Embedded Files
Class Notes:
I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful April break!
A few more spring conferences will take place this week. I’m looking forward to connecting with you and sharing your child’s portfolio of work.
If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign and return the permission slips for our upcoming trips to the State House and the Little Red Schoolhouse. Thank you.
This week, we will…
Continue reading nonfiction texts about the animal kingdom and responding through writing. Students will describe relationships between scientific ideas using language related to time, sequence, and cause/effect. Students will use information from illustrations along with the text to deepen understanding of when, where, why, and how events occur. Students will explain how sentences and paragraphs are connected (for example, through comparison, cause/effect, or sequence).
Launch Fundations Unit 11. This is a 2-week unit that focuses on teaching contractions. Click HERE for the home support packet.
Complete our fractions unit with a focus on comparing fractions with the same numerator or denominator and recording results using the correct symbols (<, > or =).
Continue learning new cursive letters.
This week's Social Thinking lesson, we focus on Managing Hurt Feelings. Students will learn strategies to calm down when emotions feel strong, helping them avoid jumping to conclusions. We will practice thinking of alternative explanations and asking questions to better understand others’ perspectives and intentions.
Reminder: The State Fair Home Project is due on Tuesday, May 12th. Please encourage your 3rd grader to work on their poster or box.
Repeat Announcements:
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.
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
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
Special Subject Schedule
Monday -- Art
Tuesday -- P.E. & Spanish
Wednesday -- Media
Thursday -- P.E.
Friday -- Music & Spanish
Important Dates
Tuesday, May 5 - Statehouse Trip
Wednesday, May 6th - Early Release Day
Thursday, May 7 - Grade 3 Math MCAS, Session 1
Friday, May 8 - Grade 3 Math MCAS, Session 2
Friday, May 15th-- The State Fair, 8:30AM-9:30AM
Monday, May 18th-- Trip the the Little Red Schoolhouse
Tuesday, May 19th-- Bike Rodeo
Created 4/2026
Jennifer_ramras@needham.k12.ma.us
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