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"If you asked me for my
New Year Resolution,
it would be to find out who I am."
-Cyril Cusack
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The Man Who Counted
 This semester, all level math students are reading The Man Who Counted, a delighful collection of short stories that each tackle mathematical problem solving. Set on the road to Baghdad, the narrator journeys with a most interesting man, learning of his life's works. Students will participate in bi-weekly group discussions. Additionally, the middle school math classes are reading about the adventures of Archimedes and his genius friends.
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Electives
In order to complement a well-rounded educational experience, students participate in elective classes each semester. This Spring, ATA CP offers the following courses.
Debate
Instructor: Ms. Yousef
Meetings: Wednesday afternoons
Filmmaking
Instructor: Ms. Claire
Meetings: Friday afternoons
Photography
Instructor: Ms. Carol
Meetings: Monday afternoons
Art
Instructor: Ms. Carol
Meetings: Monday afternoons
Level: All
Critical Thinking
Instructor: Coach Newman
Meetings: Friday mornings
Guitar
Instructor: Chris Stone
Meetings: vary
Cooking
Instructor: Ms. Hannah
Meetings: Wednesday mornings
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GRACE TO PERFORM at JAM FEST
Grace will perform with her new band Little Galaxy
January 28th, from noon to 4
at Antone's on 5th St.
Don't miss it!
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COOKING CLASS!
from Grace
Hello there, reader! You are about to get an insight into the ATA College Prep cooking class that took place on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012.
The Chefs
Brooks, Haydn, Jesse, Abigail, Jonathan, and me, Grace. And of course the lovely Ms. Hannah as our teacher and guide!
The Menu
Couscous salad with veggies
Sliced apple chicken sausage
Mini chocolate-strawberry cupcakes with lemon icing
Yum, yes? Indeed it was! I'm sure you are intrigued now, and you MUST want to how we made these things!
Couscous Salad
And most likely, now you will ask yourself "What on earth is couscous?" Well, couscous is a most delightful thing made like pasta, and rolled into teeny little balls that look like grains of rice.
First, we put the raw couscous in boiling water with a bit of butter and salt. While we were waiting, we chopped up the vegetables: cucumbers, spinach, and tomatoes.Once we put those in the bowl we sprinkled on some feta cheese and mixed it all together and added the couscous. We then poured some Newman's Own Italian dressing over it, mixed it up, and bowed down to its amazingness. (Not really, but you know what I mean!)
Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes
Making these are fairly simple. For the batter, we put chocolate cake mix (garbanzo bean flour and cocoa powder), eggs, butter, water and milk and mixed it. Then we cut the strawberries into tiny pieces and added those to the batter. While the little guys were baking, we made some icing out of cream cheese and lemon juice and other various ingredients. Once the cupcakes were done, we slopped on the icing and they were done!
A while after, Hannah put some sausage on the grill and sliced it up, and we were ready to devour!
Learn more about healthy eating at
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Looking for a good book to read?
This month, ATA CP Literature classes are reading
"Q&A", "Never Let Me Go" ,
and "Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Illiad".
You may contact Ms. Linda
if you would like to
join the book discussions.
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FULL OF WONDER
Thoughts from Carol
I often challenge our students to question why they think certain things about themselves, and how those thoughts create certain choices and, in turn, certain results in their lives.
As an example: some choose simple tasks that are easily manipulated while others choose to take the risk of more difficult challenges. And some believe that they are smart because they can complete an assignment quickly and without much effort, while others believe the opposite because it takes a longer period of time to fully understand the material. Yesterday, one of my students said "math is not about speed, it is about accuracy"... hmmm... out of the mouths of babes.
Did you know? Compared to his counter-parts Albert Einstein was thought to be a slow learner because he continued to ask and ponder the same questions over and over again for long periods of time, and then took forever to come up with the (genius) answer. Skimming the surface may result in quick answers, which at times is appropriate, but delving deeply into a subject takes longer, and more contemplative thought.
The results of thinking deeply, however, are often excellent.
I believe our students have the ability to be excellent. And they can be as smart as they want to be. Creating an environment where they believe this, too, requires adopting challenges that have lasting meaning... that go deeper than the surface and embed deeply within their minds and hearts. This intrinsic knowledge and ability to overcome obstacles and reach accomplishment not only serves the immediate unfulfilled desire, but also stimulates a long-term love of learning and the motivation to progress, without the need of external rewards (carrot) or the fear of external punishment (stick).
Of course, delving deeply takes more time and energy... and more effort. It requires space and time. It requires stamina of attention. It requires engagement. Results might not occur in pre-established incremental linear time sequences. But over time, with contunued attention and intention from both the student and the teacher, growth occurs, minds open and thoughts flourish. It is exciting to watch this process unfold over and over again.
The secret is stamina rather than speed, love rather than fear, and meaning rather than carrot or stick.
What might occur if we allowed our children to unfold... in their own time, in a nurturing environment that stimulates growth and awareness, without the artificial guage of time as compared to the limits of others who have gone before us?
I wonder...
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1/13
UT Science Talks
ACT Registration Deadline
1/16
MLK Jr. Day
NO SCHOOL
1/28
SAT Test Day
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CONTACT
For questions about ATA CP:
Email Carol Hagar
(512) 423-1105
To contribute to the newsletter:
Email Claire Taylor
(512) 294-0822
Austin Tennis Academy
6800 Spanish Oaks Club Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78738
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+1 512.276.2271 
+1 512.276.2272 
deb.cahill@AustinTennisAcademy.com