2016 COURSE CATALOGUE Minimester!is!a!one,week!program!for!all!Miami!Country!Day!Upper!School!students.!!Minimester!affords!our! students!the!opportunity!to!explore!exciting!and!innovative!courses!that!are!not!part!of!the!regular!curriculum,! but,! at! the! same! time,! courses! that! we! recognize! as! vehicles! to! provide! them! with! the! necessary! skills! to! be! competitive!as!21st!century!learners.!They!are!rich!educational!opportunities!that!will!leave!them!with!lasting! learning!experiences!and!memories.! This!catalogue!contains!the!course!descriptions!for!Minimester,!which!will!run!from!January!19,22,!2016!(with! some! off,campus! trips! commencing! the! weekend! before! and/or! extending! the! weekend! after).! ! Please! read! each!course!description!carefully!and!select!your!top!five!(5)!courses,!so!that!we!can!hopefully!accommodate! one!of!your!top!choices.!!When!selecting!a!course,!please!keep!in!mind!your!interests,!your!schedule!for!that! week,!as!well!as!any!costs.!!Varsity!athletes!must!keep!in!mind!that!they!should!not!participate!in!courses!that! require!leaving!town!on!overnight!excursions.!!!! Please! note! that! you! are! required! to! complete! a! Minimester! for! each! year! you! attend! the! Upper! School.!! Attendance!is!required!and!any!unexcused!absences!during!that!week!will!result!in!not!having!sufficient!credits! to!graduate.!!! Enjoy!!!Wonder!!!Explore!!!Minimester!courses!have!been!developed!to!help!you!truly!become!the!Whole@Child.!! Take! advantage! of! the! expertise! of! your! teachers! and! the! fantastic! educational! opportunities! they! are! providing.!!Minimester!is!here!for!you…go!for!it!!! !
The@Student@Perspective:@@@
The@Parent@Perspective:@
“This&Minimester&opened&my&eyes&to&a&variety& of&new&ways&to&examine&the&world&around& me.”!
“Great&addition&to&the&program—it&gives& students&an&opportunity&to&do&other&things& with&different&students.”!
“I&loved&everything&about&it&and&would&have&to& say&I&loved&bonding&with&new&people.”!
“Great&program…great&idea.&&It&provided&‘realN life&exposure.’”!
“I&had&so&much&fun!&&We&were&able&to&do& things&that&we&would&normally&not&be&able&to& do.”!
“Fabulous&idea&and&most&creative.&&It&also&gave& students&an&opportunity&to&explore&different& avenues&of&life.”&!
“I&have&discovered&a&new&hobby&and&a&new& state&of&mind.”!
“My&son&really&enjoyed&it&got&a&lot&out&of&it.&& Our&family&applauds&the&school&for&doing&it.”&!
“I&had&the&most&amazing&week&of&my&life.”!
“What&a&great&concept—so&glad&you&brought& this&to&MCDS!”!
In&a&survey&of&the&Class&of&2014,&99%&of& students&rated&Minimester&as&a&positive& experience&in&their&lives.&
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Experience…Wonder…Create…Delve…Inquire…Enjoy…Seek…Lead…Learn…Marvel…Discover…Share…Appreciate…LIVE!
ARTS! A!Survey!of!Visual!Art!! Faculty:@@Mr.@Ordonez@and@Ms.@Schultz@ Class@Size:@@20@ Interested!in!video!art,!photography,!painting,!drawing!and!other!forms!of!the!visual!arts!?!Look!no!further!!This!class!will! visit!various!world>renowned!galleries!and!public!museums!right!here!in!South!Florida.!We!will!tour!a!broad!spectrum!of! private!and!public!art!collections,!which!house!priceless!artworks,!rare!to!see!in!person.!Be!prepared!to!be!immersed!in!a! wide!array!of!intriguing!art!that!will!flood!your!senses!and!inspire!you!to!look!at!the!world!in!a!new!and!unique!way.!! Anticipated&cost:&&$40& Cost&Includes:&entrance&fees& ! Lights,!Cameras,!Action:!!Studying!the!“Silver!Screen”! Ms.&Gallup&& Class&Size:&&15&& Do!you!enjoy!going!to!the!movies?!!Do!you!appreciate!film!as!an!art!form?!!Have!you!ever!wondered!what!leads!some!films! to!be!deemed!classics,!while!others!are!dismissed!as!popcorn!fare?!!If!so,!this!is!the!minimester!for!you!!!You!will!learn!about! the!tricks!of!the!trade!and!be!able!to!talk!intelligently!about!how!directors!create!their!cinematic!masterpieces,!along!with! learning!about!how!the!moviegoer’s!experience!has!evolved!over!time.!We!will!study!films!within!the!classroom,!and!we!will! take!field!trips!to!several!of!South!Florida’s!best!and!most!interesting!theaters!(such!O!Cinema!in!Wynwood!and!Regal!South! Beach).!!Popcorn!is!optional!! Anticipated&Cost:&&$100.00& Cost&Includes:&&admission&to&all&the&films&we&see,&the&food&I&provide&during&the&week,&one&lunch&out,&and&the&book&I&give&them& at&the&start&of&the&week& & Potter’s!Wheel! Faculty:@Ms.@Mistor@ Class@Size:@@10@ You!can!be!an!artist!!The!Pottery!Mini>“Mistor”!course!offers!students!a!week>long!immersion!into!all!aspects!of!wheel> throwing!pottery:!!centering!the!clay,!pulling!the!wall,!throwing!various!forms!