M3 [M-Cubed] classes are after-school enrichment programs taught by teachers and community members. Classes are held for three (3), six (6) week sessions throughout the year. Below are the classes and descriptions of what is offered this fall. Register early and contact the coordinators at VLMurrayM3@gmail.com with any questions.
Registration begins Saturday, 3/18 at 8AM and classes are 4/17 - 5/26 (Makeup week 5/29-6/2).
Classes will be filled on a “first-come, first serve” basis. We will monitor enrollment and close classes as they fill.
Classes meet for 6 weeks from 2:45-3:45 running from April 17th - May 26th (make up week is May 29- June 6). Classes are held at Murray.
Please wait for class confirmation before sending payment.
Financial assistance is available for up to two classes per student. See registration form for details.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Our parent volunteers are essential to getting kids to M3 classes. We are looking for volunteers to help check in M3 students at pickup. This is approximately a 30 minute commitment, 2:15-2:45. Come join us!
Monday Classes: Beginning Tumbling: Instructor: Morgan Steele. We will focus on gymnastics basics including but not limited to shapes, positions, stretches, rolls, handstands, cartwheels and bridges. Grades K-1, limit 10 Open Gym Games Instructor: Tyler Dodson. We will play everyday gym games inside and outside. Grades:3-5, limit 20 Legos Instructor: Elaine Broadus. Students work independently and collaboratively to build Lego structures using engineering, physics, and architectural principles. Grades K-3, limit 10 Typing Instructor: Ellen Patterson. Join us for a fun interactive typing program curriculum that is engaging and causes students to be self-motivated about becoming better at typing. Students can track their progress, accuracy, and speed with single-click reports. Includes engaging videos that model proper hand positions and reinforce technique. Grades 3-5, limit 12 Tuesday Classes: Coding Instructors: Elizabeth Waterbury & Brian Squires. A fun introduction to coding, open to new or experienced coders! Games and platforms are self-paced, but we will also teach and practice specific coding skills that can be applied anywhere. Mr. Squires will teach the 1st three sessions, Mrs. Waterbury will teach the last three sessions. Due to the popularity of this class, preference will be given to students who have not previously attended. Grades 2-5, limit 10 Advanced Coding Instructors: Elizabeth Waterbury & Brian Squires. Calling all 4th and 5th grade enthusiastic coders! We will introduce javascript and python through fun, self-paced games and challenges on several different platforms. Mrs. Waterbury will teach the first 3 sessions, and Mr. Squires will teach the last 3 sessions! Grades 4-5, limit 10 Open Gym Basketball Instructor: Tyler Dodson. Will talk basketball and skills and then have open gym play in a controlled environment. Grades k-2, limit 20 Books, Treats and More Instructor: Elaine Broadus. Listen to a delightful book each week. These are all different books from the previous class - Books, Treats, and More. Topics include weather, animals, the earth, geography, friendship, and more. We will enjoy a different book each week and eat a yummy treat that goes along with our book. The last week, each child will choose one of the 6 books to take home. Grades K-2, limit 10 Flower Art Instructor: Laura Ehalt. Each week there will be a new flower art project. Learn more about flowers, their name and meanings and history. Get ready to be creative! Painting, collage and crafting. Grade:1-5, limit 10 Aristotle’s Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion Instructor: Tracy Missett (Director of the gifted program for kids at UVA) Have you ever tried to persuade someone you know – a parent, friend, sibling, coach, or teacher -- to believe or do something? If so, you probably used rhetoric. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle describes “rhetoric” as “the art of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” In this workshop, students will study the art of persuasion to build their persuasive writing skills. Students will answer the question: How do you creatively appeal to one's intellect (logos), to one’s emotions (pathos), or perhaps to one's sense of morality (ethos) when trying to persuade? In answering that question, students will create commercials, public service announcements, letters to the editor, or any form of persuasive writing they choose, in order to persuade an audience to believe or do something. Grade 5th, limit 10 *****PLEASE NOTE: This class runs from 4/11-5/16***** Wildrock Explorers Instructor: Wildrock