Home School Physical Education Program 2020-2021 academic year

August 13, 2020 by

The Appalachian State University Physical Education (PE) Program is pleased to continue its commitment to offering the Home School Physical Education Program for the 2020-21 academic year.  

Appalachian Home School PE Program (5 – 12 year olds)

Dates: September 8 – November 13 (online)

Meets: Tuesdays synchronously via Zoom from 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.; Thursdays asynchronously via a Fundamental Motor Skill & Family Physical Activity Challenge

Annual Cost: Fall 2020 $0 per child; Spring 2021 $30 per child (includes t-shirt)

The Appalachian Home School PE Program is a part of the Appalachian Health and Physical Education (HPE) Program.  Dr. Brooke Towner will oversee the program.  Dr. Towner is an assistant professor in the Appalachian HPE program, is a Certified Physical Education Teacher, and has physical education experience in both public school and recreational settings. 

We use the innovative SPARK physical education curriculum in our PE program. For more information on the SPARK curriculum, check out their website at http://www.sparkpe.org.  

The Fall 2020 Appalachian Home School PE Program Plan: 

  • The Appalachian Homeschool PE Program will be held in an online format. 
  • On Tuesdays, all age groups will meet on Zoom (an online video conferencing tool) for a 20 – 25 minute lesson instructed by an Appalachian student or teaching pair. 
    • Dr. Towner will attend all Zoom lessons.
  • On Thursdays, the Appalachian student or teaching pair will post an optional online Fundamental Motor Skill and Family Challenge PE activity using FlipGrid (an online tool for posting video responses). 
    • The Appalachian student or partner pair will provide feedback to the students that chose to participate. The FlipGrid will be moderated so only Dr. Towner and the Appalachian student or teach pair have access to the FlipGrid. Dr. Towner will monitor all Flipgrids.

For Fall 2020 the Home School PE Program will not offer the Play Pen or Parent Walking Group 

Registration:                                                                                 

Go to: https://appstate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1zEb2hHYa1R475j

Or visit: https://pehomeschool.appstate.edu/  and select the REGISTER ONLINE NOW! 

Registration DEADLINE: September 7th, 2020 (late registrations will be accepted as long as slots are still available) 

For more information, go to https://pehomeschool.appstate.edu/ or contact Dr. Brooke Towner at 828-262-8558, email townerbc@appstate.edu

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Homeschooling, School News, Things To Do

Learning Pods in the High Country for the 2020-2021 School Year

July 29, 2020 by

We all know that the new school year will bring many adjustments for families. We are putting together a list of learning pods in the area to give families options to help with daily schedules.

The Big Blue Center for Expressive Arts opened registration for their remote learning center. Please note that assistants will be available to keep kids on task and to help with remote learning. Space is very limited to keep kids physically distanced. The location for the center is 174 Old East King St, Boone, NC 28607.

-WiFi available
-Extra precautions and cleaning to provide as safe a space as possible (temperature checks, masks when not 6 feet apart, extra hand washing, no shared supplies, etc.)

Example of Daily Routine (with a lot of flexibility to meet children’s needs):
Remote Learning 8-8:30
Stretch and Bathroom Break 8:30-8:40
Remote Learning 8:40-9:10
Activity and Bathroom Break 9:10-9:40
Remote Learning 9:40-10:10
Snack and Bathroom Break 10:10-10:30
Remote Learning 10:30-11
Activity and Bathroom Break 11-11:30
Remote Learning/Quiet Freetime 11:30-12

What to bring each day:
Laptop and/or school work for the day (including all supplies needed)
Snack (I will let you know closer to time if there are any allergies we need to be aware of)
Water Bottle (no sugary drinks)
Mask

Please register here! Questions can be directed to their Facebook page.

____________________________________

Northwest Studios has two options.

1 – Remote Learning Center:

Monday-Tuesday
8am-2:00pm
$50/day $95/week: Drop in Rate

Register for the month and get 5% discount!!

Learning Center opens August 24th

With high-speed internet and individual as well as family work stations, we will be working to give your child(ren) a flexible schedule to meet their scholastic needs. Further details will be emailed to you upon registration. The Learning Assistants Team will be led by Gabby Godwin, MA.

