Old Mill Pond News
March 2019
Dr. Seuss Week; March 4th - March 8th
Tuesday - Fox in Socks; Crazy Sock Day
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday - Green Eggs & Ham; Green Day
Friday - Dr. Seuss Reading Day
Kindergarten News
Kindergarten is busy learning about seasons and weather. The first story we read this theme was, Mama , Is It Summer Yet? By Nikki McClure. Even though we can’t wait for summer, we will be learning about all the seasons. Students will learn about how many seasons there are, what happens in the seasons, and what causes them. We will be reading stories, singing songs, and doing experiments about the seasons and weather.
In math, we are really practicing our addition and subtraction facts within five. We continue to talk about teen numbers and will explore partners of ten.
1st Grade News
We are beginning Unit 4 in reading and the theme is ‘What animals do you know? What are they like?’ Students will read from many genres including folktales, non-fiction and fiction, about different animals. At the end of the unit, all classes will choose animal and present facts they learned to the other classes.
In math, we are continuing with strategies for solving word problems, subtracting from teen numbers and diving into place value.
2nd Grade Rocks at OMP!
In Reading we just started Unit 4 - How do different environments make the world an interesting place? We will be reviewing habitats and learning about landforms around our world in Science and Social Studies also.
In Math we are finishing Module 3 on place value. We will be starting Module 4 shortly - addition and subtraction within 200 with word problems to 100. Please continue to practice basic addition and subtraction math facts within 20 at home with your child. Automaticity with these facts will greatly help your child as they progress through Mathematics.
Think Spring!
3rd Grade News
We are finally wrapping up our multiplication units. Students should be close to or already have mastered their facts. Please practice your facts daily! Learning these facts is a very important part of being prepared for fourth grade.
In Science the classes are continuing to learn about weather, and will soon be moving on to study about animal life cycles.
Coming soon for third graders is their first experience with the MCAS test. Both the Math and the Reading tests are scheduled in the Month of April. It is very important that children take their time on the test and put in their best effort. This year will be the first time that all students will take the MCAS test on the computer.
Lastly, winter isn't over yet. Please dress appropriately for the next few weeks according to the forecast.
5th Grade March News
It is hard to believe the middle of the third quarter is approaching. Please continue to monitor your students’ grades through the online portal. Spring fever will be hitting soon, and we don’t want to see a fall off in academics or classroom behavior.
ELA classes are finishing up the novel The Liberation of Gabriel King. We have been discussing themes of perseverance, overcoming racism, friendship, and a student favorite - “Do you want to let someone take away from you something you can’t get back again?” Please ask your student about both the novel; I think you will find their level of interest, reflection, and knowledge quite impressive. ELA classes will continue lessons from the Wonders book as well as some MCAS review activities. We want students to be both prepared and confident for state testing that will take place in April.
In math classes we will soon be finishing our work on decimals, this mean we will have completed work with all operations using whole and decimals numbers. Students truly did an amazing job on all operations. After vacation we will begin our work on fractions, please try to engage your child in math when making trips to the store. The grocery store is a perfect place to investigate fractions. Have them weigh the produce you are purchasing, and discuss the fractions on the scale. Sale prices in percentages lend themselves well to conversation about fractions.Keep impressing upon them that fractions are pieces of numbers, not a whole.
Please keep practicing those math facts. Even if your child is proficient in this area, they can always get faster!
Here’s What's Happening in K-2nd PE
We are wrapping up volleying skills and will be starting a dance unit!
REMINDER:
As the cold and slushie weather sticks around, so do the boots! Please make sure your child has sneakers every PE day. Check your child’s schedule.
And remember, we are striving to be safe, kind, and positive!
Happy Moving,
Miss Bechthold
PE Teacher (K-2)
Technology News!
Hey parents! Do your children have their own personal device? Do they use yours? Have you heard of the “Family Link” App from Google? This app can help you schedule and set the ground rules for screen time. They have this awesome companion guide for the app that will help you start a conversation with your child about how they use their device. (Click here to download the guide) In this app they allow you to do the following things.
Balance Screen Time
Content Consumption
Managing Settings
Make a Family Commitment
In Computer Technology class during the month of March I will be implementing a brand new curriculum called “Be Internet Awesome”. This curriculum was created and supported by Google. The new curriculum will continue to support the digital safety fundamentals we have already worked on this year. This curriculum intertwined with the support at home using the Family Link app will develop our digital natives to their ultimate potential and keep them safe while using the internet.
March Dates to Remember
Monday, March 4 - No Preschool
Tuesday, March 12 - School Banking
Thursday, March 14 - 1/2 day for StudentsWednesday, March 20 - OMP PAWS Swim NIght @ PHS
Tuesday, March 26 - School Banking
Tuesday, March 26 and Wednesday, March 27 - Class Pictures