Fall 2025 Class List + Schedule

Class Min/Max: 3/8

Class Fee: $25
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In this class students will learn the basics of how to code using LEGO robotics. Through LEGO robotics, students learn essential STEM skills like engineering design, programming, and problem-solving in a fun, hands-on environment. They also develop collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity as they build and code robots to complete real-world challenges.

Robotics Tournament (optional)

If your child wishes to participate in a regional tournament they may join a team with other members of this class that will meet weekly outside class time in Olathe to complete further robotics challenges and a research project that is geared towards archeology. The date of the tournament will be November 22 at Olathe Northwest High School. All students in this class, whether they are on the tournament team, are encouraged to attend the tournament.

If you and your child are interested in the tournament team, please contact me before the class begins so we can decide on a time outside of KHP for interested students to meet. Only students in this KHP class will be able to participate in the tournament team to make sure that the team size is never over the maximum size established by the First LEGO League to avoid team disqualification.

This class is open to students 10-14, however students who turn 10 before November 22 and welcome to enroll if there is space. Students who turn 15 before November 22 should not enroll to avoid team disqualification.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns before enrollment.

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Homework: If students choose to participate in the tournament team, we would need to plan to meet weekly in Olathe to work on their research project and further robotics challenges.

 
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About Faith:
Faith Jacobsen is a Chemistry Professor at Johnson County Community College and last year was a coach for a First Lego League team.

Class Min/Max: 7/16

Class Fee: $60
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Join us for an exciting, hands-on journey where students become authors and illustrators! Over the course of a fun-filled 12 weeks, students will brainstorm, write, illustrate, and produce their very own book (1 book that is a collaborative class effort). They’ll learn about story structure, character development, and the creative process—all while collaborating with classmates in roles like author, illustrator, editor, storyboard artists and layout designers. The program culminates in a festive launch party, where students share their finished books with family and friends. It’s a perfect way to inspire creativity, teamwork, and storytelling skills in a lively, engaging environment!

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Homework: Homework will depend on the role your child commits to. Authors and Illustrators will have more homework than other roles.
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About Jenna:

As a person with a passion for reading, writing, and inspiring creativity, I am excited to offer this Project Based Class. Though I hold a degree in math, my true love is storytelling and helping young students discover the joy of sharing their ideas. My goal is to create an encouraging and welcoming environment where students feel excited to explore their imaginations and bring their stories to life. I am dedicated to making sure all students' ideas are heard and incorporated into the creation of our book and helping them develop confidence as young writers, artists, and readers. 

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 3+

Class Fee: $40
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This class will take your young artist through 6 projects including print painting, mosaics, collages, and beading. The goal of this class is to explore simple art styles while working on our fine motor skills. Smocks will be provided on paint days, but paint happens so dress appropriately for this class. Parent assistance recommended for 2 and 3 year old's taking the class.
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Homework: None.
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About Jenna:
I want to teach a preschool art class because I believe early childhood is an important time for kids to explore and express themselves creatively. I enjoy helping young children develop their confidence and fine motor skills through simple, engaging art activities. Teaching this class is a great way for me to support their growth while having fun with their ideas and projects. 

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 3+

Class Fee: $30
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This 6 week class will explore music through creating rhythms and learning the foundations of reading music. Students will get to play a variety of percussion instruments and will learn how to read and keep beat with quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, whole notes, and rests. Class will have a brief performance at showcase.
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Homework: None.
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About Jenna:
I want to teach a rhythm and beat class for preschoolers because I believe music is a powerful way to support early development. I enjoy helping young children explore sound, coordination, and timing in a fun and playful way. Teaching this class allows me to inspire a love for music while helping kids improve their motor skills and confidence through rhythm and movement.

Class Min/Max: 5/12

Class Fee: $60
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In this class, students will learn the basics of creating a newspaper from writing, to design, to advertising! At the end of the class, students will publish a physical newspaper! Last semester, KHP students took the bull by the horns and created an entrepreneurial project out of this newspaper - finding advertisers, deciding how much to charge to cover costs, and more! It also functions as a media literacy class as students learn about journalistic ethics, how to find a good source, and more. The class will have accommodations for neurodivergent students, including dyslexia, but please let Ellen know what your child requires to be successful.
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Homework: There will be 30 minutes to 1 hour of homework per week - writing, interviewing, contacting potential advertisers.
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About Ellen:
Ellen is a grown up homeschooler, mom, and writing teacher! She has been fortuante enough to teach homeschoolers writing for 3+ years now. Ellen loves helping students find joy and confidence in writing - even if it isn't something that they have enjoyed in the past.

