Classes
Northern Light Winter 2025 Session
Winter session classes will run on Fridays, Jan. 10 – Feb. 28, 2025.
NLLC is not a drop off program, but an opportunity to create a community for your whole homeschooling family.
2025 Winter Session Important Dates
Friday November 22nd- Class Submissions Due
Fri. Jan. 3rd 9am – Class Leaders Early Register.
Sat. Jan. 4th 9am – Open Class Registration for membership.
Friday, January 10th – First Day of Winter Classes
Friday, February 28th – Last Day of Winter Classes
Already a Member? Know what classes you want to sign up for? Register for classes through the Member’s Portal.
If the cost is a barrier to becoming a NLLC member or attending classes, apply for a scholarship.
2025 Winter Class Descriptions
| Class | Time | Class Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Crafts Hangout for teens (ages 10+) | 09:30 - 10:25 | Bring in arts and crafts projects you are working on at home. Listen to your favorite music, share art ideas, and spend time creating with friends. 12 and up. Lead by Chelsea L. |
| Cheerleading (ages 9-13) | 09:30 - 10:25 | We will be learning cheers, stunting, and tumbling. Please dress appropriately for movement, sneakers and no jewelry. Lead by Gini V. Student Leaders Sienna & Emma |
| Geography Journey Continues (ages 7-9) additional materials fee: $1.50 | 09:30 - 10:25 | Grab your passport and join us to learn more about the world that we live in! We’ll continue making our way through the countries of Europe and then it's on to Asia. Through the session, as a class we’ll travel over land, taking boats as necessary, going through country by country as they are today. Each week (not the first one ) kids will choose a country that they will do some research on, draw the flag and be prepared to give a brief presentation to the class to share what they learned. This class will be great for folks who want to continue from last session and also very welcoming and accessible for new students. Lead by Margaret S. |
| Music appreciation (ages 0-7) | 09:30 - 10:25 | This class offers playful engagement with music. Each week, we will experience and learn about a different musical instrument, genre, or figure. Course content is student directed: each student will get a chance to pick a topic for the week (and teach us about it, if they want!) Classes will follow the loose structure of "experience" (e.g. see and hear the musical instrument/genre/figure), then learn (e.g. a brief presentation about the history or workings or a musical instrument/genre/figure--with accompanying coloring/sensory projects for littles), followed by an integrative "experience (e.g. taking turns playing the instrument or hearing more examples of a genre). We will close each class with group dance party! I will prepare any course content or days that don't have student/parent volunteers. Lead by Asia F. |
| Music Video Production (ages 9+) | 09:30 - 10:25 | Over the course of the semester, we'll produce two music videos from scratch! First we'll vote on which songs we want to tackle, then we'll design a concept for the video, write a storyboard, and get shooting. There will be many opportunities for performing, as well as running crew. We'll need directors, set designers, costume and makeup designers, lighting, choreography, editing and probably more. The 2 completed music videos will be uploaded to a private server and shared with the NLLC community at the end of the semester. Lead by Darcy R. |
| SIX Theater (ages 9+) | 09:30 - 10:25 | In this class we will be taking a song from SIX the musical and performing it at the end of the session With choreography and costuming. Lead by Adrianna H. Student Leaders Eloise & Rowen |
| Writing Workshop (ages 9+) additional materials fee: $5 | 09:30 - 10:25 | The Writing Workshop will support students through the writing process from idea development, outlining, drafting, revision, editing and publishing. Each week we students will be offered a quiet writing space and/or mini-lessons to engage small groups in fun writing exercises. Students will move through the writing process at their own pace supported with one-on-one conferences with class leaders or peers. A few students will share their work each week. Students will publish their work at the end of the session in a group anthology. For students of any age; emergent writers can participate with a parent partner. Lead by Shannon 0'C and Michael McA |
| Contemporary Dance (ages 9-13) | 10:30 - 11:25 | We will learn a choreographed dance set to the song "Break My Heart" by Dua Lipa to perform at the last week of class. There will be dance warm-up stretches and then learning the specific steps each week that will combine both contemporary and ballet style. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. We will be dancing the entire class. This is for beginners-intermediate level. we will also be discussing costumes to wear for our final performance. Lead by Alicia S. Student Leader Leona |
| Dungeons & Dragons (ages 9+) | 10:30 - 11:25 | In this class we will be saving the town of Greylank from their vampire tyrant. Open to both beginners and experienced players. The first class will be spent creating our Level 5 characters; if you create a character before the first day, you can help classmates new to D&D create theirs. Pete Hancy is the Dungeon Master (DM). Lead by Allison B. Student Leader Pete |
| Games Club (ages 7+) | 10:30 - 11:25 | Join us to play some fun board/card games together! We will bring lots of games to choose from each week, and have one or two planned to learn and play together. Participants are encouraged to bring their own games to share as well, and are welcome to teach the group new games. If there is interest, we will also do some game design, and encourage people to create their own new games to share with the group! (No screen-based games please) Lead by Johanna B. and Nora B. |
