Elective Program

Middle School Abstract Art is an introduction to all the fun that abstract art entails. Students will learn about the artists that bring abstract art to life and develop their own fun ways to create their own projects. Abstract art will challenge the students to dig deep into their creativity and communicate in personal and impactful ways through their artwork. Topics include: color theory, composition, depth, movement, abstraction, paint application, and collage.

Providing support and guidance for outside the classroom to ehnance subject matter and ensure mastery of content.

Providing support and guidance for outside of the classroom to enhance subject matter and ensure mastery of content.

Middle School Acrylic is an introduction to opaque acrylic painting. Major emphasis is on experiencing a variety of techniques and creating composition through observation. Students will learn to find their own style when using acrylic and create multiple acrylic projects during the semester.

The ACT Prep Class is designed to prepare students (10-12th graders) to take the ACT by equipping them with skills and test-taking strategies to improve their score. The class will cover content and strategies for English, Reading, and the optional essay.

During this course students will be familiarized with all physical components of fitness. Once students have mastered the components, they will be challenged to create different ways to practice the components (team sports, HIIT training, aerobics, etc.).

Do you have a sense that God is calling you to a vocational role, such as Pastor, Youth Pastor, Missionary, Chaplain, etc? Do you need time to work through this? Are you struggling for clarity? If you feel like there is nothing else you can do for work or a deep desire to completely have passion to serve God’s people, come and be a part of this elective. We will be going over clarity of the calling, serving the church, reaching the lost, and much more.

Do you have a sense that God is calling you to a vocational role, such as Pastor, Youth Pastor, Missionary, Chaplain, etc? Do you need time to work through this? Are you struggling for clarity? If you feel like there is nothing else you can do for work or a deep desire to completely have passion to serve God’s people, come and be a part of this elective. We will be going over clarity of the calling, serving the church, reaching the lost, and much more.

This is a general art class where students learn a variety of different mediums and art techniques, while encouraging to strengthen their creativity and love for art. Please note that students are not permitted to repeat the course once they have earned the credits.

This course will foster the wonder and amazement of how people use the God’s miracle of nature to clothe and feed the world. Using hands-on approaches, students will learn the basic principles of agriculture as related to the environment, natural resources, and food science. Students will also learn the history of agriculture to garner a better understanding of current agriculture practices. Quizzes and projects will be the primary tools of assessment with limited homework. Participation in FFA is encouraged, but not required.

Since creation, humans have been fascinated with the stars, planets, and the universe that surrounds us. This course introduces students to the study of astronomy as well as how our universe reflects God’s glory. Topics include the history and development of astronomy, basic scientific laws of motion and gravity, and the concepts of modern astronomy. Students also examine the life of stars, the properties of planets, and the exploration of space. This elective is more academically based with a limited workload required outside of class.

Students will learn the basics around the home, specifically the kitchen. They will begin the course by creating a class recipe book consisting of their favorite appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and desserts, and then learn the basics of cooking and baking.

This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop and strengthen baseball skills.

This course is designed to provide student with opportunities to develop and strengthen baseball skills.

Want to improve your basketball skills? We will focus on drills and game like situations to get better and faster. We will work on dribbling, passing, shooting, and putting these skills into game like situations.

Explore the depths of God’s love in this study of David. Find out why this “man after God’s own heart” can make you laugh and cry, delight you and disappoint you. You’ll want to be just like him at times and nothing like him at others. David’s life clearly demonstrates that God is always able to reach us, correct us, and reclaim our worship – no matter what we’ve done. If you’ve ever experienced doubts, temptations, losses, or personal inconsistencies, this study will be an encouragement to you.

Students will be a part of an inductive Bible Study through the book of Ephesians. You may find yourself asking what an Inductive Bible Study is well, an Inductive Bible Study intentionally draws you into personal interaction with God through His Word so that your beliefs are based on prayerful observations and understanding of the Scriptures. Studying this way is summed up in the words of the Psalmist ” For you have taught me” (Ps. 119: 102).

