Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 3

Students will enjoy the logic and challenge of the timeless strategy board game as they learn and play chess with classmates. In Intermediate Chess 4, students will learn skills that build upon each other such as: various endgames: king and pawn; king with queen and pawn; king, rook, and pawn endgames; and minor piece (knight and bishop) endgames. Intermediate Chess 4 will conclude with a chess party and awards ceremony with certificates. Learning and playing chess supports problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent half on technique and half in practice matches with classmates while the instructor coaches. Students should have 30+ hours of chess instruction prior to enrolling in Intermediate Chess, a working knowledge of most skills taught in the Compass Beginner and Advanced Beginner Chess levels, or instructor permission.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 1

Students will enjoy the logic and challenge of the timeless strategy board game as they learn and play chess with classmates. In Advanced Beginner Chess 4, students will learn skills and strategies that build upon each other such as: good and bad pawns (individually and in groups), identifying and escaping from pins, piling on a pinned piece, trapping rooks in the opening, and advanced skewers. Advanced Beginner Chess 4 will conclude with a chess party and awards ceremony with certificates. Learning and playing chess supports problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent half on technique and half in practice matches with classmates while the instructor coaches. Students should have 15-20 hours of chess instruction prior to enrolling in Advanced Beginner Chess, or a working knowledge of most skills taught in the Compass Beginner Chess level.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 2

Students will enjoy the logic and challenge of the timeless strategy board game as they learn and play chess with classmates. In Beginning Chess 4, students will review and learn strategies such as: double attacks, elementary checkmates, managing pieces in the opening (pawns, knights, bishops and queens), when to develop the queen in the opening, best board behavior, and 5 questions to ask before moving. Beginning Chess 4 will conclude with a chess party and awards ceremony with certificates. Learning and playing chess supports problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent half on technique and half in practice matches with classmates while the instructor coaches.. A student should have some prior knowledge of chess basics in order to enroll in Beginning Chess 4.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 4

Curious coins, baffling balls, confounding cards, and puzzling papers! Students will learn tricks of the trade from a professional magician using the Discover Magic curriculum! This class will present tricks from the Discover Magic curriculum. Each week, kids will learn how to perform a unique magic trick, and students will practice and perfect the illusion in class so they can come home and mystify their friends and family. Students will unlock the secrets to eight special magic tricks to earn the top honor of a black wand. For each trick, students will receive a custom magic prop and full color instructions, and at the end of each class, every magician will take home a Top Secret file folder with additional tricks they can practice. Student magicians will be given a secret password each week to gain access to an additional magic trick on the Discover Magic website (parents will need to work the magic to set up the child's online account.) Along with the actual magic, students will discuss a life skill each week that is essential to a good magician (and student) such as public speaking, presentation skills, practicing, being prepared, and reading your audience. Magicians who complete the class will receive a certificate and magic wand. Topics in this Series:Bewildering Black Wand (Quarter 1); Groovy Green Wand (Quarter 2); Baffling Blue Wand (Quarter 3); Orange Wand Wonders (Quarter 4) Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 3

Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue! Who doesn't enjoy gathering with friends or family for a good game? Students will become future game inventors responsible for designing a new, non-electronic board or card game. Each week, students will play games in class to explore design concepts and game mechanics of a specific genre of game. They will begin to understand what elements are needed in every game and what makes a "good" game that everyone will enjoy. Students will examine starting and ending conditions in a game, scalability (for more or fewer players), and how points, progress, or powers are earned or tracked as players move through a game. Students will then begin to outline their ideas for their very own, original game. Fourth quarter, students will learn about Two-Player Games like the ancient games of Hnefatafl and Mancala; traditional stand-bys of chess, checkers, Backgammon, and even Battleship; and newer options like The Fox in the Forest and Hive. Students will sketch out their ideas, create a prototype board or cards, write all rules, and design the cards, chips, tokens, or playing pieces. Next, students will test-play their prototype game with their classmates to get constructive feedback and refine their rules. Once the prototype games have been tested through play, students will begin their final design, coloring, and graphics on a blank, folding game board and final game accessories. The quarter will conclude with a game "publishing" party where students will "pitch" their concept through a 30-second advertisement and play the final version with friends. Some students may be interested in submitting their games to a national young inventors' competition. There is a $20.00 material/supply fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class for blank boards, cards, dice, spinners, and shared art materials. Topics in this series include: Cooperative Board Games (Quarter 1); Card Games (Quarter 2); Dice Games (Quarter 3); and 2-Player Games (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 2

