Friday 9/28 Newsletter Updates

School Directory Coming Home Today
That just about says it...look in your child's take-home folder for the school directory. There is one per family, so your oldest child will have the book.

Four Day Week
Next week is only a four day week. Friday is a professional development day. Teachers will be at school working on various activities, but kids...enjoy the long weekend!

Midterms...Already???
Well, not just yet. Midterms will come home a week from Monday on October 9. File that away in the back of your mind. One week and we will see officially how the year is going!

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q1W4 Slips At School: Returning Thanks, prayers 1 & 2. These are two seperate assignments. They do not need to be said together.

Religion - Abraham

Reading - Literary Elements: Genre. Finish My Name is Maria Isabel, characters' feelings and actions, Lou Gehrig.

English - Finish sentences. Test on Tuesday.

Math - Larger subtraction problems, subtraction with regrouping, expanded form, adding columns of numbers.

Science - Motion, friction, kinetic and potential energy, work and motion.

Social Studies - Begin chapter 2 about regions.

Spelling - UNIT 4: those, coach, solid, include, crew, plus, operate, broke, upset, tune, June, floating Extra Words: plume, renew, husband Bonus Words: honor, populated

Another Video Has Been Added

The kids enjoyed the first video so much that I thought I'd add another. "Why? What's up with all the Stellar Kart?" you may wonder. I'm so glad you asked...

Next week they are going to be in concert in Green Bay on Friday night (October 5) at a place called the Cup O' Joy. (www.cupojoy.com) It is a non-profit Christian coffee house that simply brings in bands and provides a Christian atmosphere. Concerts are free, but they do pass the plate. You can donate to the band or to Cup O' Joy's ministry.

I am planning on going with my family. There is no school that day, so if you are looking to fill the day with something, maybe this is it. They will be loud - Make A Loud Noise, Psalm 98:4! - but the drive home will be quiet with the kids sleeping, right? Anyway, I just wanted to make you aware of it. Other than the 2-hour drive, the price is right and the message is great!

If you have any questions, let me know. I'll do my best to answer them.

Picture Day, Parking, and Mornings

I'm not sure what happened with that last post. Apparently I published it accidentally. My apologies. Here is what it was supposed to say.

Picture Day
Picture Day is Tuesday, October 9. That day we will take the all-school panoramic photo, individual pictures, and sports photos (this one won't affect 4th grade). If you plan on ordering more than one item (for example: an individual photo package AND a panoramic photo), seperate checks will be needed for each. I'm not sure why this is...I was just asked to communicate it to you.

Parking Proceedures
A few reminders: 1. Students being dropped off in the morning are to be dropped off in the back parking lot. Yes, it is longer to walk, but it is the safest place. When parking in the front, please be sure to come down Eleventh Street from the north. Don't come from the south and swing all the way around to the parking spots. (The police have requested that one personally.)

Morning Arrival Time
Students are allowed up into the halls and classrooms at 8:25. BUS students who arrive before that are to go to the cafeteria until they are dismissed at 8:25. WALKERS and DROPPED-OFFERS are to remain outside until 8:25. Yes, it will get colder. Yes, it may be rainy. Arriving on time will solve those problems. There have been too many people in the building before that time, and supervision becomes a problem. Thanks for your understanding.

Culver's Night and Various Other Stuff

Don't forget!  Tonight is the first Culver's Night of the year.  Culver's donates 10% of all proceeds from people who say they are there for Immanuel back to the school.  Unfortunately, my family will be there without me.  We have a soccer game in Marshfield.  I'll be supporting the Vesper Fire Department at their monthly brat fry.

If you have one of those music-liking fourth graders and he/she comes home talking about some cool sounding CD (or strange sounding CD, depending on their perspective), it's a new one I got that I shared with them.  My favorite band, the David Crowder Band, just released their new album called Remedy.  Two songs I played are "O, For A Thousand Tongues to Sing" - straight out of the hymnal, but not sounding like church - and a song called "We Won't Be Quiet."  Both songs fit our class theme perfectly!  For more information, check http://www.davidcrowderband.com/. 