| Magic of Enchantment 2.0 (ages 11+) additional materials fee: $10 | 10:30 - 11:25 | In the continuation of the Magic of Enchantment class, students will actively share their knowledge and skills through engaging presentations, fostering collaboration and creativity. Peer-led learning will take center stage as students guide discussions and activities, enhancing their leadership and critical thinking abilities. The class will explore historical fiction and non-fiction to uncover the lives of magical figures, blending imaginative storytelling with factual analysis. Together, students will deepen their understanding of magic’s role in history while honing communication and research skills. Lead by Susanne Q. and Shannon O'C |
| Math Class (ages 7+) additional materials fee: $5 | 10:30 - 11:25 | In this class we will learn multiplication and division. Each class will begin with a short lecture followed by a worksheet, which we will complete together. We will cover multi-digit multiplication, long division, and take a look at fractions and decimals. Lead by Tamar C. |
| Spanish (ages 3-7) additional materials fee: $5 | 10:30 - 11:25 | This is a continuation of the current Spanish class for the younger ages. We will continue to review and learn colors, numbers, body parts, introductions, seasons, days, months and much more. We will read books in Spanish and English, play games such as Bingo, Simon says (simone dice), Lotería, Spanish memory….. Please bring a folder to keep worksheets in and bring crayons 🖍️ or markers. Lead by Ananda B. |
| Book Fun (ages 3-7) additional materials fee: $10 | 11:30 - 12:25 | Come join us to for this all things picture books class led by Lena. Each week there will be book reading, story games and making our own books. Working on independent or collaborative book illustrations and text will be a part of each week. Lead by Liz H. Student Leader Lena |
| Chapter Quest Graphic Novel edition (ages 9+) | 11:30 - 12:25 | Dive into the colorful and exciting world of graphic novels in this student-led book club! Students will pair up and choose a graphic novel--fiction or nonfiction--on the first day. Then, they will take the lead in guiding the group's exploration of it for one class session. Class outline: Week 1: Kick-off! Learn about the class structure, explore book options, make your selection and start reading. Week 2: Plan it out! Partners work together to create a discussion guide and brainstorm a fun activity related to their chosen book. Weeks 3-7: Student Leaders Take Charge! Each week, two students will lead the class, diving into their book with an interactive discussion and activity to bring the story to life. Week 8: Wrap-up and Celebrate! The group votes on their favorite book and creates a poster or presentation to recommend their favorite to others in NLLC and hang it up in the NLLC hall. Leader Jeanette DeV. and Rachel T. |
| Creative Writing in Fan Fiction (ages 9+) | 11:30 - 12:25 | In this class we will be taking a dive into fan fiction through creative writing. There will also be talks on different subjects to do with fan fiction, as well as focused writing time. Fan fiction is a story you write based on one of your favorite books or series. You can use existing characters or create new ones. Fan fiction is based off of the realm and places in the series, and usually some characters (but not necessarily). We will be working on writing our own fan fiction, solo or in groups of two, throughout the session. Lead by Sharon C. Student Leaders Rowen and Eloise |
| Music Hang-out (ages 11+) | 11:30 - 12:25 | In this class we will listen to and discuss music. Every week, everyone will be allowed to bring songs and pieces of music that they like, which will hopefully broaden everyone's taste in music. Class Leader Allison B. Student Leader Walter |
| Playground Games (ages 3-9) | 11:30 - 12:25 | Join us for outdoor group game fun. Meet at Cascadilla park weather permitting or in the gym. Games may include but not limited to: Freeze tag; lava monster; blob tag; shark; forest fire; sacred goat; sardines; hide and go seek; red light, green light; red rover; fisher and heron, Predator/Prey Come ready to play and if you have a game to teach us, please do! Lead by Meg McD. |
| Puppet Creators Guild (ages 7+) additional materials fee: $4 | 11:30 - 12:25 | In this class we will explore the magical art of puppetry, including sock puppets, shadow puppets, and more. We will begin by learning hand-mouth coordination and improv games, to spark the personality of our future puppets. Do they have an accent? An odd trait? Then we will spend a few classes making our sock and shadow puppets. Will your puppet have glasses? a mustache? Will your puppet be a snowman and have none of those things. We will spend a few sessions creating two puppet shows. One with shadow puppets, and one with sock puppets. Class participants will decide the theme. On the last day we will do the puppet shows. Parents will come early to see our masterpiece. Lead by Fern P. |
| Social Committee (all ages welcome) additional materials fee: $10 | 11:30 - 12:25 | Join a group of kids and adults planning NLLC social activities throughout the year. We'll create a calendar of activities; break into subcommittees such as Yearbook, Artist Market, and February Dance; as well as do hands-on art and project building. Bring your ideas and how you can contribute to make them happen. Lead by Gini V. and Shannon O'C. |
| Let's overly complicate things (all ages welcome) | 12:30 - 1:25 | Join us in constructing overly complicated chain reactions to complete some simple tasks, in other words, let's build a Rube Goldberg Machine! We will be using recycled and repurposed materials, team work, research and iteration to build the coolest chain reactions we can come up with. The class will be a mix of planning, experiments, team work, construction and iteration with the goal of a final large machine. This class will be student led with adult support. Lead by Jeanette DeV. Sara T. Rachel T. |
