Facilitator: Jody Ruff

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Classes by this facilitator


Art and Imagination in Action (Grades 1-3)

Exploring, creating, and making connections through art and learning. Students will use their imaginations to connect art with reading, writing, and math. Through creative projects, storytelling, and hands-on activities, they will explore patterns, shapes, sequencing, and problem-solving while expressing their ideas in unique ways. Inspired by imaginative stories, students will draw, design, create, and collaborate as they think outside the box and discover new perspectives. By the end of the class, students will understand that creativity is a powerful tool for learning, problem-solving, and self-expression across all subjects.
April 10-24, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Art and the Amazing World of Color (Grades 1-3)

Take a colorful journey through the wonderful world of art! Students will explore primary and secondary colors, experiment with mixing new shades, and discover how colors can express feelings and ideas. Creative projects will inspire imagination while building artistic confidence.
March 20, 2027 to April 3, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Creative Discoveries: Art All Around Us (Grades 1-3)

Students will explore a variety of art materials, tools, and creative techniques while discovering that art can be made from many different things. Children will learn how everyday objects found in the classroom, at home, and outdoors can be transformed into unique works of art. They will find inspiration in nature, personal experiences, and the world around them, encouraging them to look at familiar objects in new and imaginative ways. Through hands-on art projects, students will experiment with different materials, build confidence in trying new techniques, and develop their creativity. They will also learn that art is a powerful way to tell stories, express feelings, and share ideas that are meaningful to them. This unit encourages curiosity, exploration, and self-expression while helping young artists discover their own creative voices.
February 6-20, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Engaging Readers: - Where Stories Come to Life (Grades 1-3)

Step into the world of stories and discover the joy of reading! Students will enjoy captivating read-alouds and participate in fun activities inspired by books such as Koala Lou, Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato, and The Easter Bunny's Assistant. As they explore memorable characters and exciting events, students will strengthen reading and communication skills. Creative projects and hands-on activities will encourage imagination, confidence, and meaningful connections to each story. Perfect for curious readers who love stories, creativity, and adventure!
March 20, 2027 to April 3, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Engaging Readers: Adventures, Friendship, and Discovering New Worlds (Grades 1-3)

Students will enjoy engaging read-alouds including How I Became a Pirate, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, and Hello Ocean. Through these imaginative and heartwarming stories, students will explore themes of adventure, friendship, kindness, curiosity, and appreciation of the world around them. Students will build literacy skills through phonics practice, vocabulary development, comprehension conversations, and activities that encourage them to make connections between the stories and their own experiences. Creative crafts and hands-on activities will bring each book to life while allowing students to express their creativity and imagination. These engaging stories inspire a love of reading while helping students develop empathy, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
May 1-15, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Engaging Readers: Exploring Stories, Lessons, and Imagination (Grades 1-3)

Where stories come to life! Join us for a fun-filled reading adventure! Students will enjoy engaging read-alouds such as Hey, Little Ant, Piggie Pie!, and Tops and Bottoms while exploring important themes like kindness, empathy, making thoughtful choices, problem-solving, and understanding different perspectives. Through interactive discussions and many activities, students are bound to strengthen their literacy skills and deepen their understanding of each story. Creative crafts, games, and hands-on projects will extend learning beyond the pages of the books, encouraging imagination, collaboration, and critical thinking. This engaging class helps young learners build confidence as readers while discovering meaningful lessons and developing a lifelong love of reading.
April 10-24, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Game Quest: Play, Learn, Invent (Grades 4-6)

Through fun, interactive games, students in grades 4-6 strengthen important social skills such as teamwork, taking turns, patience, communication, and following directions. Participants explore a variety of new and exciting games that challenge critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategy while building confidence and positive peer relationships. Students also have the opportunity to unleash their creativity by designing and testing their own games, making learning both meaningful and enjoyable in the College for Kids program.
January 30, 2027 to February 27, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

I am an Artist (Grades 1-3)

Growing confidence one creative adventure at a time! We begin with an exciting discovery: everyone is an artist! Through engaging stories, imaginative projects, and creative exploration, students will learn that art is not about being perfect. It is about expressing ideas, trying new things, and believing in themselves. Young artists will build confidence, celebrate their unique creativity, and discover that every masterpiece starts with courage, curiosity, and a willingness to create.
January 16-23, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Science STEAM: Getting Messy with Mixers (Grades 4-6)