(such!as!cylinders,!vases,!plates!and!bowls),! exposure!to!the!trimming!process!in!order!to!create!a!“foot”!for!a!finished!piece!of!pottery,!learning!about!the!firing!process,! making!creative!glaze!choices,!pulling!handles!for!cups,!mugs!and!pitchers,!etc.!!Students!will!have!plenty!of!hands>on!time! to!hone!their!skills!and!create!a!variety!of!decorative!and!functional!ware.!Note:!the!class!size!is!limited!due!to!studio!space! requirements.! !Anticipated&cost:&&$50& Cost&Includes:&&Materials&(clay&and&glazes).&Lunch&is&provided&in&the&cafeteria&since&it&is&on&campus.& && A!Total!Immersion!in!the!Performing!Arts! Faculty:@@Mr.@D’Angelo@ Class@Size:@@20@ This!course!introduces!students!to!the!fine!cultural!institutions!that!South!Florida!has!to!offer!and!provides!them!with!an! immersion!experience!in!theatre!and!live!performance.!Students!will!watch!performances!either!during!the!day!or!the! evening!(based!on!performance!availability).!Students!will!also!be!given!an!introduction!to!acting!and!have!the!opportunity! to!perform!monologues,!scenes,!or!songs!in!their!own!culminating!showcase.! Performance!schedule!is!subject!to!change!based!on!availability,!but!tentative!performances!include!"Violet"!by!Slow!Burn! Theatre,!"Rapture,!Blister,!Burn"!at!the!Arsht!Center,!and!"Forever!Tango"!at!the!Broward!Center.! Anticipated&cost:&&$300! Cost&Includes:&Tickets&to&performances&for&students&and&chaperones.&Depending&on&price&of&tickets,&we&may&arrange&a&group& preNshow&dinner&on&one&evening.& ! ! ! ! 2!! !
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LAW! A!View!from!the!Bench@ Faculty:@@Ms.@Allen@and@Ms.@Dorn@ Class@Size:@@10@ If!you!are!an!aspiring!attorney!or!have!an!interest!in!the!court!system,!this!Minimester!is!for!you!!!A&View&from&the&Bench!will! give!students!the!chance!to!experience!the!legal!system!from!the!perspective!of!our!local!county!and!circuit!judges.!!Over! the!course!of!four!days,!you!will!have!the!opportunity!to!spend!time!in!court!with!judges!from!the!criminal,!civil,!family,! juvenile,!and!dependency!courts.!!!Students!will!observe!trials,!hearings,!and!other!proceedings!that!take!place!on!a!daily! basis!within!our!court!system.!!Students!will!have!the!opportunity!to!sit!with!the!judge!on!the!bench!while!the!trial!or! hearing!is!taking!place.!!The!students!will!not!only!have!the!opportunity!to!observe!the!hearings,!but!will!also!have!the! opportunity!to!speak!with!the!judges!about!what!has!taken!place!in!court,!ask!questions,!and!learn!the!different!aspects!of! law!practiced!within!our!legal!system.!!At!lunch!breaks!the!students!will!eat!with!the!judges!to!gather!insight!only!a!few!have! the!opportunity!to!experience.!!By!the!end!of!the!week!you!will!have!a!greater!understanding!of!our!legal!system,!the!law,! and!what!it!takes!to!be!a!practicing!attorney!or!judge.!!! Anticipated&cost:&&$40&& Cost&Includes:&&lunch&& ! !
COMMUNITY!SERVICE!/!ADVOCACY!/!GOVERNMENT! College!Tour:!!Experience!Campus!Life!at!Colleges/Universities!in!New!York!City,!Philadelphia,!and!Washington,!D.C.@@@ (departs&Monday,&January&18th&and&returns&Friday,&January&22nd)@ Faculty:@@Mr.@Pineda@and@Ms.@Kelly@ Class@size:@@25@ Do!you!want!to!experience!college/university!life!in!the!Northeast!in!January?!!Why!not?!!This!EF!tour!offers!an!environment! for!students!to!envision!life!in!college!and!help!guide!them!through!their!own!college!selection!process.!!Students!will!tour!a! range!of!colleges!and!universities!in!New!York!City,!Philadelphia,!and!Washington!D.C.!!These!include:!!Columbia,!NYU,! Fordham,!Princeton,!Penn,!the!University!of!Maryland,!American,!Georgetown,!and!George!Washington.!!Campus!visits!and! exposure!to!local!culture!will!help!students!discover!what!is!interesting,!exciting,!and!important!to!them!for!their!future.!! MCDS!faculty!will!be!on!the!tour!with!the!students!to!act!as!a!resource!and!support!them!on!their!journey.!!They!will!return! home!more!engaged!in!their!college!search,!with!a!better!understanding!of!what!types!of!schools!to!consider!when!applying! to!college.!! Anticipated&Cost:&&$1,997& Cost&Includes:&&air&and&land&transportation,&most&meals,&and&the&hotels& & Musoka!Woods!Leadership!Training@@ (departs&Sunday,&January&17th&and&returns&Saturday,&January&23rd)@ Faculty:@@Mr.@Brown@and@Ms.