College for Kids is an enrichment program that provides opportunities for your children to expand, enhance or review areas of interest and study with the added benefit of introducing them to the college environment. For more information, click the button below.

College for Kids

2024 Summer Reading Skills Programs

Programs Offered in Covina and On Campus in Walnut

This summer, help your child become a confident, enthusiastic reader. Summer Reading Skills Programs are offered by Mt. San Antonio College, School of Continuing Education, and designed and taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development.

Strengthen Skills, Build Confidence, Enjoy Reading

These single-grade programs teach key reading skills, from phonics and sight words for younger children to comprehension, reading speed, and textbook strategies for older kids, and everything in between.

Guided by a knowledgeable and supportive teacher, students in these programs experience success with reading again and again, developing their skills and building confidence in outstanding books at the right level of challenge for each age.

Your child will avoid the many challenges of summer learning loss and become an avid reader who enjoys reading for school and for pleasure.

How the Programs Work

Your child will attend weekly classes that build skills and provide great experiences with terrific books – books that are filled with interesting characters, exciting storylines, and engaging themes. Between classes, your child will practice reading and complete fun, interactive lessons that develop core skills and build confidence.

An Institute of Reading Development teacher will provide all the support and instruction your child needs to grow as a reader and student. Your child will get a jumpstart on the next school year and be ready to make it a big success!

Let’s Discuss Your Child’s Reading Development.

Call to speak with a reading program advisor.

1-800-964-8888

Secure Your Child’s Spot Today! Class Size is Limited.

Learn More & View Schedules

THE DOLCE CHOIR (1st-3rd GRADE)
This choir is open to any child and does not require an audition for membership.    Singers will be taught primarily through game songs and simple unison melodies to love singing and to use their voices with freedom.Classes will include intro to singing in a rehearsal setting, vocal warm-ups, development of coordination through movement, and public performance opportunities.  

THE CANTABILE SINGERS (3rd-6th GRADE)
Auditions for this choir will be held in August and in January. Singers in this choir will continue to develop their musical knowledge and skills through tonal and rhythmic exercises and by singing 2-3 part repertoire. Students will study fundamental singing techniques, focus on proper tone quality, intonation, ear training and music literacy. 

THE MT. SAC YOUTH CHORALE (7th-10th GRADE)
Auditions for this choir will be held in August and in January.  This ensemble is open to any youth with a treble (unchanged) voice and a desire to sing in an outstanding choral ensemble.   These singers should be ready for challenging repertoire, increased rehearsal intensity and performance requirements. Multiple languages, solos, and small ensemble performances can be expected at this level.

Acting for Kids

Young actors get plenty of stage time while they participate in a variety of acting exercises, improvisation, and scene work in this workshop series for kids ages 9-12. Acting techniques are taught in a fun, fast-paced environment, with lots of opportunities to develop acting skills, imagination, creativity, and self-confidence. Kids who repeat this workshop will benefit from further skill development and will be given more challenging opportunities. This exciting workshop will culminate with an in-class demonstration where kids share their experience with family and friends.

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon successful completion of the class, students will be able to: 

• Develop and utilize techniques and skills in preparation for performing a character.
• Demonstrate basic skills in performing a character
• Develop increased stage presence, creativity, and self-confidence

 

Introduction to Violin

Participants of all ages explore the basics of violin playing and music reading in a fun and friendly group environment.  Students 7-10 of age will need a 1/2 size violin, ages 11-14 need a 3/4 size and a full size ages 15+.  The violin can be rented or purchased at any local music store. Parental participation is recommended for young children. 

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs). 

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Learn good set up and proper posture
• Employ optimal left hand position and correct bow hold
• Practice skills within class session

 

Violin- Level 1

Participants of all ages will learn to read violin music and play songs on all four strings in first position while in a fun lively group setting.  Students 7-10 of age will need a 1/2 size violin, ages 11-14 need a 3/4 size and a full size ages 15+.  The violin can be rented or purchased at any local music store. Parental participation is recommended for young children. 

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs). 

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Learn proper techniques for holding the violin and bow
• Understand basics of music reading
• Play familiar folk songs

3D Printing

3D Printing is an exciting hands-on introduction to the world of plastics. Students learn the basics of how a 3D printer works and how to make basic models. In small groups, students will be using computers to create 3D models, learn how to CAD, and print them.  No previous experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate but having a basic understanding of how to navigate a computer will help as you attend the course. If you want a fun challenge, this class is for you!   

