UPDATE: ALL CLASSES WILL TAKE PLACE OUTDOORS (UNDER A ROOF IN RAINY WEATHER). ONCE IT GETS COLD, WE WILL REASSESS WHETHER TO MOVE THE LAST COUPLE OF CLASS MEETINGS INSIDE OR ONLINE, DEPENDING ON THE COVID SITUATION.
ALL *MONDAY* CLASSES HAVE THE OPTION OF REMOTE PARTICIPATION AS WELL.
MONDAY STORY STRUCTURE & WRITING FOR FLOW AND THE WEDNESDAY ART CLASS ARE ONLINE ONLY.
For Fall 2021, Rhizome is pleased to offer a range of in-depth programming, facilitated by practitioners, for homeschoolers and afterschoolers. These will be small, friendly, relaxed classes focused on creative collaboration and open-minded engagement with the material. Please email info@rhizomedc.org with any questions. Scholarships available.
Close Reading I: Happiness | Mondays 10-11am | Ages 12-14
Close Reading III: Consumerism | Mondays 1130am-1230pm | Ages 15-18 or returning Close Reading students
Story Structure | Mondays 130-3pm | Ages 12-15
Writing for Flow | Mondays 4-4:50pm ONLINE | Ages 9-11
Mixed Arts - Sculpturama | Tuesdays 4-5pm | Ages 8-11
Literature & Composition | Wednesdays 10am-noon | Ages 14-17
Exploring Creativity through 7 Elements of Art | Wednesdays 4-5pm ONLINE | Ages 8-12
Literature & Creative Writing | Thursdays 10-11:30am | Ages 11-13
Bodies of Knowledge: Experiential Biology | Thursdays 12:15-1:30pm | Ages 10-13
Mixed Arts - Lost & Found | Thursdays 4-5pm | Ages 8-11
Hands-on Botany Level 2 | Fridays 10-11am | Ages 8-12 with botany experience
Hands-on Botany Level 1 | Fridays 11:15am-12:15pm | Ages 7-12 with no botany experience
Classes begin the week of September 6 and run through the week of December 13.
Monday classes are 13 sessions each; no classes 9/6 or 10/11. REMOTE PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE.
Tuesday classes start Sept.21; two 6-week sessions; no classes 11/23.
Wednesday classes are 15 sessions each.
Thursday mid-day classes are 12 sessions each and can be combined with lunch break in between; no classes 9/16, 11/11, 11/25.
Thursday 4pm class starts Sept.23; two 6-week sessions; no class 11/25.
Friday classes are 14 sessions each; no classes 11/26.
Close Reading I: Happiness | Mondays 10-11am | Ages 12-14 | Sliding scale: $170-$235
For eight eager readers aged 12-14 with a philosophical streak: Socratic method education, ie cooperative argument between students and text in round-table seminars.
This class provides an ideal opportunity for young people to probe their own values and self-understanding, develop their voices and reasoning skills, practice respectful engagement with peers, and discover wonderful, challenging texts.
This semester, our theme is happiness--
Is happiness merely pleasure? The absence of suffering?
Is happiness a virtue? Does virtue lead to happiness?
We will read several seminal takes on these questions, spanning Aristotle to David Pearce, the nanotechnologist/philosopher who claims that, "Our descendants will be animated by gradients of genetically pre-programmed well-being." We'll read Le Guin, Chekhov, Epictetus, a little Kant, plus more, all of whom are fair game for debate.
Close Reading III: Consumerism | Mondays 11:30am-12:30pm | Ages 15-18 or returning Close Reading students | Sliding scale: $170-$235
For returning Close Reading I students, or students aged 15-18, Socratic method education, ie cooperative argument between students and text in round-table seminars, on the subject of consumerism.
We'll definitely read some Rousseau, Illich, and Baudrillard. We'll put consumerism in historic context with The Fable of the Bees (1714), which praises the economic virtues of "fripperies". We'll read Christine Frederick, 1920s inventor of home economics and champion of design for obsolescence. We'll look at contemporary philosophies of consumerism and the future (Slavoj Zizek, Kate Soper, Leslie Sklair), plus 19th century recipe books for the frugal American way of life. We'll consider post-consumerism-- in which everything is "free" because WE are the product, and we'll read a little Boorstin&co to help us consider our news and social media consumption.
We'll also try to step outside the Western binary of mind versus matter, and ask what a functional, sustainable respect for material could look like.
