Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Dash
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 10-12
Description: Do you love telling stories, writing poems, or capturing a moment in just a few words? In this elective, you'll explore different types of creative writing—from flash fiction and short stories to poetry and vignettes. You'll also grow as a writer by learning how to give and receive feedback as well as tutor other students, helping them strengthen their work while sharpening your own skills. Whether you're already a passionate writer or just curious to try something new, this elective is a great opportunity to express yourself.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Palmer
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 10-12
Description: This elective is for students who would like to develop their drawing skills. We will learn the tips and tricks of how to make your drawings look like the objects you're drawing. We will explore and learn more about various drawing materials including making their own charcoal and other materials. No previous drawing experience is needed.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Skop
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12-16
Description:  Rehearse and perform music from rock and jazz genres. All instruments are welcome. The music is arranged for each ensemble, considering each student's abilities. A performance at Arts night will end each trimester.

Grades: 5 & 6
Taught by: Ms. Finney
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 4-12
Description:  Want to learn to speak Chinese? In this fun and interactive class, you’ll learn the six most common Chinese verbs and how to introduce yourself in Mandarin! You’ll also be able to read a story in Chinese characters and create your very own digital Chinese book by the end of the course. Plus—we’ll make delicious food and explore cool parts of Chinese culture along the way!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Francois
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 20
Description:  The group will read and discuss different types of graphic novels. Students will read at a minimum 4 graphic novels as a group. Students will also have the opportunity to read graphic novels of their choice. We will use BookBreak to enable students to virtually meet and engage with graphic novelists.

Grades: 6 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Offei-Addo
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10
Description: Why do people still create items by hand? Through this project-based elective, students will explore this question through various handcrafting activities. This will most likely include exploring bookbinding, comic making, crocheting, jewelry making, hand sewing, weaving, and other crafting techniques. Student input is also welcome!

Grades: 6 & 7
Taught by: Mr. Seymour
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10-14
Description:  Model UN (MUN) is a simulation of the United Nations, where students from around the world take on the roles of delegates, representing different countries, and working together to address global issues. They research, debate, negotiate, and write resolutions to find solutions to assigned topics.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Crampton, Ms. Ryu, Ms. Mingels, and Ms. Corbin
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 60
Description:  The fall musical is for students who love to perform as actors, singers, and/or dancers. Students will rehearse and perform a Jr. version, or equivalent length, of a musical (chosen by the director) in the CFA. While students will audition for roles, all students who choose to participate will be cast in some role (leads, supporting, ensemble). While students may not be in every scene, they can expect to attend rehearsals 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) during the electives block and a separate study hall space will be available on days that a student is not rehearsing. Additionally, students will be expected to attend tech rehearsals and performances during the week of the performance (usually: the Sunday afternoon before, Monday-Thursday the week of the performance, and the performance on Thursday or Friday evening). Finally, participants should be aware that some outside work will be required (memorizing lines, reviewing music, practicing choreography, etc.).

Grades: 8
Taught by: TBD
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10-20
Description:  In this 8th grade elective, students will learn how one person’s actions can impact others and the variety of ways someone can lead within a community. They will also develop the skills to support peers with conflicts and problem solving. Together these peer leaders will implement this newfound knowledge within our community.

Grades: 5 & 6
Taught by: Mr. Cibelli
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 12
Description:  Explore the world of poetry in this elective. Students will learn about various poetic forms and techniques. Through engaging activities, they will develop their creative writing skills and discover new ways to express their ideas. Share your poems and build confidence in your voice.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Iskra
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10-20
Description:  Students who participate in the Rap & Hip-Hop Appreciation elective will learn about the pillars of Hip-Hop culture; emceeing, graffiti, breaking and DJing. They will listen to and think critically about songs and albums from the past 50 years, by identifying the instrumental organization of the music, by identifying samples, and by approaching the lyrics, both from the manner in which they jibe with the beats, and, also, as a literary critic would read them like poetry that stands alone. They will discuss the numerous ways in which Hip-Hop has and continues to illustrate and protest social issues, they will discuss the way that Hip-Hop culture has been and is now consumed, and they will discuss what this powerful, Black, American culture has meant and means to them today. Ultimately, interested students will also have the opportunity to express and create.

