The Baker News is a peek inside our classrooms. Each edition of the Baker News features articles about our Early Childhood, Primary, Intermediate and Middle School divisions, as well as news from the Baker community. We hope you enjoy our stories!
Early Childhood News
Kindergarteners hatch chickens
Kindergarteners have been preparing for their classroom eggs to hatch! Over the past few weeks, the class has been incubating chicken eggs and learning about how chickens grow.
Students learned about the life cycle of chickens and the four stages of the cycle.
“We candled our eggs and were so excited to be able to see the eye of one of our embryos!” said kindergarten teacher Jennifer Cvetas.
The first egg hatched on Wednesday, 21 days after incubation began and it hatched right before school! Students were excited to observe the eggs and the chicks emerge from their shells.
Preschoolers, kindergarteners enjoy storytelling performance
As part of Baker’s storytelling grant, we recently welcomed the poetic storyteller Oba William King to share stories with preschoolers and kindergarteners.
For decades, King has shared stories around the country, combining his theatrical training with a poetic style. According to his website, King found a significant influence in Benin, West Africa, particularly in the villages of Apolydaho, Sedgae’ and Dakota.
King read and performed his children’s book, “Firefly and Little Star.” He also talked about different instruments and played drums. It was a wonderful performance!
Primary School News
Third- and seventh-grade buddies make insect hotels
Third-graders and seventh-graders have been buddies all year, enjoying activities and writing letters to each other throughout the year. Recently, the buddies teamed up to create insect hotels!
Insect hotels serve as homes for pollinating insects displaced by humans. Third-graders learned about the hotels, including what they need and how to construct them, and shared a presentation with their buddies.
On a sunny day, students came together on the field. Third-graders shared their presentations and explained how insect hotels help the environment. The next step was to build the structures.
“It was so much fun to overhear the third graders explain the “why” of the project and to watch the teams problem-solve how to best make the structures,” said third-grade teacher Jane Rothschild. “In addition to the materials we provided, including boxes, paper, cardboard and plant material, many teams gathered stones, sticks, wood chips and even dandelions to fill-in spaces of their structures.”
Third-graders wrote thank you notes to thank their buddies for the fun and informative afternoon.
Intermediate School News
Fourth-graders write calligrams
As part of their study of poetry, fourth-graders wrote and created calligrams! Calligrams are poems where the words or letters form the shape of the poem’s subject.
Students first created a list of adjectives, verbs, and facts about their calligram topics, which included many different animals and objects.
“Time was spent rewriting as well as shaping letters, words, and facts into all sorts of animals, snacks, mythical creatures, and more,” said fourth-grade teacher Mark McLennan.
During the month of April, which is National Poetry Month, students studied all sorts of poetry during their writing time in class!
Middle School News
Eighth-graders compete in Physics Olympics
Eighth-graders competed in the Physics Olympics on May 13! Advanced physics students from Wolcott College Prep, including some Baker alumni, spent the day with students and even competed in the boat races.
The day was filled with fun, science-themed activities that culminated with the traditional Boat Regatta in the pool. Activities included building towers from marshmallows and dried spaghetti and various challenge stations, such as an egg drop. Baker eighth-graders also had the opportunity to have a Q&A with Wolcott students.
We loved being able to bring back this Baker tradition!
Baker students recognized for National Latin Exam Results
Congratulations to our Middle School students who were recognized by the National Latin Exam Committee for outstanding performance on the National Latin Exam.
Beginning Latin Exam
Summa Cum Laude, Gold Medal:
Brynn, 7th grade
Beginning Latin Exam
Maxima Cum Laude, Silver Medal:
Ryan C., 8th grade
Kala, 8th grade
Beginning Latin Exam
Magna Cum Laude
Keira, 7th grade
Avra, 7th grade
Beginning Latin Exam
Cum Laude
Emma T., 8th grade
Kaiya, 8th grade
Alexandra, 8th grade
Ryan W., 8th grade
All School News
Tailgate party a success!
Thank you to all the parents who attended our community tailgate on Friday, May 20! The event included a food truck from Fat Shallot, drinks and music from DIME. Enjoy photos from our tailgate.
Baker holds first-ever Baker Arts Showcase
In early May, the Baker community gathered for the inaugural Baker Arts Showcase (BASH). Family and friends enjoyed visual artwork in a variety of mediums by our first- through fifth-graders. The Middle School band and choir also performed several songs. Please enjoy photos from the evening!
