Elgin 'wheel' classes allow students to explore beyond core curriculum

GREEN CAMP -- Elgin Junior High School is "spinning the wheel" to let seventh and eighth graders take classes beyond the core curriculum.

In an effort to offer more opportunities to students, the school has instituted what it calls wheel classes. The exploratory wheel features several different classes that rotate every nine weeks so students get a chance to try something new.

Teachers are complimenting the system for letting them teach material that may not be covered in the core curriculum.

"We wanted to offer students a variety of educational opportunities," said Principal Michael Malcom.

Seventh-grade wheel classes include life skills, research skills, wellness and technology. Eighth-grade wheel classes are wellness, vocabulary skills, technology and general music.

Shanda Held, in her seventh-grade wellness class, encourages students to exercise such as walking around the playground with pedometers that track their steps. They also learn other healthy habits.

"It's not about looking good when we do this," she recently told her class. "We are focusing more on wellness for life."

Seventh-grader Nole Gerfen called the class fun and said he enjoys getting to run around.

"At least you are not sitting behind a desk looking at textbooks all day," he said.

Seventh-grader Evan Oldham enjoyed technology because it taught him how to use programs such as PowerPoint and how to use the Internet to do research.

Held said she believes it's a better use of students' time than study halls.

Eighth-grade teacher Chris Kimball agreed and said the class time lets him teach students how to use Google's line of products such as spreadsheets and documents. Students also learn how to email and study proper email etiquette.

"We are busting apart (the thought that) school can only happen seven hours a day," said Kimball as he talked about how students are practicing and completing assignments at home.

Eighth-grade language arts teacher Kim Cornelius incorporated the game of chess into her teaching and brought in other enrichment activities. Students will eventually get to become movie critics as they review the movie "Akeelah and the Bee."

"We are getting the chance to take it above what we do in the classroom," Cornelius said.

There are other middle schools offering similar opportunities such as Grant Middle School, which offers six-week electives called "Encore." Principal Les Ryle said all students take the same electives their sixth-grade year while they get to choose from different options their seventh- and eighth-grade years.

"In sixth grade they can figure out, 'I am pretty good at my music stuff,'" Ryle said. They can then pursue additional classes later in middle school.

Courageous

We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous
Lord, make us courageous

hello

I am doing good today and i am working on a other song today and i have not done that in a long time but i am meeting up with some of my friends today and i am going to have them look at the one that i am i am stuck on know lol i want some help. But anyway besides that i am doing good school is doing good and i am here right know i don't have a class but i am going to have lunch with a friend at noon today and then my friends are going make to school for classes and then idk what i am going to be doing and i am hoping that i have a job by the end of these week because i really need a job right know