We'll "observe" Black Friday by reading about the Victorian history and retail economics of Christmas, and the countercultural movements around it (Make Something Week, Buy Nothing Day).
The class will include lots of visual material and short, independent research projects into iconic consumer goods (Tupperware, cigarettes, etc.). Students can also expect short, reflective writing assignments.
Story Structure | Mondays 1:30-3pm | Ages 12-15 | Sliding scale: $260-$325
For six imaginative people aged 12-15 who like to weave a yarn---
Bring your ideas, projects or ready minds to learn the secrets of a gripping plot, no matter your medium.
September: What makes a story go?-- The inciting incident, plus character development, setting, and Point of View.
October: What keeps us hooked?-- The midpoint transformation, plus internal and external conflict, failure, and struggle.
November: What makes a satisfying ending?-- The climax, plus putting our plot in moral context.
December: Polish and Communicate-- Guiding the experience through imagery, symbolism, and detail.
Throughout we will talk about Conflict, the essential ingredient for every story. We will hone a critical understanding of our own and other stories, explore archetypal and experimental plot structures, and frolic in the fertile creative ground of mixed feelings.
Upon registering, please include the participant's favorite story to share with the class. If we can read/watch/consume a few common stories, we'll benefit from the shared reference point.
Writing for Flow | Mondays 4-4:50pm ONLINE | Ages 9-11 | Sliding scale: $140-$195
This is a play-based practice class for 9-11 year olds. Creative prompts, group writing activities, and in-class writing sessions-- great for enthusiastic writers but designed to entice the reluctant or inhibited writer too. Writing as a form of play helps shorten the distance between the thoughts in our heads and the words on the page. Go wild, and go for the giggles, while building stamina, confidence, and appreciation for the possibilities of the blank page.
Mixed Arts - Sculpturama | Tuesdays 4-5pm | Ages 8-11 | Two 6-week sessions starting Sept.21 - $80-$110 each session
Try out different materials like fiber plaster, wood and cardboard to create unique 3D art projects over several weeks. Play collaborative art games with other participants that will expand your ideas about sculpture.
Literature & Composition | Wednesdays 10am-Noon | Ages 14-17 | $350
In this class, we will read a variety of texts, focusing on short stories and essays (we’ll also read a novel or two). We’ll begin with close readings of short stories, practicing analytical and creative techniques to engage with form and content. In response to the literature, students will experiment with expository, narrative, and descriptive essay forms, with opportunities for creative writing as well. While considering principles of composition and rhetoric, we will be asking: What are authors doing in their literary works, and how do we engage with them? How can we most effectively express ourselves?
This class will help students develop their ability to express complex arguments and analyses, and sharpen their attention to details of grammar and style. We will focus on what makes writing effective and enjoyable to read, as well as how to feel confident with one's writing voice. Classes will involve short lectures, discussions, writing, and small group work. Students will be expected to read anywhere between 50-150 pages per week, depending on the material, as well as complete short weekly writing assignments and two longer papers.
Reading list will include authors Jamaica Kincaid, George Saunders, Anton Chekhov, Carson McCullers, Clarice Lispector, and Chimamanda Nigozi Adichie.
Sliding scale available if needed.
Exploring Creativity through 7 Elements of Art | Wednesdays 4-5pm ONLINE | Ages 8-12 | Sliding scale: $195-270
THIS IS AN ONLINE COURSE. Throughout the semester, students will learn about Line, Color, Shape, Form, Pattern, Space, and Texture. Each week students will be introduced to a new element and an artist who explored that element. Objective: Understand and develop a relationship with the fundamental elements of art, and develop the skills to identify these elements in popular motifs and artworks. Students will also be challenged to explore new ways of expressing these elements through the performance arts, visual arts, and sound. With these skills, students will build the confidence to speak about artworks and create artworks that are deeply rooted in the art elements. Creativity is the ability to bring things that were once invisible into the light.
Literature & Creative Writing | Thursdays 10-11:30am | Ages 11-13 | $200
In this class we will read novels, short stories and poetry. Students will respond to the literature through discussion as well as creative and collaborative writing. We will discuss literary elements and figurative language, and we will play games. The goal of this class is to enjoy reading literature, collaborate with others to discover/uncover meaning, and have fun. Students should expect to read between 50-100 pages a week, depending on the book, as well as complete short writing assignments.
Sliding scale available if needed.
