Tuesday, 2/12 Newsletter Updates

Riding Freedom
We just started a novel in Reading class called Riding Freedom. We have two main focusses. First, there are 5 different groups, each concentrating on a different topic. The topics are 1. girl stuff 2. boy stuff 3. laws and beliefs 4. grown-up stuff 5. setting. Each group will be able to offer details to the discussion on their area of "expertise."

Second, the students' daily assignments are "What are you thinking?" Post-it notes. As students read, I want them to pay more attention to their conversation with the author, so to speak. As they think about what they read, students are to write what thoughts come to their head and jot it down. Suggestions are listed on their bookmark. All the notes are stuck in the book, used for class discussion, and turned in the next day.

Celebration Auction Fourth Grade Basket
If you haven't sent in a donation for our class Classic Toys basket, and still wish to do so, please do so this week. A donation of $3-5 is requested. If you are donating in other ways, thank you!

Memory
Memory slips are coming home (Q3W3) today. Sorry for the delay. Also, this week's at-school assignments are the meaning of the second article, split in two parts. There are many students with missing memory assignments, and the hole is getting deeper for some, unfortunately. Kids, do you best to stay caught up.

Spelling
This week's spelling list is coming home today as well. Again, sorry for the delay.

The Reading Conference
The reading conference was fantastic. One highlight included meeting John Archambault, the author of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (A told B and B told C I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree!) Other highlights included many of the speakers, but I won't bore you with reading details. One thing I learned is included in how we are doing the Riding Freedom unit.

Valentine's Day
Yes, we are having a Valentine's Day party on Thursday, and yes, we will exchange valentines. The party will be from 1:45-2:45 so Mr. Altis will still have an opportunity for choir at the end of the day.

Chapel Service on February 27
Our class's opportunity to lead chapel is in two weeks! We will lead our school's worhip on Wednesday, February 27. We'll begin planning and practicing shortly. Mark your calendars.

Basketball Schedule

This weather is something! Tonight's basketball games have been cancelled. This affects parents who were scheduled to work the concession stand. No basketball tonight, Monday, 2/4.

Also on Wednesday, 2/6, there will be both girls AND boys practice from 3:45 - 5:00. It is my understanding that the boys' games were to be completed by now, but because games have been rescheduled at later dates, they will continue to practice. (Is this right?)

Have a safe, snowy afternoon! Right now it looks like the U.P. and this is some of that two-inches-per-hour lake effect snow. Wow!

Friday, February 1 Newsletter Updates

Report Cards Today
Envelopes are coming home today, sealed as usual, with report cards. Also included are signature forms to sign and return as soon as possible, the newsletter, memory slips, and a note about the upcoming Celebration Auction. There's tons of information. Thanks for taking the time this weekend to wade through it.

We just got a basketball tournament note from Mr. Voelker too. That should be in everyone's take-home folders.

The Celebration Auction
It's only one month away! Today's note talks about our classroom basket donation. I'll let the note give the details, but in a nutshell, our basket is "Classic Toys" and the suggested donation is $3-5 per fourth grader. Thanks to everyone for your support of this great event.

Planet 10!
We spent some time today creating planets on the computer and launching them into the solar system to survive or meet some grisly end. (Including aliens!) The goal of the lesson was to create a planet with the correct combination of elements to support life. Some were very successful. Others...well...let's just say when the oceans begin to boil life is not headed down the happy yellow brick road, if you know what I mean.

Here's the link if you'd like to see it: http://www.solarsystem.org.uk/planet10/

I'll Be Gone Friday
I will be attending the Wisconsin State Reading Association annual convention next week on Thursday and Friday. Each year is a great opportunity to learn more about teaching reading. This year Mrs. Betts and I will be presenting a sectional to teachers from around that state about the Newbery Committee and the 5 Mile Book Club we've done in past years. It's an honor to be invited, and we are looking forward to it.

I don't think the substitute will be Mr. Kinderschmacker. (Ask the kids about him!)

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q3W2 Slips At School: 1. First Article and meaning, "He defends..." to the end. 2. The Second Article of the Apoltle's Creen (no meaning). Some students need to finish the second paragraph of the 1st article's meaning. Due to the snow day and late start I said that could carry over to next week, but that means 3 assignment next week for them.

Religion - Miracles of Jesus

Reading - Finish Theme 3. We will be starting another class novel unit.

