Enrichment Clusters

Cluster 1: PERFORMER’S PLAYHOUSE 

Have you ever heard of Reader’s Theater? It is a type of theater that emphasizes vocal expression and interpretation skills. In Performer’s Playhouse, you will use Readers Theater to explore various aspects of plays and perform plays that help us appreciate the value of positive character traits such as kindness, honesty, patience and more. Participants will also plan how to bring your play to life. So if you have a talent for speaking, like to read and discuss various aspects of plays, and want to develop your performing arts abilities, then join Performer’s Playhouse !

 Cluster 2: CALLING ALL CARTOONISTS!

Are you a character? A cartoon character that is. Do you sometimes identify with Charlie Brown or his pet dog the Flying Ace Snoopy? Do you like to draw and write? Then this could be the cluster for you. Explore the world of cartoons and cartoon  characters and the messages they send as you develop your artistic talents. Use technology as you work as individuals or in groups to investigate ways to use cartoons to communicate, inform and entertain. Challenge your creativity as you design your own character and original comic strip and maybe you, too, can create the next great character that will be remembered for a long time to come!

Cluster 3: EXTREME MAKEOVER: ROOM ADDITION           

Numbers…Fabric…Design… Are you interested in designing your dream bedroom? Do you enjoy watching Extreme Makeover? Then join this cluster and combine your interest in math, art and technology as you work through the design process and problem solve your way to a new bedroom design. You will have the opportunity to make choices based on your favorite sports, hobbies and colors as you make your furniture “fit” into your bedroom design. From visualizing a concept to developing a final presentation based on your design and theme, this cluster will enable you to create your dream room, and perhaps help you convince your parents to make your dream a reality.

Cluster 4: COMPOSER’S CORNER 

Do you like music? Have you ever wanted to create your own song? Have you ever wondered what is it like to be a composer? Well if you answered yes to any of these questions, then this could be the cluster for you. Using electronic keyboards, you will explore the many aspects of what goes into writing and performing music. Working individually and in groups, you can inspire each other to make beautiful music!

Cluster 5: PASSION FOR FASHION

Have you ever wondered where designers get their ideas or how designers turn their ideas into finished clothing? Are you interested in art, clothing and fashion design?  Then this is the cluster for you! Here’s your opportunity to explore the world of fashion from careers in the fashion and textile industry to the design process. You will create your own “wearable” fabric art (such as scarves, bandanas, neckties, hankies) using your original designs and a variety of fabric painting techniques. Then you will plan how your cluster will exhibit your creations.  Join us to develop your Passion for Fashion!

Cluster 6: CELEBRATION SQUAD!                                                                                                               Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a successful celebration? Are you an organizer with an interest in art, advertisement, games and technology? Then this is the cluster for you! You will investigate the elements of successful celebrations and enhance your creative, organizational and leadership skills as your team develops ideas and plans for your own celebration… from selecting a theme, creating invitations using desktop publishing, and designing entertainment and menus on a budget, to hosting the final celebration. Join us to plan a memorable celebration!

Cluster 7: SWIFTY SPEED STACKERS

Come join the newest sport that is quickly catching on all across the nation:  Speed Stacking.  Discover a way to keep your brain healthy, at any age, by keeping it challenged through “Cup Stacking.” Improve concentration, eye-hand coordination, agility, and the ability to think with both sides of the brain.  Students of all abilities will discover and master this skill, chart results to track personal progress, develop a plan for teaching, and teach “Speed Stacking” to others.

Cluster 8: FIELD HOCKEY

Do you love sports?  Did you know that field hockey is played by both men and women?  Did you know that Cranford has had championship field hockey teams?  If you have a competitive edge, see if you’ve got what it takes to be a field hockey player and join this cluster.  Join a tradition of excellence and develop your team building skills as you discover this exciting game of field hockey.  Plan a way to share your skills.

Cluster 9: MATHOPOLY COMPANY

Do you like to problem solve?  Do you enjoy experimenting with math board games?  Are you interested in creating your own math board game so that others can play it?  Join the Mathopoly Company to explore different types of math games, discuss strategies for playing the board games, and work with a team to create your own math board game.  Maybe you’ll become the next math board game mogul! 

Cluster 10: CRANFORD COOPERATION CONSERVATION

 Do you know that by replacing one light bulb with a florescent light bulb is the same as removing 85,000 cars from the roads in New Jersey for one year?  Are you interested in saving energy in your home and exploring alternate forms of energy to better the planet? If this interests you come and join the Cranford Conservation Cooperation!   In this cluster you will explore alternate forms of energy and gather data concerning environmental issues.  Activities include energy experiments and developing a plan to make a change to create a more friendly environment with your classmates or individually. Planning will include science activities, technology, and art design.  Come and discover how you can make a change in your environment and in your home!

Cluster 11: SUPER SOCIETY OF POETS

Do you love to express yourself?  Do you like to be creative?  Do you believe the “pen is mightier than the sword”?  Join the Super Society of Poets and discover the power of language.  Read famous poems and write your own!  Explore different types of poems and try your hand at them yourself.  Use your imagination as you design and create a collection to share.  Join the Society and discover the magic and inspiration of poetry!

Cluster 12: Ocean Sense

Do you love the ocean?  Have you ever wondered what you could do to protect it?  Then join us as we explore ways to make "sense" of the dangers facing our oceans today.  You will have the opportunity to select your own method for becoming an "ocean helper" and to create a way to share it with others.

Cluster 13: MAKING MEMORIES LAST

Family, Friends, and Fun are what make life worthwhile.  One way you can keep the stories and pass them on is by keeping a journal.  In Memory maker, you will create a book in one of three styles to share your history.  Through writing, pictures, or pictures and writing you will tell your story.  You will see several ways this is done and create one the way that works for you.  In the end you will have either a great keepsake to pass on and refer to or a terrific gift for that special someone.

Cluster 14: PUZZLEMANIA

Are you interested in creating puzzles?  Do you enjoy the challenge of solving puzzles?  Have you ever wondered about how puzzles are created?  Join us in this cluster to explore various types of puzzles.  Sharpen your mental skills with pictures, word, logic and jigsaw puzzles.  Try your skill at pencil and hidden word games.  Discover how you can create your own puzzles and share them with others.  Maybe you’ll be the puzzle maker of the future!

Cluster 15: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!                                                              
Do you ever wonder what goes into creating a video for television? Are you creative with a "good eye" for pictures? Do you like to write and create stories? In this cluster, you will be part of a video production company.  Go from idea to finished commercial as you discover storyboarding, film and editing techniques that real producers use. Maybe your commercial will be selected to be aired on TV-35!

Cluster 16: RAINFORESTS R US                         

Do you like to explore nature and collect data?  Would you like to discover the diversity of animals and plants that make up the rainforest ecosystem? Then join our expedition as a member of the team of scientists doing research for Rainforest R Us, Inc. Members will explore rainforest topics, discover how real scientists gather data on the rainforests in the field, and then create ways to share what they have discovered.

Cluster 17: GAME BOARD DESIGNERS

In this cluster, students will explore and analyze a variety of game board styles in order to emulate their favorite style or to create their very own game board design.  After brainstorming educational topics, students will choose their favorite subject of interest and create a valuable learning tool that will teach others in an exciting way.