Bodies of Knowledge: Experiential Biology | Thursdays 12:15-1:30pm | Ages 10-13 | Sliding scale: $160-$220
This is a play based course observing life in and through our own body.
Participants will explore elements of scientific thinking by doing observations and movement explorations. We will set physical and observational intentions for each session. Every class we will move together, and we will gather observations and share theories.
This is a movement seminar. We will all set individual research projects. There will be guided examples that I will prepare. In September, we will engage with heat. How does heat move and move us? How do our bodies respond to heat? In October, we will think with migration of bodies, why do birds and other animals travel? In November we will focus on engaging in and presenting independent research. We will close with a celebration of our learning in December.
Mixed Arts - Lost & Found | Thursdays 4-5pm | Ages 8-11 | Two 6-week sessions starting Sept.23 - $80-$110 each session
Look no further than your pocket, up at the sky or in the refrigerator for inspiration for your next art project! Just about anything can get an idea going.. Participants will try out techniques such as collage, decollage and assemblage with found objects and other art materials. Play some collaborative games and make projects with new friends in this after school series of workshops.
Hands-on Botany Level 2 | Fridays 10-11am | Ages 8-12 with botany experience | Sliding scale: $180-250
Students will learn and practice plant identification skills, explore the plant groups that grow in different ecosystems, discuss the relationships between plants and humans, and learn practical uses of area plants. Each student will keep a nature journal throughout the class. For students who took last year’s Botany class and/or have some experience studying plants.
*This class meets in different locations (all within a couple miles of Rhizome) from week to week including: Spring Park in Takoma Park; Carter Barron at 16th/Kennedy NW in DC; Rock Creek Park in the vicinity of Takoma; Wangari Gardens in Columbia Heights.
Hands-on Botany | Fridays 11:15am-12:15pm | Ages 7-12 with no botany experience | Sliding scale: $180-250
Students will learn and practice plant identification skills, explore the plant groups that grow in different ecosystems, discuss the relationships between plants and humans, and learn practical uses of area plants. Each student will keep a nature journal throughout the class.
*This class meets in different locations (all within a couple miles of Rhizome) from week to week including: Spring Park in Takoma Park; Carter Barron at 16th/Kennedy NW in DC; Rock Creek Park in the vicinity of Takoma; Wangari Gardens in Columbia Heights.
About the instructors:
Leslie Bumstead: I am a writer and educator who has been teaching literature, composition, and creative writing in the DC area for ten years. I have taught in various settings: homeschooling cooperative, public high school, AIDS clinic, university, prison, and summer camp. My collection of poems, Cipher/Civilian, was published by Edge Books in 2005. Other works, including essays and translations, have appeared in anthologies and literary magazines. I love to collaborate with students and facilitate their own engagement with literature and writing.
Maps Glover creates work inspired by human behavior and pervasive social issues. He illustrates how time affects behavior, and how observation alters perspective. He constructs portals in which the characters he creates exist and experience the world or maps around them. Often the works address emotion, thought, conflicting colors, and distorted Characters. Maps has created works at Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building, Transformer DC, and more. His unconventional approach to expressionism evolves the birth of something new.
Anna Josephson is a homeschooling parent in the District. She grew up in Alaska, where she received Socratic seminar education starting at age 12. She is a published author currently shopping her first novel.
Caroline MacKinnon is a parent, artist and educator who lives in Takoma Park, MD. She teaches ceramics classes to children and adults at the Takoma Park Community Center. She also holds art workshops for small groups in area schools and has previously run arts camps at Rhizome. She likes meeting people, making art and collecting things.
Holly Poole-Kavana was a budding botanist at a young age, and followed her interest to earn a BS in botany from Cornell University in 2000. She started studying herbal medicine in 2005 at the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine in Oakland, CA after her experiences with health care work led her to seek out new option for healing. She went on to apprentice with herbalist 7song at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, participating in medicine making, free clinic consultations, and wildcrafting in addition to classroom learning. She also completed the Sacred Plant Traditions Clinic II program in which student herbalists see clients in a free clinic under the supervision of experienced mentors. She practices herbal medicine in Washington DC. She has led countless plant walks and taught a range of plant-focused classes to all ages, including to several local homeschool groups.
Peter Redgrave is a teaching artist based in Baltimore, MD. He has worked in education for twenty years. He taught in public schools for ten years during which time he focused on increasing student voice in the class room. He led middle school science, drama for K- 5, and third grade. He has presented at conferences, led workshops for adults and young people. He is currently interested in learning outside school settings.