BB 11-20-2020

 BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XIII, ISSUE 13

NOVEMBER 20, 2020

 

FROM THE OFFICE

  • Picture Proofs and Orders:  Please return the picture proofs by Tuesday, 11/24, whether or not you are placing an order.   
  • A note re: drop off and pick up lines:  ****Please do not drive around the car in front of you unless directed by a staff member to do so!****  That staff member will have better visibility than you as the driver so if they motion you around, they know that it is safe.  We do ask that all parents work really hard to make sure their child is ready to hop out of the car immediately to avoid causing back up and frustration.  We are working very hard to dismiss students at the end of the day in an orderly, safe fashion so we appreciate your patience with the process.  

UPCOMING

NEXT WEEK:

  • Monday, 11/23:  Varsity boys basketball game
  • Tuesday, 11/24:  
    • Thanksgiving Celebration
      • TK – 5th grades will enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day.
      • 10th – 12th graders will be coming to the main campus at 11:00 to help with the activity stations.  They will be dismissed at the end of the day from the main campus.  
    • Varsity boys basketball game
  • Wednesday, 11/25 – Friday, 11/27:  THANKSGIVING BREAK!

IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

  • December 1st:  21/22 Applications open
  • December 3rd:  Open House for prospective families
  • December 21st – January 1st:  Christmas break
  • February 1st:  Financial Aid applications for 21/22 DUE
  • February 15th:  Deadline for opting out without penalty.  (If your child will not be returning for the 21/22 school year, you must let the office know in writing by 2/15.  After that date, you will incur a $500  fee to break the contract.)

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Grubb)

Bible
  •   This week was great fun as we learned about how little David defeated giant Goliath with the help of the Lord and a stone and slingshot.  The Philistines were a great threat to God’s people.  However David had faith in the Lord that He and God’s people would be protected.  Through David, God eliminated the threat of slavery and defeat.  TK students enjoyed making slingshots using cups and balloons.  They practiced their slingshot skills by shooting soft pom-pom balls at a paper Goliath on the TK wall! 
Theme Adventure
  •  This week we learned about life for the pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe in 1621.  We began creating pieces for their costumes next week!
  • Gratitude and thankfulness were topics throughout our subjects and learning this week!  
Literacy
  •  Vocabulary words this week were:  wear, decorate, plain, fancy, costume, and clothing. 
  • TK students learned how to properly form the letters I and U.  
  • This week TK had a special focus on syllables and comparing numbers of syllables in a collection of words. 
Math
  •  TK played number bingo this week!  
  • Students developed their knowledge of the numbers 0-10, ordering them and matching them to amounts of pennies.  
  • TK students were introduced to the penny this week.  

 

Lower School P.E. (Mr. Davis)

K – 5th
  • This week the students worked on stretches, strength training and then played a game called, “The Floor is Lava!” It was a great experience. 

 

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera & Mrs. McDorman)

This Week
  •  Students are beginning to identify patterns in numbers. We introduced the concept of even numbers, counted dimes and pennies, and discovered the line of symmetry in objects. In phonics we mastered the next ten spellings words, using them in sentences, and illustrating them. Students completed their weaving and sculpting projects, as we continue our study of three dimensional art. In sculpting, they  learned how to make a pinch bowl and use scoring to combine pieces of clay. Continuing our study of the seasons, students reviewed ways our seasons are affected by the rotation of the earth on its axis. We will finish our study of the Babylonioan captivity when we return from Thanksgiving break. 
Memory Work:
  • Isaiah 9:6,7

 

1st Grade (Mrs. Morgan & Mr. Law)

This Week
  • This week, the stellar students of Mrs. Morgan’s and Mr. Law’s 1st Grade classes have been forging ahead with13 and 14 addition facts as well as  money-counting skills in math. What’s a great way to review measuring volume and also talk about the difference between solids and liquids? Baking cookies, of course! In reading, we have begun a primer based upon Orville and Wilbur’s historic first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Our spelling journey continues with some of the first “silent e” spelling words. In history, we are finishing up our readings of “Pilgrim Stories”. The boys and girls are fascinated by the friendship formed between the Native Americans and the English Pilgrims! Finally, in science, we are figuring out how to do experiments and what the scientific method is all about.
Memory Work:  
  • Psalm 1
Upcoming:
  • Thanksgiving Feast Day: Tuesday, November 24th (students will still need to bring their own lunch)

