Woodside School District

 

Dear Future 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students and Parents,

We are very excited to offer a wonderful selection of choice enrichment classes for the 2025-2026 school year, in addition to the wheel classes that are universally scheduled for 6th-8th graders.  Our teachers have worked hard to offer a wide variety of classes that speak to the whole child and allow for an extensive range of interests.

On the following pages, please look over which elective enrichment classes you would like to take next year.  Your child will submit their top 6 choices for next year.

We will try to accommodate your top selections; however, there is no guarantee that you will be enrolled in all of your selections due to class size restrictions, etc. Therefore, you may be placed into an elective that you did not sign up for.  In addition, the administration and teachers may place students in the appropriate classes (e.g., support classes).  Please be aware that some of the classes listed below may not be offered, depending upon teacher availability, scheduling, etc. It is important to note that the electives you get enrolled in will not be changed in the Fall, and that enrollments are final. 
Additionally, we are excited to offer optional Music classes to all 7th and 8th grade students.  These Music classes will be backed up to PE and do not replace the Band elective.  In our effort to complete the Upper School student schedules, it is important that we know if your 7th or 8th grade child would like PE for all five days of the week or PE for three days and Music for two days during a given week.  Below is a description of the two courses:

• 7th Grade:  Continuation of Acoustic Guitar featuring a variety of genres and styles and based on individual student needs.
• 8th Grade:  World Percussion featuring different drums (i.e., buckets) in an ensemble setting.  

To recap, all incoming 6th-8th graders will rank their top 6 choices for electives next year. Additionally, all incoming 7th and 8th graders will choose if they would like to take Music or additional Physical Education classes next year.
Please discuss these exciting options as a family and help your child to take note of their choices. Your child will fill out their final preferences on a Google Form in class prior to the end of the school year. 

Thank you for helping your child to make these important scheduling decisions!

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Elective Enrichment Class Program Description:
Upper School Enrichment classes are interest-based seminars.  All courses will be given letter grades.  Elective grades are calculated into the grade point average; however, they are not calculated into the 8th grade Academic Award. 

Placement decisions in some classes are made on a variety of criteria that include student interest as well as performance in classes throughout the year. The Woodside Upper School teachers, in consultation with the administration, determine placement of all rising sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Students will be directed based on the following:

• Be in good academic standing and maintain at least a C average each trimester in all core academic courses including Math, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Spanish/Mandarin, Physical Education, Art and Music.
  
  
• Be mature, self-directed, and show high levels of motivation, responsibility and reliability by maintaining a C average in all their core academic courses.
  
  
• Students who are not in good academic standing and receive a grade below a C may be assigned to courses that will support improved academic achievement such as study skills. If a student’s academic performance improves by the end of the trimester, the student may be able to select from available electives.
  
  
• In the event that a student’s grades deteriorate during the course of the year, the student will be removed from their electives and placed in the appropriate support classes.

Enrichment offerings vary over the course of the school year and from trimester to trimester based on students’ needs.

8th Period Elective/Enrichment Classes:

*Please note that not all of these classes may take place. These are possible offerings, and final offerings will depend on interest level, teacher availability, etc.*

• Art Elective (6, 7, 8)
• Advanced Science of Food (7th and 8th only)
• Band (6,7,8) [If interested in Band, please see Band waiver addendum at the end of this packet]
• Book Club (6, 7, 8)
• Critical Thinking Through Mathematical Investigations (6, 7, 8)
• Drama (6, 7, 8)
• Fantasy Baseball: Scientific Data Analysis (6, 7, 8)
• Games of Strategy (6, 7, 8)
• Logic & Puzzles Lab (6, 7, 8)
• Mathematical Mindfulness: Geometric Coloring & Tessellations (6, 7, 8)
• Modern Readers (6, 7, 8)
• Music and Mindfulness (6, 7, 8)
• Musical Theater and Drama (6, 7, 8)
• Operetta (mandatory for all 8th grade students during 3rd trimester – P/NP)
• Photography and Storytelling (6, 7, 8)
• Positivity Project (6,7,8)
• Reader Leader Elective (6,7, 8)
• Self Defense (6,7, 8)
• Short Stories (6,7, 8)
• Singing Clinic (6, 7, 8)
• Strength and Conditioning (6,7, 8)
• Study Hall (6,7, 8)
• Wrestling (6, 7, 8)

Typical Zero Period/Lunch Time Offerings (To be determined and communicated in Fall):

• Student Council
• Music - Choir
• Music - Jazz Band (Must Be in Band Elective to Participate)

Art Elective (Trimester long)Students will work on advanced art projects and a mentored, project-based curriculum. This course will emphasize creative exploration and development. Students explore the structure of art, including line, texture, color, value, and space; learn basic drawing techniques; work in two and three-dimensional forms; and experiment with diverse media. 

