Summertime Learning for RI Children in Grades 2 to 6

Distance learning this summer is fun. Elementary school children can experience The Creative Squad, Nature Drawing, Yoga and the Environmental Detective Club for grades 2 through 6. Participants earn digital badges, while combining literacy with creativity, self-esteem and civic pride.

Classes start July 20th through using Google Classroom.

To sign up: https://www.theempowermentfactory.org/free-summer-kids-online-learning

Here’s more on each offering section:

Creative Squad

Make new friends, read books, share stories, create art, tell jokes, play games and finally let loose during Miss Gail’s 2-minute dance parties. Each session begins with a mindful moment, reading a book together and a short conversation about how the stories relate to our own feelings and life experiences. Then launch into a creative activity, such as puppet making, drawing, using the puppets to perform your own imaginative stories and more art projects. Six week series meeting once a week for one hour sessions.

Environmental Detective Club

Meet new friends, share stories about outdoor experiences and work together to come up with some creative solutions to address some of today’s environmental problems. After creating a list of actions they can take in their everyday lives to help the environment, club members will be invited to co-produce a Story Walking Radio Hour podcast which will go online in the Fall of 2020. Each participant will get their own set of Wild Plant Magic Cards and a Detective Journal. Six week series meeting once a week for one hour sessions.

Nature Drawing

Learn to draw from Nature. Artist Eclipse Neilson will guide students step-by-step. Enjoyable for any skill level from beginner to advanced. Each week participants will use colored pencils to draw a plant, animal, bird or insect. The skills learned can easily be expanded into more projects students can do independently at home. While having fun drawing, students will learn science facts, vocabulary words and communication skills. Six week series meeting once a week for one hour sessions.

Shri Yoga

Start your morning with 30 minutes of yoga instruction. Each class consists of four components: introductions and intentions, physical practice, group mindfulness, and a community building activity. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that fosters cooperation and compassion. Shri is an acronym for Support, Honor, Respect and Inspire, and these core values are a part of every class. Six week series meeting once a week for thirty minute sessions.

About The Empowermemt Factory

The Empowerment Factory (TEF) is dedicated to giving children the skills they need to lead happier, healthier lives. Our project-based learning approach focuses on three areas of development: creativity, self-esteem, and civic pride. Our vision is for every child to have the confidence to effectively express themselves and be actively and positively engaged in our communities.  

The main focus of The Empowerment Factory is empowering youth through after-school and summertime learning programs, community and school special events and activities. We partner with schools and organizations to deliver programs, events and activities that help youth develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life.

The Empowerment Factory was founded as a nonprofit organization in April of 2014 and became a federally recognized 501(c)3 as of August 2016.

About Gail Ahlers, founder:

Gail Ahlers is an award-winning designer, artist, and educator. Born in the New York area, Gail moved to Providence to attend Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 1985 with a BFA in light metals. She has studied art history in Paris and sculpture in Mexico. She has since become certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. She also studied Expressive Arts at Salve Regina University. Gail’s focus on empowering people led her to establish the non-profit “The Empowerment Factory” in 2014. Her diverse background allows her to develop and curate innovative programming and teachers that help guide people of all ages to live a happier, healthier more empowered lives.