@Grosman@(parent)@ Class@Size:@@18@ A!7>!day,!customized,!student>learning!experience!at!The!Leadership!Studio,!Muskoka!Woods,!Canada! (www.theleadershipstudio.ca)!that!helps!build!leaders!who!lead!with!honor,!respect,!wisdom!and!compassion.!!!Students! will!learn!a!leadership!definition,!narrative!and!model!that!will!provide!a!framework!for!looking!at!leadership!for!the!rest!of! their!lives.!!Working!together,!and!serving!others,!they!will!be!given!opportunities!to!practice!leadership!skills!and!develop! leadership!character.!!Recreational!opportunities!will!include!service!projects,!and!arts!and!athletics!activities.!!Along!the! way!they!will!experience!a!warm!Canadian!welcome,!a!cold!Canadian!winter,!some!favorite!Canadian!winter!activities!and! iconic!elements!of!our!culture,!and!great!self!and!team!strengths!and!confidence!builders.!!The!week!culminates!in!a!Nuit! Blanche!evening!with!snow!and!ice!sculpture!contests,!interactive!art!installations,!live!music,!cinnamon!covered!Beaver!tail! pastries,!maple!syrup!taffy,!hot!chocolate!and!marshmallows!around!the!outdoor!fire!with!storytelling!and!songs.! Anticipated&cost:&&$2,000& Cost&Includes:&&All&meals&and&activities&at&our&site&(Muskoka&Woods&camp),&excluding&meals&in&transit&on&the&first&and&final&day& of&travel.& 3!! !
! Give!Back!to!Miami! Faculty:@@To@Be@Determined@ Class@Size:@@15@ Our!world!is!a!‘Shattered!Vessel’!and!it!is!our!responsibility!to!make!it!whole.!The!City!of!Miami!has!grave!needs!and!this!is! your!opportunity!to!do!your!part!to!repair!the!shards!of!this!broken!vessel!we!call!home.!This!week!of!community!service! will!introduce!students!to!the!many!needs!that!plague!our!city!through!hands>on!activities!as!well!as!informational!sessions! with!the!agencies!that!directly!serve!the!population!of!Miami.!! Anticipated&cost:&&suggested&donations&to&the&selected&organizations& & Historic!Cartagena:!Build!a!house!for!the!future!! (dates&of&minimester&are&still&to&be&determined)& Faculty:@Ms.@Pearson@and@Mr.@Hernandez@ Class@Size:@@15@ For!the!first!two!days,!the!students!will!be!building!a!house!for!a!poor!Colombian!family.!Prior!to!the!trip!the!students!will! collect!$2,400!(the!cost!of!each!house)!from!bake!sales!and!donations.!The!last!two!days!the!students!will!visit!historic! Cartagena!and!Rosario!Island.! Anticipated&cost:&&$3,500& Cost!Includes:!airfare,!hotels,!breakfast,!ground!transportation,!incidentals!(does!not!include:!lunch,!dinner!and!spending! money)! ! Washington,!DC! (dates&of&minimester&are&still&to&be&determined)& Faculty:@Mr.@Lovett@and@Dr.@Conea@ Class@Size:@40@ CLOSE!UP!WASINGTON!HIGH!SCHOOL!PROGRAM!is!a!one>of>a>kind!opportunity!for!students!to!experience!their!government! in!action.!From!visits!to!Washington’s!famous!monuments,!memorials,!and!institutions,!to!meetings!with!their!Congressional! delegation!on!Capitol!Hill,!Close!Up!students!get!a!first>hand!look!at!the!American!political!system!and!consider!what!role! they,!as!students,!play!in!our!democracy.!Close!Up!is!not!just!a!tour,!nor!is!it!a!series!of!lectures.!Close!Up!takes!what! students!learn!in!the!classroom!and!brings!it!to!life!!Close!Up!really!does!make!learning!fun!! Throughout!the!week,!students!explore!DC!and!interact!with!students!from!all!across!the!country.!With!the!help!of!our! program!instructors,!students!consider!how!the!people!and!events!represented!in!DC’s!memorials!impact!their!lives!today.! As!a!non>profit,!non>partisan!organization,!Close!Up!helps!students!learn!more!about!their!history!and!government!while! considering!a!variety!of!viewpoints.!This!keeps!students!interested,!informed,!and!engaged.!They!are!not!just!passively! listening!to!a!tour!guide—they!are!making!a!personal!connection!with!the!famous!places!of!the!nation’s!capital! Close!Up!students!also!get!face!to!face!with!Washington!insiders!that!play!a!key!role!in!the!American!political!system.!Our! seminar!panels!often!include!lobbyists,!journalists,!and!members!of!the!Armed!Forces.!These!instrumental!political!players! take!time!to!answer!questions!from!students!and!explain!more!about!how!they!impact!government!and!policy.!Additionally,! our!weekly!‘hot!topics’!debate!pits!guest!speakers!>!a!liberal!and!a!conservative>!against!one!another!as!students!moderate! the!debate!and!get!involved!in!issues!important!to!them.!The!program!culminates!with!a!banquet!and!dance,!giving!students! the!chance!to!unwind,!say!goodbye!to!their!new!friends,!and!reflect!on!what!they!have!learned!during!their!trip.! Anticipated&Cost:&&$1,750& Cost&Includes:&&Trip&includes&airfare&and&all&transfers&to&and&from&hotel&in&Washington,&DC.&Also,&it&includes&accommodation&at& top&hotel,&all&meals&and&snacks&except&one&evening.&All&fees&to&monuments,&Pentagon,&the&Capitol,&museums,&metro&and&one& special&dinner&and&dance&for&all&attendees.&& ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 4!! !