Advanced Science of Food (Trimester long)This course is for incoming 7th and 8th grade students who want more! This course will follow the same format as Science of Food, and you will explore new skills and recipes. 

Band (Year long)
Students will have an opportunity to play a variety of music that ranges in time period and style. As we rehearse the music, we will build on general musical skills, technique specific to instruments and individuals, and work together as members of a team to create a final musical product that they will perform for the school community.   7th and 8th grade students who want to be in Jazz Band are required to be in this elective.  Note: In order to be in Band, your family must sign a waiver stating that you are opting out of 2 wheel classes. Band takes the place of 2 wheels, meaning that throughout the year you will participate in 2 choice electives, Band, and 1 wheel class. Please see the waiver addendum at the end of this packet for more information.

Book Club (Trimester long)Do you ever feel like there’s so many books and so little time to read? Are you the kind of person who needs to immediately talk about a book after you’ve read it? If you are that kind of reader, this elective is for you! We will read, recommend, discuss, rehash and reread our favorite books.

Critical Thinking Through Mathematical Investigations (Trimester Long)
Students will engage in rich problem-solving experiences using MARS tasks that challenge them to think deeply, reason logically, and communicate their mathematical ideas clearly. This quiet, inquiry-based course fosters critical thinking, collaboration in small groups, and thoughtful reflection—perfect for students who enjoy digging into real-world math with depth and purpose.

Drama (Trimester Long)The Drama elective will focus on building confidence and creativity through interactive theater games, improvisation exercises, and scene work that develops students' acting skills and stage presence. Students will explore character development, storytelling techniques, and collaborative performance while having fun with hands-on activities similar to our successful drama club format.  

Fantasy Baseball: Scientific Data Analysis (Trimester Long)Play Ball! Fantasy Baseball uses baseball as a context for teaching important mathematical concepts as students become co-managers of their very own Fantasy Baseball teams. Students will learn to scientifically analyze players' statistical data, draft players, arrange lineups, create their own team, logos, models of home fields, and mascots and play simulated baseball games. With some careful planning and a little luck, they might even lead their team to the Fantasy Baseball World Series.

Games of Strategy (Trimester long)Do you enjoy a good challenge? Do you like  puzzles and riddles and solving mysteries? If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes” then this is the elective for you! In this elective you will learn new and old games, while you challenge yourself and your classmates. You may solve a few mysteries and uncover the answer to a puzzling puzzle! 

Logic & Puzzles Lab (Trimester Long)
In this quiet-thinking course, students will sharpen problem-solving skills through logic puzzles, brainteasers, and strategic games like Sudoku, KenKen, and nonverbal reasoning challenges. Designed to build critical thinking in a calm environment, this lab encourages perseverance, pattern recognition, and independent exploration through engaging, screen-free activities.

Mathematical Mindfulness: Geometric Coloring & Tessellations (Trimester Long)This course blends the calming power of pattern-based art with the structure of mathematics to support focus, emotional balance, and creativity. Through exploring tessellations, fractals, and geometric coloring, students build self-awareness and ease anxiety while deepening their understanding of symmetry, spatial reasoning, and visual patterns.

Modern Readers (Trimester Long)If you wish you had more time to read books – just for fun – this is the elective for you!  The class format will include one period a week for reading and one period a week of activity.  In Modern Readers, we will explore new and exciting titles, discuss great literature, do book talks, make social media accounts for our favorite characters, and create a movie trailer for a book.

Music and Mindfulness (Trimester Long)Music and Mindfulness offers a peaceful space in your day through a calming mix of mindful movement, guided meditation, and mellow music listening and creation. Students explore how music and mindfulness can support emotional well-being, focus, and relaxation. 

Musical Theater and Drama (Trimester Long)Students will explore the exciting world of musical theater through acting, singing, and movement activities that bring stories to life. The class combines theater games, character development, and vocal work as students learn songs and scenes from popular musicals. Students will develop confidence in performance while collaborating on creative projects that showcase their acting and singing abilities.

