Otis Classes

This class uses Teaching with Comprehensible Input (TCI), a methodology that is proven to be effective, based on Second Language Acquisition research from the last four decades. The students will ACQUIRE the Spanish Language rather than learning about it.
"We acquire language when we understand messages; when we understand what people tell us and when we understand what we read.”
—Dr. Stephen Krashen
YOUR CHILD WILL: Read in Spanish ● Listen in Spanish ● Respond as able using signals at first, then words in Spanish, then phrases ● communicate through mindful interactions.
YOUR CHILD WILL NOT: Memorize vocabulary lists ● Practice verb conjugations ● Learn about Spanish in English

Proficiency is the Goal: Proficient learners can communicate about something appropriately and accurately for a purpose.
We listen, read, write, and speak in Spanish. We use the language to explore our cultures, Spanish speaking cultures, world cultures, and ancient cultures. We use useful language in the class so that we are prepared to communicate in the real world. We center our interactions on what each student needs, knows and can do now and what each student needs in order to move forward.

See the powers of Mother Nature up close and personal while engineering some natural disasters out of LEGO®. Join Bricks 4 Kidz as we tackle a new obstacle each week. Build a motorized LEGO® Avalanche, Tornado, Earthquake and more!

This post-beginner/intermediate level class is for those with a solid grasp of chess fundamentals. Potential students are expected to already know: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette. Potential students unfamiliar with more than a couple of these basic topics would probably be better off enrolling in the AEF/ACC novice/beginner level class, "Learn How to Play Chess".

AEF/ACC afterschool chess classes are divided (roughly in half) timewise between instruction and supervised play. Instruction will focus on learning tactics and strategy through the explanation of games and positions from historical players and events, and/or current top-level competitions. The instructor will organize and run an unofficial tournament during the last 4-5 weeks of this level course, with labeled medals as awards for all participants upon completion.

All enrolled students earn and accumulate points towards ACC's Royalty Loyalty Program (RLP) rewards by participating in the instruction half of class and playing with good chess etiquette afterwards. RLP rewards consist of chess-related items, including chess puzzle books and equipment.

With its nearly 1500 years of history, chess is arguably the greatest and most popular board game of all time. Numerous studies have suggested that learning & playing chess at an early age can yield various benefits regarding cognitive skills. Confidence, decision-making, and sportsmanship are other areas of potential improvement. The benefits and enjoyment of chess can last a lifetime!

The class will be divided. The beginner level class is for those completely new to the game of chess, and those who may have been introduced at home or elsewhere, but don't have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. The post-beginner/intermediate level class is for those with a solid grasp of chess fundamentals.

Topics to be covered include: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette.

The advanced students are expected to already know: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette.

AEF/ACC afterschool chess classes are divided (roughly in half) timewise between instruction and supervised play. Instruction will focus on learning tactics and strategy through the explanation of games and positions from historical players and events, and/or current top-level competitions. The instructor will organize and run an unofficial tournament during the last 4-5 weeks of this level course, with labeled medals as awards for all participants upon completion.

All enrolled students earn and accumulate points towards ACC's Royalty Loyalty Program (RLP) rewards by participating in the instruction half of class and playing with good chess etiquette afterwards. RLP rewards consist of chess-related items, including chess puzzle books and equipment.

MultiSports is a fun filled sports program. Sports may include, but are not limited to dodgeball, kickball, soccer, basketball, and capture the flag, and camouflage tag. Come join our One on One Sports team for this fun activity for your students.

You'd never believe tennis could be so fun! ANTS tennis class will be an encouraging team environment with positive coaching, learning, and fun tennis games for your children. Our program welcomes all new and experienced players of all skill levels, even those who have never touched a racket. Our approach is to teach the FUNdamentals of tennis through individual hand-eye coordination, partner activities, and fun team tennis games. Using modified equipment that has been adopted by the USTA (smaller nets and rackets and easier to hit balls), our program allows your child to explore tennis at the right pace. In class we’ll focus on building healthy habits, team camaraderie, and good sportsmanship on and off the court. Come join us at ANTS Tennis! Please note: Students must provide their own racquet. ANTS Sports will have racquets for sale. ANTS Sports will email a link the day before the class starts which will enable parents to buy a racquet which will be provided on the first day of class. Racquets are $35.

Have fun and let creativity flow with this adventure in color! Art can truly provide an outlet for self expression and discovery. In fact, it is well known that an artistic activity like painting can inspire creativity, problem solving and focus into other spheres of life. Early exposure to arts can develop into a lifelong pursuit of joy and well-being. In this series of classes, Mandar, an award winning artist based in Alameda, will provide an immersion in the key fundamentals of drawing, sketching & painting using his hands on approach. He will do demos in all his classes and encourage individuality and inspired action. The class will paint many exciting subjects including pokemon, super heroes, ninjas, dinosaurs and magical creatures. See Mandar’s art and testimonials at www.mandarfineart.com

Calling all guitar players — beginning and experienced! This course is designed for young minds who have an interest in learning to play guitar. Within a group setting, students will learn the basics of guitar playing (proper technique, correct strumming patterns and music theory as it applies to the guitar. Starting right at the beginning then progressing to playing tunes in no time! As progress develops, we'll begin how to play music together as a small ensemble. Fun for all! Please note: Students must provide their own instrument.

