The Eliot K-8 School has expanded to two buildings in the historic North End, with grades 5-8 in large, airy classrooms on the first floor of a modern facility on Commercial Street. I started my visit here, then walked up Charter Street past Copp”s Hill Burying Ground to the old brick building that houses Kindergarten through Grade 4 and specialty classes.
Upper School Lead Teacher David Glinner introduced me to his colleagues and showed me around. A whole-school meeting begins each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements. I visited during the first full week of the school year and students were all taking the BPS Predictive Tests in English/Language Arts. Luckily math, science, and social studies classes were in session so I was able to take some learning photos! In an 8th grade science class, students were working in groups of four at tall tables “ observing and taking notes on a “mystery mixture” before adding water to see how it might react. Seventh grade students were using their social studies textbooks to practice reading physical maps.
At the lower school building, children spend the first 90 minutes of every day focused on literacy. In the primary grades children were listening to stories, playing word games, and looking at books. It was nice to see students engaged with self-selected “real books” instead of the ubiquitous Reading Street texts that guide literacy instruction in most BPS schools. In one fourth grade classroom, students were sharing their writing. During Italian class, young children were playing a guessing game to learn how to name the colors. I especially enjoyed watching Theater Arts teacher Sean Murphy lead a group of kindergarteners in a lively holding-hands song and dance around the room “ his enthusiasm was contagious!
With “Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe and Be Kind” as the school”s guiding principles, the Eliot is providing a warm and welcoming environment for student learning in one of Boston”s most historic neighborhoods. Please invite me to visit YOUR school this year!
Amika Kemmler-Ernst, Ed.D.
amika45@comcast.net