Academics
Visual arts classes are held for all students at Beechwood grades TK through 8. Our students are exposed to a wide variety of artists every year, classic and modern. They build upon their art vocabulary year after year, and are delivered art history on a regular basis in a casual and non- intimidating environment. Their many hands-on projects are presented in a way that values process over product and they are also free to explore their own interests at times. The goal of our program is to have students who are very conversant in art, artists and art history, and who are also free and confident enough to pursue their artistic goals on a personal level.
We partner with a local law firm on an annual winter art contest that is open to all grades, with awards given to one artist in each grade at our December assembly. Student work is also displayed in the surrounding community on occasion. Look for our talented artists at the Menlo Park and Belle Haven libraries.
The performing arts program at Beechwood school includes a wide range of skill-building and performances.
Tk-5 classes meet with their performing arts instructor 2-3 times a week during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Together they learn, practice, and perform signature annual performances such as class plays and the Winter Concert. Curriculum includes singing, acting, dance and movement, puppetry, technical theater, beginning music theory, and cultural connection. Students have diverse exposure to hands-on instrumental music instruction including Xylophone, recorder, ukulele, and percussion. Classroom Instruments to students ratio is 1:1.
Grades 6-8 have the opportunity to take a performing arts elective up to two quarters a year. Electives offered have been Scene & Prop Making, Xylophone Ensemble, 6-8 grade play, and improv and theater games. Electives are programmed year to year with student interests in mind.
The after school Talent Show and 3-8 grade musical have become Beechwood traditions, each occurring in alternating years. Students in Intermediate grades can take advantage of extracurricular offerings like learning to play rock band instruments through Little Kids Rock or trumpet lessons in partnership with Golden State Youth Orchestra.
Copy here.
The Spanish program is designed for all 5th-8th students at Beechwood School.
The organization of the class takes into consideration the level of Spanish language that each student has. For that reason during the school year, the classes have been organized respecting the skills and level that students have which give confidence to students who feel that the class and its possibilities to learn are effective . These groups are called:
Heritage Spanish Students
Heritage Spanish Students are students who have been exposed to Spanish in their homes or communities from a young age. As a result, they can understand, and interact in Spanish in a familiar context. However, they have a lack exposure to the academic level of Spanish because English has been their first language since they began their studies. As a result, English is their dominant language. In this context, they need to systematically reinforce some Spanish language skills, especially reading and writing at more advanced academic levels to be fully bilingual in both languages.
Learner Spanish Students
Learner Spanish Students are students who have had little opportunities or never been exposed to Spanish in their homes or communities from a young age. This requires a curriculum that focuses on the basics and gives the fundamental orientation to increase the difficulties throughout the learning process.
In all classes, students have available digital and paper resources that promote reading, writing, speaking & listening, and creating connections with the cultural components that Spanish speaking culture has. Also, inside of the curriculum, the Spanish language is used to approach the multicultural school community as a tool that can embrace the power to create, interact and communicate the richest possibilities to increase and value different points of view. Students during the class, read, sing, draw, make drama, write essays, study grammar, extend vocabulary through projects that give a real context to learn.
Resources:
For Spanish Language Learners and 5th grade
For Middle School:
https://padlet.com/dashboard?filter=all&mobile_page=Collection
Lower School
“Fundations® utilizes a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to make learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy.”
Our goals for students in the lower school are not only to acquire foundational skills, but also, learn to use or apply those skills in many ways. It is through practice that they will gain confidence with the tools necessary to be successful in middle school. Learning will be guided by the following elements:
- Practice independence and personal responsibility for their learning process
- A supportive learning environment with engagement with instructors
- Learning opportunities for cooperation and communication through small group work
Students at this grade level are developing a standard of conduct. The goal is the development of confident, competent, and caring individuals prepared to be responsible members of their school community. We look for them to continue to grow as leaders as they enter middle school.
More information on curriculum and instruction can be found here.
Tech in classrooms
In the lower grades, we are developing good digital citizens. We focus on learning the skills of being responsible with our devices, researching using school-approved websites, proper & safe logins for school platforms, and being active digital learners.
Click logos to visit websites that provide some of the curriculum:
Middle School
“The program emphasizes problem solving and empowers students to think mathematically, both inside and outside the classroom.”
– Dimensions Math 6-8 for Schools
Our goals for students in grades 6-8 include fostering a growth mindset and equipping them with the tools necessary to be successful in high school, college and beyond. We use a variety of digital tools and technology platforms throughout the middle school experience which allows for deeper exploration and application in a variety of contexts and content areas. Learning will be guided by the following elements:
- The increased expectation of independence and personal responsibility for their learning process.
- Collaborative work is essential and includes opportunities for leadership, cooperation, communication and accountability.
- A supportive learning environment with routine engagement with instructors in which students are coached and encouraged to advocate for themselves.
Students at this grade level are held to a high standard of conduct. They have reached an age and level of maturity to understand actions have consequences. We look for them to be leaders not only for today, but tomorrow. Homeroom and our newly-added Advisory program provide an additional touchpoint for community-building and an exploration of topics that are timely or of concern.
More information on curriculum and instruction can be found here.
Tech in classrooms
In the upper grades, students utilize their own devices daily and learn to navigate their own digital footprint with typing, researching, and sharing assignments. They discuss digital citizenship during advisory as well as within specific digital lessons that focus on the current needs of our students including: social media etiquette, video game play time, and general device usage/screen time management.
Click logos to visit websites that provide some of the curriculum:
