Baking

Ann Angle

• Fall 2019 • 2nd Period • 8 students registered

Ages: for 12–19 years
Tuition: $170 (12 weeks) – $11.33/hour
Supplies: $45

Do you like to eat cake? Do you or maybe a friend have a food allergy? Would you like to learn how to make yummy treats for yourself or your pets? Then come to this class! We will learn how to bake with regular and alternate (allergy-friendly) ingredients. We will learn the science behind baking using various techniques and media. We will make cakes, cookies, pretzels, muffins, all kinds of bread, dog and cat treats, and whatever else the class decides. During the first class, we will cover kitchen safety and learn what makes baked goods rise.

We will also make a cake. Come dressed in clothes that can get messy, and tie long hair back.

Every accommodation will be made for those with food allergies.

Image: A collection of baking tools and ingredients including a mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, mini prep bowls, mini-loaf pans, springform cake pans, mini-muffin tin, tart tin, sifter, pastry brush, bowl scraper, whisks, kitchen scale, flour, spices, eggs, honey, maple syrup, chocolate chips (and olive oils in the background). 2019. Photo by Nic Rosenau on Unsplash.

Cooking Basics

Peter Hoh

• Spring 2023 • 2nd Period cancelled due to COVID-19

Ages: for 14–19 years
Tuition: $240 (16 weeks) – $12/hour
Supplies: $60

I believe that everyone should know how to put together a meal that’s healthy, delicious, and relatively inexpensive. This course will introduce students to some of the fundamental skills of cooking. We’ll cover food safety, knife skills, pantry staples, basic sauces, sautéing, roasting, and steaming.

Students should bring an apron and a chef’s knife (around 7 inches long) to class. More info about the knife will be provided to enrolled students.

We will not be making something to eat each week. In other words, you still need to bring your own lunch.

To get the most out of this class, students should plan to take what they’ve learned in class and apply it at home.

Supplies fee covers groceries.

Families with students who have dietary restrictions should contact the instructor before registering for this class.

Image: Five red tomatoes in a wooden bowl. Melitópol’, Ukraine, 2019. Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash.

How to Boil Water

Barbara Crist-Nepp & Doug Nepp

• Spring 2020 • 2nd Period • 8 students registered
• Spring 2019 • 2nd Period • 8 students registered
• Fall 2017 • 2nd Period • 8 students registered
• Fall 2016 • 2nd Period • 8 students registered
• Fall 2015 • 2nd Period • 8 students registered

Ages: for 13–19 years
Supplies: $270 (12 weeks) – $24.50/week

Are you ready for a rollercoaster ride of fun?!! Are you ready for some of the best food of your life?!!! Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!!! (we mean boil water). You will learn to prepare some crazy good food using fresh ingredients. You will learn proper cooking techniques including always cooking with a good beverage in one hand and good music on the phonograph. Discuss the origins of food and the importance of food in different cultures. Expand your horizons by expanding your palate as this class takes you from kitchen neophyte to kitchen ninja and you go on an eating binja (spelling is not part of the class, yeah!). You can’t help but rhyme when you’re cooking with thyme. So don’t be lame. Show you’ve got some game. So hurry now, CHOP – CHOP (see what we did there), and sign up for this class.

We plan each semester based on the needs and wishes of our students. They let us know what they are interested in based on a questionnaire we ask them to fill out before class begins.

As instructors, we like to expose our students to many different ingredients, foods, dishes, and styles of cooking, etc. By taking and participating in our class, you agree to try all the dishes we prepare or bring to class. (Of course, we would never ask you to eat anything that you have a sensitivity to or are allergic to. We would also never ask vegetarians, pescatarians, or vegans to handle or eat food that is not part of their diet.)

$270 supplies fee covers food for 11 weeks of class.

