Hello, parents!  It has been a fun week of school!  Today, we finished up the book Indian in the Cupboard, and were able to watch the movie, and compare the two.  We had some great discussions!  (…and we all felt that we had become good friends with Little Bear and Boone!) 

*Here is what else we have been up to:

Religion-We have been discussing different types of prayer—confession, thanks, praise, and petition.  We have even begun a classroom prayer journal.  We are so very blessed to be able to talk to our Heavenly Father in prayer. 

Reading/Language Arts—We finished up the stories A Yonder Mountain: A Cherokee Legend and Antarctic Journal this week. We talked a lot about contractions this week. 

Math- Third graders learned how to multiply by 9’s and 10’s, and multiplying 3-digit numbers, using parentheses.  When we come back from Christmas break, we will begin division!  Fourth graders tested over multiplying by 2-digit numbers today, and most are doing very well!  They also have been working very hard on their word problems. 

Social Studies—We have our last meeting of Congress, and quizzed over what we have learned about branches of government.  Here are our bills that have become new laws in 3^rd/4^th grade land:

Kids Should Play in the Snow by Addi MacLean

Kids should play in the snow at recess so they can get out more energy.  They could have snowball fights or build snowmen. 

Save Tigers by Kamryn Gray

Tigers should not die just for skis or to be skinned.  We should put tigers in animal resorts. 

Take Care of Animals by Gracie Williams

If you have a pet, you have to take care of them, or you will be punished. 

Working by Morgan Anderson

Everyone in the class should do their jobs, so them Mrs. Brunkhorst does not have to do it for them!

(I promise I had no hand in any of this! …completely their decisions!)  

Art-We worked on your Christmas gifts and on cards for the nursing home we will be visiting on Monday. 

Music-We have been working on music for the Christmas program!  Mr. Burns met with us on Tuesday, and we sounded beautiful!  All of the students’ and Mrs. Pennington’s hard work has paid off!  4th graders will be playing the recorders beginning in January.  If you have a recorder you would like your child to use please have them bring it to music class after Christmas break.  If not, they will be using the recorders that belong to the school but you may choose to have them play their own instrument for sanitary purposes.

P.E.- We spent a lot of time this week playing class games. 

Writing-  We began fun winter stories this week!  The students had to begin writing whatever popped in their minds after viewing some funny winter photos.  They had 15 minutes to get their ideas down.  We had time to share the beginnings of these stories too, and boy are they great!  We will finish these up after break. 

There are some very special events in the next few days.  Please see details below! 

Upcoming Events: 

DECEMBER

16-Games at home-6:00, 7:00, 8:00 (Hope)

17- Christmas Program practice at the South site in the gym from 10-11.

18 - Christmas Program beginning at 6:00. 

*Students should arrive at 5:30pm, meeting in the classrooms.  They should wear church clothes, “Christmassy” would be nice.  The kids will be sitting on the stage risers during the entire performance.

There will be snacks after the performance, but the kids will not be asked to provide anything. 

19-Bowling Party at Lunar Bowl-9:00-11:00 a.m.-- The cost per bowler will be $4.00 for students, $7.00 for parents; caroling at Benton House at 1:00—THANK YOU to those that are able to help transport!

20- Polar Express Party—ALL students!  Wear PJ’s to school!  Each student may also bring one of the following:  blanket, pillow, stuffed animal.  Snacks are provided.  We will take a break for a special music class; 1:00 Dismissal

22- Mrs. Barber's Birthday

21-31- No School, Christmas Break

25-Have a Merry Christmas!

JANUARY

2- No School, Christmas Break

3- Classes Resume

7-Games at home—9:00, 10:00 (MLA)

13- End of 2nd Quarter, 1:00 pm Dismissal; Games at home 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 (Calvary)

16- No School or Childcare, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

17-Games at Plaza Heights (4:30, 5:30)

18- Talent Show Try-Outs 4:00-5:00 pm

22-29- National Lutheran Schools' Week, Scholastic Book Fair

22- K-3 Choir Sings (North Campus) 8:30 and 9:45 am

27- Grandparent's Day, Dress Your Best, Talent Show, 12:30 pm Dismissal; games at Messiah (6:00, 7:00)

29-4-8 Choir Sings (South Campus) 10:00 am

31-Basketball Pictures at 3:45

God’s Blessings,

Kim