ASA Update

Fall classes start Tuesday, Sept. 5 3:30-6PM T, TH - Madison

After School Arts is ideal for children ages 8-12 who have a strong interest in art.  Children will learn high level art skills that require a positive attitude, ambition and discipline in the classroom.  This is not a casual arts and crafts program and is not a daycare center.  We are serious about learning about art. 

If you are interested please contact the Director at 608-516-9992 for more information.

ASA Description

After School Arts LLC , (ASA)
Hours
After school program: 3PM-6PM 
Summer camp program hours: 7:30 AM-6PM
Saturdays 10AM-12PM
Extended hours available

ASA is an academic and art learning program versus a one time drop-in program.  A minimum of 6 to 8 classes (25-30hrs) are needed to successfully learn a new skill.  Artists will learn academic skills from the STEAM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concept. Classes are built upon each learned skilled.  A 60-day minimum enrollment required.

This program is intended for parents looking for their children to be engaged in an after-school activity, offering hands-on learning with arts and a focus on health and well-being. 
 
The program Director has studied early childhood education but the program should not be used for the sole purpose of childcare.  The program is for art education purposes. The Director reserves the right to assess if the number of hours children are in care is exceeding the limitation of the program and if the number of hours are a suitable amount of hours for a child to be in care.

After School Arts uses a Reggio based program philosophy which includes the parent, teacher and community to teach the child in an art based and openly creative environment.  Parents are asked to be involved and are asked to not use ASA as a drop off child center.
 

It is highly recommended that your child has an interest in art.  If children are not participating in the art or any portion of the program, parents will be asked to meet with the Director regarding if this is the right program for the child.  Children who do not participate in the program create distractions for the children who are engaged in the program.   Children should be able to sit working on a project for 30 minutes to an hour at a time. Your child will need to be able to work independently and handle a pretty active schedule like a school environment.  Good manners and the ability to keep calm are a must.

Children should be able to do the following without assistance: read instructions, follow directions, toileting, be able to feed themselves, put on and zip clothing/coat, buckle safety belt, responsible for personal items and projects.

ASA offers healthy snacks that consists mainly of whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grain rolls, granola bar, dried fruits, juices and more.  If your child has a special diet or refuses to eat certain foods please provide an alternative lunch /snack to bring each day. 

Age appropriate for children from ages 8-18+.  Contact director for acceptance for younger and older ages for age appropriateness.

All forms need to be completed, signed and returned before your child can attend. It is required to have a meeting with the Director to review policies. No exceptions.

Tuition/Supply/Field trip fees: Parents will be notified of increases before next term, school year or summer.

 

After School Arts Classes

Culinary Arts This unit explores learning basic healthy cooking that tastes great, general cooking, and understanding food health and safety. Artists will learn skills they can use for a lifetime on making smart food choices and become independent on creating food for themselves and others. We make many of our healthy snacks together and learn about the food groups.  We will include a field trip for understanding the food and restaurant business and get a daily taste of culinary arts…yum!

Green Thumb
We will participate in a daily group garden.  Children will water and prune vegetables and flowers to be used for a Fruits of our Labor party. What we produce we will use in our snacks and other units.
Exploring the world, we will take an adventure field trip to Oblrich gardens to learn more about plants and their existence in our ecosystem. This field trip is set to inspire for the floral design unit.
Found objects. Find outdoor items that inspire us to create including: gathering organic items like leaves, rocks or other items that inspire us.

Art History and Styles
This unit explores art history of famous artists from Picasso to Jackson Pollock to Mary Cassat and more.  Impress your friends when attending an art museum with art history knowledge after taking this class.
Jackson Pollock.  Who is he? What is his story? We will go Pollock with paint! Look out…smocks needed for this day.
The kids will learn about art style and history and complete an art scavenger hunt at an art museum. 

Recycled Art
Use your creative mind to turn trash into treasures like milk carton outdoor games, items we make to help the outdoor wilderness or just silly or crazy art to let our minds relax and be free. 
Let’s make Earth day any day. Giving back--we will be doing a volunteer activity.  Learn life skills on feeling good when helping others.
 
Fruits of our Labor
In this unit we will harvest our Fruits of Our Labor and create fresh garden food and floral designs harvest party that parents can join. 
We will also learn the “labor” side of collaborating as coworkers and create our own product or catering business.

Flower Power
Flowers are a dynamic part of our life. We use them for celebrations, love, general affection and even used for apologies.
Join us on our adventure of creating our own floral designs with fresh, dried flowers and objects to make an artistic expression that can be used at a dining table, a foyer, or even at a hospital bed to promote cheer and health.

 Architecture and Art
Let’s tour the planet and find architecture that is not only functional but is beautiful art.  This unit includes planning out blueprints and creating our own mini architectural pieces.

The Art of JewelryJewelry is not just what you buy from the jewelry store. Come explore the many different cultures of jewelry and different textures and items used to make jewelry.  We will make our own creation of items that you would never think of that could be jewelry.  We will learn that jewelry is not gender specific.

Color and Paint
Learn how to color and paint in multiple mediums including glass, papers, wood, mosaic and more. This will also include learning some art history and art styles.

Creative Writing and Illustration
We will become authors and illustrators and understand what each is. Ms. Julie’s background with technical writing will help with grammar and writing lite.  Introduction to basic graphic design, using type and graphics to create visual elements.

Wisconsin Art
This unit includes making and sampling items that attribute to our dairy economy.  Dairy culinary games and Wisconsin art and history.  We will take a museum trip to learn more about the badger state.

Computer Art
Become a graphic designer by creating your logo, business card and promotional piece.  Learn how to use tools in computer applications.  Create an online portfolio to share and impress your family and friends.

Drawing 1,2 and Advanced drawing
This is a 3-month series class.  Learn all the basic and advanced skills of learning how to draw including techniques in perspective, dimension, gradients, shading and styles. 

 

Helping kids through stress when they don't know how to express the words

 

Tip: Create a Stress Jar

How to:
Any jar will do.
Put labels on rocks, poker chips, or any small flat objects with words like angry, sad, tired, hungry, confused, scared, or even "not sure".  You may need to add them as new emotions come up.

When your child expresses stress and has a difficult time understanding how to handle it, or knowing what to do with it, ask them to find their feeling from the stress jar and pick a rock.  Sit down or walk it out to try deal with it together.

Parents/adults can:

Be calm and patient

Empathize but don't excuse the behavior:  "It sounds like you had a rough day when you were left out at the lunch table."

Attack the behavior not the child: "How do you think others feel when your tone is not nice?"

Discuss problem solving techniques: "How do you think you could handle a situation like this in a more positive way in the future?"

Use positive reinforcement when you notice improvement.  " I am very proud of you how you handled that disagreement with your friend."