WORLD!CULTURE!/!TRAVEL! Costa!Rica!Eco!Adventure@@@ (departs&Sunday,&January&17th&and&returns&Friday,&January&22nd)@ Faculty:@@Mr.@Woodburn@and@Ms.@DeBlasio@ Class@Size:@@20@ Students!explore!the!ecology!of!beautiful!Costa!Rica!through!adventure.!They!come!to!appreciate!the!value!of!ecotourism!as! Costa!Ricans!(Ticos)!treasure!the!beauty!of!their!country.!We!fly!to!San!Jose!then!bus!to!the!Turrialba!area!for!the!start!of! our!adventure.!Students!visit!local!homes!and!learn!about!local!customs.!They!will!make!their!own!tortillas!and!experience! local!dining.!From!here!we!move!to!the!Pacuare!River!and!begin!our!journey!to!the!Rio!Pacuare!Adventure!Lodge!while! white!water!rafting.!Students!learn!about!the!rain!forest!by!living!in!it!for!two!nights.!Rappelling!down!trees!and!zip>lining! through!the!forest!give!us!a!firsthand!look!at!the!environment.!Students!learn!about!the!forest!through!lectures!and!focus! on!medicinal!plants.!On!the!second!day!here!we!raft!out!of!the!forest!and!journey!to!the!Arenal!Volcano!area.!We!will!view! the!volcano!by!zip>lining!near!it;!breathtaking,!trust!me.!We!visit!a!local!self>sustained!farm!where!students!see!local!plants! growing!and!how!the!farmer!makes!energy!from!the!waste!products.!We!end!the!trip!with!a!farewell!dinner!and!on!Day!6! we!reach!San!Jose!again!to!fly!back!to!Miami.! NOTE:!Students!need!a!valid!passport.!Students!who!are!not!traveling!on!a!US!passport!should!check!with!the!Costa!Rican! consulate!in!Miami!for!travel!requirements.!PARENTS,!you!must!check!this!! Anticipated&cost:&&$2,100&(may&fluctuate&based&upon&size&of&group)& Cost&Includes:&&While&in&Costa&Rica,&the&trip&includes&all&meals,&all&hotels,&all&transportation,&all&tips,&all&equipment&rentals,&all& rides,&and&all&guides.&&Students&generally&bring&about&$200&cash&in&US.&We&are&in&the&jungle&for&a&good&part&of&the&trip.,&but& there&will&be&some&town&time&for&souvenir&shopping.&Students&might&have&to&pay&for&about&two&meals&on&their&own&when& traveling.& ! Italy:!A!Private!Tour!of!Florence,!Rome,!and!Vatican!City!! (tentatively&departs&Friday,&January&15th&and&returns&Saturday,&January&23rd)! Faculty:@@Mr.@Brennan@and@Ms.@Martinez@ Class@Size:@@18! Minimester!in!Italy!will!introduce!students!to!Florence,!Rome,!and!Vatican!City,!and!along!the!way!students!will!experience! the!art,!culture,!history,!language,!and!food!of!this!remarkable!country.!!We!will!fly!from!Miami!to!Milan,!where!we!will!be! transported!to!Florence!in!the!famous!region!known!as!Tuscany.!!Our!private!tour!includes!cultural!landmarks!like!Palazzo! Vecchio,!Dante’s!House,!and!the!famous!Duomo.!!Students!will!even!spend!an!afternoon!in!a!cooking!class!with!some!of!the! finest!chefs!of!the!region.!!From!Florence!we!head!to!Rome,!the!Eternal!City,!via!the!beautiful!city!of!Assisi.!!In!Rome!we!will! take!a!walking!tour,!making!stops!at!the!Spanish!Steps,!Trevi!Fountain,!the!Pantheon,!and!the!Piazza!Navona,!and!we!will! also!explore!the!Colosseum,!the!Catacombs,!the!Forum,!and!many!other!sites.!!The!trip!would!not!be!complete!without!a! tour!of!St.!Peter’s!Basilica!in!Vatican!City,!which!houses!masterpieces!like!Michelangelo’s!Pieta,!and!a!visit!to!one!of!the! artistic!treasures!of!the!world,!the!Sistine!Chapel.!!Did!I!mention!the!food?!!We’ll!dine!in!authentic!trattorias,!savor!real! Italian!pizza!baked!in!wood>fired!ovens,!gorge!ourselves!on!panini,!and!sample!the!finest!pastries!Europe!has!to!offer.!!Did!I! mention!the!espresso!coffee,!the!cappuccino?!!Andiamo!!!! Approximate&cost:&&$3,700& Cost&Includes:&&Flight,&hotel&accommodations,&entrance&fees,&transportation,&breakfast,&dinner,&€25&per&day&for&lunch&and& snacks& & Jazz,!Food!and!History!in!New!Orleans! (departs&Monday,&January&18th&and&returns&Friday,&January&22nd)! Faculty:@@Ms.@Pitchman@and@Mr.@Wicker@ Class@Size:@@20@ Enjoy!the!wonderful!Jazz,!food!and!electrifying!history!of!New!Orleans!in!this!stimulating,!activity!packed!trip.! Anticipated&Cost:&&$1,750& Cost&Includes:&Everything& ! ! ! 5!! !