Required materials:

1. Students will need to supply a chef’s knife (required). Aprons are optional. Instructors will keep the knives (for safety reasons) for the semester and students will bring them home at the end of the semester. Choose a knife that the student can handle easily (neither too long nor too heavy). No ceramic knives. Please make sure the knife is sharp as dull knives are very dangerous. Knives should be in guards/sleeves to protect the edge and either labeled with the student’s name or in some way that they can recognize their own knife.

2. Students are responsible for purchasing ingredients for their final cooking project on the last day of class.

Homework expectations: Students plan a final project which will probably require 1 to 2 hours of research and prep time.

Image: A large steel bowl with multicolored whisk and a red spatula in use during a Spring 2019 How to Boil Water class at Planet Homeschool. Photo by Carrie Wilder. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Sculptural Fantasy Cake Decorating

Dr. Tiffany Skidmore

• Fall 2018 • 2nd Period • 10 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $186 (12 weeks) – $12.40/hour
Supplies: $50

Learn multiple cake decorating techniques, from frosting flowers, stars, and shells to fondant sculptures finished with edible glitter. Over the course of the semester, you will make your own cake, colored decorator frosting, and colored fondant and then use your imagination to design and engineer sculptural fantasy cakes and cupcakes.

Costumes and Cosplay

Sarah Beggs & Janet Lewis

• Fall 2023 • 2nd Period • 4–10 students
• Fall 2022 • 1st Period • 9 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $180 (12 weeks) – $12/hour
Supplies: $10

We'll take a look at Anime, cartoons, comic books, manga, TV, and video game characters. Come up with creative ideas to take your drawing from paper to reality. Learn sewing basics. We will take a look at fabric, materials, and tools best used for costumes. We'll spend time with construction, making patterns, cutting, gluing, and finishing. Characters all need props and make-up, so we'll spend some time with prop ideas and how best to make them. Basic make-up techniques and products.

Most materials can be sourced free or very cheaply. Access to a sewing machine is helpful but not required.

$10 supplies fee covers fabric for weekly assignments, thread, pins, and sample kits

Students should bring a sketchbook and drawing tools (pencils, pens, colored pencils) to class each week as well as any other materials students determine needed for their final project.

Hand-sewing needles & thread are useful but not required.

Most weeks there will be about an hour of work to complete at home including sewing, sketching, sourcing materials, and research. There are weekly fun assignments and challenges. Each class will begin with a short review of the completed assignment and how it might factor into your project. Success in this course is dependent on students doing work outside of class. While this is not a graded course, we expect all students to complete all of the assignments to the best of their ability.

Image: Anime festival. 2017. Photo by JJIID, CC BY-SA 2.0, on Flickr.

Crafting for a pandemic!

Kim Chase-Kozak

• Spring 2021 • 3rd Period • 4 students registered — online

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $75 (16 weeks) – $3.75/hour

This class was originally going to be Fiber Arts - knit and crochet in person. However, given we will still be online in the spring, I am mixing up the format a bit. This is going to primarily serve as a freeform crafting and social hour. Bring your favorite craft and topic of discussion and we’ll get to know each other and our arts over zoom weekly. I am open to hosting additional zoom social hours if the crowd is interested. Ideas are drawing, origami, needlework, knit, crochet, looming, sculpting, painting, quilling, embroidery, etc. Come with some handwork for the first day and be ready to introduce yourself!

If you are a person interested in learning to loom, crochet, or knit or you already have experience and advancing your skill, I have plenty of online resources and suggestions for you and you will be able to get questions answered via e-mail or we can look at having opportunities for questions during our zoom sessions. I will e-mail before the first class to check in with everything and see if anyone wants direction to be ready for the first day. I am an advanced needleworker and can help you with just about anything you can dream up!

Image designed by Sophia Redfern-Hall.

Fashion Design

Janet Lewis & Sarah Beggs of Fiber Works MPLS

• Fall 2019 • 1st Period • 4 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $150 (12 weeks) – $10/hour

We will take a close look at what it takes to be a Fashion Designer, delving into:

• History Of Fashion

• Garment parts and style of garments

• Different cuts and shapes in dresses, shirts, pants, necklines, and sleeves

• Types of Fashion: Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear

We’ll also learn about different designers and why they are important and work on developing your own style.