Grades: 8
Taught by: Ms. Macauley
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 10-20
Description:  Build on your robotics skill building from previous years by joining the inaugural year of a TAMS Robotics Team. You will learn and utilize coding and building in a team environment and participate in a regional challenge or competition. If you can do both fall and winter that would be ideal.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Knox & Mr. Cann
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 12-16
Description: TATV is our student-created television show which airs weekly at community time. As a member of the TATV crew, students will write, act, film, and edit video segments with the chance to air their content in front of the entire school.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Pinkham
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12
Description:  Students interested in creating sets, props, or supporting the tech or backstage aspects of drama productions will love this elective. Projects will change from term to term, depending on the needs of the production. Tech Theater will meet 3 days a week (Monday, Thursday, and Friday). Additionally, tech theater students will be expected to attend tech rehearsals and performances during the week of the performance (usually: the Sunday afternoon before, Monday-Thursday the week of the performance, and the performance on Thursday or Friday evening).

Grades: 8
Taught by: Mr. Pinkham
Days per week: 2
Number of students: TBD
Description:  Capture moments in the middle school, and compile memories for the 8th grade video! All abilities of videographers welcome!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Palmer
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12-15
Description:  Ready to make your voice heard through art? In this powerful and creative elective, students become art-activists—using their artwork to speak up about causes that matter to them. Each year, the class picks a new theme to focus on (past topics include fashion sustainability and animal rights), and students work together to design impactful Public Service Announcements (PSAs), posters, and awareness campaigns. You’ll learn how color, imagery, and design can influence opinions, spark conversations, and inspire action. Whether you’re passionate about the planet, human rights, or everyday kindness, this class gives you the tools to turn your ideas into eye-catching, change-making art for the school and community.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Mingels
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 15-20
Description:  The Chorus Arts Elective is perfect for students who want to perform fun songs, improve their vocal technique, and learn more about how their voice works! All grades are welcome and encouraged to join. There will be opportunities for solos, playing instruments, and we will get to show off what we learned at Arts Night! Recent performances included How Far I’ll Go from Moana, For Good from Wicked, What a Wonderful World and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Grades: 6 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Keohane
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 12
Description:  JOIN DEBATE CLUB! Think it. Say it. Prove it. Debate Club is a fun and welcoming space where students share different opinions on popular—and sometimes spicy—topics! Whether we’re arguing about pineapple on pizza 🍍🍕 or whether TikTok should be banned 📱🚫, every voice gets a chance to be heard. You’ll learn how to:

• Speak clearly and confidently in front of others
• Listen closely and respond thoughtfully
• Research and find sources that support your case
• Build strong, convincing arguments and rebuttal
• Practice both casual and formal debating styles
• No experience needed—just bring your curiosity, your voice, and your opinions!

Grades: 6 though 8
Taught by: Mr. Seymour
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 6-14
Description:  Students will learn how to make documentary films through analyzing short documentaries, and then will plan, write, film, and edit their own documentaries about some aspect of Thayer Academy. These films will be viewed during school community time alongside TATV!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Skop
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12-16
Description:  Rehearse and perform music from rock and jazz genres. All instruments are welcome. The music is arranged for each ensemble, considering each student's ablities. A performance at Arts night will end each trimester.

Grades: 8
Taught by: Ms. Finney
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 4-12
Description:  Want to learn to speak Chinese? In this fun and interactive class, you’ll learn the six most common Chinese verbs and how to introduce yourself in Mandarin! You’ll also be able to read a story in Chinese characters and create your very own digital Chinese book by the end of the course. Plus—we’ll make delicious food and explore cool parts of Chinese culture along the way!

Grades: 5 & 6
Taught by: Mr. Cibelli
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 12
Description:  This elective will delve into the exciting process of creating and writing within imaginary worlds. Students will explore elements like geography, cultures, magic systems (if applicable), creatures, and history, aiming to develop consistent and believable worlds that could then serve as backdrops for short stories and/or descriptive writing.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Pinkham
Days per week: 2
Number of students: TBD
Description:  In this hands on visual art elective you will have the chance to develop your observational drawing skills as a foundation for three dimensional design explorations. Students will work in a variety of art making modes from portraiture to architectural drawing and all of your efforts will culminate in having a chance to build final products in the CDL.

