Mondays, September 9 - May 18
(No Class 10/14, 11/11, 12/23, 12/30, 1/20, 2/17, 4/13)
(No Class 10/14, 11/11, 12/23, 12/30, 1/20, 2/17, 4/13)
Mosaic Freeschool is a Drop-Off program
Class size is limited
Tuition: $20/90-min class
Please contact Jayne Besjak for registration details
Daily Schedule
Time |
Class Option A |
Class Option B |
9:30 am - 11:00 am |
Around the World with Literature 11 - 13 yo |
Big History Project 12+ yo |
11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
Introduction to Electronics: Programming & Robotics 11+ yo |
Art Workshop 11+ yo |
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm |
LUNCH |
LUNCH |
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
Argument Driven Inquiry: Physical Science 11+ yo |
Moot Court: Arguing Effectively & The American Legal System 12+ yo |
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm |
Odyssey of the Mind 11 - 14 yo |
Class Descriptions
Around the World with Literature (11 - 13 yo)
This is an epic journey that requires no passport or reservations! In this class students will engage with contemporary and classic novels, short stories and poetry from around the world and spanning centuries. Through guided discussions and short response writing prompts we will explore literary style and devices, develop our own opinions and writing voice, and equip students to master identifying plot, theme and other important elements of fiction analysis. We will encounter lessons in culture, geography, and history along the way, which means maps, food, games and crafts could all be teaching tools!
(List of novels, short stories and poetry provided upon request)
Facilitator: Susan Kuney
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/Kuney
Supply Fee: $15
Big History Project (12+ yo)
Where did everything come from? How did we get to where we are now? How do humans fit in? Where are things heading? Big History attempts to answer these questions by examining the entire past of the universe using the best ideas from disciplines such as astronomy, chemistry, biology and history. Throughout this course we'll examine different scales of time and space and view human history from new angles. This course will involve deep thinking to help you understand how we got to where we are. Class time will be dedicated to discussion and projects to this end. Work at home will consists of reading, viewing videos and recording your thoughts on the subject matter. Visit the Big History Project website for more information.
Facilitator: Dr. Cristen Pantano
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid via PayPal to the Facilitator ([email protected])
Supply Fee: $65
Introduction to Electronics: Programming & Robotics (11+ yo)
In this class students will gain knowledge to safely work with electricity, create circuits and use sensors on a breadboard. We will do “unplugged” coding activities as well as work up to intermediate programming skills in Python. Students will put those skills together and learn to control the circuits they build with the code that they write using Raspberry Pi.
Equipment needed: HDMI cable, laptop OR monitor, keyboard & mouse.
(High School students - contact instructor for suggestions to make this a .5 credit Computer Science course)
Facilitator: Jenifer Pascal
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/JeniferPascal
Supply Fee: $175 includes components needed for class that students will keep (siblings may share sets), 900 pages of looseleaf text with step by step instructions
Art Workshop (11+ yo)
Art class focused on bringing each student to the next level in their art journey. The course will lead the student from basic drawing skills through to advanced painting techniques using a wide range of mediums. Students will have the opportunity to express themselves in both figurative and abstract visual arts, as they work towards creating a portfolio for high school or college. Class will include still life, portraiture, landscape, life drawing, cubism, impressionism, calligraphy and mixed media.
Mediums : Graphite Pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, watercolor, pastel, ink and acrylic.
Facilitator: Lisa Young
Tuition : $375/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid to the Facilitator HERE
Supply Fee : $75/15 week semester - Includes all art materials needed for the semester, students will retain additional supplies and can use them for a future class. Siblings can share supplies.
Argument Driven Inquiry: Physical Science (11+ yo)
This class engages students in the practice of science not just the memorization of facts. Using an Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI) methodology, we will explore four core areas in physical science: matter, motion and forces, energy, and waves. Through labs and activities, students will actively engage in scientific practices as they design their own investigations to answer a variety of thought-provoking research questions - from how thermal energy works to what could make an action figure jump higher.