2 – Sublease from Northwest Studios – A great open space that they would like to offer to the community for use. They are keeping their hourly rate as low as they can, hoping to simply support parents and the community while covering some of their base costs that have been accumulating through having to stay shut down under the guidelines of Phase 2.

There are two studio spaces that are available. The upper studio is 60’x40’ with marley flooring, and the lower studio is 50’x30’ with hardwood floors. Upper studio will fit a group of 10-15 and lower will fit a group of 6-10; depending on the nature of the group. You may also rent both spaces if you would like to utilize the whole studio.

Studio space is priced as follows:

  • Upper studio: $35/half day (8am-1pm), $20/hour (+$5/additional hour)
  • Lower studio: $30/half day (8am-1pm), $15/hour (+$5/additional hour)
  • Both studios: $50/half day (8am-1pm), $25/hour (+$10/additional hour)

Add ons:

You can choose to drop your children off! These are additional costs to the studio use fee. The idea is that a group of parents work together to hire the space and then we provide the adult(s) that will be with your children. This was you know who will be there. Please contact us to personalize your experience.

Hire a dance instructor: $50/hour – additional hours possible and at a discounted rate.

Teaching assistant: $35/hour per four children – additional hours possible and at a discounted rate.

Childcare professional: $20/hour per 4 children – additional hours possible and at a discounted rate.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Homeschooling, Things To Do

#CampDreamWorks – A Virtual Summer Camp Experience

June 29, 2020 by

In this unique time of physical and social distancing, CampDreamWorks was established as a way for kids to expand their imagination, spark creativity and stay connected during summer.

To help kids (and parents!) escape for a quick break and a bit of summer fun, DreamWorks Animation will offer a variety of easy-to-follow virtual activities every week. Kids can draw beloved characters along with DreamWorks artists, join a DJ-hosted Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts dance party, create a Spirit Riding Free inspired obstacle course & more, all while staying home! CampDreamWorks will help keep summer fun for kids missing out on summer camp, at home!

#CampDreamWorks was designed to create an engaging atmosphere for kids of all ages. Each week will feature DreamWorks themed activities and livestreams to help families staying home during summer, including Draw alongs, live concerts, dance parties, paper crafts, STEAM activities, obstacle courses, and many more!

Weekly Themes
o Week 1 – June 22 – Welcome Week (Boss Baby & Shrek)
o Week 2 – June 29 – Celebrations (Trolls)
o Week 3 – July 6 – Space (Captain Underpants)
o Week 4 – July 13 – Creatures (Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts)
o Week 5 – July 20 – Dragons (Dragon Rescue Riders)
o Week 6 – July 27 – Camp Traditions (Spirit Riding Free)
o Week 7 – August 3 – Magic (Wizards)
o Week 8 – August 10 – Jungle Jam (Madagascar)

• Activity Guidelines

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Free Family Activities, Homeschooling, Things To Do Tagged With:

Introducing BRAHM at Home

March 24, 2020 by

Our friends at Blowing Rock Art & History Museum have an exciting announcement. They are introducing BRAHM at Home.

Families can stay engaged virtually with the museum. To continue to connect with the High Country community, they have launched BRAHM at Home.

This new online initiative features a variety of artistic challenges, deep-dives, unique gallery tours, program highlights, and youth engagement. They aim to provide some creative light to these uncertain and challenging times.

Enjoy and be sure to follow BRAHM on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with #BRAHMatHome

Please note: The Museum will remain closed until it is deemed safe to gather in public. Check BlowingRockMuseum.org for any changes.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Free Family Activities, Homeschooling, Other, Things To Do

Free One-of-a-Kind Learning Experience from Disney Imagineers

March 19, 2020 by

We are sharing ideas that families can do at home during this time of social distancing. Disney Imagineers recently released this “Imagineering in a Box” series.

Josh Gorin, Creative Development Executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, wrote on Disney Parks Blog that Imagineering in a Box is a series of interactive lessons in theme park design and engineering, designed to give a behind-the-scenes peek into Imagineering’s development process. It combines 32 videos of actual Imagineers, real-world case studies, and lots of interactive activities to give you the opportunity to dream and design your very own theme park experience!

With so many families at home together right now, the Imagineering team thought this would be an especially useful time to share this program with you. It’s available to all and completely free.

