Curriculum
At Burdick School, we implement a comprehensive curriculum that is rigorous, engaging, and culturally responsive.
At Burdick School, we ensure that:
- Children are active and engaged.
- Goals are clear and shared by all.
- Curriculum is evidence-based.
- Valued content is learned through investigation and focused, intentional teaching.
- Curriculum builds on prior learning and experiences.
- Curriculum is comprehensive.
- Standards validate the curriculum’s subject-matter content.
- The curriculum will benefit children.
Fine Arts and Physical Education
Burdick has a rich tradition of educating the whole child and is one of the few Milwaukee Public Schools that offers a full compliment of fine arts and physical education classes. Students at Burdick receive a quality, rigorous education in Music, Art, and Physical Education. In addition to having specialist teachers on site full time, Burdick also offers students band, chorus, and percussion instrumental lessons.
The staff and students of Burdick partner with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as part of the nationally recognized ACE (Arts in Community Education) Program. The ACE program offers Burdick students unprecedented exposure to arts and cultural experiences. Burdick has been designated an Exemplary Arts School by the Wisconsin Alliance for the Arts; it has also been recognized for its support of music education and instruction by the Civic Music Association.
Burdick students are regular participants in the Wisconsin School Music Association State Festivals. In addition, Burdick is known for it’s enjoyable winter and spring musical concerts.
STEM / Green Education
Led by Ms. Akin,Burdick offers a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics curriculum which incorporates Green/Environmental education for students in all grades. Burdick has a green playground and a greenhouse. Students have the opportunity to learn, understand and discuss academic content related to several of the components of the green playground and STEAM (STEM) learning opportunities. The greenhouse and outdoor classroom provides highly motivational and hands-on opportunities for young students to learn basic sequencing skills, such as the water cycle and life cycle of a plant. Older students better understand and discuss more complex processes such as global warming and decomposition. Students of all ages learn and use new vocabulary and concepts.
Eighth-grade students participate annually in the Future City competition as well as engage in various engineering activities throughout the year. Burdick also offers instruction in Manufacturing Trade and Technology for students in grade 8.
Computer Technology
Burdick students currently have individual access to Chromebooks, Chomeboxes, or desktop computers. Each classroom has a one-to-one student-to-computer ratio. Each Burdick teacher has a computer, projector, and access to a SMARTBoard and visual presenter. Students use computers purposefully and leave Burdick prepared to utilize technology effectively in personal and professional endeavors.
Students in Burdick’s seventh and eighth-grade classes have continual access to desktop computers , Chromebooks, and Chromeboxes, and engage in true 21st-Century learning. The students create blogs, design websites, create online video and audio content, and collaborate with peers and professionals using various Web 2.0 tools. In addition, students explore the power of mobile devices and are at the forefront of a true classroom digital revolution. Most importantly, this technology is used to implement the standard curriculum with fidelity.
Athletics
Burdick offers all students in grades 1-8 the opportunity to participate in after-school athletics and compete in leagues with other MPS schools. During the fall, we offer middle school girls basketball and grades 5-6 co-ed volleyball. In the winter, we offer co-ed basketball for students in grades 5-6, middle school boys basketball, and co-ed volleyball for students in grades 7-8. During the spring, we offer co-ed soccer for students in grades 1-8 and co-ed softball for students in grades 4-8. Ms. Wilde is the Athletic Director.