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to experiment! In this exciting STEAM class, students will explore the science of mixing materials through engaging, hands-on activities. By combining liquids, powders, and everyday ingredients, students will observe fascinating reactions such as fizzing, bubbling, thickening, and color changes. Along the way, they will practice making predictions, collecting observations, and solving problems like real scientists. This messy and memorable experience helps students develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts while having fun learning through discovery.
January 16-23, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Science STEAM: Let's Get Messy and Create (Grades 4-6)

Students celebrate the end of the school year with exciting, hands-on STEAM activities that encourage them to get messy and have fun while learning. They explore mixing a variety of materials such as liquids, powders, and everyday items to see how they react and change. Through pouring, stirring, and experimenting, students observe fun results like fizzing, foaming, and changing textures. These messy experiences inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking as students make predictions and discover outcomes. "Let's get messy" becomes a joyful way to wrap up their STEAM learning through exploration and discovery.
May 1-15, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Science STEAM: Messy Science in Action (Grades 4-6)

Prepared to embrace the joy of hands-on STEAM learning by diving into messy, creative experiments. They explore what happens when different materials are mixed, using a variety of liquids, powders, and everyday items. As they stir, pour, and combine, students observe exciting changes like bubbling, foaming, and shifting textures. These engaging activities encourage them to ask questions, make predictions, and learn through trial and error. Getting messy becomes part of the fun as students build curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how materials interact in the world around them.
April 10-24, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Science STEAM: Mixing, Creating, and Discovering (Grades 4-6)

Get ready to explore the exciting world of science through hands-on STEAM activities! In this class, students will mix, create, and investigate using a variety of materials to discover how different substances interact. Through fun and sometimes messy experiments, students will combine liquids, solids, and everyday ingredients to observe fascinating reactions and changes. Young scientists will make predictions, test their ideas, and analyze results while exploring concepts such as chemical and physical changes, mixtures, and reactions. From bubbling concoctions to surprising color and texture transformations, each activity encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. This engaging class provides opportunities for students to learn through discovery, problem-solving, and experimentation while developing a deeper understanding of scientific processes in a fun and interactive environment.
February 6-20, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Science STEAM: Mixing, Exploring, and Experimenting (Grades 4-6)

Students build on their STEAM experiences by experimenting with combining different materials in creative and hands-on ways. Through engaging and sometimes messy activities, they mix a variety of substances such as liquids, powders, and simple ingredients to observe how they change and react. Students are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and explore outcomes like bubbling, blending, thickening, or color transformations. These exciting experiments promote curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how materials interact, all while learning through active exploration and fun.
March 20, 2027 to April 3, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Snow Much Fun: Stories, Sounds, and Winter Wonders (Grades 1-3)

Bundle up for a fun-filled winter literacy adventure! Students will enjoy beloved stories such as The Snowy Day, Snowmen at Night, and Tacky the Penguin while exploring winter themes, memorable characters, and engaging discussions. Through interactive phonics activities, students will strengthen foundational reading skills including letter sounds, word recognition, and blending. Each story comes to life with creative crafts and hands-on projects that encourage imagination, self-expression, and a love of reading.
January 16-23, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Storybook Adventures: Friendship, Fun, and Fantastic Readers (Grades 1-3)

Get ready to laugh, learn, and go on exciting story adventures! In this fun-filled class, students will enjoy reading delightful books such as Hooway for Wodney Rat, Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink, and Duck for President. Along the way, they'll meet unforgettable characters, solve problems, make choices, and discover the power of kindness, friendship, and believing in themselves. Through interactive read-alouds, games, activities, crafts, and hands-on projects, young readers will build important reading skills. Students will share ideas, express their creativity, and connect with stories in meaningful ways. Join us for a story-filled adventure where imagination comes alive and every reader can shine!
February 6-20, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

The Ultimate Game Zone (Grades 1-3)

Through fun and interactive games, students develop important social skills such as taking turns, practicing patience, following directions, and working cooperatively with others. They will learn and play a variety of new games that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork while building confidence along the way. Students will also unleash their creativity by designing their own games, making learning both exciting and meaningful.
January 30, 2027 to February 27, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114