Workshops & Classes will begin the week of September 14 and sign up will happen through email with details in our newsletter.
Note: Membership provides you access to or a discount to classes, but they are operated independently by our staff. Facilitators are not paid with Membership fees and there is no incoming tuition money. In an effort to make sure that Talking Stick Facilitators are compensated for their time, the classes will have suggested donation or sliding scale costs that families will pay directly to facilitators.
Weekly, Facilitated Online Meetups for all of our young people will happen every Thursday and are included in the Membership fee. These meet-ups are the heart of our programming. These meet-ups will also be a place for the young people to talk with our facilitators about what their interests are. More classes and workshops will be developed from these chats.
Proposed Classes:
Spanish Conversation through TPR
TPR (Total Physical Response) is a movement-based method of language learning. We will learn Spanish vocabulary, important phrases and some traditional sayings while using movement and creativity.
Led by Linnea
Age range: flexible
American Sign Language for Beginners
Participants of all ages interested in learning the basics of American Sign Language such as the alphabet, numbers, and simple introductory words.
Led by Andy
Age range: flexible
American Sign Language - Level I
For those who have mastered the alphabet, numbers and remember simple words and sentences. We will review and build on prior knowledge - continuing with conversational skills.
Led by Andy
Age range: flexible
Mural Arts Walking Tour
This could be a one day trip, or if there is interest we could expand it to several field trips visiting outdoor art installations in the Philadelphia area.
Led by Meryl
Age range: flexible
Yoga at 3 Levels
These classes will be thirty minutes long and will be grouped by age, just like our usual programming. All classes are beginner level, with modifications offered for safety. Garden people will be invited to move their bodies like animals, Intermediates will be invited to try some more traditional poses, and teens will be given extra savasanas because they need more rest than anyone!
Led by Anna
Age range: 4 to 10 year olds / 10 to 13 year olds / teens
Homeschooling Newspaper for Independent Writers of all Ages
I'm so excited to offer this class for independent writers. We will be a working newspaper, with myself as the editor and participants as my staff. We will have a weekly staff meeting where I will assign stories, listen to pitches, and the staff will give a general update on their progress with assignments. We will also be looking for art submissions from our community, as well as accepting letters to the editor. Participants and I will decide after our first meeting things like: How often will the publication go out? Will it be circulated outside of the TS community?, and any other arising questions.
Led by Anna
Age range: flexible
Storytime
Reading time around a theme. Topics could include but are not limited to: seasonal changes, sea life, mammals, friendship, insects, and emotions.
Led by Andy
Age range: 4 to 7 year olds
Dungeons and Dragons
Play the world's most successful role-playing game with Ned O'Connor as your guide. Learn collaborative storytelling as you explore a fantasy world full of heroes and monsters.
Led by Ned
Age range: 8 and up
Magic the Gathering Arena
Learn the most popular trading card game of all time through the computer game Magic the Gathering Arena. Compete against your friends learning math and expanding your vocabulary. (Magic is how I learned to read.)
Led by Ned
Age range: 8 and up
Game Design
Build your very own real-life game. Whether it is a trading card game, board game, or something nobody has seen before. Learn from Talking Stick's very own in house game maker, Ned O'Connor.
Led by Ned
Age range: 8 and up
Book Club
This is a read aloud class with plenty of room for discussion. I will read a middle grade YA novel to the group and we'll discuss the character and themes. Bring some art supplies to work with as you listen and we'll make space to share your creations at the end of class.
Led by Pauline
Age range: 10 to 13 years old
Cooking Class
This is a beginners cooking class where we will make basic food such as muffins, cookies, dips, soups and pasta dishes. Young people should have access to a kitchen and basic cooking tools as well as a responsible adult at home during the time of the class. I will send a list of ingredients needed ahead of each class so the cooks can be prepared.
Led by Pauline
Age range: 10 to 13 year olds or teens
LGBTQIA Culture and Community
Our group will meet weekly for chats about queer history, culture and representation, sexual orientation and gender identity as well as how to be a great ally to your queer and questioning friends and family members. Movies, documentaries, podcasts, visual art, poetry and more!
Led by Linnea and Pauline
Age range: 10 years old and up
Activism 101 for Teens
History of activism, activism today, organizations you can look into, practical concerns: what to bring to a march, daily activism, social media as an activism tool, ongoing community events: homeless encampments in Philly, being thoughtful and aware of aspects of your life: bundling recycling, planning, fundraising, creative expression, allyship, learning about the political landscape and much more.
Led by Katie and Ned
Age range: teens
Poetry workshop
In this writing workshop we will experience both written and performance poetry as well as write our own poems using prompts to inspire us. Young people should choose this class with a willingness to do some writing each week. Sharing work will not be required but welcomed.
Led by Pauline
Age range: teens
Literature Class
This class could be a read aloud or independant reading or a hybrid of both. We'll read a teen YA novel and discuss the characters and themes. Depending on the needs and preferences of the young people, we could challenge ourselves with some writing around the novel or essay brainstorming or we can keep it simple and just enjoy the novel.
Led by Pauline
Age range: teens
History of Deaf Culture and American Sign Language
This offering is for teens interested in learning the history and pride of the Deaf population in the United States. Required reading, Seeing Voices by Oliver Sacks, has been chosen as an introductory to Deaf history and background of sign language’s roots in indigenous languages within the Deaf community. Some sign language may be included, but this offering is meant to focus more on the ongoing history of discrimination in our country, particularly that of perceived disabilities.
Led by Andy
Age range: teens
Cemetery History and Culture Class
Field Trips to area cemeteries. This class could go in many different directions depending on the interests of the participants. There are so many options; people from history, famous people, cemeteries with connections to the underground railroad, cemeteries from a variety of world cultures. And those unusual or striking graves that catch you attention when wandering a cemetery, what research can we do to learn more?
Led by Meryl
Age range: teens
NOTE ON SAFETY: For any in-person meet-up being organized by TS or our members, we have clear required safety protocols that are mandatory for participation. If protocols for safety change over time we will update our requirements.
- Masks at all times
- Social distancing
- Frequent hand sanitizer/hand washing
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
The pandemic can be stressful for parents so we are excited to offer some support to them as well!
- Yoga - online by Anna
- Discounted portfolio evaluations - Amy and Linnea
- Homeschooling advice and questions answered - Amy with the Staff
- Parent Workshops on a variety of themes such as worldschooling and LGBTQIA+ parenting.
Do you have things you would like to see us do for your family as part of the membership? We’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected]
