Electives!

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Electives…

The one highlight of school is getting to pick a class that suits you and what you like. Many schools offer these (mostly in high school), but my school has currently offered new electives for the middle school students. I usually take study hall, a class that lets me get caught up with all my other classes, but now since there are new electives in place, there is no study hall. We can pick 2 electives- one of fine arts and one of our choice. The fine arts options include Band, alternative band, jazz/pep band, mixed choir, keyboards and music styles, show choir, Art 1, art 2, and media arts and ceramics. Sounds like a lot. Huh? Well the problem is that with so many options, students are finding it hard to choose. Being a study haller myself, I am used to getting to do whatever I want the whole period. Students just don’t want to worry about the grades!

So to help out my fellow teenagers in this harsh world, I’d like to give you some insight on these electives and tell you about them so that you can choose which is best for you.

Band: 

This is the usual band that has probably always been in your school. You play instruments and learn about them. The only thing about this band though is that if you have never taken band and you are in 7th or 8th grade, you have to take alternative band instead. You may like this fine arts program if you are into music and playing instruments.

Alternative Band:

This is basically just like band, but it is a beginner band for 7th and 8th grade students. It teaches the basics so that you aren’t as behind as you would be in regular band. You may like this if you are into playing instruments, but it is your first time being in band.

Jazz/pep Band:

This class isn’t like normal band. You learn about jazz theory, improvisation, combo study, and solos. If you are into this type of music, this class is perfect for you!

Mixed Choir: 

La! La! La! Choir is for singers! You work on singing a variety of music work on performing live. You are mixed in with girls, boys, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Mixed choir is perfect if you love to sing!

Keyboards and Music Styles:

If you are into piano and keyboards, this class is for you. You work on playing songs at your playing level all while learning about the history of American Music/Styles and songwriting.

Show Choir:

This class is basically like an advanced choir. They still go to competitions, but their work is no joke. You have to try out to make it and you have to have been in regular choir for at least a year before joining. They also have mandatory meetings and concerts that if you don’t attend, you could potentially get kicked out. This is a very good class for you if you if you are serious about singing!

Art 1:

This class is the basics of art. You will learn the history and will interpret different art projects. This class is good if you are into diy crafts, drawing, or anything that has to do with art!

Art 2: 

This is almost the same thing as the above art, but a little more advanced.

Other options to add to your fine arts:

Fitness and sport 2: Good for people who love gym in general. You work on the basics of sports with a little workout in between.

Fitness and Sport 3: Basically same as above except you go a little more in depth.

Group X: An awesome class for anyone who wants to be overall healthier. You get to do yoga, kickboxing, ect!

Introduction to Engineering and Design: Perfect for anyone who wants to be an engineer! You learn all the basics and it is a good head start to becoming an engineer!

~I really hope this helped anyone who was struggling to decide which elective they wanted to pick! Remember, electives differ from school to school, but most of these are at other schools as well. :-)~

Hop on the Invisalign Train!

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We all know what traditional braces are. They’re basically just wires that are placed on your teeth in order to straighten them out. If you need braces and don’t want the metal, invisalign is the way to go!

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is just basically clear, plastic retainers that you put on your teeth to straighten them out. You can take them off only to eat and brush your teeth.

The Cost?  

The cost for these really depend on just how messed up your teeth are. Mine aren’t SUPER bad so mine were in the thousands range. The cost for invisalign really isn’t any different from the traditional braces.

The Process of Them…

1.) Deciding that you want them.

Before you get them on, you need to be 110% sure that you really want them. If you end up not liking them, you can’t just take them off! (Well I mean, you could, but there are built in blue dots that wear off over time. So basically your dentist/orthodontist will be able to tell if you’ve been wearing them.)  It is a strong commitment just like it would be with braces.

2.) Making the molds.

After you tell your dentist/orthodontist that you want the Invisalign, they will set up an appointment for you to make molds. In other words, they just want impressions of your teeth. They will sit you down and size up your mouth. They have 3 sizes of “trays” they will put in your mouth to try. (These aren’t the actual trays you’ll be wearing. They are solid and are more like dentures used just for making molds.)  They have a small, a medium, and a large tray that they will put in your mouth to determine which fits you best. Then they will fill the tray with a goopy substance and press it into your top and bottom teeth. It will be held in your mouth for about 5 minutes each, or until the substance hardens. Once they take it out, they will snap some pictures of your mouth. When your appointment is over, they will put all of your information together and will send it to the invisalign company to make your actual trays.

3.) The Application.

When they come in the mail, you will have to go and pick them up. The dentist will show you how to use them and will give you everything you need.

Buttons?

Everyone’s mouth is different. My two top canines were very far up as were some of my other teeth. To fix something like this, the dentist had to put little cement dots onto my teeth. These are just like brackets for braces, but they’re tooth colored. The cement dots are nothing to be afraid of, actually the short procedure didn’t take long at all. I ended up with 7 dots on the top and 6 on the bottom. Here’s how the procedure goes: They clean each tooth thoroughly. Next, they make sure that your tooth is totally dry. They fill up the dot part in your invisalign tray with a cement material and then they put the tray onto you. They use a special blue light to harden the cement. (You have to wear glasses for this to make sure nothing falls in your eyes and just as a WARNING, the cement stuff tastes disgusting!) Then the procedure is over!

The Pain?

Honestly, Invisalign didn’t really hurt that bad. It felt a little uncomfortable at first, but that’s just because I wasn’t used to it yet. The first time you take them out and then put them on again, your teeth will ache and feel weird. Overnight, you might play with them  a lot which will make your tongue sore. Overall, it doesn’t hurt too too bad. It’s nothing a little pain medicine can’t handle.

The Care

Before I even got the trays, my dentist gave me a prescription toothpaste to help me with cavities. You are more prone to getting cavities when you have tray so this toothpaste helps fight plaque more then your average toothpaste. I use this stuff once every night and I just scrub it along my gums in addition to my regular  teeth routine. The biggest thing with invisalign is that you HAVE to brush your teeth after everything you eat! When you eat, you take the trays out, put them in the case you were given, eat, them head straight to the bathroom to brush! I floss, brush, rinse, and then clean out my trays by rinsing them and scrubbing them with a toothbrush. It is also a good idea to get a good whitening toothpaste. With all this brushing, your teeth are gonna be perfect!

How long?

This depends as well. Every tray is switched out every two weeks. But, just as an example, I have to wear mine for 10 months with 20 trays. All in all, you wear these for less time than braces!