Chigusa

Artist, Jeweler, Athlete and Multi-Disciplinary Teacher

Resources

Bookings

Terrarium + Sun Catcher Making

Mondays

4:30pm - 5:30pm

10 Classes

9/29, 10/6, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15

Grades 3-5

20 students

Mission Education Center

1670 Noe St, San Francisco, CA 94131
Terrarium + Sun Catcher Making

Mondays

3:30pm - 4:30pm

10 Classes

9/29, 10/6, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15

Grades K-2

20 students

Mission Education Center

1670 Noe St, San Francisco, CA 94131
Samurai Skills Basic Training

Tuesdays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

12 Classes

12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10

Grades K-2

12 students

Animal Art Adventure

Wednesdays

3:00pm - 4:00pm

5 Classes

11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10

Grade PK

12 students

Monument First 5 Center

1736 Clayton Rd, Concord, CA 94520
Crystal and Rock Exploration

Wednesdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm

8 Classes

1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11

Grades 1-2

Enrollment pending

Mix & Stretch Slime Series

Thursdays

3:15pm - 4:15pm

12 Classes

12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12

Grades K-5

14 students

Animal Art Adventure

Fridays

3:15pm - 4:15pm

9 Classes

12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13

Grades K-2

10 students

View Teaching Calendar

Experiences

Young creators dive into a world of ooey-gooey fun! In this imaginative experience, they mix their own slime with activators, vibrant colors, glitter, and scents. They'll squish, stretch, and swirl their creations, experimenting with combinations and crafting unique slimes.
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Embark on a journey into a world of enchantment! In this creative series, children let their imaginations soar by designing and painting fantastical creatures, crafting fairy wings, or conjuring mystical items. A magical mix of storytelling and art brings each creation to life.
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Explore the art and culture of Japan through ancient Sumi calligraphy and painting. Discover the beauty of Japanese writing and Sumi techniques, try origami, and enjoy moments of meditation. A creative journey blending tradition and imagination awaits.
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Dive into the world of jewelry making, where creativity sparkles and imagination shines! Kids will learn to craft stunning accessories, exploring braids, daisy chain knots, and twisted cords. Each session allows them to create unique beaded patterns and design wearable art.
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Embark on a STEM adventure where engineering meets art using origami and long balloons. Explore the world of shapes, crafting creative designs with paper folds and balloon twists. Discover geometry, patterns, and problem-solving in a playful, dynamic environment.
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Let imagination run wild on a colorful journey through paint and memories! Participants embark on an adventure to recreate their favorite vacation or mini trip using vibrant acrylics. Experimenting with colors and techniques, they capture cherished moments on canvas.
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Step into a whimsical world of plants and creativity with this enchanting gardening series! Kids embark on a green-thumb adventure, learning the delightful art of succulent propagation using cups or their own planters. They'll paint stone garden decor, transforming ordinary rocks into masterpieces. Along the way, they'll cultivate creativity and patience while building a beautiful garden.
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Introduce your kids to the exciting world of Japanese language, reading, writing and culture with an immersive and creative Japanese Language weekly series! Through activities, games, art, manga and play, kids will gain an appreciation for the Japanese language, as well as the country's and people's rich history and culture.
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Get ready for a whirlwind of twisty fun! Kids will explore the colorful world of balloon artistry, learning to pump, pinch, twist, and shape balloons into amazing creations. They'll master the lock twist and decorate balloons into fantastic forms like playful swords or whimsical hats. Sessions are filled with excitement and new skills.
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Embark on an adventure! In this series, students dive into the world of crystals and minerals, discovering their properties and their impact on physical and emotional well-being. With hands-on activities like painting stones, kids will enhance their creative skills while exploring the benefits of crystals. This experience also reveals secrets from Earth's ancient past, showing how rocks tell the story of our planet's history and evolution. Through interactive learning, students will uncover Earth's transformations over time, making this journey both educational and inspiring. Perfect for young geologists and artists alike, this series is a treasure trove of wonder and discovery!
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"Crochet Cuddles" is an enjoyable dive into the world of crochet. In this delightful series, kids will learn the basics of crocheting, from simple stitches to creating cuddly plushies and accessories. Working with colorful yarns and soft textures, they'll develop fine motor skills and patience. Each session allows children to share their progress and support one another, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community. This heartwarming experience ensures everyone leaves with a handmade treasure and a smile.
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Young athletes will have a blast learning baseball and softball basics in this fun-filled program. They'll develop skills like hand-eye coordination and teamwork through games and drills. Join now for an unforgettable season!
