HOMEWORK HELP & ENRICHMENT

Homework Support When children have had a snack and a little down time, homework time begins. Students work independently, with peers, or alongside Michele — whatever best suits the day. Support includes time management, clarifying directions, setting goals, creating timelines, and talking through next steps. The focus is on building real skills, not just completing assignments.

Enrichment Classes Once homework is complete or well underway, enrichment begins. Activities blend what children want to explore with topics Michele knows they'll benefit from and enjoy. Past requests have included STEM topics, learning about pets, writing to pen pals, drawing people or dolphins, storytelling, and — a personal favorite — "How were wiener dogs made?" No two sessions are quite alike. We investigate what the children are curious about.”

Our Outdoor Spaces Most of our time together happens outside, where children have room to move, imagine, and truly unwind. In the front yard there is a wooden playground. We play games and create art under the carport. The backyard also offers several distinct spaces for play and discovery:  

•    A flower and vegetable garden
•    A grassy area for ball games, gymnastics, and open play
•    A cozy tent with an oversized bear, pillows, and blankets

When needed, indoor spaces are available as well — including a large kitchen table to create art, window seats for reading and games, and room to play board games, puzzles, and activities.

These spaces and the freedom to move between them, nurture cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative development. Mixed-age and mixed-gender play builds confidence, broadens perspectives, and supports healthy maturation in ways that feel natural.
 

OUR APPROACH

Building a genuine relationship comes first. From there, we follow a simple but powerful process:

•    Listen to students and understand their frustrations
•    Identify what they already know and where gaps exist
•    Discover how each student learns best
•    Invent methods that help them acquire and retain information — academically and creatively

As trusted allies, students feel safe asking for help. Reading a student's emotions, attitudes, and perceptions guides every session — knowing when to accelerate and when to slow down and break things into manageable steps. When children feel truly seen, they become more open, motivated, and self-directed.

Tutoring at Poppins is a confidential process. The goal is always to help students help themselves — until they can master skills independently.

Tutoring $50 / hour

Available for individuals, small groups, homeschool groups, and via Zoom.

What Students Gain

•    A trusted, genuine connection between teacher and learner
•    New outlooks through individualized and small-group experiences
•    Positive modeling and improved academic performance
•    A mended attitude toward challenging subject areas
•    Enhanced questioning and critical thinking strategies
•    Greater self-awareness and confidence in self-paced learning
•    Stronger study skills and strategies for independent practice
•    Improved self-esteem.  

 

ART CLASSES

How Classes Work

Each lesson begins with learning about the subject we'll be drawing, identifying the shapes and elements within it, and working through guided steps to complete a foundational drawing. From there, students explore possible backgrounds and finish the piece in whatever way feels true to them. Abundant, high-quality materials support every artist's imagination and expression.

Our Materials

Quality materials matters. Artists at Poppins work with:

•    22 colors of pre-mixed, high-quality liquid tempera paint
•    Acid-free paper in all sizes
•    Chalk and oil pastels, charcoal, and colored pencils
•    Watercolors, collage, and sculpture materials

All paper and paints are acid-free and high-grade — so the work students create will last.

MONTHLY ART CLASSES

Monthly classes meet regularly and are a wonderful way to build skills, confidence, and creative momentum over time.

1 Hour Classes: $50.00/$200.00 month

Enrollment is pro-rated for students joining mid-month. For continuing students, enrollment is due by the 28th of the current month for the upcoming month. Waitlist students may take the place of a current student after the 28th in order to begin the following month.

Payment is accepted via Zelle, check, or cash.

SINGLE EVENTS & PRIVATE PARTIES

A variety of evening art events are offered throughout the year — drawing, painting, collage, vision boards, crafts, and more. You're welcome to bring your own materials or use ours.
Private parties and gatherings are warmly welcomed. A few possibilities:

•    Children's birthday parties
•    Girls' night out
•    Family art gatherings (draw your version of the family pet—a perennial favorite)
•    Holiday or occasion decoration making
•    High tea and art
•    Creating together with older family members

KINDERGARTEN READINESS

Please call Michele to set up a time to meet, 805-448-6289.  

ART IMPACT SUMMER CAMPS

Each day includes thoughtfully planned lessons, with plenty of room left for campers to follow their own ideas and instincts. We teach essential fine arts skills and straightforward techniques designed to spark inspiration and build independence — tools that stay with children long after summer ends.

Practicing art builds concentration, critical thinking, fine motor skills, visual-spatial perception, intuition, and the freedom to invent. Developing artistic knowledge and skills strengthens overall confidence and complements academic performance.

Socially, art cultivates self-expression, self-acceptance, collaboration, and a way to express what words sometimes cannot. For many young people, it becomes a source of joy, release, and direction.

Spaces fill quickly. Reach out early to reserve your spot.

Weekly Themes (scroll down for theme details)

Each week explores a different theme — materials, techniques, and historical references serve as jumping-off points for creativity. Every Friday from 2:30–3:00pm, families and friends are invited to a student art show where campers display their work on the studio walls.

Week 1 — Drawing Charcoal, oil pastel, pencil, and colored pencil on various paper types. Students explore shading, form, contour, value, and subtraction techniques, then choose their favorite medium to work with freely.

Week 2 — Paint: Color Liquid tempera paint is used to mix the full spectrum — tints, shades, tones, and everything in between. Basic color theory and harmonies are introduced, along with dry brush, wet-into-wet, and alla prima techniques. Students explore figurative and abstract painting, drawing inspiration from artists including O'Keeffe, Matisse, Chagall, Cézanne, Pollock, and more.

Week 3 — Animals & Imaginary Creatures Students explore the proportions, shapes, textures, and movement of animals in their natural habitats — then use those principles to invent hybrid and imaginary creatures. A special visit from animal guests provides hands-on inspiration.

Week 4 — People & Faces An exploration of facial proportions, the human body, figures in motion, and the art of capturing personality in portraits.

Week 5 — Animals & Imaginary Creatures A second week devoted to the animal kingdom — perfect for campers who want to go deeper into creature-making, hybrid animals, and imaginative world-building.

Week 6 — Drawing A return to drawing with expanded materials including conte crayon, charcoal, oil pastel, pencil, and colored pencil. Students refine their favorite techniques and create work around their own chosen subject matter.

Registration Fees 

•    Early registration discount of $50. Is available two months before camp starts.

•    Camp costs $500 per month.

•    Artists ages 5–12 years old

•    Partial scholarships are available. Please contact us to learn more.

CAMP HOURS

•    Camp runs from 9-12pm each day. 

For more information please call Michele Martin

(805) 448-6289   

Thank you!
 

 

TEEN CIRCLES

The goal is to help teens feel heard, gain perspective, build self-awareness, and develop the confidence and emotional skills to navigate life's challenges.

Topics that frequently come up include:

•    Respecting yourself and setting healthy boundaries

•    Being excluded or navigating social dynamics

•    Recognizing symptoms of depression and anxiety

•    Sexual activity and relationships

•    Gender and sexual identity

•    The façade of social media

•    Alcohol and drugs