Other topics covered will include:

• Understanding textures and colors

• Learning about all kinds of fabric

• A look at current trends and understanding them

• How to get your designs manufactured.

Each student will make their own inspiration board that includes sketches, color choices, fabric swatches, photos, and accessories.

Required materials: Students will need to get some supplies on their own.

Image: Montage by Fiber Works MPLS.

Fiber Arts: Knit/Crochet

Kim Chase-Kozak

• Fall 2018–Spring 2019 • 3rd Period • 10 students registered
• Fall 2017–Spring 2018 • 3rd Period • 7 students registered
• Fall 2015 • 2nd Period • 10 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $230 (23 weeks) – $8/hour

Fall Semester: Crochet
Spring Semester: Knit

Welcome all to the wide wooly world of fiber arts! Possible topics may include looming, knit, crochet, weaving, needle felting, wet felting, winter wear, holidays, applied math, amigurumi/shapes/creatures, colorwork, lace, granny squares, free knit/crochet, donation items, yarn bombing, whatever you can dream up! The class will very much reflect the personalities and desires of each individual.

Come socialize and learn and/or work on knit or crochet. This class tends to be a nice relaxing break in the day.

Prerequisites: None. All ages and levels. For beginners just starting basics to experts wanting some time and space to practice and consult on new techniques.

Optional supply fees:

• $35 beginning knit kit
• $30 beginning crochet kit
• $20 stash access

This full-year course will accept new students for Spring Semester. No charge for continuing students who have paid the supply fee once already. You are welcome to supply yourself if you want.

NOTE: There will be an option to purchase additional supplies as a group.

Opportunity for 1 or 2 teen assistants with excellent people and needlework skills who are willing to focus on helping others over their own work (contact Kim Chase-Kozak if you’re interested!).

Funky Hand Embroidery

Trina Greene

• Fall 2023 • 1st Period • 2–8 students

Ages: for 12–19 years
Tuition: $137.50 (10 weeks) – $9.17/hour
Supplies: $30

This is a 10-week (12½-hour) Fall Semester class. Classes will begin on Friday 22 September (the third week of PHS classes). There will be no class on Friday 8 September or Friday 15 September (the first and second week of PHS classes). Tuition has been adjusted to reflect this schedule.

Learn the relaxing art of hand embroidery. In the first part of the semester, we will be learning stitches as part of a small sampler. Then, create your own design! This won't be your grandma's kitchen towel embroidery but embroidery patterns with a side of funk. Previous designs are nature-scapes, feminism or liberal-leaning quotes, the world from a different lens, movies or cartoons, and art into stitching.

$30 supplies fee covers hoop, thread, needle, fabric, and sampler

Students will need both manual dexterity and concentration skills to best succeed in this class.

Students may spend from 30 minutes to 1 hour each week finishing stitches not finished during class time.

Image: Embroidery in a hoop illustrating a camping trip. 2023. Photo by Trina Greene. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Needlework Creature Workshop

Kim Chase-Kozak

• Fall 2016 • 4th Period • 11 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $100 (12 weeks) – $6.75/hour

Have you ever wanted to learn to crochet monsters, cute creatures, a Tardis, characters, and more? Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. (Try googling to see what great things you can make!)

Learn to crochet or advance your skills! This class is flexible for those who already knit or who have other patterns or project ideas.

Homework expectations: expect to spend the first several weeks of class learning to crochet and practicing at home, particularly if you are a beginner.

The $30 optional supply fee (recommended for beginners in particular) will get you 2 crochet hooks, enough yarn for 2-3 beginning projects, many appropriate beginner- to intermediate-level patterns, access to my stash of yarn, and other creature supplies (embroidery floss, various eyes, felt, stuffing, etc).

If you have a particular self-chosen project or pattern you’d like to tackle, you will be responsible for those supplies. If you have paid the supply fee, you can continue to use the stash/notions all semester even if you end up buying yarn for something.