Grades: 6 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Offei-Addo
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10
Description: Why do people still create items by hand? Through this project-based elective, students will explore this question through various handcrafting activities. This will most likely include exploring bookbinding, comic making, crocheting, jewelry making, hand sewing, weaving, and other crafting techniques. Student input is also welcome!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Butler
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10
Description:  Do you have a question you would like to answer? Have you ever wondered how or why something works? Do you like to build things out of different materials? Come join this year’s MSEF Science Fair Teach. Each of you will have the opportunity to develop and run an experiment of your choice, or execute the design process to engineer a solution.

Grades: 5 through 7
Taught by: Ms. Francois & Ms. Noone
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 20
Description:  The group will read and discuss middle grade books from different genres. Students will discuss each book and nominate two books to be listed on this year's Massachusetts Children's Book Awards Nominees List.

Grades: 6 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Lindgren Galloway
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 20-25
Description:  The winter play is for students who love to perform but may not want to sing or dance. Students will rehearse a 30-60 minute play (chosen by the director) to perform in Thompson Hall. While students will audition for roles, all students who choose to participate will be cast in some role (leads, supporting, ensemble). While students may not be in every scene, they can expect to attend rehearsals 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) during the electives block and a separate study hall space will be available on days that a student is not rehearsing. Additionally, winter play students will be expected to attend tech rehearsals and performances during the week of the performance (usually: the Sunday afternoon before, Monday-Thursday the week of the performance, and the performance on Thursday or Friday evening). Finally, participants should be aware that some outside work will be required (memorizing lines and blocking).

Grades: 8
Taught by: Ms. Macauley
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 10-20
Description: Build on your robotics skill building from previous years by joining the inaugural year of a TAMS Robotics Team. You will learn and utilize coding and building in a team environment and participate in a regional challenge or competition. If you can do both fall and winter that would be ideal.

Grades: 6 though 8
Taught by: Mr. Sahle
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 12
Description:  Love sports debates with your friends? Ever argued over who’s the better player—LeBron or Jordan, Mahomes or Brady, Messi or Ronaldo? In this elective, you’ll learn how to use data to win sports arguments. This course introduces key middle school statistics topics—mean, median, mode, range, percentages, graphs, probability, variability—and shows how they’re used in real sports conversations. You’ll also get a taste of modern sports analytics, like player efficiency ratings, expected goals (xG), and advanced stats from basketball, football, baseball, hockey, etc.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Cann & Ms. Dash
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 12-16
Description: TATV is our student-created television show which airs weekly at community time. As a member of the TATV crew, students will write, act, film, and edit video segments with the chance to air their content in front of the entire school.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Crampton
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12
Description:  Students interested in creating sets, props, or supporting the tech or backstage aspects of drama productions will love this elective. Projects will change from term to term, depending on the needs of the production. Tech Theater will meet 3 days a week (Monday, Thursday, and Friday). Additionally, tech theater students will be expected to attend tech rehearsals and performances during the week of the performance (usually: the Sunday afternoon before, Monday-Thursday the week of the performance, and the performance on Thursday or Friday evening).

Grades: 7 & 8
Taught by: Ms. Young
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 8
Description:  Do you enjoy photography, graphic design, or writing? Then the Yearbook Activity is perfect for you! Join a team of creative students who help plan, design, and produce the Thayer Academy Middle School yearbook. You’ll have the opportunity to take photos, write captions, design layouts, and create pages that capture the events, accomplishments, and memorable moments of the school year. Be part of telling the story of our school—one page at a time!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Cann
Days per week: 2
Number of students: TBD
Description:  This is for students interested in having dedicated time in the CDL for personal building projects. We will start with some team building projects to get comfortable with the tools in the CDL and gain some skills. Then each student will decide what they would like to build for themselves.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Palmer
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10-12
Description:  Want to make art that goes beyond the classroom walls? In this elective, students will explore the exciting world of public and community art—art that’s made to be shared with others! From collaborative murals to temporary installations and sidewalk chalk messages, you’ll learn how artists use public spaces to express ideas, tell stories, and bring people together. Students will design and create projects that brighten up the school or local community, working as a team to plan, sketch, and build artwork that makes an impact. If you love big ideas, bold colors, and teamwork, this is the elective for you!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Skop
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12-16
Description:  Rehearse and perform music from rock and jazz genres. All instruments are welcome. The music is arranged for each ensemble, considering each student's abilities. A performance at Arts night will end each trimester. 