We want to do more than just exist. We want our lives to count. We want to believe that there’s more to our time on earth than just feeling pleasure, pursuing goals, and gaining social status. Deep inside, we know the truth: our life’s mission is to live with purpose. For followers of Christ, living out that mission is possible because of what God has done for us through Jesus. We just need to know the steps to make it happen.

NUA:Origins aims to provide a learning environment that empowers young people to engage with Christianity. The series will consist of eight episodes looking at the nature of God and our identity, the meaning of Jesus’s death, prayer, the Scriptures and a closer look at those who encountered Jesus. We have called it NUA:Origins because of the cultural fascination with superheroes origins stories. We love to find out the back story of people’s lives.

Have you ever had an idea you thought would be great to pitch on Shark Tank?! This class is designed to teach you the basics of entrepreneurship through actually creating a small business over the course of a semester. We will understand what it means to be an entrepreneur and learn the process for selecting, designing, starting, and growing your business. We will also develop a well-rounded Biblical worldview of business and how God uses entrepreneurship for His Kingdom.

Have you ever had an idea you thought would be great to pitch on Shark Tank?! This class is designed to teach you the basics of entrepreneurship through actually creating a small business over the course of a semester. We will understand what it means to be an entrepreneur and learn the process for selecting, designing, starting, and growing your business. We will also develop a well-rounded Biblical worldview of business and how God uses entrepreneurship for His Kingdom.

A continuation of Boss Club for students who want to continue adding to their business concept from Semester 1.

A continuation of Boss Club for students who want to continue adding to their business concept from Semester 1.

A beginners introduction to Chess, including history, notation and essential strategy.

Students will learn to cultivate a heart for serving the children in their local churches. They will develop the skills needed to create and present short Bible lessons, games, worship, and Bible memory activities for pre-k and elementary students. We will even be able to use these skills to minister to our own elementary students here at GCS!

This course exposes students to foundational principles of discipleship as found in both the Old and New Testaments. Students will grow in their understanding of the gospel, their identity in Christ, and the call of the Great Commission.

Expose students to the classical foundations and techniques associated with ballet and familiarize them with some of the aspects of the fine arts. Teaches dance as a discipline with correct form, stretching to enhance muscle flexibility and proper engagement of fine motor skills.

Expose students to the classical foundations and techniques associated with ballet and familiarize them with some of the aspects of the fine arts. Teaches dance as a discipline with correct form, stretching to enhance muscle flexibility and proper engagement of fine motor skills.

Students will develop their God-given creative and innovative talents in conjunction with critical thinking and logical-analytical processing by engaging in various STEM projects. Students engage in Scratch coding lessons in the instructor’s formal online development studio hosted by MIT.edu. Students engage robotics using Arduino kits to complete a variety of projects. Students design and construct the robotic platform, then write Arduino code to send commands to and interact with their design. All activities are approached through a Christian perspective on Ethical Usage of Technology.

Students are be introduced to the college application process and coached through such topics as the Common Application, the personal essay, how to build a top notch profile, and effective communication skills including emails, phone calls, and interviewing. Suggested for Seniors, but all high school students are welcome.

Running isn’t your thing? Then this class is for you! Couch to 5k is a program designed to train complete beginners to run a 5k! We will begin with walking, and gradually, over time, add incremental periods of jogging until we are jogging a full 5k! The class will culminate with a few fun 5ks that the students will have the option to participate in, i.e. the color run, a mud run, an inflatable race, etc. Jogging increases cardiovascular health, boosts the immune system, and reduces risk of disease. This is a 4-day elective.

This course will give students an opportunity to work with their hands on fun projects to take their minds off of academics. Crocheting will teach students basic steps to crochet (hoping to have blankets made by the end of semester). Cross-stitching will teach students how to do counted cross stitch. Scrapbooking will show students how to make a story book out of photos.

