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Learning Updates for January 21 to January 25

January 27, 2025

Fifth Graders Dig Into Studying Worms

In science class, fifth graders have been studying ecosystems and food webs. Students spent time observing an important decomposer–an earthworm! We watched to see where a worm would go when given a choice between light and dark as well as dry and wet. Most worms preferred dark, damp spaces. This makes sense because the soil, where they live, is also dark and damp. Students were asking the question, “Do worms help gardens?” Students discussed designing a controlled experiment that could answer this question. Then students came up with ideas for their own controlled experiments that they could do with worms. Some students might carry out their experiments this spring!

– Emma Nairn, fifth grade teacher

Fourth Grade Welcomes Author Back for Writing Workshop

Author Luisana Duarte Armendariz returned to Belmont Day to visit fourth grade for the third year in a row. Students and teachers were equally excited for her visit and well prepared after reading her mystery novel, Julieta and the Diamond Enigma, in December. While reading, the students became detectives, gathering clues, looking for connections, and debating over suspects. Part of the novel takes place at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where the class visited last semester and could see some of the artifacts Luisana worked into her novel. During Luisana’s visit, she shared about herself as a writer. She led the students through writing activities about developing characters, thinking through the plot structure, and how to include red herrings. Students were also encouraged to incorporate artifacts they found at the MFA into their mysteries. The morning session ended with the opportunity to ask questions, and the students were happy to learn that Luisana will publish a second Julieta book. We can’t wait!

– Lana Holman, fourth grade teacher

Arts Update: Teaching and Learning with Teachers

Last week, the associate teachers wrapped up their slate of ARTS Workshops in the Coolidge Art Studio by working on the pottery wheels. Throughout the fall and extending into January, the associates have spent Friday mornings working with different art teachers in their studio spaces. Beginning in 2019, ARTS Workshop sessions have focused on providing hands-on experiences in each arts discipline so that our teachers-in-training get a taste of what and how students are learning outside of their academic classroom settings. We unpack the “how” and “why” for the associates. Specifically, our Friday sessions in woodworking, music, theater, innovation arts, and visual art introduce how arts specialists’ classes and units of study are presented to a wide variety of students in grades pre-k to 8, how collaborative work is intertwined with individualized experiences, and why each discipline’s curriculum is structured on key threads.

– Anne Armstrong, visual arts teacher and arts coordinator

By Kim Edwards, Pre-kindergarten Teacher |

September 12, 2025

The pre-kindergarten students are taking part in a very special learning tradition at Belmont Day–The Great Potato Harvest! Each fall, our youngest learners visit the garden to explore the many kinds of food growing there. This year, we noticed marigolds,…

By Susan Dempsey, Theater Arts Teacher |

September 12, 2025

In our first theater class of the term, eight enthusiastic sixth grade students began exploring the fundamentals of ensemble work. Through the activity Big, Tiny, Twisted, they were challenged to create shapes with their bodies—starting individually, then collaborating in small…

By Annie Fuerst, Director of Innovation |

September 5, 2025

At Belmont Day, learning doesn’t pause when the school year ends. This summer, our faculty engaged in a wide range of professional development opportunities that sparked inspiration, deepened expertise, and strengthened connections. From exploring play in early childhood to considering…

By Brittany Ryan |

September 5, 2025

In June, five Belmont Day middle school athletes competed in the 13th Annual Massachusetts Middle School Track and Field Championships. Despite challenging weather, including heavy rain and a postponed schedule, our students delivered outstanding performances. Of note from that day’s…
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Sunday, October 19 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

School is closed

on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, due to weather.