Fifth grade science class has kicked off with the study of food chains and food webs in our local communities, such as parks, woods, and backyards. Students are looking to answer the question, “What would happen if all the ants disappeared?” Fifth-grade scientists played a matching card game designed to
In second grade, we have been working on building our community and using our collective intelligence to create norms and guidelines to ensure friendship, fun, and learning for all. After reading This Plus That, Life’s Little Equations by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, we created our own equation of 29 + 2
To start the year, first graders are creating a painted rock garden on the Belmont Day School campus. First, the students entered the trails on a hunt for a rock that was just the right size and just the right texture for them to paint. Next, the rocks needed to
At the start of the year in physical education, we like to give our students challenges that require communication, concentration, timing, and quick reflexes. One of the best activities for this is the scarf exchange. Students work with a partner and are each given a scarf. They stand a few
Earlier in July, three lower school faculty attended a one-day workshop through the Landmark School’s Summer Institute. The session was entitled “Unpacking the Science of Reading.” Third grade teacher Leigh Twarog, pre-kindergarten teacher Nicole Siverls, and grades 3-5 learning specialist Valerie Kerin attended in person on the Landmark campus in
Fifth graders have been creating a wiki site to keep track of the fantasy elements in their class novel, The Marvellers. This week, the students participated in the second annual ParaCon (Paragon Convention). Students were sorted into paragons (vision, sound, taste, spirit, and touch) and given specific roles to further
Our upcoming curriculum showcase for families, “Built to Shake,” will highlight an exciting hands-on exploration of earthquakes and how structures can be designed to stay standing when the ground moves. Kindergarten students have investigated what makes buildings fall or remain strong by experimenting with balance, stability, and movement. They discovered
In first grade, students have spent the week learning about the Boston Marathon. They learned about its significance to Boston, the history of marathons (including marathon firsts, such as first female competitor, first wheelchair competitor, etc.), the Boston Marathon course, qualifying and fundraising athletes, and the importance of training. On
One of the fifth graders’ final projects for the semester will be creating and developing their own wikis based on their reading of The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton. From now until the end of the term, students will use their wiki as a knowledge base to track the many characters,
On Wednesday, you could hear a pin drop in second grade. How is this possible, you might ask? We were holding our 19th 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