Grades: 7
Taught by: Ms. Finney
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 4-12
Description:  Want to learn to speak Chinese? In this fun and interactive class, you’ll learn the six most common Chinese verbs and how to introduce yourself in Mandarin! You’ll also be able to read a story in Chinese characters and create your very own digital Chinese book by the end of the course. Plus—we’ll make delicious food and explore cool parts of Chinese culture along the way!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Pinkham
Days per week: TBD
Number of students: TBD
Description:  In this elective students will create short films with the goal of submitting one to the Spring Film Festival.

Grades: 8
Taught by: Mr. Seymour
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10-14
Description:  Model UN (MUN) is a simulation of the United Nations, where students from around the world take on the roles of delegates, representing different countries, and working together to address global issues. Students research, debate, negotiate, and write resolutions to find solutions to assigned topics. Students will attend two conferences that they will prep for and also participate in several in-house conferences run by Mr. Seymour.

Grades: 6 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Sahle
Days per week: 2
Number of students: TBD
Description:  In this hands-on elective, students become part of the analytics team for our high school varsity basketball program. Using real game footage from the HUDL camera system, students will gather and analyze data to help coaches and players understand performance, improve strategy, and gain a competitive edge. We’ll create heat maps, shot charts, and other visuals to break down individual player and team trends. The course culminates in a formal presentation of findings and insights, both individual and team profiles, delivered to the varsity basketball team and coaches. This course blends math, sports, and technology in a fun, purpose-driven way, and gives students a front-row seat to the intersection of academics, data and athletics.

Grades: 5 & 6 
Taught by: Mr. Cibelli
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 12
Description:  This course explores the diverse ways sports are written about, from fictional tales to journalistic articles. We will analyze how writers capture the action, emotion, and significance of athletic events and figures. Students will also have the opportunity to write their own sports-related pieces, applying the techniques they learn.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Crampton, Ms. Mingels & Ms. Corbin
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 30-60
Description:  Do you love to sing and dance? Then TAC is for you! Each spring, Thayer students rehearse and perform a musical revue inspired by a theme (i.e. water, ancient history, travel, literary characters). Students can audition for solo singing or join the ensemble as dancers, singers, and musicians. While students may not be in every number, they can expect to attend rehearsals 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) during the electives block and a separate study hall space will be available on days that a student is not rehearsing. Additionally, TAC students will be expected to attend tech rehearsals and performances during the week of the performance (usually: the Sunday afternoon before, Monday-Thursday the week of the performance, and the performance on Thursday or Friday evening). Finally, participants should be aware that some outside work will be required (memorizing songs, practicing choreography, etc.).

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Mr. Knox & Ms. Dash
Days per week: 4
Number of students: 12-16
Description:  TATV is our student-created television show which airs weekly at community time. As a member of the TATV crew, students will write, act, film, and edit video segments with the chance to air their content in front of the entire school.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Power
Days per week: 2
Number of students: TBD
Description:  Thayer Farms Hydroponic Lab – What Is It, and How Can I Help?
In this hands-on elective, students will explore Thayer’s new Hydroponic Lab and discover how vegetables can be grown without soil. Students will learn the basics of hydroponics, care for the plants, and take part in harvesting and distributing fresh produce!

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Francois
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 20
Description:  The group will learn and practice A/V skills related to podcasting which includes: brainstorming segments, organizing segments, writing and recording segments and editing segments. The topics featured on the podcast will be student led, with at least one literary segment. A minimum of two episodes will be created within the term. Link to The Library Spotify page.

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Lindgren Galloway
Days per week: 3
Number of students: 12
Description:  Students interested in creating sets, props, or supporting the tech or backstage aspects of drama productions will love this elective. Projects will change from term to term, depending on the needs of the production. Tech Theater will meet 3 days a week (Monday, Thursday, and Friday). Additionally, tech theater students will be expected to attend tech rehearsals and performances during the week of the performance (usually: the Sunday afternoon before, Monday-Thursday the week of the performance, and the performance on Thursday or Friday evening).

Grades: 5 through 8
Taught by: Ms. Macauley
Days per week: 2
Number of students: 10-12
Description:  In this creative elective, students will design and publish the 2025–2026 edition of Tiger’s Tale, our school’s literary magazine made by students, for students. Open to all grades, this course focuses on using Canva to explore the fundamentals of graphic design. Students will learn how design choices can communicate emotions and ideas while showcasing student writing and artwork from throughout the year.