Welcome to G.I.F.T.

Godly Influenced Fine Arts Training

Established 2001 - Celebrating our 9th year!

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  1 Chronicles 29:11

Logic

 

Logic

Chess -Rennaissance Knights

  • Ages: 5 - 18
  • Min. # of Students: 8 - Max. # of Students: 12
  • Tuition: $32 per month
  • This class is for beginner and advanced students to learn the basic strategies and tactics of chess and for advanced players to improve their chess skills.  Students will be grouped by ability and receive instruction for half the class, then put what they have learned into practice by playing chess matches.  The instructor will have chess sets for use in the classroom.

Robotics I - Mrs. Lewis Class Full 

  • Ages: 9 & up
  • Min. # of Students: 3 - Max. # of Students: 8
  • Student Supply Fee: $5
  • GIFT Year Equipment Usage Fee: $50 
  • Tuition: $20 per month 
  • This is a Lego Mindstorms NXT beginning robotics course.  Students will become familiar with basic robot building, programming, and movement.  Then they will move up to working with sensors and more complex robot behaviors.  We will cover key educational outcomes in math, technology, science, and communications, as directed by the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy curriculum.  We will then follow the story line of an archeological dig deep in the overgrown jungle of Guatemala as our teams solve problems accessing relics by creating 5 different robots to navigate long tunnels and hanging vines.  No robotics experience is necessary.  Students will work in teams of three.  At least one student per team must supply a laptop with a minimum system requirement of: Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.3.9, USB port, and power cords.  Each student must supply 1 pack of 6 AA batteries.

Continuing Robotics - Mrs. Lewis

  • Ages: 9 & up
  • Min. # of Students: 3 - Max. # of Students: 8
  • Student Supply Fee: $5
  • GIFT Year Equipment Usage Fee: $50
  • Tuition: $20 per month
  • This is a Lego Mindstorms NXT beginning robotics course.  Students will review the basics of robot building, progrmming, and movement.  We will then build on our basic skills to more complex behaviors and programming.  We will cover key educational outcomes in math, technology, science, and communications, as directed by tthe Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy curriculum. Some LEGO robotics experience is necessary.  Students will work in teams of three.  At least one student per team must supply a laptop with a minimum system requirement of: Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.3.9, USB port, and power cords.  Each student must supply 1 pack of 6 AA batteries.

Critical Thinking - Mrs. Dirnberger Class Full

  • Ages: 10 - 13
  • Min. # of Students: 4 - Max. # of Students: 10
  • Tuition: $20 per month
  • Discover the art of arguing like a philosopher, arguing logically and fallacy free; learn to problem solve as an individual and as a team; learn to Think.  We will have fun while learning critical leadership skills that apply to every area of our lives.  A variety of logic curriculums and other sources will be used.  There will be light homework, and class participation is strongly encouraged so a desire to take the class is important.
  • My acceptance of younger children is based on ability and class dynamics, not enrollment levels.

Mock Trial - Mrs. Dirnberger Class Full

  • Ages: 10 - 13
  • Min. # of Students: 4 - Max. # of Students: 10
  • Monthly Tuition $20
  • We will explore the intricacies of trials and learn how to form an argument from either side.  Students will learn about rules of evidence, how to question witnesses, how to select a jury, and how to make opening and closing arguments at an age appropriate level.  We will have a lot of fun while finding out if the Big Bad Wolf was really a maligned bystander... but there will be homework and preparation for class.  Participation is important to the success of the class.
  • My acceptance of younger children is based on ability and class dynamics, not enrollment levels.

The Constitution and Congress - Mrs. Dirnberger

  • Ages: 11 - 13
  • Min. # of Students: 4 - Max. # of Students: 10
  • Monthly Tuition: $20
  • Student Supplies: Students will need something to take notes on and a folder.
  • We will explore the Founding Fathers' education to uncover the real inspiration for our Constitution.  Who were these men and how did their education alter the course of our Nation?  We will discuss the Constitutional Convention, the impetus for the Bill of Rights and the formation of our government, with a special emphasis on the powers entrusted to Congress and the Federal Government.  During the second semester (January through May) we will take part in a nationwide simulation through the University of Virginia.  Students will become Congressmen/women, submit bills for Committee review and attempt to have their bills "pass" in the "house of Representatives."  We will discuss how committees work and the role of Congressmen/women in our Governmental system.  There will also be voluntary "gatherings" that are not GIFT sanctioned, including a trip to the Freedom Museum in Chicago and to a Representative's local office.
  • My acceptance of younger children is based on ability and class dynamics, not enrollment levels.

The Constitution and Congress - Teen - Mrs. Dirnberger

  • Ages: 14 - 18
  • Min. # of Students: 4 - Max. # of Students: 10
  • Monthly Tuition: $20
  • Student Supplies: Students will need something to take notes on and a folder.
  • We will explore the Founding Fathers' education to uncover the real inspiration for our Constitution.  Who were these men and how did their education alter the course of our Nation?  We will discuss the Constitutional Convention, the impetus for the Bill of Rights and the formation of our government, with a special emphasis on the powers entrusted to Congress and the Federal Government.  During the second semester (January through May) we will take part in a nationwide simulation through the University of Virginia.  Students will become Congressmen/women, submit bills for Committee review and attempt to have their bills "pass" in the "house of Representatives."  We will discuss how committees work and the role of Congressmen/women in our Governmental system.  There will also be voluntary "gatherings" that are not GIFT sanctioned, including a trip to the Freedom Museum in Chicago and to a Representative's local office.
  • My acceptance of younger children is based on ability and class dynamics, not enrollment levels.