Newsletter 11-26-13

Third and Fourth Grade News

November 26, 2013

Hello, Parents! Thanksgiving is just around the corner…I want you to know how thankful I am for you and all your support this school year!  Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers during this last week.  It has been a challenging one for my family, and I am always floored at the output of love our Timothy family showers upon us.  Thank you for being so wonderful.  Please continue to lift Sarah, Gavin, and Blaine up in your prayers…

Mid-terms came home today, so please check your child’s Friday Folder.  I always remind them, that this is just the halfway point, and there is always time to raise up those grades!  It is SO hard to believe that we are already halfway through second quarter!  We have had such a busy, fun-filled week and a half!     

Last week, we learned all about the first Thanksgiving and all that there is to be thankful for…We had amazing conversations in our classroom that centered around loving one another, forgiving one another, and being thankful for the many gifts that we often do not usually even think of.  We learned all about the Pilgrims’ voyage on the Mayflower, their settlement in Cape Cod, and the Wampanoag Indians.  Our Spelling and vocabulary words last week were words from the story On the Mayflower.  We also shared the story Across the Wide, Dark Sea.   We read both of these stories this week with partners and as a class, and did several activities with them.  We also talked about how the Pilgrims and Indians lived and what they wore.  We “bartered” with friends and built pretend Pilgrim housing.  On Monday, we enjoyed our feast!  Thank you to all who sent in yummy foods!  It was wonderful!   Each year, it is such a fun time and learning experience for our class!   

Today, we wrapped up our Earthworks unit!  The habitat groups (cave, forest, pond)  met to put final touches on their habitats, and they shared them with the class.  Each group had to make sure that they included the following in the habitat: energy, water, air, dirt, plant life, animal life, space, predators, and prey.  They all did SO well...and they are beautiful!  They are displayed in the hallway, and I also have put some pictures online!  :)    

Next week, we will begin working on School of Economics with Mrs. Barber’s class, getting ready for our December 13th field trip.  School of Economics is an awesome place where the students learn all about having a job and working hard. We have been working with money and studying economics in the classroom and these skills will be put to work in the simulated city at the School of Economics.  Each child will have a job, earn money, produce goods and services, meet new friends, and learn a lot!  A Sign-up Genius will come home after Thanksgiving Break.  

Timothy’s Advent service on December 4 needs student involvement.  A flyer came home last week.  Grades 3-4 will be involved in the Scripture reading/drama that night.  If your child is NOT going to be there, please let us know as soon as possible so we can get the right kids into the right roles.  Thank you for your help to get kids to the church this night.

The students also have Christmas musical practice this on Saturdays 12-7 and 12-14 from 9-11 a.m.  The performance will be on Sunday, December 15 at 6 p.m.  Thank you!  

In lieu of buying Christmas gifts for each other, 3rd/4th grade students always “adopt” a boy and a girl for Christmas.  I wanted to get the word out soon enough, especially for those of you that shop after Thanksgiving!  The gifts are due back at school by December 6th, (next week!) so I can wrap them and get them to church by December 8th.  This year, we have adopted a 4 year old girl, who needs clothes.  Her boots size is 10 ½, her coat size is 4-6 and her pants and shirts size is 4T.  The boy, who is 12 years old, wishes for board games or model car kits.  If you are so moved to buy a small gift, please send them into school next week, and I will wrap them.  You may also send in a few dollars instead, if you wish.  The children will also make cards to share the Good News of Baby Jesus!  Thank you so much for your help!  

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  

Blessings,

Kim