Country Day’s elective program encourages students to explore
subjects not generally found in the core curriculum. Among the
wide-variety of electives we offer, here are a few your student
will love!
Cavaliers Who Code
Have you ever wanted to learn how to create your own apps, games,
animations, or other types of digital media? Learn how to use
math and logical thinking to turn your ideas into your own
interactive programs with Cavaliers Who Code. We will be using
fundamental computer science concepts to create a variety of
programs using a block-style coding environment. We will also
experiment with writing code that controls different types of
hardware like buttons, lights, and other sensors. This hands-on
coding class is well suited for techies with all levels of
experience.
Book Club
Fire up your Kindle, explore the stacks in Matthews Library,
break out your slippers and read-along snacks (I have comfortable
couches in my room, by the way), and join the Book Club elective.
The English teachers get to choose what books students read
for English class; Book Club is a place where students get to
follow their own interests, share good reads recommended by
peers, or indulge in a favorite author. Reading is the single
most important thing students can do to enrich vocabulary and
language development (as well as raise verbal test scores)—so why
not do something that is so good for the brain and fun besides.
The formula for this class is simple: read and share books.
Develop a lifelong habit of being an unabashed bookworm!
Chess
This class will be a space to learn and play the game of chess.
According to student interest, we might also address: open v.
timed play; correspondence chess; thinking strategically; the
history of the game of chess; famous chess champions and matches.
Open to beginners who know nothing about chess as well as
experienced players.
Farm to Fork
Sacramento is home to the farm to fork movement and central to
fresh organic and local foods. Production includes harvesting,
storage, and processing sustainable agriculture. In the Country
Day Middle School, learn how to raise your own food in our
organic garden, then cook delicious meals using the food you’ve
raised.
Game Design
Do you love playing games but always wondered how to make one? If
so, join us for a semester of fun as we explore basic game design
principles and introductory coding to create working analog and
digital games. You will learn to use programs such as Scratch,
Alice, and App Inventor. This is an introductory course – no
experience necessary.
Maker Lab
Do you like to build? Come unleash your engineering and creative
talents in the Maker Lab! If you’ve ever thought to yourself,
“Why don’t I have a catapult?” this is the class for you. In our
elective, we’ll learn the principles of good design while
completing challenges ranging from building towers, flying paper
airplanes, and racing balloon-powered cars. There will be prizes
for teams that construct the best projects! Later in the semester
we’ll work on open-ended projects led by student interest.
Possibilities include roller coasters, basic woodworking, and
elaborate Rube Goldberg contraptions. Throughout the semester the
class will emphasize experimentation, safety, and fun!
Martial Arts
In this class students will learn the origin, usage, and
foundations of several different martial arts from around the
world. This will include the history of the inception of the
specific art, as well as hands-on practice. Practical
self-defense techniques will be introduced through experiential
learning in the classroom. We will explore Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Tae
Kwon Do, Krav Maga, Karate, Kendo, and Kung Fu to name a few.
Robotics
What do automatically-opening doors, supermarket self-checkout
machines, thermostats, and NASA’s Mars Rover all have in common?
They’re all types of robots! Students in the robotics elective
course will have the opportunity to design, build and program a
robot of their own in order to overcome a variety of challenges.
Students will learn the fundamentals of engineering and
prototyping, as well as learning to program using the Lego
Mindstorms software package. Don’t be fooled by the colorful
block exterior — Lego robots are the real deal, and the
Mindstorms kits have powered everything from US Defense
Department research to MIT’s autonomous Solar Racers.
Participation in the FIRST LEGO league competition is encouraged,
but not mandatory, and includes an additional after school
component to the class.
Video Making
In this elective, you will spend time studying videos as well as
creating them. We will begin the semester by studying
storytelling. Through movies, television shows, and other
content, we’ll explore the structure of stories and identify
important pieces. We’ll use this storytelling understanding to
create short videos throughout the semester.
