![Grade 10 Students Explore New Interests in “Minimester”]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743697620/newtoncountrydayorg/tnwvl29shz1itowjehgj/PXL_20250327_132518634.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743697620/newtoncountrydayorg/tnwvl29shz1itowjehgj/PXL_20250327_132518634.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743697620/newtoncountrydayorg/tnwvl29shz1itowjehgj/PXL_20250327_132518634.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1743697620/newtoncountrydayorg/tnwvl29shz1itowjehgj/PXL_20250327_132518634.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1743697620/newtoncountrydayorg/tnwvl29shz1itowjehgj/PXL_20250327_132518634.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1743697620/newtoncountrydayorg/tnwvl29shz1itowjehgj/PXL_20250327_132518634.jpg","width":2200}])
Returning from March break, Grade 10 students at Newton Country Day participated in the school’s first-ever “Minimester”. This innovative program offered students the opportunity to dive into topics of their choice for four days, blending experiential learning with academic exploration. Each course connected meaningfully to the Grade 10 curriculum, with a particular focus on the 1940s and 1950s historical period.
Course offerings included:
- Beyond Black and White: Exploring Film, Propaganda, and Social Change - Discovering how filmmakers use powerful visuals and storytelling to tackle big questions, while learning to think critically about the movies you watch every day.
- Consumers and Culture: Unpacking US Politics, Culture, and Capitalism - Exploring how businesses, governments, and scientists all played a role in fostering America’s global dominance in the 20th century.
- Exploring the Chemistry of Food - Discovering the science behind what is on your plate.
- The Origins of Modern Dance: Martha Graham and her Legacy - Exploring the groundbreaking legacy of Martha Graham (1894-1991), the “Mother of Modern Dance,” whose bold innovations transformed American art and culture.
Colette Tate ‘27, who participated in The Origins of Modern Dance, reflected on her experience: “I learned all about expressionism through dance, poetry, and music. I was able to learn about the revolution of modernity and see Martha Graham’s legacy. My favorite part was presenting the Martha Graham inspired dances to my classmates.”
Sophia Zaphiris ‘27 spoke about her time in the Consumers and Culture course: “It challenged us to think more deeply about the issues with past and current policy and what the best path forward is in an age where our position in the world is changing. The course was really eye-opening in a number of ways, and it provided me with a new perspective for how the U.S. operates in the world and how our position in the world is changing.”
The success of this inaugural “Minimester” program highlights the value of experiential learning and the importance of providing students the opportunity to explore subjects that inspire and engage them. With this strong foundation, Newton Country Day looks forward to continuing the "Minimester" program in the future.