London!Calling:!A!Literary,!Historic!and!Cultural!Immersion!In!All!Things!British!! (tentatively&departs&Friday,&January&15th&and&returns&Friday,&January&22nd)& Faculty:!Mr.!Stephen!Brennan!and!Ms.!Thorsen! Class!Size:!!15! From!Shakespeare!to!Dickens,!Elizabeth!I!to!Harry!Potter,!experience!a!taste!of!British!literature,!theatre,!and!history.!In!our! visit!across!the!pond,!we!will!take!in!all!things!Albion;!touring!famous!literary,!theatrical!and!historical!sites,!including!the! Globe!Theatre,!the!Tower!of!London,!and!Harry!Potter!World.!Further!escapades!will!take!us!to!the!changing!of!the!guard,! Westminster!Abbey,!Parliament,!and!the!London!Eye.!We'll!take!in!an!evening!at!London’s!West!End!Theatre!District,!retrace! the!steps!of!Jack!the!Ripper,!the!Beatles!and!Winston!Churchill.!As!well!as!all!this,!they'll!be!chance!visit!London’s!bohemian! markets!and!high!end!neighborhoods,!eat!some!of!the!city's!wide!and!varied!cuisine,!and!sing!ourselves!hoarse!at!a!soccer! match.! Anticipated&Cost:&&$3,500& Cost&Includes:&flights,&accommodations,&breakfast&daily,&entrance&fees&(does&not&include:&lunch&and&most&dinners)& & Puerto!Rico,!la!isla!del!encanto!! (tentatively&departs&Satruday,&January&16th&and&returns&Friday,&January&22nd)& Faculty:@@Ms.@Vargas@and@Mr.@Rosas@ Class@Size:@@15! Come!discover!the!unique!beauty!of!the!shining!star!of!the!Caribbean.!!During!this!adventure,!we!will!set!out!to!experience! the!cultural!beauty!of!the!island!of!Puerto!Rico.!!We!will!look!to!immerse!ourselves!in!Puerto!Rico’s!vibrant!culinary!and! cultural!experiences!throughout!the!island.!!From!historical!San!Juan!and!Ponce,!to!the!rain!forest!of!El!Yunque,!we!will!set! off!to!explore!the!islands’!amazing!historical,!cultural!and!ecological!sites.!!In!Puerto!Rico,!we!will!visit!museums,!ecological! wonders,!restaurants,!as!well!as!its!pristine!beaches.!You!will!be!immersed!in!the!colonial!history!leading!to!modern!life!of! the!shining!star!of!the!Caribbean.! Anticipated&cost:&&$2,225& Cost&Includes:&&Travel,&hotels,&meals&(except&for&lunches),&entrance&fees,&etc.& &
GASTRONOMY! Desperately!Seeking!Chocolate@ Faculty:@@Ms.@Aronson@ Class@Size:@@10@ Enjoy!everything!chocolate!during!four!interesting!and!yummy!days.!!We!will!unravel!the!agricultural,!cultural!and!culinary! roots!of!chocolate!through!local!travel,!recipes!and!of!course!tasting!!!!Join!us!as!we!explore!all!things!chocolate:!!bitter,! dark,!white!and!milk.!! Anticipated&cost:&&$200& Cost&Includes:&&Lunch&(most&days),&fees,&goodie& &
JOURNALISM! Miami!Shooting!Safari!! Faculty:@@Ms.@Davis@ Class@Size:@@8@ THERE’S!MORE!THAN!MEETS!THE!EYE!IN!MIAMI!!And!it’s!perfect!for!capturing!on!camera.!This!Minimester!is!for!budding! filmmakers,!videographers!and!storytellers!who!want!to!hit!the!streets!and!find!good!stories.!!With!Miami’s!incredible!array! of!neighborhoods,!cultures,!languages!and!people,!we’ll!crisscross!Miami!with!our!cameras!in!tow!to!find!and!capture!the! most!colorful!stories!out!there>!from!Wynwood!to!Lincoln!Road!to!Little!Havana.!Then!we’ll!come!back!to!the!studio!each! day!to!edit!and!create!our!very!own!TV!show!using!our!stories!as!the!featured!reports.!!This!Minimester!provides!a!unique! opportunity!for!students!who!love!to!shoot!video!using!their!iPhones!or!cameras,!have!an!interest!in!broadcast!journalism! and!who!want!to!take!their!interest!to!the!next!level.!! Anticipated&cost:&&$30&&& Cost&Includes:&&Lunch&and&snack&off&campus&1&day,&Flashdrive&(8GB),&Reporter's&Notebook& & 6!! !
