After School

Grades: K to 2
Teacher: Little Scholars, Inc.
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $170
Supply Cost: $25

We are going to take a safari around the world!  Visit a new country each lesson and learn about animals native to that location with a sprinkle of literature, dabble of games, and a whole lot of art. 

Grab your passport and discover the thrill of the hunt without leaving school!

Grades: 7 and 8
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160

Daryl Burch, along with members of McDonogh's Upper School varsity debate team, will train and coach Middle School students in the skills of competitive debate. Participation in the program teaches public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills that are highly valuable in every facet of the school curriculum. Students will debate a current event controversy and prepare for a mini tournament in which all parents are invited to watch.

Grades: 3 to 5
Teacher: Little Scholars, Inc.
Day: Tuesday (No class 4/19 and 5/3)
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $170
Supply Cost: $25

Grab your passport as we take a trip around the world!  We will explore different countries and take a peek at the celebrations that are special to their people through art, music, games and fun!  Pack your bags because this is an adventure that you do not want to miss!

Grades: K to 6
Teachers: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 25
Class Cost: $160

Chess is a fun game that helps kids learn life skills: how to concentrate, recognize patterns, solve problems, think creatively, cultivate teamwork (among their pieces), execute short-term tactics, develop long-term strategies, manage time, and (most important!) exercise impulse control. When kids lose pieces and games because they moved their pieces impulsively, they learn to resist succumbing to the quick fix of instant gratification. When kids win pieces and games because they moved their pieces patiently, they learn to savor the enduring joy of delayed gratification.

Based on their skill level and age, players are divided into two groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome! 

Arkadiy Frenkel is a US-Chess National Master and full-time chess coach. He also has directed the Chess Camp for McDonogh Summer Camps for the last eight summers. All chess supplies provided.

Grades: 3 to 5
Teacher: Little Scholars, Inc.
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $170
Supply Cost: $25

Take an adventure back to the Jurassic Era where we will learn about dinosaurs who roamed the Earth millions of years ago.  Uncover fascinating facts, build a dinosaur replica and have an archeological dig as you explore your paleontological skills.  

In Dinosaur Discovery, you will become a paleontologist faster than Ornithomimids running from T-Rex!

Grades: K to 2
Teacher: Little Scholars, Inc.
Day: Tuesday (No class 4/19 and 5/3).
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $170
Supply Cost: $25

Let’s get our hands dirty as we learn about gardening and food!  Garden with us by making take home garden boxes with a variety of herbs and other accessories for your garden.  Create some delicious treats with healthy foods!  Toss in our special ingredient of nature based crafts and you have from garden to spoon!

Grades: 3 to 5
Teacher: Little Scholars, Inc.
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $170

Catch an insect, grow a terrarium, and save the earth…all while learning about nature and the world around us through exciting expeditions, science, and environmental exploration. Our Green Thumb Club will ignite your child’s passion for nature, recycling, and learning about the earth through educational activities and science investigations.

 It’s time to join the Green Thumb Club!

Grades: 3 and 4
Teacher: Pilar Okeson
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 4
Maximum Class Size: 8
Class Cost: $160
Supplies: Students may wish to purchase their own copy of the selected title so that they may make notes. Library copies will be available for those who wish to borrow: paperback ($6.00-$10.00/hard copy ($12.00-$16.00)/digital download (free from Public Library or Audible or $8.00-$12.00 Kindle) 

This elective is designed for students in the 3rd and 4th grade, who love reading for fun and wish to deeply discuss a selected title with like-minded students. This is their chance to learn about what goes on behind the scenes in the operation of a library. 

They will learn what goes into curating a collection and the kinds of reports and tasks that keep the library running smoothly, such as book processing, running an inventory, weeding, hosting authors, and planning the Book Fair. They will also practice advanced research techniques using the Destiny online catalog.

Each session will be divided into two parts. The session will begin with a discussion of that week's reading and move into a lesson and activity about an aspect of librarianship. To ensure that the conversation is productive and focused, space will be limited to 8 participants. The selected title will be on a 4th-5th grade reading level to engage advanced readers.

Grades: K to 4th
Teacher: Sierra Waldman
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160

You know that Eagles can fly, but did you also know they can dance? Come join the brand new Lower School Dance Troupe on Thursdays after school with Ms. Waldman! We will learn different dance routines together to popular songs. Any student from Kindergarten to Grade 4 can sign up. Let’s get our Eagle wings flapping and toes tapping!

Grades: K to 2
Teacher: Little Scholars, Inc.
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $170

Is there a doctor in school? Join us this spring as we bring Mini Med School to your school! Our little doctors will use stuffed animal patients to take blood pressure readings, give “stitches”, put on a cast and make their own first aid kit, all while learning lots about what doctors, dentists, EMTs and other medical professionals do on a daily basis.

Grades: K to 4
Teacher: Alex Lacquement
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160
Supply Cost: $25

Does your child love music and love the outdoors? If so, The Music Explorers,  presented in conjunction with McDonogh Community Arts, is the perfect way to spend afternoons in the Spring. During this 8 week after school program, students will explore parts of McDonogh’s beautiful 800 acre campus while making music on the most transportable instrument, the harmonica. 

Students will learn how to play melodies and chords on the harmonica. They will hike to different locations on campus to play, sing and dance outside. No prior musical experience required. Students will be required to bring their own harmonica to every class.

Grades: 5 and 6
Teacher: Daryl Burch and Sidnee Mercer
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160

The number one fear most people have is speaking in public. This class will motivate and encourage students to speak in public. Students will work on understanding speech, invoking emotion and pathos in the delivery of the speech, conveying appropriate tone and sentiment in the speech content, and enunciating the speech. The goals are to help students become better orators and to create interest among Middle School students for the Upper School debate program.