Finally, mark your calendars for next Tuesday.  Immanuel's soccer team will be playing Assumption Middle School at 7:00 at Washington School.  This is the second year we are playing under the lights on the varsity field.  There will be pregame and halftime music, great people from school, and a great game to watch.

Video Added to the Website!

I'll admit, I am having fun playing with this site a little bit. I found a way to add videos! The first video is from a Christian band called Stellar Kart. This song - Activate - was the last one I cut from our CD because it didn't fit. The song is about living your life so that others see Jesus in your life. It's easy to just slip by without doing much, but God wants more. Activate! Get Started! BE LOUD! The video itself shows that you should be yourself and not something else. I hope you find it as funny as I do.

Parents, I hope that our kids see that following Jesus isn't only sitting quietly in church, so to speak. These guys have a lot of fun, make a lot of noise, and are devoted to Jesus. I'm afraid people don't always see those things fitting together.

The videos are located down the right side. Click on the video and it will play at the top of the page.

Have a great rest of the weekend. Enjoy the weather, Go Packers!, and see you in the morning.

Friday 9/21 Newsletter Updates

Magazine Sales
Going into today our class was in third place.  In first place was the eighth graders.  Their average was 1 order per student higher.  So far I don't know the results after today's orders have been totaled.  I DO know that our envelope was packed.  It was really full!  If we don't catch them, it won't be because we didn't try! 

Of course, the real reason we get excited about this is that every bit of profit goes directly to our school, and every little bit helps.  Thanks for all your time and efforts helping your kids in their first official year of participating.

The Year So Far
Every morning in devotions we take prayer requests.  Today my turn came up.  My prayer was one of thanksgiving for a class that has been so responsible.  They are doing a great job of getting their work done, turning things in on time, staying organized, and reading tons of books.  So thank YOU too, parents, for your role in the success of your children.  If the rest of the year goes this smoothly, they should cut my pay...but don't tell anyone that!

Book Covers
Please remember to get textbooks covered.  The best stuff to use is brown bags from the grocery store.  Remember, don't use the elastic covers.  They are damaging some books.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home - Quarter 1 Week 3 Slips.  Turn them in as soon as they are done.  Lots of people are taking advantage of the weekend.  At School - 1. Asking a Blessing Part 1.  2. Asking a Blessing Part 2.  There are two assignments this week, and students may say them any morning.  Don't procrastinate!

Religion - Noah and the Flood.

Reading - Continue in our Literary Elements books.  Continue writing in our Reading Journals.  Continue reading great books!  Donavan's Word Jar, characters' feelings and actions, My Name is Maria Isabel.

English - Sentences.  Possible test mid-late week.

Math - Test Monday.  Students shouldn't have to study - honestly! - since the book continues to review each lesson.  The test will be on the first 5 lessons.  Then on to number lines, addition stories, missing numbers in subtraction, and adding 3-digit numbers.

Science - Test Tuesday on chapter 1.   Then chapter 2: force, energy, motion, and work.

Social Studies - Possible test late week.  The students have been working hard on their cards.  These can/should be used to review like flashcards.  These work for me as a daily assignment, but are great to keep and use for reviewing.  For now we've kept the information simple.  I also told the kids that the book starts with the longest lessons with the longest lists of vocabulary words.  I'm not sure why, but that's the way it is.  We decided that if we get used to long lessons with lots of information, the shorter lessons will be a piece of cake!

Spelling - UNIT 3: mine, tie, wild, type , smile, drive, size, blind, visit, thick, die, prize  Extra words: fifty, picnic, decide, tiny  Bonus Words: none.  Again, the test is on Friday.

Have a great weekend.  Is this summer?  Shouldn't we still be off school?  WOW!  Enjoy it while it lasts.  Next week we may be shoveling snow!