Class Min/Max: 8/15

Class Fee: $75 (includes $5 supply fee)
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In this 12 week class, write, design and perform their very own, original play. In the first six weeks, students will learn a variety of acting and stagecraft skills while writing the play. Skills learned will include body speaking clearly and loudly, improvising, painting sets, props and working in a group. In the second six weeks, the students who chose to act in the play will begin rehearsals and the students who choose to be behind the scenes will be working on sets, props, and costumes. This class is great for beginning and more experienced actors/stagehands. The focus will be on learning through play, both student-led and instructor guided. This is great for the students who want to play acting games, but don't want to be on stage or the students who don't want to pick between acting and art!

Field trips will be included to SCRAPS KC, the thrift store, etc. to get supplies for the play. Dates will be decided on when class starts.  
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Homework: Some work outside of class memorizing lines may be required and field trips.
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About Ellen:
Ellen has been teaching acting to kids since she was a kid! She has also had the privilege to teach at the Coterie, the Kansas City Library, and more! She really enjoys helping students tap into their imaginations and confidence through this class.

About Kitty:
Kitty is a local artist, teacher and homeschool mom! She has experience both on and off stage. Kitty loves to help students explore their creativity in an empowering, student-led way. She is excited to help bring out your child's inner thespian! 

Class Min/Max: 6/8

Class Fee: $60
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In this class students will explore cryptography by learning how to encode and decode simple messages. For the first 10 weeks, students will learn about a variety of codes and ciphers.  Most weeks, students will take something home to continue to encode/decode with family and friends. (For example: After learning about Morse code, students will make a bracelet with an encoded message. After learning about scytales, students will bring home their handmade scytales so that a family member or friend can decode their secret message. After learning about an Alberti cipher wheel, students will make one to bring home and use to create/crack more codes.) The last two weeks of class, students will have the option to work on creating their own unique code/cipher or continuing using the codes/ciphers we have explored in class to make and decode new secret messages. 

This class is designed for learners who:

-have a solid understanding of the alphabet and numbers (and can manipulate the orders of both to create codes)

-can read and write simple messages as well as copy from another page or the board

-are willing to work hard at solving a problem, with help as needed

-can work with others to solve a problem

(Please contact me for any questions about readiness.)  
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Homework: None.
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About Jessica:
I am a former classroom teacher with experience in elementary and middle schools. I further developed my love for math and games while teaching and developing curriculum at Math Monkey, a local math center. I am currently a private math teacher and believe that small-group learning and games are a great way to develop math skills--and have some fun, too! 

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 4/8

Class Fee: $35
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It is fun to explore addition! In this class, young learners will explore addition through hands-on materials, games, and activities. Each class will focus on a number sense or addition skill.

This class is designed to provide exposure to addition for learners in the early stages of learning about addition. We will not focus on addition ‘facts’. Learners who are already familiar with addition may still enjoy this class, particularly because it will be lots of learning through play and manipulatives. There will be some activities that involve writing numbers, but number cards will also be available for students to use instead of writing if needed.

This class is designed for learners who:

-are able to recognize written numbers

-are able (or willing to attempt) writing numbers 1-10 with help and/or select number cards to use during activities

-can follow simple game and activity rules (with guidance as needed)

-play well with others, particularly partner work

-are able to participate in the 50-minute class with teacher direction (or parent assistance as needed)  
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Homework: None.
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About Jessica:
I am a former classroom teacher with experience in elementary and middle schools. I further developed my love for math and games while teaching and developing curriculum at Math Monkey, a local math center. I am currently a private math teacher and believe that small-group learning and games are a great way to develop math skills--and have some fun, too! 

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 6/10

Class Fee: $35
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In this class, we will begin by reviewing the basics of decimal place values as well as how to read and write decimals. We will also look at how decimals and fractions are related. We will then move on to explore decimals on a number line, comparing decimals, and adding and subtracting decimals. Each class will have a short teaching time and a time to reinforce what we are learning through small group games and activities.

A note on the academic level of this class. This class is meant to introduce students to decimals which is typically done at the 4th grade level. Many students will have had exposure to decimals through the concepts of money, including adding and subtraction money. 

As prerequisites for this class, students should

-be able to and subtract multi-digit numbers, including basic regrouping (borrowing) 

-be familiar with place values (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.)

-be familiar with how to read and write a fraction

(Please contact me with any questions about readiness.)

This class is designed for learners who:

-are ready to explore or build on their knowledge of decimals

-are able to independently use tools like a number line, manipulatives, and a decimal grid

-can follow simple game rules (with guidance as needed)

-play well with others (including both winning and losing)  
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Homework: No homework will be assigned, but review at home is always encouraged.
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About Jessica:
I am a former classroom teacher with experience in elementary and middle schools. I further developed my love for math and games while teaching and developing curriculum at Math Monkey, a local math center. I am currently a private math teacher and believe that small-group learning and games are a great way to develop math skills--and have some fun, too! 