Bugs, and slimeys, and crawlies, oh my! Join Bricks 4 Kidz as we learn the secret world of all things creepy, crawling and fluttery and build robotic LEGO® models of lots of your faves!

This post-beginner/intermediate level class is for those with a solid grasp of chess fundamentals. Potential students are expected to already know: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette. Potential students unfamiliar with more than a couple of these basic topics would probably be better off enrolling in the AEF/ACC novice/beginner level class, "Learn How to Play Chess".

AEF/ACC afterschool chess classes are divided (roughly in half) timewise between instruction and supervised play. Instruction will focus on learning tactics and strategy through the explanation of games and positions from historical players and events, and/or current top-level competitions. The instructor will organize and run an unofficial tournament during the last 4-5 weeks of this level course, with labeled medals as awards for all participants upon completion.

All enrolled students earn and accumulate points towards ACC's Royalty Loyalty Program (RLP) rewards by participating in the instruction half of class and playing with good chess etiquette afterwards. RLP rewards consist of chess-related items, including chess puzzle books and equipment.

With its nearly 1500 years of history, chess is arguably the greatest and most popular board game of all time. Numerous studies have suggested that learning & playing chess at an early age can yield various benefits regarding cognitive skills. Confidence, decision-making, and sportsmanship are other areas of potential improvement. The benefits and enjoyment of chess can last a lifetime!

The class will be divided. The beginner level class is for those completely new to the game of chess, and those who may have been introduced at home or elsewhere, but don't have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. The post-beginner/intermediate level class is for those with a solid grasp of chess fundamentals.

Topics to be covered include: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette.

The advanced students are expected to already know: chessboard terminology and square identification; how the various pieces move and capture, plus their relative values; pawn promotion; the very crucial concepts of check, checkmate, and stalemate; the special move of castling; opening goals and principles; basic endgame checkmates using major pieces; and last, but not least, good chess etiquette.

AEF/ACC afterschool chess classes are divided (roughly in half) timewise between instruction and supervised play. Instruction will focus on learning tactics and strategy through the explanation of games and positions from historical players and events, and/or current top-level competitions. The instructor will organize and run an unofficial tournament during the last 4-5 weeks of this level course, with labeled medals as awards for all participants upon completion.

All enrolled students earn and accumulate points towards ACC's Royalty Loyalty Program (RLP) rewards by participating in the instruction half of class and playing with good chess etiquette afterwards. RLP rewards consist of chess-related items, including chess puzzle books and equipment.

Pour your paints with Acrylic Pour! Splatter paint like Jackson Pollock! Create like Pablo Picasso! In this workshop your child will explore abstract art and alternative methods to create art.
It's fun! It's messy! It's Experimental Art!

In this class, students will be introduced to the great game of golf. Golf can have a lasting impact far beyond this class, as it is one of sports you can play your entire lifetime. Golf is an active sport, however it has less impact on the body than other sports and improves strength and flexibility. Students will learn the basics of a golf swing, posture, grip, the rules and other fun games as it relates to golf. All levels are welcome because you can never practice fundamentals too much.

You'd never believe tennis could be so fun! ANTS tennis class will be an encouraging team environment with positive coaching, learning, and fun tennis games for your children. Our program welcomes all new and experienced players of all skill levels, even those who have never touched a racket. Our approach is to teach the FUNdamentals of tennis through individual hand-eye coordination, partner activities, and fun team tennis games. Using modified equipment that has been adopted by the USTA (smaller nets and rackets and easier to hit balls), our program allows your child to explore tennis at the right pace. In class we’ll focus on building healthy habits, team camaraderie, and good sportsmanship on and off the court. Come join us at ANTS Tennis! Please note: Students must provide their own racquet. ANTS Sports will have racquets for sale. ANTS Sports will email a link the day before the class starts which will enable parents to buy a racquet which will be provided on the first day of class. Racquets are $35.

Hajime! (Begin!) establishes a strong base of judo technique, culture, and character. As we jump, run, and roll we develop balance, coordination and confidence! And we have fun! We start out learning our names in Japanese then do movement exercises and some simple judo techniques that teach us to fall safely. We place a strong emphasis on culture so everyone speaks the language of Japan. We learn to “nete” (lie down) and to “tonde” (leap) like a “raion” (lion). Judo allows a smaller person to control an opponent bigger and stronger than themselves. We learn to hold a person down with “kesa-gatame” (scarf hold) and we practice throws where our opponent can be flipped upside-down – on Sensei. Every class finishes with games that develop physical coordination, balance and laughter. We sing in Japanese about inspiration and bow to each other respectfully. Then we say "arigato," thank you. Respect and discipline are as much a part of Hanabi as smiling.

Have fun and be inspired with this adventure in Clay Sculpting! Art can truly provide an outlet for self expression and discovery. In fact, it is well known that an artistic activity like painting can inspire creativity, problem solving and focus into other spheres of life. Early exposure to arts can develop into a lifelong pursuit of joy and well-being. In this new series of classes, Mandar, an award winning artist based in Alameda, will teach some basic skills of clay sculpting using his hands-on approach and one-on-one instruction. He begins all his classes with live demos. He encourages individuality and inspired action. The class will delve into many exciting subjects including simple shapes, fish, animals, birds, superheroes and masks, according to the student's interests. See Mandar’s art and testimonials at www.mandarfineart.com