Operetta (All 8th grade students - Trimester 3)8th grade students will participate in one of the most enjoyable Woodside School traditions, the annual Operetta.  Each spring, the Operetta stars the entire 8th grade.  Each year’s musical production is a lovely farewell from the 8th grade to the entire school.  8th grade students will be enrolled in Operetta for all of their elective classes during the 3rd trimester.

Photography and Storytelling (Trimester long)This digital photography elective is designed to highlight the innate creativity of the students, build their technical skills, and enhance their understanding of the power of photography to communicate their perspectives of the world.   Students will study composition and stylistic elements within multiple genres of photography.  We will touch on the history of photography and its place in the timeline of art and technology.  Students will practice with Exposure, Depth of Field, and Focus.  Students will research accomplished photographers for inspiration and create a photography portfolio.    

Positivity Project (Trimester long)Do you like to make people smile? Students will meet and discuss ways to spread positivity throughout the school. We will then take action to spread a positive message to students, faculty, and staff throughout the school. This club is designed to bring joy to others.

Reader Leader Elective (Trimester long)
Are you good with little kids? Do you love picture books? Get a kick out of the funny things little kids say? Miss being in a primary classroom? Join Reader Leader where we will read aloud and encourage beginning readers as they read aloud to us while revisiting all our favorite characters in literature.

Self Defense (Trimester long)
The purpose of this class is to develop basic self-defense skill development as well as awareness and avoidance techniques.  This course focuses on skill improvement and overall knowledge in personal safety.  Introducing the basics of self-defense and the practical applications, this course focuses on coordination, balance, agility, strength, and endurance.  The course will cover both grappling and striking martial arts in a fun, safe environment.  

Short Stories (Trimester long)Students will explore the world of short stories by writing creative stories of their own. Students will be encouraged to write a variety of stories, including children’s stories and fantasy.  Each student will create a final project of a complete short story book with illustrations. 

Singing Clinic (Trimester Long)This elective provides personalized vocal coaching in a small group setting where students work on songs they're passionate about. Students will learn fundamental singing techniques including breath control, pitch accuracy, and performance skills through hands-on practice.

Strength and Conditioning (Trimester long)
This course is designed for those students interested in developing strength for advanced sports skills.  Students will engage in resistance training, cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility exercises.  Strength and sport conditioning is athletic training aimed at greater strength, power, speed, agility, coordination, and balance.  You will learn general exercise principles, nutrition, and sport-specific science, along with practical advanced training in resistance training, agility, plyometrics, balance, and sprint training for athletes.  

Study Hall (Trimester long)This elective is designed for students who wish they had more time in the day to complete work or study for tests. Students will have access to a teacher for support during this time and will be able to spend time completing homework, studying for tests, or going in-depth on topics of interest. Teachers may also place students in this elective as needed.

This wrestling class develops discipline, focus, and personal responsibility while introducing the fundamentals of grappling. Students will learn takedowns, escapes, reversals, and strategy through sport-specific drills, practice, and games.

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2025-26 BAND WAIVER ADDENDUM

We have created a waiver process for our Band and Wheel programs that allow for increased flexibility for students taking Band so that they can experience other electives, as well.  We were aware that the addition of the Wheel program had impacted those who were interested in Band, and we want to encourage all students interested in being a part of the Band to sign up, knowing that they will be able to participate in choice electives as well as a selection of the Wheel offerings. 

Continuing this year, parents and students interested in Band will be able to sign a waiver (HERE) to opt out of certain Wheel classes in order to be involved in Band. Please note that this option only applies to students signing up for a year-long commitment to Band. This will free up time for students to take other choice electives. While we strongly believe that the Wheel classes are beneficial and important for all students, we want to honor the commitment that Band takes and allow students to have multiple experiences throughout the year. Students in Band will also have the opportunity to engage in SEL and Design Thinking components throughout their experience there, ensuring that key tenets of the wheel classes are tied through for all students. If your child is interested in potentially pursuing a waiver for Band next year, their Choice Elective and Wheel schedule would be as follows. Please note that, if in Band, your child will be assigned 1 Wheel class, and up to 2 Choice Electives throughout the year. This change applies to all students taking Band. Students may still be asked to participate in some isolated Wheel activities if the staff deems them necessary for the whole class.