Academy Archives - Page 10 of 12

English Enrichment at the Centauri Arts Academy, Toronto.

Why English Matters When we began our small-group English tutoring program in September 2020, we were surprised at the needs of the students who joined us. Some were struggling in school and hoped to improve their grades – that we had expected. But many students joined for other reasons. Some loved language, and felt their English class in school did not adequately meet their needs. Others wanted the opportunity to explore more literature, or to develop their essay writing skills. Many of the students who joined us loved creative writing, and wanted to learn to read and write more deeply and creatively. One parent told us her daughter was creative by nature and excelled in English class, but had not yet developed a genuine passion [...]

August 23rd, 2021|Academy, English Tutoring|

What Happens in a Creative Writing Class?

This fall, in addition to our regular virtual and in-person creative writing classes, Centauri Arts will be adding two new courses: a Junior Creative Writing class for ages 9-14, and a Short Fiction course for more experienced writers. But what happens in our creative writing courses? As creative writing classes become more popular among young people, this is a question many parents – and young writers – may have. Read about our Creative Writing Classes here. A Typical Creative Writing Workshop: Most of our writing classes begin with a ‘free write’. This is a 15-minute writing prompt designed to whet our creative juices and help settle us all into our writing. Example: our writers receive an image of a backpacker, boarding a plane. They are [...]

August 11th, 2021|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|

Are you Looking for Acting Classes in Toronto, this Fall?

Centauri Arts is Offering a NEW Acting Class for 9-14s, starting September 2021 If you have a child aged 9-14, you’ll know it can sometimes be difficult to find challenging and inspiring arts programs for that age group. While most of our programs are open to young people 12 and over, starting this fall, we will have a brand new acting class dedicated to children aged 9-14. Our Junior Acting Class in Toronto In these post-COVID days, Acting is more valuable than it ever has been before, since it enhances social skills encourages public speaking and promotes self confidence – all while kids have fun! Erica May Wood – our long-standing acting teacher – will run this program in addition to our long-standing Senior Acting [...]

August 7th, 2021|Academy|

Five Reasons Why Acting Classes Matter Now, More Than Ever

This fall, we are expanding our Acting Classes at the Centauri Arts Academy, offering a Junior Acting Course for ages 9-14 as well as a Senior Acting Course for ages 13-18. Why the expansion now? COVID has kept us apart for far too long, and acting classes offer young people the opportunity to brush up on those acting skills that may have suffered over the past months – all while having a HUGE amount of fun. Acting is a Collaborative Art Form Working together isn’t easy on a screen – but learning to work with others is an essential life skill. In acting classes, young people learn to collaborate, developing team skills in a way that is enjoyable as they get creative with others. Acting [...]

July 26th, 2021|Academy|

Creative Writing Classes for Younger Children, This Fall!

If you have a child aged 9-14, you’ll know it can sometimes be difficult to find challenging and inspiring arts programs for that age group. While most of our programs are open to young people 12 and over, starting this fall, we will have a brand new creative writing course dedicated to this age group: Creative Writing Class – Saturdays, 10.30am Parents are telling us that younger children are developing an interest in creative writing – so we’ve added a Saturday creative writing course especially for them. Writing prompts are varied and interesting, and this new group will include more collaborative writing activities, as well as fun writing games to build on an existing love of language. Beyond that, our new creative writing course for [...]

July 20th, 2021|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|

Our Fall Arts Programs 2021 Are Open for Registrations

Acting, Film, Creative Writing, Fine Art – We’re Doing It All This Fall! No matter what your arts interests, we have you covered this fall – and as we move with excitement into the future, WE’RE EXPANDING! We’re now offering TWO Acting Classes – one for Junior actors aged 8-14, and the other for Senior Actors aged 13-18. We also have TWO Film programs to choose from on Thursdays, a new Fine Art program, and a choice of several Creative Writing programs – including Saturday creative writing classes for both Junior and Senior writers, and a Short Fiction program for experienced creative writing students. Click here to see our complete schedule for this fall arts classes! We’re Offering Virtual Arts Classes, Too! We recognise that [...]

July 12th, 2021|Academy|

Our English Tutoring Program: The First Year

As we approach the end of the academic year, I’m reflecting on the many wonderful students we’ve worked with since last September, and the astonishing number of literary projects we’ve completed together. Creative writing has been a huge part of all our English tutoring programs. Students begin most sessions with a 15-minute free-write, and we teach a wealth of skills through creative writing: short story structure, character development, grammar, language conventions, editing skills and more. This year, all our students have explored grade-appropriate skills related to expository writing. We used a veggie burger to teach the ‘Hamburger Method’ of essay construction (!!), and we’ve walked students slowly through the process of writing well-structured paragraphs and essays. Which is better: city life, or life in the [...]

May 30th, 2021|Academy, English Tutoring|

Which to Choose: Creative Writing Classes, or English Tutoring?

If you are looking to enhance your child’s writing skills, or if your child/teen loves writing and wants to learn more, you will likely be interested in our Creative Writing Classes and English Tutoring Program: but how do you know which option is the best choice? Here are some points to consider, when choosing between Creative Writing and English Tutoring: The Creative Writing Courses at Centauri Arts are for young people who love creative writing, or want to try it. We don’t check grammar, or annotate student work. We don’t even insist that they share their work with us, if they choose not to. Our Creative Writing Classes are for personal interest… though we certainly teach writing techniques that will help them become better writers. [...]

May 25th, 2021|Academy, English Tutoring|

Virtual and In-Studio Camps This July!

Centauri Arts is offering a double whammy this summer: virtual camps AND in-person summer arts camps at our studio in West Toronto. With our overnight camp still on hold due to COVID, virtual camps are an opportunity for young arts enthusiasts from all over the world to get together: to share interests, laugh, chat, make friends and do something they love. We’re offering lots of choice: recreational camp programs, leadership training, music, acting, digital art, podcasting, film, fine art and several creative writing options. We’ve put a lot of thought into the structure of our virtual camps. We know that some campers are torn: they want to join us for arts activities in the summer… but we’ve been virtual for months already. For this reason, [...]

May 18th, 2021|Academy|

Our English Tutoring programs: Writing an Essay

Most high school students can tell you how an essay should be written. Ask them, and their responses will include phrases such as ‘the hamburger method’, ‘the thesis statement’, ‘Point-Evidence-Explanation’ and ‘cite your sources’. But there is a world of difference between knowing how something should be done and having the skills to do it. Why Do Essay Writing Skills Matter? Learning to structure and write a top notch essay is one of the most important skills a high school student will ever develop. Students who understand how to structure an argument using formal and precise language do better in all subjects at school and beyond. Furthermore, it’s an essential life skill. When we can argue a point well, we are in a better position [...]

January 5th, 2021|Academy, English Tutoring|