Class Descriptions
See Current Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2013
Calendar is constantly under construction. September calendar is just beginning to be scheduled. Lots more coming. Check back frequently for updates. Go to Current Calendar for up-to-the-minute changes.
Monday, 10:00-11:25. Susannah Sheffer. Classroom.
Workshop for developing all sorts of writing, learning to offer helpful critiques to others, and working through stuck places. Individual meetings are also available, especially for those who are struggling or don’t feel confident about writing.
Monday, 11:30-12:40. Ken Danford. Classroom.
Monday, 12:45-1:45. John Sprague. Classroom.
Monday, 1:30-2:55. Catherine Gobron. Conference Room.
What are you fired up about? What are you concerned or worried about in our world? What would you like to change?
This will be a working group. We will work individually and/or collectively to choose causes (like hunger, environmental concerns, animal issues, justice, poverty, trash, child welfare, or Anything you'd like to change). We'll research and learn about our topics, strategize, plan, and take action to make your world a better place.
Tuesday, 9:00-9:55. Josh Wachtel. Classroom.
Tuesday, 10:00-11:25. Ken Danford. Classroom.
Why do individuals behave as they do? Are there any universal patterns and needs? Nature vs. Nurture? Cultural Influences? This class will cover the main names and studies of an Intro Psychology course. Areas will include Personality, Developmental, Cognitive Development, Social Pyschology, Neuroscience, Mental Illness, Therapies, Statistics, Experimental Design, and more.
Tuesday, 11:30-12:30. Josh Wachtel. Piano Room.
Toddler-teen play time.
Thursday, 9:00-9:55. Josh Wachtel. Piano Room.
Explore music making by picking up the instrument and playing. Some theory and experience good, but no prior knowledge required. Just a willingness to tune in and play.
Thursday, 11:30-12:30. Josh Wachtel. Piano Room.
Thursday, 1:00-1:25. Everyone. Classroom.
A chance to share news and problem solve in an open, democratic format. Community Meeting is our one mandatory meeting of the week. If you are present on Thursdays, you must come to meeting. Students may not leave before the meeting and come back in the afternoon. This policy and all policies are up for discussion at the meeting.
Thursday, 1:30-2:55. John Sprague. Classroom.
This is a non-fiction writing and discussion group with a couple of related purposes. The primary goal is to significantly improve your writing skills. We will do short writing exercises in class, and work on some essays in between classes. We will explore several different forms of non-fiction: reviews, memoirs, personal and formal essays, and at least one research paper. Secondly, the class is about ideas and how we articulate our thoughts and ideas both in writing and verbally through discussion. Finally, the goal is to have some fun with all this. With that in mind the atmosphere will be supportive and encouraging.
Friday, 9:00-10:55. John Sprague and Josh Wachtel. Piano Room.
We are putting together a North Star house band in the rock / folk / blues/ jam band genre. If you are interested please, please come to the opening session on Sept. 6. The first couple weeks we will be auditioning and finalizing band membership. The band will rehearse from 2–3pm, and then members also need to be available for the first half-hour of Variety show (until 3:30) to back up other musicians who want the band's support. A commitment to attend this class on a weekly basis is required.
Friday, 11:30-12:55. Mau Abascal. Piano Room.
FOOD class addresses the epidemic in bad nutrition. In class we identify ingredients, prepare and cook, and discuss nutritional value, environmental impact, and even policy implications of food production.
Friday, 1:00-2:55. Ellen Morbyrne and Nia Steiner. Piano Room.
Friday, 3:00-4:00. Josh Wachtel. Five Elements Room.
How Classes Work
North Star classes and workshops are offered on a variety of topics. The schedule is a reflection of our core staff and our current rotation of 25-40 extended staff, volunteers, and work-study students and all of our collective passions. Rather than attempt to fulfill any particular curriculum we ask our teachers to share their expertise and enthusiasm, whatever that may be.
All classes and workshops are optional and open to every member. Classes may vary in length, format, and content. Some classes are held for a month or 6 weeks while others may continue for the entire year. This is dependent both on the availability and plans of the teacher as well as the membership.
The format of each class can vary significantly as well, again depending on the vision of the leader as well as the input of the students. We encourage all members to learn about and try as many classes as they can. Once a student decides to be a regular participant of a class, we expect commitment. There are no grades or punishments, but we expect class members to communicate with the teacher regarding attendance and other issues and to fulfill any requirements such as readings, research, or other assignments. Some classes will ask for and expect a considerable amount of work to happen outside of class time while others will be more limited. This is made clear in the class description and by the teacher and should be taken into consideration by the student deciding to join the group.
Teens sometimes lead classes without adults. In addition, members frequently ask for the creation of certain classes and participate in the planning.
Regular, weekly, sequential classes will be held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9:00-4:00, and Tuesday mornings, 9:00-1:00.
On Tuesday afternoons we will hold the space for workshops.
Workshops vary in length from 1-3 hours, and are held either 1 time or in short sequences. Teens, parents, and community members are invited to offer workshops in addition to regular staff members. To begin to discuss your idea for a workshop, please call Catherine at 413-582-0193 or email her at catherine (at) northstarteens.org.