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop team building skills as participants engage in every project
• Learn and understand the basics of 3d printing
• Understand basic modeling techniques
• Develop valuable learning experiences and apply them to their own projects for future projects 

 

Engineering for the Young Einstein: Bridge, Rollercoaster, and Soundwaves

In this exciting online course, students will be exploring several aspects of Physics.  During these activities, students will explore the applications of the Scientific Method to understand potential, kinetic energy, momentum, and types of sound waves. Students will study potential and kinetic energy as we construct our own roller coaster.  We will also hear and see the physics of sound as we “surf” these waves to understand how they work! 

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop valuable critical thinking skills in which they will be able to gather, organize, and analyze data from various sources and apply that to their own projects
• Use models to test interactions concerning the functioning of scientific systems
• Understand the interaction of potential and kinetic energy, as well as momentum
• Build a bridge using popsicle sticks, a paper roller coaster
• Construct a phone to listen to sound waves

 

Phenomenal Natural Disaster of Earthquakes, Hurricane, Tornadoes

Do you have a curiosity on “how a natural disaster occurs?” If you do, this class is for you! In this course students will investigate the natural disaster of an earthquake, hurricane and tornadoes. Students will be constructing a model of each disaster, compare and contrast patterns of how they develop and determine the cause and effect of its destruction. The hand-on experience will make them feel the magnitude of an earthquake. They will measure the rate of the quake, after shock and determine the Epicenter. Students will refer to the famous scientific methods so they may investigate the wind speed in a hurricane and tornado. 

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs). 

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop valuable critical thinking skills in which they will be able to gather, organize, and analyze data from various sources and apply that to their own projects
• Use various models to test interactions from scientific systems of the scientific method
• Apply learned application of potential energy, kinetic energy, magma flow, viscosity, magnitude, charts, flow of wind, energy

 

Robotics for Kids

Robotics is an exciting hands-on introduction to Robotics. Students learn basic robotic construction, programming & teamwork skills. In groups of two or three, students use building elements, motors and microcontrollers to build metal robots. Students build their robots, program them, and compete against their classmates in classroom robot competitions. No previous experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate in this course as projects are oriented towards skill building and creativity rather than technical ability. If you want a fun challenge, this class is for you!   

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop team building skills as participants engage in every project
• Learn and understand the basic construction of a robot
• Understand basic robotics programming
• Develop valuable critical thinking skills in which they will be able to gather, organize, and analyze data from various sources and apply that to their own projects

 

Introduction to Vex VRC (Ages 11-16) 

This course is designed in order to get students used to working with the basic VEX Robotics system. The course will have students building a Vex Clawbot and program different challenges. Upon completion, students should feel comfortable with the working with the metal, aluminum, and electrical components. Afterwards, if they pass they should be more than ready to take the following class which is Vex VRC Competition Team class. 

This course falls under the Communication and Critical Thinking Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Build a VEX Clawbot
• Program a VEX Clawbot
• Develop valuable learning experiences and apply them to future projects within team dynamics

 

Vex IQ (Ages 12-16)

VEX IQ is an exciting hands-on introduction to Robotics. Students learn basic robotic construction, programming & teamwork skills. In small groups, students use building elements, motors, and microcontrollers to build metal robots. Students will build and program their robots to compete against their classmates in classroom robot competitions. No previous experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate in this course as projects are oriented towards skill building and creativity rather than technical ability. 

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop team building skills as participants engage in every project
• Learn and understand the basic construction of a robot
• Understand basic robotics programming
• Develop valuable critical thinking skills in which they will be able to gather, organize, and analyze data from various sources and apply that to their own projects

 

Vex Robotics Competition (Ages 11-16)                                                                  

VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is a robotics competition for registered middle and high school teams which utilizes the VEX V5 Construction and Control System. In this class students will be part of a competition team that designs, builds, and programs robots to compete at VRC tournaments. The course is open to all students who are passionate about robotics. It is recommended (but not required) that students have completed the Robotics for Kids course, or competed in an earlier robotics competition such as First Lego League or VEX IQ. 

This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Design a robot for the VRC Competition
• Build a robot for the VRC Competition
• Program a robot for the VRC Competition
• Work as part of an engineering team to compete with the robot at a VRC competition

Study Skills

Developing effective study skills is the key to becoming successful in school. This class will teach students important time management skills, organizational skills and how to improve reading comprehension. Students will learn how to study for tests, create memory tricks, and take notes efficiently. These lessons will help students in the upcoming school year through high school and beyond!

This course falls under the Communication and Critical Thinking Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop time management and organizational skills.
• Students will identify their learning style.
• Develop test readiness skills.