COURSE CATALOG 2023
Single-CourseOptions(aka,the“CPeriodOption”)
These courses will meet during both A and B periods, so a student in one of these courses will not take another course.
DeepDiveintoChocolate: Desserts,History,andSocialJustice
SusieNorris’79,NancyLyon
Didyouknowthatthechocolatewelovetodayhasaverycomplicatedhistory?Wouldyoulike toexplorethishistory,makedeliciouschocolatetrufflesandcroissants,andlearnaboutthe relationshipbetweenchocolateandlocalsocialjusticefarminginitiatives? Wewilltasteourway throughthisexplorationbylearning,making,andvisiting.Aspartofourexploration,wewill maketruffles,visitalocalchocolateshoprenownedforitsartisanalchocolatesandalsospeak withlocalactivistsengagedinsocialjusticefarmingandfoodaccess. Students will be charged a $20 fee for baking supplies.
* Susie Norris ’79 is a cookbook author and pastry chef She taught baking at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and recently worked at Berkshire in the Advancement Office She loves the farm-to-table food scene of the Berkshires
SoYouKNOWYou'veAlwaysWantedtoKnowHowtoKnit(orCrochet)
AnitaLoose-Brown,PatBush
Joinustolearnalifelongskillthatcanbepracticedanywhereandanytimeyouhaveafewfree minutestosit:waitingforabus,ridingonabus,onaplane,onatrain...We'retalkingabout knittingandcrocheting.Thisisahobbythat,whenyoupracticeit,rewardsyouwithatangible thingattheendthatyoucanwear,use,orgifttoafriendortosomeoneinneed.We'llteachbasic castonandknitstitch,orsinglecrochetstitch.Evenwithjustthesebasicstitches,youcan produceawarmscarfforthechillyBerkshirewinter.
FarfromtheMaddingCrowd:ExploringShakerCulture
SunitaYashavantThenearbyHancockShakerVillageisamuseumthattellsthestoryofacommunitythatbegan inthe1780s.Thiscourseisaglimpseintohumanenterpriseandcreativityinpursuitofa meaningfulandauthenticlifegovernedbyegalitarianism.WhatinducedtheShakerstogo againsttheconfinesofrigidsocialhierarchyandexpectations?Whatcanwelearnfromtheir journey?Onguidedtours,wewillexamineShakers’commitmenttoexcellence,beitintheir craft,cuisine,farming,sustainableliving,andaprogressivephilosophyofindividuallibertyand collectiveprogress.Wewilltrybasketweaving,bakeusingShakerrecipes,feedfarmanimals, andmarvelattheShakers’uniquewayofworshipthatputspassionintoprayer.Wewillendthe coursewithmakingaShakerseedpacketandengageinanactivitywiththeVillagegardener Students will be charged a $60 fee to cover entrance fees.
BerkshireFarmtoTable
HeidiWoodworth,ChrisPerkins
BerkshireFarmtoTablewillexposeyoutotheburgeoningindustryoflocallyandsustainably sourcedrestaurants.ItwillstartwithatriptotherestaurantPrairieWhaleinGreatBarringtonto discussandlearnabouttheirdecisiontoengagein––aswellastheirapproachtopursue––a farm-to-tablebusiness. Fromthere,wewillvisitanumberofthefarmsthatsourcePrairieWhale beforereturningtotherestaurantlaterintheweektoenjoydinner. Students will be charged a $45 fee for the meal.
BerkshireMMA
TonyAmolo’13
Thisclasswillexposestudentstothebasicandintermediateskillsofmixedmartialarts. Wewill spendtheweekworkingthestaffatSoutheastKettlebellinPittsfield.Thisfullbodyfitnessclass willhelpstudentslearntheartofselfcontrol,discipline,andselfcarethroughThaiboxing,Jiu Jitsu,andboxing. Students will be charged a fee of $200 for the class that will cover boxing gloves and shin pads; hand wraps will be provided for students to keep.
HistoryoftheBerkshires
BrieCary,TimCary
Inthisclass,wewillexplorethehistoryoftheBerkshiresbyvisiting/touringvariousmuseums andhistoricalsitesinthearea.Sitesmayinclude:TheNormanRockwellMuseum,The ChesterwoodMuseum,TheMount,andHancockShakerVillage. Throughguidedtoursofthese sites,wewillimmerseourselvesinthehistoryandlearnasmuchaswecan.Wewillcome togetherattheendofthevisitsfordiscussionandreflection.Ourhopeisthatwewillallgaina greaterunderstandingandappreciationfortherichandstoriedhistoryoftheBerkshireregion justbeyondthegroundsofourcampus. Students will be charged $50 to cover entrance fees.
