This year North Allegheny Summer Academy will have a Happy theme.  Many days will be filled with academic and cultural activities. 

The following class listings are offered as our smiling specialties.  Please review the outstanding classes taught by our Summer Academy instructors.

Math Extravaganza                                                            Grades K-1

Students will explore the world of math through math journaling, game making, and playing.  They will cover the skills of addition, subtraction, measurement, graphing, patterning, time, money, and geometry.  The Math Extravaganza will be based on an Olympic theme.

                                                                                                Ms. Rena Zelekovitz

     Introduction to Dance                                                  Grades K-1  

Students will learn some basic principles to dance and movement.  This will be a fun, high energy class and include some elements of jazz and ballet techniques.

                                                                                                Ms. Nicolle DeSilva

Everyday Science                                                              Grades K-1

Calling all junior scientists!  Are you always asking how and why?  Then, come join the “Everyday Science” workshop as we learn the science behind making ice cream, popcorn, and pickles.  We will also make bubbles of all sizes, sink and float everything not nailed down, launch water bottle rockets, and much more.  Come join the fun!  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ms. Jennifer Marnich

Reading Road Trip                                                                        Grades K-2

Come travel the USA and learn to read and write along the way.  We will learn about the states through books, writing projects, and fun activities; a fun two-week adventure for young readers.

                                                                                                Ms. Jamie Mazza

What’s Cooking in Children’s Literature                      Grades K-5                                                                                      

Are you ready to engage in the “delicious” ways to read a book?  Many fine selections use food as a major theme.  I will bring lip-smacking stories to life as we experience “dirt” from The Diary of a Worm and “nifty noodles” from Strega Nona.  We will let our creative imaginations work with Eggshell Mosaic Pictures, Pasta Necklaces and Ugly Bug Window Clings.  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Mrs. Laurie Dauer

Merry Monsters, Happy Aliens, and Carefree Creatures…Oh, My!           Grades K-5

Join us for happy, fun-filled times as we create imagination-inspired, life-sized monster paintings (from children tracings); found object/mixed media alien sculptures; carefree creatures on own fabric pillows; 3-D alien ceramic sculptures; colorful monster puppets; make a series of “Imagine an Alien” prints; and so much more!  We can’t wait to go with you to “Where the Wild Things Are!”

                                                                                                Mrs. Debbie Devine

                                                                                                Ms. Erin Devine

Cooking                                                                                Grades K-5

Cooking around the world is an exciting adventure that will combine cooking with social studies, geography, history, and literature.  We will experience traditional recipes from six counties: India, South Africa, Canada, Chile, Australia and Norway.  The workshop will also teach safety in the kitchen, measuring, and garnishing techniques.  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Ms. Dori Evans

English as a Second Language Year in Review        Grades K-5 ESL

Students will review vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills at their proficiency level.  They will have the opportunity to focus on areas where they need the most improvement.  The instructors for the course will discuss the students’ needs with their previous ESL teacher to design a program reaching individual needs using materials used in the ESL classroom along with supplemental materials.

                                                                                                Ms. Melissa Zarra

                                                                                                Mrs. Aliceann Boyle

Dance Around the World                                                 Grades 2-3

Dance Around the World will incorporate diverse dances from countries all around the world.  Historical background will be taught along with creative arts/crafts and activities relating to the featured dance each day.  Featured dances will be Irish, Indian, African, German and classical ballet.  There will be brief videos shown on authentic dancing relating to the theme of the play and props brought in for creative movement.

                                                                                                Mrs. Janel Vitai

Go Buggy at Summer Academy                                     Grades 2-3

Are you ready to go “buggy” at Summer Academy?  Students will investigate bugs in this summer workshop.  They will participate in many exciting activities (reading, writing, art) where they learn about many different bugs.  Join the Bug Club and “Let’s go buggy!!”

                                                                                                Ms. Meghan Coughlin

Di-No-Mite Dinosaurs                                                        Grades 2-3

Future Palonetologists, Dinosaur Hunters, Mathematicians, and Authors wanted- to help explore theories of dinosaur extinction.  We will be exploring dinosaurs while developing our math, science, and reading skills.  We will even write our own dinosaur book.  Fun-filled enhancing self-esteem, socializations class while strengthening our math, science, and reading skills.  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Mrs. Debra Frazier

Dance to Learn; Learn to Dance            Grades 2-4

Movement plays a key role in developing the brain. 

This workshop will present body-brain activities that engage the student to think as well as to move.  Anne Gilbert, children’s dance educator, writes, “We have forgotten the importance of a balanced brain.  We over-schedule our children with competitive sports which leaves little time for free play and the development of motor skills, creativity and imagination.”  Joyful movement, a goal of this workshop, causes the secretion of serotonin, a feel-good chemical that boosts self-esteem.

Mrs. Gretchen Donaldson

Hot Off the Happy Academy Press                                Grades 2-5

Would you to be a reporter for this year’s Happy Academy.  We are going to make great headlines….Kicking off with a trip to a local news station, students will become exposed to the wonderful world of “on the scene” news reporting as they gear up to create the first “Summer Academy News”.  Throughout the two weeks of Happy Academy, students will create news articles that reflect the community that is “Summer Academy 2008”.  Armed with press passes, students will closely observe all that makes Summer Academy such a happy place.  J  Notes and observations will come together to create a dynamic product that will be shared with all participants involved in the “Happy Place”.  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Ms. Rachel Belz

                                                                                                Ms. Erin Smith

Technology with a Smile                                                  Grades 2-5

Participants will utilize Microsoft Office applications.  They will develop PowerPoint slide shows and Publisher projects.  Digital photos will be incorporated into projects and each student will learn to use a digital camera and download and crop pictures.  Daily practice with a keyboarding program is also included.