# REVAMP # REPURPOSE # RENEW!

Janet Lewis & Sarah Beggs of Fiber Works MPLS

• Fall 2021 • 2nd Period • 3 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $150 (12 weeks) – $10/hour

How do we achieve sustainability? Where does one person even start to make a difference? With this new class, we aim to teach students how to begin to make their own wardrobe a sustainable one. Students will bring in garments they no longer wear or do not like the way it fits and together we will come up with creative ways to up-scale, revamp, repurpose it. Let’s all work to keep clothes out of the landfill!

Required materials: Students will need to source their materials, sometimes from a fabric shop and often from thrift stores or their own stash.

Students should bring a sketchbook (or notebook) and drawing utensils (colored pencils or pens are useful) to each class.

Homework expectations: Students should plan to spend at least an hour each week working on their projects outside of class. Depending on the project, some weeks may require more and others less.

Image: Leg harness upcycled from an old KAPPA jacket. 2020. Photo by Utopia By Cho on Unsplash.

Sewing (Beginning to Intermediate)

Maria Almli

• Fall 2017 • 2nd Period • 6 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $147 (11 weeks) – $10.75/hour
Supplies: $15

We will make a pincushion, pajama pants, and a project of your choice. Possibilities include a bag, skirt, mittens, cape, decorative pillow or simple quilt.

Online tutorials will be available for reference at home.

Prerequisites: None. Accommodations for different skill levels are available from beginners through the intermediate level.

$15 supplies fee includes materials for the pincushion.

Required materials: All students will need their own sewing machine, pins, seam ripper, and sharp scissors. Students will need to provide their own fabric for the pajama pants and the free choice project.

Homework expectations: Some sewing outside of class will be necessary to complete projects.

Introduction to Graphic Design

Dawn Keenan

• Fall 2018 • 1st Period • 9 students registered

Ages: for 12–19 years
Tuition: $144 (12 weeks) – $9.60/hour
Supplies: $25

Welcome to the exciting and ever-changing world of graphic design. Learn how to use space, color, fonts, and pictures to create a visually appealing page. Hands-on projects and lively discussion await you in this fun class where you will come away with a mini-portfolio of your efforts.

Artistic Metalworking

Michelle Lehman

• Spring 2018 • 4th Period • 12 students registered
• Spring 2016 • 4th Period • 15 students registered

Ages: for 12–19 years
Tuition: $240 (16 weeks) – $12/hour
Supplies: $40

Identity crisis? This hybrid shop/art class will introduce the basic concepts of several types of metalworking including casting, embossing, electro-etching, and welding. Students will explore some of the history of metalworking as we create a variety of projects featuring different metals and techniques. Students will also have the opportunity to visit my home and use a plasma cutter and MIG welder to create a unique, functional, or artistic piece.

Beginning Metalworking

Daniel Hoisington

• Fall 2022 • 3rd Period • 5 students registered

Ages: for 14–19 years
Tuition: $200 (12 weeks) – $13.33/hour

Learn about the history and craft of metalworking through casting, forging, and soldering beautiful and / or useful objects.

The class will learn about the worldwide history of metal working as both a craft and an art. Students will use different metallurgic processes including creating bronze, casting small objects like legos, forging mouse-sized swords, and cutting metal and soldering rings of their own design. Students will end the class working on a piece using their favorite techniques.

Base materials and safety equipment provided. No lead will be used.

Image: Photos by Daniel Hoisington. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Jewelry and Metalwork

Joyce Nelson Shellhart

• Spring 2022 • 4th Period • cancelled due to COVID-19

Ages: for 14–19 years
Tuition: $240 (16 weeks) – $12/hour
Supplies: $50

This class will introduce students to the tools of a jeweler or metalsmith. The class will begin with creating findings to use on their jewelry creations. The work will progress from wirework to shaping metal and connecting metal shapes.

$50 supplies fee covers an extensive supply list with metals, tools, and stones. Students will receive a small selection of stones to add to their work.