BerkshireFoodCo-op:LocalFood&CommunityService
PatrickDonovan
TheBerkshireFoodCo-opstrivestobeacommunitycenterthat,“Cultivatesgenerosity, cooperation,andcareforourenvironment;Invigoratesthelocaleconomythroughequitable relationshipsandsupportofthecooperativemovement;Engagesourgreatercommunitythrough educationandoutreach;Isthetrustedsourceofhealthfulfoodforall.” Itsgoalsare:"Tobea transformativeforceinthecommunity;Toserveasamodelofasustainablebusinessalternative; Tonurturesocialandeconomicwell-beinginanenvironmentallysensitivemanner." Thisclass willpartnerwiththeBerkshireFoodCo-optolearnwhataco-operativeis,andwhatsystemsand relationshipsgointomakingoneoptimallyoperate,andwewillvisitfarmsandtalkwithfarmers whoselltheirfoodattheCo-op. Throughouttheweek,wewillcookfoodwiththeCo-opand potentiallysellitattheirstoretoraisemoneyforalocalfoodpantry.
Curling
MauraMacKenzie
Haveyoueverwantedtotrycurling?Thisisyourchance!MembersoftheNorfolkCurling Club,alongwithMs.Lyman,willleadagroupofstudentsinanintroductoryweekofcurling. StudentswilltraveltoNorfolkCurlingClubeachafternoonfor1.5-2hoursofinstructionand play.Duringtheweek,studentswillbegivenanintroductorycurlingclass,playincompetitive matches,andfinishtheweekwithanabbreviatedtournament.Pleasejoinusindiscoveringwhat itreallymeanstobeaskipper! Students will be charged $100 for four full days of professional-level coaching and facility use.
PeriodAOfferings
BearsonIce
MaeArchie’23,LiamBard’23,TannerMarsh’23,SylviaGappa,CaddieJackson
Learntoskate(orperfectyourskills)duringProVitawithastudent-led,semiintensiveweekof skatingdesignedtohelpyougainconfidenceontheice.Offtheice,spendtheweektraininglike askaterintheweightroomwiththegoalsofstrengtheningyourcoreandlegstomaximize powerandstabilityontheice.Spendadaywatchingskatingclassicssuchas“Miracle”and “CuttingEdge”tofullyembracetheiceandeverythingithastooffer.Endtheweekwithamini combinetocompeteagainstyourselfandyourfellowBears.
BerkshireBikeShop
DanCooper
Doesyourbikehaveaflattire?Isthechaintoonoisy?Gearswon’tshiftcorrectly?Inthisclass, we’lllearnthebasicsofbikemaintenanceandrepair. Bypartneringwiththemechanicsat BerkshireBikeandBoard,we’llcleanandfixupbikesforsomeluckycommunitymembers.(Or bringyourownbike!)Weatherpermitting,we’llgetachancetotestoutourworkonsomeofthe localroadsortrails. Students will be charged a $50 fee for professional instruction.
IfYouMixtheWrongChemicalsYouMightBlowuptheLab
PeterQuilty
Thiscoursewillexaminewhatshouldandshould not happeninthechemistrypreproom. Studentswilllearnaboutthefollowingtopics:storageandinventorymanagement,waste disposal,wasteclassificationterminology,andOSHAlaboratorystandards.Inadditionto ensuringwearefollowingalloftheappropriateprotocolsinoursciencelaboratories,wewill conductsomereactionsthatdemonstratetheunexpectedresultsofmixingchemicalsand everydayproductsthatyoucanfindinyourhome.Itshouldbeablast!
TheOff-Ice,BehindtheScenesatTheJack
CraigWhitingDiscovertheinnerworkingsoftheJack.Includedinthiscoursewillbeatourandexplanationof allmechanicalrooms.Howistheicemade,maintained,andremoved?HowdoesaZamboni work?Whatarethesecretstosharpeningskates?Wewillreviewanddemonstratetheanswersto theseandallofyourquestions.Andforanyonewho’seversaid,"Iwanttorideonthe Zamboni!"you’llgettoexperiencethatthrill.Theserideshavebecomeastapleofsomeofthe bestselfiesanddefinitelyworthyofaDundie.