MATH!/!SCIENCE!/!TECHNOLOGY! Make,n,Hack! Faculty:@@Ms.@Long@ Class@Size:@@8@ Hackaway!at!Miami!Country!Day's!Maker!Space!!!! Ever!wanted!to!make!an!app?!Design!a!cool!new!invention!and!use!a!3>D!printer!to!create!a!prototype?!Try!out!amazing! tools!and!learn!how!circuits!work?!If!the!answer!is!yes,!this!minimester!is!for!you!!We'll!be!exploring!circuits,!programming,! stop!motion!animation,!papertronics.!All!of!the!tools!and!toys!in!the!Maker!Space!are!there!for!you!dream!up!something! new!and!amazing!! Anticipated&Cost:&&$70& Cost&Includes:&&Materials&for&experiments&and&circuit&projects& ! Tour!de!Science!in!South!FL!! Faculty:@@Mr.@Sverkounos@and@Ms.@Lucchi@ Class@Size:@@30@ Adventures!in!science,!technology,!engineering,!ecology,!and!math!!Get!aboard!this!“STEEM”!engine,!and!explore!all!that! South!Florida!has!to!offer.!We!will!visit!science!museums,!planetariums,!aquariums,!zoos,!animal!farms,!botanical!gardens,! and!even!go!on!safari.!Our!trips!will!also!include!airboat!rides,!IMAX!movies,!and!hands>on!interaction!with!wild!animals!and! plants.! Anticipated&cost:&&$120& Cost&Includes:&&entrance&fees&to&museums,&zoos,&planetariums,&etc.& ! Wetworks!,!Marine!Biology!Outside!the!Classroom! Faculty:@Mr.@Konen@and@Dr.@Bernstein@ Class@Size:@@20@ Students!will!gain!some!insight!into!the!job!of!a!marine!biologist!by!participating!in!field!work!(plankton!sampling!and!larger! organism!sampling)!at!various!local!sites!such!as!Crandon!Park,!Matheson!Hammock,!Oleta!State!Park,!and!Biscayne!National! Park.!!In!addition!to!sampling!organisms,!students!will!be!kayaking!and!snorkeling!in!an!effort!to!really!immerse!themselves! in!some!endemic!habitats!like!coral!reefs!and!mangrove!estuaries.!!To!provide!an!additional!glimpse!into!the!life!of!a!marine! biologist,!students!will!go!on!a!tour!of!some!local!marine!biology!facilities!(including!Rosenstiel,!which!is!the!University!of! Miami’s!prestigious!marine!research!facility!located!on!Virginia!Key).!!Students!will!be!getting!wet!if!they!participate!in!this! Minimester!program!!!Couch!potatoes!need!not!apply!! Anticipated&cost:&&$100&(depends&upon&enrollment)& Cost&Includes:&&everything&except&food&(students&will&need&to&bring&lunch&each&day)& @
WELLNESS!/!ATHLETICS!/!RECREATIONAL! Chess@ Faculty:@Mr.@Henley@and@Mr.@Hutsko@ Class@Size:@@30@ Students!of!all!ability!levels!will!learn!how!to!improve!their!play!in!all!areas!of!a!chess!game.!!In!addition!to!learning!about! various!openings,!players!will!improve!at!middle>game!tactics!&!strategies!that!help!set!up!a!winning!endgame.!!Players!will! learn!the!rules!of!United!States!Chess!Federation>rated!chess!as!well!as!how!to!read!&!write!using!chess!notation.!!The!art!of! game!analysis!will!be!discussed!as!a!tool!to!improve!one’s!performance.!!Students!will!have!the!opportunity!to!participate!in! official!rated!and!unrated!tournaments!with!various!time!controls,!including!blitz.!!If!time!permits,!students!will!also!learn! the!game!of!bughouse.!!Various!chess!masters!and!experts!will!visit!to!take!part!in!instruction,!analyze!games,!and! participate!in!a!simul!exhibition.!!Prerequisite:!Entrants!must!demonstrate!how!the!pieces!move.! Anticipated&cost:&&$50& ! ! ! ! 7!! !
