Eighth Graders Share Original Poems
After a week of learning about and experimenting with the Shakespearean sonnet, the modern English ghazal, and contemporary free verse poetry, eighth graders worked hard this week on crafting their poetry portfolios that touch on a theme or subject of their choosing. Students chose to write poems in many different forms and about many different aspects of the human experience. On Thursday, our poetry unit culminated with a class poetry reading, where students shared an original poem from their portfolios. Much courage was demonstrated, and many snaps were received. Bravo, eighth graders!
– Sana Aslam, eighth grade English teacher
Arts Update: Third Graders Craft Unique Boxes in Woodworking
Students in first grade learn how to create a basic woodworking project called a “Hole in a Box.” This involves making a rectangular wooden block with a hole drilled on top and a lid to slide across, which closes the hole. As they progress to third grade, their skills and workmanship improve, allowing them to design and create their unique version of the “Hole in a Box.”
– William Smith, woodworking teacher
Capstone Journey Set to Start Studio Week
Next week is Capstone Studio Week for our eighth graders. Students will have 2-3 hours each day to work on their projects throughout the week. Studio week is an opportunity to feel supported by the BDS community as projects take their final forms. Students have access to teachers and materials, and they enjoy supporting classmates. This is a chance to experience sustained, focused work and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. Some of the activities that will be happening around the school next week are designing and building models, creating paintings and sculptures, working on software, carrying out studies, teaching classes to lower school students, and creating books, brochures, and websites. Next Friday, we will have a prototype exhibit where the eighth graders will share their progress on their projects and make plans to put the finishing touches on them based on feedback. Soon, they will be preparing to share their projects and learning journeys at Capstone presentations the week of April 8. Hope to see everyone there!
– Jennifer Friborg, French teacher and Capstone coordinator
Fourth Graders Present Their Research on Egypt
Earlier this year, you read about the fourth graders starting their ancient Egyptian research in the library. Since then, they have practiced taking notes and have written a multi-paragraph research report about their topic. This week, they shared what they have learned with their classmates. To prepare, they created a visual project to aid them in their presentation. Visual projects included posters, models, and slide presentations. We even had a moveable cat made out of cardboard! Presentations lasted from 3-7 minutes, and students used note cards to remind them of what they wanted to say about their topic. Topics included animals of the Nile, charms and amulets, social structure, fashion, and more. Not only were the presentations informative, but they were also a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our fourth grade researchers and writers.
– Lana Holman, fourth grade teacher