DisplayDesign:ShowcasingBerkshire’sArchives
BebeBullock’86
Berkshire'sArchivescollectionincludesa100-year-oldbaseballcap,woodenskisfromthe 1950sthatonceswoosheddowntheElbowTrail,goldfootballchampionshipcharms,aletter jacket,JackStewart's(of“theJack”fame)plaidpants,photographs,maps,andsomuchmore. Buthowdowedisplaythesetreasuresand,atthesametime,tellBerkshire'shistory?Students willinvestigatehowtodesigndisplays,makethempop,createlabelswithshortexplanations, andthen“shop”intheArchivescollectionforitemstocreatethemeddisplaysthatwillbea permanentpartofFentressReadingRoom.Onthefinalday,wewillhostagrandunveiling.
BobRossfromBeyond
BrandiDahari,JustineLenter
Don’tyoujustloveBobRoss?Hiswiseandgentlespirit,nottomentionhissimplepainting techniques,aresoinspiring.WhysettleforwatchingBobpaintwhenyoucandoityourself?Join usinlearninghowtopaintlikeBobRoss!Inthisclass,youwilllearnhowtosetupyourpalette, careforyourmaterials,andcompleteanamazinglandscapepaintinginoilpaintguidedbyBob Ross(viavideo,ofcourse)!CheckouthisvideosonYouTube,andthensignup!
TheGreatESGInvestmentChallenge
JamesDemmert’82
Areyouinterestedinlearninghowthestockmarketworks?Doesaninvestingcontestwithyour fellowstudents(usingareal-timevirtualaccount)soundfun?Areyouinterestedinlearningif bigcompaniesaresensitivetotheenvironment,socialjusticeandgoodgovernance(ESG)?Ifso, thisclassisforyou!Wewilllearnwhatmakesthestockmarket,andstocks,goupanddown, howtomanageriskandselectcompaniesthataregoodforourenvironment.Eachteambuildsa stockportfoliofromalistof50companiesthattheythinkwillperformbestandareESG friendly...bestperformanceandESGscorewins!Prizesandafieldtripareincluded.
* James Demmert ’82 has been managing investment portfolios for foundations and families for over 30 years He has experience in all aspects of investment management including equity and fixed income research and trading and portfolio management A devoted philanthropist, Demmert was awarded the 2018-19 Citizen of the Year award for his dedication to giving back to both the local and global community.
TheCreator’sGame
JohnWest
Whatcanbelearnedbystudyingtheoriginsoflacrosse?Inthisclasswewillexaminethehistory ofNorthAmerica’sfirstsport.StudentswillgainadeeperunderstandingoftheCreator’sGame asweexplorethesignificanceoflacrossetothosewhocreatedit. Studentswillalsostringa traditionalNativeAmericanlacrossesticksourcedfromtheHaudenosauneepeopleonCornwall Island,Ontario;gainingappreciationfortheprocessesthathavebeenusedforgenerations. Students will be charged a $225 fee for materials and will leave the course with a traditional lacrosse stick.
BearsinStitches
EvaYuranich,MarthaWilliamson
Studentswilllearnhowtooperateasewingmachineandhandstitchinthisclass,aswellasgain animportantlifeskillwhilemakingadifferenceinthelifeofachild.Studentswillgatherto purchasematerials,plan,craft,andsewdressestobedonatedtoLittleDressesForAfrica,a nonprofitorganizationthatserveschildreninvariouslocationsalloverthecontinent,aswellas inareasofAppalachiaintheU.S.Thesedresseswillbemailedanddistributedtochildrenin orphanages,schoolsandchurchesin47Africancountriestoprovidebothcomfortandpride.
Entrepreneurship101
Phuong“Sophie”Le’12,DustinGreene
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”–Peter Drucker, an influential thinker on management
Haveyoueverseenaproblemandthoughtofacreativesolution?Inthisclass,wewilltalkabout whetherandhowtoturnthatsolutionintoabusinessidea.Wewillwalkyouthroughhowto structureandassessyourideas,makeyourmoneymodels,createafoundationforyourbusiness, andtellyourstorytoyourcustomers,collaborators,andinvestors.Buildingasustainable businessisamarathon.Thisclassservesasabootcampofthebasicsofentrepreneurialmarathon trainingforbusinessenthusiastsaswellasforinquisitiveexplorers.
*Phuong "Sophie" Le '12 is a pharmacist and founder of ImpactPharm, which aims to improve the architecture of healthcare payments, starting from preventative pharmacy services She envisions a world where people are happy to have conversations with their pharmacists and work together to save time, money, and tears
PutitinPerspective:TheBasicsofArchitecturalDrawing
RobRoseDoyoulikedrawing?Inthisclass,wewillexplorethemultiview,paraline,andperspective drawingtechniquesusedtodepictathree-dimensionalspaceonatwo-dimensionalsurface.In particular,wewillfocusonperspectivedrawing,includinghowtosetupandexecuteascaled two-pointperspectivedrawing.Studentswillhavetheopportunitytocreatetheirown
architecturaldrawings,andeachstudentwillcreatetheirowntwo-pointperspectivedrawingofa buildinghereonBerkshirecampus.