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 5/12

Class Fee: $40
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We will build writing stamina, generate ideas, learn about organizing thoughts, and dip into various forms of creative and academic writing. We may give each other feedback. 

This is a class where skills and passion are more important than age. 7 year olds who can write paragraphs are welcome. We are looking at content and ideas rather than mechanics so spelling and grammar are not the priority here.  
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Homework: Student will benefit from a little writing and editing outside of class if possible but I understand if they cannot. I will be sure to read and react to work they are able to bring in!
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About Melissa:
I have loved writing since I learned how! I hope to encourage a future generation of writers.

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 5/12

Class Fee: $40
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We will build writing stamina, generate ideas, learn about creating outlines, and dip into various forms of creative and academic writing. We will also get and receive feedback from peers.

This class focuses on content and ideas vs mechanics such as spelling and grammar.  
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Homework: Students will benefit from writing and editing outside of class if possible. I will read and respond to any writing they bring me!
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About Melissa:
I'm a lifelong lover of writing and I hope to inspire students to learn how fun writing can be. I have helped several hesitant writers find their voices. 

Class Min/Max: 10/25

Class Fee: $135
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Students of all ages will learn basic safety awareness skills and techniques for personal protection. We will learn karate strikes, blocks, and kicks in fun games and activities. We'll move a lot, learn how capable we really are, and have a blast! Students will test for a karate belt at the end of the semester. Payment for belt and testing is included in the class cost. Four year olds are welcome to join with a parent!

***Students who took the previous class are welcome to enroll and will get a mix of review and new material***  
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Homework: Students will have some simple homework for the first few weeks to earn ribbons. Examples include cleaning their rooms, practicing techniques, and helping around the house.
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About Melissa:
I am a black belt in shindo jitsu (a mix of Okinawan kenpo and jujitsu) and I love teaching kids and adults how to keep themselves safe. Karate is a lot of fun, great exercise, and a great way to build self esteem and body control. 

Class Min/Max: 5/12

Class Fee: $95
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We'll explore Barbara Oakley's book Learning How to Learn which focuses on how humans learn and what we can do to become better learners! We'll explore neuroscience, procrastination, and the strategies and habits that help with memory and long term understanding. 

Bring a text or sample of material you're currently learning and we will actively apply these skills! 

Access to the book Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley is required.  
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Homework: Students will need to do some outside reading of the book. Students can bring material from other classes to practice learning strategies.
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About Melissa:
I love teaching and great teachers are also dedicated learners! The strategies in this book have made a difference in my life and I'd love to pass them on to empower kiddos and help build their confidence in their learning! 

*Note- This is a 6-week class

Class Min/Max: 5/10

Class Fee: $20
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This class will utilize the Mystery Science curriculum to teach about Invisible Forces such as magnetism, gravity, and friction. Mystery Science uses a combination of engaging videos and hands-on projects to engage learners to have curiosity about science topics.

About this unit from the Mystery Science website: "In this unit, students explore the forces all around them. They investigate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces, the pushes and pulls of bridge structures, and the effects of gravity and friction on the motion of objects. Students also explore the power of magnetic forces and design solutions to everyday problems using their knowledge of these forces."

This class is designed for 7-10 year olds and will be taught at a 3rd grade level.  
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Homework: None.
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About Faith:
I am a chemistry professor at Johnson County Community College. I love teaching Mystery Science as it sparks curiosity and hands-on exploration of science! 

Class Min/Max: 5/12

Class Fee: $20
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We will start with scarves and move up quickly to juggling balls, both 2 with 1 hand and 3 with 2 hands. All students will be able to take home the juggling balls to practice between classes and get to keep the scarves and juggling balls at the end of the course.

In the later weeks, students may try some more advanced skills like rings and/or juggling pins.  
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Homework: Extra practice at home as needed.
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About Trevor:
After learning to juggle around age 10, I’ve always found it enjoyable and fun to teach others!  Whenever there are 3 objects of similar size, I’m always thinking of trying to juggle them.

From basketballs down to marbles, I can juggle them all.  I’m still learning 4 objects, so we won’t go too crazy.

I’m excited to teach the kids a skill that will last a lifetime! Hopefully they will enjoy it as much as I do! 

Class Min/Max: 5/12

Class Fee: $120
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Hands-on cooking classes incorporating geography, language and math whenever possible. Kids will make a new recipe each week to take home to share.  More info is available on my website: www.cookingwithYaya.com.  
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Homework: None.
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About Anne:
I’ve been teaching children’s cooking classes since I retired, in 2017. I’ve offered this class, both in-person and online, to this group for a number of years and have loved working with this group! I’m a teacher by degree and incorporate the things I love most in this business; kids, education, travel and cooking!