The ADI process is multi-layered and collaborative with a strong focus on developing scientific writing and presentation skills. Working in small groups, students respond to a guiding question, design their own method, develop models, collect and analyze data, and construct an argument for presentation. Each investigation will conclude with peer critique, class discussion, and written lab reports.
Facilitator: Jayne Besjak
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be made to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/JBesjak
Supply Fee: $85 includes Student Lab Manual and investigation materials
Moot Court: Arguing Effectively & The American Legal System (12+ yo)
In this class, we will use the structure of moot court competitions (mock oral and written arguments on legal issues) to help students improve their abilities to analyze written materials and to use that analysis to formulate persuasive arguments. The class will begin with a study of our legal system and its various sources of legal authority. We will then work on cases involving matters of federal and constitutional law, assigning groups of students to argue opposing sides. Students will also have the opportunity to act as judges, questioning their peers and analyzing the effectiveness of arguments presented.Students will gain an understand of the role that the judicial branch plays in our democratic system, practice critical analysis, and examine historical and current issues that foster civic literacy.
Facilitator: Heather Marvell, Esq.
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid via PayPal to the Facilitator ([email protected])
Odyssey of the Mind (11 - 14 yo)
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition. Students work as a team over the course of the year to develop a unique solution to a "long-term" problem of their choice. Problems range in scope from technical to artistic/literary interpretations. Solutions are presented in the form of a team-created skit. Students are mentored and facilitated by a coach but are strictly required to formulate their own solutions and complete all work with no outside assistance from parents, coaches, or friends. They will develop valuable teamwork skills creating their solution, writing a script, building a theatrical set, designing costumes, characters, props, artwork, and any required technical devices, and managing a project budget. The team will perform at a regional tournament in early spring, possibly advancing to State and World levels, improving their solution as they progress.
In addition to the long-term problem, the competition includes a "spontaneous" problem-solving component consisting of a short (3-5 minutes) hands-on or verbal challenge. This may include building an apparatus from random supplies, improvisation, and other quick-thinking creative tasks. To prepare, students will spend ample time on creative and divergent thinking exercises in class to ignite imaginations and sharpen problem-solving skills.
Facilitators: Jayne Besjak and Susan Kuney
Tuition: $200/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/JBesjak
Supply Fee: Approximately $20-$25 to cover the cost of team t-shirt for competition
This is an epic journey that requires no passport or reservations! In this class students will engage with contemporary and classic novels, short stories and poetry from around the world and spanning centuries. Through guided discussions and short response writing prompts we will explore literary style and devices, develop our own opinions and writing voice, and equip students to master identifying plot, theme and other important elements of fiction analysis. We will encounter lessons in culture, geography, and history along the way, which means maps, food, games and crafts could all be teaching tools!
(List of novels, short stories and poetry provided upon request)
Facilitator: Susan Kuney
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/Kuney
Supply Fee: $15
Big History Project (12+ yo)
Where did everything come from? How did we get to where we are now? How do humans fit in? Where are things heading? Big History attempts to answer these questions by examining the entire past of the universe using the best ideas from disciplines such as astronomy, chemistry, biology and history. Throughout this course we'll examine different scales of time and space and view human history from new angles. This course will involve deep thinking to help you understand how we got to where we are. Class time will be dedicated to discussion and projects to this end. Work at home will consists of reading, viewing videos and recording your thoughts on the subject matter. Visit the Big History Project website for more information.
Facilitator: Dr. Cristen Pantano
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid via PayPal to the Facilitator ([email protected])
Supply Fee: $65
Introduction to Electronics: Programming & Robotics (11+ yo)
In this class students will gain knowledge to safely work with electricity, create circuits and use sensors on a breadboard. We will do “unplugged” coding activities as well as work up to intermediate programming skills in Python. Students will put those skills together and learn to control the circuits they build with the code that they write using Raspberry Pi.