Get!Fit!!Stay!Fit!! Faculty:@@Ms.@Sennett@and@Ms.@Pierce@ Class@Size:@@20@ Have!you!always!wanted!to!get!in!shape!but!never!really!got!started?!!Do!you!already!exercise!a!lot!but!feel!like!you!need!to! take!your!workout!to!the!next!level?!!Join!us!to!assess!your!current!fitness!and!decide!where!you!want!your!conditioning!to! go.!!As!part!of!this!Minimester,!you!will!participate!in!a!variety!of!physical!activities!such!as!kayaking,!mountain!biking,! paddle!boarding,!paintballing,!ice!skating,!cross!fit,!acroyoga,!cable!water!skiing,!and!trampolining!to!see!if!you!would!like!to! add!any!of!these!to!your!exercise!routine.!!You!will!learn!more!about!the!many!aspects!that!contribute!to!overall!physical! and!mental!fitness!by!hearing!from!experts!on!topics!such!as!nutrition,!conditioning,!and!physiology.!!Learn!more!about! yourself!and!your!physical!abilities!and!limitations!during!this!Minimester!! Anticipated&cost:&&$250& Cost&Includes:&&Everything& ! Parks!and!Recreation! Faculty:@@Ms.@Maxwell@and@Mr.@Slotnick@ Class@Size:@@16@ The!National!Park!Service!turns!100!on!August!25,!2016.!As!we!lead!up!to!the!centennial,!we!invite!you!to!participate!in!this! Parks!and!Recreation!Experience!to!learn,!discover,!be!inspired,!or!simply!have!fun!in!national!and!state!parks.!! National!ad!state!parks!contain!many!of!our!nation's!most!treasured!landscapes.!To!truly!experience!and!explore!these! special!places,!we!will!discover!their!beauty,!biodiversity,!and!inspiration.! We!will!"Explore!Nature."!Learn!about!the!natural!resources!in!parks,!from!the!rocks!under!our!feet!to!the!sky!overhead!and! everything!in!between.!You!will!be!asked!to!focus!on!the!parks!we!visit!through!the!lens!of!your!passion.!This!could!be! photography,!painting,!writing,!or!any!venue!that!opens!your!mind!and!heart!to!the!natural!beauty!of!the!world.! We!will!visit!John!Pennekamp!State!Park!where!we!will!explore!the!reefs!in!a!4!1/2!hour!snorkeling!adventure.! We!will!travel!to!Fakahatchee!Strand!Preserve!State!Park,!know!as!"the!Amazon!of!North!America,"!where!we!will!hike!and! discover!one!of!the!most!productive!estuarine!ecosystems!in!the!world.!Another!stop!will!be!Tradewinds!Park!where!we!will! horseback!ride!and!explore!the!largest!butterfly!and!hummingbird!garden!in!the!world.!On!our!last!day!we!will!explore!the! Everglades!in!a!private!ecotour!boat!ride.! "Earth!and!sky,!woods!and!fields,!lakes!and!rivers,!the!mountains!and!the!sea,!are!excellent!school!masters,!and!teach!us! more!than!we!can!ever!learn!from!books,"!Sir!John!Lubbock.!Let!us!learn!from!Parks!and!Recreation!! Anticipated&Cost:&&$450& Cost&Includes:&&food&and&all&recreational&services& Run!Miami! Faculty:@@Mr.@Turf@and@Ms.@J.@Smith@ Class@Size:@@25@ Imagine!spending!your!mornings!running!scenic!courses!in!Miami!and!Miami!Beach,!while!spending!your!afternoons! kayaking,!Stand!Up!Paddle!Boarding,!mastering!a!Segway,!or!completing!a!class!at!Barry’s!Bootcamp!and!Capoeira!Abolicao.! Welcome!to!Run!Miami!!If!you!ever!had!a!goal!to!complete!a!5K,!a!full!marathon,!or!even!to!walk!a!little!less!winded,!this!is! the!Minimester!for!you.!We!spend!every!morning!completing!a!training!run!and!then!cross>train!our!bodies!with!another! physical!activity!in!the!afternoon.!Run!Miami!is!all!about!healthy!living!and!the!physical!activities!that!help!us!achieve!that! goal—including!taking!part!in!a!healthy!cooking!class!!We!fool!our!muscles!so!that!we!don’t!plateau!and,!in!doing!so,!get! ourselves!that!much!closer!to!achieving!our!physical!goals.!If!you!like!pushing!yourself,!learning!about!wellness,!and!having! fun!in!the!process,!we!expect!to!see!you!Run!Miami!! Anticipated&cost:&&$225& Cost&Includes:&&TNshirt,&Classes&at&Barry's&Bootcamp,&Capoeira,&Healthy&Cooking;&Rentals:&Segway,&kayak,&stand&up&paddle;& Lunches&every&day& & & & & &
8!! !
The!Whole!Child@ Faculty:@@Ms.@Whittington@and@Dr.@Lightfoot@ Class@Size:@@20!! We!want!to!honor!Miami!Country!Day!School’s!mission!to!educate!the!“whole!child.”!Each!day!of!the!four>day!minimester! will!focus!on!one!of!the!six!potentials.!For!a!focus!on!the!physical,!we!will!spend!a!day!at!Oleta!River!State!Park!where!we! can!enjoy!kayaking!and!swimming.!Our!social!element!of!the!day!will!be!a!picnic.!For!the!aesthetic,!we!will!take!in!a!show! and,!perhaps,!visit!an!art!museum.!We’ll!combine!the!intellectual!and!emotional!for!a!day!of!community!service!and!reading! for!pleasure.!You!can!even!help!us!select!the!book!!Our!week!will!end!with!spiritual!bliss!–!think!ultimate!relaxation!and! meditation.!Join!us!on!the!journey!of!discovering!the!whole!you.! Anticipated&cost:&&$200& Cost&Includes:&&Meditation/Yoga&Instructor&Cost;&Theatre&Ticket;&Dinner;&Lunches& & Yoga!and!Mindfulness! Faculty:@@Ms.@Sardina@and@Ms.@M.@Smith@@ Class@Size:@@30@ Exercise,!yoga,!and!nutrition—the!ultimate!Minimester!for!active!people.!!Tone!your!body!and!spirit!while!learning!to!live!a! healthier!life.!!This!class!will!explore!how!the!confluence!of!yoga,!mindfulness!and!nutrition!can!promote!personal!growth! and!inner!peace.!Through!twice!daily!yoga!classes!and!classes!on!nutritional!healing,!meditation,!acupuncture,!and! hydrotherapy,!students!will!be!guided!into!various!levels!of!awareness,!and!ultimately!take!home!the!tools,!knowledge!and! inspiration!they!need!to!make!yoga!a!regular!part!of!their!lives.! Anticipated&cost:&&$320& Cost&Includes:&&Everything&except&lunch&for&two&days& !
