Mrs. Smit's Tidbits: Week Twelve

Curriculum Tidbits:

We continue to learn about some of what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. This coming week we will learn about obeying from the heart, prayer, and the crowd's reaction.
Our NEW reading unit is entitled Informational Reading. We will begin the unit reading informational books about colonial times - which ties in beautifully with our current social studies focus on the same.
Math Unit 3 has us learning about multiplying fractions, whole numbers, and mixed numbers. We are also doing work with factors so we are better able to simplify our answers.
Our persuasive writing unit continues as we work to generate opinions and express effective reasoning for those opinions. By the end of the week, students will have chosen a topic about which to write their own persuasive essay.

Other Tidbits:

On Thursday, we look forward to welcoming our 2nd Grade Buddy Class to Pine Ridge for a fun partner activity.
Our first field trip is fast-approaching! On Monday, November 21, we will travel to Calvin University in Grand Rapids to visit with Newbery Award Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. Students are welcome to bring one of his books to get signed by him. (We just finished Pay Attention, Carter Jones. We are staring Wednesday Wars. But he has many other books to choose from!) We will also be eating our sack lunches on campus and taking a mini-tour.

Mrs. Dannenberg and Mrs. Petkus have agreed to chaperone, but if you would still like to come, we'd love to have you! Just be aware that you will have to meet us at Calvin as we will not have room on the bus. Some parents choose to carpool.

Requested Announcements:

Library Volunteers - Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Hofman, is looking for a few helping hands. She has a few short-term and long-term library projects that can be worked on either at home or at school. If you have some time and would like to help, please let Kristi or Cara know in the office.
Our Positive Options Fundraiser/Class Competition has begun and runs until December 7! Each class is collecting baby items to donate to Positive Options. Below is a list of baby items specifically needed, but ANY new or gently used baby, maternity, or postpartum paraphernalia is welcome.