Mrs. Smit's Tidbits: Week Fifteen

Curriculum Tidbits:

Our math unit is nearing the end. We will be practicing fraction word problems that involve all four operations next week.
We are taking a bit of a deeper dive into the Christmas story be learning about the announcements of both the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. We are also learning more about Mary and Joseph's responses to the announcement of His birth.
Fifth graders enjoyed the first of three "STEM Fridays" that are planned for this month. Today they created an intricate snowflake, and then had to "reverse engineer" a copy of a classmate's snowflake. They were surprised at how challenging it was!
In reading, we continue to learn strategies to help us glean the most from reading informational texts.
Fifth graders will begin drafting their persuasive essays on Monday, now that all the planning is complete.

Other Tidbits:

Please note that band and orchestra students will be joining with Rose Park fifth graders on Monday to practice for their Christmas concert. Therefore, they will need to bring their instruments on Monday, in addition to the usual Tuesday and Friday.
Monday afternoon our class will take a bus over to South Side Christian to do a buddy activity with our second grade buddies in Mrs. Dreyer's class.
All Pine Ridge students look forward to Christmas caroling for the residents of Rest Haven on Friday afternoon.
We are still collecting donated baby items for Positive Options should you want to donate.

Requested Announcements:

Kinder Dutch Dance registration is now OPEN. 3rd-5th grade Pine Ridge and Rose Park students will have the opportunity to practice and participate in this 90+ year tradition by learning this partner dance during their lunch recess, starting the week of February 20th, 2023. Registration closes JANUARY 25. Please see the flyer (attached to the parent email) for all the details, and sign up TODAY! Reach out with any questions you have to Nicole Johnson, your Coach and Costume Director (nicole.gugino@gmail.com/616-836-0028). Share with your friends in other school districts; we want everyone to join The Dance!
The Maroon and White Shop will be open for the holiday season! Pop in at any of our scheduled times and locations to do some Christmas shopping! All of the proceeds directly benefit our Special Olympics Unified Sports Program at the high school!