English - Nouns. Singular and plural and possessive.

Math - Rate word problems, multiplying 3-digit numbers, estimating.

Science - Finish the solar system.

Social Studies - The Great Plains states.

Spelling - No list. Review lesson.

A Few Monday Updates

Coming home today are a bunch of handouts:
1. Third Quarter at-home memory verses.
2. Third Quarter at-school memory assignments.
3. Q3W1 Slips.
4. This week's spelling list.
5. Division facts flashcards.

Also, students recieved a new checklist for their reading journal. Checklists are located inside the front cover and contain 10 topics they will journal about during the quarter as they apply to their current silent reading book. Students are to cover the topic as clearly as possible in their letter to Mr. W. Two letters must be completed each week. (Exceptions: If the first letter is great and earns a +, the student is done. If the second letter is not a +, students may choose to write a third letter.) Students are also receiving a bookmark that reviews all the things I discuss about their journals with them.

Thursday, January 24 Newsletter Updates

I will do my best to get everything in here from home. Ethan went home sick yesterday with his mom. She took the morning off with him today, and now I am home with him for the afternoon. While he sleeps I'll get the newsletter done.

Pancake Supper
Tonight is the night! Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!!! There is still time to help out. Come tonight and ask where people are needed. I'm sure there is a place for you. Remember, it's the volunteers that make these amazing events...well...amazing! Enjoy the great meal!

End of the Quarter Today - Report Cards Next Week
Today is the end of the quarter. With only a few exceptions all homework and missing work was turned in. Grades will be calculated tomorrow and report cards printed on Monday. After double checking and adding comments, report cards will be ready to go late next week.

Best Work?
This morning students and I talked about the importance of always doing your best.

Here's an example: Since last week I have been reminding students that all work needed to be completed by today for the end of the quarter. This morning we added 30 minutes to memory time and when it was all said and done I still filled in 11 zeros in the gradebook.

Here's another example: Students know what I expect on math assignments - labels on story problems, showing work (like on large addition problems), writing addition problems vertically, showing regrouping, etc. I don't do this to be the big, mean teacher. It's because when kids don't do these things they make mistakes. Too many students continue to repeat these mistakes.

And here's the most frustrating part. This is simply NOT what this class is like. They are smart, do great work, help one another, and have the ability to be excellent students. Let's do everything we can to get back on track as the third quarter starts.

Monday Speed Stacks Meeting Cancelled
Due to a suddenly scheduled appointment that is out of the building, I won't be at school for Speed Stacks that night. We will continue with the schedule as planned. There will probably be an added meeting in February.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - I don't remember what the assignments are, but all third quarter papers will come home on Monday.

Religion - Jesus' earthly ministry.

Reading - Finish timeline of Look to the North, start next story.

English - Nouns

Math - Continue lessons 54, 55, etc.

Science - Planets and the solar system.

Social Studies - Finish the Great Lakes States

Spelling - List will come home on Monday.

Since We Are Studying the Planets...

Here is an interesting article about a mysterious NASA photo.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324800,00.html

Many of the kids wanted to know the address of the article and photo. The original photo can be accessed from that article. Anyone know for sure what it/he/she is?

More Congratulations!

Tomorrow in the school spelling bee the fourth grade will be represented by Anthony and Jordan S., winners of our classroom competition. Nice work gentlemen! I should mention that Paige and Dakotah were in the final four (and then Mr. Wilhorn got mean and broke out the hardest words!), and Dakotah "dueled" Anthony for a quite some time.

Now we'll see how it all shakes out tomorrow in the school bee. Let's just hope "cherrie" isn't one of the words...

I Thought I'd Share Anyway

The fourth graders will get a kick out of this - win or lose. Here is a picture from yesterday. No, I didn't just wander off dejectedly into the wilderness after this stunning loss. I did sit in stunned silence next to Nathan after the game wondering how in the world that just happened. And yes, it was cold, but nothing like today's English assignment. (You'll understand when you see the assignment.)

This picture was taken, obviously, in the Lambeau Field Atrium before we went outside since the thermometer still reads 60 degrees.

Friday, January 18 Newsletter Updates

Sorry, but I think there will be a lot of stuff in here. I try to keep them all brief.