@ @ @ @ @
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9!! !
IMPORTANT@DATES@and@HOW@TO@REGISTER@
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@
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SEPTEMBER@2015@ @
Monday@
Tuesday@
Wednesday@
Thursday@
Friday@
&
1& Registration@Test@ Email@(complete@ during@advisory)@
2&
3& &
7& No&School&
8&
9&
10&
4& Minimester@ Registration@Opens@ at@8am@ Submit@Parental@ Consent@Form@by@3pm@ 11& Minimester@ Assignments@Posted@ Drop/Add@Period@ Begins&
14& No&School&
15& @
16&
17&
18& Drop/Add@Period@ Ends@
21&
22& 23& Minimester@Meetings@ No&School& during@Multipurpose@ Block!@
24& MANDATORY@ Minimester@Parent@ Meeting@6pm@(travel@ trips@only)@
25&
28&
29& No&School&
&
&
MINIMESTER@ 2016@FAIR@
30&
To@register@for@a@Minimester:@ ! Complete&online&registration&form&that&will&be&emailed&to&you&on&Friday,&September&4th&at&8am& ! Submit&Parental&Consent&Form&by&3pm&on&Friday,&September&4th&(there&will&be&a&bin&in&the&US&Office&or&you&can&bring& it&directly&to&the&Minimester&Coordinator&–&Ms.&Marra&Smith&–&in&the&back&of&Primary&Hall)& & Priority@Registration:@ • Priority&will&be&given&based&on&grade&level&(12th&=&first&priority)&until&10am.&After&10am,&students&will&be&assigned&to&a& Minimester&according&to&the&time&that&they&submit&the&online&form.&@ • NO&STUDENT&WILL&BE&ASSIGNED&TO&A&MINIMESTER&(REGARDLESS&OF&THEIR&SUBMISSION&TIME)&IF&THE&PARENTAL& CONSENT&FORM&HAS&NOT&BEEN&TURNED&IN.&&
! 10! !
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PARENTAL(CONSENT(FORM:(Minimester)2016(
Student’s"Name:""______________________________________"
(
Grade:""__________"
Parent’s"Name:"_______________________________________"" Parent’s"Signature:""____________________________________""""""
Date:""_________________""""
With( my( signature,( I( authorize( Miami( Country( Day( School( to( bill( me( for( the( Minimester( courses,( which( I( have( indicated(below(with(my(initials,(based(upon(the(anticipated(costs(listed(in(the(course(catalog.((I(understand(that( should( the( price( of( a( Minimester( exceed( the( anticipated( cost( by( more( than( $100,( I( will( be( contacted( by( the( Minimester(leader(for(additional(approval.(Please(note(that(all(trips(requiring(travel(outside(of(Miami(will(required( an(additional(contract(to(be(signed(indicating(agreement(to(a(schedule(of(fees,(including(a(nonOrefundable(deposit.((( Please)initial)next)to)A)MINIMUM)OF)FIVE)(5))Minimesters)that)you)approve)for)the)student)named)above:( Initials(
Course(Name(
(
Initials(
Course(Name(
"
A"Survey"of"Visual"Arts"
"
"
London"Calling*"
"
Lights,"Camera,"Action"
"
"
Puerto"Rico,"la"isla"del"encanto*"
"
Potter’s"Wheel"
"
"
Desperately"Seeking"Chocolate"
"
Total"Immersion"in"the"Performing"Arts"
"
"
Miami"Shooting"Safari"
"
A"View"from"the"Bench"
"
"
MakeNnNHack"
"
College"Tour*"
"
"
Tour"de"Science"South"FL"
"
Give"Back"to"Miami"
"
"
Wetworks"Marine"Biology"
"
Historic"Cartagena*"
"
"
Chess"
"
Musoka"Woods"Leadership"Training*"
"
"
Get"Fit!"Stay"Fit!"
"
Washington,"DC*"
"
"
Parks"and"Recreation"
"
Costa"Rica"Eco"Adventure*"
"
"
Run"Miami"
"
Italy:"A"Private"Tour*"
"
"
The"Whole"Child"
"
Jazz,"Food,"and"History"in"New"Orleans*" "
"
Yoga"and"Mindfulness"
) Important:)The$Business$Office$will$bill$directly$for$any$fees$associated$with$your$child’s$Minimester$and$payment$is$due$ by$December$10th,$2015$(unless$otherwise$specified$by$your$course).$$The$anticipated$costs$listed$below$each$Minimester$ description$ are$ as$ accurate$ as$ possible$ at$ this$ time,$ but$ could$ increase$ or$ decrease$ slightly$ based$ upon$ enrollment.$$ When$ choosing$ a$ Minimester,$ please$ do$ so$ with$ this$ anticipated$ cost$ in$ mind.$$ Your$ signature$ above$ indicates$ that$ you$ approve$ being$ billed$ by$ the$ Business$ Office$ for$ any/all$ trips$ that$ you$ select$ (indicated$ with$ your$ initials).$ *"Indicates"a"Minimester"experience"requiring"travel"outside"of"Florida"
(