This document provides a schedule of classes for highly capable students in 2013-2014, including class titles, descriptions, dates, locations, and instructors. Some of the classes include GIS and GPS technology, origami and geometry, theater games, math in everyday professions, voiceovers, beekeeping, and storytelling. The classes will take place at various elementary schools and the educational service district and are taught by specialists, teachers, and professionals in relevant fields.

1. Capitol Region Educational Service District 113
Highly Capable Classes 2013-2014 Master Schedule of Classes
Location Key- Black: ESD 113; Blue: Olympic Elementary School, Chehalis;
Red:Central Park Elementary School, Aberdeen
GIS and GPS: Exploring the Environment, Technology and Your Future
Description: Students will spend the day learning about GIS/GPS technology and exploring the outdoors while
on a geocaching scavenger hunt (using GPS units).
Dates: October 14 and 16
Location: Central Park Elementary School
Instructor: Amber Richard’s curiosity and love for the natural world brought her to the University of
Wisconsin-Madison where she majored in Biological Aspects of Conservation and Environmental Studies.
Amber works as a specialist with ESD 113 and as the volunteer coordinator for Discover Children’s Museum, in
Chehalis.
GIS and GPS: Exploring the Environment, Technology and Your Future
Description: Students will spend the day learning about GIS/GPS technology and exploring the outdoors while
on a geocaching scavenger hunt (using GPS units).
Dates: October 17 and 22
Location: ESD113
Instructor: Amber Richard’s curiosity and love for the natural world brought her to the University of
Wisconsin-Madison where she majored in Biological Aspects of Conservation and Environmental Studies.
Amber works as a specialist with ESD 113 and as the volunteer coordinator for Discover Children’s Museum, in
Chehalis.
Blue Earth Farm and Creative Art
Description: Students will travel to Blue Earth Farm in Chehalis to tour and learn from Kari Winsor, farm
owner, about native plants, innovative gardening and farming. During the extended walk through the
farmand adjacent tree farm and the Chehalis River, students will spend time using their small field
sketchbooks along the way. Artist and teacher Sherry Buckner will show students how to observe nature
more closely by stopping to draw and focus on the specific plants and animals. Following touring and
discussions, students will return to school and have special art time with Sherry. Sherry will offer an in-depth
art lesson and time for creating personal artwork to express humans’ unique connection with plants and our
earth.
Date: October 23
Locations: Blue Earth Farm, Chehalis; Olympic (4)
Instructors: Kari Winsor, farmer and artist/teacher Sherry Buckner. Sherry is a professional artist and on the
roster of the Washington State Arts Commission Teaching Artists. She has worked with children for three
decades, while enjoying her own career creating original art. Her work is included in private, corporate and
public art collections in the Pacific Northwest.

2. Improvisation and Theater Games with Entertainment
Description: Express yourself! This program features creative, energetic, hands-on activities. Participants lose
their shyness and gain confidence as they create characters, dialogue, and situations in the moment by using
their voices, movement, and imagination. They will experience some of the most favorite theatre games and
improvisations that emphasize active listening, responding instinctively, and building on both relationships
and ideas. It’s fun, it’s spontaneous, and encourages brainstorming with teams.
Date: October 24
Location: Olympic Elementary School(5)
Instructor: Katherine Billings is a veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher. Katherine
also has extensive professional theatre/film/television credits.
Math in Everyday Professions
Description: Students will view video clips featuring individuals from a variety of fields using math in their
daily jobs. Students will then complete math activities these skilled individuals and professionals use in their
daily jobs.
Date: November 4 and 6
Location: Central Park Elementary School
Instructor: TBA
Math in Everyday Professions
Description: Along with an experienced math teacher and current ESD 113 Math Specialist, students will view
video clips featuring individuals from a variety of fields using math in their daily jobs. Students will then
complete math activities these skilled individuals and professionals use in their daily jobs.
Date: November 7 and November 19
Location: ESD113
Instructor: Kathy Dornhecker/Katelyn Walsh
Geometry with Origami
Description: Students will use origami to develop knowledge of geometric terms and properties. Students
then solve math problems which relate to the project with follow-up discussions about the project relating to
geometric terms such as symmetry, faces, edges, square, triangle, plane, etc.
Date: November 12 (4)
Location: Olympic Elementary School
Instructor: Sarah Mittgehas been teaching for over twelve years. She loves using math, science and
environmental education to help students become scientists who are curious, caring problem-solvers in their
communities.
Geometry with Origami
Description: Students will use origami to develop knowledge of geometric terms and properties. Students
then solve math problems which relate to the project with follow-up discussions about the project relating to
geometric terms such as symmetry, faces, edges, square, triangle, plane, etc.
Date: November 13

