News Archive

Members of the 5/6 Service Council pulled on rubber gloves and got to work sorting trash into recycle, compost and landfill bins this week as they prepare to teach their peers what goes where. First, they met with sustainability coordinator, Aaron Murray, and director of facilities, Bob Elisha, to understand some of the changes with having different bins for different kinds of "trash."

When I started at Graland, I felt pretty good about myself. I loved teaching literature and composition to my ninth-grade students. I was passionate and proud of my reading list that included classical masters like Homer and Shakespeare, and more contemporary literary geniuses—Toni Morrison and Isabelle Allende. I was also fulfilled by having the autonomy to try and refine innovative teaching practices. Overall, I was very confident in what was happening within my classroom.

As a school in the 21st century, we have the moral obligation to grow our students’ intellect and character. As a society, we tend to be more forgiving in the world of academia. When a person earns a bad grade, they may be given a chance for a “re-do” to prove their knowledge. With character, the margin for error is very small. One minor gaffe, and the options for a “re-do” are limited, making it difficult to recover as quickly as if it were a bad grade.

Schools aren’t just about the three “R’s” of reading, writing, and arithmetic; we must also create a safe, supportive environment for students to grow. To manifest the benefits of diversity, individuals need to feel safe and valued enough to bring their authentic selves to a community where they can share ideas, explore themes as they see them, challenge ideas, and present different viewpoints to the table.

Fourth grade teachers, Courtney Menk and Jessica Williams, found a creative way to integrate multiple subject areas into a single project when students recently completed a unit on statistical calculations, analysis and persuasive writing.

Rhombus? Vertices? Subitizing? These high-level mathematical terms are not typically associated with an early childhood math program. However, studies show that a child’s math skills at kindergarten entry are a better predictor of future academic success than reading skills, social skills or the ability to focus. 

Innovation is an interesting word being thrown around these days. For many, it may mean learning how to code in the newest languages, or learning to use the newest technologies. Is it creating the newest invention for human consumption? A lot of people tend to think of Steve Jobs when they think of innovators. Certainly, his contributions to our way of life should not be undersold. We can also look toward historical innovators like Nikola Tesla, who, while focused on product invention and patent acquisition, also looked into invention as a method to further humanity.

Faculty from Grade 7, Grade 4 and the drama department traveled to California recently to attend a conference on project-based learning, a teaching technique that guides students in identifying a real-world problem and developing its solution.

To know seventh grade at Graland is to know the significance of the phrases “Memory Box,” “Sunrise,” “Jiminy Wicket,” and “Intergenerational unit.” Different concepts, yes, but with the commonality of integrating within our year-long service learning program both in and out of the classrooms. 

With binoculars held tightly to their faces, first graders scanned the clear blue sky, searching intently. Immersed in discovery at Barr Lake Bird Sanctuary, they might spot a turkey vulture, common nighthawk or belted kingfisher.

As educators, our responsibility is to provide opportunities for students to discover a world to which they can connect. My responsibility as lead librarian at Graland is to curate a book collection that can provide these very windows and mirrors for each student.

Fifth grade scientists are learning about aerodynamics with teacher Andy Dodge this week and completing the Drag Challenge to show their understanding. “Drag is the enemy of speed,” says Mr. Dodge. “It slows things down. It’s the opposite of aerodynamic.” Students were tasked with taking a single sheet of paper and turning it into a design that will utilize drag to stay aloft as long as possible. Designs were timed as they floated downward from the second floor of the Middle School building. 

Kindergartners spent their Tinker Time in the Gates Lab learning about their role in an inclusive community. After listening to the book The Big Umbrella, by Amy June Bates, students were asked to identify a trait or skill of theirs that contributes positively to their classrooms.

Kindergartners participated in a Graland tradition this week when they tracked and chased the Great Pumpkin, a mythical creature who appears once per year around Halloween. After listening to the story read by Coach Ann Deboe earlier this week, students learned that the Great Pumpkin has a special affinity for kindergartners. With a magical orange dot on their ears, applied by their teachers, they are the only ones who can see the Great Pumpkin.

Megan Bee '86 returned to the art classroom this week to help teacher Cathy Naughton demonstrate a lesson in etching. As a ninth grader, Megan was one of the first art students at Graland to learn the complex technique of etching, and her resulting piece of art was inducted into the Permanent Art Collection that year. 

Last Friday, 24 middle schoolers ventured off campus to attend STAMP: Students Taking Action and Making Progress. The daylong diversity conference/experience is designed to equip middle school students with tools to build more inclusive communities at their home schools. Held at the History Colorado Center, the conference featured a keynote speaker, Dr. Bettina Love, and an assortment of workshops.

First graders are combining science, art, math, Spanish and service learning to take their unit on birds to a new level this year. This week, they enjoyed a visit to the Bird Conservatory at Barr Lake to focus on bird migration.

Fourth graders in Sarah Jackson’s science class experimented with different aspects of electricity this week with interactive stations designed to demonstrate circuitry, static electricity and conductivity. 

American history is complicated in its multiculturalism and multiracialism—a complex, beautiful tapestry of viewpoints, experiences, and narratives that each contribute a specific and irreplaceable piece of our story.

This summer I reread Climb Every Mountain: The Story of Graland Country Day School by Rosemary Fetter, and was once again struck by photos of children engaged in active learning.

Second graders in Cindy Cheadle's class practiced active reading techniques during storytime this week. 

Back in 1972, Fred Wolfe was a young city planner in Denver, hired specifically to help get the city ready to host the ‘76 Winter Olympic Games. When that project fizzled, his life took another path -- literally.

Eighth-grade mathematicians in Camille James' class worked this week to solve math problems that demonstrate the rules of exponents. 