Equipment needed: HDMI cable, laptop OR monitor, keyboard & mouse.
(High School students - contact instructor for suggestions to make this a .5 credit Computer Science course)
Facilitator: Jenifer Pascal
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/JeniferPascal
Supply Fee: $175 includes components needed for class that students will keep (siblings may share sets), 900 pages of looseleaf text with step by step instructions
Art Workshop (11+ yo)
Art class focused on bringing each student to the next level in their art journey. The course will lead the student from basic drawing skills through to advanced painting techniques using a wide range of mediums. Students will have the opportunity to express themselves in both figurative and abstract visual arts, as they work towards creating a portfolio for high school or college. Class will include still life, portraiture, landscape, life drawing, cubism, impressionism, calligraphy and mixed media.
Mediums : Graphite Pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, watercolor, pastel, ink and acrylic.
Facilitator: Lisa Young
Tuition : $375/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid to the Facilitator HERE
Supply Fee : $75/15 week semester - Includes all art materials needed for the semester, students will retain additional supplies and can use them for a future class. Siblings can share supplies.
Argument Driven Inquiry: Physical Science (11+ yo)
This class engages students in the practice of science not just the memorization of facts. Using an Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI) methodology, we will explore four core areas in physical science: matter, motion and forces, energy, and waves. Through labs and activities, students will actively engage in scientific practices as they design their own investigations to answer a variety of thought-provoking research questions - from how thermal energy works to what could make an action figure jump higher.
The ADI process is multi-layered and collaborative with a strong focus on developing scientific writing and presentation skills. Working in small groups, students respond to a guiding question, design their own method, develop models, collect and analyze data, and construct an argument for presentation. Each investigation will conclude with peer critique, class discussion, and written lab reports.
Facilitator: Jayne Besjak
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be made to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/JBesjak
Supply Fee: $85 includes Student Lab Manual and investigation materials
Moot Court: Arguing Effectively & The American Legal System (12+ yo)
In this class, we will use the structure of moot court competitions (mock oral and written arguments on legal issues) to help students improve their abilities to analyze written materials and to use that analysis to formulate persuasive arguments. The class will begin with a study of our legal system and its various sources of legal authority. We will then work on cases involving matters of federal and constitutional law, assigning groups of students to argue opposing sides. Students will also have the opportunity to act as judges, questioning their peers and analyzing the effectiveness of arguments presented.Students will gain an understand of the role that the judicial branch plays in our democratic system, practice critical analysis, and examine historical and current issues that foster civic literacy.
Facilitator: Heather Marvell, Esq.
Tuition: $300/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid via PayPal to the Facilitator ([email protected])
Odyssey of the Mind (11 - 14 yo)
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition. Students work as a team over the course of the year to develop a unique solution to a "long-term" problem of their choice. Problems range in scope from technical to artistic/literary interpretations. Solutions are presented in the form of a team-created skit. Students are mentored and facilitated by a coach but are strictly required to formulate their own solutions and complete all work with no outside assistance from parents, coaches, or friends. They will develop valuable teamwork skills creating their solution, writing a script, building a theatrical set, designing costumes, characters, props, artwork, and any required technical devices, and managing a project budget. The team will perform at a regional tournament in early spring, possibly advancing to State and World levels, improving their solution as they progress.
In addition to the long-term problem, the competition includes a "spontaneous" problem-solving component consisting of a short (3-5 minutes) hands-on or verbal challenge. This may include building an apparatus from random supplies, improvisation, and other quick-thinking creative tasks. To prepare, students will spend ample time on creative and divergent thinking exercises in class to ignite imaginations and sharpen problem-solving skills.
Facilitators: Jayne Besjak and Susan Kuney
Tuition: $200/15-week semester; payments due by 8/15 and 1/15 and should be paid to the Facilitator at: paypal.me/JBesjak
Supply Fee: Approximately $20-$25 to cover the cost of team t-shirt for competition
Please contact Jayne Besjak for registration details