Registration Form (pdf)

Geneseo School District's Summer Learning Adventure

The Geneseo School District is pleased to announce the return of the Summer Enrichment Program. The 2008 Summer Learning Adventure  (SLA) is one week long this year, running from June 16 to June 20.  This enrichment program is open to all students who are entering grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. The intent of the program is to provide students with exposure to challenging concepts and activities. All courses are non-graded and noncredit courses. Students must meet behavior expectations to remain eligible once enrolled in the SLA. Please go to www.geneseoschools.org for detailed course listings and registration information.

Student Registration and Enrollment: Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parents wishing to enroll a child in the SLA should complete the attached registration form or print an online form and mail the completed form along with the $50 enrollment fee to Millikin Elementary School. Some classes have maximum enrollment of 15 students, other classes can have up to 20 students. The classes will fill up soon; don’t wait!

Registration deadline is Friday May 2, 2008.  Notification of student registration and class schedule will be emailed or postal mailed on May 16, 2008.

Refunds: Enrollment fees will be refunded in full for courses if dropped by May 30, 2008. All requests for refunds must be made in writing and received prior to 3:00 P.M. of May 30, 2008. No refund will be given for a withdrawal from a course after May 30, 2008. Behavior problems including verbal or physical conflicts with other students and/or staff will result in a student’s dismissal from the SLA. Students dismissed due to behavior are not entitled to a refund of the enrollment fee.  

We have many new classes and some repeat favorites from past years. Please note these important details regarding the Summer Learning Adventure.

·      The Summer Learning Adventure is one week long.

·      The enrollment fee is $50.

·      There are two classes per day: 8:30-10:00 and 10:15-11:45

·      Some classes will be held at the Geneseo Middle School; some will be held off campus.

·      All students can choose from any classes listed, but some instructors have noted the ages for which their curriculum is most appropriate.

·      A bus can be provided between the Middle School and Izaak Walton for an additional fee of $2. Mark the registration form and include $2.00 if you want transportation for your child.

·      Please mark four classes the student would like to attend. Number the first pick #1; second pick #2, and a third class #3 and the fourth choice #4.

·      If the registration is in too late for the student to be enrolled in their #1 and/or #2 choice because the class(es) is already full, and the student DOES NOT want to be placed in a different class, mark that on the enrollment form. We will refund the fee rather than enroll the student.

·      If the student doesn’t mind being placed in the #3 or #4 class, mark that as well.

Class #1 Terrific Trees - Izaak Walton Campground - Mrs. Suzy Buennig

Have you ever wondered what types of trees live in your neighborhood?  Did you know that you can learn about a tree’s life as well as changes in the area where it grows by looking at its rings?  Did you know that you can make your own paper from recycled materials?  During this class, we will meet at the Izaak Walton Campground to explore and learn all about trees and our environment.  You will learn how to identify trees just by looking at their leaves as well as trace environmental and historical changes using a cross section of a tree trunk.  You will also learn about renewable and nonrenewable resources and ways we can help the environment.  We will be hiking quite often so comfortable old clothes and shoes are a must as well as suntan lotion and water to drink.

Class #2  - Outdoor Exploration - Izaak Walton Campground- Mr. Bill Eaker

This class will be centered on children’s natural need to explore!  The class will take place outside at the Izaak Walton Campground north of Geneseo on the Hennepin Canal.  This area provides many opportunities for students to explore aquatic and woodland habitats.  Activities such as creating film canister fishing kits, fishing, making a debris hut, and “frogging” will be apart of this class.  Activities are generalized and time for simple, curious exploration will be provided.  Students will also be shown equipment that will enhance exploration experiences in the outdoors.  The kids will get wet and dirty, so please send them in suitable, old clothing.  The activities for this class are most suitable for students in the 4^th through 6^th grades, but all are welcome.

Class #3 - The Greatest Show on Earth - Geneseo Middle School - Mrs. Chris Ward

It continues to be the greatest show on earth!  The circus is coming to our town at the Summer Learning Adventure!  Would you enjoy learning to ride a unicycle? Juggle? Does learning to tumble or create an acrosport act interest you?  The circus was one of the few forms of entertainment that traveled the world, brought happiness to all, created thrills, and has survived the test of time. We will be studying the history of the circus and actually learning several circus acts to perform the last day of the adventure.  Chris Ward performed in Gamma Phi Circus at ISU for four years and is excited about this new adventure. We won't have fire eating or real tigers, but we plan to have some sizzling summer enriching excitement!

