It’s Winter Term at MICDS, and that means in the Middle School, every day kicks off with electives. For the first hour of the day, each student is engaging in one unique elective that allows them to try something new and have fun while learning and growing. From training for a 5K and setting a world record to playing the ukulele and watercoloring, there is something for everyone. Check out the list of 24 electives and take a glimpse into some of the experiences through our photo galleries below!
Learn Ukulele!
Students in the Learn Ukulele elective spend two weeks mastering the basics of the instrument. Taught by Ethan Forte, Arts Department – Middle & Upper School Music, the class learns the chords needed to play along to favorite songs.
Step In Time
In the Step and Slide elective, Middle School PE Teacher Travis Wallace teaches students to use step dancing as a form of exercise, a way to build community, and as an avenue to find child-like joy in their days. The Rams learn popular line dances like the Tamia Slide, Electric Slide, Cha-Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, YMCA, Dougie, and many, many more.
Kids Kare
The Kids Kare elective, run by Bonnie Carpenter, JK-12 Arts Department Chair and Theatre, is all about making a difference through community service. After all, community service is a great way to practice responsibility, empathy, and teamwork while making a positive impact in the community. During Winter Term, MICDS students in this elective have been learning about causes they feel passionate about and discovering ways to make an impact on their causes (even as middle schoolers).
In the first week of Winter Term, students in this elective made supportive cards for an organization called Cardz for Kidz. The organization will send these cards to many different places. According to the website, ” Cardz For Kidz is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that hand-delivers hope to hospitalized children, seniors, veterans, and traumatized patients across the world through handmade cards.”
Over the rest of our Winter Term, students will be making posters about the impact of plastics on the environment, learning about services such as the City Sewing Center, and then making scarves from the repurposed fabrics from that organization. Elizabeth Coulter, Director of Development, will also visit next Wednesday to talk about philanthropy and stewardship.
Let’s Break Some Guinness World Records!
Calling all those who are competitive and who like challenges, this elective, with Middle School English Teacher Beth Garcia and Middle School History Teacher Kayla Helton, is all about working together to try and break some Guinness World Records. Over the two weeks of Winter Term, Middle Schoolers are engaging in such challenges as:
- Seeing how long they can keep two balloons in the air using only their head
- Seeing who can build the tallest Lego tower in 30 seconds using only one hand
- Seeing how fast they can sort 30 M&Ms using only chopsticks
- …and more!
Hands Games
Led by Middle School PE Teacher Freddie Jones, students are diving into a variety of hand-clapping games, rhythm-based challenges, and competitive hand games. Through active participation and reflection, students are learning more than just the game. They are reaping the social, cognitive, and motor skill benefits of hand games. Through teamwork, rhythm, memory, and cultural appreciation, it’s ideal for students who thrive in movement-based learning.
Watercoloring with Nature
Students are unleashing their creativity and learning the magical world of watercolor painting! In this hands-on course taught by Middle School Science Teacher Melody Gunn, students learn the fundamentals of watercolor techniques, including washes, blending, texture, and color mixing. Students are practicing new skills using a variety of watercolor brushes and techniques to create their own unique masterpieces. Through guided lessons and personal expression, their confidence is building with each brush stroke, while developing an eye for color, composition, and creativity.
Pass the Bricks
LEGO lovers unite! In this elective, students work independently or in groups to brick-by-brick create unique models using donated LEGO pieces. With help from Middle School Science Teacher Leslie Smart, students also compile a companion instruction manual for their creations. Students use photography and technology to create an instruction manual that others can use to build the same unique model. The end goal of the course is to have one or more completed models with instructions ready for donation to another LEGO lover in the world.
Dancing Around the World
Interested in learning dances from around the world? Well, this is the elective for you! In this class, led by Middle School PE & Dance Teacher Summer Beasley, students are learning dances from Slovakia, Panama, Israel, Russia, the United States, and many others. Not only are students learning the dances, but they are also exploring other cultures, experiences, expanding their understanding of the world, and seeing new perspectives.
Open Studio
This elective is exactly what it says…the middle school art studio is open and filled with possibilities for students to choose what they want to create. Facilitated by Middle School Art Teacher Jayme Zimmer, students are exploring materials and ideas to their heart’s content. It’s a fun, laid-back atmosphere to start the day, getting the creative juices flowing and letting students’ inner artists play!
And that’s not all! Below is the full list of Middle School 2026 Winter Term electives:
- 52 Deck Card Games
- 5K Train Your Way
- Book It!
- Dancing Around the World
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Football 101
- Guitar Ensemble (Guitar and capo required)
- Hands Games
- The Hip Hop Experience
- Hoop Challenges
- Kids Kare
- Learn Ukulele!
- Let’s Break Some Guinness World Records!
- Open Studio
- Origami Station
- Pass the Bricks
- Perfecting Your Dude Perfect Trick Shot
- Pokémon Club
- QB-RB-WR-TE Play for Students
- Relax, Reset, Recharge!
- Shorts: Let’s Watch SHORT Movies
- Step in Time
- Watercoloring with Nature
- Where in the World? – World Geography Quiz Games & Competition
Whether they are learning about football or guitar, we hope that electives are opening up all sorts of experiences for our Middle School Rams. Happy Winter Term!