Big Learning

Big Learning

Big Learning’s mission is to operate instructional programs in language, sciences, and engineering for PreK, elementary, and middle school students in Montgomery County, Maryland. Our standards for value: We offer programs that offer children immediate educational benefit and enjoyment, while building powerful knowledge, skills, and competencies for a lifetime of learning. Our programs expand children’s horizons, and build excitement about learning and a thirst for understanding. Our commitment to equity: We strive to make our programs available and to provide value to children and youth across the income spectrum, and to improve equitable access to enrichment.

Currently serving schools in Montgomery County.

Showing 7 current and upcoming activities for online & in-person activities
Chemistry Detectives

Grades: K - 2nd Ages: 6 - 8

Description

Explore solids, liquids, and gases and create new materials from exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions. Use viscosity and density to describe liquids and make your own lava tubes. Experiment with mixtures, solutions, acids, and bases to help solve our gold paper caper, mix a polymer, and make glue from milk.

Chemistry Lab Science

Grades: 3rd - 5th Ages: 9 - 12

Description

Detect and measure invisible matter, test for vitamins C and E and whether vitamins are fat or water soluble. Record your data in your Science Journal. Use Chemistry to solve mysteries, titrate acids and bases, and test flow resistance. Learn to calculate retention factors and how they affect chromatography, and make cheese and goop. 8-week session.

Spanish Beginner B

Grades: 2nd - 5th Ages: 7 - 12

Description

New and continuing beginners explore Spanish together in a fun, informal, language immersion setting. We’ll learn new vocabulary and expressions, gain confidence in listening and speaking, and build a foundation for future language learning. Topics this session include favorite sports and pastimes, the alphabet, telling time, farm animals, prepositions, breakfast foods, songs, and cultural notes!

Native Spanish speakers teach our classes and each session includes different topics, themes, and hands-on activities with a workbook to encourage practical use of the language and strengthen early literacy skills.

Beginner Level is a full-year program offered in one or more sessions over the course of the school year. We encourage children to participate for a full year of Spanish, but a child may join for just one session. Beginner B is appropriate for new and continuing Beginners.

Spanish Beginner B Extended

Grades: 2nd - 5th Ages: 7 - 12

Description

Join us as we continue our Spanish learning adventure in a fun, informal, language immersion setting. Gain confidence in hearing and speaking Spanish, build new vocabulary and expressions, explore new and familiar themes, and practice early reading and writing skills in Spanish. Topics for spring include favorite outdoor games and activities, the Mayan number system, snack time, describing physical characteristics, wild animals, Machu Picchu, prepositions, and more cultural notes!

Native Spanish speakers teach our classes. Each session includes different topics, themes, and hands-on activities with a workbook to encourage practical use of the language and strengthen early literacy skills.

Beginner B Extended is offered in the Spring and is appropriate for students who have participated in at least one 8-week Beginner session.

Spanish Intermediate Extended

Grades: 2nd - 5th Ages: 7 - 12

Description

Let's keep going! Join us for more Spanish Intermediate as we extend our learning adventure in a fun, informal, language immersion setting. In this session, children continue to build on what they have already learned. As we explore some new topics and themes, we’ll learn and practice new vocabulary and expressions and develop our Spanish reading and writing skills.

Intermediate Extended is offered in the Spring and is appropriate for current Intermediate level students or new students with previous Spanish language experience. 

Native Spanish speakers teach our classes. Each session includes different topics, themes, and hands-on activities with a workbook to encourage practical use of the language and strengthen early literacy skills.

Spanish Introductory: Los tres cerditos

Grades: K - 1st Ages: 6 - 7

Description

Let’s start speaking! This story-based program taught by native Spanish speakers provides a fun introduction to Spanish where children learn and practice speaking a new language through songs, puppets, games, storytelling, and hands-on activities. This class is designed for students who may not be reading and/or writing yet. Join us for our fall session story, Los Tres Cerditos, or The Three Little Pigs.

Each session introduces children to a different story with new vocabulary, topics, and themes. Vocabulary booklets and activities support early literacy skills in the language.

Spanish Young Beginner

Grades: K - 2nd Ages: 5 - 7

Description

Spanish Young Beginner

Let’s speak Spanish together! Children begin to build practical Spanish language skills in a fun, informal, language immersion setting with songs, games, and activities! Some themes this session include picnic foods, animals, greetings, colors, shapes and size, and favorite things we like to play and do. Join us for a language learning experience that lasts a lifetime!

This level is designed for younger beginners and lessons include
hands-on activities and a workbook with less focus on writing to accommodate younger students who may not have completely mastered handwriting.

Appropriate for all K-1st grade students and 2nd graders who are new to Spanish this session.