| Making Organized Noise (ages 9+) | 12:30 - 1:25 | In this class we'll play some songs, improvise, and maybe learn a little bit about music and music history. I'd like everyone participating to think of a song they like (any genre) and tell me the first class. I'll collect all the songs and try to find the chords/tabs/notes and bring them to class so we can try to learn a different song each week. We'll probably try to improvise too. It's not something I do a lot, but I want to explore it more and if everyone is cool with that then maybe we can kind of teach each other. Students should have some experience playing an instrument and should plan to bring an instrument to class. Lead by Allison B. Student Leader Nadia |
| Secret Language Club (ages 7+) additional materials fee: $2 | 12:30 - 1:25 | Imagine having a secret language that you could speak with other homeschoolers without other people understanding you. The language is called Toki Pona (meaning the “good/simple language”). Created in 2001, there are thousands of people around the world who speak the language. The language only has 137 words and a simple grammar, making it very easy to learn. It’s also a very creative language that involves finding creative ways to describe things (e.g., calling a helicopter a “sky machine”). We’ll also teach you matching hand signs to more easily learn and use the language. (The hand signs will also make silent communication possible when needed – maybe on secret missions….) Through games, drawing activities, and memorization techniques, you’ll learn the vocabulary and practice speaking Toki Pona. The class goal is that by the end of the winter session, you’ll be able to have basic conversations with friends in Toki Pona. (If you do some practicing in between classes, you can totally get to this level!) Another reason to learn Toki Pona: it will make it much easier to learn any other language!! We’ll talk in class about how you can also use Toki Pona to learn to speak ANY other language more quickly and easily. Imagine walking through the halls at Northern Light and hearing people speaking Toki Pona – and you understand it too! That’s our dream. Does it excite you too? Lead by Matt J. Student Leader Nidav PLEASE NOTE THE INSTRUCTOR WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST CLASS 1/10/2025 |
| Yearbook Club (ages 7+) | 12:30 - 1:25 | NLLC will create a 2024-2025 Yearbook! This will be a learning process for all of us as we take the concept and create a book to celebrate our year of learning together. We will determine a yearbook design and layout, write content, take photos, and fund raise for printing costs. Students will take on the roles needed to accomplish the creation of our yearbook. We will meet as a club during lunch, however interested students who cannot make this time can also meet during Social Committee and/or participate via email. Lead by Shannon O'C. Student Leader Sage |
| Amazing Ancient World (ages 10-13) | 1:30 - 2:25 | Exploring the wonders of ancient civilizations around the world. Each week we will share with each other our research into the architecture and cultures of our oldest known civilizations. This could be done in any way that appeals to you. Is the architecture cool, do they have amazing food, do you love the music/language, really any area that calls your name. Lead by Liz B. and Liz H. |
| Aurora Film Coop Part II (ages 9+) additional materials fee: $10 | 1:30 - 2:25 | This session we will finish filming our last fall project, and those who want to will work on editing the films we shot together, including choosing best takes, adding soundtrack songs, special effects, and credits. Some filming may take place offsite and not during NLLC time - we will plan as a group and consider locations, schedules, weather, etc. Lead by Shira E. Student Leader Lion |
| Dungeons and Dragons (ages 9-13) | 1:30 - 2:25 | This class will focus on learning the basics of Dungeons and Dragons(DnD). Dnd is a interactive table top role playing game where you take the place of characters on adventures in a mystical world. We will explore the basics how to your own build characters and the concepts of the game. At the end of this class you will know how to play through a dnd campaign. Lead by Liz B. Student Leaders Aaren and Orion THIS CLASS WILL TAKE PLACE OFF SITE AT TCPL. |
| Poets' Playground (ages 9+) | 1:30 - 2:25 | This is a combo class/club for writers and/or enthusiasts of poetry. Each week, class will consist of the following activities with designated time slots: 1)Coffee house poetry jam/slam: Children read aloud poems they’ve written or are writing, or poetry written by others that they enjoy. We may add some instruments later in the session to accompany spoken poetry. There is no expectation that all participate in the performance aspect. If a student wants to write poems and share in a more subdued fashion, that is perfect too. All personalities and preferences are honored, but the classroom will be noisy at times. 2)A portion of class time will be designated for the teacher to work privately with 2-3 students a week on poems they are crafting, per request. Students can also support each other during this time, or work alone. 3)Poetry prompts and a short lesson or brainstorming exercises will be offered each week. Lead by Michelle F. and Allison B. |
| Quads Class Indoors (ages 9+) | 1:30 - 2:25 | In this class will be practicing the sport of moving on all fours, also know as quadrobics. We will explore walking (on all fours), trotting, cantering, and if we are feeling confident we can try our paws at jumping. We will continue to play games with quadrobics elements each week. And for the finial class we will have an opportunity to go through an obstacle course again. Lead by Elena M. Student Leader Cadence |