THE MANLEY MESSENGER
January 2016
Volume 5, Issue 5
What Will We Be
Learning in January?
Reading: During January, students will continue to focus on reading
expository non-fiction texts. They will pay attention to the order of
the information in a text and identify the main ideas and details.
Students will identify the point-of-view of the author and form
opinions using the text. They will compare different texts about the
same subject. At the conclusion of this unit,, students will be applying
these mini-lessons in our integrated reading and writing research project.
Writing: Students will be using their knowledge of expository non-fiction
texts to create a non-fiction book. Students will research information
on the geography, climate, economy, symbols, and major landmarks of a
state. They will synthesize the information from a variety of texts to
write paragraphs for their books and also including a variety of text
features.
Math: In our next unit, students will be learning about metric
measurement. We will be using number bonds to help us convert
between different units of length, mass, and capacity. During each
math unit, we will be “putting on our thinking cap” to build on our
problem solving skills and strategies.
Social Studies: This month we will begin our second social studies unit.
Students will learn about the native people of New Jersey. They will
explore their culture, traditions, and how they use their environment to
survive. Students will understand the impact the Lenni Lenape and
other Native Americans had on the development of New Jersey and
their lives today.
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
1/1 – Schools Closed – Holiday Recess
1/4 - Square 1 Art Begins!
1/13 – PTO Meeting – 7:30pm
1/18 – Single Session (Staff PD)
1/29 – School Store Open (Lunch)
1/29 – Family Bingo Night – 6:30-8:15pm
Mrs. Caitlin Manley
Central Avenue School
50 Central Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
973-593-3173
December Recap
3MN had a delightful December! During reading,
students noticed the similarities and differences between
narrative and expository non-fiction texts. We began to
investigate the different text features (such as headings,
charts, photographs and captions, and glossaries) that
authors use to help us better understand the information.
Students worked on their biography research pamphlets
during writing workshop in December. They researched a
famous person and worked to take notes on important
information such as the person’s childhood, struggles, and
achievements. Then they compiled their information into
several paragraphs and created a pamphlet. 3MN writers
used Google Docs to type their paragraphs. They then
learned how to format their writing by changing the
margins, font, and alignment.
Third graders were working to become multiplication
masters during December. We finished learning strategies
for multiplication tables 6 through 9. Now it is important
for us to practice our multiplication facts so that we can
begin to memorize them! Students know how to access
some multiplication games for the computer on my website.
In social studies, we wrapped up our unit on New Jersey’s
natural regions. We learned about NJ’s climate and
natural resources. Students are currently finishing up a
flipbook as their final project to demonstrate all they
learned about our home state!
December had plenty of special events, too! We enjoyed
the fifth grade play, Alice in Wonderland. We were also
dazzled by the fourth and fifth grade band, orchestra,
and chorus holiday concert. We finished up the month
with the always enjoyable Holiday Sing and visit from
Santa!
manleyc@madisonpublicschools.org
https://twitter.com/MrsManleysClass