Middle School Clubs & Activities
National Connections Academy offers many activities and clubs to expand students' educational and social horizons.
Arts and Crafts Club
This club encourages students to create crafts using materials found at home and in nature. Projects include apple printing, using magnetic word tiles to create poetry, gift making, and educational games.
Book Club
Participants read selected books and share their observations with each other. Using online prompts, the teacher guides and encourages group discussion.
Chess Club
Club members learn, socialize, and play in an atmosphere of friendly competition. After completing an online tutorial for either beginner or advanced players, students are matched with competitors of the same skill level, and the games begin. Students can even play in our national tournament on this exclusive Connections Academy site. Take a sneak peak! Demo our online chess game.
Debate Club
Students learn the arts of debate and critical thinking. While discussing and debating current events, students use such skills as brainstorming, topic research, presentation strategies, verbal and nonverbal cues, and role-playing. Teachers help students develop position statements, supporting arguments, and analytical thinking.
Environmental Club - NEW!
Students will work together to learn about and discuss environmental issues at the local, national, and global level. Each week will feature a project that students can work on at home that will help the environment. Special guest speakers will participate in the club as well, adding breadth to the knowledge students gain from participating.
First in Math® - NEW!
Students take part in a national math competition by playing interactive games on the First in Math® Web site. As they play, they reinforce a wide range of skills, from simple addition to solving for x and y variables. Students work at their own pace, earning points as they master various concepts.
Middle School Science in the Kitchen
Science in the Kitchen encourages students to think about, discuss, and participate in scientific experiments using household items. Students complete a variety of hands-on experiments on topics exploring the properties of water, solids, plants, and animals. When the students have completed their experiments, they post their findings on the Clubs and Activities message board. Throughout the year, students learn the importance of each experiment and its impact on modern-day life.
National History Day Club - NEW!
National History Day will guide students through the process of creating, editing, and submitting unique projects to the National History Day competition. Working with a theme announced by the National History Day organization, students will choose from several different types of projects and learn research and writing skills as they work.
Pen Pals
It’s a new twist on a classic way to build friendships. Students develop their skills in letter writing, written expression, and penmanship, while making friends with other National Connections Academy students.
Poetry Corner
Our own Poetry Lady directs this group, where young writers explore the language of poetry and hold weekly online forums to share and critique their work.
Poetic Forms and Language II
Students learn the art of writing poetry. Introduction to Poetic Forms and Language II continues to challenge students with various advanced poetic forms. Students learn how to convey ideas, situations, and feelings in inventive and original ways. Lessons teach students how to communicate ideas using metaphor, simile, and imagery. Students are encouraged to share their poetry and short stories once a week on the Poetry Corner message boards.
Quiz Bowl
We test students’ knowledge of fun facts in this weekly academic competition, with winners named in each state at the end of the year. Sample a Quiz Bowl challenge now.
Robotics Club - NEW!
The Robotics Club will guide students in grades 4-12 through the exciting world of robots. Students will define what a robot is (and what it isn't!), study the myths that surround robots, examine how robots are used in movies and stories, and consider how robots assist humans. Experts in the field of robotics will help students learn more about artificial intelligence and what the future holds for humans and machines.
Student Advisory Council
Students elect their peers in each state to provide guidance and feedback on such activities as creating a student mentoring program and identifying community service projects. The council helps students develop leadership skills, and builds a sense of school community.
Student Literary Magazine
The monthly Pens and Lens magazine recognizes and publishes original student works. We encourage students to inspire one another in both writing and photography.
Student Newspaper
The Monitor is our student-managed, student-staffed monthly newspaper. As they work together, students learn about group dynamics, organization strategies, and teambuilding exercises while researching and writing stories on current events, sports, entertainment, and fashion.