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Embark on a thrilling journey into the world of discovery. This series is perfect for curious minds eager to dive into STEM adventures. Through hands-on experiments and interactive activities, young explorers can unleash their inner scientist and explore the wonders around them. From bubbling concoctions to creative building challenges, each session offers opportunities for fun and learning while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With lab goggles on and imagination soaring, curiosity and creativity flourish in a world where knowledge knows no bounds.
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Dive into the magical world of paper folding! Kids will transform simple paper into a zoo of delightful creatures. Through hands-on challenges, they'll boost creativity, enhance patience, and develop fine-motor skills. Crafting intricate origami animals improves hand-eye coordination and mental concentration.
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Welcome to the wild and fun Animal Art Adventure! This exciting kids series offers a unique opportunity for children to explore the animal kingdom through art. Each week, children will be introduced to a different animal and their habitats, while creating their own unique pieces of art inspired by the featured creature.
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Embark on a cosmic adventure to explore the mysteries of the universe, planets, stars, the sun, and Earth. Channel creativity through coloring, drawing, and writing about favorite celestial wonders. Using colorful papers, cut, glue, and bind an astrology-themed book, celebrating the joy of storytelling and bookbinding. Leave with a one-of-a-kind book that captures a journey through space and showcases fantastic learning and artistic talents.
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Let your little chefs embark on a tasty adventure! In this delightful experience, kids will explore easy recipes from around the world, discovering the wonders of flavors and spices. Through hands-on food prep, they'll learn about nutrition and the science of cooking, turning the kitchen into a fun learning lab. From simple assembly techniques to creatively decorating their culinary masterpieces, children will enhance their skills and gain confidence in the kitchen. This series will nurture their love for cooking and baking while introducing basic concepts of chemistry and food preparation. Enjoy a delicious journey filled with joy, creativity, and yummy treats!
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Explore Samurai traditions through the ancient Japanese martial art of Kendo. Using foam swords, participants will learn proper grip, stance, and footwork, mastering techniques like strikes, tsuki, do, and kote. The activities also include barefoot meditation and seiza practice, enhancing understanding of Kendo’s etiquette.
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Woven Joy: Simple Crafting for Kids offers a delightful adventure into the world of weaving. With colorful yarns, children engage in crafting sessions that spark imagination and curiosity. They create beautiful designs, develop fine motor skills, and explore patterns and textures in a fun environment.
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This fun and educational experience is great for kids of all ages, and a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of gardening. Through this hands-on activity, they will learn the basics of succulent planting, knotting and weaving a hanging piece, propagating plants, and, if time, painting a planter.
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Kids will cultivate essential gardening skills while exploring sustainability, plantings, succulents, flowers, pollinators, natives, and even soil micro-organisms! 🌱🌸 Let children's love for the environment grow as they learn about edible gardens and the magic of creating a thriving ecosystem right in their backyard.
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Introduce kids to the fascinating world of succulents, air plants and low-water gardening with our Terrarium + Sun Catcher Making learning series! This series encourages creativity and connection to nature as children learn how to create their own tiny gardens, sun-catchers and more, using a variety of natural elements, plants and materials, as well as weaving and beading techniques. A sunny, enjoyable and educational experience kids can enjoy year-round ☀️
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Students will dive into Japanese culture, exploring kawaii aesthetics through arts, crafts, and storytelling. They'll practice speaking, reading, and writing Japanese, unlocking the magic of Japan. Students build foundational language skills in an exciting way, growing in confidence and cultural awareness.
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Dive into an action-packed adventure of movement and collaboration with friends and teammates! Enjoy classic schoolyard games, basketball, and tee-ball. Try Kendo, the traditional Japanese martial art, refining focus and agility. Complete obstacles and engage in exercises that emphasize teamwork and cooperation.
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Mini Basketball offers young athletes the chance to learn dribbling, passing, and shooting while enhancing their ball-handling skills. Enjoy thrilling games that make running, catching, and throwing exhilarating. Each session boosts confidence and teamwork, fostering a love for sports and healthy playtime.
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Grasshopper mascot smiling with admiration
Grasshopper mascot peeking out from behind content container

About Chigusa

Chigusa loves working with kids, has worked as a children's art teacher for 5 years, and has many passions to share! Among them are jewelry-making, key-chain-making, Sumi Calligraphy, painting, gardening, Japanese language and culture, making sushi, and learning about animals and the outdoors.

Teacher Chigusa is also a talented athlete, particularly in swimming which she's coached for many years. As a student, she was also a member of the competitive basketball and Kendo (Japanese martial arts) teams.

Chigusa is vaccinated against COVID-19, CPR, AED and First Aid certified.

Class reflections

Succulent Propagation and Garden Decor Stone

🌱

November 25, 2025

Caliber Public Schools/ChangeMakers Academy

Good. These kids are nice, and also the teachers who’s assisting me is also so helpful, and let me know how the class is fun and such a great project.

