FMA Month of Code
It's been a great month of coding at the Fletcher Maynard Academy! All month long technology classes in grades 1-5 have been delving into Computational Thinking and Computer Programming. During our time together, we have been focusing on activities that promote computational thinking, computer programming and creative coding.
We live in a world dependent on technology and we know that in whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly hinge on an understanding of how technology works. By participating in this "Month of Code," our students have developed an understanding of what's happening "under the hood" of the technology we use, and their imaginations have been "sparked" as they begin to devise what technology will bring us in the future.
Learn more at the links below, and try out one of the fun ”Hour of Code" activities with your family!
Hour of Code Activities:
Try the "Dance Party!"
Scratch Jr. (Awesome free iOS/Android app for students K-2!)
Scratch (Great web-based programming language for students grades 3 and up!)
A Visit from Poet Margaret Rhee
To kick off the fourth grade poetry unit, the students in Mrs. Martin’s fourth grade class were visited by poet, artist and scholar Margaret Rhee. Ms. Rhee, a close friend of student Nia Tinsley-Fajardo, is the author of chapbooks Yellow (Tinfish Press, 2011), Radio Heart; and, How Robots Fall Out of Love (Finishing Line Press, 2015)
She shared excerpts from her first full-length poetry collection Love, Robot. Students shared their noticings and wonderings with Ms. Rhee. She taught a poetry lesson to the students, emphasizing the importance of figurative language. As a token of her appreciation for the visit, she is gifting the class a copy of her poetry collection Love, Robot. Please feel free to stop by 304 if you would like to read her work.
FMA Grade 4 Visits MIT, Edgerton Center
The fourth graders of Mrs. Martin’s class enjoyed a trip to MIT on a blustery day in January. With the leadership of Amy Fitzgerald, the students created circuits and worked in teams to ultimately build their own flashlight. Students designed and created a circuit. They then placed this circuit into the flashlight tube and decorated the exterior. After their flashlights were assembled, they used schematics for mapping out the electrical parts. Lastly, the lights in the classroom were turned off and we all had fun flashing our colored lights around the room.
Extreme Weather Alert
Concerned about your home’s ability to withstand a strong winter storm? Worried about flooding from a New England hurricane? Room 311 has you covered! After studying weather patterns and analyzing climate from different regions of the world over the last two months, the third graders of Room 311 designed homes with design features meant to minimize potential damage from an extreme weather event (hurricane, heatwave/drought, or blizzard). First, they had to analyze a city’s usual climate to identify weather patterns. Then, they had to compare the usual weather patterns with a week’s worth of data taken during an extreme weather event. They had to identify the extreme weather event, any potential dangers it might cause, and design a home with two helpful design features to prevent damage. Design features included slanted roofs with heated solar tiles, cool water piped under tile floors, and homes with domed roofs built on stilts. Visit the third floor hallway to take a closer look.
FMA Math Talk
In December, families from the FMA participated in the Math Talk prototype kick-off. We enjoyed great food and conversation. Students and families engaged in math experiences being developed throughout the FMA area. Students gave feedback on the new math menus developed for Izzy’s restaurant, as well as, many other exciting interactive math spaces being created for our young mathematicians and their families.
A Belated Happy Holidays from Charlie’s Angels
Courageous Conversations
All faculty, family, and community members are invited to attend the next Fletcher Maynard Courageous Conversations about Race. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 29 from 5:30 - 8PM at the FMA. Email Uche with any questions.
Let's Connect!
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities. Follow Fletcher Maynard on Facebook and Twitter today.
In Our Community
Intent vs. Impact: Exploring Microaggressions and Tools for Change
Saturday, January 26 | 12Noon - 2PM
CRLS Main Cafeteria
Join us for a city-wide community workshop on understanding implicit bias and macro/microaggressions. View the flyer >>
Cambridge SEPAC Meeting
January 17 | 6-7:30PM | CRLS
Topic: Potential Changes to School Schedules in CPS
Cambridge Affordable Housing Information Sessions
Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process for the following programs Cambridge Rental and Homeownership Programs: Inclusionary Housing Rental Program for studios, 1BR, 2BR, & 3BR units throughout Cambridge, Homeowner Resale Pool, First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, Downpayment Assistance, and HomeBridge. Open to all. No RSVP Necessary. Learn more >>
Immigration Legal Screening Clinics
3rd Wednesday each month, 5:15-7:15PM
Free consultations with an immigration attorney for Massachusetts immigrants and their families
Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (CLSACC)
90 Third St., Cambridge
617.349.4396; [email protected]
See flyer >>
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FMA HAPPENINGS
Friday, January 11
FMA Leadership Team Meeting | 8 - 9:30AM
Saturday, January 12
Qualls Academy
9AM - 12Noon
Monday, January 14
PTO Meeting
8 - 8:45AM
Friday, January 18
Spanish Program Meeting
7:45 - 8:30AM
Monday, January 21
No School: Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
Wednesday, January 23
Equity Task Force Meeting
1 - 2PM
Saturday, January 26
Qualls Academy
9AM - 12Noon
Monday, January 28
MLK Oratory Contest
7:45AM
Tuesday, January 29
FMA Courageous Conversations, 5:30 - 8PM
View the full calendar >>
2018-19 DHSP SCHOOL YEAR RESOURCE GUIDE
The new guide is now available via Find It Cambridge! Take a look >>
HEALTHY SNACK
OF THE WEEK
Cambridge in Motion presents this week's healthy snack of the week suggestion: rice cakes with nut butter and carrots
FMA STUDENTS OF
THE MONTH
See the list of the latest students of the month this Monday! Learn more >
MOBILE APP
Stay informed via our FREE mobile app!
Details >>
FIND IT CAMBRIDGE
Looking for things to do in Cambridge? Then take a peek at Find It Cambridge!
www.finditcambridge.org
QUICK LINKS
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Fletcher Maynard Academy
225 Windsor St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.349.6588
Fax: 617.349.6595
Staff Listing
FMA Website
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