ConqueringtheFearofPublicSpeaking
BrookeDepelteau
Thefearofpublicspeakingisthemostcommonphobia––morecommonthanthefearofspiders orthefearofheights!ThisProVitaclasswilllookatskilldevelopmentthatsupportsboththe ForSchoolandtheForLifeaspectsofBerkshire'scurriculumasstudentsworktogetherto overcomethenervesthatcreepinatthethoughtofpublicspeaking.Studentswillpractice mindfulnessandlearnstrategiestocenterthemselveswhenfacedwithpublicspeaking.Through practicecenteredondiction,stagepresence,andbodylanguage,studentswillbecomemore confident,skilledpublicspeakers.Thisclassrequiresawillingnesstostepoutsideofone's comfortzone,andstudentsmustbereadytoactivelyengagewiththecontent.Disclaimer:there willbenospidersorunnecessaryheightsusedintheinstructionofthisclass.
DiningHallHacks
KelleyBogardus,ShawnBurdick
Doyoufindyourselfinthedininghallnotknowingwhattoeat?Doyoutendtoeatthesame thing,orfindthemealsalittleboring?Inthiscourse,wewillidentifyseveralcreativewaysto navigatethedininghallforbreakfast,lunch,anddinner,whetheritishowtomakeapanini,a burrito,asalad,orothermeals,withwhatisbeingoffered.WewillalsolooktocreateaYouTube pagewithvideosofhowtomakethemeals.Mr.Burdickwillhelpuswithingredients,creative saucesanddressings,andrecipes.
FinancialLiteracy
BrianLuts’90,RobertBoyd
Learningthebasicfundamentalsoffinanceisimportant. Wewillcoverthingssuchaschecking accounts,creditcards,investing,retirementplanning,taxesandinsurance,andhowloanswork. Wewillwalkthroughthepersonalizedexampleofeachstudentchoosingthecollegetheywant toattend,whatthatcollegewillcost,andtheloantheywillhavetocoverthecostofthatcollege. Themodelingwillextendintowhatcareertheywouldliketopursue,theincomeeachstudent mightexpecttoearn,whatthelivingexpenseswillbe,andwheretheywouldlive.Ultimately, studentswillexaminewhethertheywillbeabletolivewithintheirmeans.
*Brian Luts ’90 co-founded LGG Financial in 2012 and has been providing financial service and advice since 1997 With over 24 years of experience, he has developed an expertise in working with individuals to find customized solutions to the complex financial challenges they face He was recently named to Forbes magazine’s top advisors in the state of Maryland for the second year in a row
FitnessforLife
ThomasRegan’08,TomRegan,DoryDriscoll,DanDriscoll
Thegoalofthiscourseistoexposestudentstoalifetimeunderstandingthatoverallwellnessfor yourheartandyourheadiscriticalForLife.ThomasReagan'08andhisfather,TomRegan, fromMotivatedFitnessinSouthBoston,Mass.,arebothcertifiedstrengthandwellness instructorswhofocusonpositivemotivation.Throughouttheweekstudentswillparticipatein variousexercisesandlearnstrategiesthatwillencourageoverallhealthandwellness,whatis neededforahealthylife.
Wildcraft,Witchery,andWisdom
AndreaBowler,ErinSeelenbrandt
Connectwiththemagicofthewoods,fields,andwaterwaysthatsurroundourBerkshirehome. Begintoformapartnershipwiththewilderworldofplantsandfungibyseeingthemthroughthe lensesofscientist,FirstPeople,andhedgewitch.Participantsinthisclasswilllearnhowtosafely identifyovertenedible/medicinalplantsandfungionourcampusaswellasbecomefamiliar withtheirpotentialhealthbenefits.Finally,studentswillcraftsalves,teas,tinctures,lipbalms, andmoreusingthewildblendsthatbestmatchtheirownuniqueneedsandpreferences.
PuttingthePiecesTogether:Puzzles,Tea,andSnacks
CaitlinCooper
Lookingforabrainboost?Thisclasswillintroducestudentstothemind-andmood-altering benefitsofworkingonpuzzles.Participantswillengageindailypuzzlechallengesaccompanied byteaandsnacksthatwillsetthestageforarelaxingandcontemplativeexperience.Thisclassis perfectforanyonelookingtounwind,relax,andboosttheircognitiveskills.
