Shakespeare Without Tears

Prepare to be amazed as you watch your differently-wired kiddo make real friends, explore this unique content, grow under the guidance of this expert mentor, and be seen in all their glory!

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Why Take This Course?

William Shakespeare has a reputation for being difficult to study, but he can actually be a whole lot of fun. His works are all about what it means to be human- the serious parts and the silly parts. He was a master of language who penned some famous phrases, and even invented a bunch of his own words.

In this course, we’ll find out who Shakespeare was (there’s a lot of mystery around this) and about the times in which he lived. We’ll explore the stories in a few of his plays through brief passages, and even do some (hilariously) dramatic readings. We’ll also have a have a look at one or two of Shakespeare’s poems.

William Shakespeare has a reputation for being difficult to study, but he can actually be a whole lot of fun. His works are all about what it means to be human- the serious parts and the silly parts. He was a master of language who penned some famous phrases, and even invented a bunch of his own words. In this course, we’ll find out who Shakespeare was (there’s a lot of mystery around this) and about the times in which he lived. We’ll explore the stories in a few of his plays through brief passages, and even do some (hilariously) dramatic readings. We’ll also have a have a look at one or two of Shakespeare’s poems.
In making friends with Shakespeare, your learner will:
🪶 Explore the power of words, and see how, even more than 500 years later, the right turn of phrase can inspire others.
🪶 Learn to understand theatre as an experience that can bring people and communities together.
🪶 Find themselves in Shakespeare’s characters, and the stories they inhabit, and marvel at how some parts of human life haven’t really changed.
🪶 Get dramatic, and try their hand at acting out cool characters.
🪶 Play with language, the way Shakespeare did!
In making friends with Shakespeare, your learner will:
🪶 Explore the power of words, and see how, even more than 500 years later, the right turn of phrase can inspire others.
🪶 Learn to understand theatre as an experience that can bring people and communities together.
🪶 Find themselves in Shakespeare’s characters, and the stories they inhabit, and marvel at how some parts of human life haven’t really changed.
🪶 Get dramatic, and try their hand at acting out cool characters.
🪶 Play with language, the way Shakespeare did!
Materials Needed:
· An internet connection and a love of language
· We may, on occasion, use props or costume pieces in our lessons, but these will be found objects from around the house.

Ages: 8-12 & 13-18

Class size: Maximum- 8 Students

Price Per Session: $39

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What Our Parents Say…

“The classes were the highlight of my son’s week. Every week he came out of that class in a better mood than he went into it. We only wish he didn’t graduate so he could take more!”
-Maurice
“It should matter to us that children learn to think for themselves.”
-Lauren
I applaud such an enthusiastic effort to honor the promise and natural abilities of child philosophers.”
-Marietta
“Amy’s guides to Philosophy are lovely and thoughtful, playful and sincere. They offer a critical reach across from educator to student and, more importantly, can help students connect to their own love of wisdom and joy within.”
— Clifford

Meet Your Mentor

Amy Leask

Amy has had the pleasure of being a friendly neighborhood philosopher for almost thirty years, teaching big questions to a variety of age groups. She has been writing and publishing award-wining multimedia philosophy materials for children since 2011.

Amy is the founder of Red T Kids’ Media, as well as the co-founder of Enable Education, and she loves to engage with her community. When she is not writing or producing, you can find her running activities at local festivals, or doing workshops at libraries, schools, and in online events. What drives her is the belief that it’s never too early (or too late) to embrace our inner philosopher.

In her spare time, she is a reader, an extreme baker, a hopeful gardener, a traveller, and a driver’s seat soprano. She lives near Toronto, Canada, where she debates life, the universe, and everything with her own wee family of thinkers and their two trusty canine companions.

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Our Promise To You

Satisfaction Guarantee:

If you’re not 100% IN LOVE with this course within the first 24 hours, you can either transfer to another course, get a 100% refund credit toward a future class or get a 75% money-back.

That’s it! No hassle!

In 3 years and over 500 families served, only 2 families have ever used this.

*more info in FAQs below

Questions Asked By Fellow Parents

4 KEY things:
1- A focus on the positive! We don’t focus on what students aren’t doing, we support what they are and we know the rest will come. We develop strengths, interests, and relationships. We build students up so they can build a better world! And do it with the new friends they make in our program!
2- Like-minded neurodivergent peers. Our asynchronous students need one another and YSA is a safe haven for these kiddos to connect around their asynchronies, quirks, and interests. We’re a place where they can be their authentic selves and make friends while doing so!
3- Passionate, masterful neurodivergent mentors who have walked the walk and can authentically validate and support your child with personal experience and care AND expertise as we all have advanced masters + degrees
4-Content your students care about taught in a way they love! We offer the courses they need to be taking, not the ones they’re required to take.
Come by and see for yourself!
Please don’t confuse reactive “distance learning” and virtual enrichment programming. After all, a student who is completely fried from a boring zoom class is often quick to pick up a tablet or phone, right?
Our courses are not at all the same animal =)
We offer a satisfaction guarantee!
If you’re not 100% IN LOVE with your course, you can:
1- Transfer to another equal value class at no charge (space permitting)
2- Get a 100% refund to a YSA credit
3- Get a 25% money-back to your credit card
Refund requests must be received up to 24 hours after the first day of camp. After 24 hours after the first class begins there will be no refund of tuition.
The non-refundable 25% deposit is critical as it allows us to determine which courses we can run.
Note- this is a satisfaction guarantee, therefore your child must attend class to qualify.
*Note- Yearly courses like AP require a 30-day notice
We do! We have 3 kinds:
1- Word of mouth: 25% off- we know that the best way to reach new families is word of mouth. When you help another family enroll in a YSA class and they name you at checkout, you will get 25% off the cost of the course you’re currently enrolled in once they stay past the refund period. Note— this applies to all regular courses, BUT only applies to the first month of membership courses.
2- Multi-sibling: 10% off- We believe in supporting whole families and we are willing to put our money where our mouth is! When you sign-up 2 or more kiddos you will receive 10% off. Note— this does not apply to our membership courses.
3-Multi-course: 10% off- To fully serve your family, we hope to provide your child with all the courses they dream of taking! To make this more affordable, when you enroll in 3 or more classes, you will receive 10% off. Note— this does not apply to our membership courses.
Of course!
As we like to say, if you’re on our site, you’re in the right place.
Our programming is for students who are not being supported or challenged enough in school.
If you have an asynchronous kiddo who you know has strengths and struggles, our courses are for your child.
2e students experience such asynchronous development that it proves difficult to have hard age limits.
We often evaluate students on a case by case basis =)
Please email us and we’ll discuss: sam@youngscholarsacademy.org
All of our programs are 100% virtual. This allows us to bring together the twice-exceptional/neurodivergent students of the world, connect them, and nurture them!
Your child may very well enter a 6-person class with 5 other students from 5 different states/countries!
Cool, right?