Last Updated 2:30 pm on 3/6/26
Curriculum News
Language Arts:
We will be taking a break from our traditional Benchmark lessons this week as we wrap up the second trimester. Students will take the Unit 3 Test on Monday, March 9.
We will continue reading the novel Wonder. This week we will wrap up Part 4: Jack and read Part 5: Justin. Students will have an open book quiz on Parts 3-5 on Friday, March 13.
The spelling this week will focus on the adjective suffixes -ful, -ous, -ible, -able, and -some. The grammar will focus on creating compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions and using relative pronouns. The spelling and grammar packet will go home on Monday and be due on Friday.
In writing, we will take the Mystery Writing Opinion Unit assessment. They will first watch a short video and read some passages about the topic. Students will then take notes and prepare their writing plan. On Tuesday, March 10, they will do the opinion writing piece. This will be a short essay with an introduction, 2-3 reason paragraphs, and a short conclusion.
Math:
Students wrap up Module 4, Topic E this week. We are adding and subtracting mixed numbers and fractions, solving word problems with mixed numbers, and making and using line plots. Students will take the Topic E Quiz on Friday, March 13.
History/Social Studies:
Students will read more about the Mexican Rancho Period of California history this week as we continue with Studies Weekly Week 17. They will see the history we are reading about brought to life as we visit the Olivas Adobe. We will have our Studies Weekly Week 17 Test on Friday, March 13. This is an open book/open note test.
Science:
We are taking a little break from science this week.
Music:
Students should practice playing their recorders and using the music provided by our music teacher. Recorders should always return to school on Fridays for music class. A great place to store the recorder and music packet is in the backpack so that students will always have access to it. We will have a music performance on April 24.
Second Step:
There are no lessons this week.
Olivas Adobe Field Trip:
We have our field to the Olivas Adobe on Wednesday, March 11. Students should wear shorts or pants that can easily be rolled up past their knees for this field trip as they will be walking into a mud pit to learn how to make adobe bricks. Short sleeve shirts are also recommended as they will be putting their hands into the mud as well as using their hands to grind corn and make tortillas. They may want a sweatshirt that can easily be removed in case the morning air is chilly in Ventura and a hat to keep the sun out of their eyes. I highly recommend putting sunscreen on your child before they come to school as we are outside for a few hours. We will be back at school by lunch time.
4th and 5th Grade Track Meet:
We have our 4th and 5th Grade Track Meet Day coming up on Thursday, March 19. This program exposes students to the sport of track. It also serves as our tryout for the La Mariposa Track Team which will compete in the Rotary Track Meet in May. Over the next couple of weeks, 4th and 5th grade students will practice the 50m, 100m, 400m, 800m, long jump, and high jump with their classes before signing up for 3 events for our track meet day. We will then run events starting in the morning and finishing by lunch (taking a break for recess) before having our awards ceremony. The top 4 girls and 4 boys in each event at each grade level will then be invited to participate in our after-school track program run by Mrs. Heite.
In order to make this day a success, we need parent help. Please see the signup genius here to volunteer.
Save the Date
March 9-10 1:25 Dismissal for Spring Conferences
March 11 Sadowsky’s Olivas Adobe Field Trip
March 12 Ford’s Olivas Adobe Field Trip
March 13 End of the 2nd Trimester
March 17 Superquiz Prelims
March 18 PTA Fundraiser Night at Wood Ranch
March 19 4th/5th Grade Track Meet Day and Superquiz Finals
March 26 Togneri’s Olivas Adobe Field Trip and Family Life Health Lessons
March 27 Rainbow Day (TK-red, K-orange, 1st-yellow, 2nd-green, 3rd-blue, 4th-purple, 5th-white)
April 4-12 Spring Break
April 15 Report Cards Go Home
April 24 Spring Music Performance/Tie Dye Day