Newsletter from the Week of September 2nd!

Dear Parents,
We have had a super first full week of school! All of the students are working hard and giving school their best efforts. I am so very proud of them!
This week in Religion, we talked about Noah, the great Flood, and God’s covenant with Noah and with us. We were reminded that God loves us very much and is always by our side.
In Math this week, both groups are working with place value and determining what each digit is worth in a number, as well as how to write numbers in standard, word, and expanded forms. Third graders are working with numbers up to the ten-thousands, and fourth graders are working with numbers up to the hundred-millions. We have been taking mad minutes daily, and all students are working hard to pass them, and achieve mastery in memorizing their math facts. We are also getting really talented at solving our Problem Solvers too...word problems! They are fun and entertaining!
In Reading this week, both grades worked on the skill of dividing a story into characters, plots, problems, and solutions. We also learned many new vocabulary words! We used these skills when we began Writers' Workshop this week! We are using the entire writing process—planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, and learning a great deal! Once a story is published, it will be coming home to you, after being shared in the classroom library for awhile. After all, we all are budding authors!
We checked out our book reports on Monday. Third graders picked out mysteries, and fourth graders chose Newbery Award winners. Please make sure your child is reading his or her book report book at home. They could also be filling in their reading logs, as these books are Scholastic Reading books, as well.
On that note, I will be asking that each child finish 5 Scholastic quizzes a quarter. These books can be chapter books, or picture books on his or her reading level. This will be part of your child's reading grade, so I will help remind him or her to keep reading. Please do the same at home. The books are available in the classroom, as well as in the library. Thank you for your help!
The students took their first Social Studies test this week and did well! We have finished our first chapter about Missouri history. Thank you for helping your child fill in the oral history form. We learned so many interesting things about Missouri, just from those interviews! We have now begun to talk about the location of Missouri and the many landforms that we have here. We have talked about hemispheres, continents, countries, and now our state. We will finish up Chapter 2 nest week. The students will do well on the tests if they pay attention in class and are familiar with the vocabulary. I will always send home the words to review. Thank you!
This was the first week for Specials Classes! We had a lot of fun...but, boy, are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons busy, as we jump from one Special to another! In Art this week, we reviewed the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and then made color wheels. We also talked about what a horizon is, and drew pictures with horizons, rivers or roads, and houses, trees, and other things. We then added colors in the style of Impressionistic art. We finished these up today and then are so beautiful! We will need egg cartons in a couple of weeks of art. If you remember, please send in any that you may have. Thank you!
In P.E., we are learning volleyball skills, such as passing, serving, and how to play the game. We will continue this for the next couple of weeks, and will eventually play a game and keep score!
The students have Music with Mrs. Mundt, and she was so excited to hear their voices again! She had really missed singing praises every week with the kids! The student enjoyed singing a few favorites- “Here I Am to Worship”, “Big House”, “I Will Follow”, and “Allelu, Alleluia”. They are learning a few new songs, “You Put This Love In My Heart” & “You Are Holy”. Both are songs with parts. They are learning quickly! The 3rd and 4th graders are wonderful leaders!
The students also enjoyed going to Spanish class this week, and Computer Lab, where they will be practicing their skills on the program “Type to Learn. “
Reminders:
*Yearbooks available: If you did not purchase a yearbook for your child at the end of last school year, you have a new opportunity! We will be handing out and signing yearbooks after chapel on September 7th. If you would like to purchase a yearbook by this date, the cost is $13. Please talk with Mrs. Barber or Mrs. Warren.
*Our Mission Project this year is to raise money to help Martin Luther School in Joplin, MO. This money will go toward their financial aide. Your child has been asked to pray about what he or she might want to give, and to bring these coins in on Wednesdays. Thanks!
Thank you for all of your support already this school year! I am excited about this partnership with you…
Have a super weekend! God’s Blessings!

Kim Myers