Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. I am so very thankful for all of YOU!
Fundations
This week, we’ll explore the schwa sound—the sound vowels make when they’re unstressed. Sometimes called the “lazy vowel,” the schwa usually sounds like /uh/ and less often like /i/. Words such as wagon, honey, about, lemon, tuba, and tunnel all include schwa sounds.
Literacy
We will read more selections from The Wampanoag (A True Book: American Indians) by Kevin Cunningham and Peter Benoit. We will look for text evidence to answer these big questions:
What do we know about the Wampanoag's first encounters with Europeans?
How did they respond to European arrival and settlement?
What role did the Wampanoag play in helping or interacting with early settlers?
Math
We’ll begin Unit 3: Addition and Subtraction within 1,000. Our first lessons will focus on strengthening students’ understanding of place value.
Social Studies – Wampum Belt Project
Thank you so much to those who have volunteered to help with this special project. We look forward to creating wampum belts together on Monday from 1:30–2:45 PM and/or Tuesday from 9:00–10:00 AM. We truly appreciate your support!
Social Emotional Learning
This week, our focus will be on gratitude—recognizing and appreciating the good things in our lives and the people who support us.
Repeat Announcements
Warm Clothes and Footwear:
The heat is ON! Now that the heaters are running, our classroom can get quite toasty. Pro tip: students should dress in layers so they can bundle up for recess but have a lighter layer to stay comfortable indoors. If your child wears rain or snow boots to school, please send in a pair of indoor shoes, sneakers, or even slippers. They’ll be much more comfortable moving around the classroom and school in dry shoes.
Mystery Reader:
Thank you to Mr. Scalia (Andrew's dad) last week's Mystery Reader. Would you like to volunteer as our next Mystery Reader? Click HERE to sign up.
Scholastic Book Ordering:
If you would like to order books through Scholastic Book Clubs, our online ordering code is DPC2T (purchasing online is required). SHOP OUR CLASS PAGE. By building your home library with Scholastic, you will also be helping to build our classroom library. The more books students order, the more free books we get for our classroom library!
Library Reminder:
Our book swap day in the Media Center is every Wednesday. Please help your child remember to return their library books.
Links for more information:
Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 5 of Fundations
Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 4 of Fundations
Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 3 of Fundations
Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 2 of Fundations
Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 1 of Fundations
Tech Tips
Many students are excited to access Clever and our Google Classroom from home.
Directions to Access Clever from Home:
Click HERE for a handy link to Clever
Click Log in with Google
Enter student username (initials + # @students.needham.k12.ma.us)
Enter student password
Click on ST Math App, Amplify App then Boost or other NPS approved learning apps.
Directions to Access Google Classroom from Home:
Open a web browser (like Chrome or Safari).
Go to http://www.classroom.google.com and click "Go to Classroom."
Sign in with your school-provided Google account and password.
Special Subject Schedule
Monday -- Art
Tuesday -- P.E. & Spanish
Wednesday -- Media
Thursday -- P.E.
Friday -- Music & Spanish
Important Dates
Monday, November 24th- Wampum Bead Project
Tuesday, November 25th- Wampum Bead Project
Wednesday, November 26-- Thanksgiving Break, no school
Monday, December 1st-- Class resumes
Wednesday, December 3rd-- Early Release Day, 12:15 dismissal
Wednesday, December 17th-- Early Release Day, 12:15 dismissal
Wednesday, December 24th-Friday, January 2nd-- Winter Break
Monday, January 5th-- Classes Resume
Created 11/2025
Jennifer_ramras@needham.k12.ma.us