Friday Newsletter Updates

September Book Orders
Book orders are due Thursday, September 20.  I always try to give some suggestions and recommendations for each book order I hand out.  These are simply meant to be a starting point as you browse the book order.  There's a lot of great books in the September order, so on to the recommendations:

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - A great mystery in New York City.
The Tale of Despereaux - One of those books with different stories that all come together at the end.
Island Pack - High adventure.  More and more each page.
The Penderwicks - Describes a summer vacation most of us would love to have.
Stormbreaker - Another great adventure book.  First in a series.
Princess Acadamy - This is a new book, but it's quickly becoming a personal favorite.
Back to School Newbery Value
Number the Stars - A chapter is in our Reading book.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - A great book, but might be tough for 4th graders.
Bridge to Terabithia - Better than the movie…and I never saw the movie!
The Chronicles of Narnia - Again, better than the movie…and I did see this movie.
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Totally better than the movie.  One of my favorite series.
Judy Blume Pack - Hilarious.  Parents, do you remember reading about Fudge?

Magazine Sales
Monday is the second turn-in day.  We had a great start as a class!  There is a pink note included in take-home folders that tells the prizes and promotions for Monday's turn-in.  Remember, every little bit counts, and all profits go directly to our school.

Walk For Education
Tomorrow is the annual St. Lukes Walk For Education.  Walkers will leave St. Lukes at 10:30, walk down 8th Street to Immanuel, and then head back on 12th Street.  Everyone is welcome to stay for a picnic at St. Lukes in the picnic shelter.  Everyone received a pledge sheet in a recent newsletter.  Any donations go directly toward the technology fund here at school.

Basketball Note
Mr. Voelker has sent home a note with all of last year's basketball players and anyone else who said they were interested for this year.  We already need to get an idea of how many players there will be at each grade level in order to properly schedule games.  Please take the time to fill out the form and return it to school as soon as possible.  Thanks.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home - Quarter 1 Week 2 Slips.  Remember, these are due by next Friday, but can be turned in as soon as they are completed.  At School - The Evening Prayer.  Students may again split it up to learn it, but they will need to say the whole thing by Friday.  If you learned the Morning Prayer, this one is really easy!

Religion - Adam and Eve and the Family of God.

Reading - We are all reading some great silent reading books!  This week we started writing in our reading journals about our books.  We also received our Literary Elements books, and will be working with them in the weeks to come.  We also will be in our Reading book, reading Donavan's Word Jar. 

English - Sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)

Math - Writing numbers to 999, adding money, adding with regrouping, even and odd numbers.  I told students today that it is taking me less time to grade 19 papers this year than it took to grade 10 last year.  It's not because of some great difference in math ability, but rather that I remembered to teach and model how to organize a math paper, and these guys are really doing a great job of keeping their papers neat and orderly.  THANK YOU!!!

Science - Physical changes, chemical changes.  Possible test late in the week.

Social Studies - Continue U.S. geography, land, rivers, and natural resources.

Spelling - UNIT 2: asleep, empty, queen, deal, needed, spelling, east, feelings, tea, keeping, beneath, agree  Extra words: easy, method  Bonus Words: elevator, suggested  The test is on Friday.

Two Tuesday Notes - School Newsletter and Social Studies

School Newsletter - Coming with today's school newsletter is our Acceptable Use Policy for computers, a signature form, and an informational letter. Please take a few moments to go over the policy and return the signature form. New students should also return the password form so we can create a new account for you.

Social Studies - Students are bringing home a different assignment today. They are to read a lesson. As they read they are to define the vocabulary words and answer the review question at the end of each section. However, each word and question is on a notecard. Definitions and answers should be on the back side of each card. I'll explain more about this in the future, and after one lesson, I already have a few ideas about how to make the process easier. Thanks!

Friday Newsletter Updates

What a Great First Week! - That pretty much says it all right there. We have had a great week getting back into the swing of things. I have enjoyed getting to know all of the students better and better, and I think they are getting used to me and how fourth grade works. All of the "old" students have been welcoming to our "new" students - Abbi on the first day and Dakotah on the third day. Thanks, parents, for your part in helping the transition from summer to school go so smoothly. And now...on to the rest of the school year!