End of Quarter Next Week
The second quarter ends on Thursday. (No school on Friday) All work must be completed since all grades will be calculated on Friday. Students were told about all of their missing assignments today and that they should really stay focused next week.

Pancake Supper
Less than one week! Please consider volunteering for a shift for set-up, kitchen, servers, or clean-up. At the very least, come and eat! How could a person stay away? It's inconceivable!

Substitute on Monday
I will not be here on Monday morning. I am taking a personal day (half-day) to travel home from Green Bay. Yes, the rumors are true. I have a ticket to the Packer game. Rather than drive home in the middle of the night, in sub-zero temeratures, by myself, I'm going to spend the night with friend in Appleton and come back by noon. (Hopefully a very happy man.)

Snow Sculpture Tomorrow
Yes, it's going to be freezing, but the snow sculpture competition will go on...as far as I have heard. Consider coming to help Mr. Betts and Mrs. Macomber. The competition has been moved to the Centrailia Center (the old Wal-Mart) so people can go inside and warm up.

Social Studies Test
We took a SS test earlier in the week. There was an opportunity to earn 8 extra credit points. I was surprised - and disappointed - at how many children didn't even attempt the extra credit. Some didn't even turn in the sheet with the test. Doing the extra credit was their choice, but I still think doing the extra credit was the correct choice.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W8 slips due Thursday. At School: 1. Close of the commandments, first half. 2. Close of the commandments, second half.

Religion - Jesus the healer.

Reading - Look to the North.

English - Special writing assignment on Monday, complete final copy of how-to paragraph or paragraph of information.

Math - Adding and subtracting numbers with 4 or 5 digits, division facts, division with remainders, calendars, rounding to 1000s.

Science - The Solar System.

Social Studies - The Great Lakes States.

Spelling - SPELLING LIST UNIT 16 Students are required to write the abbreviation, not the entire word. Pres. (President), Dr. (Doctor), Ave. (Avenue), Hwy. (Highway), Rd. (Road), St. (Street), Fri. (Friday), Sat. (Saturday), Sept. (September), Dec. (December), tsp. (teaspoon), lb. (pound) Extra words: Wed. (Wednesday), Gov. (Governor), Mt. (Mount), Dr. (Drive)

Tonight's Basketball Games Cancelled

All basketball games for tonight have been cancelled.

There are lots of phone calls to make. To try and cut down on these, if possible, please email me (bwilhorn@immanuelrapids.com) if you get this message before 2:45. Let me know if your child should ride the bus, walk, wait for you, go to Cougar Kids, or whatever.

We'll start calling parents then at 2:45. Thanks!

Friday, 1/11 Newsletter Updates

Congratulations, Brandon!

In case you haven't heard, 4th grade is home to a SCHOOL CHAMPION! Brandon won the school geography bee, beating out 9 other 4th-8th grade students. To win he knew that in 1959, 12 nations signed a treaty to reserve Antarctica for scientific study. Impressive!

The Pancake Supper
Immanuel's traditional pancake supper is coming up...quicker than normal. It is on Thursday, January 24. That's under two weeks! Please take a look at the school newsletter for where donations and volunteers are are needed. Consider working that night. It always is a fun time working with other families from school.

The Celebration Auction - Our Class Basket
The fourth graders will be doing a "Classic Toys" basket for the Celebration Auction this year. The Celebration Auction, started last year, is an annual event designed to raise funds for the school. In its first year it raised about $22,000 if I remember correctly.

As part of our classic toys basket I'm asking you to help me brainstorm. My interest range for toys was limited when I was younger - Hot Wheels, footballs, and board games. (I still haven't gotten a Stretch Armstrong!) Some quick searching found some classics like marbles, slinky, tiddly winks, lincoln logs, jacks, pick-up sticks, gyroscope. Maybe we could focus on a decade. Maybe we could focus on specific types of toys (games or building stuff).

Well, the ball is rolling. Help me with some ideas...just don't be too good at brainstorming or we'll have too many ideas.

The Second Quarter...

...is quickly coming to an end! Only two school weeks left - nine school days. Keep working hard!

The Upcoming Week

Religion - More works of Jesus.

Memory - At Home: Q2W7 Slips At School: 9th commandment (for anyone who still needs to), 10th commandment, 10th commandment and meaning.

Reading - Compare and contrast, The Cricket in Times Square, sequence, Look to the North.

