Newsletter 9-25-15

Hello, parents!  We have been busy!  This afternoon, we had our STAR party, which we have worked so hard for. I am so proud of them!  Mid-Terms came home on Tuesday electronically.  I have heard from most of you, but if I have not, please let me know that you received it and if you have any questions.  Thank you!  Graded papers will come home today in Friday Folders.  Please remind your child that he or she can redo "not so great" papers for half credit.  Thank you!  
Here is what 3rd/4th graders have been up to:

Religion- In Religion this week we talked about Abraham and Isaac, and how God tested Abraham's faith, and how He blessed him greatly.  We talked about trust, and how we need to trust the people God put in our loves, and to remember to always trust Him!  During Chapel this week and last, we have been talking about our next service project, Operation Christmas Child.  Our goal is put together more than 100 boxes!  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.

Language Arts- The third graders read “Roberto Clemente, Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates,” which was a wonderful biography, and really sparked some great baseball conversations! The fourth graders read “Stormalong,” a tall tale about a seaman.  We had a lot of laughs with this one!  Please remind your fourth grader that his or her book report over a Newbery winner is due next Wednesday, September 30th!  Third graders have until the end of the quarter. Fourth graders received their dictionaries this morning from the Optimist Club of Blue Springs.  This is something they look forward to every year, as they see their 4th grade friends receive them when they are 3rd graders.  All 4th graders in the area receive one.  Home school friends will have one waiting on their desks when they arrive on Tuesday!  We are so thankful! 

Math- Third graders have been working with longer addition this week, concerning 3 and 4 digit numbers.  They also worked with rounding and problem solving.  These tested over this information on Thursday and began working with subtraction today. Fourth graders worked with rounding numbers too, as well as regrouping, and tested over this material.  Today, have been learning some early algebra, by covering expressions and variables.  They are all catching on so quickly!  

Social Studies- This week, we learned about Missouri regions, rivers, lakes, and land forms.  We will probably finish Chapter 2 next week, and review for a test the following week.  Your child has been making vocabulary cards, in order to study!  Please urge him or her to do this!  We will also begin our studies very soon for the School of Economics.  We will be talking about Ellis Island, being an immigrant to the United States, beginning a new business, and the ends and outs of a business:  supply and demand, pricing items, making items, making and spending money...it is so much fun!    

P.E.- This week in P.E. we played a volleyball game called ”Scatter!"  They loved this game!  They had to use all of the skills we have learned from previous weeks in one game.     

Art- We learned what contour drawing is by drawing the contours of some of our friends.  Then, we created contours of cats, and we are beginning to add color and beautiful backgrounds.  

Music- With Mrs. Pennington, we have been singing some fun songs to the tune of Beethoven's masterpieces, and we have continued to learn the names of all the notes and rests.  (I am learning a lot too, as I am in there very week!)  Mrs. Pennington is a fabulous piano player and an awesome music teacher.  If any of you are interest in extra music lessons or piano lessons, please email her at: lakeland1980@hotmail.com

Writers’ Workshop- This week, we worked on personal narratives.  We read several samples, and then began the drafting process of our experiences.  We will work on these for the next few weeks, going through the writing process. They are really coming along, and I have to smile when I hear the children revise with one another and share their adventures together!  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
25-volleyball games at Trinity Lutheran in Atchison, KS 5:30-10:00

26-Soccer game at LHS at 9:00 (vs. Hope)
30-4th grade book reports due

OCTOBER
3-Soccer game at LHS at 10:15 (vs. Bethany)
7- Mrs. Vogt's Birthday
9-volleyball games at MLA --5:30-10:00
13-Volleyball and soccer pictures at practice 3:45
15- Mr. Kuerschner's Birthday
16- End of 1st Quarter, 1:00 pm Dismissal; 3rd grade book reports due
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 a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Kim