2008 Leapfrog Courses
for students completing grades PreK - 3

Math Enrichment Courses

Students with identified strength in math based on test scores or other academic measures may enroll in a math class. Students must have a mathematics score in the 95%ile or higher on an in-grade, nationally-normed standardized achievement test or submit an admission portfolio. Click here for more information about Admission Criteria.

The standards for math courses are aligned with those identified by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and include:

• Making mathematical connections
• Using problem-solving strategies
• Increasing reasoning skills
• Advancing computational fluency
  

Week 1 (July 7 – 11, 2008)
ECONOMICS, TIME & MONEY
Sites: Evanston morning & afternoon; Glen Ellyn morning only

What do time, money, and business have in common? For a start, if you run a business, you need to understand that time is money. Students discover numerous other commonalities as well. From working with budgeting, currencies and systems for tracking time to analyzing profit/loss
and supply/demand relationships, class participants apply their mathematical
skills as they develop and organize a
business enterprise.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

1-A (PreK) Calendars & Clocks
“No time to say hello, goodbye! I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!” said the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. In this course, students learn about complex counting skills as they explore various types of
calendars and time-keeping tools, and learn how these devices help businesses stay organized and on target.

1-A (K) Currency Exchange
Money doesn’t grow on trees! Students in this class learn where money comes from and its role in society. Class participants increase their computation skills as they simulate how a bank functions, learn about saving and interest, and exchange currencies from rupees to riels.

1-A (1) To Market, To Market: Supply & Demand
If your video game is going to be the next “must-have” item, how do you know how many to produce? How do you make sure it sells? As aspiring marketing directors, students make connections between math and practical situations as they work with simple formulas to consider supply and demand.

1-A (2) Budgeting a Business
Are you making money? To answer that question, students set up a budget for a business enterprise and explore budgeting in various situations including a weekly allowance. From calculating costs to paying employees, students advance their problem-solving and computation skills as they learn about the budget process.

1-A (3) The Price is Right: Profitable Production
What must business owners consider in order to make a profit? How do they use math to increase a business’ production? Young entrepreneurs explore these questions and more as they draw on their knowledge of variables and proportions and apply problem-solving strategies.

Week 2 (July 14 – 18, 2008)
PROBLEM SOLVING & GAMES
Sites: Evanston morning & afternoon; Glen Ellyn morning only

Eliminate illogical options and solutions will emerge! With a focus on logical thinking, young mathematicians employ strategic reasoning, estimation and mental math skills as they play games, work through puzzles and tackle word problems.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

2-A (PreK) Seeking Solutions: Problems & Puzzles
Students discover solutions to fascinating word problems and clever puzzles as
they use a variety of strategies including computation, logic and deduction.

2-A (K) Practicing with Puzzlers: Reasoning & Estimation
Complex and tough-to-solve puzzles, games and problems are no match for students armed with the honed estimation and reasoning skills they acquire in this class.

2-A (1) Tricky Teasers: Predictions & Probability
Students’ analytical skills are put to the test as they identify key information,
make educated predictions, and consider probability — all in the context of word problems and brainteasers.

2-A (2) Computation Challenge: Multiplication & Fractions
Difficult problems and involved games keep young minds challenged as they use fractions and multiplication to arrive at solutions.

2-A (3) Multi-Step Math Madness: Complex Problems & Games
When problems require more than one step, solving them can get very tricky. Students carefully work through multi-step problems provided by the instructor and also create their own. After that, they solve challenging logic games involving cards and dice.

Week 3 (July 21 – 25, 2008)
GEOMETRY
Sites: Evanston morning and afternoon; Glen Ellyn morning only

“Where there is matter, there is geometry.” — Johannes Kepler. Young mathematicians explore the fundamentals of geo­metry in the context of the real world through engaging hands-on investigations. Students develop spatial reasoning skills, locate and identify geometric attributes, and learn and use geometric vocabulary as they participate in activities.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

3-A (PreK) Kitchen Geometry & Measurement
Students create edible polygons, practice measurement and discover real-life ways
to apply geometric concepts in a chef’s paradise — the kitchen!