Krav Maga is the Israeli martial art which teaches self defense and fitness. Students of Krav Maga are taught a series of strategies to assess and respond to common situations, such as facing a bully. Kids are always taught first and foremost to get away, to get help, and to try to deescalate the situation. When that fails, students practice a technique that includes a warning strike followed by escape, and finally, they learn how to stand up for themselves and how to counterattack if a situation escalates and becomes threatening. Kids are empowered and gain confidence when they rehearse how to handle real-life situations. Exercises and in-class practice incorporate balance, coordination, energy, and other key elements of fitness along with life skills such as confidence, teamwork, respect, discipline, and respect. Students may enroll in Krav Maga at any time, and everyone will begin as a white belt. Each quarter, students will practice the full range of skills, but there will be two "featured" moves that a student can earn a belt stripe for being able to demonstrate. Featured moves will include a combative strike and a defensive escape technique. No one stripe is a prerequisite for any other color, and color stripes can be earned in any order. Fourth quarter, students will have the chance to earn a Green Stripe. Featured moves include: cover defense and wrist locks (red stripe); straight punch defense and bear hugs (orange stripe); head movement defense and front 2-handed choke (yellow stripe); round kick defense and back 2-handed choke (green stripe); front kick defense and guillotine choke (blue stripe); clinch defense and rear choke (purple stripe); ground striking defense and head lock defense (brown stripe); and 360 defense and full Nelson (black stripe). Students will be able to test for belt promotions to move through the ranks of white belt, yellow belt, orange belt, etc. On average, it is estimated that a student will be ready for a belt test after four quarters/four color stripes. Belt testing will be by coach approval. Topics in this Series: Red Stripe (1st Quarter), Orange Stripe (2nd Quarter), Yellow Stripe (3rd Quarter) and Green Stripe (4th Quarter). Assessments: Belt testing for promotion will be by coach recommendation, but on average will take 4 quarters. Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class for the t-shirt and white belt (new students) or $5.00 for the white belt (returning students). An belt test fee of $25.00 is due payable to the instructor when a student is ready to test for promotion. What to Bring: Refillable water bottle. What to Wear: In lieu of a full martial arts uniform, students will be asked to wear a class t-shirt provided by the instructor. Students should also wear shorts, leggings, or loose, comfortable athletic pants, and comfortable athletic shoes or sneakers with their class t-shirt.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 3

Fencing is the clashing of steel and competitive spirit combined with the battle of the wits. Apply the rules of Olympic fencing, and you have a physically and mentally challenging game of strategy, often called, "physical chess." In Beginning Fencing, students will learn the rules of the sport as well as footwork, attacks, parries, responses, and how to judge matches. Beginning students will use the epee, a thin, lightweight sword with broad hand guard and will wear a wireless electronic scoring sensor over layers of protective gear. Returning students will work with both the epee and foil. The physical benefits of fencing are an increase in agility, balance and coordination. Fencing also provides mental benefits such as improved focus, strategy and confidence. Fencing is safety-oriented with blunt tip weapons, chest protectors, chest/sleeve pads, fencing jacket, gloves, and face mask. Students may enroll any quarter. All equipment is provided by the instructor. Students are asked to wear comfortable athletic pants such as running pants or sweatpants (no jeans, no dresses), and low-heeled athletic shoes.

Quarter(s): 4

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 1

Fencing is the clashing of steel and competitive spirit combined with the battle of the wits. Apply the rules of Olympic fencing, and you have a physically and mentally challenging game of strategy, often called, "physical chess." In Beginning Fencing, students will learn the rules of the sport as well as footwork, attacks, parries, responses, and how to judge matches. Beginning students will use the epee, a thin, lightweight sword with broad hand guard and will wear a wireless electronic scoring sensor over layers of protective gear. Returning students will work with both the epee and foil. The physical benefits of fencing are an increase in agility, balance and coordination. Fencing also provides mental benefits such as improved focus, strategy and confidence. Fencing is safety-oriented with blunt tip weapons, chest protectors, chest/sleeve pads, fencing jacket, gloves, and face mask. Students may enroll any quarter. All equipment is provided by the instructor. Students are asked to wear comfortable athletic pants such as running pants or sweatpants (no jeans, no dresses), and low-heeled athletic shoes.