English - How-To paragraph, revising, final copies.

Math - Multiplying 2-digit numbers, division, equal group problems, adding and subtracting decimals. Please remind your child to practice multiplication facts. Soon we will be adding division facts. Knowing multiplication facts makes division facts easy for two reasons. First, division facts all start with the answers from multiplication. Second, all the answers in division are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Science - Finish chapter 3 about oceans. Thanks to Lauren for bring the movie about discovering the Titanic. We saw up close the submarine and robot used to explore the wreckage that was mentioned in our book.

Social Studies - Finish chapter 7 about the South Central states.

Spelling - SPELLING LIST, UNIT 15 Singular Possessive: team’s, bird’s, wolf’s, horse’s, class’s, group’s Plural Possessive: girls’, students’, trees’, parents’, owners’, players’ Extra words: driver’s, writer’s, cousins’, teachers’ The important part of this lesson is recognizing that singular words add ‘s and plural words add s’. That will be made clear on the test.

Friday, January 4 Updates

Multiplication Facts
We have begun a final push to learn our multiplication facts. Our results on timed tests haven't been getting much better over the past few weeks. Every child has been given multiplication flash cards to use at home. On the Loudest Class website there are links to facts practice sites on the Internet. We will continue using Math Facts in a Flash in the computer lab. We also have started two class challenges where we time a math activity (flash cards and the "math ball") and try to break our record.

Also, next week we will be starting division facts. Knowing multiplication facts will help greatly with division facts. Keep practicing!

Memory and Spelling
We are back on schedule for both memory and spelling next week. The spelling list and memory assignments are listed below.

Speed Stacks After School
For those involved, there is a Speed Stacks group activity after school next week on Wednesday.

And Finally, but Most Importantly...
Thank you! Your generosity and thoughtfulness this Christmas was amazing. Whenever I think the class isn't paying attention I will remember Christmas. Any class that gets me gifts of music, coffee, books, candy, cookies, and football must be paying attention. For the individual gifts and the wonderful class gift, thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W6 Slips At School: We're a little behind, so we're going to hurry just a bit. Both the 8th and 9th commandments may be broken up as indicated. 8th commandment up to "...our neighbor" and ALL. 9th commandment up to "...or house" and ALL.

Religion - Jesus on Earth

Reading - Stealing Home, drawing conclusions, compare and contrast, The Cricket in Times Square.

English - Writing a paragraph of information and a how-to paragraph.

Math - Multiplying by 2-digit numbers, (parentheses), naming lines and line segments, division facts.

Science - Continue Oceans. We are trying something new. One of my goals is to teach the class how to recognize the most important information in a textbook. This chapter students have a sheet in their journal with main idea questions for each lesson. The answers will be written on the following pages, one page per lesson. We're doing our best at school to keep it straight...hopefully it makes sense to you at home as well.

Social Studies - Continue the South Central region.

Spelling - SPELLING LIST UNIT 14: shelves, sheep, teeth, elves, mice, calves, spacecraft, jeans, feet, women, men, geese Additional words: series, oxen, deer, halves BONUS WORDS: salmon, scissors

Welcome Back Updates

Christmas Church Attendance
If you still have your notes about Church attendance, please send them in by the end of the week. If you don't have the note, a simple note will do.

Memory Slips
A number of kids didn't turn in their memory slips before break. These need to be turned in as soon as possible.

Memory and Spelling This Week
No new memory or spelling this week since it is so short.

And Of Course...
Happy New Year! It doesn't seem right to just jump in with all business, so I thought I'd offer something else. I hope everyone's Christmas was great, the holiday relaxing, and that we are ready to go for the new year and the rest of the quarter.

Our Christmas Projects

On Friday we used the Speed Stacks to make some Christmas creations. These ideas were great! Below you will see the pictures of the projects and descriptions from their creators. To the right there is a poll and you can vote for your favorite! Have a great Christmas!

(Coming soon...pictures of the creators with their creations.)

CREATION #1: We built a Christian fish (look sideways) with a cross in the middle. Mr. W accidentally knocked down our first creation, so he gave us the Super Stacks to use to make up for it. We used them for the cross.
CREATION #2: We built the inn. The green mini-cups are the boys and the pink are girls. The front two mini-stacks are Mary and Joseph. There are people all over the place. That's how full the inn was.