Memory Work - In your child's take home folder today you will find three things: an outline of all the memory assignments for the year, all of the first quarter memory (two sheets), and a slip of paper with next week's at-home memory. The at-home memory verses need to be memorized and said at home. Please sign and date the slip and return it as soon as it's done. It is due by next Friday. The at-school assignments are listed here each week. 1. Morning Prayer - up to "…may please You." 2. Morning Prayer - all. If students choose, they can say the whole thing at once and be done, but they may do half first to practice. These can be practiced at home and said at school any morning next week. Remember, don't put it off!

Spelling - Next week's spelling words are always included with the Friday newsletter. There is a copy in your child's take home folder, but they are right here too: played, escape, steak, subway, gray, safely, mistake, greatest, break, after, planting, scratch Extra Words: holiday, paragraph Bonus Words: Wilhorn, Immanuel The first 12 words are practiced in the spelling book. The extra words follow the same spelling pattern and extend the lesson. The bonus words are extra credit. Give them a try!

Magazine Sales Fund Raiser - The magazine sales are off and running, and I already received a call from a determined fourth grader who will be getting my Sports Illustrated renewal for sure. Hopefully all your questions were answered in the package information, but if you have any others, please let me know. The first turn-in day is Monday, so don't forget your orders! And remember, it's double prize point day. Two points for every order on Monday.

Gym Clothes - Bring them on Monday. We have gym class on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Handouts in Take-Home Folders - There are a lot of handouts coming home. You should find: Memory (3 sheets, 1 slip), Spelling words, bus student information sheet, volunteer drivers form, last year's physical fitness awards, and a copy of this Friday Newsletter. Wow!

The Upcoming Week:
Religion - Creation, Adam and Eve.

Reading - The Gardener, Literary Elements Books. Ask about your child's silent reading book. They all picked good ones!

English - Sentences.

Math - Sequences, digits, place value, ordinal numbers, months of the year.

Science - Matter, length and volume, mass and density.

Social Studies - United States geography.

Finally… - I think that's it! (Whew!) Have a great weekend!!!

Ice Cream Social Tonight

Don't forget to bring the family for an ice cream social at school tonight. With weather like this, who wouldn't want ice cream? It goes from 6:00 to 7:30. Come and go as you please. Catch up with old friends…meet some new ones! Hope you can make it!

Magazine Sales Start Today

All students in grades 4-8 start the annual magazine sales fund raiser today. There is a lot of information in your child's take-home folder, but I wanted to give you a "heads-up":

1. The Mag-Net books are due tomorrow - Thursday. These are for addresses of out of town relatives and friends who otherwise wouldn't be able to help with the fund raiser.

2. Students are encouraged to talk to family, friends, and friendly neighbors. Please NO door-to-door sales.

3. Carefully and clearly fill out the forms. Customers get the pink slip. All other sheets come back to school.

4. Money is collected and turned in with the order. Checks can be made out to Immanuel Lutheran School.

5. Students are encouraged to seek renewals. This way people don't need to purchase a new magazine.

6. Prizes are awarded. There is a list in the folder. Student earn one "prize point" for each order. Points are then used to "purchase" prizes at the end of the program. (On the first turn-in day, points are doubled to 2 per order.)

7. The first turn-in day is Monday, September 10.

Wow, that seems like a lot! But it's not that bad! Really! This is a big fund raiser for our school - thousands of dollars worth each year. Take the time to look at the materials and see how you can help. Thank you!!!

Welcome, Weekend, and Art Supplies

Welcome everyone to the email list! I hope the email you received explained things clearly, and we will be able to use this website and list for our online newsletter. This post and email will be our first official test with everyone added to the list.

Have a great weekend. Probably some of you are already having a great weekend and won't see this until Monday night or Tuesday! Nevertheless, enjoy the weekend, and we'll see all the kids bright and early on Tuesday morning.

Finally, we will be doing a simple art project with blank CDs. We will need 1 per student. If you have a blank CD or two that you don't need, we could use them at school. They don't have to be completely without writing, but those with the least writing on them will work the best. I already have some, but a few more are needed. Thanks!