Week 30

Class Notes:

Spring Conferences - Conferences continue 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.

This Wednesday is an Early Release Day; 12:15 dismissal. 

Field Trip #1 – State House: We are excited for our upcoming 3rd Grade field trip to the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, May 5th. Students will travel by bus with the Mitchell third grade, departing at 9:00 a.m. and returning by approximately 1:30 p.m. Please be sure to return the signed permission slip by Monday, April 27th. Students should bring a disposable bag lunch (no glass bottles, please). We look forward to a fun and educational day. If you are interested in joining us, chaperones are welcome to ride the bus (space permitting) or meet us there in Doric Hall at 10:00 a.m. Please let me know if you would like to attend and your preferred method of transportation.

Field Trip #2 – Little Red Schoolhouse: Step back in time with us! On Monday, May 18th, our class will visit the Little Red Schoolhouse at the Needham Historical Society. Students will experience what school was like in the 1850s, participating in old-fashioned lessons and reflecting on how school has changed over time. There is no fee for this trip, but a permission slip (coming home Monday) must be signed and returned.

To help bring the experience to life, students are encouraged to bring a “historical” lunch in a basket, small metal pail, or wrapped in cloth—simple items like sandwiches and fruit are perfect. Please avoid modern packaging and remember no peanut products due to allergies. We’re excited for this fun and immersive learning experience.

The State Fair Link

•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 wrap up Unit 10 in Fundations (the Double Vowel syllable) this week. Students will take the unit assessment on Friday. Click HERE for Home Support Resources.

Reading - We will continue exploring informational texts about the animal kingdom. Students will research two different animals and write a compare-and-contrast essay, highlighting interesting facts about each. 

Math- We will continue our work with fractions, with a focus on understanding and identifying equivalent fractions. Students will use visual models, number lines, and hands-on strategies to explore how different fractions can represent the same value. They will also practice explaining their thinking and justifying why fractions are equivalent.

Math MCAS Dates-

Thursday, May 7 - Grade 3 Math MCAS, Session 1

Friday, May 8 - Grade 3 Math MCAS, Session 2

Social Studies - This week, we will learn about the Battles of Lexington and Concord and how they marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Students will explore the role of minutemen, and how everyday colonists prepared to defend their communities. We will discuss key events, such as Paul Revere’s midnight ride and the “shot heard round the world,” and consider why this moment was so important in American history.

Second Step & Social Emotional Learning - This week we will learn about managing feelings of anger in safe and respectful ways. Students will practice using a new calming strategy—counting—to help slow down their reactions and give themselves time to think. We will also focus on assertive communication, helping students express their wants and needs clearly while still being respectful to others. Together, these strategies support students in handling strong emotions without hurting others.

Have a great April vacation week! Classes resume on Monday, April 27th.

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!

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.

Mystery Reader

Thank you to Mr. Weaver (Lenny'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 material for Unit 12 of Fundations

Click HERE for home support materials for Unit 11 of Fundations

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

Thursday, May 7 - Grade 3 Math MCAS, Session 1

Friday, May 8 - Grade 3 Math MCAS, Session 2

Tuesday, May 19th-- Bike Rodeo

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

Monday, May 18th-- Trip the the Little Red Schoolhouse

Created 4/2026

Jennifer_ramras@needham.k12.ma.us