Electives in Middle School are a MUST! MS. DANIELLE DANIELS

What are Electives?  The Webster definition for Elective in a course is a class that is not required in a particular course of study.  Examples of electives in the elementary level:  Music  Art  P.E

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Berthold Auerbach  Music not only is used for enjoyment but as a:  Remembering tool  Teaching technique  Escape from school  Meditation  Relaxation  Communication from the artist to the world  A living!

“Art is Literacy of the Heart” - Elliot Eisner  Art isn’t just for enjoyment either but used as:  Stress relief  Talking through lines and curves  Expressing ones feelings  Teaching techniques  A living!

“Physical Education the only subject that makes your heart race!” - Unknown  Physical Education or physical activity is not just for those who need to get into shape but is also used as:  Stress relief  Enjoyment  Exercise  Fun  Teaching technique  A living!

“Education isn’t just about feeding the brain. Art and Music feed the Heart and Soul.” – Julie Garwood  When we were children we looked forward to our music, art, or p.e class because we knew we needed a break from our classes.  Why should we take a way a part of a students day that allows them to relax for an hour while still learning throughout the process?

They aren’t just a waste of time… We as educators are to teach students not just about four specific subjects. We are responsible for these students 8 hours out of their day. They learn more about how to live their life right at school than at home. We are apart of that village that helps raise the student. If these electives are what keeps the students thinking and doing right. Then why are we going to remove them and chance having more students on the streets doing things they aren’t to be doing.

Also… If you noticed all 3 of those sections had one similarity… THEY ARE ALL CAPABLE OF BEING ONES LIVING/CAREER!!

Well known Professionals who didn’t Finish School  Will Smith – Admitted to a pre-engineering program at MIT, but turned it down to pursuit his music career.  Christina Aguilera – Never finished high school.  Carmelo Anthony – Left college after his freshman year to play in the NBA.  Edwin Apps – British artist, high school dropout.  Louis Armstrong – jazz, musician, high school dropout.  Willy Aybar – basketball player, high school dropout.  Jane Austen – novelist, attended school until the age of 11, father taught them at home, never attended college.  John Jacob Astor – Multi-MILLIONAIRE businessman, America’s first millionaire, high school dropout.

We as Educators have it all Backwards…  Yes, as Teachers we are to teach our students that education is important to get a job in the future.  Yet, we have to realize that taking the fun and the arts out of school can possibly take away the opportunity from a student ever wanting that dream job they have the talents to receive.