Worlds of Wisdom and Wonder - Chicago - Grades K - 6

Blaine Elementary School
1420 W. Grace St., Chicago

Session I: June 23 - July 3, 2008

Morning Program: 9:20 to 12:00
Full Day Program: 9:00 to 3:00
Morning Tuition: $ 290.00
Full Day Tuition: $ 450.00


Session II: July 7 - 18, 2008

Morning Program: 9:20 to 12:00
Full Day Program: 9:00 to 3:00
Morning Tuition: $ 320.00
Full Day Tuition: $ 495.00




Session I: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Courses

Strange Brews: Create your own mystery solutions and explore chemical change as you experiment with sundry secret ingredients in a slightly weird, but quite scientific, fingers-on chemistry lab.
The Sea and Me: Discover the briny deep—from sea monkey aquariums to legends of giant squid; create aquatic environments; investigate fish, whales, dolphins, and more!

Fairy Tale Festival: Imagine, dramatize, create, construct, and compose as you journey through the worlds of your favorite fantastic places, creatures, adventures, and tales
2nd - 6th Grade Courses (as indicated)
Creative Writing: Compose stories, prose, and poetry inspired by diverse catalysts, such as posters, paintings, films, books, and stories. Grades 2-6
Math Unabashed: Solve secret sequences and perplexing puzzles; explore geometric theories, patterns, and designs; play fierce math games. Grades 2-6
Slippery Science: Experiment with slippery, slimy but extremely scientific chemistry via hands-on projects with Goo, Gak, Slime, Silly Putty, and other mushy stuff. Grades 2-6
Geologic Safari: Explore geological wonders—from the tips of volcanoes to the center of the earth; discover diamonds, geodes, conic layers, and crystal gardens; investigate the geological forces around you. Grades 2-3

Breaking Laws of Physics: Defy gravity; engineer objects that roll uphill or that return to you when pushed away; stand a raw egg on its head; investigate phenomena that venture beyond physical limits. Grades 4-6
LEGO Computer Robotics: Create and engineer computerized robots. Employ gears, sensors, and motors to make them faster, smarter, and trickier! Grades 3-6
Create Your Own Computer Games: Explore the elements of computer games—animation, text, graphics, and sound—as you design and create your own. Grades 2-6
Journalism: Explore the nuts and bolts of journalism; experience the role of reporter, sportswriter, editorialist, cartoonist, movie critic, etc., as you work with your peers to produce a newspaper. Grades 2-6

Mystery! Sleuths, Clues, and Codes: Investigate crimes; solve mysteries; uncover schemes; break secret codes; sleuth for clues; discover evidence; crack cases; and ultimately nab culprits. Grades 2-6

Chess Club: Challenge your peers, whether novice or advanced, as you explore basic rules, effective openings and end games, and (if you are ready) highly sophisticated strategies. Grades 2-6
International Art: Create, emulate, sculpt, paint, craft, and construct as you explore diverse art of exotic cultures. Grades 2-6

Actors Workshop: Is the stage calling your name? Form an ensemble through theatre games and improv exercises, create characters, and rehearse scenes—then perform for an audience! Grades 2-6




Session II: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Courses

Mad Scientists Loose in the Kitchen: Investigate the amazing chemical phenomena found in your pantries and refrigerators; explore sundry savory science with stuff like pickles, soda, raisins, and watermelon.
How to Measure an Elephant: Discover the math, science, and fun of calculating the sizes, shapes, and volumes of things—from the huge to the miniscule, from the ordinary to the very strange.