HowtheDeadSurvive
KevanBowler,StuartMiller’97Fromthe1960suntilthe1995deathofguitaristandbandfounderJerryGarcia,theGrateful Deadplayedroughly2,300concerts. EvenGarcia’sdeathcouldnotstopthebandfromtouring anditslegendary“Deadheads”fromfollowingtheirfavoritemusic.Thiscoursewillexplorethe history,music,andculturesurroundingtheGratefulDead. Specialattentionwillbegiventothe effectsthatthebandhadontheculturalsceneoftheUnitedStatesandhowtheirmusic influencedandevolvedrockandroll,country,blues,andfolkmusic. Theclasswillalsostudy whathasenabledtheDeadtobesuchalastingforceeventoday
OGod,WhereArtThou?
ClaySplawnPhilosophicalinquiryperhapsbeginswithreflectionontheitemsofgreatestmysteryand importance.AtthetopofthislistisGod.Isthereadivinebeingthatcreatedtheworld?That sustainsit?Thatcaresforit?Somephilosophersandtheologianshavethoughtthattheycould
*prove*thatGodexists(ordoesn't)throughphilosophicalargument. Studentswilllearnabout theseproofsandemerge,hopefully,withadeeperknowledgeoftheirownplaceintheuniverse.
RadioNowhere
MariLoNano
Rock'nRolldidn'tjustfalloutofthesky.ItdevelopedfromtheBlues,alsoknownasRhythm andBlues.Inthisclass,wewilllistentotheBluesandtracethatmusictotheRollingStones, TheGratefulDead,EricClapton,andmanymore.WewilllistenandlearnaboutBuddyGuy, Howlin'Wolf,Lightnin'Hopkins,BessieSmith,andmore,whichwillshowushowrespectfor musicianswhocamebeforethemhadalastingimpactontheexchangeofmusicalintegrity. By listeningandwatchingthesebrilliantmusicians,wewilllearnthevalueofintegrity,respect,and perseverance.WewillproduceaminimumofthreeradioshowsinBerkshire'sradiostation.
ThePsychologyofColor:AnExplorationoftheImpactofColorinourDailyLives.
Anastasia
Tigipko ’24,CynthiaLapierDuringthecourse,studentswillexplorethepowerofcolortoinfluenceusthroughouremotions. Studentswillexaminehowpeopleareinfluencedbycolorinartwork,marketingandreligious iconography.Studentswillengagewithcolorthroughactivitiesduringtheweekincluding: painting,discussingartwork,analyzingmarketingcampaigns,andafieldtriptoFuelCafein GreatBarringtontopeople-watchandtakephotosintown.
PeriodBOfferings
SectarianViolenceandConflictResolutioninNorthernIreland
JasonGappa
ThisclasswillexplorethehistoryofthetensionbetweenIrishNationalistCatholicsand Pro-BritishUnionistProtestantsduringtheconflictinNorthernIrelandknownas"The Troubles."Inaddition,studentswilllearnhowNorthernIrelandhaschangedsincetheGood FridayAgreementendedtheconflictin1998. Studentswillalsohaveanopportunitytotalkto thestafffromtheClintonCentreinEnniskillen,NorthernIrelandontheirworkinbridgingthe gapthatstillexistsbetweentheCatholicandProtestantcommunitiesofthatcityandthe surroundingarea.
Rubik'sCube:LearntoSolveandFlex!
JunichiRo’25,RichardZhu’25,TylerSmith
HaveyoueversolvedaRubik'sCube?Ifnot,thenthisclassisforyou!Inthisclass,wewill learnsomeofthesecretsbehindthispuzzle.Itmayseemimpossibleatfirst,butactuallyit'snot. AlthoughRubik'sCubehasmorethan43quintillionpossiblecombinations,itonlyrequiresa
fewsetsofalgorithmstosolveit.Ifyoujointhisclass,youwillbeabletosolveacubebythe endoftheweek!
SustainableFashion:ConsignmentCouturewithaConscious
PremMahida’23,KatherineSimmons
Doyouenjoyshoppingforclothes?Haveyoueverwonderedabouthowyourclothesaremade, orwhomadethem?Thiscourseisaboutraisingourcollectiveconsciousnessaroundtextiles, fashion,andconsumerismsowecanlookgoodandfeelgoodaboutit.Overthecourseofthe weekwewillconnectwithexpertsinthefieldofsustainablefashiontolearnmoreaboutthe industry,visitlocalconsignmentshopsintheBerkshiresandHudsonValleyregions,anddevelop ourownpersonalstandardsforconsumption.Wewillalsolookatthesystemsthatarealreadyin placearoundBerkshire’sSwapShopandconnectwithotherboardingschoolstoseewhatefforts theyaremakingtobuildawarenessaroundsustainablefashion.
