Once upon a time, in the tiny, charming state of Connecticut, known as the "Provision State" for its rich history in helping others, lived a group of extraordinary children. Connecticut, a place of scenic beauty, filled with everything from bustling cities to peaceful woods, and the mysterious, majestic Long Island Sound. It was a place where the seasons danced in vivid colors, winter white, spring green, summer gold, and fall's fantastic rainbow. Now, these weren't just any children, oh no, they were the Reading Rascals of Connecticut! Under the leadership of their quirky, colorful mascot, Wordy the Whimsical Wombat, they boldly ventured into the world of books, gobbling up stories as if it were their favorite ice cream on a hot summer day. Wordy, with his oversized spectacles perched on his snout, led them on reading adventures, diving into tales of daring pirates, enchanted forests, and fantastic beasts. Every day, Wordy would pop out of a book, his fur sparkling with a peculiar kind of magic, causing the kids to burst into giggles, "Time for a reading spree, my rambunctious rascals!" he'd announce, his voice a mixture of a whispering wind and a tickling chuckle. The kids would rush to their cozy reading corner, eyes sparkling with anticipation. The Reading Rascals were famous all over Connecticut. From Stamford to Hartford, everybody knew them as the kids who could turn a page into a stage. Together, they discovered new worlds, solved mysteries, and went on incredible adventures, all without leaving their beloved state. Yes indeed, Connecticut was a lot more than just a place on a map. It was the land of stories, home to the fabulous Reading Rascals, and the whimsical Wordy the Wombat!
Read morebest reading programs in Avon, CT
What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
At the Talcott Mountain Science Center, we bridge the gap between current scientific principles and technologies and the classroom. By integrating ‘STEAM’ (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) into our science curriculum, we ensure students have the most up-to-date learning experiences. We have an esteemed team of educators, with a collective teaching experience of over 100 years, as well as partnerships with the State Department of Education and science-rich institutions across the state. We are also members of the Connecticut Science Supervisors Association, CT Science Teachers Association, and Earth Science Teachers Association and are a national GLOBE partner. At the Talcott Mountain Science Center, our mission is to ensure that students are exposed to the latest scientific advances and technologies. We accomplish this by providing them with real world learning experiences and staying up-to-date with the ever-evolving scientific landscape. Our staff are actively involved in curriculum development, teacher in-service, and classroom implementations, advocating the integration of ‘STEAM’ (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) into the curriculum. We have a wealth of experience and knowledge, evidenced by our credentials and our partnerships with the State Department of Education and science-rich institutions across the state.