Students will study the craft of narrative. We will examine good writing habits, dive into ‘deep point of view,’ plot development, character arcs, drafting, editing and other topics. Students will learn to use online resources including the ‘Young Writers’ Program.’ The primary focus on the class will be in creating a novel-length work as a semester long project.

Creative writing is a time for students to be free to express themselves through their writing. Students will reflect in writing through assigned journal prompts within the structured genres of short story, fiction, and poetry.

A continuation of the creative writing elective from first semester. Anyone can join, but we would be adding to the short stories already begun and then moving into poetry writing. This is a 4-day per week course.

Do you enjoy “arguing” in the good sense of the term? Do you enjoy thinking logically, and making or refuting cases point by point? Do you simply want practice in public speaking and clear communication? Do you want to learn how to be more persuasive? Debate may be the elective for you!

This course focuses on helping students begin to grasp and deepen their understanding of what it means to “follow Jesus”.

Students in the 11th or 12th grade who are in good academic, attendance, and disciplinary standing may apply for the privilege of signing out early in lieu of an elective. This requires a parental signature on the appropriate form and administrative approval.

Our Life Skills class is a course designed to help students learn the necessary skills for everyday living as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. The course will emphasize both soft skills (goal setting, identifying personal strengths, communication/conflict resolution, proper online etiquette and letter writing, etc.) and hard skills (domestic/daily living, self-care, basic car maintenance, budgeting, etc.). This elective will be primarily participation based with the ultimate goal of each student becoming responsible and successful young adults. We will also work towards CPR certification.

Do you have a desire to grow more in your relationship with God, so that you can touch those around you? If this is you, then come and be a part of this elective. We will be looking at teachings from books such as: Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer, Radical by David Platt, The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, and Lead like Jesus by Ken Blanchard. We will also have opportunities to put into pracice what is learned by using our hands and feet to serve one another.

Middle School Girls, we are going to get moving using music inspired workouts, high intensity interval training, Yoga, Pilates, and more. If you want to work out, laugh, release stress, and have a blast, come and join us!

Learn and enhance your fundamentals and grow your knowledge of the game with a USA Football certified coach. There will be valuable content for everyone & every skill level. Learning will be done in the classroom and on the field in NON-contact environments. Students will learn to throw, catch, run routes, blocking, and defensive pursuit.

Come learn fun new board games or replay classics. Develop strategies while engaging in friendly competition with friends.

Generation Change is a Dave Ramsey study for teens on what God says about money. The course is taught with Dave via video. A typical class will look like this: You’ll begin the class with a video then open the class up for discussion questions and Bible verses from the student workbook.  Also includes daily devotionals after completing the video courses.

Generation Change is a Dave Ramsey study for teens on what God says about money. The course is taught with Dave via video. A typical class will look like this: You’ll begin the class with a video then open the class up for discussion questions and Bible verses from the student workbook. Also includes daily devotionals after completing the video courses.

Students will learn of the choices that influence and impact their lives, thereby empowering the students to live a healthier lifestyle with a focus on making good decisions pertaining to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual choices. Health content will include: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, nutrition, first aid/CPR/AED, alcohol, tobacco & drugs, disease, injury, and poisons.

Students will learn of the choices that influence and impact their lives, thereby empowering the students to live a healthier lifestyle with a focus on making good decisions pertaining to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual choices. Health content will include: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, nutrition, first aid/CPR/AED, alcohol, tobacco & drugs, disease, injury, and poisons.

Let’s Go Crusaders! This elective is for the 2022-2023 Varsity Cheerleaders. The HS Cheer elective will participate in planning, promoting, and executing a variety of school spirit activities throughout the semester as well as to work to build and improve leadership and cheerleading skills. This is a 4-day per week course.