3. Location: Olympic Elementary School(5)
Instructor: Sarah Mittge has been teaching for over twelve years. She loves using math, science and
environmental education to help students become scientists who are curious, caring problem-solvers in their
communities.
Voice Over for Film and Animation
Description: The term voice over comes from the “narrative voice” that is added “over” the film or video.
Katherine Billings, veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher will lead the class and
have students record their “voice over” narrations.
Date: December 11
Location: Olympic Elementary School (4)
Instructor: Katherine Billings is a veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher. Katherine
also has extensive professional theatre/film/television credits.
Sounds like Fun: Seeing Animal Sounds
Description: Students will investigate the idea that sound is vibration “acoustical engineering” and will focus
on developing a visualization of sound in a way that captures its key elements and communicates the sound
clearly to others.
Date: December 12
Location: Olympic Elementary School(5)
Instructor: Debbie Hale ESD 113 Media and Technology Coordinator
Voice Over for Film and Animation
Description: The term voice over comes from the “narrative voice” that is added “over” the film or video.
Katherine Billings, veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher will lead the class and
have students record their “voice over” narrations.
Dates: January 8 and 9
Location: Central Park Elementary School
Instructor: Katherine Billings is a veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher. Katherine
also has extensive professional theatre/film/television credits.
Voice Over for Film and Animation
Description: The term voice over comes from the “narrative voice” that is added “over” the film or video.
Katherine Billings, veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher will lead the class and
have students record their “voice over” narrations.
Date: January 21 and 23
Location: ESD113
Instructor: Katherine Billings is a veteran professional director/producer/writer/actor/and teacher. Katherine
also has extensive professional theatre/film/television credits.
Museum of Glass -- a “Hot” Destination
Description: Students will experience the glass exhibitions with work by world-renowned contemporary artists
and be enthralled by artists in the Hot Shop making artwork from molten glass right before their eyes. Guided

4. by friendly museum docents, the students will be engaged in an interactive experience of the artwork. They
will also work with a regional artist on a project that relates to the exhibitions in the galleries.
Date: February 19
Location:Olympic Elementary School (4); Museum of Glass, Tacoma
Instructor: Museum docent and a local artist
Being a Professional Wildlife Photographer
Description: Paul Bannick will share his award-winning wildlife photography with a focus on birds and habitat.
Coupling his love of the outdoors with his skill as a photographer, he creates images that foster the intimacy
between viewer and subject, inspiring education and conservation. Paul will take students on a walk in the
Oak Woodland habitat to learn how to read the land and find out what animals may or could live there.
Date: February 20
Location: Olympic Elementary School(5)
Instructor: Paul's work can be found in bird guides from Audubon, The Smithsonian, Stokes, The National
Wildlife Federation, and in the Handbook of the Birds of the World. He has appeared on NBC Nightly News,
Evening Magazine, King 5 and Travels with Rick Steves and BirdNote.
Museum of Glass -- a “Hot” Destination
Description: Students will experience the glass exhibitions with work by world-renowned contemporary artists
and be enthralled by artists in the Hot Shop making artwork from molten glass right before their eyes. Guided
by friendly museum docents, the students will be engaged in an interactive experience of the artwork. They
will also work with a regional artist on a project that relates to the exhibitions in the galleries.
Date: February 26
Location:ESD113; Museum of Glass, Tacoma
Instructor: Museum docent and a local artist
Student Autobiographical Prezi’s: Release your Creativity through Technology
Dates: February 26 and 27
Location: Central Park Elementary School
Description: Students will create their own autobiographical presentations using the presentation tool known
as “Prezi” – which allows students to work with infinite space, and showing relation and context. Students will
need to bring a least five photos saved as jpegs. Students may also explore other web based tools including
“bubbleus” and google.doc for slide presentations.
Instructors: Debbie Hale, ESD113 Director of the Media and Technology Support Center and media staff
Geometry with Origami
Description: Students will use origami to develop knowledge of geometric terms and properties. Students
then solve math problems which relate to the project with follow-up discussions about the project relating to
geometric terms such as symmetry, faces, edges, square, triangle, plane, etc.
Date: March 4 and 6
Location: ESD113

