IMS Winter Elective Openings 08 – 09
Art Electives
Art History Your Way, 2 million BC to Today
Mr. Cooper
Students will spend the first week learning the basics of the field of art history and choosing the artwork they want to
explore during the course. We will look at one piece of art each class period where students will learn why it looks
they way it does and why it is made the way it is, as well as what was going on in the artist's life and in the world
during the time it was made. Have you wondered what the big deal is about Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa? Did
you ever wonder where the foot used in Monty Python came from? Ever wonder why all those old statues are missing
their arms, legs, or heads, or why some art looks like a little kid did it? During class, we will utilize different forms of
multimedia to fully explore art and answer some of these very questions. Students should come to class ready to think
outside the box and be ready to share even the craziest thoughts they might have about a work of art because they just
might be right. Students who are interested in art, history, and the world around them, as well as learning interesting
facts should sign up.
Wood Self-portraits
Ms. Mailer
Produce life-sized fantastic self-portraits on wood.
Introduction to Stone Sculpture
Mr. Barillaro
Students will work with their hands and tools to shape and refine a piece of stone. They will learn the basic
procedure for completing and finishing a stone work.
Drama & Film Electives
Comedy in Film: The Marx Brothers
Mr. McGlone & Mr. Shuman
The course will cover the origins of comedy in film, focusing primarily on films made before 1940. The class
will include discussions on how cinema can convey comedy, the marriage of vaudeville and performance
comedy in early twenties and thirties, and the appearance of these different styles of humor in the classic
Marx Brothers films. From the political satire of Duck Soup to the slapstick farce of Monkey Business, the
objective of the course is offer a historical perspective on the modern comic spirit, or in the words of Chico,
“Why a duck?”
Film Production
Ms. Jadow & Ms. Villano
An introductory workshop in the art of film-making. This elective includes hands-on classes in scriptwriting, shooting, and editing using iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Whenever possible we will supplement our
work with examples from classic movies, short films and documentaries, as well as occasional visits from
professional movie writers and directors.
Zhang Yimou’s Films
Ms. Fontaine
Zhang Yimou is a nationally acclaimed director from Shaanxi province, China. His films are a daring
deconstruction of China as a nation and his success is largely due to his focus on humanity and
individualism. Come explore China’s evolution over the past century through Zhang Yimou’s films: Raise
the Red Lantern, To Live, Not One Less, The Road Home and Hero.
Other Electives
1968
Mr. Anselmi
Multi-media look at this pivotal year in the history of the United States. A year of riots, assassinations,
counter culture and elections, echoes of 1968 still reverberate today, 40 years later. Explore this time
through video, reading and music.
CPR/First Aid
Mrs. Hillson
Become fully certified in First Aid and CPR. Learn these life saving techniques from Mrs. Hillson, a
certified instructor and a member of an EMT squad. There will be a modest processing fee.
Cribbage
Mrs. Soja
Can you add to 31? Then you can probably beat Mrs. Soja in cribbage, the mother of all pegging card
games. Learn the ins and outs of this great game. Play against each other, and learn what it means when
someone is ‘skunked’ or what ‘nobs’ are and what it means when someone says “15 for 2, Go.”
Debate Club
Mr. McGlone
Do you like to argue? Have you ever had difference of opinion with someone else? Well, take your debating
skills to the next level as a part of this elective. Led by master arguer, Mr. McGlone, you will learn
point/counter point methods and how to drive home your ideas home.
Ecology Club
Mr. Brown
The Ecology Club will do a variety of activities including energy audits of IMS; poster construction for
environmental awareness; nature hikes; recycling; nature photography; and environmental action.
Math Counts
Ms. Schopp
Math as a contact sport. Take on the big brains. Go to the Nationals.
Modern French Culture
Mr. Stevens
A a course that discusses food, music, film and theatre, as well as daily life in France for people of roughly
the same age as our students. We will be looking into finding a sister school for IMS to become pen pals
with, students who are working on their english over in France. The elective would also cover basic
conversational French, most likely simple vocabulary and expressions that would help with everyday travel
if one wished to visit the country.
Planet Earth
Mr. Doria
Experience Earth as never before with groundbreaking footage of our planet and its wildlife. The Planet
Earth elective will consist of viewing and discussion of the fascinating BBC documentary that has
revolutionized the way people can experience nature. Those who have a love of film and a strong desire to
discuss nature will find this elective right up their ally.
Sports Journalism
Mr. Griggs
Students will be introduced to journalism through the eyes of athletics. There will be three components to
the class. First, the students will study writing just the facts the way a typical daily newspaper journalist
would write. The second aspect of the course will be to discuss how sports periodicals (Sports Illustrated,
The Sporting News, etc.) have become a large part of American culture. Overall, the students will end the
course with an understanding of the media as it pertains to athletics.
South African History (8th and 9th graders only)
Mrs. Soja
This elective is a look at South African history from 1900-1992. Specifically, we will explore the topic of
Apartheid as we read the book Kaffir Boy together and discuss. We will also watch several films about
Apartheid and the Anti-Apartheid movement in the 1980s and 1990s. Some outside reading will be expected
of those who participate.
Stock Market
Mr. Stubbs
Learn the workings of the stock market and the basics of how public companies are structured and how
shares it them are traded. Students will set up dummy portfolios and watch them grow (hopefully)!