Introduction to Agriculture focuses on using a hands-on approach to biological & physical sciences as they are related to the environment, natural resources including hunting and fishing practices, food production science, and agribusiness. Students will enjoy learning about the basic principles of an agriculture education, allowing them to gain the momentum to study more advanced and specialized agriculture topics later in their education. Students will be encouraged to participate in FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities to provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

This course is designed to introduce students to the concept of entrepreneurship. Students will examine and develop the personal traits and behaviors fundamental to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and will be exposed to the first steps of the entrepreneurial process including the development of business plans. In addition, students will develop an understanding of marketing concepts and advertising.

Students will earn certification through NCCER in the areas of Construction Safety, Hand and Power Tools, Construction Math, reading blueprints and a variety of other areas. This course will be practical yet provide students with the foundation to pursue future vocational training in the construction industry.

The Intro to Education course is designed to help students understand the basic skills and training needed to become a teacher. We will look at the history of education as well as dive into the student’s philosophy of education. We will also touch on classroom management, using technology in the classroom and give hands on experience creating and teaching a lesson to their peers. Another unique feature of this elective is the opportunity to be a teacher’s assistant or “TA” for the semester. Anyone thinking about becoming a teacher after graduation, would benefit from this hands-on experience!

Scientific methods are radically changing the landscape of our criminal justice system. Increasingly, law enforcement and legal prosecution are reliant upon often complex and detailed scientific analysis of forensic evidence. This course is intended to provide an introduction to understanding the science behind crime detection. Topics included are blood analysis, organic and inorganic evidence analysis, fingerprints, hair analysis, DNA, drug chemistry, forensic medicine, forensic anthropology, toxicology, fiber comparisons, soil comparisons, fire and engineering investigations, and more.

This is an introductory level sign language course that establishes a novice range of communication skills. This course emphasizes the cultural practices distinct to those that approach the world from a visual perspective.

Students are introduced to the areas of Construction Safety, Hand and Power Tools, Construction Math, reading blueprints and a variety of other areas. This course is practical yet provides students with the foundation to pursue future vocational training in the construction industry.

Students that enroll in this class will learn important journalism skills in the areas of news writing, editing, photography, layout / design and other elements of production. They will participate in the publication of The Crusader, the student newsletter.

In this class students will be strengthening their keyboarding abilities to help set them up for success in our digital world. We will also be diving deep into programs like Google docs and slides so students can have a thorough understanding of all the many functions of these programs and be able to use them as efficiently as possible.

The Leadership course is an application based elective recommended for all existing, elected student body officers and representatives. Non-elected students may also apply. Leadership will be a class focused on teaching students how to plan for and lead school-wide activities, fundraisers, service projects, and/or assemblies. Emphasis will include how to properly disseminate information regarding campus events and how to build community and create a positive educational environment. Students will learn how to become effective leaders who support their educational community. Students who wish to develop leadership skills as they prepare to take on leadership roles in their school and community.are encouraged to apply.

If you have ever thought about running for student government, being a team captain, or just having the guts to speak in front of others, this is the class for you! In Leadership, we will cover topics like team building, finding your leadership style, finding your voice, and so much more! We will work on school wide projects, like the newsletter!

Seventy percent of the surface of Earth is covered by ocean, which includes 97% of one of our most precious resources-water. Forty percent of the human population lives within 100km of the coast yet we know more about the moon than the sea. This one semester elective course focuses on oceanography which is all the chemical and physical features of the oceans that in turn affect biological features of the ocean. We also look at the various marine organisms and ecosystems as well as explore our environmental impacts on the ocean. This course involves several small projects, a dissection and other lab investigations. Gen. 1: 21 ” So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves …and God saw that it was good.”

Marriage and Family is a Biblically focused course that will examine marriage as an institution with an emphasis on how – one day – students can honor the Lord through marriage and parenting. Covered topics will include healthy communication, conflict resolution, gender roles, and biblical principles and how they apply to us as individuals.

In this class, students will get to apply mathematical concepts in fun, thought-provoking ways. Some contexts include logic puzzles, sudoku, math video games, and more!

