Summer School Classes: Fun While Learning

Summer school is no longer a dreaded thought for students.

Instead of taking math or reading classes, Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 offered fun alternatives like art, cooking, science and athletics.

“Each year, teachers submit proposals for enrichment classes they’d like to teach and if the class gets at least 10 children enrolled, then the class runs,” said Kara Dohman, summer school principal. “This year, art classes seemed to be the popular classes. Last year, it was sports classes.”

More than 550 students enrolled in summer school this year, which was held at Spencer Loomis and Middle School North in Hawthorn Woods.

Classes offered included: Art Escapades, It’s a Zoo in Here, Deep Sea Ocean Adventures, Kitchen Chemistry, Sew You Want to Know How to Sew and many more, all taught by certified teaching staff.

“What’s great about these classes is the students are learning so much and they don’t even realize it,” said Dohman.

She used the Kids are Cooks class an example. “They’re learning how to measure, follow directions and use ingredient combinations when they cook,” said Dohman. “They are using math, science and reading in this class.”

For enrollment purposes, according to Dohman, all summer school classes have grade levels bunched together, depending on the class.

“Our teachers plan and prepare accordingly for the age differences,” said Dohman.

Another popular class, Sew You Want to Know How to Sew, taught students in grades three through five how to sew with a machine and by hand.

“I like that we can make tote bags and aprons,” said fifth-grader Valerie K. “When I first started this class, I didn’t know how to sew, but now I do.”

An always-full class, MindStorm LEGOs taught future scientists, engineers and mathematicians how to work with LEGOs that respond to light, sound and touch.

“Through the LEGO computer program and the NXT intelligent brick that runs the LEGO cars, the students can program it to detect dark and light, or go in a zigzag pattern,” explained Sandra Burvikovs, MindStorm LEGOs teacher.

“It’s fun programming the robots,” said sixth-grader Alex R. “It’s almost like your own robot.”

Students worked in groups at a computer station and had time for trial and error when programming the robot.

“It’s interesting to do be able to do all this with LEGOs,” said sixth-grader Brennan G.

The Painters Party class, taught by Tara Dehring, gave students in kindergarten through second grade the opportunity to express themselves using paint. They also were taught different techniques using watercolor and acrylic paints.

“I really like painting,” said second-grader Sreya K. “So far, my favorite painting has been learning how to splatter paint.”

District 95 offered two summer school sessions, one from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and the second from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. All classes ran from June 13 through July 8.

In addition to the enrichment classes, District 95 offered reading and math classes for students who were in need of extra help.

“It keeps the kids’ brains thinking and their bodies active during the summer,” said Dohman.