 

2nd Grade (Mrs. Jones & Mrs. Batten)

This Week
  • Second grade finished reading Encyclopedia Brown. The students seemed to really enjoy trying to solve each case before reading the solution. If your child loved reading this book, then encourage them to read more books in the series. In history, we learned about the testing of Abraham’s faith in Genesis 21-22.  After waiting 25 years for Isaac to be born, then God tells Abraham to kill him! We tried to imagine how it must have felt to be either Abraham or Isaac up on Mt. Moriah. Were they frightened or confused? Were there moments of doubt? Then, we drew parallels to Jesus taking our place as the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Do we feel as relieved and thankful as Abraham must have felt? Ask your child what their favorite story from Abraham’s life is.
Memory Work: 
  • Proverbs 25:6-13
Upcoming:
  • November 25th-27th- Thanksgiving Break next week! 

 

3rd Grade (Mrs. Garner)

This Week
  • The beautiful and creative Greek gods projects were turned in on Monday. We have spent the week strengthening our presentation and speaking skills. In History, we enjoyed learning about the Persian Wars. We made connections to these wars to Esther in the Bible and how God used her, the Persian Queen, to save His people. In Writing, we studied various classic fairy tales by the Grimm brothers, in effort to inspire our stories for the Burlington Writer’s Contest. Our class loved hearing the differences between what they had seen in movies and the original story. We also discussed the elements of a story and how most have a problem that needs to be solved, between good and bad characters. We already have some very creative plots and the enthusiasm for developing them is building! 
Memory Work:
  • Psalm 84:10
Upcoming:
  • No Tests Next Week- Have a blessed Thanksgiving Break! 

 

4th Grade (Mrs. Burtram) 

This Week
  • We finished a wonderful week finishing our Latin prepositions this week along with parsing and translating sentences.  I love the progress we are seeing in Latin!  We created a detailed three paragraph essay in writing by expanding our three point paragraph.   In History, we enjoyed learning about William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings.  The students created sketches with summaries with additional readings in class.  We ended our week finishing our literature and the students are looking forward to beginning Robin Hood next week.
Science
  •  We loved studying the definitions for the different states of matter and looking at lab equipment.  We completed a lab experiment looking at how water molecules attract to one another. 
Memory Work:
  • Matthew 5: 1-9
Upcoming:
  • Thanksgiving Feast

 

5th Grade (Ms. Vogus) 

This Week
  • The 5th grade had a productive week! In math class they studied subtracting mixed numbers, circumference and Pi this week.  In literature they continued reading Witch of Blackbird Pond. So far the kids are enjoying this book immensely. We are continuing to work on the Burlington Writers story while implementing an 8 point story arc. Next week will be a short week. We will work on review and catch up work on Monday and enjoy and enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast day on Tuesday. 
Memory Work:
  • Isaiah 40: 6-8
Upcoming:
  • Monday: Review and catch up day
  • Tuesday: Thanksgiving Feast

 

LOGIC & RHETORIC SCHOOL

 

Mr. Batten

Language Arts
  • We’ve made significant progress in Across Five Aprils and are learning a plethora of information about the Civil War through the eyes of Jethro. We have also typed our narratives out and are working towards our final drafts. 
History
  • We continued our lesson on the Civil War by looking at primary source documents including letters from soldiers and writings of Abraham Lincoln. We’ve started to see the effects of the Civil War on the future of America through the abolition of slavery, advance of society, and unity of states. 
Science
  • We are learning about bacteria and viruses, and tying in COVID-19 as much as is reasonably possible for real life application. 
6th Logic
  • This has been a week to review the many fallacies we have learned thus far. Students are competing to see who can use each fallacy in the most sneaky way possible, which will enhance our ability to spot fallacies when we see them.

 

7th Logic
  • We took our second quiz on the quarter which wrapped up our unit on Red Herrings. Similar to 6th grade, we will be reviewing fallacies for much of the remainder of the quarter to ensure they stay fresh in our minds.
8th Logic
  • We continued talking about syllogisms by looking at testing through counterexamples. We are learning which of the 256 possible syllogisms can be valid in form. 
Upcoming:
  • We are almost finished memorizing 1 John 2, we will wrap up our unit on the Civil War, and continue reviewing fallacies. 