CREATION #3: We built an angel, a wreath, and mistletoe. We had some colors left over so we tried to make a unique angel with purple wings. It was going to be a sugar cookie, but that plan didn't work.
CREATION #4: We built a fireplace with a mantle and trophies on top, two small ones and a big one. We tried to show red and orange embers and flames on top.


CREATION #5: We built Mrs. Claus in her younger years, before she went gray. She is wearing new pink earrings she got from Santa for Christmas.

Midterms and More

Midterms
Second quarter midterms are coming home today in sealed envelopes. I try hard to emphasize that grades are for the student, his/her parents, and the teacher. That's why the sealed envelopes. Please sign the form and return it tomorrow.

Christmas CD
Merry Christmas! I asked on Tuesday who drove their parents crazy with the Christmas CD and was greeted with a chorus of "I did!" Hopefully they were exaggerating. Again, I tried to get a variety - old/new, loud/soft, fast/slow, normal/not-so-normal. Anyway, I hope it brings more joy and smiles than annoyance this Christmas season.

Christmas Program
Tomorrow is the Christmas program we have been practicing. Listening today makes me think the practice has paid off. Performances are at 1:00 and 6:00 tomorrow. Students were asked to wear Sunday morning clothes, and Christmas colors would be an added bonus. I did tell them that if they wanted to save the special Christmas outfit for the evening performance it would be fine.

Okay, Let Me Explain...

I need to aplogize for the GOOFY picture I sent from the Packer game last weekend. Ugh! Let me explain! Mrs. Wilhorn tried taking pictures, but all we got were pictures of her fingers covering the camera. After trying to get a picture during the commercial breaks (and probably annoying the people around us) Mrs. Wilhorn's sister tried. What we got was a picture of Jason not ready for the picture and me trying explain what to do. Eye-yi-yi! I'd have given up if I hadn't promised a picture to the class. It didn't look that bad on my 1 inch screen!

So here are a couple good ones: Jason with his inflatable Motorola headset (He said he could talk to Al Davis with them. I wonder why he and I get along so well...) and the two of us with our matching hats - gifts from Mrs. Wilhorn, Megan, and Ethan before the game.

Friday, 12/14 Newsletter Updates

It's been a relatively quiet week, what with it being the Christmas season and all. All that is about to change next week...

Christmas Program
Rehearsals - We will be having all school rehearsals each day next week.
Program - Performances are on Thursday at 1:00 and 6:00.

Christmas Party and Gift Exchange
The class Christmas party is next week on Friday, and it will be in the afternoon. Yes, there will be a gift exchange as in past years. Please keep gifts under $5. It's not meant to be I-got-the-greatest-gift-in-history. More like What-can-I-get-to-spread-a-little-joy-to-my-classmates.

THE LIST
I have done this in past years, and we are doing it again next week. THE LIST! I have randomly selected names for the gift exchange as to whom the gifts are delivered (boys to boys, girls to girls) and hidden the list somewhere in the room. Each day the class will get clues. A bunch of them! The clues will lead them toward the list.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - Last of the Christmas program.
Religion - Christmas Program practice.
Reading - Christmas stories.
English - Complex Sentences
Math - Decimals, subtracting across zeros (regrouping)
Science - Finish Chapter 2.
Social Studies - Finish Chapter 6.
Spelling - Unit 13: boiled, annoyed, choices, poison, employer, joining, spoiled, voices, destroyed, pointing, avoided, enjoying Additional words: noisy, choir, employee, voyage Bonus words: appointed, poisonous

Be Transformed! T-Shirts

Don't forget! Mr. Betts asked that we all wear our "Be Transformed!" school theme t-shirts tomorrow for chapel. Sorry I forgot to tell everyone today...honestly, if another teacher hadn't just mentioned it, I'd have forgotten altogether! See you in the morning!

I'm at the game!

Go Packers!

Friday, 12/7 Newsletter Updates

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W4 Slips At School: Christmas Program Songs

Religion - Christmas Program

Reading - How to Babysit an Orangutan, outlines. Too many students are waiting until late in the week to start on Reading Journals. Students write one letter, read my response, and then write their second letter. If the first letter is detailed and well written, then no second letter is required. Today there were about 10 students who gave me their first letter. This gives them no chance to write a second letter, which gives them an incomplete in the gradebook.

English - Compound sentences, clauses.

