Each class has art instruction once a week under the direction of the art teacher. The art program provides an exposure to a variety of art media. Students are expected to explore various art forms applying their own level of creativity and imagination to each project or task. The emphasis is on the process of their involvement with various art media. The classroom teachers and the art teacher work to integrate art projects into the regular instructional program.

The BHRSD offers an enrichment program for students in grades 1-8 as a component of our Response to Intervention (RtI) plan. The program is based on the School Wide Enrichment Model that was developed at the University of Connecticut. The program offers three tiers of service. First, there are the whole school activities such as assemblies. Then there are class based projects and small group opportunities. Finally, there is a pullout program for students who have demonstrated high achievement in academic areas.

Admission to the pullout enrichment program is offered to students based on a combination of achievement test results, classroom achievement, and recommendations. The pull out program features activities such as Literature Circles, Artifact Box, Continental Math League, and Word Masters. At BHRSD, we make every effort to bring the benefits of the program to all students, even if they are not in the pullout portion of the program. If a student is not selected in a given year to participate in the pullout program, it does not mean that they will not be considered in the future. Additionally, if a student is not in the pullout program, he/she has many opportunities to participate in other Enrichment programs.

Instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) is provided to Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School students who have been classified as English Language Learners (ELLs), by means of a state-mandated English screening test administered when the student enters the school system. All ESL instruction is provided by a BHRSD certified ESL teacher.

The ESL Curriculum has two main components.  The first component is Academic Vocabulary.  The goal of this instruction is to fill-in, catch up, support, and increase the academic vocabulary of our English Language Learners. The relevant vocabulary comes from subject area classroom teachers as well as state standards for each subject area and each grade.

The second component of the ESL Curriculum is Language Structure.  This includes the structure of sentences as well as words and discourse as specified in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks English Language Arts Language Standards.

Students receive direct instruction through either one:one instruction, or in small groups, with ample time for guided and independent practice of the material to be learned. Students demonstrate what they have learned through regularly administered written assessments, student projects, and a yearly state-mandated assessment designed to measure proficiency in English as a Second Language.

The children in Grades pre-K to 4 are allotted time to visit the library at least once a week The Muddy Brook School Library/Media teacher prepares lessons that promote curiosity, a love of reading and the development of research skills.

General Music

Singing, rhythm, theory, and music appreciation are taught to each class Prekindergarten – Grade 4 by the music teacher. Our approach to music instruction is largely choral; we do, however, make use of many of the Orff instruments – exposing children to areas of speech, movement, song rhythms, and playing of percussion instruments. The classroom teachers and the music teacher often integrate music with the regular instructional program.

Group Ensembles

Grade 4 students have the opportunity to take group lessons in playing a band and/or string instrument. They meet weekly as members of The MBE Band or Orchestra Ensembles perform as part of the program of both the winter and spring concerts.

We have an agreement with Gerry’s Music Shop to offer rental instruments. Parents/guardians of students who wish to take lessons but cannot afford the rental program are invited to contact Jacob Keplinger, Band Director, at or Maria Faul, Orchestra, at .

The children at Muddy Brook have physical education each week taught by our PE teachers. The program offers each child a chance to learn fundamental fitness concepts, to participate in physical activities, to improve cardiovascular endurance; to learn social skills in cooperative and competitive settings; to develop an enjoyment of participation in sport, fitness, cooperative, and recreational activities; and to develop basic sport and recreational skills. The program is designed for children to develop strength, endurance, speed, coordination, flexibility, poise, balance, and a good sense of equilibrium.

Children at Muddy Brook receive technology instruction from the technology teacher in grades K-4.

Curriculum:
During technology class students explore the following topics/activities: Lego robotics, digital citizenship, application of digital tools and technology basics, word processing, age appropriate keyboarding, presentation software, introduction to coding/computer programing, and online learning sites.

All students in grades K-4 have the opportunity to come to “open lab” throughout the year to work on special projects with their teacher.

Digital Citizenship:
Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to empower students to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world. Units focus on internet safety, privacy and security, information literacy, and relationships & communication. Each designed to be developmentally appropriate for each grade. Units consist of formal lesson plans, videos, student interactive lessons, and assessments, as well as family outreach materials. A primary resource for this work is Common Sense Media.

Scratch Jr.:
Students in grade 2 work with this introductory programing language developed by MIT, through the use of their web based app on iPads. This program allows students to learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. As students code, they learn how to create and express themselves with technology, not just interact with it. In the process students learn how to create their own interactive stories and games.

Second, Third and Fourth Grade Chromebooks:
Starting in the school year all second, third and fourth graders will have a Chromebook assigned for their personal use at school. Students will learn how to use the Google platform in computer class, and they will use their computers as a tool class to access fourth grade materials across subject areas, to create content and receive feedback.