 

Mrs. Byrd

Physics
  • We are wrapping up our study of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion.  Learning how frictional force opposes motion and how to account for it quantitatively has been a particular focus.
Precalculus
  • This week we’ve been learning how logarithms are really an alternate form of an exponential.  We’ve considered various properties of log and exponents and what their graphs look like.
Geometry 
  • The class has completed a brief overview of logic rules and principles this week.  After our Thanksgiving holiday we will put this knowledge into practice as we begin to write our own geometry proofs.

 

Dr. Byrd

10th Bible Survey
  • We are learning important truths in the life of Elisha, as we study II Kings. God cares about our needs and He meets them. 
  • Students are choosing a book to read for their book analysis project. 

 

Mr. Davis

6th – 8th Grade PE
  • This week the students worked on stretches, strength training and speed drills. 
10th Advanced P.E.
  • This week the students worked on both upper and lower body workouts and speed drills. 

 

Mrs. Fairchild

9th Grade Advanced Art

  • Our students continued their work of forming their argument for Las Meninas Mock Trial.  Additionally, we looked at four pieces of art that portrayed the Death of Marat during the Reign of Terror.  This tied in well with their current Omnibus studies.  It was our goal to learn how different artists were able to document the same historical event while portraying very different messages.  Additionally, it was helpful to the students to note that as time passes our understanding of the event will often change due to greater perspective.  The four pieces of art they studied spanned just over 100 years and the opinions of the culture had changed drastically as a result of the French Revolution.

 

Mrs. Frueh

7th Grade Science:
  • This week’s focus was on the three different types of rocks and how each type forms. Students are also working independently on their first formal lab report based on the Soil Project started in the First Quarter.
8th Grade Science:
  • As we continue looking at energy, this week’s focus was on the role of thermal energy in changes of state. The students have learned to identify the six different types of phases changes and to identify which changes are exothermic and which are endothermic.

 

Mr. Hamilton

9th Logic
  •  We had our next test this week, which covered chapters 8-12.
9th Historic Theology
  • This week we took a look at the Athanasian Creed, which, it turns out, is neither Athanasian nor a creed.
10th History
  • After a dramatic (and, at times, traumatic) run through Classical Greek history, we turned our attention to the Hellenistic period, which included, among other things, the demise of Athens.
10th Literature
  • We continued our study of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics this week, examining his thoughts on justice, pleasure, friendship, and much else.
11th Philosophy/Apologetics
  • This week we wrapped up Kant, noting his “Copernican Revolution” in epistemology as well as his continued importance as the inaugurator of critical philosophy. 
12th History
  • We continued our march through the 19th century this week, turning our attention to the unification of Germany.
12th Literature
  • Our journey through Jane Eyre continues to enrapture and surprise. At present, Jane is on the verge of graduating from Lowood and entering the world of society–and men.

 

Mrs. Hamilton

Logic School Music
  • In Music History, students enjoyed a brief overview of the life and music of G. F. Handel; students were surprised to learn of the fundamental differences between Bach and Handel. Students received their music history (late Baroque) study guides and are preparing for their assessment the week after Thanksgiving break. 
  • In Performance, after much practice,  at last, pieces are beginning to come together.  A sneak peek of our practice time may be found on our music website at https://bradfordacademymusic.wordpress.com/resources/.  
Music Elective
  • Our focus this week was on the piano music of Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt. Aside from a special virtual visit from a guest flutist, Dumitru Palanciuc, students also experienced live performances, lively discussions, and even playing the notorious double thirds and dizzying virtuosic passages on the piano–all geared not only to juxtapose artistic humility and dramatic showmanship, but also to begin to fully understand the boundless art of the piano. 

 

