Storytelling Archives - Beaver Country Day School

Advanced Photography

Interests: Media, Storytelling

This course is designed for students who have a serious interest in building advanced photographic techniques, and ideas through experimentation, iteration, and critique. Based on interests and curiosity, students will research and explore artists, themes, and concepts in the world of art and photography. Students will work toward the independent application of themes and techniques predominantly in the digital darkroom and using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

Prerequisites: Photography or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

10th

11th

12th

Visual Arts

Printmaking

Interests: Art, Storytelling, Technology

This course seeks to deepen students' understanding of the many processes of traditional printmaking by making multiples of the same image. Screenprinting, Drypoint, Relief, Monoprint, and everything in between will be explored. Students will develop a portfolio of prints, as well as examine the processes of printmaking as a tool for garment manufacture, fine arts, graphic design, and mixed-media artmaking. Be prepared to try new and unfamiliar processes as well as hone your skills in one process.

Prerequisites: Intro to Photography, or Intro to 2D, or by the recommendation from the Visual Art Department Head.

11th

12th

English

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.

11th

12th

Global History & Social Sciences

Black Joy: 1877-1940s

Interests: Politics, Storytelling

This course examines the period between the end of Reconstruction and the 1940s, the “nadir of race relations” in America, where racism was open, more pronounced, and sown into the American fabric. During this era, despite the realities of racial terror and violence faced by African Americans, the emergence of Black-owned businesses, the Harlem Renaissance, African-American Political Thought, sports leagues, and women like Madame C.J. Walker created a culture of Black joy and excellence during times of uncertainty. Students will explore the history, politics, economics, and culture of Black Americans whose narratives of success, power, and innovation play a role in the voice and history of shaping the United States. They will also investigate how Black joy was expressed, experienced, and celebrated during this transformative era.

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. 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.