Math - More multiplication facts, inches to the nearest fourth, capacity (fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, gallons), decimals.

Science - The Earth (geology - rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, erosion, etc.)

Social Studies - Begin the Southeast States - Chapter 6.

Spelling - No spelling list. Lesson 12 is a short review lesson.

Recommended Reading

Parents, if you haven't heard, Brett Favre was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for 2007. Yes, of course I'm a Packer fan, so this thrills me. But if you don't get Sports Illustrated and haven't read the article or if you thought, "Good for him...I got dishes to do," or "Just what I need, another sports story," then I want to encourage you to take 20 minutes and read the article. It is about 10% football and 90% heart. I learned things I never knew.

There are some references to his wilder days, and some things that just aren't for the kids, but I would read it aloud to the class (selectively edited as I read) if I felt I could do it without choking up. Seriously. A great article. Here's the link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/specials/sportsman/2007/12/03/sportsman.2007/index.html?eref=T1. I also have a print version if you'd like. Let me know if you'd like a copy.

Lots of Wednesday Updates...I'll Try To Be Brief

Butter Braid orders are due this Friday, 12/7. Deliveries will be next Friday, 12/14.

Speed Stacks orders are also due this Friday, 12/7. Deliveries should be here by Christmas.

Remember the non-perishable food items for chapel offerings. Mr. Betts challenged us for next week to see if everyone could bring ONE item.

Mr. Betts also asked that we all wear our "Be Transformed" theme t-shirts next Wednesday.

Mr. Betts ALSO challenged us to try and answer the WFHR kids' animal trivia question on the radio each morning. WFHR keeps track of the schools where the winners attend. There's a contest going that the class with the most winners gets Tropical Smoothies for their whole class! (Apparently St. Paul's has won the past two months.) And what a great opportunity to show the community how smart we are!!! The question is at 7:40 AM on 1320 AM.

It's winter. (Is your back sore from shoveling too?) Please help your child remember to have their boots, snowpants, hats, mittens, and all that stuff for recess. The snow piles have been awesome! Kids are expected to go outside. Please help make sure it will be an enjoyable - warm - time for them.

And that's all, folks! (Do I still need to write a newsletter on Friday?)

Advent Chapel Offering

I forgot to mention this in class today. Starting tomorrow students can begin bringing food offering for the food pantry. This is your standard non-perishable items, of course. We will be bringing them up front to the tree tomorrow during chapel and the following 2 weeks as well. In the past, Immanuel students have been extremely generous, often filling pickups with donations at Christmastime. Thanks!

Friday, 11/30 Newsletter Updates

Welcome to Jordan
On Monday Jordan joined our class. No, not that Jordan, but a new student. So far we are trying to figure out what to call both of them now. Jordan S. and Jordan C.? New Jordan and Old Jordan? Maybe just use middle names? I guess we'll wait and see on that, but we certainly welcome him to Immanuel nevertheless! (And today is his birthday! Happy 10th, Jordan!)

Basketball Teams
Congratulations to the girls for winning their game last night! The boys, however, lost a squeaker. I was able to watch some of both games and it was exciting. When I left I thought both teams were on their way to W's. If both teams play like I say, I'm sure there will be more W's than L's in the future!

Next Week
It is shaping up to be a pretty normal week. No jury duty, no schedule quirks, no extras. Who knows what twists and turns the Lord has in store for us, but right now none of them are on my calendar. Enjoy the weekend!

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Quarter 2 Week 3 Slips At School: Christmas Program lyrics. We are practicing at school, and I'll assign them as we go.

Religion - We are moving up in the book to study the works on Jesus during his ministry on earth.

Reading - Charlotte's Web, theme, How to Babysit and Orangutan.

English - Compound sentences, clauses.

Math - Fractions of a dollar, fractions and mixed numbers on a number line, more multiplication facts.

Science - Finish chapter 1 on weather.

Social Studies - Finish Chapter 2 on the Atlantic Coast and Appalachian states.

Spelling - Unit 11: ground, frown, downtown, bounced, council, about, scout, counter, background, amount, bound, shower Additional words: mountain, county, cloud, south Bonus words: thousand, allowance

Choir Update and November Book Order

Choir Update
The 3rd and 4th grade choir is singing at Advent worship this Wednesday. Students are bringing home a pink note from Mr. Altis today as well. Church is at 6:30. Students should meet at 6:10 for a brief rehearsal. Check the pink note for more details.

