Wild World Education honors childhood as a sacred time and space - a time of wonder, freedom, and exploration. 

 Spanish Language and Latin Culture

This is a beginner’s level Spanish class that takes place in a fun-filled   interactive environment. Age appropriate learning is incorporated through culturally enriched activities – with an emphasis on Latin culture, foods, customs, and traditions – utilizing rhythm, music, arts, crafts, role playing, games, and field trips. Students are exposed to the language; they are introduced to basic conversations, and encouraged to want to learn more about the Latin American cultures and communicating in Spanish. Themes include thematic vocabulary and conversations. The goal is to perform basic Spanish communication and to create cultural connections.

Educator: Jennifer O’Connell

 Building Projects

The exploratory and experiential quality of a building process offers a natural approach to deeper learning and comprehension of core subjects. Through active participation in this dynamic building class, youth experience multifaceted learning and skill development in the following areas: mathematical concepts and applications (i.e.: measurement + geometrical angles); reading and writing, (i.e.: reading directions + drafting projects plans); life sciences and local geography (i.e.: solar orientation + direct observation and experimentation within the immediate environment); as well as the human condition and adaptation (i.e.: historical studies of architecture).

When engaged in hands-on participation throughout an entire process of small-scale building, youth strengthen their capacity for critical thought + problem solving, innovation, work ethic, self-esteem and self-trust.

Educator: Brent Davis

 History and Humanities through Artistic Mediums

"Image" derived from the word imagination is fundamental to the learning process. As infants and toddlers, we form language and an understanding about our world and how we fit into it through images. This process continues throughout our lives. We also gain insight about the past by observing the images of artistic expressions from a culture during any given historical period – from the petroglyphs found on prehistoric walls to the artistic mediums of today’s post-modern culture.

The process of engaging in artistic expression (drawing, painting, and modeling) is right brained activity, and is essential in nurturing the right hemisphere of the brain. When the right hemisphere is working in conjunction with the left hemisphere (regulates written language + linear logic) – we strengthen integrated (holistic) learning necessary for abstract & conceptual thought.

Teaching history through historical biographies, oral story telling, artistic lessons, and personal artistic expression facilitates integrated learning and helps youth to create images with which they can identify. These personal images form our youths’ connection to history, to present, and to future…empowering them to make mindful choices about how they wish to live.

Educator: Andrew Darian

 Performing Arts

A fun, hands-on class for aspiring young actors and those who desire to explore the delights of acting for an audience. Young actors of all experience levels will enjoy theater games, solo and partnering work, acting in small and large group ensembles, and learning reader’s theater techniques. Classwork will build on each young actor’s strengths and help each to become aware of growing edges. In a safe, accepting and empowering environment, participants will explore and strengthen their own unique individual voice and learn to stand alone on stage, while also learning to speak as an equal and valuable member of the choral ensemble and work co-collaboratively with others. The class will culminate in an optional performance for parents and friends. Participants may register for one or two class sessions per week.

Educator: Andrew Darian

Wild Fridays:  Cultural Study Outdoor Expeditions

Cultural Study Expeditions are fieldtrips to historically + culturally significant locations throughout Metropolitan Phoenix and the larger region. Cultural expeditions foster meaningful connections between youth and the geographic region in which they live.

Educator: Matthew Nelson

Wild Fridays:  Festival Ritual and Celebration

Young people gain profound understanding of traditional seasonal festivals through stories and festival preparations that integrate rhythm, food, custom, music, arts, crafts, role-playing, and games. Preparing for festivals – and engaging in their celebration – nourishes the soul life of our youth, our families, and our communities.

Educator: Jennifer O'Connell