Students will examine the role of the military and conflict in both the ancient and modern world. Students will be tasked to analyze conflicts through a strategic and tactical lens to understand not only what happened but what factors contributed to their outcomes, articulate the difference between strategy and tactics, and understand the role of technology in military history.

Students would learn how to share their faith through their love for sports, what opportunities are available for athletes to be able to minister to others, and how to be a powerful athlete and a powerful Christian all at once.

Students will learn different financial terms. Will go over to balance bank account. Will go over difference between stocks and bonds. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of credit cards.

In Music Appreciation, students will recognize the development of music from a historical and cultural perspective. Students will study the fundamentals of music and discover basic music terminology, instrument families, tempo, rhythm, form and meter.

This course is a basic nutrition course where students will learn the foundations of nutrition and metabolism including macronutrients, micronutrients, and how these nutrients interact in such a way to support life. Students will learn how proper nutrition supports health and wellness by understanding food labels. The pros and cons of numerous dietary trends and fad diets will also be discussed. This course will have some quizzes and projects.

The Physical Education curriculum for grades 6 – 8 concentrates on the cognitive and physical skills required to participate and enjoy various team sports. This involves the knowledge and application of rules and basic skills and the understanding of competitive play and positive sports conduct – all with an emphasis on participation.

Injuries are part of all sports! This class will allow students to explore ways to prevent injuries from happening, as well as caring for injuries once they do happen.

The “prioritizing and planning” class will allow for the opportunity for students to receive time at the end of the school day to work on these important life skills. The class will spend time working with students 1:1 on maintenance for in and at-home work tasks. It will not focus on specific content support, but instead help facilitate direct consultation on how to be organized and prepared for the middle school workload.  Elaboration on planning skills and essential skills will also happen as time allows.

This course will introduce students to speech and debate on multiple levels. Students will learn to write and speak on self-generated and teacher-generated topics, as well as communicate effectively on given and selected issues. The course is designed to introduce and strengthen speech and debate skills, along with techniques in overcoming anxiety and misconceptions about public speaking. This course will focus on delivering, selecting, organizing speeches, persuasion, poise and verbal skills.

This is an academic course that introduces students to techniques on communicating effectively on given and selected issues. Students will write on self-generated and teacher-generated topics and deliver their speeches utilizing speaking strategies. This course will focus on selecting, organizing and writing speeches, delivering, utilizing props, persuasion, poise, verbal skills and overcoming anxiety.

Are you interested in maps and traveling? Do you just want to know more about the world outside of America? Get ready to add more stamps to your passport. Your tour guide will lead you as you explore the world from the safety of your classroom. Throughout the semester we will explore the world’s places and cultures through videos, games, and other fun activities.

Learn what the Bible says about serving! In this elective, students will reflect on different ways to serve others within the school community and work together on small service projects throughout the semester.

Students design and create the sets for the GCS drama productions. This class involves creating designs, collaboration, painting, building, and so much more!

Set design is a course where students collaborating ideas and design/create sets for the GCS drama productions.

Students will learn the basics of sketching techniques, as well as chalk and oil pastels. They will be instructed on proper technique of each art medium, and develop their skills completing doing fun projects.

Want to improve your soccer skills? We will focus on drills and game like situations to get better and faster. We will work on dribbling, passing, shooting, and putting these skills into game like situations.

Tenth through twelfth grade students continue grammar study through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will learn to use present and past tenses as well as commands. Honors level will learn future and conditional tenses. Through the exploration of short articles, dialogues, and culture readings, students will continue the development of their second language abilities.

Sports history is a fun, active new elective that will exercise the brain and body by studying the history of numerous western sports. A variety of sports will be addressed in this elective. Students will research the beginnings of the sport, the most influential athletes in the respective sport, and research and reenact the most memorable plays from that sport. Students in this elective will also look at the concept of team building, camaraderie, and sportsmanship that develops when participating in a sporting activity. Additionally, students will research to understand the social, cultural, and financial contributions that these sports have on local communities and the nation as a whole.

