PE Update: First Graders Explore Their Athletic Identities
At Belmont Day we often say that every student is an athlete. But what does that actually mean? Our Athletic Identity Project is a chance for first graders to explore that idea and reflect on what it means to be an athlete.
The project begins in physical education. Students spend a class brainstorming different types of athletic endeavors, thinking about their goals, and practicing their favorite movements. During our next class, we take a portrait photo of each student that they feel represents their athletic identity.
Then the students spend a couple of weeks working with Ms. Fuerst and Ms. Sprung in the library to plan, design, and create their Athletic Identity cards. Students are introduced to the Book Creator app and use various features to create a trading card. This week, the innovation and physical education departments presented the cards to first graders so they could appreciate all the hard work they’ve put into being athletes and innovators! As we told them, the cards one day might be worth millions, but right now they are priceless.
– Alex Tzelnic, physical education teacher and mindfulness director
Rain Or Shine, Second Graders Ready to Embrace a Field Trip
The second graders took the saying “It’ll happen rain or shine!” very literally as we ventured into Boston for a soggy but fun field trip last week. For our first stop, we went to the UNICEF Heart String’s Cyclorama exhibit to learn how to be global citizens and use our voices for positive change. Thanks to Megan Chien P ‘30 for helping to bring this exhibit to Boston!
For our second stop, we got to see the monumental sculpture, The Embrace, on the Boston Common with Jonathan Evans P ‘27, ‘30, who was the project’s chief architect. Students were excited to learn how a memorial of that scale is built–they couldn’t believe it took seven trucks to bring the pieces from Washington State! They also completed a scavenger hunt to find all the names of local activists who are included in the quilt-like tiles at the base of the memorial.
A little rain can’t stop our intrepid second graders from having a day filled with friendship, fun, and learning!
– The Second Grade Team
First Graders Learn Tech to Create E-Books, Audiobooks
First graders have been working hard to finish their final writing project of the year! As they completed writing, revising, and editing their small-moment stories, first graders began publishing their books. They added color and details to their drawings and designed their covers. Then, working with Ms. Fuerst and Ms. Sprung, they turned their stories into e-books using the Book Creator app on their iPads. They were able to take pictures of and add their cover and pages, as well as add additional text and backgrounds. The final touch to publishing was turning their e-book into an audiobook! First graders worked with a partner to record their voices reading their story. First graders worked very hard on all aspects of this project including the three phases of publishing, and they’re finishing their year as strong writers!
– Geoffrey Fox, first grade teacher
Arts Update: Students Shine at Spring Music Showcase
On Wednesday night, over 40 middle school students turned Far Field into an amphitheater for our first Spring Music Showcase! Like our Fall Music Showcase, the night was completely student-led. Students chose the venue, promoted the night, helped prep and offer feedback to their peers leading up to the event, and led all tasks related to running the show. Our students shined from setting up microphones and colorful lights, running the soundboard, designing and passing out programs, and hosting to performing familiar and original music. Cheers of support for every performer created a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere for our students to proudly showcase their incredible work. Thank you to all who supported this event and our students! Click here to check out a photo gallery of the show.
– Kassie Bettinelli, music teacher
