Bacon Bits
November 18, 2016  Volume 16: Issue 12
Dear Parents,
This week we launced the Explorer Poster Project! The class was
so excited! Students had the opportunity to select their
explorer…with the idea that we wanted to make sure no more than
2 students researched each of the New World Explorers. Most
students should complete this project in class if they are using
their time wisely. We will be using a planning calendar to help us
guide us in our progress. There will be an assignment, lesson, or
mini project to support each part of the Explorer Poster. The
project packet and all parts and printable resources should be kept
in their blue social studies folder. I will provide all the paper and
poster board for this project. If students have special pens or
paper that they want to use they are more than welcome to bring
those in for this project. In additon to these supports, I have
sample projects in class for students to view over the next few
weeks. All posters are due on Monday, December 12th.
We are concluding our narrative writing unit today and will be
having our narrative post on-demand on Monday and Tuesday.
Students will then have a writing self-reflection to do before we
start our Information writing unit later this month. In conjunction
with information writing we will be moving into non-fiction reading
for both whole class and small group lessons in the next few weeks.
There will be no reading log next week due to the Thanksgiving
break. Please expect a non-fiction reading log on Monday,
November 28th.
It is Apple Cup Friday here at GR! Here we
are wearing some of our favorite college
football gear and colors! Happy Friday!
Please consider donating to our Apple Cup
Food drive here at GR. The last collection
day is next Wednesday, 11/23.
Family Tradition Feast update: Thank you to everyone for contributing to our class recipe book! It is going to be
an amazing feast where we get to share about our family traditions and have some time to celebrate our amazing
class.  Thank you to the parents who have donated supplies and their time to help make this event special. The
students will be coming home with their turkey placemats and their recipe books next Wednesday, the 23 rd. Just a
heads up that students will not be having lunch in the lunch room on this day as they tend to not be wanting to eat
lunch right after our feast. Feel free to send in a healthy snack though!
The Module 2 End of Module Assessment will be given on Monday, November 21st. This is a good time to help
students look over their exit tickets and focus more on application problems and explaining their thinking. Students
will start Module 3 on Monday, November 29th. Please see the attached parent information sheet for Module 3.
PBSES Information: In January 2017, families are invited to the second annual workshop about PBSES (Positive
Behavior and Social Emotional Support). You are invited to learn more about how to use PBSES at home. During
this workshop, we will discuss engagement vs. compliance and building strategies that enhances engagement with
your students. This workshop will focus on motivation, organization, positive relationships, and social and
emotional learning strategies. There are three opportunities to attend this workshop: January 18, 2017 (Pine Lake
Middle School), January 19, 2017 (Issaquah Middle School), and January 26th (Maywood Middle School). The Student
Support Coaches for the elementary and middle schools will host the sessions and they will start at 6:30 and
conclude at 8pm. We hope to see you there!
From the GR PTSA:
Gifts from Gilman Holiday Toy and Warm Clothing Drive: Now - Dec 2nd
Please consider donating new and unused toys, warm children’s clothing or gift cards to benefit the Issaquah
Food Bank Holiday Toy and Warm Clothing Gift Drive. Collection boxes are located in front of the office and
the lower rear entrance. Gift cards can be placed in the lockbox inside the office! Click here for more details.
Scholastic "Bookaneer" Book Fair!
Help support our school library with stress-free shopping at our Scholastic “Buckaneer” Book Fair December 5-9th,
8:30am to 5:00pm in the Grand Ridge Library. Books make great gifts for the holidays, students, and teachers.
Volunteers Needed! The Book Fair won’t be a success without parent volunteers. Please sign up for a shift to help out
with this event. Shifts will run from Monday, December 4th through Friday, December 9th for set up, sales, cashiers
(training provided), and clean up.
Volunteer Opportunities
Find all of our current volunteer needs in one place. Check out the sign ups here to find a current opportunity that suits
you and your schedule, including new opportunities with Grizzly Guy Recess Buddies (Nov - May) and the Recess
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) club (Jan - Apr).
The Lost & Found is full! Next time you come to the school, just sign in at the office and take the stairs to the first floor.
Your family's coats, sweaters and lunchboxes are waiting for you there! Want to keep your belongings out of Lost &
Found? Gather everything your child can take off or set down, and use permanent marker to label each item with your last
name. Lost & Found volunteers will return lost items to your child's classroom. Thank you! Questions? Kathryn Meeker,
[email protected].
Did you know that all PTSA members have access to an on-line directory of registered users on the PTSA website?
Don’t miss out on playdates, birthday parties and the most up-to-date PTSA information. Please update your contact
information, child’s grade & teacher as well as privacy preferences today at www.grandridgeptsa.org.
Questions for your 5th grade student:
-What is the difference between an adaptation and an acquired trait? Can you give an example?
-How can you use a tape diagram to help you solve a math problem?
-Which explorer are you researching for your explorer project? What is interesting or unique about him?
-What is our plan for sending in your family tradition feast food item?
Curriculum:
In math, we are working on Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations. In reading, we
are making inferences with text-based evidence. In writing, we are transitioning from narrative to information
writing. In social studies, we are studying the exploration (of the Americas). In science, we are studying how living
things survive and change, using science textbooks.
Calendar:
Activity
Date
Sample sized, ready to serve recipe item due in class
11/23
Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL
11/24-25
Report Cards available on-line at 5:00
12/2
Parent-Teacher Conferences (non-school days for students)
12/7 and 12/8
Scholastic Book Fair
12/7-9
ASM: Holiday Movie
12/14
Beecher’s Nutrition Lab in the AM
12/19
rd
Winter Break (return to school on January 3 )
12/21-1/2
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns before or after school.
Mrs. Bacon
425-837-7965 [email protected]
http://connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/elementary/grand/staff/baconm/default.aspx
Grand Ridge PTSA Website Link