Electives Offered For All Grades
At Forest Ranch Charter School we encourage students to make choices in their own education. Beyond the basics, we offer elective classes which are held every other Friday. Students choose these classes and offerings vary from year to year based on popularity and student interests.
Fall 2011 Elective Choices
Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture with Mrs. Bodney
Do you want to learn to speak Spanish? Are you curious about the countries where people speak Spanish? If so, then this class is for you! Each class will have two parts. First, you will practice speaking Spanish and learn new vocabulary words in hands-on, interactive ways. Second, you will participate in an activity to explore the culture of a Spanish-speaking country. Be prepared to sing songs, do arts and crafts, play language games, listen to stories, and dabble in the culinary arts!
Dance Performance with Ms. Matoes
Learn multiple dances in a variety of styles and perform at school events like the Halloween parade, winter concert and maybe the spring concert too. Styles of dance taught will be based on group interest but could include jazz, hip hop, swing, salsa, and/or line dancing. No prior dance experience required, just come with an enthusiasm to learn, perform, and have fun!
Sports Appreciation with Mr. Ball
Students will learn the rules, practice drills, and play a variety of sports games. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play will
be emphasized and a model will be set for the lower classes.
Handwork with Mrs. Boyd
Come join in the fun! In this class you will learn to hand-sew, cross-stitch, and “refurbish” your personal clothing. Handwork will help you develop your hand-eye coordination and practice patience.
Show Choir with Mrs. Marasco
Come sing with us! Students will learn and perform select songs from “The Wizard of Oz” and other student chosen choral
songs. Some basic dance and theater will also be included. Students will perform at a nursing home and various school events.
Gardening with Mrs. Wattenberg
Here is a chance for children to get their hands dirty, study critters and bugs (pests and plant helpers) as well as design,
prepare, and plant a garden.
Hip Hop Dance with Tomas
Students will have fun observing and trying out new dance techniques. The class will learn a few dances to perform at various school events.
Metal Embossing with Mrs. Norman
Learn to emboss aluminum, brass and copper using various tools to create different textures. Metal tooling is a centuries-old art in which soft metal is worked with a rounded tool on the back side in order to create a raised design on the front. Mexican and South American artists call this art form repajado and it is also referred to as repousse or embossing. We
will also be learning some basic drawing principles in order to create our artwork.
Do you want to learn to speak Spanish? Are you curious about the countries where people speak Spanish? If so, then this class is for you! Each class will have two parts. First, you will practice speaking Spanish and learn new vocabulary words in hands-on, interactive ways. Second, you will participate in an activity to explore the culture of a Spanish-speaking country. Be prepared to sing songs, do arts and crafts, play language games, listen to stories, and dabble in the culinary arts!
Dance Performance with Ms. Matoes
Learn multiple dances in a variety of styles and perform at school events like the Halloween parade, winter concert and maybe the spring concert too. Styles of dance taught will be based on group interest but could include jazz, hip hop, swing, salsa, and/or line dancing. No prior dance experience required, just come with an enthusiasm to learn, perform, and have fun!
Sports Appreciation with Mr. Ball
Students will learn the rules, practice drills, and play a variety of sports games. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play will
be emphasized and a model will be set for the lower classes.
Handwork with Mrs. Boyd
Come join in the fun! In this class you will learn to hand-sew, cross-stitch, and “refurbish” your personal clothing. Handwork will help you develop your hand-eye coordination and practice patience.
Show Choir with Mrs. Marasco
Come sing with us! Students will learn and perform select songs from “The Wizard of Oz” and other student chosen choral
songs. Some basic dance and theater will also be included. Students will perform at a nursing home and various school events.
Gardening with Mrs. Wattenberg
Here is a chance for children to get their hands dirty, study critters and bugs (pests and plant helpers) as well as design,
prepare, and plant a garden.
Hip Hop Dance with Tomas
Students will have fun observing and trying out new dance techniques. The class will learn a few dances to perform at various school events.
Metal Embossing with Mrs. Norman
Learn to emboss aluminum, brass and copper using various tools to create different textures. Metal tooling is a centuries-old art in which soft metal is worked with a rounded tool on the back side in order to create a raised design on the front. Mexican and South American artists call this art form repajado and it is also referred to as repousse or embossing. We
will also be learning some basic drawing principles in order to create our artwork.
Spring 2012 Elective Choices
Nature Studies with Mrs. Palmarini
Join Mrs. Palmarini for a series of nature studies field trips to local parks and preserves. During this elective, students will learn about geology, plants and animals, and their habitats. Students interested in this elective should be willing to go for moderate to strenuous hikes on uneven terrain for up to one hour. Students should also be willing to leave school at the beginning of lunch recess in order to allow for adequate time for the field trip. We will have lunch together at the field trip site.
Transportation to field trip destinations will rely on parent drivers. If possible, parents of students enrolled in this elective should be willing to drive for at least one field trip. Parent drivers will be grouped with 3-4 students and should be willing to assist in assuring student safety and participation in activities.
Cooperative Games with Mr. Ball
Students will learn the rules and play a variety of indoor and outdoor games. Sportsmanship, fair play and pure enjoyment will be encouraged in this grab bag of physical activities.
Multi-Cultural Cooking with Mrs. Jimmerson
One of the best ways to understand and learn about another culture is through food! This class will focus on learning about
various cultures from around the world through cooking! We will make simple dishes/foods from several countries, and maybe even learn some phrases from other languages too! A $5 donation will be appreciated. I will also send out a supply list each week for families to donate various ingredients.
Metal Embossing with Mrs. Norman
Learn to emboss aluminum, brass and copper using various tools to create different textures. Metal tooling is a centuries-old art in which soft metal is worked with a rounded tool on the back side in order to create a raised design on the front. Mexican and South American artists call this art form repajado and it is also referred to as repousse or embossing. We
will also be learning some basic drawing principles in order to create our artwork.
Baking with Mrs. Stearns
We will be making personalized aprons, going over the chemistry of baking (how yeast works, etc.), simple measurements, etc. all while baking yummy baked goods like pancakes, cookies, pretzels, hallah bread, etc. We'll try to wrap up the elective with a little bake sale and making our own little cookbooks!
Performing Arts (Spring Musical) with Mrs. Marasco
Children participate in a rich variety of musical experiences with singing and dancing. Parents and students should be willing to commit to attending practices and performances toward the end of the semester.
Join Mrs. Palmarini for a series of nature studies field trips to local parks and preserves. During this elective, students will learn about geology, plants and animals, and their habitats. Students interested in this elective should be willing to go for moderate to strenuous hikes on uneven terrain for up to one hour. Students should also be willing to leave school at the beginning of lunch recess in order to allow for adequate time for the field trip. We will have lunch together at the field trip site.
Transportation to field trip destinations will rely on parent drivers. If possible, parents of students enrolled in this elective should be willing to drive for at least one field trip. Parent drivers will be grouped with 3-4 students and should be willing to assist in assuring student safety and participation in activities.
Cooperative Games with Mr. Ball
Students will learn the rules and play a variety of indoor and outdoor games. Sportsmanship, fair play and pure enjoyment will be encouraged in this grab bag of physical activities.
Multi-Cultural Cooking with Mrs. Jimmerson
One of the best ways to understand and learn about another culture is through food! This class will focus on learning about
various cultures from around the world through cooking! We will make simple dishes/foods from several countries, and maybe even learn some phrases from other languages too! A $5 donation will be appreciated. I will also send out a supply list each week for families to donate various ingredients.
Metal Embossing with Mrs. Norman
Learn to emboss aluminum, brass and copper using various tools to create different textures. Metal tooling is a centuries-old art in which soft metal is worked with a rounded tool on the back side in order to create a raised design on the front. Mexican and South American artists call this art form repajado and it is also referred to as repousse or embossing. We
will also be learning some basic drawing principles in order to create our artwork.
Baking with Mrs. Stearns
We will be making personalized aprons, going over the chemistry of baking (how yeast works, etc.), simple measurements, etc. all while baking yummy baked goods like pancakes, cookies, pretzels, hallah bread, etc. We'll try to wrap up the elective with a little bake sale and making our own little cookbooks!
Performing Arts (Spring Musical) with Mrs. Marasco
Children participate in a rich variety of musical experiences with singing and dancing. Parents and students should be willing to commit to attending practices and performances toward the end of the semester.
