With the 2024-25 school year quickly approaching, students have started meeting with their counselors to pick their classes for the next year. The shows we watch as children reflect who we were and who we will become; the classes we take reflect our values and personality. In this article, Disney Channel shows are matched with classes at Glenbard East in the hopes that it will promote the diversity of classes provided! Some shows may even connect with your childhood interests!
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “A.N.T. Farm”, you should take Computer Science Discoveries 1
“A.N.T. Farm” stars China Anne McClain as she plays Chyna Parks, who is a part of an advanced program at a new school. As the seasons go on, the school incorporates much more technology in their school design which relates this show to the class of Computer Science Discoveries 1. In this introductory computer science class, students learn many aspects of computer science. It allows students to choose their own adventure in the class through the disciplines of coding and design. The modules of this class include HTML/CSS, Alice, Scratch, JavaScript, Game Design, Python, Cyber Security, Data Science, 3D Models, Coding Circuits, and more!
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Austin & Ally”, you should take Piano 1
“Austin & Ally” is about a young Austin Moon as he discovers the impact of his new-found fame, but this wouldn’t be without the help of his songwriter with stage fright, Ally Dawson. In this show, viewers can often see the pair working on songs together by playing the piano which makes this class perfect for fans of this show. Piano 1 is a class for those with little or no experience playing the piano as in this class students will learn the basics of the instrument. Students can expect to study components of music theory, notation, composition, as well as history.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Good Luck Charlie”, you should take Child Development 1
“Good Luck Charlie” stars a large family as they tackle everyday life with seven people under one roof! Child Development 1 would be a great option for fans of this show as students learn about the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of young children. In this class, students will also have the ability to get hands-on experience as they get the opportunity to participate in an on-site preschool program, where they work with students aged 3-5. Additionally, this class prepares students for careers working with children, teaching, social services, and more.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Hannah Montana”, you should take Treble Choir or Baritone Choir
“Hannah Montana ” is about a girl who lives two different lives at once, one where she is the biggest singer in the world, and in the other where she is just a normal girl. As she is a famous singer who has taken the world by storm, either Treble Choir or Baritone Choir would be perfect for fans of this show. Both of these are entry-level choir classes that teach students the fundamentals of choir like sight reading, breath control, and more. Treble Choir is for sopranos and altos while Baritone Choir is for tenors and basses. Either way, in these classes, students will learn how to become a better singer, just like Hannah Montana!
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Jessie”, you should take Interior Design
“Jessie” is about a young woman who has recently moved to New York City in hopes of becoming an actress, but soon finds a job in taking care of a group of incredibly rich kids who live in a luxurious and well-designed apartment. The kids’ apartment is integral to their growing up as they can be seen sliding down the stairs, hiding out in the movie theater, and even having an indoor snowball fight aided by all of the cool hideout spots of their living space. This connects with Glenbard East’s Interior Design class because in this class students will learn how to properly design a space that’s as beautiful as the apartment shown in “Jessie”. Students will learn how to create the perfect combinations of colors, fabrics, furnishings, lighting, and furniture! Additionally in this course, students will use hand and computer designing tools to scale, design, and decorate a floor plan. This class will also help students to explore future careers in architecture and design fields!
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “K.C. Undercover”, you should take Self Defense
“K.C. Undercover” stars Zendaya as she lives a double life, working as a superspy who protects the nation while also being a high school student. Self Defense would be the perfect class for fans of this show as students will learn how to defend themselves in various situations as demonstrated in this show. In this class, students will not only learn self-defense through hands-on training but they will also learn about things like awareness, prevention, risk and more. Basic skills like strikes, kicks, and elbows will be established, which will then be built upon in learning other combination skills like leg sweeps and takedowns. Overall, this is a class that may be beneficial for all students as the things learned by taking it will be applicable throughout a lifetime.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Liv and Maddie”, you should take Film Studies 1 or Team Sports 1 or 2
“Liv and Maddie” is about a pair of identical twins, Liv being the more “girly girl” of them, whilst Maddie is more of a “tomboy”. If students identify more with Liv, they should take Film Studies 1, as Liv is a movie star who acts in the show “Voltage”. Film Studies 1 is perfect for any movie lover because in this class students will take a closer look at movies as well as learn to analyze films, grow an appreciation for films, and more. If students think they are more of a Maddie type, they would be perfect for either Team Sports 1 or 2. In Team Sports, students will participate in various sports including Basketball, Volleyball, and more, as well as meet others who also enjoy athletics! Team Sports 1 is for those more competitive while Team Sports 2 is for those who would just like to engage in physical education through sports.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Phineas and Ferb”, you should take Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW)
“Phineas and Ferb” is about two boys with a goal of making every day of their summer vacation the best! They do this by going on so many adventures, one of them being building a roller coaster in their backyard. By taking Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW), students will learn the basics of engineering! In this class, students will learn how to address engineering problems through an engineering design program. There is a range of things students will do in this class in their activity-project-problem-based teaching and learning system such as robotics, block coding, and 3D printing and design!
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “Sonny with a Chance”, you should take Acting
“Sonny with a Chance” is about Sonny Monroe, played by Demi Lovato, as she navigates the world of her favorite sketch comedy show “So Random”. By taking Acting, students would be able to learn the skills expressed in this show! In Acting, students strengthen their acting skills as well as learn different skills such as playwriting and production skills. This class is especially interesting as every semester this class navigates a different acting style, genre, or period of theater history, making this class repeatable. In addition, this class will cover students’ speech requirement for graduation!
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
If you liked “The Suite Life of Zach & Cody”, you should take Human Relations
The show “The Suite Life of Zach & Cody” stars two identical twins who reside in the Tipton Hotel, and are always finding a way to get themselves into trouble. Human Relations would be a great class for those who enjoy this show because running a hotel comes with many responsibilities, one of them is connecting with not only guests but also the staff. In Human Relations students will learn about all of the relationships they have with the people around them, which would help them to not only learn more about those they surround themselves with but also the students themselves. Additionally, this class will help students to build the communication skills that are so vital to not only any future career but also in helping to navigate their relationships with others.