3-A (K) Polygons Investigations
Young mathematicians discover, identify, and compare properties of polygons
that they find in the world around them. Students predict possible outcomes as
they construct and deconstruct triangles, quadrilaterals, octagons and other
multi-sided objects.

3-A (1) Geometry in Motion
What do shapes look like when they
slide, flip and turn? Students examine the changing face of shapes as they rotate these two-dimensional structures. In this process they also learn about geometric concepts including congruence, similarity and symmetry.

3-A (2) 3-D Geometry
In this course, students build solid figures, including pyramids and polyhedra, and
use Euler’s formula to discover the relationship between faces, vertices, and edges. Students solve perplexing problems and consider the everyday uses of 3-D geometry.

3-A (3) Geometry & Problem Solving
Armed with reasoning and measuring skills, students grapple with real-world problems of area, perimeter, spatial reasoning and geometric design.

Science Enrichment Courses

Students with identified math or verbal strength based on test scores or other academic measures may enroll in a science class. Students must have either a math or verbal score in the 95%ile or higher on an in-grade, nationally-normed standardized achievement test or submit an admission portfolio. Click here for more information about Admission Criteria.

The standards for all science courses are aligned with the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and include:

• Introducing the process of scientific inquiry
• Developing higher level thinking skills such as comparing, classifying, sequencing and predicting
• Considering change, constancy, and measurement as relevant to science
• Identifying the systems, order, and organization of science
• Providing evidence, models, and explanations to back up conclusions
  

Week 1 (July 7 – 11, 2008)
ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCE
Sites: Evanston morning & afternoon; Glen Ellyn morning only

What principles of technology, architectural science, physics, and engineering
are behind some of the world’s greatest structures? In these classes, activities
focus on learning about the origins and development of existing structures from around the globe. Through hands-on investigation and inquiry, students are
provided with an excellent foundation for future scientific investigations in physics and engineering.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

1-B (PreK) Building Bridges
Truss, arch, suspension, and more — young engineers learn about bridge structures and study famous examples from around the world. Students create their own bridge models based on the principles of physics and through the process of
scientific inquiry.

1-B (K) Constructing Pyramids
Who built the pyramids and how? Aspiring archaeologists discover the background of these amazing structures and apply the laws of physics and math to create their own.

1-B (1) Digging Canals & Tunnels
From the canals of Italy, Egypt and Panama to tunnels for cars, water, and power lines, aspiring engineers consider the development of these critical transportation systems. Students design and construct models and explain their planning process to peers and instructors.

1-B (2) Designing Sailing Ships
Following in the footsteps of naval architects, novice designers examine the different methods of assembling ships. Students implement their discoveries as they design ships complete with keels, hulls, and masts.

1-B (3) Raising Skyscrapers & Towers
How do you build a 200-story building so it won’t topple? How does wind influence an architect’s design? Student architects must answer these questions and more as they unsheathe the engineering and physics behind tall towers and stupendous skyscrapers.
Note: The section for third graders is only offered in the morning in Evanston and Glen Ellyn.

Week 2 (July 14 – 18, 2008)
EARTH SCIENCE
Sites: Evanston morning only; Glen Ellyn morning only

The globe becomes a laboratory as students “travel” in and around it to discover earth science. These classes expose students to geology, ecology, oceanography, and atmospheric science, providing a basis for future explorations in the field of science.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

2-B (PreK) Underwater Exploration
Junior oceanographers dive into the sea and examine coral reefs, underwater volcanoes, properties of water, and erosion. Hands-on experiments foster students’ understanding of underwater environments.

2-B (K) Into the Earth
Exploring the magnetic field of the earth’s core, revealing the source of earthquakes, and investigating caves are among the endeavors students embark upon as they burrow into the earth. Visual demonstrations and experiments keep students intrigued throughout their “journeys.”

2-B (1) Some Like It Hot!
From global warming and seasonal changes to forest fires, aspiring earth scientists consider the impact that heat sources have on the world. Students practice making predictions and drawing conclusions about how natural forces and human activities change our environment.

