Week 29

Class Notes

Spring Conferences - Conferences begin this week. For your convenience, I am happy to meet both in person and via Zoom. Please email me if you prefer a Zoom meeting so I can plan accordingly. Click HERE for the Zoom link. I look forward to speaking with you and sharing your child's portfolio of work.

The Bike Rodeo - The annual Mitchell Bike Rodeo will be held on Tuesday, May 19th, with a rain date of Tuesday, May 26th. This special event teaches our third graders the essentials of being a responsible bike rider in the community. There are four content areas: bike safety, bike maintenance, helmet safety, and the road course. Students who participate in all four areas will earn a bike license, demonstrating that they are ready to ride more independently in their community. Please review this Bike Rodeo presentation to help your child practice.

What do I need to bring? Students should bring their helmet and two-wheel bike. If you are unable to provide a bike or helmet, we have both available — generously donated by the Needham Police Department. If your child is bringing their own bike, we recommend labeling it with their name using masking or painter's tape. Bikes can be parked outside the Mitchell gym on the day of the event.

The State Fair

•State Fair Home Project is due on Tuesday, May 12th.

•State Fair for Parents is on Friday, May 15th, 8:30–9:30 AM.

Fundations (Phonics & Spelling) - We will continue with Unit 10, which focuses on double vowel syllables (also known as "D" syllables). Click HERE for Home Support Resources.

Reading - We will continue reading informational texts about the Animal Kingdom. Students will read and analyze texts to explore the following essential questions: What is the animal kingdom? What types of animals make up the animal kingdom? Why are life cycles important? Are all animal life cycles the same? What happens to animals in an ecosystem when the environment changes? How have animals adapted to meet those changes?

Math- We will continue exploring fractions and representing them on a number line. Students will deepen their understanding of fractions as equal parts of a whole and practice locating them accurately between whole numbers. We will also begin comparing fractions and explaining our thinking using models and number lines.

Social Studies - We will re-enact the trial of soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. A staff member from the Commonwealth Museum in Boston will guide us through this experience via Zoom. Everyone will have a role — witness, soldier, or judge. Was Paul Revere's famous engraving an accurate depiction or propaganda? Students will consider multiple perspectives to make their case.

Second Step & Social Emotional Learning - Our school-wide SEL focus this week is flexibility. We will play Friendship Flexibility Bingo — each grade has a differentiated bingo board with developmentally appropriate friendship challenges for students to complete. This is a fun way to encourage students to expand their "friendship horizons" and promote inclusivity. Completed bingo boards can be turned in at the SEL bulletin board.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all those celebrating this weekend.

Looking forward to a great week ahead!

Repeat Announcements:

Third Grade State Fair

Our classrooms are about to buzz with excitement as students dive into researching their assigned states! Through engaging research and hands-on activities, they will explore geography, history, and culture in ways that truly bring their learning to life.

There is also a special at-home component of the State Fair project, due Tuesday, May 12th. Students may choose from two creative project options to showcase their knowledge and highlight what makes their state unique. To learn more about the at-home choices, click HERE.

The third-grade teachers are thrilled to invite families to celebrate our students’ hard work at the Third Grade State Fair!

Friday, May 15th
8:30–9:00 AM — Visit classroom to explore student projects
9:00–9:30 AM — State Fair Concert in the cafeteria

We are so proud of the effort and enthusiasm our students are putting into this exciting project and can’t wait to share their learning with you. We hope you’ll join us for this special celebration!

Mystery Reader

Thank you to Mr. Doyle (Jack'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 10 of Fundations

Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 9 of Fundations

Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 8 of Fundations

Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 7 of Fundations

Click HERE for home support material for Unit 6 of Fundations

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

Thursday, April 9- Thursday, April 16th-- Conferences 

Wednesday, April 15th-- Early Release

Monday, April 20th-- April Vacation Week

Monday, April 27th-- Classes resume

Tuesday, May 5th-- Trip to the Statehouse

Friday, May 15th-- The State Fair, 8:30AM-9:30AM

Created 4/2026

Jennifer_ramras@needham.k12.ma.us