                                                                                                Mrs. Bernadette Marshalek

Environmentally Healthy                                                  Grades 3-4

This class will teach the children how to put the practices of reducing, recycling and reusing into perspective.  What can they specifically do for the environment?  This subject will be both fun and educational for children who want to learn more about helping the environment.

                                                                                                Ms. Melissa Marsico

Write Away!!                                                             Grades 3-5

Don’t’ worry, be happy!!!  Attend the most unique creative

writing workshop ever.  Participate in games, receive cool prizes,

and learn techniques that will improve your writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  Writing is essential and this workshop conducted by an English teacher will focus on fun!!  PSSA skills will also be included.

                                                                                                Mrs. Ruth Butler

Fly Fishing - Tying Tigers                                                Grades 3-5

Come learn about the exciting

sport of fly fishing and the craft of fly tying artificial flies.  We will explore the basic techniques to fishing with a fly rod and even will create “fishable” flies using various tools and materials such as feathers, hooks, thread, etc. which will be provided.  If you enjoy fishing, the outdoors, or waters, this is the activity for you.  Girls and boys are both welcome to be a part of Mr. Shane’s “Tying Tigers!”  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Mr. Christian Shane

Games and Science – Tons of Action!                         Grades 3-5

Come join the fun and make your own games and then learn to play the games with the other students.  A few favorites are Mancala (a board game of counting and capturing) and I Doubt It! (a card game full of laughter).  Plus, the group will be given different science challenges.  To complete the challenge, each team will need to construct something.  One example is “All Cooped Up” for this activity; the students will design and construct a landing pad so that the egg will not break after it has accelerated under the force of gravity for a distance of one meter or more.  Come join the challenge!

                                                                                                Ms. Heather Esswein

Shakespeare at NA                                                            Grades 4-5

Students will learn about drama through the eyes of an Elizabethan.  They will speak the language of the time and learn to address people in Middle English.  Students will create the Globe Theater and learn fun facts about the time.  Students will perform an adapted version of a Shakespearean play. 

                                                                                                Ms. Tawnia St. Amant

Physical Fitness Fun                                                        Grades 4-5

This workshop will consist of learning and taking part in various

physical activities.  The activities will range from traditional sports to

some non-traditional but physical activities.  Some examples include

ultimate Frisbee, flag football, handball, and depending on the location, hiking.  Participants will be taught the importance of physical activity to stay healthy.

Mr. Rick Dietz

The Young Writer’s and Scientist’s Club         Grades 4-5

This course will be divided into writing skills according to PSSA guidelines and scientific investigative skills.  First, students will learn writing skills to compose persuasive, descriptive, and report samples.  Then, they will use the “scientific method” to conduct an in-class experiment and use their report writing skills to write a lab report on this experiment.  This class will be interactive, academic, and fun!

                                                                                                Mrs. Carla Pottmeyer

Severe Weather                                                                  Grades 4-5

Students will learn all about the exciting aspects of severe weather including thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes.  Students will learn through activities and learning centers involving formations, seasons of severe weather and now severe weather is tracked.

                                                                                                Ms. Jessica Perkey

Ancient Egypt                                                                     Grades 4-5

Students will become familiar with Ancient Egypt and expand their knowledge of the customs and people of Ancient Egypt by exploring the following:  past times/hobbies, Egyptian food, hieroglyphics/cartouche, government, clothing, pyramids/sphinx, numeric symbols/operations, burial chamber, mummy mask, mummification of apple.  Requires an additional Activities Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Ms. Jenna Butts

Wringer Literature Circle/Book Club                             Grades 4-5

Reading done through teacher read aloud, popcorn reading and audio

cassette tape.  Students will learn how to participate in a literature circle. 

Students will write and put on play of story for parents.  Optional quizzes

and assignments where students can work to complete “Miss Winn’s

Book Club Card” and earn prizes.  Requires an additional Activities

Fee of $10.00.

                                                                                                Miss Meghan Winn

Band Camp                                                                          Grades 4-5

Band Camp is a workshop specifically designed for 4^th and 5^th grade students who have already completed at least one semester of elementary band.  Workshop participants will work together to rehearse band music each day.  There will be small group instruction and opportunities for solo performances.  Throughout the workshop, band members will help choose music for the group and create a concert program.  On the last day of Band Camp, the Summer Academy Band will perform a concert.  Students must come to Band Camp with their own instrument and appropriate accessories (for example: reeds, valve oil, drum sticks.)

Mrs. Linda Granite

A Super Soaking Escapade                                            Grades K-5-                                                                                                                                      Student’s with IEPs ONLY

Make a BIG SPLASH into cool learning activities with us this summer!  We’ll have a super-soaking adventure as we explore the depths of the ocean!  We’ll set out on an adventure you’ll never forget and explore shells, sea animals, water transportation, and of course, waves!  Improve your reading, writing and math skills while having fun and making new friends!  This course is designed for students with an IEP who are in need of support in the areas of reading, writing, math and social skills.  This class is the only class available for Sessions I and II.   

                                                                                                Miss Alex Douglass

                                                                                                Ms. Jen Luce

Session I – Ingomar Elementary – June 16^th – June 27^th

Session II – Ingomar Elementary – June 30^th – July 11^th

Be a part of this year’s Happy Times with North Allegheny of Summer Academy 2008.  It will be a cultural explosion with lots of fun and learning.  Join us this summer as we gather together and join in the fun times of Summer Academy 2008.