How are you using this program? Use #Disney, #BetterTogether and #ImagineeringinaBox on Instagram and tag @WaltDisneyImagineering to let Walt Disney know.

Filed Under: Education, Free Family Activities, Homeschooling, Things To Do

Watauga County Releases Family Recreation Membership Rates

January 27, 2020 by

The time is almost here for the opening of the new Watauga County Recreation Center.

The county released the following rates and stated that pending final approval, this is what they anticipate the rates to be for individuals and families:

A new video was released sharing the inside details of the center. Click here to watch the short video.

The county also announced on their Facebook page that homeschool art and Physical Education classes are a part of their proposed programming.

We will share more details as announced.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Health & Fitness, Homeschooling, Things To Do

App State Announces Home School PE Family Opportunities

August 27, 2019 by

The ASU Physical Education Program is pleased to continue its commitment to a Home School Physical Education Program for the 2019‐2020 academic year. The program has expanded to include two additional physical activity programs for the family. Details for all opportunities are below.

Program Details:

PE Instruction
Days:		Tuesdays and Thursdays (full schedule enclosed)
PE Class
Meeting
Time:		1:00-1:50 pm
Location:Varsity Gym on ASU Campus (see enclosed map)
Fee:$30 per student for the full academic year (ASU PE T-shirt included in price)
Ages:5-12 years (must turn 5 by September 10, 2019)

Program Structure:

The ASU Home School PE Program is a part of the ASU Health and Physical Education (HPE) Program. Mr. Byron Towner will oversee the program in the Fall and Dr. Brooke Towner in the Spring. Mr. Towner is a lecturer in the ASU HPE program, is a National Board Certified Physical Education Teacher in early and middle childhood, and has 12 years of physical education experience in both public school and recreational setting. Dr. Towner is a professor in the ASU HPE program, is a certified K-12 Physical Education Teacher and has many years of experience working with children in both academic and recreational settings.

Classes are taught by junior-level physical education majors in the ASU PETE program in conjunction with a university course in elementary physical education teaching methods. All lesson planning and instruction are supervised by Mr. Towner or Dr. Towner. Classes are offered at three developmental levels: Cadets (5-6 years), Juniors (7-8 years), and Seniors (9+ years). These age cut-points are approximate – class placement is based on both age and developmental level.

The program uses the innovative SPARK physical education curriculum. The SPARK curriculum has been shown to improve students’ motor skills, to improve students’ fitness, and to be enjoyable for students in a variety of research studies. For more information on the SPARK curriculum, check out their website at http://www.sparkpe.org. This year the students will wear fitness trackers on a daily basis and participate in fitness and developmental motor testing at various times throughout the academic year.

The Play Pen (3 – 4-year-olds):

Dates: September 12 – November 19

Meets: Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Annual Cost for the full academic year: $30 per child (includes t-shirt)

Play Pen activities will be structured using the SPARK early childhood (EC) curriculum. The SPARK EC curriculum is designed to provide children with high activity, academically integrated, enjoyable movement opportunities that foster social and motor development.

The Parent Walking Program:

Dates: September 12 – November 19

Meets: Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Annual Cost for the full academic year: $0

While your children are engaged in the Home School PE program or Play Pen, get active too. This parent-centered physical activity program will consist of an App State student-led structured walking program. During the walk, there will be an opportunity to discuss various physical activity and health topics.

Visitation:

Parents are welcome to attend class as often as they wish. Free parking is available in the ASU parking deck on Rivers Street. Just see Dr. Towner after you arrive to get a parking pass.

Registration:

On the website, you will find a link to the registration form and the program packet. The packet includes a program schedule, program policies, and procedures and other general information. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mr. Byron Towner at 828-262-8560 or email him at townerbj@appstate.edu or Dr. Brooke Towner at 828-262-8558 or email her at townerbc@appstate.edu.

Filed Under: Education, Homeschooling

Appalachian Home School Physical Education Program

August 20, 2018 by

BOONE, N.C. — Local kindergartners through middle schoolers will once again have the opportunity to flex their physical — as well as social — muscles through Appalachian State University’s 2018–19 Home School Physical Education (PE) Program. Additionally, two new components of the program will allow pre-K children and parents of children in the Home School PE Program to be active as well.

