Newsletter 9-18-15

Hello, Parents!  It has been another great and fun week here in 3rd/4th grade! Today is the official half-way mark of the quarter!  Good grief!  Can you believe that?!  That means that all scores up through today will be shown on your child’s mid-quarter report, which will come home on Tuesday, September 22.  Please discuss, sign, and return this as soon as possible. 

Please read below to find out what we have been up to:  

Religion- In Religion this week we discussed Abraham, his nephew Lot, angels, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  We talked a lot about the evil that these cities contained, and how there is a lot of evil in our world too.  This led to some great conversations about the commandments, and how God expects us to follow them. These also led to some sticky conversations, good, but nevertheless, your child may still have some questions, and I urged them to talk to you at home. We talked about angels, and how God uses them.  We also discussed the different types of prayers...supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, and confession.  We discussed how we send up prayers of supplication ALL the time, but need to remember to give God our prayers of thanksgiving and adoration too, as He has blessed us all SO much!  

There are quite a few children that are struggling with their memory work. Please urge your child to study this! We are learning the books of the Bible right now, and each day builds on the other... Next Tuesday, we will say all of the books of the Old Testament. Thanks!

We had a great discussion today about how we are all so different, and how God crated us in His image, with many talents, abilities, and things that set us apart from others. Some of the children shared some very personal things about him or herself. It was such a family-bonding time. They were all so supportive of each other...thank you for sharing these beautiful treasures with me this year!

On Wednesday, we learned about our first service project for the year, Operation Christmas child. Please see the news below from Mrs. Mundt:

We have adopted Operation Christmas Child as our fall Mission Project.  Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a nonprofit Christian relief organization.  They collect filled shoebox gifts and distribute them to children in need around the world.  They also share Jesus with each child by including printed gospel materials in their own language.  We encourage you to talk with your child about this opportunity to serve others, working together to choose appropriate gifts.  Students are encouraged to bring items for shoe box gifts and empty shoe boxes.  We also welcome complete gift boxes created by your family at home.  Our school is serving as a community shoe box collection site this year!  

Shoe box gifts will be made for BOYS and GIRLS in these age groups:

                        2-4 years old                                    

                        5-9 years old

                        10-14 years old

Suggested Gifts:

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small puzzles or games, toys that light up or make noise (extra batteries), Slinky, etc.

School Supplies: pens, pencils & sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, picture books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc.

Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights (with extra batteries) ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry, craft supplies or kits, accessories, hair clips, watches, etc.

Money: $7 suggested donation per shoe box to cover shipping costs (Donate online and you can print a tracking slip and follow your gift!)

A Personal Note:  We encourage you to include a personal note with a family photo

They ask you NOT include the following:

Used or damaged items, war-related toys (toy guns, knives, military figures), chocolate or food, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items, aerosol cans

We will gather shoe box gift items through November 11.  Shoe boxes will be packed on November 13.  Thank you for taking part in this opportunity to ‘Touch Lives for Christ’ around the world.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org

Language Arts- The third graders read “Pop’s Bridge,” about the building of the San Francisco Bridge, which led to awesome discussions and sharing. Fourth graders read “The Power of W.O.W.”, and then today put on the skit for the rest of the class.  They planned this so well, and did such a great job!  I was so proud of them!  I took a video and if I can figure out how to share that with you, I will! ;) It was awesome!

Math- Third graders have been working with missing addends, rounding numbers to solve equations, and with adding two-digit numbers.  Fourth graders have been working with rounding to estimate, adding and subtracting with zeroes, and solving word problems. Both grades will be testing over Chapter 3 next week.  

Social Studies- This week, we continued with Chapter 2 in our Missouri History books.  We have talked about regions and landforms in Missouri.  We also practiced common sense things that all U.S. citizens should know... which Planet, Hemisphere, Continent, Country, State, County, City, Neighborhood (if there is a name), Street, and Address, in which he or she lives.  

P.E.- This week in P.E. we played a volleyball scrimmage game and learned how to rotate on the court. On Thursday, we completed some teamwork skills and played some relay games. We are really learning and focusing on good sportsmanship and what it means to be a team player.    

Art- We continued to learn about line.  We created contours of animals, and will add paint and backgrounds next week!   

Music- We are really enjoying Mrs. Pennington! This week, we played several games learning our notes and rests, learned a bit about Beethoven, and have been practicing "His Banner Over Me is Love," as well as several patriotic songs..."America the Beautiful" and My Country 'Tis of Thee."

Writers’ Workshop- This week, we finished our 'I Poems" and began publishing them... We also continued on stories. Next week we will begin to write personal narratives.  We will read several samples, and then begin the drafting process of our experiences.  We will work on these for the next few weeks, going through the writing process.  I will let you know at a later time when they are due.  I would like to see their progress first!  Thank you!  

Upcoming Field Trips:

October 23-Fall party at Memaw’s House.  (Includes a hayride, games, snacks, and lunch.  Home school kids are also invited!) A sign-up genius will come home soon!

October 30- School of Economics

UPCOMING EVENTS:
SEPTEMBER
17-Mrs. Fangman's Birthday

19- Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest Parade 10:00 am—please be there at 9:45...wear Rams t-shirts and sunglasses!  

25-volleyball games at MLA 5:30-10:00

26-Soccer game at LHS at 9:00

OCTOBER
7- Mrs. Vogt's Birthday
13-Volleyball and soccer pictures at practice 3:45
15- Mr. Kuerschner's Birthday
16- End of 1st Quarter, 1:00 pm Dismissal
20- Picture Retake Day
22- Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1:00 Dismissal, Morning Home School Classes
23- 3rd/4th Grade Fall Party at Memaw's/ Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1:00 Dismissal

30-School of Economics Field Trip

Have an awesome weekend! I will see many of you tomorrow!

Blessings,

Kim