Fall Home School Programs
Double J Riding Club's classes and activities are designed to support both homeschooled students and students away from school with hands on learning in a variety of academic, physical, and social areas including: Early Childhood Education, Science, Creative Arts, History and Cultures, Foreign Language, Equine and Animal Sciences, Nature, Dance and Physical Education. Taught by trained professionals, each class/activity is comprised of no more than 8 students providing a small, safe, and stimulating environment, in which students are able to interact and collaborate with their peers around rich and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
Programs run Fall - Spring and are open to children from Kindergarten-12th grade. All ages are recommended ages.
Class options:
Early Education Courses:
- Tiny Animal Adventures- Ages 1-4yrs- More Information Here!
- A Colorful Farm- Ages 1-4 yrs
- Barnyard Beats-Ages 1-4 yrs
- Farm Art- Ages 4-7 yrs
- Junior Farmers- Ages 4-7 yrs- More Information Here!
- Little Green Thumbs- Ages 4-7 yrs- More Information Here!
- Wonderful World of Bugs- Ages 4-7 yrs
- Junior Scientists- Ages 4-7 yrs
- Trail Blazers- Ages 4-7 yrs
- Unicorn Riders- Ages 4-7 yrs
- Junior Zookeepers- 4-12 yrs
Animal and/or Physical Education Courses:
- Junior Zookeepers- 4-12 yrs
- Farm Hand 101- Ages 6 and UP
- Introduction to Vet: Large and Small Animals- Ages 7 and UP
- Ecology: Animals and Habitats- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Zoology- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Imagineering: Animal Enrichment- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Entomology- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Environmental Science- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Horsemanship 101- Ages 7-12 yrs- More Information Here!
- Equine Science- Ages 7-14 yrs
Science Courses:
- Geology- Ages 7-12 yrs
- Biology 101- Ages 7-12 yrs
- Dinosaurs!- 7-12 yrs
- Conservation Science- Ages 7-14 yrs
- Experimental Science- Ages 7-14 yrs
- Advanced Ecology- Ages 10 and UP
- Astronomy- Ages 10 and UP
History & Language Courses:
- International Studies- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Maritime History- Ages 7-14 yrs
- Teatime With Great Poets- Ages 7 and UP
- Intro To Spanish- Ages 7 and UP
- Storybook Workshop- Ages 10 and UP
Math Courses:
- Horse Lovers Math- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Garden Math- Ages 7-11 yrs
Elective Courses:
- Farm Art- Ages 4-7 yrs
- Mixed Media Art- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Art Exploration- Ages 7-11 yrs
- Outdoor Adventure- Ages 7 and UP
- Trail Blazers- Ages 7 and UP
- Private Art Lessons- Ages 7 and UP
- Fiber Arts- Ages 7 and UP
*Looking to spend the day at Double J Riding Club? No worries! If there are gaps in the classes you are interested in participating in, we can provide private and/or group options for your child. Options include, riding lessons, private art/photography classes, or maybe some one-on-one time with animals. We are happy to discuss ways to complete your day!
E-Learning study and lunch hours:
E-Learning Study Hour
Instructed by Rotating Instructors
Looking for a quiet place to support your E-Learning? Double J Riding Club offers a small group format in which your student can quietly focus on their E-Learning. Staffed by our team of college educated instructors, we are here to help support your student navigate their work. This is a drop in class where students can come and go during the hours provided. Activity stations will be set up for students who finish their work early. This is a great class for working parents who need additional care hours before or after classes.
Offered: Monday-Friday from 8 am- 10 am and 2:30 pm- 5:30 pm.
Cost: $30 per class per day
Lunch Hour
Instructed by Rotating Instructors
If you are here for classes during the day, we can offer a supervised, quiet, clean place in which to have your lunch. Hand washing is mandatory and no more than two to a table in order to maintain social distance and provide safety to all our students.
Offered:
Monday-Friday from 11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $5 dollars per day or $32 for the whole semester for a specific day.
early childhood classes (Ages 4-7 YRS)
A Colorful Farm
Practice colors with our favorite animals! From red lady bugs, orange leaves and yellow butterflies to green & blue birds and purple flowers, we will practice all of the rainbow colors! Complete with lots of animal play, hands-on fun, and story time.