SlimewithUs
SummerRippetoe’24,KelseyPlumb’24,TaylorRathbun
Doesslimemakeyousmile?It'sactuallymorethanjustafidgettoy!InthisProVitaclass,we willlearnavarietyofthingsaboutslime,includingthescienceaspectandwhyitcanhelpwith yourmentalhealthtodestress.Wewilldoalotofactivitiestomakeslime,andperfectthecraft ofit.Wewillincludecompetitions,tutorials,presentationsandmoretohavethebesttime makingslime.Youalsogettokeeptheslimeyoucreateaftereachclass!Maythebestslime creatorwin!
TheArtofGlam:Rhinestones
MadisonBagby
Doyoulikesparklesandglam?Thiscoursewilldiveintoallthings"Bedazzle.”Studentswill learnaboutthehistoryofrhinestones,howtochoosethebestsizerhinestonesforaproject,types ofrhinestones,idealpatterns,andhowtoapplyrhinestonestoanyitem.Allstudentswillcreatea bedazzleditem(s),demonstratingthevarioustechniquestheyhavelearnedthroughoutthe course.
FromHousewivestoTheHills:RealityTVoftheEarly2000s
TessHardcastle’06
Realitytelevisionisnowaubiquitousstapleandguiltypleasureofbothbroadcastandstreaming platforms,butthegenreasweknowittodaywouldlookverydifferentifitweren'tforseveral seriesthatpremieredintheearly2000s.Inthisclass,wewilllookathowshowslike"TheReal HousewivesofOrangeCounty"and"TheHills"reshapedthegenre,spawningspin-offsgalore andhoursofviewingpleasure.Inthisclasswewillconsiderwhatculturalconditionswerein placefortheseshowstoemerge,andwhatmakesthisstyleofrealityTVsoenduringlypopular (hottake:there'snoChristineQuinnwithoutaSpencerPratt).Wewillalsointerrogatethedegree towhichtheypresent"reality." Ourclasswillculminatebyhavingstudentsdevelopandpitchan ideaforsoap-y,bingeable"reality"TVshowforGen-Zandthe2020s.
AerialCircusArts
AnnieRosenberg,LauraSmith
Inthisclasswewillexperimentwithaerialstatictrapeze,aerialhoop,Spanishweb,andaerial fabric.Wewillbechallengedartistically,physically,andmentallywhilehavingfunandhanging upsidedown!Circusarts,likemany performingarts,givesusauniquewaytoexpressideasand emotionsaswellaschallengefearsandinsecuritiesinasafespace.Aerialsencourage brain-bodyconnection,coordination,teambuilding,promoteselfesteem,improvefocusand attention,andchallengefears,amongmanyotherbenefits.Attheendoftheweek,wewillhave ashortaerialsequencewhichmayormaynotbeperformedonstage. Students will be charged a $25 fee for equipment setup.
DoYouDacquoise?FrenchPatisserieBaking101
SandyPerot
ThiscoursewilldoadeepdiveintounderstandingthebasicsofFrenchPatisseriebakingaswe learnbakingandcookingtechniquesandproducesomeexceptionallydeliciousFrenchtreats. Studentswilllearnhowtomakepuffpastryfromscratch,bakeavarietyofFrenchcookiesfrom sablesandpalmierstomacaronsandMadeleines,makedeliciousdessertsdependenton chocolateandcreamlikeeclairs,mousse,andhomemadechocolatebark;perfectpastryskillsby rollingoutavarietyoffruitytarts,makinghomemadejams,andevenbakinganddecoratinga (Dacquoise)cakeortwo!Comewithanappetitetolearnandindulge,andenjoythecamaraderie ofyourclassmatesasyoucreateandshareduringahighlyentertainingandcaloricweekof Frenchbaking––foodandfriendshipforlife! Studentsreceivearecipebookletandgettohelp choosetheday'smenu!Pleasenote,thisclassisNOTallergen-freeandheavilyreliesoneggs, dairy,nuts,gluten/flour.
CultureFrancophone
DanickLeroux’23,MohammedHetraf,JesúsIbáñez
Frenchcultureisallovertheglobe.FromNorthAmericatoAfricaandEurope,wemaynot knowit,butabigpartofourlivesisaffectedbyFrenchculture.ThisclasswillfocusonFrench food,sports,activities,language,inventionsandcountries.Wewillspendtheweeklearning aboutallthosetopicswhilegettingtoexperiencepartofFrenchculturethroughtastingfoodand practicingsomeday-to-dayactivities.Wewanttocreateanall-inclusivetripintoFrenchculture inthecomfortofBerkshireSchool.
