2024-25 2nd Trimester Electives

Ms. de Bedout/Ms. Hayes’ Room 262
Fee paid 1st Trimester
8th GRADE STUDENTS ONLY THIS IS A YEAR LONG ELECTIVE 
Students pre-registered and do not sign up for a B Day Elective

Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of Spanish language and culture with this introductory elective course. You’ll develop a strong foundation in basic Spanish vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills through engaging activities and interactive lessons. Additionally, explore the rich traditions, music, and cuisine of Spanish-speaking countries, enhancing your global perspective.

Focused Skills: listening comprehension, speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary, memorization, conversational skills

Ms. Whelan/Mr. Russell’s Room 274
No Fee
Limit 26 students

Signing 2 is an American sign language elective. You will continue your journey by connecting with the deaf community through cultural etiquette. Students will learn to introduce themselves to deaf people, fingerspelling, handedness, and the importance of facial expression to show emotion. Some highlights of Signing 2 include learning the alphabet, colors, numbers, animals, and conversation starters.

Focused Skills: signing, communication, reading and presenting

Ms. Konesky/Ms. Konesky’s Room 278
No fee
Limit 20 students  

This elective focuses on strategic thinking and decision-making through the popular game Age of Empires. Students will engage in lessons covering historical context, game mechanics, and advanced strategies, while also participating in interactive gameplay and team-based challenges. Through guided instruction and peer interactions, students will analyze different strategies, learn to adapt their approaches, and develop skills in resource management, critical thinking, and tactical planning.

Focused skills:  team building, critical thinking, management, development and design

Ms. Inman/Ms. Inman’s Room 177
Fee $15
Limit 25 students 

This Elective teaches students the fundamentals of stitching, embroidery techniques, and creative fabric design. Students will learn how to use different types of stitches, create intricate patterns, and complete a variety of projects, from simple repairs to decorative art. This course fosters patience, attention to detail, and creativity while providing a hands-on introduction to the world of textile arts.

Focused Skills:  fine motor skills, attention to detail, sewing, embroidering, designing

Hockey/Mr. Babb and Ms. Dychus/Lightning Gym
No Fee
Limit 24 students

In this elective, students will be split into teams and enjoy fun competition playing floor hockey. Emphasis will be on developing fundamental skills, learning positions, and good sportsmanship. Sticks will be provided. Gloves and/or shin guards are optional and must be provided by the student.

Focused Skills: team building, sportsmanship, fitness and hockey fundamentals

Ms. Tickle/Ms. Tickle’s Room 277
No Fee
Limit 25 students 

This elective introduces students to digital design and creativity using the Shapegrams program. Through guided activities, students will learn how to create detailed illustrations and graphics using basic shapes, developing skills in spatial reasoning, design thinking, and digital artistry. This course encourages creativity and precision, providing a fun and engaging way to explore graphic design concepts.

Focused Skills:  design, computer technic, illustration, artistry

History/Ms. Johnson/Ms. Johnson’s Room 268
No Fee
Limit 25 students

Midway, Cinderella Man, Pearl Harbor, War Horse: all entertaining movies, but how accurate are they? In this elective, you will watch American classics in addition to blockbusters with the goal of using the films to enrich the themes studied in social studies classes, as well as separating fact from fiction and history from Hollywood. All movies selected will serve to deepen your understanding of American or World history and enhance your ability to think more critically about Hollywood’s treatment of history. Students will vote on which movies to view and which themes to discuss. Some movies will be rated PG-13 and will need parental approval before viewing.

