Ms. Aldrich, Mrs. Criss and Ms. Clement

Important Dates & Reminders

• March 5th: School Planning Day- No School for Students
• March 7th: Author Visit Patrice McLaurin, Interims go home
• March 25th-29th: Spring Break

Language Arts What are we learning?

Reading Unit: Biographies and Autobiographies

Students will be able to…

• Synthesize multiple ideas to develop and revise complex theories about subjects. 
• Consider the significance and impact of the information presented in the text in order to understand the message the author is communicating about the subject. 
•  Notice how different text organization reveals what the author believes is important about the subject.

Writing Unit: Realistic Fiction

Students will be able to… 

• Draw from familiar real-life events to write engaging narratives.  
• Use what they know about narrative writing to stretch out the conflict in the story to build tension.
• Develop characters who change as a result of the situation. 
•  

Home/School Connection

Biography/Autobiography Questions to ask your student:

• What does the author believe is true?
• How did this text impact your thinking?\
• How has your thinking changed about the subject(s) in the text?
• What did you learn through the subjects’ challenges and their reactions to challenges in this story?
• How did your theories about the subject(s) grow or change through your conversations with others?
• Based on the biography, one way _________ (person) is like ________ is that _________. 
• What is the author’s opinion about the subject?
• How did the author craft to communicate his/her message?

Realistic Fiction Questions to ask your student: 

• How would you describe your character? (internal and external traits)
• How would you describe the conflict the character is facing?
• How did your character try to solve the problem in different ways?
• How did your character resolve his/her conflict?
• How did you build tension in your story?
• How did your partner’s feedback help you improve your story?

Books We’ll Be Reading:

  Math What are we learning?

We will be finishing our Addition and Subtraction Part 2 on Friday, March 8th.

Math Unit: Measurement

Students will be able to…

• Measure length and liquid volume
• Measure and determine the perimeter and area

Home/School Connection

Things to do with your student:

• If student has access to the computer, have them practice on ST Math or Reflex
• Practice fact fluency with flashcards

Science What are we learning?

Students will be able to…

•  Investigate and understand that soil is a system.
• Understand that soil is composed of different components with specific properties that support organisms within an ecosystem.

Home/School Connection

Questions to ask your student:

• How is soil important in ecosystems?
• How is soil a part of a system in nature?
• How does soil as a subsystem affect other systems in nature?
• How do humans affect the system of soil?

Social Studies What are we learning?

Social Studies Unit: Ancient Greece

We will start our unit on Ancient Greece after Spring Break.

AAP Corner What are we learning?

 Students will be able to understand that…

• Systems can be functional or in disfunction
• Systems are interconnected
• Systems are made of larger and smaller systems
• Systems adapt and change over time

Home/School Connection

Questions to ask your student:

• What is a system and where do systems exist?
• How do systems connect to me, the world, and what I am learning?

Specials:

What are we learning? &  Home/School Connections:

• Library: 
  • 3rd grade students are continuing to research animals using multiple database sources for their “Who Would Win?” project. They will be creating their own “Who Would Win” books based on their research. They are also exploring types of biographies that interest them.
• PE: 
  • Hello Forestdale Families!
    Your PE Team has completed the Winter round of fitness testing. We are now beginning our “Striking with Hands Unit” and will master these concepts through the sport of volleyball. Students will complete skill repetitions, play team games, net games, and practice their athletic communication habits during this unit. We’ve also discussed safety factors for this unit and how EMOTIONS always factor into our playing.
  • Perhaps discuss with your student: “How do you act when you’re playing a game that you feel GOOD at?” “How do you act when you’re playing a game that feels DIFFICULT for you?” “What is it like when a friend shows anger or disappointment while you’re playing with them?” “What does it feel like when a teammate encourages you?”
  • Thank you and talk soon! ❤ Mr. Bergin and Ms. Brod
• Music: 
  • Ms. Shaw’s third grade classes are taking a short break from recorders and are focusing on rhythmic notation and the song Scoo-be-doo to play on the xylophone.
  • In Mr. Sawasky’s class, alll grades will be working on our frame drumming composition.  All students will know how to create their own rhythms.
    • We will practice singing our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” All students will have the opportunity to express themselves through playing xylophones, frame drums and percussion instruments.
    • 3^rd and 4^th  grades will be learning how to create a melody and continuing with rhythm practice.
• STEAM: 
  • 3^rd grade students will finish designing and building their wiggle bots.
• Art: 
  • In the Forestdale art program, the primary goal is to create an environment in which every student feels confident, safe, and supported by Ms. Barrett and by the other students. The goal is that each student will reach a level of technical mastery and self-confidence that allows them to take risks with their own artwork and create work that they value.
  • In March,  all students will be creating planning drawings for the upcoming Clay units! 
  • 3rd graders will create clay bowls with lids that are shaped like a turtle or a bird.
  • All students’ ceramic pieces are delightful.
  • Thank you to all families for returning the Parent Interview Forms for each art unit! Students in grades 1st - 6th continue to use their Art Planning and Reflection Books, increasing their literacy skill practice during art classes!
  • As always, Ms. Barrett ([email protected]) is here for any questions or concerns regarding the art program.

ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages

All ESOL students have now completed their WIDA ACCESS for ELLs assessments. The ESOL Team is very proud of how hard every student worked on each of their tests! Results from this assessment will be sent to families before the end of the school year. We are looking forward to seeing how much growth our students have made in learning academic English.