Learning Updates for October 23 to October 27

October 27, 2023

Seventh Grade English Digs Into First Novel Study

For their first novel study of the year, seventh grade students have spent the fall thus far reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm. After spending the past several weeks studying the events in Animal Farm and their allegorical ties to the Russian Revolution, students have concluded our novel study by writing their first analytical paragraphs of the year! After receiving direct instruction on how to write effectively using relevant textual evidence paired with sufficient quotation analysis, students are now devising analytical paragraphs with the goal of showing how the pigs create a totalitarian government in Animal Farm.

– Charlie Baird, seventh grade English teacher 

Arts Update: Sixth Graders Create Set for Upcoming Event

The sixth grade innovation arts class is working on the design and fabrication of the set for the upcoming BDS Music Showcase (scroll above to see details on the event). Students began the design process by conducting a site visit to the Palandjian Arts Center where they took photos and measurements of the stage to inform their conceptual designs. After the site visit, students looked at coffee house imagery for inspiration and established a collective concept. Currently, students are in the process of finalizing their designs and beginning the fabrication process. The students are excited to support other BDS students in making this event a wonderful success. Stay tuned for event photography!

– Brittany Conroy, innovation coach

First Graders Explore “What Is A Scientist?”

In science, first graders work to answer the questions, “What is science?” and “What is a scientist?”. Students explore what science is, what they know about science and scientists, and what they want to know about science or scientists. As a class, we read the book What is Science? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa, and What is a Scientist? by Barbara Lehn and Carol Krauss. First graders then drew pictures of scientists as we explored and discussed who could be a scientist. First graders drew themselves as scientists and are able to identify themselves as scientists who predict, experiment, test, write, draw, measure, collect, sort, try hard, don’t give up, and have fun!

– Geoffrey Fox, first grade teacher

By Kassie Bettinelli, music teacher |

November 17, 2023

In March of last year, a few students approached the music teaching team about the possibility of organizing a talent show. Knowing one hadn’t been scheduled for the spring, and that planning one for the future could be an awesome…

BDS

November 17, 2023

Second Grade’s New Mural Is a Feast For the Eyes For our summer reading book this year, second graders read Tomatoes for Neela, written by Padmi Lakshmi and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. It is a story about a young girl…

By John O'Neill, director of athletics |

November 3, 2023

This fall, BDS piloted an intramural volleyball team that spent the season learning the game, practicing skills, and holding weekly scrimmages. Over the course of the season, players improved tremendously and are prepared to step into a more competitive environment…

BDS

November 3, 2023

Spanish Students Learn, Share About El Días de los Muertos Spanish students learned about and celebrated the traditional Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Through different audio activities, students engaged in hands-on projects. Sixth grade…
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