2021 Schedule:
Class time: Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Fridays from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
*Sorry, no drop-ins, must sign up online.*
Farm Art
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
This course will allow students to experiment with paint, watercolors, outdoor materials, collaging materials, and so much more! Let your child’s inner artist out using Double J’s farm as inspiration! Each week, students will create a beautiful work of art you would be proud to showcase in your home.
Class time: Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Thursdays from 1:45-2:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Wonderful World of Bugs
A preschool-age enrichment program for kids who love bugs and nature that will foster their independence and curiosity.
Over this 10-week program, children will learn about insects: the most diverse group of animal life on earth! Students will learn through hands-on, nature-based experiences that address the developmental needs of children ages 4 to 7 as they explore the wild insects on the farm as well as the ones under human care. They will learn all aspects of how insects live and interact with each other: from what makes an insect an insect to the different ways that insects get around, as well as learning about how and what these amazing animals eat. By the end of the semester, they will have enough knowledge to come with and create a brand new insect from their imagination.
These 60 minute classes take learning to a higher level than the Tiny Animal Adventure class and are primarily drop off. After one class, your critter extraordinaire will want to join us all season long for this unique, down in the dirt learning experience that will last a lifetime!
Class time: Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Thursdays from 10:45 AM-11:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Barnyard Beats
During this Farm music class your child will learn fine motor skills, rhythm, movement, beats and more as they serenade our farm animals.
Class time: Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Wednesdays from 10:45 AM-11:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Outdoor Adventure
Have your kids been cooped up behind a screen doing distance learning? Come on down to the farm and get the sillies out at this class of all fun! We will play outdoor and indoor games, make messy crafts, learn about nature and have adventures! Weather appropriate clothing is strongly recommended.
Class Information:
Class time: Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Little Green Thumbs
What is Little Green Thumbs?!
Ages 4-7 years old
This class is for preschool aged kids (ages 4-7) that want to come out and dig in the dirt! We will be reading garden-related stories, plant seeds and vegetables, learn to compost and harvest food to give to the animals to eat. Play clothes are suggested, rain boots and sunhat strongly suggested.
2021 Schedule:
Class runs on:
Tuesdays at 9:30-10:30 AM
Cost:
$21 per class
*Sorry, no drop-ins, must sign up online.*
Junior Scientists
Get energized this semester as we learn all about fun experiments with an animal theme. Each week, students will learn about an amazing animal adaptation, complete a science experiment to learn more about that adaptation and then meet and greet with the animal of the week. Students will work out loud through the scientific method as they predict and discuss their observations.
Class time: Cost: $200 for Full Fall Semester
Session Dates: Tuesdays from 1:45-2:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Trail Blazers
Outside of the garden and animal pastures, a wild world exists on the farm! Come explore and adventure with us as your child learns the basics of outdoor survival and trail hiking. This 10-week class is filled with outdoor skills, fort building, hiking, foraging, scavenger hunts, basics of compasses and GPS location, plant identification and more! Each class your child will explore the wonders of the natural world to learn a new skill!
2021 Schedule:
Class time: Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
*Sorry, no drop-ins, must sign up online.*
Unicorn Riders
This class is all about unicorn fun!! Each class includes a unicorn story, unicorn craft/activity and most importantly: a unicorn pony ride! Come meet our unicorns and join us for some unicorn adventures. THERE WILL BE A PONY RIDE IN EVERY CLASS.
2021 Schedule:
Class runs on:
Mondays, Wednesday, or Fridays at 12:30-1:30 PM
Cost:
$150 for 5 week semester
*Sorry, no drop-ins, must sign up online.*
Animal and/or Physical Education Courses:
Equine Science
Students in this course will gain a strong understanding of horsemanship through readings, hands-on activities, and journaling. During this educationally rich science program, students will learn: how horses move, their anatomy, horse's jobs, horse's gaits, their wants and needs, proper care, horse history, and art!
