Wednesdays in the Upper Division (Middle School 6-8)

This course is designed to help students develop and use academic skills that will help them become successful learners. Students will learn and practice various techniques that will be helpful to them throughout their academic years. Students enrolled in the Learning Resource Center are required to choose this class for EITHER 4th or 5th Period.

VEX IQ is a robotics kit based on plastic, snap-together pieces specifically designed to build highly functional robots. This system doesn’t require any prior knowledge in robotics. Students can easily build their first robot, and the wide variety of additional parts means that they can build anything they imagine as they continue to learn. Coding tips and techniques and STEM fundamentals will be taught, and there is a possibility of competing in robotics competitions.

A club for geography buffs! We’ll use a collection of National Geographic’s official Geography Bee questions to run our own internal bee. The club will include in-depth study of the geography of regions that may be less familiar to students.

This is a beginning choir course. We will focus on harmonizing.

This class explores the underlying unity of various dance and martial arts forms.  Please contact Mr. Dermer for further details.

A place to explore a variety of ways to tell stories, explore new ways of seeing things, and create.

Middle school students will take an active, hands-on role in maintaining the Farmette, healthy cooking, starting winter crops, and doing some light building for our space. We will also be designing and building a rain harvest system and learning about sustainable lifestyle practices. This is an outdoor class.

Learn how to take a photograph and not just a picture. How do our photographs tell our story and the story of the image?

This course aims to provide high school students and advanced middle-schoolers (8th grade and up) with a foundational understanding of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design principles. Students will learn how to create visually appealing and user-friendly digital interfaces, considering the needs and expectations of end-users.

This is a Krav Maga class provided by a studio near the school.

Learn piano basics, starting with notes and chords and the way they combine. This class will give you the foundational skills to pursue piano as a lifetime practice in your own personal life.

Students will be introduced to the most influential and iconic movies from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.  They will explore the artistic as well as the cultural significance of these films.  Students choosing this option should expect to stay through lunch to continue watching the movies while they eat.

Let’s explore our world and discover how things work. We will be conducting experiments using the scientific method and learning through active exploration. Student-driven ideas are welcome.

In this introductory course, students will begin to acquire those essential elements of the German language – important phrases, vocabulary, and grammar – necessary for surviving in the German-speaking world.  Note: this course is open to students continuing from last semester and to new students.

This course is designed to help students develop and use academic skills that will help them become successful learners. Students will learn and practice various techniques that will be helpful to them throughout their academic years. Students enrolled in the Learning Resource Center are required to choose this class for EITHER 4th or 5th Period.

This class will develop your ability to look closely at works of art to better appreciate the details of their content and construction.

In this introductory course, students will begin to acquire those essential elements of the German language – important phrases, vocabulary, and grammar – necessary for surviving in the German-speaking world.

Students will be introduced to the most influential and iconic movies from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.  They will explore the artistic as well as the cultural significance of these films.

Learn piano basics, starting with notes and chords and the way they combine. This class will give you the foundational skills to pursue piano as a lifetime practice in your own personal life.

Math Counts is a national organization that sponsors competitions at the school, chapter, state, and national levels.  From the website: “We make learning math fun. We believe middle school is a critical juncture when a love of math must be encouraged, and a fear of math must be overcome. Our programs build problem solving skills and positive attitudes about math, so students embrace challenges and expand their academic and career opportunities in the future.”

Come participate in a production of a full Broadway musical. Sing, dance, act and bring a story to life on stage. (Note: Students who choose this option must commit to staying for after-school Wednesday rehearsals.  Likewise, students who plan to participate in the school musical must choose this option.)

Learn to play or hone your skills!

JSU Impact is a group of caring individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in our community through service learning. Students learn and embrace Jewish values while engaging in meaningful activities such as packing food for the homeless, crafting heartfelt gifts for children in hospitals, spreading joy to seniors in nursing homes, and more.  The club will be led by Yonatan Nuszen, Southeast Program Director of Denver NCSY.  Mr. Nuszen runs Jewish Student Union clubs at several metro Denver schools.

