CLASSES OFFERED 2008/2009

Contact: Adaku Davis, Program Mgr
(510) 623-2831  |  adaku_davis@yahoo

It is important to know that SJMAG’s Arts Education Program is in line with the California Visual Arts and Performance Arts Standards and that a performance at the end of each class session, (usually 8 weeks), is a normal part of our curriculum. Our classes are taught by passionate artists with well over 20 years experience in their art form. Our artists are screened by both DOJ & FBI and also for TB.

Arts With Watershed - An exciting hands on class in which students will learn & understand what a Watershed is. They learn how untreated litter & pollutants that flow into storm drains are harmful to fish & wildlife. They’ll also learn to appreciate nature & learn the skills of recycling. For the “Art” they’ll create their own “creek in a container”.

Drum It Up - This fun class for K- 4th will teach participants to play small Djembe (African), Doumbek (Middle Eastern) & Tabia (East Indian) drums along with other percussion instruments such as cowbells, tambourines and shekeres. As many as 3 – 5 rhythms can be learned depending on the level of effort and rhythm coordination.

Drumming With Adaku - An exciting drum circle class in which students will learn to play small Doumbeks, (Middle Eastern drums), along with other percussion instruments such as cowbells, double bells, claves and
shekeres. One to five rhythms are memorized by the end of the class. Rhythms are African, Latin & Brazilian.

Fun With Math – Students will be involved in real life activities like playing with pay-doh, planning a dream trip, their room stay, and picking their own careers while they use all aspects of math such as adding, subtracting, division, ratios, probabilities, floor planning, geometry, scaling, algebra, graphs, charts & more. But most of all they will realize that math is life and life is math and learn that both can be fun.

Fun With Science – Students will perform experiments & make things with everyday “stuff”. Every project has a scientific principle hidden behind it. They’ll learn the principle without realizing they are learning science. The goal is to have students realize how interesting science is & that science is involved in everything in our lives.       

Lyrically Speaking – A class aimed towards song-writing, music production and basic music theory concluding in creating an original song. The goal is to encourage creativity and awareness – individually as well as collaboratively. Students will receive a CD of their original song.
     
Mask Making – Students will explore the art of making ethnic masks from their culture and other cultures using different materials to construct a small or large mask. Students will use their mask to incorporate some dynamic games towards working peacefully in class.

Native American Puppetry – Students will learn skills to make different unique puppets while learning Native American culture and recreating stories of Native American folklore & other ethnic backgrounds.

Percussion & Poetry – A fun class that will teach students to play Djembe (African) & Doumbek (Middle Eastern) drums along with other percussion instruments such as cowbells, claves & shekeres. Poetry that touches on self-respect, confidence, cultural pride & feelings will be introduced to be memorized and recited to music.

Storytelling With Big Momma – A fun class in Theater & Language Arts! Students will read stores and poetry using emphasis & animation. They will learn descriptive words to use to prepare to write their own stories. The aim is for students to become better readers and increase their reading comprehension.

So You Want To Be A Diva – In this fun but point making class, girls will learn to be “classy instead of sassy” in their mannerism, dress & style. We discuss how TV & music videos can have a negative impact on their lives.
We focus on self-esteem, confidence, positive dressing and healthy food choices.