� Heritage Projects � Plans are set for the students� heritage projects. Every student has a project outline with a list of resources, requirements, and a timeline for completion. Progress meetings will take place on March 18 and 19, and the final projects will be presented on April 8 and 9. Please note that this is a project in which families are encouraged to get involved. I hope this will be an enjoyable opportunity for you and your child to work together.
� Potluck Supper � Traditionally, we have ended our heritage unit with a family potluck supper once the projects are complete. So, I�m looking for parent input: Which date would be better for your family: April 9 or April 23? Is there anyone interested in hosting the party? Please let me know during the next week or so.
� Read Aloud � Our new read aloud selection is The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. In this story, Kit Tyler, a headstrong young lady from Barbados, comes to the Puritan community of Wethersfield, Connecticut. As she tries to adjust to her new home, she befriends an old Quaker woman who is thought by many to be a witch. When sickness falls upon the town, Kit must both protect her friend and defend herself.
� Writing/Grammar � This month we are placing a special focus on punctuation, especially commas and quotation marks. In our writing, we will stretch our creativity with Roll a Story. Students must roll the dice to determine the characters, setting, and problems of their stories. We could be in for some entertaining results!
� Math � We are about halfway through our unit on decimals and fractions. This week, we are focusing on how to convert fractions to decimals and percents. Students can gain extra practice in these skills by playing the Frac-Tac-Toe game at home. Estimate Squeeze is also helpful for comparing and ordering decimals. At the current rate of progress, our next math test should fall next Tuesday (3/10) or Wednesday (3/11).
� Science � This month we are focusing on the natural disasters in our science unit: earthquakes and volcanoes. We will learn about the Ring of Fire and build models of the different types of volcanoes. We will also begin our Earthquake Construction Project, where students build models of building that can withstand simulated earthquakes.