This class will involve sharp tools and torch use students must be alert and careful to prevent injuries.

Homework expectations: Homework time will vary with the assignment.

Woodworking

Michelle Lehman

• Fall 2015 • 2nd Period • 13 students registered

Ages: for 12–19 years
Tuition: $156 (12 weeks) – $10.40/hour
Supplies: $35

In this hybrid shop and fine arts class, we will explore the world of woodworking using hand and power tools to create a variety of projects. Wood can be used to craft functional, beautiful, and fun items. We will explore a wide array of tools and techniques to cut, shape, carve and finish our designs.

Possible projects include:

• Pocket Catapult
• Pizza Cutter
• Decorative Leaf
• Carved Forest spirit
• Gumball Machine
• Plank Chair

Families should be aware that some tasks may be challenging for younger students.

Ballroom and Latin Dance

Yvette Harvieux of Cinema Ballroom

• Spring 2021 • 4th Period • cancelled due to COVID-19
• Spring 2020 • 4th Period
• Fall 2019 • 4th Period

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $185 (16 weeks) – $9.25/hour

Dancing is more than a fun way to get moving! This class will provide students with a useful, life-long skill that will benefit them physically and socially!

Students will learn ballroom and Latin technique and footwork, dancing etiquette, and lead and follow skills.

Dances include cha cha, rumba, jive, swing, waltz, tango, and more!

Image: Two PHS students practicing ballroom dance. Photo by Nic Rosenau. 2019. CC BY 4.0.

Ballroom Dance

Ms. Dorothy Rose

• Fall 2017 • 4th Period • 14 students registered
• Spring 2017 • 4th Period • 26 students registered
• Fall 2016 • 4th Period • 26 students registered
• Spring 2016 • 4th Period • 18 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $336 (12 weeks) – $12/hour
60-minute sessions

This course began many years ago as a result of students’ requests and has remained very popular ever since.

This class will provide students with a useful, life-long skill that will benefit them physically and socially. Dances included in the course are Waltz, Fox Trot, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Tango, Cha Cha, Samba, Mambo, Polka, Rhumba, Quick-Step. In addition, students will learn several “warmup” group dances.

Intermediate/Advanced Ballroom Dance

Yvette Harvieux of Cinema Ballroom

• Spring 2019 • 4th Period • 7 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $185 (16 weeks) – $9.25/hour

Continue to develop your dance skills in this Intermediate to Advanced Ballroom Dance class.

We’ll work on intermediate combinations of patterns, Ballroom and Latin technique, dancing etiquette, and lead and follow skills. To feel comfortable, we suggest that students should have attended at least one previous ballroom dance class either at Planet Homeschool or at Cinema Ballroom. Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Rumba, Merengue, and Swing are examples of the dances this class will focus on.

Image: Tango by Gan Khoon Lay, Royalty-Free license from The Noun Project.

Intro to Ballroom and Country Western Dance

Bill Smith

• Spring 2018 • 4th Period • 13 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $112 (12 weeks) – $7.50/hour

In this introduction to social dancing for beginning and intermediate dancers, we’ll focus on the fundamentals of country waltz, cha-cha, East Coast swing, West Coast swing, and country two-step dances. Come have fun learning this great lifelong skill!

Choir and Instrumental Ensemble

Dr. Tiffany Skidmore

• Spring 2020 • 1st Period • 5 students registered
• Fall 2019 • 1st Period • 7 students registered
• Fall 2018 • 1st Period • 8 students registered
• Spring 2018 • 1st Period • 5 students registered
• Fall 2017 • 1st Period • 9 students registered
• Spring 2016 • 3rd Period • 6 students registered
• Fall 2015 • 3rd Period • 16 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $308 (28 weeks) – $8.80/hour
Supplies: $20 per semester

Students will learn proper vocal and instrumental techniques, sight-singing, and some basic music theory. We perform music in parts and students are invited to help choose some of our performance repertoire.

