Second Graders Read To Fight Food Insecurity
On Wednesday, you could hear a pin drop in second grade. How is this possible, you might ask? We were holding our 18th annual Read-a-thon! The second graders spent all day reading to raise money in support of Gaining Ground, a local nonprofit that grows and distributes 100 percent of its fresh produce to people experiencing food insecurity. The students have spent two weeks tracking their reading in order to collect money from sponsors, as part of a program called Read for Seeds. This program culminates in one exciting day where we put change into action by doing one of our favorite activities: curling up with a good book! We are grateful to our BDS community members who supported our changemakers by stopping by the classroom and reading alongside us. We will then get to see the direct impact of our efforts when we visit Gaining Ground during Community Service Day in May. We are so proud of our second graders!
– The Second Grade Team
Arts Update: Middle School Students Learn Costume Design
One of the most exciting moments leading up to a performance is when actors step into their costumes for the first time. Have you ever wondered how a costume designer brings a director’s vision to life? In Ms. Dempsey’s seventh and eighth-grade arts elective, From Sketch to Stage, students explore this very question as they delve into the art of costume design. Throughout the course, they discover how costumes not only define individual characters but also communicate relationships, time period, and place.
In the initial days of the course, students learn how a costume designer uses texture, pattern, color, and shape to convey the world of the show. By watching videos of professional designers discussing their processes and engaging in hands-on activities, students gain insight into the design process. They research and sketch their own costume ideas for a variety of characters.
Looking at the accompanying photo from our recent musical production, The Little Mermaid Jr., students can see how the design elements—texture, pattern, color, and shape—work together to reveal the personalities of the characters, their relationships with each other, and how their costumes complement the overall style and concept of the production.
– Susan Dempsey, theater arts teacher
French Students Gather in Song
Students in seventh and eighth grade French classes have been enjoying an exploration of 16 songs from around the Francophone world. They have been learning lyrics, discussing and debating in French, and creating found poetry and artwork. They’ve also been making responses to what they are learning, including podcast episodes, instrumental sharing, and choreography. Click here to see a video example of the students’ work.
– Jennifer Friborg, French teacher