This is a fun and fast-paced elective. During each session students try to answer questions from a variety of Sports both mainstream and lesser known. We use a variety of formats so that students have the opportunity to work on teams, compete individually, as well as against the clock, or just against the other players. Together we have a lot of fun and learn a little bit about the sports we love.

Are you a creative, critical-thinker? Do you enjoy finding solutions to problems? Are you interested in technology and exploring science? If so, you might enjoy taking a STEM Elective class. STEM, or STEAM, will incorporate hands-on engineering design challenges while exploring the latest in various fields of science. If you are looking for a way to be creative and learn about science and engineering, this program is for you!

This study by Priscilla Shirer (best-selling author and star in the hit movie War Room) is centered around Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The Armor of God is more than a Bible study; it is an action plan to prepare Christians for the invisible war around them as they arm themselves with: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit.

Featuring video-driven teaching clips with accompanying film guides and thought-provoking questions and discussion, this elective will offer an in-depth look at Ephesians Chapter 6, provide strategies to develop your prayer life, and nurture growth and maturity in your walk with Christ.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of theatre arts. Students will use various creative drama techniques to build confidence and trust, stimulate imagination, movement, and role-play. Through theatre games and activities students will learn to lose inhibitions and will gain trust in themselves as well as others in their groups. As a Performing Arts student, each member is expected to be at each class time (2:15-3:05 Thursdays and fridays) and each afterschool rehearsal (if they are in a current GCS production) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of theatre arts. Students will use various creative drama techniques to build confidence and trust, stimulate imagination, movement, and role-play. Through theatre games and activities students will learn to lose inhibitions and will gain trust in themselves as well as others in their groups. As a Performing Arts student, each member is expected to be at each class time (2:15-3:05 Thursdays and Fridays) and each after school rehearsal (if they are in a current GCS production) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00.

Think you know it all? You’ll have a chance to prove it in this fun and fast-paced elective. During each session we’ll try to answer questions from a variety of categories including Math, Science, History, Bible, Entertainment, Sports and more. We’ll try a variety of formats so that students will have the opportunity to work on different teams, compete as individuals, work against the clock, or just against the other players. Together we’ll learn a lot and have a lot of fun as well!

Students will have fun learning about watercolor and the many various ways to use this fun art medium. They will be instructed on the proper ways to use the different styles of watercolor, while creating beautiful projects throughout the semester.

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn weight training concepts and techniques used for obtaining optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit from comprehensive weight training and endurance activities. Students will learn the basic fundamentals of weight training, strength training, and overall fitness training and conditioning. Students will be empowered to make wise choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviors in fitness, wellness, and movement activity for a lifetime.

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn weight training concepts and techniques used for obtaining optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit from comprehensive weight training and endurance activities. Students will learn the basic fundamentals of weight training, strength training, and overall fitness training and conditioning. Students will be empowered to make wise choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviors in fitness, wellness, and movement activity for a lifetime.

Word Study for those who need a boost with reading and spelling multisyllabic words. There will be a specific focus is on prefixes and suffixes commonly found on multisyllabic words. Students learn the spelling rules around the addition of prefixes and suffixes and also learn the meanings of prefixes and some Latin roots. Exercises include spelling practice, proofreading, crossword puzzles, word finds, fill in the blank, categorizing, sorting, writing help and passage reading for fluency and comprehension.

If you were to begin a discussion with a Muslim, do you know what you would say about your faith? If you began discussing your faith with a Mormon could you explain the Trinity? We will first understand what we believe as a Christian and then dive into several world religions to understand what they believe and to better explain our own faith to someone that is devoted to another religion.

This course is designed to develop students’ skills in yearbook production by providing experiences in selected aspects of this course. Students will learn basic principles in proper journalistic skills, including writing copy, captions, headlines, digital photography, desktop publishing, and using appropriate technology tools for media production. Yearbook Production supports students’ development as writers, photographers, editors, independent users of technology, and responsible contributing members of the Grace Christian School community. Yearbook is full-year commitment.