By Erika Anderson

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Seventh-grader Elizabeth Eiland's classes at Immaculate Heart of Mary School include the basics-math, English and social studies-and one not-so-basic course entitled Hair and Make-up.

That's right--Hair and Make-up. The class, which included a color analysis from Clinqué, is just one of several Explore classes offered each year to IHM middle school students, exposing them to a variety of life skills adding to their development.

"Explore classes are an integral part of fulfilling our middle school mission," said Tricia DeWitt, assistant principal and middle school coordinator. "We want to evoke their curiosity and expose them to new ideas and challenges."

This year, students are participating in two six-week Explore sessions. The classes are held each Wednesday for 40 minutes and cover several areas of interest, such as academics, sports and life skills.

Eiland, who is currently taking the Hair and Make-up Explore class, has also taken pottery, faux painting and bead art.

"It's an opportunity to learn something new that's not school-related," she said. "Basically it's just a lot of fun and it gives us a break from our regular classes."

This is the eighth year for the Explore classes at IHM and DeWitt said that the students' enthusiasm for the classes proves that "variety is the spice of life."

"At this age they need to be active, they need to be engaged in activity," she said. "By offering these Explore classes, they are enjoying school more and learning things they probably wouldn't have the opportunity to."

The classes were the brainchild of former middle school coordinator Judy Wood, who DeWitt credits with taking the sixth, seventh and eighth grades from an "elementary program into a true middle school concept."

The sessions include classes in which students have expressed interest. Instructors are IHM teachers, parents, outside experts and even students, who offer their ideas and class proposals to DeWitt.

"I have just been so overwhelmed by the ideas that the kids have," she said. "It's so good when kids look to each other for leadership."

In teaching classes, students are required to provide detailed lesson plans.

Eric Walker is a seventh-grade IHM student who is in his second year of Explore classes. Currently enrolled in a golf class, Walker has also taken classes on public speaking and papermaking.

"I think it's really good for students to come up with ideas because it makes it more original," he said. "It also gives them a chance to teach."

The first session of classes began Jan. 12, offering such classes as outdoor skills, dancing, drama, golf and keyboarding. Past classes have included study skills, public speaking, self defense, video art, first-aid training, rollerblading and leadership.

DeWitt said that one of the most popular classes this session has been a student-taught flag football class.

"We are really incorporating not only the football skills, but good sportsmanship also," she said. "These classes are making a big difference. We are seeing less aggressiveness during recess time because of these Explore classes."

Brittany Holsonback is the eighth-grade student council president of IHM. She has taken classes such as swing dancing, aerobics and powder puff football. As a pre-middle school student, Holsonback remembers looking forward to taking the Explore classes when she started middle school.

"I really like the Explore classes a lot," she said. "You get a chance to use your energy and be with your friends."

Holsonback and three other girls have submitted a proposal to DeWitt to teach a course on basketball for a future session.

"I think it would be really fun to teach," she said.

Walker is happy to have the opportunity to expand his interests and extracurricular activities.

"I really like the Explore classes," he said. "Nowadays when people apply to St. Pius or Marist, they are looking for an all-around student, not just good grades. It's becoming more important to have a wide variety of extracurricular activities."

He also said that, as a member of the student council, he has found the classes helpful. His public speaking class helped greatly with his speeches for student council as well as with oratorical contests that he enters.

"I think the classes are very useful and very fun," he said. "Extracurricular activities bring up the morale of the school and help to bring out people's special qualities and skills."