5. Instructor:Sarah Mittgehas been teaching for over twelve years. She loves using math, science and
environmental education to help students become scientists who are curious, caring problem-solvers in their
communities.
GIS and GPS: Exploring the Environment, Technology and Your Future
Description: Students will spend the day learning about GIS/GPS technology and exploring the outdoors while
on a geocaching scavenger hunt (using GPS units).
Date: March 12
Location: Olympic Elementary School(4)
Instructor:Amber Richard’s curiosity and love for the natural world brought her to the University of WisconsinMadison where she majored in Biological Aspects of Conservation and Environmental Studies. Amber works as
a specialist with ESD 113 and as the volunteer coordinator for Discover Children’s Museum, in Chehalis.
Writing Tips from a Published Author
Description: During the workshop, Maria Ruth Mudd will provide students with practical ideas and time-tested
tools for nourishing their innate curiosity about nature and for motivating their students to write. She will
offer specific skills for paying attention, finding the right words, [I don't think I do/did this, so cut and add:
loving your topic,] working collaboratively, banishing writers’ block, focusing, and meeting a writing deadline.
Date: March 13
Location: Olympic Elementary School (5)
Instructor: Maria lives in Olympia and has been writing books about the natural world for 25 years. She has
published more than a dozen books for adults, teens, and children on topics including butterflies, snakes,
falcons, the tundra, the desert, and endangered species. She is currently writing a book about clouds.
Writing Tips from a Published Author
Description: During the workshop, Maria Ruth Mudd will provide students with practical ideas and time-tested
tools for nourishing their innate curiosity about nature and for motivating their students to write. She will
offer specific skills for paying attention, finding the right words, I don't think I do/did this, so cut and add:
loving your topic,] working collaboratively, banishing writers’ block, focusing, and meeting a writing deadline.
Date: March 19 and 20
Location: Central Park Elementary School
Instructor: Maria lives in Olympia and has been writing books about the natural world for 25 years. She has
published more than a dozen books for adults, teens, and children on topics including butterflies, snakes,
falcons, the tundra, the desert, and endangered species. She is currently writing a book about clouds.
The Art of Beekeeping
Description: Bees give us a lot more than delicious honey. They are pollinators—they enable plants to produce
the fruits and nuts we enjoy by carrying pollen from one plant or flower to the next. Animals pollinate about
one out of every three bites of food we eat. And in the U.S., millions and millions of bees kept by human
beekeepers fly around doing a lot of this important work for food crops. During this workshop, learn about the
fascinating job of a beekeeper, and the importance of honeybees to us while touring a local farm.
Date: April 15
Location: TBD; Olympic Elementary (4)

6. Instructor: Biologist Amber Richards and local beekeeper, Brandon Boyd
The Art of Beekeeping
Description: Bees give us a lot more than delicious honey. They are pollinators—they enable plants to produce
the fruits and nuts we enjoy by carrying pollen from one plant or flower to the next. Animals pollinate about
one out of every three bites of food we eat. And in the U.S., millions and millions of bees kept by human
beekeepers fly around doing a lot of this important work for food crops. During this workshop, learn about the
fascinating job of a beekeeper, and the importance of honeybees to us while touring a local farm.
Date: April 16
Location: TBD; Olympic Elementary (5)
Instructor: Biologist Amber Richards and local beekeeper, Brandon Boyd
The Art of Beekeeping
Description: Bees give us a lot more than delicious honey. They are pollinators—they enable plants to produce
the fruits and nuts we enjoy by carrying pollen from one plant or flower to the next. Animals pollinate about
one out of every three bites of food we eat. And in the U.S., millions and millions of bees kept by human
beekeepers fly around doing a lot of this important work for food crops. During this workshop, learn about the
fascinating job of a beekeeper, and the importance of honeybees to us while touring a local farm.
Date: April 17 and 22
Location: TBD, ESD 113
Instructor: Biologist Amber Richards and local beekeeper
Art of Storytelling
Description: Humans are natural storytellers. We thrive on sharing our experiences, thoughts and
imaginations through story. From early community gatherings around winter fire circles to the ‘black box’
storyteller in most family living rooms to the new virtual tellers of the internet we have always found ways to
tell stories.In this class we will explore the elements of story including observation, inflection, gesture and
expression. We’ll play with character and do library research in folklore, myth and legend. We’ll experiment
with types of stories from personal narrative, to pour quoi tales, to legends. We’ll pull stories from our
experiences and our imaginations. Students will leave with a story to tell ---- at least about the experience of
the day itself! That’s story.
Date: April 16 and 17
Location: Central Park Elementary School
Instructor: Rebecca Hom. According to Rebecca: “I was raised an Iowa farm girl, with no theatrical experience
or aspiration. Then, at a writers’ conference in Sitka, AK I was introduced to storytelling. I have been
performing, creating and gathering stories now for more than 25 years. I have presented school residencies,
staff workshops and employee trainings in several states and story performances internationally.”