Staff Join a guest teacher from Wildrock, a nonprofit nature play and discovery center in Crozet, for afternoons of outdoor adventure! Each week will have a different nature theme -- from exploring birds to celebrating decomposers -- and will include outdoor exploration and free play. Kids will build bird nests and beaver dams, discover secret worlds under rotting logs, and get to know the plants and animals that live around their schoolyard! Grades K-2, limit 12 STEAM: Gearing Up With Simple Machines Instructor: Kendall, STEAM Staff. Explore gears, levers, and pulleys through engineering challenges with Legos and Goldie Blox. Compete to see what strategies and techniques are the most successful. Grades:2-5, limit 18 Wednesday Classes: Beginning Tumbling Instructor: Morgan Steele. We will focus on gymnastics basics including but not limited to shapes, positions, stretches, rolls, handstands, cartwheels and bridges. Grades 2-3, limit 10 Environmental Club Civic Project Instructor: John Hobson and Lauren Meslar. Students will continue implementing and optimizing the new composting program they originated in winter as well as evaluating, deciding on, and implementing steps to further reduce waste at Murray and care for our community's environment. Open to previous and new students. This is a helping hands class & tuition free for all students. Grades:2-5, Limit 24 Storytime Yoga Instructor: Christianna Schork. Enjoy learning beginner yoga poses and sequences while increasing body awareness, flexibility, and emotional regulation skills through breathing and relaxation exercises. We will listen to stories and act them out in yoga poses. We will make a related craft or play yoga games. Wear comfortable clothing for movement, as we won't change before class. Yoga mats are provided. If your child enjoyed the previous session of this class, the books and crafts will be new for this session. Grades K-1, limit 10 Open Gym Games Instructor: Tyler Dodson. We will play everyday gym games inside and outside. Grades:3-5, limit 20 Thursday Classes: CHESS Instructor: John Teixeira & Aaron Osborne. Does your child like to play chess? Are they interested in learning to play this timeless game? Exercise their mind muscles at after school Chess! These multi-class series focus on building an understanding of chess and having fun while developing creativity, executive function, and math skills. Chess is led by guest coach John Teixeira, a three-time Albemarle/ Charlottesville area chess champion with 50 years of experience playing and coaching. He has had three students win four state championships in their respective categories. *****NOTE: THIS CLASS WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY 4/13 AND END ON 5/18.***** Grades K-5, limit 20
OPEN GYM BASKETBALL Instructor: Tyler Dodson. We will play everyday gym games inside and outside. Grades 3-5, limit 20
Storytime and Puppet Play Instructor: Laura Ehalt. Come and enjoy wonderful stories and play time with puppets and plushies. Alternate endings and continue with the story, etc. Grade:K-2, limit 10 Sensory Tools Instructor: Ashley Yost. Students will be challenged to work and learn in a dynamic group setting about self-regulation using the principles of the Alert program. Each session will focus on learning and practicing being slow, just right and fast. The group will focus on the five ways to change your engine through Body/Move, Hands/Touch, Mouth, Look and Listen tools. Grades: 1-2 or 2-3, Limit 12 Spanish Club Instructor: Jessica Reyes. We will create popular hispanic crafts, learn about different latin cultures and have some special treats. (Please indicate any food allergies) Grades:1-5, Limit 10 Friday Classes: BEGINNING TUMBLING Instructor: Morgan Steele We will focus on gymnastics basics including but not limited to shapes, positions, stretches, rolls, handstands, cartwheels and bridges. Grades 4-5, limit 10 MIMA BAND TOGETHER - Devon Sproule Band Together teaches basic musical concepts while encouraging creativity, confidence and collaboration through the group creation of original songs. Using the MIMA Method, students produce their own rhythms, melodies and lyrics, stitch these ideas into original compositions, and create studio recordings, music videos and live performances of their work. No instrument or musical experience necessary. One session of this program will be a field trip to the Music Resource Center’s recording studio (musicresourcecenter.org). More details & permission slips will be sent home with students in the first week of class. Grades 3-5, limit 20. MIMA Music is a 501c3 education non-profit with 20+ years of youth programming experience. See mimamusic.org for more details.