Class #4 - The World's Great Cultures - Geneseo Middle School - Mr. Jon Kroener

 Learn to greet people in 5 different languages!  We will learn about the different cultures that exist in the world today.  As a class, we will find out what these people wear, eat, and do for fun.  We can travel the world in the classroom as we learn about Chinese, Indian, Latino, Russian, and Arabic cultures!  Did you know the Chinese Mandarin is the spoken by nearly 1 billion people and that it is the most popular in the whole world!!!  Learn facts like these and more in this class.

Class #5 - Who “Dog-napped” Priscilla? - Geneseo Middle School - Mrs. Deb Wagner

Bobby Bedhead’s prize-winning pooch Priscilla has disappeared. Use handwriting and fingerprint analysis to help Bobby identify and convict the culprit.

 Course Goals:

·      Understand how forensic scientists to help solve criminal cases use handwriting and fingerprint analysis.

·      Use problem-solving skills to determine who is responsible for taking Priscilla. Target Age Level:  completion of 4^th – 7^th grade, but all ages are welcome. Maximum number of students per class: 14 per class period

Class #6 -American Sign Language (ASL) -Geneseo Middle School -Ms. Eliza Gordon

This sign language class is great for beginners who have little to no knowledge of ASL.  We will start with the ABC's and learn our numbers up to 30 along with the primary colors.  You will be able to take home handouts of the ABC's and numbers for practice and review.  We will then move on to learn basic phrases and signs such as "My name is..." and "How are you?". All ages welcome.

Class #7- -Conversational American Sign Language (ASL) - Geneseo Middle School - Ms. Eliza Gordon

This class is recommended for the student who already knows their ABC's and basic signs, and wishes to enhance their skills by learning more signs and phrases in a conversational way. A part of every class will be dedicated to "voices off" games that will sharpen your receptive (sight) skills while having fun at the same time. We will also learn The Pledge of Allegiance.  If time permits we may learn a song or two. All ages welcome.

Class #8- Bridge Destruction- GMS Tech. LAB - Instructor: Mr. Greg Smith

Design, build and destroy a bridge.  Students will make a bridge design and then build it.  We will test the bridges by adding weight. The goal is to build a bridge that holds the most weight.  Students will be given project guidelines that include materials, design, budget, and time limitations. Students will have a hands-on approach to solving problems. --- Suggested for students in grades 6-8, but all grades are welcome.

Class #9 - Grow a Business: GMS - Instructor

“Be your own boss!  Run your own business!  Make your own product!  Learn how to organize and operate your own business enterprise.  Together we will be making, marketing, and selling a product.  You will gain knowledge of how businesses function and about the structure of the U.S. free enterprise system and the benefits it provides.  Join us for this exciting journey as we discover the world of work!”

Class #10 -Hide It and They Will Come -Izaak Walton Campground -Mr. Brian Herron

 If searching for hidden clues, decrypting coded messages, and finding hidden treasures sound like fun, then join us at the Izaak Walton Campground north of Geneseo.  You will learn the basics of using a Global Positioning System (GPS) and apply that knowledge when you construct your own geocache.  You will search for the right location for your cache, prepare the cache, place it for others to find, and hunt for caches that others have hidden!  No previous experience with a GPS is necessary.  All materials will be provided.  Come and discover how much fun this new technology can be!

Class #11- Musical Clay- Geneseo Middle School - Ms. Elizabeth Coleman

 Let's make some noise!  Students will learn basic handbuilding skills of pinching, coiling, and slab building while making maracas, whistles, and wind chimes out of clay.  We will glaze our creations with colorful designs and have a "jam- session" on the last day of class!

Class #12- Spanish- Geneseo Middle School -Mrs. Nikki Pierce

Get ready to learn the language of Spanish!  You will be introduced to Spanish letters, numbers, and colors through games and music.  Study the Spanish words for sports and play a game.  Learn phrases to use in conversation and choose your own Hispanic name to use in class.  We will end with a Mexican tradition by having a fiesta and breaking a piñata!

Class #13 -World War II/Literature Circle- Geneseo Middle School -Mrs. Lori Johnson

Walk back into time and experience the turbulence of World War II and the Holocaust through the eyes of children.   Students will learn about the effects of the war in Europe, the impact this event had on people, and the importance of friendship by reading and exploring Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

This wonderful novel will be read in a literature circle format with many exciting and interesting activities such as role-playing, art activities, and creating poetry. This class will be a wonderful exploration of a difficult time period.  

 Registration Form (pdf)