Department – Boerum Hill School for International Studies

Select Language:

Departments

Math

Students at BHS are provided with opportunities to build critical problem solving skills and use their prior knowledge to better analyze situations when math interacts with the real world. Students are empowered to think both creatively and systematically through collaborative mathematical discussions, as they support one another in identifying multiple pathways to both solving and describing solutions. Students are challenged to persevere through obstacles when answers are not clear, learn through discovery, and write justifications of thinking using mathematical vocabulary and evidence.

Teachers at BHS are tasked with nurturing a growth mindset in students. The growth mindset is communicated and embodied through rich tasks that foster students’ conceptual fluency, creativity, and reasoning rather than speed and formulaic approaches. Teachers encourage students to make connections between different topics in math and cultivate confidence in the face of non-routine problems.

Individuals & Societies

In the Individuals & Societies department at BHS we study history and the social sciences to learn more about the world. We examine identities to better know ourselves and each other, while learning lessons from the past. We ground our work in evidence, and practice investigation and writing skills, learning to deeply examine and evaluate every source we encounter. We think critically, question ourselves and each other. Through this, we aim to prepare students to build a more just world through their work and actions.

Science

Students at BHS are provided with opportunities to explore natural phenomena. They will develop skills to be able to analyze data and critically think about the scientific topics that impact today’s world through collaboration, investigations, and research. Students are challenged to grow while respecting the values and cultures of others. Teachers push students to question research in order to identify, overcome obstacles and solve real world problems through hands on exploration and written explanation.

The Arts and Design Overview

At BHS we have a robust and diverse Arts and Design program that includes Visual and Performing Arts. Students In Middle School are introduced to Visual Arts, Dance, Theater, Graphic and Product design. In the high school, students are exposed to higher level courses in Visual Arts and Dance.

In all these courses, students work with a variety of materials and build foundational skills. Projects may include creating original artwork, choreography, performance, design solutions, and independent inquiry projects. The Arts and Design are integral components of the International Baccalaureate curriculum. By discovering the elements of each discipline, students are able to create projects that reflect their own aesthetic and convey a message, or meet the needs of a given scenario. We cultivate an intellectually stimulating and supportive learning environment where multiple perspectives are valued.

Visual Arts

From foundations to mastery, students of the arts develop skills in critical creative thinking to convey and interpret meaning in art, while refining their skills working with a variety of different media.

Students of Visual Art in grades 6 to 10 are prepared for the rigorous IB Diploma Program. In DP Art, students work toward building not only a portfolio of work, but also honing their skills in art- and art-historical analysis and writing.

STEM

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) is a course that offers students the chance to work with software and hardware that develop their skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication. The goal of STEM education is to prepare students for the innovative fields driving the 21st-century economy. Students learn to create apps, program robots and build websites. They also do hands-on projects that require creative solutions to real-world problems by following the design cycle.

The MYP focuses on STEM as an important perspective from which to consider integrated teaching and learning in concepts and skills related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM-oriented integration often extends to other subject groups or academic disciplines.

Code.org Project

Students worked on a project called “Dance Party” on the website code.org. They used block coding to make their dancers move and create backgrounds. To watch their creation, click “Run” and to see the code used, click “How It Works”.

Code.org Project

Students worked on several projects in Scratch. They created Choose Your Own Adventure projects that allow you to decide where to go next. They created knock knock joke scenes between 2 sprites and they animated their names. To view their work, click the green flag. To see the code, click on “See inside”.

Dance

The Dance curriculum at BHS presents students with a holistic view of dance as they learn how to choreograph, perform, and reflect upon examples from around the world. By developing vocabulary and experience with choreographic structures, dance elements and notation, students are able to develop a wide variety of skills.

Students are exposed to different styles and genres of dance in order to develop their technique, and broaden their understanding of the diverse cultural contexts for dance. They are also challenged to conduct independent research and analysis of the many histories of dance.

Beyond performance and history, students also learn about injury prevention, anatomy, and physiology in order to advance their technical training and maintain a healthy, high-functioning body.

Physical Education

The mission of the BHS Physical Education Department is to provide a holistic and comprehensive program focused on the development of every student. Through various fitness and sporting activities, our program will promote positive attitudes towards physical activity and fitness, while giving students the knowledge and resources necessary for maintaining long term positive health.

Our Physical Education staff will consistently provide a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, promoting enjoyment, rigor, self-expression and social interaction, while increasing their health literacy and encouraging a physically active lifestyle.