This is a dynamic course tailored for beginner and intermediate guitarists eager to develop their skills. Throughout this course, we will focus on three essential guitar skills: strumming, finger picking, and basic scales.  By the end of this course you will know the fundamental chords and scales to begin to improvise melodies or just jam some of your favorite songs.

With 280 million speakers, French is the fifth most popular language in the world. Learning this language will enable you to travel to, and communicate in one of the most popular tourist destinations globally – France. This course will provide you with a brief overview of the foundations of the language.

A yoga class for all levels.

Are you a student looking to dive into the exciting realm of Virtual Reality? Join our club, where we'll use Oculus headsets to take you on a journey through VR landscapes ranging from historic sites to maps to outer space to puzzles.

Learn how to take a photograph and not just a picture. How do our photographs tell our story and the story of the image?

Join our Shinshinit Talia and explore the rich tapestry of Israel, delving into its diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and the dynamic blend of cultures, religions, and ethnicities that coexist within its borders. 

JSU Impact is a group of caring individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in our community through service learning. Students learn and embrace Jewish values while engaging in meaningful activities such as packing food for the homeless, crafting heartfelt gifts for children in hospitals, spreading joy to seniors in nursing homes, and more.  The club will be led by Yonatan Nuszen, Southeast Program Director of Denver NCSY.  Rabbi Nuszen runs Jewish Student Union clubs at several metro Denver schools.

We will read, watch, and discuss our favorite examples of this genre.

In this Maker Space club, you can choose from among  three journeys: the creative journey, the competitive journey, and the set design journey. In the creative journey, you will build an empire of your imagination.  In the competitive journey, you will build a vehicle to race in a variety of competitions. In the set design journey, we will actually help the DJDS spring musical by helping with set designs and other creative support.

Students will be introduced to the world of E-Sports. With a focus on strategy and collaborative cooperation, this club is designed to provide both foundational and nuanced strategy development for the following titles: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Brothers, and Rocket League. Students will collaborate, practice, and scrimmage to hone their skills.

An introductory class focused on learning to read Arabic script and acquiring basic Arabic vocabulary.  Please contact Mr. Dermer for further information.

Learn the basics of using a variety of hand tools and equipment while building a wooden step stool(MS) or an end table(HS) from start to finish.

This club will give you opportunities to develop your public speaking skills.  Practice will include both informal formats and tournament-style debates.

Students will learn how to chant a Haftarah and read Torah. We will also focus on how to write a B’nei Mitzvah speech.

Using Jewish holidays as our guide, students will explore different baking traditions and customs for each holiday.

We will learn the basics of designing, piecing and quilting. Students will create their own designs, choose fabric and follow all the steps from start to finish.

Join us in exploring Positive Psychology and the science of well-being. Through engaging discussions, hands-on experiments, and real-life case studies, we delve into emotions, character strengths, and optimal functioning. Gain insight into the fascinating complexities of the human brain and understand how it shapes our unique experiences. 

Learn to play or hone your skills!

The Ginsburg-White Moot Court Mentorship Program gives middle school students a chance to analyze case law, formulate arguments, and practice oral advocacy in front of a panel of judges. Advised by Dr. GT and run by moot court veterans Maya, Holden, and Koby, middle school moot court is a chance to learn how to advocate, both in law and in life. Limited space available.

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual-gestural language used by the Deaf and hard of hearing community in the United States and parts of Canada. Unlike spoken languages, ASL relies on handshapes, facial expressions, and body movements to convey meaning. It has its own grammar and syntax, making it a distinct and rich linguistic system. ASL is a vital means of communication for Deaf individuals and is also embraced by many hearing individuals who learn it to facilitate better communication and foster inclusivity.

This is an opportunity to beautify the school environment by adding student art and design to our Upper Division building. Permission of instructor required; if you are interested in contributing to this initiative, please see Mrs. Zitron.

