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

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

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

The boys’ JV basketball team took the W versus Rashi in a close and tough home game 32-29. Leading the way was a balanced offensive attack from Graham Chisholm, Ronan Patel, Leeul Miteku, James Shields, and Deniz Kas. Chisholm led the team in rebounds, getting lots of points in the paint, and sparking fast breaks. BDS was often chasing in the first half as Rashi’s best player was a beast, scoring every basket for their team and Rashi took the lead 23-20 at halftime. Coach D’Arbeloff and Coach Grimes adjusted accordingly and the second half started with BDS’s defense playing much better. Ethan Antipov stepped up creating several turnovers with his hustle and spacing the floor to help generate easy points.

Down the stretch of the game, BDS was winning 28-27 with about three minutes left. One of Rashi’s players put in a key layup to take the lead 29-28. On the other end, Kas answered with a clutch shot to give BDS the edge 30-29. With some big defensive stops and about a minute left, Kas drained another clutch mid-range shot to give the Blue & Gold a three-point lead, 32-29. Rashi called their final timeout with three seconds remaining, but with some tight defense, Rashi’s inbound was stopped. BDS got the ball back and sealed the victory!

With the win, the JV squad improves to 2-2 and is riding a two-game winning streak. It’s on to Dedham Country Day next week!

– Suryavir Nallari-Jhala, seventh grader and basketball correspondent

MassAubudon’s Habitat Education Center in Belmont offers school vacation week programs for children ages 5-10 who are in kindergarten through grade 5. Programs include outdoor winter fun and exploration. Campers search for tracks and signs of Habitat’s many creatures, learn how animals survive the winter, play games in the snow, explore different habitats and much more.

Click here for registration and more information.