Kindergartners in Carly Rothschild’s class are honing in on their writing skills by becoming narrators. 

Seventh-grade mathematicians enjoyed a presentation from architect Kitty Yuen this week following a unit on blueprint drafting. Kitty, mom to twins Karina and Keira (7), shared her first experience with architecture when she was a middle schooler and described what architects do: "Architects design buildings and spaces that are functional, beautiful and safe." 

This week, seventh graders shared their “Sacred Spaces” assignment, a very personal reflection on the experiences that impacted them on their recent trip to Washington, DC. Each presentation was unique in topic, style and presentation, lending to an impressive three days of demonstrated learning.

Eleven members of the TIDES Club recently returned from their end-of-year trip to the Caribbean where they put to use months of scuba training and practice, accompanied by two teachers and two scuba masters. TIDES stands for Teaching InterDisciplinary and Experiential Science and is open to Grades 7/8 students. Diver Harrison Roth (7) shares his experience on this unforgettable adventure. “Even after all the studying, preparation and practice, I was nervous. As I jumped in the water for the first time with my gear, I noticed how quiet it was under the surface. The sounds of the boat engine, the birds and the waves disappeared. Once all the divers and instructors were in and had given the OK signal, we swam off and all my fears evaporated.”

Graland celebrated National Week of the Young Child™ to honor children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives. Throughout the week, students in the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) enjoyed activities like making paper doll cutouts, playing a recycle game and building rainsticks from recycled materials. Yesterday,  ECLC parents came early with their children for a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, potatoes, green chili, fruit and morning beverages. Following that, many headed over to the Corkins Center to hear Dr. Doug Clements present on the importance of early math literacy. This event was sponsored by the Parent Education Network (PEN) especially for parents and grandparent of our young learners.

Science teacher Aaron Murray has designed a lesson that teaches students the connection between the use of natural resources and the economics of running a household. Keep reading for his article about this impactful project! "Prior to our study of the energy and resources use in homes and how electricity is produced using various renewable and non-renewable resources, we studied the needs for families use these resources to survive in America today.  The simulation also helps students understand the plight of the homeless community we serve during our service learning project at Capital Hill Community Services soup kitchen.

Eighth graders are working on an end-of-year capstone project to combine learning in all four MESH classes. In lieu of traditional finals, students are studying the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, identifying problems to research and offering viable solutions. These goals relate to bettering the world by ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring peace and prosperity for all the world’s populations.

Following the end of Trimester 2, middle schoolers presented highlights from their learning and teachers handed out awards for subject matter excellence to students in Grades 7/8. As Head of Middle School Marti Champion shared, “This assembly celebrates what it means to be a student who is engaged in learning.” Keep reading for how Graland faculty teaches knowledge with intention and joy.

The buddy program at Graland is a wide umbrella under which students pair up in a variety of ways to support and encourage others. A tradition at Graland, the original buddy program matches younger grade levels with older ones to build relationships across campus.

Younger students got a lesson in appreciating our similarities and differences this week with help from Oscar Gonzalez, director of equity and inclusivity, and Kathy Riley, counselor. In a demonstration called Venn with Friends, they discussed topics like music, movies, food and family to determine what types of things they have in common and what they can learn from the other. To rousing applause, they showed off their favorite dance move, The Sprinkler. Following that, students learned about the latest Hidden Hero, Ella Baker (2) from her teacher, Carrie VonderHaar: "Our hidden hero is someone who makes a significant contribution to our classroom and the second-grade community. This person practices inclusion by always being open to play with everyone on recess and partner up with anyone during class time." Over in the Middle School, sixth graders met with counselor Tara Lavizzo and Mr. Gonzalez to discuss ways to cultivate compassion and what upstander behavior looks like. 

Seventh graders in the documentary filmmaking class and eighth graders studying fiction filmmaking will screen their work for an audience of their peers at a Middle School assembly today. All year, teacher Dan O’Neill led students through lessons on filmmaking equipment and the specific techniques and skills needed to make different genres of movies.

Our visual art program is on fire! Nine Middle School artists recently received recognition in the 2018 Scholastic Art Awards of Colorado program, including four who brought home the top award, a Gold Key: Hopie Brown (8), Matthew Kintzele (8), Stuart Terry (7) and Naomi Wellso (8). They were judged against more than 6,000 works from Colorado students in grades 7-12 on the basis of originality, technical skill and emergence of a personal voice or vision. Congratulations!

Fifth graders studying ancient Egyptian burial traditions and ceremonies in history were able to experiment with these concepts in science class as teachers Mitch Masters and Andy Dodge teamed up to enrich the lesson. After researching the history and significance of the Egyptian custom of body preservation, they took on a mummy lab project that simulates the embalming process.

Seventh grade scientists are learning about how the brain functions during their unit on Alzheimer's disease. This week, armed with gloves, they got up close and personal with sheep brains to see the concepts in real life.

• PreK: Movement & Creative Arts, Nature Exploration, Rhyme Time
• K: Ocean Explorers, Art Around the World, Groove & Percussion
• 1: Toy Shop, Habla Español, Reading Under the Stars
• 2: Around the World in 5 Days, Learn to Fence, Design It!
• 3: Multiplication Mania, Boardgame Bonanza, French is Fun
• 4: Coding, Crafty Card Makers, Game Design Studio
• 5-9: A Week of Service, Jr. BOTS Engineering, SkateStart

Second and fourth graders have been exploring our similarities and differences with help from a recently published book, This is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe. Inspired by a trip to Uganda, the author follows seven children from around the globe through their typical school day. One theme in the book describes the children's school lunches, and thanks to our incredible dining staff we will get to sample these delicious foods on Thursdays starting next week.