Middle School Clubs are a chance for Middle School students to pursue current passions or explore a new interest. They are a time to connect with other students and a teacher though a shared interest. Every Middle School student participates in a club once a week during Kehillah (community time). The different club opportunities are listed below:
Acting It Out/Improv - Story Theatre
Story Theatre is a playful way for students to learn acting by bringing fictional stories to life. Stories may range from comedy to serious drama and will include favorites chosen by students. Club members will learn acting skills by exploring fictional writing and improvisational activities. This club will help students to understand story structure, the use of language, and it will give them a chance to perform with ease in a supportive environment.
Fitness Training
This club is for students interested in strength conditioning. Working in the weight room and on the sports fields, you will set individual goals for yourself and work with club members to create a plan to achieve these goals. Club members will build an understanding of physical wellness and will be part of deciding the focus of the fitness training. New and experienced athletes are welcome.
Fun in the Lab
Are you filled with questions about how the world works? Do you wonder if all of the things that you hear are myths or scientific reality? In this science enrichment club, students will create experiments with a wonderful variety of lab equipment. This club will also be forming a connection to Israel through science exploration. This includes the use of on-line electron microscopes and on-line tracking of bird migration. In a safe and fun environment, students will experiment and learn together.
Girls’ Book Group
Do you love to read and talk about books? Girls will have a chance to select, read, and discuss books related to the issues that we girls think about. We will build the reading list together, and we will invite local authors to join the book group.
Israel Exchange
All students participating in the Israel Exchange program must be enrolled in this club. This club will allow the students to prepare for their upcoming trip to Israel through communication with the Lady Davis School.
Juggling
Have you ever wondered how it is humanly possible to keep three balls in motion at one time? How about four or six? Club members will learn to juggle handkerchiefs, balls, and beanbags. They will learn basic skills and advanced techniques. Beginning jugglers are welcome.
Knitting and Sewing
This club is geared towards the beginning and advanced knitter alike. Students will either learn basic knitting and sewing skills or expand on the knowledge they bring. They will learn different kinds of stitches, patterns, and techniques.
Learning Guitar
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the guitar or improve your existing talents? This club offers beginners and experienced musicians alike a chance to further develop their musical abilities in a small classroom environment. Prior experience is not necessary, but you must have a guitar.
Math Counts
This club is designed for students who have demonstrated strong computational and critical-thinking skills in mathematics. Students have the opportunity to solve complex and interesting mathematics problems in the fields of logic, arithmetic, algebra, probability, statistics, geometry, and number theory. The highlight is the regional and state competitions. Club members must be concurrently enrolled in Algebra or Geometry.
Moviemaking
Have you ever wondered how movies are made? Would you like to learn how to make one? Using digital video cameras, students will have an opportunity to create a short movie. Club members will use actual films as inspirational models, and they will work through the moviemaking process step by step.
Mythology
Students in this club will explore the stories, characters, and meanings of classical mythology. They will develop an awareness of allusions and examples of myths in the modern world. Starting with an introduction to Olympian gods, students will investigate the similarities and differences in myths and legends found in the Greek and Roman civilizations.
Photo Journalism
What can photographs tell us about ourselves and the world past and present? This club will take a historical look at photojournalism and its role in shaping our society. Club members will examine photographs by Dorthea Lange, Eugene Smith, Sebastio Salgado, and many more renowned historical figures. Club members will have a chance to venture to the Skirball and the Getty to look at actual examples of photojournalism, and they will have a chance to work on their own photojournalism essay.
Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Mystery
If you are interested in spooky, fantastical, extraterrestrial tales, then this club is for you. Club members will explore these three genres from early roots to present day special effects. The club will compare how stories are told through three different mediums—music, literature, and film. Students will focus on the conventions of each genre and experiment with creating their own work of science fiction, fantasy, or mystery. Club members will have a role in selecting areas and texts of focus.
Singing in Three Languages
Come and sing for fun in Hebrew, English, and Spanish! Students will learn the classics, the hits from the past, and the newest songs in the three languages. Basic Hebrew reading is necessary, but no previous knowledge of Spanish is required. Club members will have an opportunity to perform for their peers at Middle School Town Meetings.
Social Action (yearlong)
Do you want to make a difference in the world? This club explores true stories of teens with courage who have challenged the injustices they have seen and have brought about tikkun olam. Several films and short stories will be shared that highlight the difference that one person can make in the world. Club members will work on several concrete projects for the school and our community such as SOVA and Shoes that Fit and will culminate the year in making a documentary about a mitzvah site in Los Angeles. Although this is a year-long elective, new students are welcome to join.
Student Government Leadership (yearlong)
Help make our community a more spirited place to be! This is an opportunity for students to help create an exciting life outside the classroom by working with the student body to plan special activities and events. Student Government will also run the Middle School Town Meetings. No leadership experience is required to join this club. Although this is a yearlong elective, new students are welcome to join.
Talmud Circle
What are the most important questions in your life? Through the study of Talmud, we will explore and discuss possible answers. Students will study texts in the original Hebrew and Aramaic, enabling them to expand their skills in reading, translation, and analysis of text. Some individuals might view these texts as traditional while others view them as revolutionary. No matter one’s ideological perspective, one can learn greatly from texts generally accepted as essential “classics” of the Jewish tradition. Students will choose the topics in consultation with their teacher.