We end each semester with two performances for family and friends.

Supply fees help to defray the costs of music folders and sheet music.

Image: Chorus sheet music. 2016. Photo by David Beale on Unsplash.

Guitar, Ukulele or Harmonica

Joe Filipovich

• Fall 2015 • 1st Period • 10 students registered
• Spring 2015 • 2nd Period • 6 students registered

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $192 (12 weeks) – $32/hour
30-minute lessons

Music lessons for guitar, ukulele, and harmonica for 1 or 2 students per 30-minute lesson. Students in the same class session must be playing the same instrument and should be of similar age (for example 10–12, 13–15, or 16–18).

Tuition includes an instruction book with chords, scales, music, and songs.

Guitar rental available: $125. Students will pick it up on the first lesson and return it on the last lesson. The other option is $37 for a month-to-month rental. Guitar rentals are limited and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Harmonica and ukulele rentals are not available.

Ukuleles, harmonicas, and guitars can be purchased at most local music stores. Harmonicas can cost as little as $15 and ukuleles can cost as little as $60.

www.JFmusicLessons.com

Piano Lessons

Mrs. Angie Szyman

• Fall 2022 • 1 students registered — online

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $25/30-minute lesson

30-minute online lessons. The day and time will be arranged between the individual student and the instructor.

Piano lessons include instruction in note reading on the musical staff as well as ear training and music theory. Students learn piano technique, rhythm, improvisation, and performance preparation. An opportunity for students to share their music with family and friends will be at the end of the school year. Music lessons help students to gain confidence, expression, consistency in working toward a goal, and emotional enjoyment. Students will have fun and work hard to reap the benefits of making music at their fingertips!

Student must have a piano or keyboard at home, a pencil, and must have the device set up so the instructor can see their hands and the keyboard/piano.

Students should bring music books (per the instructor’s recommendation for the student’s specific age and level, 1 notebook, and 1 pencil to class each week.

Homework: 20 to 30 minutes of practicing the assigned music 5 days a week and 1 to 2 pages of music theory homework weekly

Textbook: Piano Adventures (the Level will be recommended for the age and level of the student) and other supplemental books.

Tuition is paid every four weeks.

Image: Closeup on piano keys. 2019. Photo by Amir Doreh on Unsplash.

Music Composition Workshop

Benjamin Klein

• Spring 2022 • 2nd Period • cancelled due to COVID-19

Ages: for 12–19 years
Tuition: $300 (16 weeks) – $15/hour

In this workshop, we will explore different ways in which to create music through various composition, improvisation, and other music-making strategies. Students are invited to participate as both composers and performers where the focus of the creative work will be to write music for each other to play and experiment in.

All performing and music experience levels are welcome. Projects will be guided to include the contribution of all participants.

We will also listen to the music and survey various composition strategies that other composers have undertaken to create their work in order to inspire ideas for our workshop.

Required materials: Students will need to supply their own musical instruments.

Songwriting for All

Brady Geary

• Fall 2018 • 4th Period

Ages: for 11–19 years
Tuition: $140 (12 weeks) – $9.30/hour

Have you ever wanted to write a song? Whether you have musical experience or not, this course will help you write lyrics and music for an original song—plus, you’ll get experience with both poetry and basic music theory.

Theatrical Production: Pirates of Penzance

Dr. Tiffany Skidmore

• Spring 2017 • 2nd Period

Ages: for 10–19 years
Tuition: $192 (16 weeks) – $9.60/hour
Supplies: $50

The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty, a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert.

Student actors will spend each week learning music, lines, and choreography for the final show.

In addition to weekly in-class rehearsals at PHS, participation in two theater retreats is expected.

Auditions will be held to determine role placements, but all registered students will play a part (there are many spaces for pirates, policemen, and daughters of the Major-General!).

Cast members are also encouraged (but not required) to register for Michelle Lehman’s Theatrical Production Arts class, where they will be given the opportunity to help create the sets, props, and costume pieces for the show.

…