RestitchtheWorld:UpcyclingwithCrochet&Knitting
KathrynBarnhardt,ClioTurner’23
Thisclassisaclassincrochetandknitting,witharespectforsustainabilityinmind.Itbegins withstudentsbuildingan“AmazingWallofInspiration”ofprintedfiberartprojects.Experience iswelcomebutnotnecessarybecauseanyonewithadesiretodeveloporimprovetheirfiberskill canbringtheirgreatestknitting/crochetdreamstolife!Wewillunwindunwearableand neglectedsweatersasasourceofyarnforavarietyofprojects:personalgarments/accessories,
art,advocacy,blankets.TherearefieldtripsplannedtoGoodwillinGreatBarringtonandalocal sheepfarm.Studentswillfinishtheweekwithaphysicalproductoftheircreativity(completed orin-progress),aswellastheknowledgetheyneedtocontinuetopursuetheirsustainablefiber artcareerstotheirheart'scontent!
Bunka:Japanese101
HanaTakatori’24,LyNguyen’23,PaulMacKenzie
Doyouwantatasteof*real*Japaneseculture,food,ANDtraditionwithoutspendinganything? Inthisclass,YOUwillgettoexperiencewhatit’sliketobeaJapaneseswordsman,toeatthe mostwonderfultraditionalJapanesefood,andtoexploreJapanwithouthavingtoactuallytravel tothecountry.Inthefirsthalfofthecourse,studentswillbegintoexperienceJapaneseculture bylearningtoconverseinbasicJapaneseandcreatingtraditionalartsuchasorigami.Theywill alsoexperienceJapaneseartwithviewingsofanimatedfilms,calledanime,andreadinggraphic novels,manga.ThecoursewillwrapupwithstudentslearningaformofJapanesemartialarts, Kendo,aswellaseatingthedecadentcold-noodle,theNagashisomen.
DoYouMissRecessandSnackTime?
SarahPitcher-Hoffman,JimNorton,MirabelleMeredith-Jones’25,BaileyLuts’25
Duringourtimetogether,wewillplaysomeofourfavoritechildhoodrecess/playgroundgames whichmightincludeCapturetheFlag,Dodgeball,andHideandGoSeek.Wewillalsolearn aboutgamesthatchildrenplayinothercountriesandteachthemtoeachother.Wewillalso createnewgames!Andeveryday,wewillhavesomefavoritechildhoodsnacks,likejuiceboxes andgoldfish.SocomeandplaywithusforProVita!
HypeTag:AStrategyCardGameasRuthlessasRecess
JesseHoward,AngellaMa’24
IfMagic:TheGatheringandUnohadababy,thatgamewouldbeHypeTag,anewstrategycard gamedesignedanddevelopedoverthelastseveralyearsbyMr.Howard.HypeTagisareturnto thejoy(andthepain!)oftheschoolplaygroundwhereyoubecomeasnarky,hipsterkidengaged inacutthroatgameoftag.Uniquegamemechanics,humorousart,andhiddenstrategiesmake thisgameinfinitelyreplayable,challengingtolearn,andextremelyfuntomaster.Thegamewas fundedonKickstarterin2022andthefinalproductfinallyarrivedonMr.H'sdoorstepin December.Membersoftheclasscanevenwincopiesofthegameinamini-tournament.Wewill alsospendsometimelearningabouthowthegamewasdesignedandproducedwithpotential visitsfromtheartistandgraphicdesigneraswell.Mr.Howardwillbejoinedbystudentteacher AngellaMa'24,oneofthebestHypeTagplayersatBerkshire!
PaddleAway(BUTNOTINACANOE!)
ElizabethPerkins,AndrewBogardus
Berkshirehasanewwaytohavefuninthewinter:byusingTheShawFamilyPaddleTennis CourtslocatednearChevalierSeniorLodge.Paddleisaracketsportthatcanbebestdescribedas acrossbetweentennisandsquash. Itisafast-paced,socialsportthatiseasytolearnand
suitableforallages.Thegreatadvantageoftheincreasinglypopularsportofpaddleisthatitis notdependentonstrengthandservingcompetency.Paddleismoreaboutstrategy,patienceand cooperationbetweenyouandyourpartner,ratherthanpower.Paddlecourtsaredesignedforfour playersandhavewalls,soshotscanbeplayedoffthem,likeinsquash.Inaddition,theballsdo notbounceasmuchastennisballsandthey'reslightlysmaller.Paddleisplayedwithrackets whicharestringlessandshorterthantennisrackets.Learnhowtoplaythisfast-movingsport, understandtherules,andhavesomefun!Noexperienceorgearnecessary
Chess:Rules,Tactics,Matches
RunQiZhang’26,RobertJing
Letushaveabrainexerciseandfindfunthroughchessthiswinter Thegoaloftheclassisto improveyourchessskillsofproblem-solving,logic-thinking,andbig-pictureplanning.Youwill learnbasicrules,setup,specialmoves,andstrategiesintheclass.Competitionswillbeheld everydayduringclass.Whetheryouareaveteranwithaconstantloveforchessorabeginner tryingtolearn,youcanalwaysfindfuninstrategyandcompetition.