2-B (2) Climate Comparison: Deserts & Rainforests
From the dry heat of the Sahara Desert to the humid, green paradise of the Amazon Rainforest, amateur climatologists explore temperature, rainfall, and environmental differences between arid and moist lands.

2-B (3) Ice Mysteries: Glaciers & the Ice Age
What caused the Ice Age? What lies beneath glaciers? What’s happening to our polar ice caps? Aspiring geologists discuss theories, conduct experiments, and compare evidence to learn the science behind these questions and discover possible answers.

Week 3 (July 21 – 25, 2008)
LIFE SCIENCE
Sites: Evanston morning and afternoon; Glen Ellyn morning only

What connects all living things? Through investigations and simulations, class participants explore environments and discover the fascinating processes that keep living things thriving and connected. Students are exposed to fundamental principles of life science, preparing them for more advanced explorations in biology and other related fields.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

3-B (PreK) Insects Around Us
Young entomologists enter the world of insects. From the life cycle of butterflies and systems of order in ant colonies to the structure of a bee’s hive, students explore, classify, and compare insects and their environs.

3-B (K) Aspiring Vets
Junior veterinarians classify and compare animals and decipher their unique
behaviors and characteristics. Students
also examine animals’ connections with other living things and their environment through interactive projects.

3-B (1) Plant & Flower Power
Budding botanists experiment with seeds, soil and light conditions, examine tree rings, and consider the process of pollination with plants and flowers. Scientific inquiry is reinforced as students design, implement and evaluate experiments.

3-B (2) The Human Body: Circulating Cells
Young biologists investigate the systems of cells circulating within humans. Activities range from creating models of cells and hearts to using inquiry to explore the effects of exercise on circulation.

3-B (3) Inside the Human Brain
Young neurologists go inside the brain to analyze its systems and understand its connection to the rest of the body. Among other activities, students map the brain, experiment with senses and the brain, and use interactive Web tools to investigate
the brain.
Note: The section for third graders is only offered in the morning in Evanston and Glen Ellyn.

Language Arts Enrichment Courses

Students with identified verbal strength based on test scores or other academic measures may enroll in a language arts class. Students must have a verbal score in the 95%ile or higher on an in-grade, nationally-normed standardized achievement test or submit an admission portfolio. Click here for more information about Admission Criteria.

The standards for all language arts courses are aligned with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and include:

• Increasing vocabulary
• Improving critical reading
• Developing critical thinking
• Developing writing skills
• Appreciating different perspectives including historical, cultural and cross-cultural
• Representing learning through different media

Week 1 (July 7 – 11, 2008)
MYSTERIES OF THE SEA
Sites: Evanston morning only; Glen Ellyn morning only

What happened to the ships that disappeared from the ocean? What can explain the strange sightings and experiences of sailors? Students sharpen their writing,
listening, vocabulary and critical thinking skills as they explore these historical mysteries. Readings coupled with writing projects provide students with opportunities
to examine facts versus fiction and create their own versions of these mysteries.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

1-C (PreK) Lighthouse Stories
Amidst shrouds of fog and coal-black skies, lighthouses provide illumination but also create shadows. Students’ early reading and listening comprehension skills are fostered as they delve into stories about these coastal beacons. Projects such as writing cartoon stories and making maps enhances their understanding.

1-C (K) Pirates & Treasures
Through fictional and non-fictional
literature, students discover pirates and treasures, decipher codes, and hunt for clues using readings and maps. The historical and cultural forces that surrounded pirating in different parts of the world at different time periods are also studied. To develop writing skills, students pen journals and stories.

1-C (1) Monsters & Mermaids
Students expand their reading, researching, and listening skills through the exploration of fantastic tales about mysterious creatures, such as the Loch Ness monster, and singing mermaids. Writing skills are advanced as students craft their own accounts of monster sightings in formats such as illustrated newspaper accounts, live reports, and short stories.

1-C (2) The Mystery of Atlantis
From Plato’s writings to the logs of modern-day sea divers and oceanographers who claim to have seen the evidence, students compare and contrast several theories about the lost island of Atlantis. Students increase their vocabulary and develop writing skills as they incorporate facts to create newspapers and travel brochures related to life on Atlantis.

