Extracurricular activities offer a variety of benefits for middle school students. Research has shown that when students participate in extracurricular pursuits, they often perform better academically. Involvement may also correlate with overall success throughout life, even beyond graduation. When you urge kids to participate in organized activities outside of those required for school, you are encouraging them to develop unique skill sets that they will appreciate throughout their development.
Art
A number of artistic opportunities may be available to your middle school child. Explore artist programs that focus on a specific style of art, such as painting, drawing, or sculpting. Some groups might also make arrangements to periodically display their art at a local gallery or school, giving your child the chance to show off their work.
Drama and Music
Many middle schools have active drama and music groups that provide children with the opportunity to dance, play music, or act. Typically, a middle school will select a play or a musical for children to produce. Participants will need to practice their acting or singing skills, audition for parts, and learn lines to prepare for a show. Kids can also participate by helping with backstage work, such as set design, directing, and costumes.
Schools may have a band or choir that performs instrumental or choral concerts during the school year. Children participating in these activities will need to attend formal sessions at school and practice specific pieces to prepare for performances.
Robotics Club
Many kids find studying robots to be very exciting. Students who join a robotics club might have an opportunity to work as a team to design and build a robot. Each team member will have specific responsibilities during the design and building stages, with everyone working together to produce a finished result. Some clubs compete internally with teams in the same club. Clubs may also compete in other types of tournaments.
Sports
Team or individual sports are a great option for many students. Possible sporting opportunities include football, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, volleyball, golf, bowling, and wrestling. Kids can learn valuable athletic skills as they participate in various sporting groups. Students can also learn important lessons about sportsmanship, ethics, working as a team, and physical endurance.
Student Council
Some learning institutions have a student council in place to give kids a chance to develop important leadership skills. Children must run for election, seeking votes from peers to earn a seat on the council. Once elected, members of the student council will attend meetings to help plan activities and programs.
Getting children involved in various middle school extracurricular activities can be an excellent way for children to explore their interests and strengths. Armed with this information, kids can focus their pursuits accordingly.