The journal resource is PACKED with interactive pages that will allow students to travel through horse and human history, document their results from various experiences, record what they've learned, complete breed of the week profiles, understand equestrian vocabulary and even some crafts!
Cost: Classroom Only is $150 (10 week semester)
Riding Add on is $45 per lesson
Current Class Offerings:
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Sign Up Here for Fall Semester!
Contact us for group riding openings before or after class!
Please contact us for correct placement prior to signing up for class
Classroom time with riding is 2 hours.
Introduction to Veterinary: Large and Small Animals
Instructed by Hannah Szuch and Caylee Baker
Throughout this course, students will learn the importance of preventive care, proper diet, common illnesses, animal anatomy, wound care and more using the animals on Double J Riding Club's property. This course will work with both our large and small animals and will include the full horse veterinary mini session within the schoolwork.
Class time: Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Wednesdays from 1:45-2:45 PM OR Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 PM OR Fridays 1:45-2:45
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Imagineering: Animal Enrichment
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
Students will utilize their imaginations to engineer all kinds of projects, inventions and discoveries. Each week’s project will be a surprise based on topics using math, science, technology and engineering. Students will learn it's okay to go back to the drawing board after making mistakes to go on to create great things.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Tuesdays 1:45-2:30 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Ecology: Animals and Habitats
Instructed by Ryan Cunningham
Does your child have a love and interest for animals and their environment?!
Students in this course will gain a strong understanding about habitats and the animals and plant life that call them home! The class will be enhanced through readings, hands-on-activities, experiments, observations, and journaling.
Each semester will feature a new habitat that your child will become an expert on! Activities include: journals, outdoor exploration, experiments, and plenty of animal interaction!
Fall Semester Habitat: Savanna
Class time: Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Mondays from 12:30-1:30 PM OR Thursdays 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Zoology
Instructed by Ryan Cunningham
Does your child have a love and interest for animals?!
In this eight week class students will study animals of all shapes and sizes, from tiny insects to large mammals and investigate what animals eat and how they live. Students will learn about how we and other animal care organizations care for their animals. The class will be enhanced through readings, journaling, and interaction with animals.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Fridays from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Entomology
Instructed by Ryan Cunningham
Does your child have a love and interest for bugs?!
Over this 10-week program, children will learn about insects: the most diverse group of animal life on earth! They will learn all aspects of how insects live and interact with each other: from what makes an insect an insect to the different ways that insects get around, as well as learning about how and what these amazing animals eat. By the end of the semester, they will have enough knowledge to come with and create a brand new insect from their imagination.
Class time: Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Farm Hand 101
Instructed by Grace Seter and Kelsey Goodwin
Farm Hand 101 will learn all about real farming and teamwork while doing age-appropriate farm chores and animal care in a fun way! Chores include giving animals baths, collecting eggs, gardening, caring for animals, making natural cleaners, cleaning habitats, helping feed animals, creating animal enrichments, and more! Rubber boots and messy clothes are mandatory.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Tuesday from 1:45-2:45 PM OR 4:30-5:30 PM OR Fridays 9:30-10:30 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Junior Zookeepers
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
In each 60-minute class, students will explore and compare two different species of animals. Activities may include: learning animal fun facts, building toys for animals, creating animal art masterpieces, viewing animal habitats, caring for animals, playing fun animal themed games, cooking animal treats in the kitchen, and of course meeting the animals!
Each class is themed and will guide our activities for the week. This is the perfect way to get your child exposed to a variety of different species of animals.
This hands on and classroom oriented class is perfect for avid animal lovers to extend their animal science knowledge.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 PM (Ages 4-7) OR 4:30-5:30 PM (7-12)
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Science Courses:
Geology
Instructed by Hannah Szuch
Dig into Geology this semester, where students will learn all about the Earth’s structure and the processes that make it what it is. From erosion and weathering to plate tectonics and crystals, this class offers fun, hands-on experiments and interactive elements every week to make learning engaging.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Fridays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Biology 101
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Conservation Science
Instructed by Hannah Szuch
Conservation Science focuses on why the Earth is such a special planet in the solar system, what threatens it, and what we can do to help protect it. Particular topics include composting, renewable energy, endangered species, pollution, and more! Students will take away practical solutions to environmental problems, and be able to implement them in their own homes.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Thursday from 9:30-10:30 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Astronomy
Instructed by Rebecca Irwin
Designed for home school families who want to provide high-level science education to their children, students in this course will be challenged to higher order thinking through activity-based learning. Topics include: motion, gravity, solar system, star and element formation, conservation, sustainable agriculture and much more!
