Make a JOYful Noise!

Make a JOYful Noise!

Friday, March 31, 2017

Happy Weekend!

Hi, Parents!  We have been busy!  It has been a great week… :)

Quick Upcoming Reminders:
*Track begins Tuesday, April 4th for all 4th-8th graders who would like to join!  Our practice is from 3:45-5:00. 

*Trivia Night is fast approaching – April 21! We could use a few volunteers to help promote/sell tickets at the church services the next couple of weeks. Here is the link to the sign-up genius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c49aaa72ea6fb6-trivia.
Thank you in advance for giving of your time in this way.

Religion this Week:
It was so fun during Chapel this week….Mr. Burns led with a message about getting washed clean during Baptism, and we sang, “Brothers and Sisters in Christ.”  The kids just turned around and looked and me because we have been having this for our memory work.  It was not a coincidence!  This is one of my favorite songs, and I think it sums up the year for us.  We have been working so hard on “getting along,” and loving one another…and we truly are Brothers and Sisters in Christ!  Anyway, Mr. Burns, being the wonderful music man that he is, had us all sing this song and the refrain and do the actions, so, so many times!  It was GREAT!  :)

This week, we finished Unit 4 in our “Getting Along” series.  We discussed “conflict” and the ways to work through them by being assertive, and by being kind and loving.  Yesterday, we learned the 5 Steps to Peaceful Problem-Solving.  A copy of this will be coming home with your child.  One will also be posted in our classroom.)  Please take the time to read this over with your child.  I think it will come in handy at home too!  Today, we performed some skits where problems arise, and the kids had to come up with peaceful solutions.  Many of these arise in our classroom and in the world.  This was such good practice!  Each child also received a Peacemaker’s Certificate of Achievement Award today for a job well done! 

Language Arts: Third grade read a story about the formation of Hawaii.  We learned a lot about volcanoes, and the ocean.  Fourth graders read the true story of Owen an Mzee, a hippo and a tortoise, who became unlikely friends.  We all loved this!  We even watched a video from YouTube about their time together.  I promised the students I would share it with you! 

We also learned about commas this week, and how use them correctly.  We learned cursive capitals G, H, I and J.  

Math: 3rd and 4th graders worked with fractions this week!  We have learned what numerators and denominators are, how to find equivalent fractions, and how to use fractions in word problems.  4th graders have taken this all a step further and are learning how to reduce fractions and put them in simplest form.  PLEASE continue working with your 3rd or 4th grader on their multiplication tables!  Flash cards, computer games, and just plain repetition will help.  

Social Studies: We have been discussing islands, peninsulas, bays, and what natural resources are used in these areas of the world.  We also have been exploring maps and how to use them.  We will have our Unit 1 test next Friday.  A study guide came home today with all the vocabulary from the unit on it.  This will be due on Wednesday, and the students know if they study this sheet, they will do just fine on the test! 

Writing:  We have learned how to write descriptions.  We have each chosen a person and are going to describe at least three things about this person, putting each in paragraph form.  We will then share these with the class, and make a copy for the person we chose.  They kids are having a lot of fun with this! 

P.E.-We played Capture the Flag! 

Art: We finished up our “Storm on a Wilderness Lake” pictures. 

Spanish: The children have been practicing so hard for their Cinco de Mayo celebration!  Their art is breathtaking, and it is fun for me to watch them learn the dances, and reciting/singing the songs in Spanish.  They are doing a great job!  There are several students that struggle with behavior in that class, so please help us remind them what the expectations are.  Thank you so much for partnering with us! 

Music: The students learned the song, “ The Rainbow Connection.”  They also used the rhythm sticks, sand blocks, and tambourines to learn the rhythm to songs. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 
Blessings,


Kim Brunkhorst

No comments: