Middle School Club Descriptions
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Battle/Books Carol Lundholm
Blake News Network (BNN) Lynne Macziewski and Amy Walters
BNN creates news broadcasts for the entire Middle School. A staff of about 50 students regularly attend this Monday club meeting during special help. There, we brainstorm ideas, plan out story boards, assign reporters to interview people for each segment, and send out a crew of camera people and reporters to cover stories. Some students edit some or all of the segments into our final broadcast. We have two student producers, seven anchors this year, and a host of students who brainstorm, do research, plan, report, take pictures, and edit in i-movie. We will have six broadcasts this year, some during special activities, some during Wednesday's assemblies.
Cooking Judy-Ann Ehrlich
Sixth graders plan menus and cook meals in the classroom.
Graphic Novel Rachel Godlewski and Jennifer Post
Fantasy Football Raina Green and Bob Zelle
The purpose of the fantasy football club is to allow students who like following NFL football the chance to learn about the players, the weekly match-ups and some football strategy. The club runs the length of the NFL season and is culminated with the presentation of the Sweetness and Toilet Bowl Awards.
Improv/Comedy Kaari Simonson
Improv/Comedy club is held on the first and third Thursday of every month and led by Kaari Simonson, who did improv comedy for a few years on stage at Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. Improv is a great way for kids to begin to feel more confident in their own skin and laugh and support their peers, knowing that there is no rehearsing and no right or wrong!
Jazz Lab Brian Olson
Knitting Nancy Hughes
Students learn knitting techniques and enjoy making scarves, hats, and mittens for themselves, friends, and family. Knitting club becomes a time for students to relax in the middle of the day, knit, and share what they are learning with other students. Students are also encouraged to participate in a community service activity by making scarves and hats for children who need those items.
Music Lab Dan LeJeune
Students may come to Music Lab to:
- work independently or with assistance on computers and keyboards to compose music,
- refine musical skills using software,
- practice an instrument such as guitar, piano or recorder,
- practice band, string or choir music,
- practice with student-led ensembles such as small bands, vocal groups, etc.,
- prepare music for performing an assembly prelude.
Science Club Bruce Jones and Richard Sabaka
Meets on Fridays during second recess. The focus is on having fun with science. Themes change every couple months, and the best time to join is when there is a new theme. The fall theme is rockets and includes the building and launching of model rockets. There are limited openings, so check with Mr. Sabaka or Mr. Jones to see when you may be able to join in the experimenting and fun!
Service Carol Lundholm
Stock Club Adam Vatter
The stock club focuses on an educational program based on real-life simulation of the stock market. Club members receive $100,000 in virtual dollars to invest in stocks from companies based in Minnesota. Only companies' stock based in Minnesota can be invested in. Portfolios are available online line from any computer that can reach the Internet, provided you enter the correct ID and password for your team. Trading runs from Sept. 19 to Dec. 16. The Stock Club meets every Tuesday during both recess periods. (http://www.stockmarketgame.org)
That's Debatable Gary Nash
Students will discuss current and past issues of interest and controversy — topics that are "debatable" — through a variety of formats, which may include general discussion, open forum, speeches, editorials, presentations and formal research and debate. Topics and format will vary week-to-week and may occasionally include assembly presentations.
Ultimate Frisbee Raina Green
Students meet outside on an athletic field and play Ultimate Frisbee, a game somewhat like football. The teams are different each week and play for 25 minutes. Usually, I have 25-30 participants. The club will stop after the first snowfall and pick back up again in the spring when the fields are clear.
Yearbook Erin Connors and Raina Green
Students from all three grades meet regularly to help put together the Middle School yearbook. Students take pictures using a digital camera, choose layout designs, write stories, conduct surveys and interviews, and put the pages together to send to Jostens. The yearbook comes out during the latter half of May.
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