Students will use and interact with the animals and plant life at Double J, as they expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around us!
*Activities include data analysis, so students should understand math through fractions and decimals.
Learn about the universe, from the solar system to stars and galaxies, from the big bang to the end of time, through hands on activities and experiments.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Thursday from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Advanced Ecology
Instructed by Rebecca Irwin
Designed for home school families who want to provide high-level science education to their children, students in this course will be challenged to higher order thinking through activity-based learning. Topics include: motion, gravity, solar system, star and element formation, conservation, sustainable agriculture and much more!
Students will use and interact with the animals and plant life at Double J, as they expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around us!
*Activities include data analysis, so students should understand math through fractions and decimals.
Learn about species in their environments, and how human activities affect them through hands on activities and experiments.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Thursday from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Experimental Science
**FULL FALL SEMESTER THEME: ANIMAL ADAPTATION EXPERIMENTS
Cost: $200 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Dinosaurs!
Instructed by Kelsey Goodwin
Jump back to the Mesozoic Era with us as we explore everyone’s favorite giant reptiles: dinosaurs! Perfect for our young paleontologists, this class explores a variety of dinosaurs, from the ferocious Velociraptor to the classic Triceratops. Go on a fossil dig, learn about carnivores and herbivores, and explore what a paleontologist needs to do their job. This class branches into both science and social studies topics, and works with state educational standards for both.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Wednesday 1:45-2:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
History & Language Courses:
International Studies
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
Grab your passports and join us for this beloved program! Throughout this multi-semester course, students will travel to more than 30 countries while encountering their culture, traditions, holidays, crafts and celebrations. In addition students will learn about world geography and major landmarks of each country.
Fall Semester Countries: Japan, Greece, Spain, Libya, and the Pacific Islands
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Mondays from 9:30-10:30 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Maritime History
Instructed by Kelsey Goodwin
Set sail on this multi -journey through history! Students will head to the past and track down pirates and seafarers. Hop aboard Viking warships as you learn all about how the history of sail determined which nations rose and fell, study ocean habitats, learn about the mysterious creatures that call the sea home, and trace the chronicles of man's journey by sea. This will be done with in class readings, journaling, and lots of fun hands-on activity.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Wednesdays from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Intro To Spanish
Instructed by Hannah Szuch
Hola! Bienvenidos! Did you know that the Chicago area has one of the largest Spanish speaking populations in the country? Come down to the farm to learn the basics of it, as well as the history of Hispanic icons and cultures of different Spanish-speaking countries around the world! We will cover reading, writing, and speaking through the use of journaling and hands-on learning.
Topics covered include:
Alphabet and Numbers
Days, Months, and Seasons
Food and Cooking
Animals
Colors
Cost: $150 for the semester
Session Dates: Mondays from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Teatime With Great Poets
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Tuesdays from 12:30-130 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Storybook Workshop
Instructed by Hannah Szuch
Unleash your inner writer with our Storybook Workshop course! Throughout this fun 10-week course, students will learn how to bring out their creative side as they write and illustrate their own children’s storybook. Students will have fun while gaining knowledge and exposure in the world of storybook writing, and will learn to grow their own unique writing voice and style. We will help you create unforgettable characters, exciting story lines, and memorable details to spice up your writing! This class will teach kids about the parts of a story, how to create an outline, and guide children in writing & illustrating their own book. Each class will include fun exercises and games to help children come up with ideas for their own book. At the end of the semester each student will go home with their own hardcover storybook. The storybooks written in class will also be showcased throughout the property for customers to read on their own Story Walk.
