Electric Electives
By Yaque Chavez
September 26, 2013
South Bay Middle School is offering more electives, 15 to be exact, which is five more than the 2012- 2013 school year.
Kevin Trone, the middle school science teacher, says many of the options came from the students.
“Last year I asked all the students what they wanted [for electives], so many of the ideas came from them. “
Zumba and home economics are among the new electives.
Clover Schinke, the middle school history teacher, leads the stretching and breathing class, and this year added Zumba one day a week. Zumba is a dance exercise. Cassie Weaver comes in every Thursday to teach the class.
Mrs. Schinke has been doing yoga, stretching, and breathing for about 16 years.
‘’I started when I was 27 in New York when I was stressed out a lot at my work,” said Mrs. Schinke. When asked why she likes teaching stretching and breathing Mrs. Schinke says, “I love it, especially this year because there are 27 kids, and all of them try there best, but they still have fun falling down. I know in four years no one will know what I taught them about history but they’ll know yoga.” Next trimester Mrs. schinke would like to have more boys next time.
Eighth grader Gracelynn Trump takes and enjoys yoga.
“It helps me relax and gets rid of my stress,” she said.
Mrs. Almanza is new to South Bay and teaches art and home economics. The students are working on several projects at once, including drawing, making calendars, sewing, playing with clay, crocheting, and making quilts. Before the trimester end they are going to start cooking.
Mareli Piedras, an 8th grader who is in art, says she likes the class.
“I thought it was boring until she talked about cooking and art. I became happier in that class because art is my passion,” she said.
Mrs. Almanza said she makes her own ceramics and has worked with clay for about 15 years.
Even now that she's a teacher, she still learns new things in life.
When asked she liked teaching art she said, ‘’Yes, I do because everyday you learn something new’’.
Kevin Trone, the middle school science teacher, says many of the options came from the students.
“Last year I asked all the students what they wanted [for electives], so many of the ideas came from them. “
Zumba and home economics are among the new electives.
Clover Schinke, the middle school history teacher, leads the stretching and breathing class, and this year added Zumba one day a week. Zumba is a dance exercise. Cassie Weaver comes in every Thursday to teach the class.
Mrs. Schinke has been doing yoga, stretching, and breathing for about 16 years.
‘’I started when I was 27 in New York when I was stressed out a lot at my work,” said Mrs. Schinke. When asked why she likes teaching stretching and breathing Mrs. Schinke says, “I love it, especially this year because there are 27 kids, and all of them try there best, but they still have fun falling down. I know in four years no one will know what I taught them about history but they’ll know yoga.” Next trimester Mrs. schinke would like to have more boys next time.
Eighth grader Gracelynn Trump takes and enjoys yoga.
“It helps me relax and gets rid of my stress,” she said.
Mrs. Almanza is new to South Bay and teaches art and home economics. The students are working on several projects at once, including drawing, making calendars, sewing, playing with clay, crocheting, and making quilts. Before the trimester end they are going to start cooking.
Mareli Piedras, an 8th grader who is in art, says she likes the class.
“I thought it was boring until she talked about cooking and art. I became happier in that class because art is my passion,” she said.
Mrs. Almanza said she makes her own ceramics and has worked with clay for about 15 years.
Even now that she's a teacher, she still learns new things in life.
When asked she liked teaching art she said, ‘’Yes, I do because everyday you learn something new’’.