Fowler Specials

Grades 6-8 are opening the year with a Health and Wellness Unit, where they can explore:

6th Grade: The Health triangle, influences on health, media influence, decision making, goal setting, and its importance. Then we will move to Mental and Emotional Health and our annual Drug Awareness Essay Contest.

7th Grade: Heredity and its influence on Health, environmental influence, Risk behaviors and consequences, Consumer Rights. They will then be presented with Mental and Emotional Health and our annual Drug Awareness Essay Contest.

8th Grade: Decision-making, mental and emotional changes during the early teen years, developing positive health habits, identifying health risks and consequences of risky behaviors, and the importance of abstinence. They will then move into a unit on Maintaining a Healthy Body and the Drug Awareness Essay contest.

Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns: bsullivan@maynard.k12.ma.us

Grades 4 & 5 have been introduced to the Physical Education programs and the importance of participation here at Fowler. We talked about being honest, being safe, and the rules for our gym (water, bathroom, nurse, fire drill, etc. procedures). We have started playing games and a unit on Frisbee. We are taking advantage of the good weather and getting outside as much as possible. The students seem to be enjoying their first few weeks. PLEASE remind your child to wear or bring sneakers on their Physical Education day.

Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns: bsullivan@maynard.k12.ma.us

Grades 6, 7 & 8

During the first few weeks of school, expectations were explained to ensure that everyone was included and safe. This year, students will be able to start most PE classes with an instant activity of their choice! The first two weeks were filled with the action-packed games of ultimate ball and pinball. Strategy, cooperation, inclusion, and teamwork will be put to the test in upcoming team-building activities! This school year is off to a great start, with high enthusiasm and participation in PE. PLEASE remind your child to wear or bring sneakers on their Physical Education day.

In Computer Science, students are developing both digital and hands-on skills that support long-term growth. Each class begins with 10 minutes of typing practice using TypingClub, where they work toward accuracy and speed—important skills for all areas of learning. Students are asked to make progress towards a words per minute goal of 10 multiplied by their grade level.

After typing, students practice following detailed instructions to build robotic components, such as frames and wheel sets. This strengthens problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance. In the future, students will operate and program the robots through age-appropriate activities.

These routines provide strong foundations in technology and engineering, preparing students for exciting projects ahead.

We have started the year out strong in the Art room. Students are learning routines and getting familiar with the art room. All Grades have completed their portfolios. We will use the portfolios to store artwork throughout the school year. Next, we will begin working on our Maynard Tigers. This is a lesson we conduct each year, allowing students to track their progress over time. Students are focusing on the elements of art-line, shape, texture, and value. They will also learn about watercolor resist techniques when they paint their tigers and will mount their tigers on a background “frames” as a part of the presenting standard.

As a reminder, the Art department uses an online art portfolio application/website called Artsonia. Students upload photos of their work to their account, and families can view the artwork in their digital portfolio. Families can also purchase items featuring the artwork, such as mugs, t-shirts, and note cards. A small percentage of the proceeds from these purchases go directly to the art program for additional supplies. Artsonia also serves as a digital portfolio for students from Kindergarten through high school. If you have not yet signed up for Artsonia, you can do so by clicking the link below and adding your email address. Artsonia sign up. I will also have a QR code available at Back-to-School Night on September 25th. Attention Grade 4 Parents, please enter your email address so you can stay up to date with what your child is creating throughout the year.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful, creative, and exciting school year.

Grade 4

Over the coming months, students will sign up for band, receive their new band instruments, and take their first steps toward musical magnificence! We will be learning how to care for wind, percussion, and string instruments; learning how to play with good air control and beautiful tone; and learning our first notes and songs!

Grades 5 & 6

In 5th and 6th Grade, students have been reviewing expectations for small group rehearsals and the musical skills learned last year. After diving into ear training and learning songs by rote, we will be moving from monophony (all students playing the same line of music) to polyphony (students playing different musical lines simultaneously).

Grades 7 & 8 :

Seventh and eighth graders continue to review and practice fundamental listening and instrument skills. In 7th and 8th Grade, we have been drilling advanced instrumental techniques while exploring new key centers, tone production in extreme dynamic and pitch ranges, and individual / section / ensemble intonation and blend.

We are looking forward to our Winter concert in December!

Grades 4 & 5

4th and 5th-grade students have been reviewing class expectations and practicing active listening with our Songs of the Week. We are singing songs as a group and doing some passing songs with rhythm sticks.

The 4th and 5th Chorus is continuing again this year. Students interested in Chorus have signed up over the last week or so. Keep an eye out for information on that as rehearsals will be starting soon! Students will learn about proper singing techniques and prepare for a December concert.

Grades 6, 7, & 8: Upper grades students have been reviewing class expectations and practicing listening skills with the Song of the Week as well. We are starting the practice of keeping a listening log and identifying what we hear in the songs we listen to. We are engaging in some critical thinking discussions about what music is and what elements are needed to make sound. In the weeks ahead, we will be doing a song-sharing project as well as utilizing some instruments in the class.

6th, 7th, and 8th Chorus: Chorus students have been building community, working on vocal technique, learning some warm-ups, and blending techniques. We are starting to dive into music and are very excited to learn more music throughout the semester, and look forward to performing in December!