Storytelling Archives - Beaver Country Day School

Literature of Lies

Interests: Debate, Psychology, Reading, Storytelling, Writing

What are our expectations for truth in memoirs and fake news? And how do we feel about unreliable narrators, lies within the story world, tall-tales, and satire? We will ask how lies are constructed narratively, and what we lose and gain when and if we stop trusting our stories. As we consider various types of narrative untruth, we’ll dive into some cognitive psychology to learn about the trustworthiness of memory (and how forgetting creates gaps that false information can fill) as well as our susceptibility to fake news. Together the class will allow us to ask what is “true” in our post-truth world.

This class will have a particular focus on the skills of reading, analytical writing, and project design.

11th

12th

English

Zero to Hero: The Hero’s Journey to Character

Interests: Debate, Film, Reading, Storytelling, Writing

Heroes aren't born—they're made. What drives individuals to face impossible challenges, push beyond their limits, build themselves up, and confront the unknown? This course explores stories of adventure and growth of fictional and real-life heroes, focusing on how adversity shapes character, values, and moral strength. Using Joseph Campbell’s framework of The Hero’s Journey, students will examine how trials of courage, sacrifice, and perseverance cultivate resilience and leadership. Through literature, history, and film, students will analyze the psychological and ethical dimensions of heroism, considering whether true greatness lies in bold action or quiet integrity. By studying a diverse slate of texts students will reflect on how cultural ideals of heroism evolve and what it means to live with purpose. Through literary analysis, creative writing, and research, this course challenges students to not only explore heroic narratives but to consider how they can define and embody these values in their own lives.
This class will have a particular focus on the skills of reading, analytical writing, and project design.

12th

Visual Arts

Advanced Studio Practice

Interests: Art, Film, Research, Storytelling

For Seniors who have built their skills and developed personal concepts for their artwork. How will you continue to build your creative voice after graduation? Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when we grow up.” This course will explore creative strategies to keep art in your life after high school, including workshopping, refining your interests, and learning to seek out and enjoy seeing art in the world. Open to 12th graders who have taken at least one level 2 class and with permission from the Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Advanced Sculpture

Interests: Hands On, Storytelling

This course builds off your interests and success from Sculpture 1 and provides the opportunity to improve in technique. You will deepen your understanding of a chosen process through rigor and self-direction. Exhibiting completed artworks with intention and concept is required. Prerequisites: Sculpture and recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Advanced Ceramics

Interests: Hands On, Storytelling

This course builds off the foundational skills from Ceramics and provides the opportunity to expand on hand-building and wheel-throwing practices. You will explore your point of view as a ceramicist by creating a portfolio inspired by a theme or chosen process. Research into how and why artists have and continue to use clay as a method of expression and functionality will support your studio practice. Prerequisites: Ceramics and recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

9th

Visual Arts

Intro to Photography

Interests: Film, Media, Sports, Storytelling, Technology

This course spans photographic processes from the first camera to the darkroom, to the DSLR, to digital post-production Adobe Tools. As photographers, students will learn to observe light, color, and composition to better understand how to make a photograph. Reflecting, discussing, and thinking critically about the world of photography will lead to deeper ideas. Prerequisites: Intro to Visual Arts or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

9th

Visual Arts

Intro to 3D

Interests: Design, Film, Storytelling, Technology

Learn the foundational process to explore your ideas in three dimensions. Instruction will cover a range of materials, tools, and techniques in the intersection of design, craft, and building things you can use. This includes introductions to ceramics, plaster, resin, woodworking, and 3D printing. Regular discussion of The World of Art and Art History will provide context for our work. Critiques, documentation, and presentation will be essential elements of the class to help your skills. Prerequisites: Intro to Visual Arts or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

11th

Visual Arts

Studio Practice

Interests: Art, Film, Research, Storytelling

This class creates the community, structure, and space for the most serious artists to pursue their work. Students taking this class have shown to be independent, dedicated artists prepared to bring their interests to the class. Group critiques, research in contemporary art, readings, and documentation of the creative process will be major elements of the course. Open to 11th graders who have taken at least one level 2 course with the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Performing Arts

Chroma

Interests: Hands On, History, Music, Storytelling

Chroma is an ensemble that offers instrumentalists an in-depth study of expansive ensemble works across a wide range of musical genres. This ensemble is open to all instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, percussion). Students will study and play a broad selection of intermediate and advanced repertoire with a focus on building technical skills while exploring the cultural and historical context of the repertoire. This course utilizes custom arrangements, taking components from the classical music tradition as well as contemporary styles such as pop/rock and jazz as vehicles to develop students’ technique and creative processes. Class material will integrate music theory, instrumental technique, and rehearsal/performance skills. The ensemble will perform in formal mandatory concerts throughout the year. Weekly individual instrumental lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to private lessons. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options. Two Term Course Prerequisite: Instrumental Ensemble II, Ikonoclastic or placement audition.

10th

11th

12th

9th

Performing Arts

Choreography Foundations

Interests: Design, Storytelling

This studio style course takes a look at how we create movement in dance and some of the tools used to build cohesive choreography on stage. Students will experiment with movement using a range of dance elements, movement techniques and concepts. Over the duration of the course, this practice of building a movement vocabulary and “toolkit” will develop a greater sense of body awareness, self confidence, and skills to support their creative process. There will be opportunities to present original student compositions throughout the year. Prior dance experience is not required. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options. Depending on sign ups it could meet in E block, 3 terms OR in the rotation, 2 terms. No Prerequisite Required.

10th

11th

12th

Performing Arts

Costume & Fashion Design Studio

Interests: Art, Design, Fashion, Film, Hands On, Research, Storytelling, Theater

Drawing from many disciplines and utilizing a variety of skills and technology, students will learn to research and communicate their ideas through a series of student-driven individual projects and mainstage shows. Students will explore the visual communication, history, and impact of clothing both on the stage and in everyday life, and they will deepen their understanding of the principles of costume and fashion design. Students will also learn the skills and techniques needed to then create their own designs. These techniques may include research, collage, sketching, digital sketching, figure drawing, sewing, draping, pattern making, tailoring, dyeing, distressing, painting, and craft. Students entering this class should be highly motivated and work well independently. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options. Three Term Course No Prerequisite Required.

10th

9th

Performing Arts

Foundations of Design/Tech Theater

Interests: Design, Film, Hands On, Storytelling, Theater

In this introductory course, students will begin the year using design projects and games, practical activities and scene work to develop storytelling skills. Students will learn about the design and production aspects of theater and specific script analysis tools. Practical hands-on stagecraft is taught in the various theaters and theater-related spaces such as the scene shop and control booth. This course meets with the Foundations of Theater class, and it is meant to give students an overview of the major components of theater including acting, technical theater, public speaking, and script analysis. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options. Two Term Course This course is a recommended course for students entering the Upper School Theater Program.