AllThingsRap
JadynKornegay-Murphy’25,GeorgeStetson
Inthisclasswewilllookatdifferenteras,styles,andgenresofrapwhilehavinginsightful discussionsandfurtheringourknowledgeofthemusicgenretogether.Therewillbe opportunitiestoshareopinionsandthoughts.
BreakingItDown
SamOrtega
Withsomuchmediaavailableforconsumptioninthestreamingera,moviesandTVshowsmust grabtheiraudience'sattentionwithinthefirstfiveminutes.Inallofyourmovie-goingor binge-watching,haveyoueverstoppedtothinkabout what iskeepingyougluedtoyourseat?In thisclass,we'llwatchthebeginningofactionfilmslike The Dark Knight,coming-of-agestories like Lady Bird,andfast-pacedcomedieslike Arrested Development inordertoexplorethe variousstylesandtechniquesthatcontributetoatrulymemorableopeningscene.Youwillalso havetheopportunitytobringsomeofyourownfavoritemoviesandTVshowstotheclass!And beforeyouask,yestherewillbepopcorn.AndM&M's.
Debate:TheTechniquesandTheirApplications
NoboruTsuru’25,JosephineNicholson
Therearetwoessentialandunavoidableconceptsthatarecrucialforlife:MathandDebate. We aretaughtaboutmathematicsatayoungage,butdebateisrarelytaughtoraddressed.Debateis essentialbecause,evenifyouareright,youhavetobeabletoproveit.Wewilldivedeepinto conceptssurroundingpersuasion,argumentation,andpublicspeaking.Wewilldiscusstacticsfor day-to-dayargumentation,suchasdealingwith ad hominem attacksrationally,conveyingone's pointsclearly,andmakingcriticaldecisionsatthepointofstartingorparticipatinginan argument.WewillanalyzetheWSDCdebateformatandevenhostseveralpracticerounds.At
theendoftheweek,wehopetodisplayashowcasedebateinfrontofthewholeschool(optional participation,buthighlyencouraged).
CoffeeandTeaTime
SabrinaDusek’23,MeghanDriscoll’23,BetteImhoffDoyouhaveanextremeloveforcaffeine?Thisisatimewhereyoucanshareyourfellow interestsincoffeeandtea,andgettodrinksome.Wewillbetryingalldifferentsortsofcoffee andteafromdifferentregionsoftheworld.Comeandjoinforanenergeticandfunenvironment. WewillalsoattendalocalcoffeeshopinGreatBarringtontotasteandobservethelocalcoffee aroundus.
InternationalEconomics:TheEconomicGiantsandtheirRelationships
PapeSeyeDuringthelateryearsofthe20thcentury,fourcountriesdistinguishedandhoistedthemselvesto thetopeconomicallyrankedcountriesintheworld.Brazil,China,IndiaandRussia,alsocalled theBRICcountries,developedagreatnationaleconomicstructureintheirrespectivecountries, openinguptotheworld,andbecomingproducerratherthanconsumernations.Inthebusiness andacademicworldsthesecountriesaredescribedas“emergingeconomies.”Theyaredominant worldsuppliersofgoods,services,andrawmaterials.ButwheredotheystandwiththeUnited StatesandtheEuropeanblock?Signupforthisclasstofindout.
ModelingwithLegos
MikeMcCabeWecanallthinkbackonourtimeasspentaschildrenplayingwithourfavoritetoys.Amongthe mostuniversallylovedareLegos.Studentswillhavethechancetorecreatesomeofthose childhoodmemoriesinthisclass!Wewillexploresomeofthebasicelementsofarchitectureand designandalsoallowstudentsampletimetobuildandexplorewithLegos.Thefirstdayswill focusonbuildingreplicas,andthentheclasswillshifttowardsamorecreativeapproachin whichstudentswilldesignandbuildtheirownstructuresbasedoffofprompts.Theclasswill culminatewithaprojectwhichstudentswilldecideupontogether