Special Area Classes

MFS is one of the only schools in the U.S. to offer a Coding program to students beginning in Preschool. This innovative program has three strands: coding, problem-solving, and teamwork. So whether your child becomes a doctor, chemist, theatrical set designer, lawyer, or computer programmer, (s)he will be equipped with valuable computational thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills developed from an early age. The goal is to prepare students for a world that is heavily reliant on technology. 

Coding is a class during which students reflect on the technology that surrounds their lives, discover technology they may not know exists, and interact with technology in an engaging, meaningful way. Students are tasked with thinking about problems that innovations have both solved as well as created. In coding, students learn about how technology works, how to make it work the way they want it to, and imagine what innovations of the future may look like. It’s a class of making, exploring, problem-solving, and more. Students use a mix of programs throughout their Lower School years including TinkerCAD, Kodable, and codeSpark. They program interactive designs with MIT’s Scratch Jr. and Scratch. They also work with circuits with Birdbrain and Makey Makey.

Music is a universal language. Music education is designed to ignite all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. The Lower School music program is a spiraling curriculum. Each grade level builds on what was learned in the previous year. The five musical elements covered in each grade are pitch, beat and rhythm, timbre, form, and expression. Kindergarten through Fourth Grade students participate in two on-stage performances during the school year. Each of the musical elements is demonstrated in all stage performances.

Throughout the program students learn to sing Solfeggio as they begin to develop their musical ear and singing voice. They learn to read simple rhythms using sounds and words. They also learn about the instruments of the orchestra and their musical families. Instruments are introduced in Second Grade. Second through Fourth Grades learn ukuleles. Recorders are introduced in Third Grade.

The Library program in the Lower School is a celebration of reading and an introduction to information literacy. Librarians provide support and resources for the entire school community and advocate for students, for reading, and for information literacy. They seek to make everything as engaging and creative as possible, in hopes that students will become lifelong readers and library patrons. Fun and engaging activities during the school year include an Edible Book Festival, guest readers, reading challenges, and much more. At all grade levels, there is a focus on reading for fun as well as for information, and students explore the many ways stories can build empathy and connect us to one another. Together, students read stories that are diverse – in voice, in subject matter, in genre, and in perspective. Librarians lead discussions describing why information literacy skills are absolutely essential – knowing how to find the right resources for a particular use or situation.

Lower School student-athletes are given the opportunity to grow in many ways as they progress through the grade levels. Beginning in Preschool, students are exposed to a variety of equipment which challenges them physically as they are encouraged to give their best effort. As they move through the lower grades they are taught basic skills which will be carried over into team sport units as they mature. Although team sports begin in Second Grade, the emphasis is not on perfecting skills and knowledge of the rules, but rather on improving personal ability and demonstrating important life skills (cooperation, communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution). Sport-specific skills are taught and practiced through a variety of modified activities which challenge students, help them progress, and allow them to have fun! As students move into Middle School, they will continue to practice these skills and dive deeper into game rules and strategies.

Quaker Education at MFS provides students with a spiritual and ethical education through formal classes, leadership opportunities, group decision-making opportunities, and Meeting for Worship (MFW), an opportunity for students to practice contemplation
skills and mindful stillness. Students share reflections and listen empathetically to one another. MFW is held once a week in the Meeting House. Quaker Education and MFW offer student support through lessons and opportunities for practicing skills that further students’ social, emotional, and spiritual development. Social-emotional skills in MFW include: self-discipline and self-control, effective oral and listening, empathy, and advocacy for self and others. Quaker Education social-emotional skills include: ethical decision-making and social responsibility, conflict resolution, listening, advocacy for self and others, effective collaboration and cooperation, religious identity awareness, and emotional awareness.

In Lower School science, the goal is to encourage curiosity and engagement. We focus on gaining a firm foundation of the scientific method, asking questions, creating hypotheses, making observations, and drawing conclusions. Students learn through hands-on experiences observing what happens in the world around them through models and experiments. Throughout each grade we improve upon our ability to observe and describe our observations using them to improve our understanding. We touch upon the many branches of science, including biology, physics, chemistry, and earth science. These lessons build upon each other in each grade level deepening student understanding.

Spanish instruction begins in Kindergarten and is integrated into the classroom curriculum by a Spanish teacher. A multisensory language approach which includes songs, movement, art, literature, and role-playing makes learning Spanish fun for the students. Lessons give students a feeling of success and inspiration to pursue more in-depth study of world languages in the Middle and Upper School years.

Technology instruction in Lower School starts in Kindergarten. Students learn specific skills as well as how to navigate programs used for instruction. A core component of the program is learning about digital citizenship. Students are taught internet safety while developing an online presence that is consistent with personal values. Technology learning is project-based and, when possible, integrated into classroom studies. Skills taught include data analysis, website creation, graphing, password security, and responsible use of school equipment and accounts. Students begin typing instruction in Kindergarten and continue through Fourth Grade. Technology classes also touch upon the evolution of different technologies and their impact on society.

When students enter Lower School art, they enter into a space of wonder, discovery, and creativity. Visual art is a language in which children learn to express themselves and connect to a sense of awe. Each year students contribute to community art pieces within their grade level as well as a project that all Lower School grades create together. These community works are student-led at their inception with many ideas contributing to the overall project. These projects build collaborative skills and strengthen a connection to our community.

At times we creatively connect to what students are learning in the classroom as well as in other special areas. Through the exploration of different materials, visual art styles, and skill building, students discover ways of expressing themselves and find excitement through the creative arts. In Lower School, art mindfulness practices help with connecting to our creative selves in the present moment. Students explore: clay, painting, drawing, weaving (textiles), and mosaic work all while learning and reinforcing the elements and principles of design.