Ms. Hutchison

7th Grade Omnibus
  • History:  This week, our attention has turned to the period in Israel’s history after the time of the Judges. We have completed reading the book of I Samuel and have learned about the ministry of Samuel, Israel’s last judge, and the reign of Israel’s first king, Saul.  By studying the lives and characters of Eli, the high priest, Eli’s sons and King  Saul, students have learned that pride and disobedience bring grave consequences.  7th graders enjoyed writing a “breaking news” article in the “Promised Land Gazette”, reporting on the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines.
  • Literature:  Our literature studies will be focused on Homer’s epic poem,  The Odyssey, until Christmas break.  Thus far, we have been introduced to the characters in the hometown of Odysseus, his beloved Ithaca.  Gentle Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, has mustered courage (with a little “divine” intervention from gray-eyed Athena) and has confronted the suitors of his mother, Penelope.  We’ve also “heard” a brief retelling of the heroic feats of Odysseus during the Trojan War, as sung by a singer/storyteller in Book 8, and students have created illustrations of the story.   In Grammar/Composition, 7th grade students are beginning their second persuasive essay, based on the classic O’Henry short story,  The Gift of the Magi.  They are learning rhetorical tools which may be used to help them as they invent, organize and execute a well-written essay.
  • Bible:   We completed a final written recitation of 2 Timothy 2:3-4 this week.  We have also looked back at the early life of Paul, the author of 2 Timothy.  We’ve examined his persecution of the early church and his subsequent conversion.
9th Grade Biology
  • Biology students have begun their 5th Module of study for the school year.  We are now stepping back from our macro studies of the visible world, and are focusing on the chemistry of life.  This week has been spent learning about atoms and molecules; elements and the periodic table; physical and chemical changes.  9th graders enjoyed drawing Bohr model diagrams of various atoms, using the periodic table as a guide. Our exciting week concluded with a diffusion lab.

 

Dr. James

10th Chemistry
  • This week we reviewed molecular geometry and an introduction to molecular orbital theory.  The students took their second test of the quarter on Friday. 
  • Next week we plan to walk through the test and begin a section on nomenclature and oxidation numbers.  There will be no class Wednesday and Friday due to observance of Thanksgiving. 

 

Miss Oldham

9th Grade Literature
  • We have been preparing for our debate on Monday over the idea of knowledge only leads to destruction. This will bridge our readings from Frankenstein and 1984 (our next novel). 
9th Grade History
  • We wrapped up discussions on the French Revolution. 
11th Grade Literature
  • We began to discuss Romeo and Juliet and how it is not the perfect, Hollywood love story that the students wished it were. 
11th Grade History
  • The students finished their rough drafts for their final papers and we discussed Medieval history. 
10th Rhetoric I
  • The students rewrote a speech to fit Aristotle’s canon of organization and we did impromptu speeches to continue to work on creating arguments. 
12th Rhetoric II
  • The students continued to work on their theses and have begun to narrow down their mentor. 

 

Mrs. Palmer 

6th Art
  • This week we worked on our detailed watercolor leaves.  Students have already grown and improved in their use of watercolor!
7th Art
  • This week we worked on finishing up our small scale architecture studies.  We also began our final historical buildings in charcoal.
8th Art
  • This week we worked on either our final charcoal landscape or a charcoal still life.  These students really worked hard on honing in detail on these.
9th Spanish 
  • This week we learned how to conjugate ER and IR verbs.  We also focused on descriptive adjectives and how to put those to use.
10th Spanish
  • This week we worked through some hard-to-remember vocabulary.  We took a quiz on these words.  We practiced some more with forming commands and students also worked on a writing prompt.

Mr. Palmer

6th Math
  • This week we took a test and then learned how to create a box and whisker plot. We also learned how to use the distributive property.
7th Pre-Algebra
  • This week we learned how to find the volume of a shape and began working with roots and exponents.
8th Algebra I
  • This week we learned how to add rational expressions with different denominators and then we reviewed how to find the mean, mode, range, and median of a set of numbers. 
10th Algebra II
  • This week we worked with roots and fractional exponents then prepared for a test.
11th / 12th NT Greek
  • This week we learned about the Greek demonstrative pronoun and took a vocabulary quiz.

 

Miss Windes

8th Grade Omnibus
  • History: We are beginning to explore the Frankish kingdom, Charlemagne, and the early middle ages. 
  • Literature: This week we are reading The History of the Kings of Britain, a fascinating combination of literature and history which includes the early beginnings of the tales of Arthur, Merlin, and the knights of the round table! 
  • Composition: The students have been working on completing their rough draft of their essays, which are due on Monday. We reviewed and practiced creating vivid similes to add to our essays, and we continue to march through The Elements of Style. 
6th Grade LATIN
  • Sixth graders have been doing a phenomenal job with their longer reading passages. We have also began a new chapter and are learning about second conjugation verbs. 
7th Grade LATIN
  • Seventh grade Latin scholars took their chapter 14 test and then we spent time reviewing and practicing identifying third declension i-stem nouns. 
8th Grade LATIN
  • After playing a game to review and solidify choosing the correct case ending in a sentence, we began the Latin Alive Book 2!