Uncover the remarkable stories of women who shaped the destiny of the Jewish people. From the women in the Tanach to those of the Talmudic era, explore their multifaceted roles and contributions, and appreciate their enduring legacy in shaping Jewish tradition and identity.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Galapagos Islands! From the unique wildlife and geological wonders to the evolutionary insights inspired by Charles Darwin, students will embark on a journey of discovery. We will also explore the unique historical, cultural, and linguistic properties of the Galapagos Islands throughout our adventure. This course aims to ignite a passion for science, fostering critical thinking and environmental awareness as students explore the living laboratory of evolution that is the Galapagos.

Join our Shinshinit Talia and explore the rich tapestry of Israel, delving into its diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and the dynamic blend of cultures, religions, and ethnicities that coexist within its borders.

A place for quiet schoolwork.

This class gives you an opportunity to work with younger students in the Lower Division and to discuss your observations of their behavior and development. 

HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is a 50-minute fitness class combining plyometrics with resistance training, core, and cardiovascular. This class incorporates intervals that alternate between 45 seconds of high intensity movements, and 10 seconds of recovery.  Modifications will be provided for a more non-impact workout. Yoga Stretching at the end of class.

We will create a Fantasy Football league, manage teams, and read news and articles to inform week-to-week decision making.  Most importantly of all, we will develop rigorous rationales for the decisions we make, explain and examine our thinking in conversation with others, and create mathematical models to test our assumptions and predictions. 

This class will provide support, help and expertise for students conducting original research for the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair or participating in other competitions such as JSC, COSO and SolarRollers.  Contact Ms. Knowles for more information.

Have you ever wanted to learn or become more skilled with an instrument? Write a song? Start a band? Perform on a stage? This is an opportunity to work both individually and as a group to realize your musical dreams. Whatever your chosen instrument, you will practice exercises and learn to play your favorite songs while developing your talent. There will also be listening assignments and associated class discussions to broaden your understanding of what specifically makes certain songs so good.

Nurture your curiosity by exploring the questions you have always wanted to ask but never had the setting to ask them in.

Working on Skills and the Second highest Girl Scout Award.  Must be a registered member of the troop to participate.  Note: only students who enrolled in Girl Scouts during the first semester may select this option.

Cardio kickboxing is a group fitness class, combining martial arts techniques with fast-paced cardio, improving flexibility and coordination. Students will begin to learn how to kick, punch, and defend themselves.  Note: this class is intended for girls and women.

Welcome to the most heartwarming and rewarding elective you'll ever experience! If you've got a soft spot for volunteering and a passion for making a positive impact, this is the course for you. Are you someone who thrives on making meaningful connections and enjoys the company of wise and experienced individuals? Then join us for an unforgettable journey at the nearby senior living facility, right next to the school.  Spend quality time engaging in various activities with our senior friends, from games and arts and crafts to storytelling sessions and much more. You'll not only be a companion but also a source of joy and inspiration for our elderly community members. Share your interests and hobbies by organizing activities that both you and our senior friends can enjoy together—whether it's a music jam, a book club, or a gardening project. Discover the joy of connecting across generations while having a blast.

Traditional games play a vital role in societies globally by preserving cultural heritage, fostering social bonds, and imparting essential values. In this class we will strengthen our community by learning and playing games like mancala, mahjongg, and shesh besh that have entertained generations.

Welcome to the enchanting realm of "Puzzles and Tea," where the aroma of brewing tea mingles with the tantalizing allure of cerebral conundrums. Picture this: a cozy haven, where the clinking of teacups harmonizes with the rustling of pages turned in pursuit of intellectual delight.

Join us in the celebration of mental agility, where the ambiance is seasoned with the comforting embrace of tea and the thrill of deciphering enigmas. "Puzzles and Tea" is not merely a club; it is an invitation to a sanctuary where minds are stirred, ideas steep, and the art of puzzling becomes a delightful ritual.

What is your passion? Women’s Rights? The Environment? Anti-bullying? Gain the skills to transform your values into action during this course, in which we will have the opportunity to hear the story of a different activist each week. Students will have the opportunity to ask our guest speakers questions about their path to activism while developing their own activist identity.

A space to spend time refining and honing your writing skills. You’ll have the chance to write on different topics, practice various styles, and improve your grammar. In the process you’ll receive constructive, positive feedback.