Specials
Technology
Our goal is to graduate technologically literate 21st century leaders who capably balance their human creativity with the efficiency and precision of current technologies. Our students continually need more opportunities for hands-on and innovative activities, along with support and guidance to become our next generation of innovators, collaborators, critical thinkers and communicators, and empowered learners. Future jobs require new skills found in STEAM that we teach in the BCD classrooms.
Curriculum
Preschool
In the preschool students rarely engage with technology. They are exposed to STEM and STEAM concepts through science, art, math, time in the outdoors, problem solving, and play. The critical skills of problem solving, questioning, listening, and working with others are developed daily in classroom and unstructured time.
Elementary School
In the elementary school students attend technology classes weekly to systematically build an understanding of computer concepts and skills such as keyboarding, file management, navigation, troubleshooting, coding, and digital media creation in fun and engaging ways. Our engaging curriculum includes typing instruction, mastering the Google Suite digital citizenship topics such as internet safety and digital copyright rules using Common Sense Media's extensive curriculum, as well as coding. All that we teach is in alignment with the ISTE Standards for Students.
In the homeroom and other classrooms, Kindergarten through 2nd grade students share a few Chromebooks which are used for literacy and math centers, and research. In grades 3-5, students have access to their own Chromebook to use during school hours. The technology skills they learn in the lab directly enhance and support their academic endeavors. For example, students might use laptops in their Spanish class to write and email letters to pen pals abroad following an initial introduction via Skype.
Middle School
Our middle grades technology program is comprised of experiences within all core classes, dedicated activities in Design class, as well as through unique offerings in our Exploratory program. In core classes, our 1:1 environment allows students to use their own Chromebook to authentically engage in full-powered learning every day. Teachers invite students to examine their views on technology's place in the classroom and the modern world, think about the advantages and limitations of computers, and organize their own thinking when making choices about which tools to use or not use for various academic endeavors.
The aims of the Design Core class are to encourage and enable students to enjoy the design process and develop an appreciation of its elegance and power. As students design and create solutions to problems using the design cycle, they develop knowledge, understanding, and skills from different disciplines. They use and apply technology effectively as a means to access, process and communicate information, model and create solutions, and solve problems. Skills taught in Design include but are not limited to: testing and evaluation of models; making sense of data; additive manufacturing through 3D printing; laser printing and design; exploring die cutting machines like Cricut through sticker design and creation; video design; green screen technology; stop motion video production; text and graphic integration through desktop publishing; and digital Photography.
Lastly, our Exploratory program provides opportunities for students to “explore” the possibilities of today’s 21st century tools through a wide variety of elective offerings in the fields of graphic design, computer science and programming, and digital filmmaking. Recent offerings have included courses in video game programming, robotics, green screen, Claymation, graphic design concepts, digital textile design, and typography. In addition to Exploratory electives, all middle school students also participate in a trimester-long code class.
Common Sense Digital Citizenship: Certified School
Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of digital media and technology, has recognized Boulder Country Day School as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship: Certified School for educating its students to be safe, smart, and ethical digital citizens.
Boulder Country Day has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to use the immense power of digital media to explore, create, connect, and learn, while limiting the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying.
Boulder Country Day has been using Common Sense Education's innovative and research-based digital-citizenship and literacy resources, which were created in collaboration with Dr. Howard Gardner of the GoodPlay Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to Internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, managing online relationships, and respecting creative copyright.
"Becoming a Digital Certified School has empowered our students to be safer on-line as they grow increasingly tech savvy as much younger ages. Learning and using 21st century skills also means being 21st century safe!” - Stephanie Winiecki, BCD Elementary Technology Instructor
"Becoming a Digital Certified School has empowered our students to be safer on-line as they grow increasingly tech savvy as much younger ages. Learning and using 21st century skills also means being 21st century safe!” - Stephanie Winiecki, BCD Elementary Technology Instructor
To learn more about the criteria required to become a Common Sense Certified School, visit http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/certification.
Boulder Country Day School 4820 Nautilus Court North • Boulder, Colorado 80301 • Phone - 303.527.4931 • info@bouldercountryday.org
Boulder Country Day School, where academic distinction meets education with character. BCD is a top rated, accredited private school in Boulder, Colorado where every child has the opportunity to discover their own unique excellence. Distinguished by small class sizes, outstanding faculty, engaging academics and a focus on community, our preschool, elementary and IB middle school teachers strive to create a well-rounded educational environment that balances traditional subjects with the arts, world languages, athletics and knowledge based units.
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