another.

  • Slowly bend forward and touch the toes with hands. Hold the position for 10-30 seconds and return to the original position.

  • Beginners can also perform this exercise while sitting in a chair and legs slightly bent.

Explore the Van Gogh Museum with Mr. Brewer

As an international referee I have been able to travel and visit so many amazing places! Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities with all sorts of life and music.

Amsterdam is home to my favorite museum of work by my favorite artist. I hope you enjoy the Van Gogh museum as much as I have every time I am there. Check out their virtual tours—the museum is amazing. All of the pieces can also be independently viewed and there is a large section about the artist as well!

DIY Stained Glass with Mr. Corey

This project draws influence from those in these videos.

Mondrian Mason Jars

DIY Faux Stained Glass

DIY Faux Stained Glass (without paint)

Stained Glass Method 1

Materials

  • painter’s pape

  • glass paint

Instructions

Using this method, you can use glass paint and painter’s tape cut into thinner lines to create interesting works of art on bedroom windows. Once your paint dries, remove the painter’s tape to reveal perfect lines and interesting gaps.

Stained Glass Method 2

Materials

  • fun colored tape

  • different colored binder dividers

  • scissors

Instructions

  • Use colored binder dividers that you can find at Target, Walmart, or office supply stores.

  • Cut binder dividers into small random polygons using only straight cuts.

  • Use colored tape to tape the pieces onto your window, leaving room between shapes for the tape to adhere to the glass.

You can use other types of permanent paints by mixing them with Clear Elmer's Glue in muffin tins. Use painter's tape to create shapes, and enjoy painting between the spaces. When the paint has dried, remove the painter’s tape and carefully fill in the unpainted areas in with black paint.

Mystery Reader king of Kindergarten.mp4

Snack Story with Mr. Jean-Mary

The King of Kindergarten

Hello everyone! Are you hungry? Do you need to relax? Perhaps you need a story to listen to while you have a snack, or are getting ready for a nap. Come listen to a story with me!

Art Unplugged with Beth Meditz

Create awesome art by re-purposing everyday materials!

Flying Bird

Materials

  • several pieces of any color paper

  • markers, crayons, or Craypas (oil crayons)

  • 1 stick or dowel

  • scissors

  • glue gun (for adult-use only), strong tacky glue, or strong double-sided tape

Instructions

  1. Find a workspace

  2. Gather your supplies

  3. Fold one piece of paper in half

  4. Draw out one bird wing from the top and bottom of the fold

  5. Cut out the wings from the folded side; don’t cut the fold

  6. Open to see two wings

  7. Draw the head with enough “neck” to fold around the stick

  8. Cut out head

  9. Cut ovals from different colored papers for feathers

  10. Design both sides of the head and wings; make your patterns beautiful!

  11. Glue on cut colored paper feathers

  12. Fold the neck so it can wrap around the front end of the stick

  13. Fold the wings so that it will wrap around the stick

  14. Glue or tape the head and wings to the stick

  15. Hold the stick and use your wrist to flap the wings of your flying bird.

Safety tip: don’t run with a stick!

Ms. Vitale’s Easy Slime Activity

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of corn starch

  • ½ cup of water

  • 4-5 drops of food coloring

  • 2 bowls

  • spoon

  • plastic bag

Directions

  • Put 1 cup of cornstarch in a bowl.

  • In a separate bowl stir ½ a cup of water and 4-5 drops of food coloring together.

  • Combine the water mixture and the cornstarch together until it has a slimy gooey mud-like consistency.

  • Get messy!

  • Clean up the slime with soap and water or put it is a plastic bag for safe keeping.

Story time with Mr. Balkovetz:

“The Day the Crayons Quit”

Mr B. here with another personal favorite! Get your most awesome and softest stuffed animal and let's read a story!