Indoor gardening Succulent propagation

Vacation Dreams Acrylic Painting

🏖️

November 25, 2025

Caliber Public Schools/ChangeMakers Academy

Great. I felt comfortable teaching, and these kids are so sweet. They’d give me hugs and tell me that this is the best day ever, and that they love my classes. Makes me so happy.

Meditated to imagine our dream vacation, and brainstormed what we want to do today. We decided to paint a beach in the sunset with a palm tree as a whole class. So everyone followed along with me. Yesterday, and tomorrow, they have more freedom on what they want to paint, anything.

Engineering Adventures with Balloons

🎉

November 25, 2025

Caliber Public Schools/ChangeMakers Academy

Great. I actually like the little breaks in between, I like having more time to prep for the next classes which I really needed for these projects.

Sword balloon making and learning strikes at the end.

Animal Art Adventure

🎉

November 20, 2025

Monument First 5 Center

Good! I actually like the parent - kid class dynamic than I expected. And the ppl from this center is so helpful and nice.

Made a bouncy paper chinchilla and talked about chinchilla facts

Terrarium + Sun Catcher Making

🌱

November 18, 2025

Mission Education Center

I don’t want to do anymore terrarium classes for big group of little kids as it get so hectic when bunch of kids make mess or break the terrarium on accident even if I give them reminders. I think the maximum I’d do would be 10 for this class, not 20. But I do appreciate the teachers who help me clean after the kids, and kids try too. And I love seeing them enjoy what they’re doing.

Planted succulent inside the terrarium and finished up attaching our braided strings onto the terrarium.

Animal Art Adventure

🌳

November 13, 2025

Monument First 5 Center

Pretty good, going out to the park was a nice mini field trip.

Went out to pick up leafs at the park. We saw ducks and geese. Learned facts about turkeys Taped the leafs on to a paper as the feathers, glued paper body part, painted our own face and legs, snood and wattle. Painted our own hand and stamped it on to the paper and painted our own face and legs

Animal Art Adventure

🌳

November 13, 2025

Monument First 5 Center

Pretty good! The going out to the park was actually a fun field trip.

2 types of Turkey We went out to the park to pick up some leafs and we saw geese and ducks! We learned abt which ones are the boy and the girl. And more facts about turkeys. We taped the leafs on the paper, glued the paper body parts and painted our own face and legs and snood and wattle. Painted our hands, stamped it on to the paper, and painted face and legs.

Terrarium + Sun Catcher Making

🪴

November 11, 2025

Mission Education Center

Shouldn’t have brought my own artist’s markers, since it was hard to clean off the tables. I learned to stick with the crayons and kid’s washable markers, but they loved the amount of colors they could use. And today, since 1 more kid broke a terrarium while we sat on the table, I made everyone move to the floor. And it worked well. I wish I could find terrariums made of plastic.

Drew a dream fairy garden on paper with colored markers. Connected the daisy knot we’ve made last class with the painted terrarium with another string. Origami at the end.

Animal Art Adventure

🐍

November 6, 2025

Monument First 5 Center

It went smoothly and the time felt just right.

We learned about snakes, and made our own 3D paper snakes that we can take for a walk

Terrarium + Sun Catcher Making

🙏

November 4, 2025

Mission Education Center

Teacher assistant at this school is so helpful with helping me with cleaning up after the kids. One of them broke the terrarium even though I’m constantly telling them to be careful, but she cleaned it up so fast for me as well as spilt water and paint. I really appreciate them, if not, he class would’ve been so much more hectic with so many students.

Learned about primary, secondary and tertiary colors, and how to make them. Painted the terrarium

Testimonials

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I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you and the Grasshopper Kids team for leading such engaging and enriching Japanese and Mandarin classes during our February intersession camp. Our students had a fantastic time learning new languages and exploring different cultures through the interactive lessons your teachers facilitated. We truly appreciate the time, effort, and coordination that went into making these classes such a valuable experience for our students. Looking forward to working together again in the future!
Chantal W, Expanded Learning Associate
“”
I love what the kids made in their experience with Chigusa! She was lovely, and the terrariums and sun catcher are now proudly on display in our home. Kids had a great time.
Cat G
“”
"Is there anything we can do to improve your experience?" Nothing we can think of thus far! Grasshopper Kids has been a great experience. The support is amazing and always promptly responds to any questions I have.
Shelby G, Assistant Head of School
“”
this was a wonderful experience — easy to book — great communication .. flawless
Flora S
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Chigusa was amazing and the kids loved the experience! I'll definitely be booking again!
Nataly L