First Graders Start Writing Poetry

In first grade, students are beginning their poetry unit, which is the foundation for their curriculum showcase in March. First, the students explored poetry as art and a style of writing, and now they are examining different forms such as haikus and free verse poems. For their free verse poems, first graders are working on showing the reader what the poem is about with descriptive language instead of telling the reader directly. Later, students will try their hand at cinquains, I Am poems, shape poems, and acrostics! 

– Julia Fox, first grade teacher

Fifth Grade Learns About the Phases of the Moon

In the current fifth grade science unit, students are studying aspects of our planet and its relationship to the Sun and Moon. Through lessons examining the changing seasons, shortening of daylight hours, and how the Earth both rotates and revolves, fifth graders are learning more deeply about how and why the world around them changes with such steady regularity. One such regular occurrence is the monthlong cycle of the phases of the Moon. Using styrofoam balls as a model of the Moon itself, and a small flashlight as the source of sunlight, students paired up to mimic the orbit of the Moon around the Earth to observe a facsimile of the Moon’s phases. From new Moon to half Moon to full Moon, using the flashlight and styrofoam ball, the fifth graders slowly rotated through each phase in turn. Our Moon mimics had a great time and will put similar skills to good use in future experiments!

– Patrick Murray, fifth grade teacher

Sixth Graders Read, Analyze, Discuss The Giver

For the bulk of trimester two, sixth graders read The Giver by Lois Lowry. Often considered the first dystopian novel written for a young adult audience, The Giver provides an exciting but accessible text on which to practice our large group discussion skills. Students were taught explicit “talk moves” in order to share ideas and theories of their own, as well as build upon or disagree with the ideas and theories of others. For some students, speaking in front of the whole class provides a challenge in itself. For others, sharing the floor with other (potentially opposing!) ideas proved to be the real challenge. Students navigated our daily discussions with increased grace, awareness, and appreciation of each other’s perspectives.

– Rebecca MacKillop, sixth grade English teacher

Eighth Graders Enjoy Productive Studio Week

This week was our annual Capstone Studio Week for our eighth grade students. They had several hours each day in which to work on their Capstone projects. The students were assigned to small groups across campus, supporting one another with ideas and positivity. Throughout the week, our arts and technology teachers were on hand to answer questions and offer guidance and suggestions. Mentors checked in with their students’ progress. We closed out the week of productivity and excitement with a prototype exhibit this morning. Our students will put the finishing touches on their projects soon, and when we return from break, they will start preparing their presentations to share their learning journey with the whole community.

Capstone presentations will be held in the Palandjian Arts Center the week of April 13. Don’t miss this chance to learn about topics such as penguins, opioids, gene therapy, baking, and many, many more from our wonderful eighth graders. 

– Jennifer Friborg, Capstone coordinator

Second Grade Visits the BPL for Lesson in Cartography

Do you know what a tombolo is? Ask a second grader! This week, the students visited the Leventhal Map and Education Center at the Boston Public Library. Students had an opportunity to meet with map educators and learn about the current exhibit, Terrains of Independence, and examine revolution-era Boston maps. They also got to redesign maps of Boston Common to learn about the role of a cartographer.

While analyzing maps, students learned that maps can tell us what people care about because cartographers have a perspective. For example, what did the cartographer choose to place at the center of the map? What features does it include? Where did the cartographer choose to end the map?

– The Second Grade Team

Athletics Update: Winter Game Schedule Comes To a Close

As we wrap up the final week of the competitive portion of our winter season, we want to congratulate all of our student-athletes on their effort, growth, and commitment throughout the winter. While games and matches have concluded, our teams will gather the week after vacation to celebrate the season, reflect on their progress, and recognize the many accomplishments across our programs.

The boys’ varsity basketball team closed out the season with two road games this week. On Tuesday, they traveled to Carroll and, despite an inspiring effort, fell 52–30. Murilo Santos led the team on both ends of the floor with 10 points and tenacious defense, while Ethan Antipov stepped in at point guard and delivered a strong all-around performance. On Thursday, the team traveled to Dedham Country Day shorthanded as the flu made its way through the roster. Even so, the group delivered another gritty effort in the season finale. Joshua Hariette, Noah Yang, Murilo Santos, and the return of Woody Evans from injury sparked the team with their energy and determination.

The girls’ varsity basketball team also wrapped up its season this week, dropping a hard-fought 27–11 contest to Dedham Country Day before finishing on a high note with a rousing 39–4 victory over Nashoba. In the DCD matchup, Violet Hancock and Sofia Clark-Quintanilla anchored a terrific defensive effort. In the win over Nashoba, captains Harper Treisman and Sophie Cutie proved to be a dynamic duo, leading the team with strong scoring and passing, while Fatoumata Bah provided an additional offensive boost.

The girls’ JV basketball team, fielding only six players due to injuries, gave a deep Charles River School team a solid and well-fought game. Effective help on defense and numerous breakaway opportunities kept the contest close, but in the end, Charles River prevailed 28–17. Eighth grade co-captains Reema Wulfsburg, Rowan McCoy, and Eileen Luo shared the scoring load. Their energy, resilience, and leadership will be greatly missed.