Founded by progressive education pioneer, Clara Bell Baker, in 1918, Baker Demonstration School serves close to 400 toddlers through eighth grade students. In the 21st century, Baker continues its mission as a demonstration school whose outstanding faculty study how children learn and mentor the next generation of teachers. A curriculum that promotes academic excellence is taught through innovative research-based best practices and assessment tools. Differentiated instruction is enhanced by full-time teaching associates in all classrooms. With over 50,000 square feet of green space Baker boasts a sports field and two play areas including a dedicated Early Childhood yard. Our library of 14,000 volumes, newly furnished dual-platform technology/media lab, performance hall, dance studio, music studio, pool and gymnasium are used by students prek-8th grades. Baker's inclusive community celebrates individual, family and cultural differences. Baker graduates attend top public, private and parochial schools throughout the Chicagoland area.
2008-09 First Round Admission Applications and Financial Aid Applications due January 31, 2008.
Current News
Pi Day at Baker Middle School
On March 14 (Official Pi Day), Baker's Middle School celebrated Pi Day by dedicating the entire day to the study of mathematics. Everyone began the morning by viewing the film "Stand and Deliver" about a Los Angeles math classroom where the students decide to study calculus and defy the low expectations of their abilities within their community. Edward James Olmos was nominated for an Oscar for this film in 1989.
After the film, the students joined multi-grade groups and worked with their teachers to explore projectile motion, gravitational acceleration, Archimedes' Law of Levers, literature with mathematical themes, building a system of aqueducts and creating representations of the number pi using art and music. Toward the end of the day, the students enjoyed sharing dessert pie to commemorate a shared love of mathematics.
To help your children continue the study of Pi visit these sites:
teachpi.org
mathwithmrherte.com/pi_day/htm
joyofpi.com
eyeandersson.com/trivia
piday.org
Middle School Cybersafety Seminar
In December we were very pleased to host a presentation by Kelli Underwood of the Center for Contextual Change for Middle School grades 6-8 on the subject of cyberbullying and cybersafety, sponsored by the Baker School library and tech lab. Ms. Underwood gave a dynamic multimedia show that underscored what constitutes cyberbullying, what to do when placed in questionable or unpleasant situations via electronic media, how to recognize predators on the internet and general steps we can take to stay safe on-line.
The program was eye-opening and well received by the audience; groans of shock occurred when Ms. Underwood demonstrated just how much personal information could be garnered in 20 minutes just from a single piece of information inadvertently given. One boy said, "I wasn't bored for a minute!" One girl said, "I didn't realize how much information I was giving over the internet. I was giving out my phone number. I'm not going to do that anymore." This is the beginning of a very necessary conversation that we hope will continue in advisories and at home. For some excellent parent tips and links, please visit here.
Students Explore the Topic of Immigration
Baker's second and third grade students have been studying the topic of immigration for the several months. To celebrate the end of the unit, the students gathered for an "Immigration Celebration." During the great event, students shared projects ranging from interviews with people who have immigrated, stories about immigration, and family history projects. As their teacher, Ms. Warren, explained "the students were very excited to share their hard work!"
After the students presented their projects, they gathered to sample a variety of foods from around the world. These foods were generously donated by parents of the second and third graders. The celebration came to an end with the students singing "We Come From Everywhere," lead by Baker's music teacher, Mrs. Goeke.
Over 20 Macs Donated: Media Center almost finished!
Please join us in thanking Baker parent Richard Sato! Due to the donation of over 20 Macs Mr. Sato coordinated, Baker will soon be outfitted with a spectacular Media Center located on the west side of the Library. The Media Center will sport various G4s and Mac Minis and serve as a central location for digital video equipment so students can create mind blowing media projects. The Macs are loaded with programs like Photoshop and Illustrator CS, Acrobat Pro, iMovie, and Garageband to just name a few. We can't wait to see the projects to come out of the new Media Center. Thank you again Mr. Sato for all your hard work!
Congratulations to the Baker Certamen Team!
A hearty gratulationes to the Baker Certamen team which took First Place on October 30 at the first Certamen of the 2007-2008 year at Lake Forest High School! Certamen is a Latin word meaning "contest." Latin students compete in a "college bowl" type format to answer questions on Latin grammar and syntax as well as Roman history and culture.
Students from local junior high and high schools compete against one another in our Northern Regional district. Our worthy competitors at this first Certamen were Deerpath Junior High School of Lake Forest, Decatur Classical School of Chicago and Wilmette Junior High. In fact, when the scores were first tallied, it was believed that Wilmette Junior High had come in first place and Baker, second. However, several audience members who had been keeping score realized that an error in scorekeeping had occurred and respectfully requested a recalculation of the scores. After the re-tabulation of points, it was determined that Baker had indeed surpassed Wilmette Junior High by five points!
Please join us in a great round of applause for these Certamen players who performed so well in this first round: seventh grader Noah, and eighth graders Erik, Solveig, Sophie and Danny. The Certamen-ators, as the students call themselves, practice weekly on Thursday at lunchtime. All Baker Latin students are invited and warmly welcomed to join our team at any time. The second Certamen meet is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, at a local high school, place yet to be determined. Eugepae, Baker Certamen Team!
Submitted by Mary Joan Masello, Rickie Crown and Alexandra Vastardis
Tours Every Tuesday Morning at 9 am
Founded by progressive education pioneer, Clara Bell Baker, in 1918, Baker Demonstration School serves close to 400 toddlers through eighth grade students. In the 21st century, Baker continues its mission as a demonstration school whose outstanding faculty study how children learn and mentor the next generation of teachers. A curriculum that promotes academic excellence is taught through innovative, research-based best practices and assessment tools. Differentiated instruction is enhanced by full-time teaching associates in all classrooms.
With over 50,000 square feet of green space Baker boasts a sports field and two play areas including a dedicated Early Childhood yard. Our library of 14,000 volumes, newly furnished technology/media lab, performance hall, dance studio, music studio, pool and gymnasium are used by students prek-8th grades. Baker's inclusive community celebrates individual, family and cultural differences. Baker graduates attend top public, private and parochial schools throughout the Chicagoland area.
We invite you to visit us for a Tuesday morning parent tour from 9-10 a.m. or an Admission Open House on Wednesday, January 30 from 9-11 a.m. admissions@bakerdemschool.org to RSVP.
*Baker Demonstration School is a provisional member of ISACS and actively pursuing full accreditation.