Classes begin Sept. 11 and will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 1–1:50 p.m. The annual cost for the program, which is designed for children ages 3–12 and is held on Appalachian’s campus, is $30 per child.

The Home School PE Program is part of the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ health and physical education, K-12 degree program at Appalachian and is overseen by Dr. Brooke Towner, lecturer in the college’s Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education. She has many years of experience working with children in both academic and recreational settings.

“Regular participation in physical education classes can provide significant benefits for children in all the developmental stages of life,” Towner said. “Some of the amazing benefits students can experience through this quality physical education experience are physical improvements in physical fitness and fundamental motor skills, mental improvements in confidence and well-being, and behavioral improvements in attention and interacting with peers.”

The Home School PE Program uses the innovative SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) physical education curriculum, which has been shown in a variety of research studies to improve students’ motor skills and fitness, and to be enjoyable for students.

According to its website, SPARK “strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidence-based Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Safe and Healthy Students programs to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students.”

This year, two additional physical activity programs will be offered in association with the Home School PE Program:

  • The Play Pen — Play Pen activities are designed for children ages 3 and 4 and will be structured using the SPARK early childhood curriculum. The curriculum is designed to provide children with high activity, including academically integrated, enjoyable movement opportunities that foster social and motor development.
  • The Parent Pack: Parents Walking Program — Parents are encouraged to be active, too, while their children are involved in the Home School PE program. This parent-centered physical activity program will consist of a structured walking program led by a junior-level health and physical education major at Appalachian. During the walks, participants will have the opportunity to discuss various physical activities and health topics with these student leaders.

For more information about the Home School PE program, contact Dr. Benjamin Sibley at sibleyba@appstate.edu or 828-262-6300, and/or Towner at townerbc@appstate.edu.

Filed Under: Education, Homeschooling Tagged With: , , ,

ASU’s Homeschool PE Program accepting students, classes begin Sept. 12

September 4, 2017 by

Appalachian State University’s Physical Education Program will offer the Homeschool Physical Education Program for the 2017-18 academic year.

ASU Homeschool PE

Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 12 and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 – 1:50 p.m. The program is for children ages 5 to 12 and the annual cost is $30 per child. The Appalachian program is part of the Beaver College of Health Sciences Health and Physical Education (HPE) Program at Appalachian. It is overseen by Dr. Benjamin Sibley.

Sibley is a licensed K-12 physical education teacher and a professor in the HPE program, and has many years of experience working with children in both academic and recreational settings. Classes are taught by junior-level physical education majors in the HPE program in conjunction with a university course in elementary physical education teaching methods. The program employs the SPARK physical education curriculum which has been shown in a variety of research studies to improve students’ motor skills and fitness, and to be enjoyable for students.

This year’s oldest group of students also will be participating in a fitness curriculum based on CrossFit Kids methodology. For more information and to find out how to register, visit http://pehomeschool.appstate.edu, or contact Sibley at (828) 262-6300 or sibleyba@appstate.edu.

Filed Under: Education, Health & Fitness, Homeschooling Tagged With: ,

ASU Community Music School registration is now open!

August 20, 2017 by

The Community Music School (CMS) at Appalachian State University announces that online registration for the fall semester is open now through Friday, August 25.

ASU Community Music School

ASU-CMS provides non-credit music instruction for children and adults in the local community as well as surrounding Western NC counties. Instructors include Appalachian State students, faculty and professional teaching artists. Director of CMS Laura Chu Stokes says, “the CMS instructors are excited to begin another year with their students. It’s a great place to learn a musical skill, whether as a young beginner or as an adult returning to brush up his/her skills.” Instruction is offered at the CMS building in Boone – 134 Doctors Dr – in piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, flute, trumpet, saxophone, guitar and percussion.

An additional offering is the Appalachian Youth Chorale (AYC), a community choir comprised of 3rd-8th grade students with unchanged voices. AYC rehearses weekly at 4:30 on Tuesday afternoons at Grace Lutheran church.

The website link for CMS registration is: http://music.appstate.edu/about/community-music-school. For further information, please contact Laura Chu Stokes at stokeslc@appstate.edu.

Filed Under: Education, Homeschooling, School News Tagged With: ,