Cost: $200 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Tuesdays from 10:45 AM-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Math Courses:
Horse Lover's Math
Instructed by Caylee Baker
Horse Lover's Math is the perfect way for horse crazy kids to improve their math skills as they learn about the real-world of horses. Students will calculate problems such as horse's height, weight, heart rate, tack store prices, feed percentages, horse show time schedules, stall square footage, and more! Students will work with math operations such as adding, subtracting, multiplication, decimals, fractions, division and more.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Wednesdays from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Garden Math
Instructed by Kelsey Goodwin
Even when we’re outside, math is all around us! Armed with trusty journals, this class will head to the garden to discover math concepts outdoors on the farm. This class is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts among us, and provides an opportunity to explore the world around us from a different angle. Students will learn area and perimeter using leaves, map a coordinate grid of the garden, scavenger hunt with standard vs. non-standard units of measurement, and more!
Math standards include numbers, operations, & algebra; measurement; geometry & pattern; and data analysis.
Cost: $150 for Fall Full Semester
Session Dates: Thursday from 1:45-2:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Elective Courses:
Art Exploration
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
Dive deep into Art with this 10-week courses where students will work on two massive projects throughout the semester. This fall, students will design and create a beautiful bench as a whole class that will stay on Double J's property for years to come for everyone to enjoy. Students will also create beautiful mosaic flower boxes for their spring flowers that they will bring home. These flower boxes will make a perfect Holiday gift!
Cost: $160 for Mondays and $140 for Sundays
Session Dates: Mondays from 9:30-10:30 am
Farm Art
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
This course will allow students to experiment with paint, watercolors, outdoor materials, collaging materials, and so much more! Let your child’s inner artist out using Double J’s farm as inspiration! Each week, students will create a beautiful work of art you would be proud to showcase in your home.
Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Thursdays from 1:45-2:45 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Private Art Lessons
Come learn about a new medium for 5 weeks! Choose from 5 different art mediums, Oil Paints, Acrylic Paints, Watercolor, Colored Pencil/ Marker, or Oil Pastels. You will have full creative liberty to create any piece of art you want or you can have our Lead Artist, Jen, guide you through a project! Have siblings or a friend you want to bring with? You can add up to 4 other students at a reduced rate.
Cost: $250 for the semester for one student, an additional $200 for each student after, up to 4.
Session Dates: It is offered on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, OR 2:00 PM
Full Semester runs for 5 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Trail Blazers
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
Come and learn how to identify trail markers and the all fun that can be had in the outdoors. In this all outdoor class, learn about the proper ways to hike and have fun while in your backyard or the wilderness. Learn how to use a compass and the basics of GPS, as well as many other fun topics.
Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Outdoor Adventures
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
Have your kids been cooped up behind a screen doing distance learning? Come on down to the farm and get the sillies out at this all fun class. We will play outdoor and indoor games, make messy crafts, learn about nature and have adventures! Weather appropriate clothing is strongly recommended.
Cost: $21 per class
Session Dates: Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Mixed Media Art
Instructed by Jennifer Michalski
Join us as we paint, draw, build and create with clay, wire, paints, pastels, and more in this explorative and fun Art Lab! Students will make exciting projects with a different medium each week while having plenty of creative exploration time in this encouraging and supportive environment. This class is fun, educational, and accessible class for young artists of all experience levels. Projects are new in every session.
Cost: $200 for Spring Full Semester
Session Dates: Mondays from 10:45-11:45 AM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Fiber Arts
Instructed by Hannah Szuch
What are fiber arts? They’re art and craft projects involving yarn, string, and fabric! Come join us in the Art Garage and make some for yourself, starting with the basics of weaving and moving up to different art from around the world. We’ll explore Ojos de Dios from Mexico, Shibori from Japan, Batik from Indonesia, and some close-to-home favorites like sewing and paracord. At the end of the semester we’ll have an art fair to show off all the wonderful projects we’ve made!
This class is highly dependent on using your hands for fine motor skills, and may not be appropriate for some children.
Cost: $200 for the semester
Session Dates: Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 PM
Full Semester runs for 10 weeks starting the week of September 13th.
Questions?
Call or email us to discuss the Homeschool Programs!
Contact Us Today!
708-528-4674
doublejridingclub@gmail.com