The force has awakened in Room 9. You have been chosen to join Mrs. Moricz’ Third Grade Jedi Academy. It will be a year filled with exciting learning opportunities, fun challenges, and great friendships as you learn to master the ways of the learning force.
After teaching 4th grade for several years at Manzanita, I am looking forward to another year of teaching 3rd Grade. I am a Tucson native, but I’ve also lived in San Diego and Orlando. In Orlando, I worked for Walt Disney World as an educator and taught 3rd grade at Celebration School. I also met my husband, Matt, in Orlando. He is from Michigan and we often spend our summers visiting his family on the lake. We love all things Disney, including Star Wars. I’m also a big Harry Potter fan and love to read. We have two crazy puppies, Ziva and Copper, that provide lots of entertaining stories you will hear about during our year together.
On your path to becoming a Jedi Master this year, you will have many unique learning experiences, especially in Social Studies. You will learn about the architecture, arts, and mythology of ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans. This unit ends in a hands-on learning experience known as Greek and Roman Day. We will also study early explorers and the settlement of South America and Mexico. During their exploration, the explorers encountered native people who had built beautiful cities “paved in gold.” These were the Aztec, Maya, and Inca civilizations. Together we will try to solve the mystery of what happened to these intelligent, creative people.
In Science, get ready to experiment with plants, light, and sound. We will also investigate how living things interact with each other and changes to the Earth’s surface. One of the most exciting units we will do this year will involve our study of rocks and fossils. We will even travel to Kartchner Caverns and the Copper Queen Mine to get a close hand look at rocks and minerals.
In Math, you will learn to become problem solvers and a master of math fluency in multiplication and division. Developing an understanding of fractions, perimeter, area of shapes, and measurement will also be a big part of your math learning this year. I have many top secret math strategies that will make math interesting and guide you on your quest to becoming a great math Jedi.
As readers, you will encounter many amazing stories and characters this year. You will have the opportunity to see how the Hero’s Journey is a theme that is found in so many of our favorite stories like the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Star Wars. We will also learn to be researchers and hunt for evidence in fictional and informational books. The Jedi Book Challenge will help you discover new genres, characters, and authors to read and learn from. In October, we will participate in Star Wars Reads Day with other kids around the world.
As you can see, third grade is going to be an out of this world learning experience. Be prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and have fun! Our Open House will be on August 9th from 1:30-3:30. This is a chance for you to meet some of your classmates and your teacher, drop off your supplies and complete your first quest as Jedi Knights. When you get a chance, please complete the Back2School survey at the top. I can't wait to meet you and begin our journey together!
May the force be with you and your family...
As you can see, third grade is going to be an out of this world learning experience. Be prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and have fun! Our Open House will be on August 9th from 1:30-3:30. This is a chance for you to meet some of your classmates and your teacher, drop off your supplies and complete your first quest as Jedi Knights. When you get a chance, please complete the Back2School survey at the top. I can't wait to meet you and begin our journey together!
May the force be with you and your family...
