Kids Programs at Womanspace

Bookgirl: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
For ages 9–13. Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. This book club is for 9-13 year old girls who love to read. Each session includes a lively discussion, an activity and refreshments. Read the book and be ready to share your favorite parts!

Monica is member of the Board of Directors at Womanspace, as well as Marketing Committee Chair. She started Bookgirl at Womanspace in 2008 in order to share her passion for reading with our Junior Members. Monica is a writer and is working on her first novel.

Course #: JM10-3
Dates: September 16
Time: Thursday, 6:00–7:30p
Instructor: Monica Krysztopa
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $5 Register by September 14

Day on the Farm
For all ages (under 9 with parent). Help plant, weed, hoe and harvest at Hazzard Free Farm. Learn what life on the farm is like with Andy, one of the four farmers of award-winning First Hand Harvest CSA. Andy will share the delight and the dirt, plus lead you on a hike of the property. Wear clothes that can get dirty, hard-soled shoes or boots, long pants, work gloves and a hat. Bring a sack lunch-it may be enhanced by food we harvest from the fields that day.

Andrea Hazzard has a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture and Urban Forestry from Western Illinois University. She has experience in native restoration, prescribed fire management, greenhouse production, commercial and residential landscaping. Three years ago she started Hazzard Free Farm and began growing herbs and vegetables. She completed the Farm Beginnings coursework at Angelic Organics Learning Center in 2007 and in 2009 joined forces with three other farmers to form First Hand Harvest CSA LLC. In spring of 2009 she began working at U of I Extension as the Local Foods Systems Coordinator.

Course #: JM10-1
Dates: September 18
Time: Saturday, 10:00a–1:00p
Instructor: Andrea Hazzard
Location: Hazzard Free Farm, 5111 Ahrens Rd., Pecatonica, IL
Cost: $20 Register by September 16

Cleverly Coordinated
For ages 9 & up. This class will introduce some basic organizing ideas for you to use everyday We will talk about how to coordinate calendars with friends and family, how to plan a fantastic party and what to do with all those great pictures sitting on your camera's memory card. These organizing techniques may even help you make your social life buzz!!!

Julia is a professional organizer, specializing in decluttering and home organizing projects. She is a licensed Realtor and Property Manager with Wilcox Real Estate and Property Management. She is also the mother of a very organized 11 year old!

Course #: JM10-2
Dates: September 21
Time: Tuesday, 6:00–7:30p
Instructor: Julia Wilcox
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by September 20

The Wright 3
For girls ages 10–13. Curiosity and a love of reading are prerequisites for this intricate and magnificently imagined sequel to Blue Balliett's international bestseller, Chasing Vermeer. Supersleuths Petra and Calder, along with Calder's old friend, Tommy are cryptically drawn into another art mystery, this time involving a Frank Lloyd Wright architectural masterpiece, the Robie House. We’ll read about a sixth grade class' attempts to save this Hyde Park landmark from demolition, when eerie events are reported. Suddenly, an art restoration project turns into a frightening search for ghosts, hidden treasure, and a coded message left behind by Wright. In this tangled web where life and art intermingle with death and danger, can the kids pursue justice, and escape with their lives? Find out all this and more - Fibonacci numbers, Prairie architecture, Japanese art, The Invisible Man, and friendships - when we discuss the book in four evenings and experience activities related to the book. You don't need to have read Chasing Vermeer before hand, but if you are a Junior Member, you can borrow it from our library. The reading level for this fun adventure is at least 5th grade.

Carol Valaitis is a retired teacher and President of Womanspace. With a Master’s Degree in Education for the Gifted and Talented, she taught gifted students grades 2-6 for 20 years in Rockford, Batavia and Woodstock.

Course #: JM10-4
Dates: October 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: Wednesdays, 6:00–8:00p
Instructor: Carol Valaitis
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $30 Register by October 4

Make an Accordian Book & Create Your Own Poetry
For girls ages 9–13. We will make a fold out Accordion Book, then embellish it with paper, markers, pencils, photos etc. during the first class. The second class we will create one or two poems together and write them in our accordion books. Some papers, markers and other art supplies will be supplied. Feel free to bring anything you want from home to add to your book. It could be paper, photos, buttons, lace, sparkly things, anything!

Barb Santucci has studied painting and collage extensively and her own artwork, shown in various galleries throughout the Midwest. Barb loves to create and teach artwork that incorporates acrylics, pastels, handmade papers and monotypes.

Course #: JM10-5
Dates: November 2 & 9
Time: Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30p
Instructor: Barbara Santucci
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $20 Register by October 28

Express Your Self!
For girls ages 9–13. Come explore your “self” and express your “self” through art. Feelings, thoughts, experiences, and dreams will be shared through guided projects using drawing, painting and mixed-media collage techniques. Join us in discovering the buried treasure within… your self.

Eileen McCarten is a licensed clinical professional counselor, mediator and educator in private practice. She has a graduate degree in art therapy, extensive experience assisting parents and children experiencing separation and divorce, and currently is training in the area of emotion focused therapy. She is the director of Family Matters-PACT, which provides a continuum of quality social, educational and mental health services to strengthen individuals, families, and communities and effectively manage conflict.

Course #: JM10-6
Dates: November 16
Time: Tuesday, 6:00–7:30p
Instructor: Eileen McCarten
Location: New Dimensions Studio
Cost: $10 Register by November 11

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