THE MANLEY MESSENGER
March 2016
Volume 5, Issue 7
What Will We Be
Learning in March?
Reading & Writing: We are working on an integrated reading
and writing unit on text sets. Students are exploring in-depth
research topics through media such as articles, fiction mentor
texts, infographics, and videos. We are using close reading
strategies to read different texts. We are tracking our thinking
as our ideas grow and change.
Math: We are learning about fractions in our current unit.
We are plotting fractions on a number line and using the
number line to find equivalent fractions. Students will learn how
to find equivalent fractions using multiplication and division, as
well as how to use equivalent fractions to compare fractions.
During each math unit, we will be “putting on our thinking cap”
to build on our problem solving skills and strategies.
Social Studies: Our next social studies unit will be about New
Jersey’s state government and economy. During this unit,
students will learn that government exists at federal, state,
county, and municipal levels. They will understand the structure
and purpose of the different branches of the state government
and the role of state government officials. Students will also
explore various aspects of New Jersey’s economy and its impact
on residents.
Science: We will soon begin our second science unit on sound.
Students will learn about sound and its characteristics, what
pitch and volume are and how they can be changed, and how
sound travels best.
Important Dates
3/1-3/4 – Read Across America Week Spirit Days
3/2 – Literacy Night – 6:30-8:00pm
3/3 – 2 Hour Delayed Opening – Staff Development
3/12 – Mother/Son Roller Derby
3/17 – Spirit Day – Green Day
3/18 – School Store Open (Lunch)
rd
3/18 – 3 Grade Principal’s Chat – 2:15pm
3/25 – Schools Closed – Good Friday
3/29 – Lenape Lifeways Assembly
Mrs. Caitlin Manley
Central Avenue School
50 Central Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
973-593-3173
February Recap
3MN had a fantastic February!! In reading, we read
folktales and fables. We learned about the 6 characteristics
that distinguish a folktale from other types of literature.
We learned that these types of stories were told orally over
many, many years to teach lessons. We also read folktales
from different cultures – Russian, Chinese, African, and Native
American. We looked for clues in the folktale that taught us
about the culture of the people. In writing, we finished up
our expository non-fiction books on a state. We worked in
partners to revise and edit our writing. Then, students
learned how to use the “Research” tool in Google Docs to add
photographs and other text features to their books. They
changed the size and style of the font and created page
breaks for each section. The final products look very
professional!
We focused on area and perimeter in math during February.
We learned that area measures the amount of space inside
a figure, while perimeter counts the distance around the
outside of the figure. We learned to count squares and halfsquares, as well as to multiply to find the area of rectangles.
We counted around the outside of a figure to find perimeter
and also learned to add the lengths of each side. We even
learned how to divide a figure into multiple rectangles to find
the area! In social studies, we worked in groups to further
research different aspects of Lenape life – land, clothing,
homes, food, and children. Then, we wrote paragraphs and
created illustrations based on our research. Groups put
together their work to create a paragraph on New Jersey’s
first residents!
February is a short, but sweet month! We enjoyed a
Chinese New Year Celebration assembly sponsored by the PTO
on February 11th. We also celebrated Valentine’s Day at a
fabulous party organized by our class coordinators! You can’t
go wrong with ice cream sundaes and crafts! J At the end
of the month, we had our first Incredible Art presentation
from our wonderful parent volunteers. Students tried their
hand at creating artwork on their backs like Michaelangelo
did in the Sistine Chapel!
manleyc@madisonpublicschools.org
https://twitter.com/MrsManleysClass