1-C (3) The Bermuda Triangle
From unexplained disappearances to strange yellow fogs, the Bermuda Triangle is a center of mystery. Comparing fictional and non-fictional accounts, students draw on their critical-thinking skills and engage in writing and research activities to uncover the truths (and untruths) of this legendary area of the ocean.

Week 2 (July 14 – 18, 2008)
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Sites: Evanston morning and afternoon; Glen Ellyn morning only

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” — Lord Byron. Emerging writers make their mark in ink as they progress through these weeklong writing workshops. Students’ reading, brainstorming, writing, editing, and vocabulary skills are enhanced.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

2-C (PreK) Picture Stories
Young writers’ creative skills are honed as they use pictures, ranging from photographs and works of art to the students’ own drawings, as a springboard for class, group and independent story writing.

2-C (K) Comics
Brainstorming, sequencing, and making connections are emphasized as students develop their comic writing and drawing skills. Group and individual activities foster students’ understanding of what it takes to make a comic story great.

2-C (1) Interviews & Biographies
Amateur biographers gain interviewing skills including developing effective questions, taking useful notes and writing accurate quotes. Working together and independently, students move through the writing process to craft fascinating biographies.

2-C (2) Investigative Reporting
Following in the footsteps of many great reporters, Leapfrog reporters employ their researching, observing, and writing skills to capture the “scoop” in words. Students gain knowledge of — and experience with — identifying a topic of interest to readers, structuring a newspaper story and constructing a thoroughly investigated and polished piece.

2-C (3) Descriptive Writing
In both fiction and nonfiction formats, students expand their vocabularies and infuse their writing with vivid descriptions of characters and settings. With teacher guidance and peer feedback, students move through the writing process and compose original works.
Note: The section for third graders is only offered in the morning in Evanston and Glen Ellyn.

Week 3 (July 21 – 25, 2008)
UNSOLVED MYSTERIES
Sites: Evanston morning only; Glen Ellyn morning only

Unanswered questions and lingering mysteries stump students as they consider solutions to cold cases in history. Critical thinking skills are developed as students analyze literature and try to determine what happened and why. Writing activities and projects encourage students to syn­thesize the information they uncover. These integrated language arts classes are designed for the student with an inquisitive mind.

Identify the appropriate section for your child based on his/her current grade level. The course code and grade level precedes each course title.

3-C (PreK) Mythical Creatures
Dragons, unicorns, and centaurs: magical creatures still intrigue students today.
Class participants expand their critical-thinking skills as they listen to stories, ask questions, and form opinions about these legendary beasts. Class activities that foster early reading and writing skills include creating illustrated class stories and poems and designing dioramas depicting the settings in which these magical creatures could have lived.

3-C (K) The Mystery of King Tut
What happened to the boy king of Egypt 3,000 years ago? Using stories and non-fictional evidence, students delve into the mystery of King Tutankhamen’s death
and the exciting story of his tomb’s rediscovery. Students hone their critical-thinking skills as they determine if the young pharaoh was murdered or simply died of natural causes.

3-C (1) Missing Peoples & Lost Cities
The mysteries of El Dorado, the legendary South American city of gold, and Machu Picchu, the abandoned Inca city, are explored in this course. Where are these cities located? How were they built? What happened to their residents? Students read stories and archaeologists’ accounts looking for evidence left behind, and formulate their own opinions, as they expand their writing skills and become reporters covering these stories!

3-C (2) Disappearing Acts: Amelia Earhart & George Mallory
When Earhart’s plane went down in 1937 and Mallory vanished atop Mt. Everest in 1924, their mysteries began. Students analyze news reports and stories to get to the bottom of these disappearances. Creative projects such as editorial news stories
and detailed time lines allow students to enhance their understanding of the events and form and express their opinions.

3-C (3) The Many Mysteries of Space
Space is endless and so are the questions about its origins, composition, and unique features. Students explore several of the mysteries of space including black holes, quasars, wormholes and dark matter by reviewing the research, reading about recent discoveries, and considering the visual evidence. Students delve into a space topic of interest and present the story behind the phenomenon.

