The following workshops and clubs take place throughout the school year.  They apply to different grade levels and give our students wonderful opportunities to gain insights from professionals across a myriad of fields, as well as enhancing students' classroom learning experiences and furthering the integration of subject matters.


Computer Club: Techknow Program.  Teacher Bill Giannetos is leading a group of 7th and 8th graders in a program called TechKnow, an exciting technology class sponsored by Dell.  The Program prepares students for a competitive workforce with 21st Century technology skills.  Students participating in the program will gain important skills, such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication and collaboration, and technology operation and concepts.  Originally launched in 2002, the Dell Techknow program has served more than 25,000 students nationwide since its inception.  The company, recognizing the changing needs of education and the workforce, revamped and re-launched the program in June 2008. The new program, instead of  focusing on basic computer training and access, hinges on more and better classroom instruction and hands-on experience troubleshooting and resolving technology problems.  Upon completion of the program, students who successfully demonstrate competencies in taking apart and reassembling a computer, loading software, basic hardware upgrades, a working knowledge of the Internet, teamwork and collaboration skills, are given the refurbished computer at no cost.  In addition, at Ravenswood School, students sign a contract committing to good school attendance, a demonstrated improvement in grades, and good citizenship.  

Lyric Opera of Chicago: Opera Workshop. Ravenswood School participates in two programs with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  The first, "Opera in the Neighborhoods", allows students to watch an hour long performance of an opera that has been shortened for students, followed by "Opera in the Classroom" where a docent comes to visit the classroom several times.  Teachers Tim Hart and Barbara Joseph team up to work with educators from The Lyric to teach the students about opera and how it's performed - complete with costumes, scenery, props, a conductor, and orchestra members.  The students learn the technical aspects of storytelling, how an opera is created and produced, and how music creates drama, movement, and mood.  Students are also introduced to the different voice types used for opera performance.  When the students perform their opera, it is lip-synched to recorded excerpts with a narrator relaying key parts of the story.  The Lyric provides full costumes and props as well.  Parents and students in grades 3 through 6 attend the performances.  The students have performed The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville, La Boheme, and Cinderella, among others.

Old Town School of Folk Music: Global Roots Program.  3rd grade students at Ravenswood School participate in this semester long program that complements the 3rd grade social studies curriculum by studying the many cultures that make Chicago so vibrant.  A series of artists from the Old Town School of Folk Music visit our school to sing, dance, and perform music from many musical traditions.  Guest artists have included Mazurka Wojciechowska (Slavic music with hammered dulcimer and accordion), Patti Ecker (folk music), Lorena Iniguez (Mexican folkloric dance), Jimmy Tomasello (blues and rock & roll), Michael Miles (composer; banjo), Vaune Blalock (African storyteller), Anacron (break dancing), Carlos Cornier (Latin percussion), Reggio "The Hoofer" McLaughlin (tap and percussive dance).  A final World Music Jamboree takes place at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

River North Chicago Dance Company: The Beat Goes On.   In its third year at Ravenswood School, Mr. Garcia's 5th grade class is hosting River North Chicago's Dance Education Program, The Beat Goes On.  This is a unique eight-week jazz program focusing on laying the groundwork for students to develop both technically and artistically as young dancers, while challenging them intellectually with connections to their classroom curriculum.  This year’s is an environmental theme whereby each lesson plan highlights the      concept of using art to address societal concerns and issues.  Students evaluate works of art related to the environment and creatively explore solutions to our environmental problems. These lesson plans integrate objectives and standards from other subject fields including math, science, language, literature and health.  Special attention is given to ensure   students are challenged to learn at a higher level, incorporating analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills.  As an added bonus, the students are treated to a River North Chicago Dance Company performance at the Harris Theater for Music & Dance in Millennium Park.   Students will have the chance to meet the dancers and the critically acclaimed Artistic Director, Frank Chaves.  Students will also have the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned in a final performance for friends and family.

Science Explorers.  During the year, students learn science content, experimentation, evaluation  and documentation processes.  Then, at the culmination of the year, as part of the Science Club, students have an excellent opportunity to put their knowledge into practice during the Area 2 Science Fair.  It's not an easy journey to make it all the way to the Area 2 Fair.  In order to submit their work, students must ask scientific questions, make a hypothesis, and conduct careful experiments to arrive at a non-biased conclusion.  Teachers guide the club's participants in asking hard questions and studying the data to explain their results.  The Area 2 Science Fair is a judged show.  The kids have a blast!


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