It’s not often that elementary students get to pick their classes, but a new enrichment program at Wantagh Elementary School is focused on choice. The revived initiative for third, fourth and fifth graders includes six enrichment sessions in November and December.

Principal Dr. Randee Bonagura said that the goal of the enrichment program is to foster creative thinking and a love of learning. The workshops are based on a student interest survey and once the list was created, they were able to submit their top choices. Each activity is led by two teachers who were also matched to their classes based on interest and expertise. 

There is a wide variety of options for each grade level. Third graders have been playing Scrabble, drawing and making their own dance routines in a creative movement class, among other activities. In a fourth grade mindfulness class, students made “gratitude graffiti” by writing positive messages on sticky notes to put on teachers’ doors. Keep Calm and Color On was another fourth grade session that gave students a creative outlet.

In fifth grade, a Sports Debate class taught students how to support their arguments with evidence, such as when they deliberated over the best athlete of all time. In a STEAM class, they created with 3D pens while in Slam Poetry, students explored the written word. The Ready, Set, Go class made the backdrop for the school’s production of Disney’s “The Lion King.”

“The feedback from teachers and students has been extremely positive,” Dr. Bonagura said. “We hope our students will use their new skills and talents to make the world a better place.”

Dr. Bonagura added that after the holiday break, there will be enrichment sessions for students in grades K-2.