Biblio-Magic: You’re the author, illustrator, and publisher! Transform your brilliant ideas and wild imagination into stories and illustrations as you create your own literary masterpieces.
2nd - 6th Grade Courses (as indicated)
Creative Writing: Compose stories, prose, and poetry inspired by diverse catalysts, such as posters, paintings, films, books, and stories. Grades 2-6
Math Conundrums: Uncover hidden number patterns; solve logic problems; master math mysteries; create your own numerical riddles to baffle your peers! Grades 2-6
Aquatic Biology: Create aquatic environments; examine fish facts, fables, and foibles; explore coral reefs and tide pools; investigate extraordinary creatures of the deep. Grades 2-6
Chemistry, Physics, and Bubbles: Discover the principles of air, density, and surface tension; concoct effervescent solutions; explore the gaseous globule, from babbling brooks to boiling hot lava; create the biggest, longest-lasting, or craziest-shaped bubble! Grades 2-6

Computer Animation Lab: Explore basic animation, then draw upon your imagination and technological skills to create your own animated scenes. Grades 2-6
Lights, Camera, Action! As director, scriptwriter, set designer, cameraman, actor or actress, produce your own TV commercials, shows, or movie shorts. Grades 4-6
Game Makers: Invent your own games! Design the playing fields; establish the rules; improvise the objectives (make losing the goal?); join with your peers in a class game fest. Grades 2-6
Geographic Goulash: Explore peoples, places, climates, and cultures via hands-on projects with a global flavor. Traverse the world with geographic games and puzzles; try your hand at cartography; create an atlas. Grades 2-3

Here Comes the Judge: As judge or juror, attorney or witness, stage your own courtroom dramas, whether historical, hypothetical, or fictional. Are Goldilocks and the Big Bad Wolf guilty of breaking and entering? You be the judge! Grades 4-6

Chess Club: Challenge your peers, whether novice or advanced, as you explore basic rules, effective openings and end games, and (if you are ready) highly sophisticated strategies. Grades 2-6
Artist’s Studio: Create multi-dimensional masterpieces of mixed media, methods, and muses, such as collage, printmaking, sculpture, drawing, pastels, and watercolor. Grades 2-6

Actors Workshop: Is the stage calling your name? Form an ensemble through theatre games and improv exercises, create characters, and rehearse scenes—then perform for an audience! Grades 2-6


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Program Structure / Application / Placement

Morning Program

For all students, mornings consist of three 50-minute classes. The development of problem-solving skills and creativity is inherent as a framework for all courses. Projects and activities evoke active, hands-on participation.

Students entering 2nd-6th grades choose their classes from a wide variety of exciting topics. Each of the three courses offered for kindergarten-1st grade students employs an interdisciplinary approach to its subject via diverse areas of study, such as literature, math, science, history, art, and drama.

Full-Day Program

After their morning classes, students enrolled in the Full-Day Program enjoy lunch and a quiet story time. Then, in groups with their age peers, they engage in hands-on discovery through a creative blend of activities, such as cooperative games, sports, computers, art, drama, science, and outdoor play. Full-day students bring sack lunches (including drinks) that do not require refrigeration.

Application & Placement

Download and complete the application and mail it in with the required deposit of $50 (per Session) or full tuition. Applications sent without at least the deposits will not be processed. Applications are not accepted via phone, fax, email, or online.

Students are accepted and placed in classes on a rolling basis, per postmark dates of their applications. (New students may send their applications ahead of the required teacher recommendations.) Parents are notified of their child’s enrollment status within two weeks of application or, for new students, following review of the teacher recommendations.

A week or two before each Session begins, parents receive enrollment packets with their children’s individual class assignments, maps, directions, and information about our on-site parent seminars.

Payment / Refunds / Withdrawls

A deposit of $50 per Session via check or money order, or full tuition via check, money order, or Visa or Mastercard, must accompany application. All deposits are credited to tuition. The balance of tuition for Session I is due on June 9, and for Session II on June 23. Please make checks payable to The Center for Gifted.

If a student withdraws before a Session begins, tuition is refunded upon written request, minus a $50 processing fee. There are no credits or refunds for withdrawing after a Session begins, nor for absences for any reason. The Center for Gifted does not offer sibling discounts. Limited financial assistance is available for those in need; application forms can be requested from The Center for Gifted.
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