Home » Curriculum » Anser Arts For Young Children

The AAYC program is designed to introduce each child to the basic elements of art, music, dance and drama in a relaxing, fun, and playful environment. Children will be given the opportunity to really explore and interact with art materials and techniques, write stories and perform them with peers, and learn new songs and dances all in a supportive, nurturing environment. We will have some direct instruction every day, with plenty of time for free exploration.

Goals of ANSER Arts for Young Children Program

• Encourage young children to develop positive social relationships, express individuality and creativity.
• Encourage young children to develop a spirit of cooperation and enjoy working and playing together.
• Offer a stimulating environment for learning and playing which encourages children to feel excited about learning and doing.

Teacher Biographies

Anne is one of the current Anser kindergarten teachers and will be the lead teacher for the performing arts portion of the program. She has been teaching at Anser for the last eight years and often teaches art classes for all ages after school. She has a four year old son, and is an active hiker, artist, reader and traveler. Anne has a passion for the visual and performing arts. She has experience in theater, a background in vocals, plays piano, is learning to play the guitar, and loves to dance!

This is Karelia’s first year working with ANSER as the Visual Arts Teacher for the AAYC program. In addition to helping students tap into their creative energy through artistic exploration, she teaches art methods courses as an adjunct professor at Boise State University. She has been an artist in the community for a number of years and brings a passion for learning about the world through a multicultural lens. Karelia holds an undergraduate degree in Illustration and Art Education. Karelia’s love for travel and learning about other cultures has led her on many adventures around the world. During her graduate studies in Art Education, she backpacked throughout Southeast Asia and conducted research for her thesis on the contemporary and traditional arts of Thailand. She looks forward to introducing students to a multifaceted approach to learning about different cultures through visual means. When she is not doing art, you can find her rock climbing, hiking and exploring in the great outdoors.

On Thursday afternoons a specialist from the Boise community is invited to work with the children. This special guest will expose students to different performing and visual arts activities such as drama, dance, movement, music, puppetry, storytelling, drawing, painting, sculpture and more.

Program Details
Program begins at 12:15 and concludes at 3:15.

M, W, TH, F Schedule
12:15-12:30-Opening Circle
12:30-1:30-Group 1 Performing Arts/Group 2 Visual Arts
1:30-2:00-Recess/Bathroom Break
2:00-3:00-Group 1 Visual Arts/ Group 2 Performing Arts
3:00-3:15-Closing Circle

Thursday Schedule
12:15-12:30-Opening Circle
12:30-1:30-Group 1 with Visiting Specialist
1:30-2:00-Recess/Bathroom Break
2:00-3:00-Group 2 with Visiting Specialist
3:00-3:15-Closing Circle

Enrollment

The AAYC program is designed for students already enrolled in a morning kindergarten program. The spots in our program are reserved for kindergarteners enrolled at ANSER, but if spaces are not filled enrollment is open to other kindergarten age students. Children must be 5 years old to join the AAYC Program with the final cut-off date of December 15, 2011. For example: if your child is not in kindergarten, but turns 5 years old in November, they can sign up for AAYC in November.

For more information on the AAYC program contact:

Heather Banuelos
AAYC Program Administrator
Email: hbanuelos@ansercharterschool.org
Phone: 426-9840 X205
Cell: 484-6285