Focused Skills: critical thinking, contrast and compare and presenting

Mr. Russell and Mr. Macias/Thunder Gym
No Fee
Limit 35 students

Welcome to the exciting world of net sports! This elective is designed to introduce students of all skill levels to a variety of net sports. By the end of this elective, they will not only have a strong foundation in multiple net sports but also a deeper appreciation for the athleticism, strategy, and teamwork that make these sports so enjoyable. Whether they aim to compete at a higher level or simply have fun on the court, this elective

Focused Skills: beginning sport skills, communication, teamwork and fitness

Ms. Pierce/Ms. Pierce’s Room 144
Fee $25
Limit 20 Students

This elective offers students the opportunity to learn and enjoy the fast-paced game of table tennis. Students will develop their skills through drills, practice matches, and friendly competitions, focusing on techniques such as serves, spins, and footwork. This course promotes physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, and sportsmanship, making it a fun and active way to build teamwork and agility.

Focused Skills: team building, fitness, agility and sportsmanship

Ms. Salberg/Ms. Salberg’s Room 246
No fee
Limit 24 students

This elective is designed to help students build confidence and develop effective communication skills. Through interactive exercises, students will learn how to organize their thoughts, engage their audience, and deliver persuasive presentations. This course offers a supportive environment for practicing speeches, receiving constructive feedback, and mastering the art of verbal expression.

Focused Skills:  communication, organization, speaking, teamwork, expression

Ms. Erbaugh/Ms. Erbaugh’s Room 174
No Fee
Limit 8 Students
Students who are pre-registered for this elective, do not sign up for a B Day Elective

Does your student struggle with reading?  Could they benefit having an elective where they have more time with teacher assistance, iReady and/or Lexia? This elective is designed to foster a love for reading while increasing comprehension and critical thinking skills. This course aims to create a supportive environment where students can grow as confident, thoughtful readers and apply their skills to both academic and real-world contexts.

Focused Skills:  critical thinking, reading comprehension, analyzing, group discussion

Ms. Hinkle/Ms. Hinkle’s Room 286
Fee $10
Limit 15 students

Students will have the opportunity to build on their drawing and sketching skills in a variety of ways with a wide assortment of materials. Drawings will be both imaginative and observational and students will be encouraged to maintain a sketch book by practicing on a regular basis.

Focused Skills:  fine motor, design, illustration, artistry

Ms. Nichols/Mr. Babb’s Room 172
No Fee
Limit 26 students

Students will learn the different speed stacking sequences for speed stacking competitions. They will practice and make goals to improve their times for each type of competition throughout the trimester. There will be a competition in the class at the end of the trimester. Students will also be taking cups to a few elementary classes to demonstrate a sequence and teach it to the students.

Focused Skills: team building, gross motor, goal setting, showcasing

Mrs. Fritzsche/Middle School Commons
No Fee
Limit 8 students per grade level

Students in this elective will have additional time to complete homework and work on their academic assignments. There will be 24 spots total per A or B day – 8 per grade level. This is not an off period.

Focused Skills: time management, organization, reading & writing, fostering independence, accountability

Ms. Gelley/Ms. Johson’s Room 184
Fee $20
Limit 16

In this immersive class, students will journey through diverse theatrical traditions from various cultures and historical periods. From the classical dramas of Ancient Greece to the dynamic forms of Japanese Noh and Kabuki (we will make masks), the vibrant festivals of African storytelling, and the colorful dances of Indian Kathakali, this course offers a deep dive into the global tapestry of performance art. Students will explore the unique techniques, storytelling styles, and cultural significance of each tradition while examining the universal themes that connect them. Through interactive activities, script readings, creative projects, and performance exercises, students will not only gain an appreciation for different cultures but also discover how these traditions influence modern theater. This class encourages students to broaden their understanding of storytelling, develop empathy, and embrace the artistic diversity that shapes the world of theater.  No previous theater experience is required, just a curiosity to explore and celebrate how the art of theater unites us all!

Focused Skills:  cultural exploration, researching, performance, empathy

Ms. Welling/Mrs. Dychus’ Room 264
No Fee
Limit 24 Students 

Do you ever watch a movie or a show and wonder how the story began? By taking this class, you will walk in the steps of writers by learning how plays and movies begin; on the page. You will learn how to create and complete storyboards, characters, and then learn the differences between how to write scripts for theater productions and how to write scripts for movies. 

Focused skills:  writing, story development, character development, presentating