All-Day Option
For students completing grade 3

Science Enrichment Courses

Students with identified math or verbal strength based on test scores or other academic measures may enroll in a science class. Students must have either a math or verbal score in the 95%ile or higher on an in-grade, nationally-normed standardized achievement test or submit an admission portfolio. Click here for more information about Admission Criteria.

The standards for all science courses are aligned with the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and include:

• Introducing the process of scientific inquiry
• Developing higher level thinking skills such as comparing, classifying, sequencing and predicting
• Considering change, constancy, and measurement as relevant to science
• Identifying the systems, order, and organization of science
• Providing evidence, models, and explanations to back up conclusions

Week 1 (July 7 – 11, 2008)
JUST ADDED! Week 2 (July 14 – 18, 2008)
1-D (3); 2-F(3) Lego Robotics

The design and construction of simple and complex machines fascinate young minds. Using LEGO blocks, sensors, motors,
and wheel gears, students design their own robots. While gaining hands-on
experience in engineering and computer programming principles, students work independently and in teams, applying their problem-solving skills to program robotic systems that respond to feedback from
the environment. Participants learn about basic computer science and engineering principles that have brought about new products ranging from the space shuttle
to the home refrigerator. This class encourages young engineers to apply
their math and science skills in a fun,
practical environment.

Week 2 (July 14 – 18, 2008)
2-D (3) Habitats & Contraptions: An Introduction to Engineering

School supplies, a hamster wheel, sports equipment, and toys are designed to make lives easier and/or more engaging. Using higher-level thinking and problem-solving skills, students experience the process of engineering design as they brainstorm, develop, and construct new products including toys, small pet habitats, and contraptions. Teamwork and communication are fostered as students find practical solutions to everyday problems. This class is the perfect choice for students who enjoy the challenge of using math and science skills to create products and solutions for our world.

Week 3 (July 21 – 25, 2008)
3-D (3) Animation Station: An Introduction to Computer Animation

Language Arts Enrichment Courses

Students with identified verbal strength based on test scores or other academic measures may enroll in a language arts class. Students must have a verbal score in the 95%ile or higher on an in-grade, nationally-normed standardized achievement test or submit an admission portfolio. Click here for more information about Admission Criteria.

The standards for all language arts courses are aligned with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and include:

• Increasing vocabulary
• Articulating personal connections to time, place and social/cultural systems
• Developing critical thinking
• Enhancing writing
• Applying knowledge of media techniques to create projects and discuss texts
• Developing listening comprehension
• Understanding the interactions of historical and cultural contexts

Week 1 (July 7 – 11, 2008)
1-E (3) Story to Stage

How does a story make it to the stage? Multiple steps lead to a stage production. Students in this class collaborate and brainstorm to generate a story outline. They carefully develop characters, scenes and dialogue. In addition to writing, students design a set, and find props and costumes. All of this leads to a final production
at the Expo. Story to Stage takes students through a variety of hands-on activities that enhance writing competency and
foster expression and performance skills.

Week 2 (July 14 – 18, 2008)
2-E (3) Penning & Presenting: A Writing Workshop

Writing words on a page is only half the art of communication; stepping into the limelight and hooking the audience with an engaging presentation really puts a communicator’s skills to the test! Students research a variety of genres ranging from persuasive speech to interpretative prose and poetry before deciding on the format for their presentation. They hone their writing skills as they draft, edit, and revise their pieces. Projection, tone of voice, body language and listening skills are stressed as students develop presentation skills. This class encourages young writers and orators to advance their writing and expressive language skills.

Week 3 (July 21 – 25, 2008)
3-E (3) Reporting Live & In Print

“This just in…Reporting live from Northwestern University.” Capturing the attention of readers and viewers is an art that students delve into through developing presentation skills, identifying key information, learning editing techniques, structuring electronic and print media presentations, practicing interviewing skills, and locating sources for story ideas. As journalists and broadcasters, students stretch their linguistic abilities as they become familiar with forms of media prose including personality profiles, editorials, and features. This class allows young journalists to develop listening skills and boost their writing and performance skills.