November Book Order Recommendations
Books I've Read and Recommend
The Family Under the Bridge
Newbery Favorites Pack - I've read many of these. Some may be tough for 4th graders.
The Wright 3 - Sequel to Chasing Vermeer...but I don't see the first one in the order!
Room One - From the author or Frindle.
The Sign of the Beaver
Tuck Everlasting - A great book full of difficult choices.
Esperanza Rising
Princess Pack - Ella Enchanted is great, but I haven't read the other book.
Boys Vs. Girls Pack - the first 3 books and the fourth (Girls Rule) is right next to it in the order.

The November book order will be due on Thursday, November 29. That's only 4 days away. Parents, feel free to contact me if you wish to make purchases "quietly" due to the Christmas season.

Wednesday, 11/21 Newsletter Updates

Field Trip - Wow! and Thanks!
Again, what a great trip. The website has been cleaned up, and all the pictures should be clear and the gibberish cleared out. Thanks to the drivers for taking time to transport the kids. Thanks especially to Mrs. McDonald who volunteered to stay over night and be our second chaperone. Hopefully next week I'll have a slide show ready of all the photographs I took.

After School Speed Stacks Starts Next Week
A note is coming home tonight for the Speed Stackers. All of the year's dates are included as well as some other information.

Memory
We are starting our Christmas program practices more and more. Starting next week we will be working on songs from the program. Students now have a song sheet, and we will take care of individual songs as they come. Watch your child's planner for specific assignments.

The Upcoming Week - Sort Of...
It's been a crazy week as far as our normal schedule is concerned, and I haven't had a chance to look too far ahead yet. We'll continue in our reading journals and with our next reading story, begin compound subjects and predicates in English, lesson 31 in math, and will be starting new chapters in social studies and science. The spelling list is coming home today.

And that's it for today. I'm racing to get this done, posted, printed, copied, and distributed before the end of the day.

C.W.E.S. Field Trip and Pictures

The trip was great! Hopefully you have heard the same at home. I will be working on a slide show of all the pictures I took, and they will be available on CD or (possibly) on the website. I also have to take a look at the website and see why some pictures are showing up and why some are nothing but blank spots.

And this should be the last post from me today. Your inbox should stop beeping.

Lumberjack Olympics

Students participated in activities that lumberjacks would have done to pass the time on Sunday, their one day off. Lumberjacks would have races to cut logs, log tossing contests, "one-hit" nail driving contests, and light-the-match-with-the-ax contests.

Archeologists at work.

I'm updating the website after having sent all the pictures and wanted to share some information about this picture and activity. This house was built by New Hope Lutheran Church as their parsonage in 1857. It burned down in 1945 after a lightening strike. UWSP purchased the land recently and has been allowing students to dig up the area. We found many nails and pieces of melted glass, bricks upon bricks, forks, knives, and pieces of plates. One piece of ceramic looked like a decorative wall-hanging plate. The piece we found had a calendar from January of 1910. Around the outside we were able to see holly leaves and berries painted on. We found the shower head, part of an oven grill, and a table leg (?) with a wheel/caster at the bottom. Over time the forest had grown over the house. A tree stump was dug/whacked/pulled out from the middle of the house. Our most amazing discoveries were an unbroken light bulb and a plastic or vinyl table cloth under the tree stump that amazingly survived the fire. The tree roots were wrapped around the table cloth so we were unable to pull it all out. All of the "important" finds were cataloged in the logbook with the discoverer's name. The kids were asking to skip lunch to keep searching.

Good Morning, Girls!

Does this bright-eyed bunch look like they just woke up?

Good Morning, Boys!

Do they look like they just woke up?

Sing-Along Time

Before we went on our night hike we spent some time with our teachers from UW-SP learning some new songs. The swaying made some of the kids blurry.

Class Time

We spent some time inside learning lessons to use in the woods. This lesson was on tree identification.

Clearing Farmland

A pioneer family clearing stumps from their farmland. The lumberjacks have already clear cut all the trees.

We Made It!

Friday, 11/16 Newsletter Updates

Field Trip - MONDAY!!!
A final reminder note is coming home today with some final information. Please take a look in your child's take-home folder. Please remember to watch the weather and pack accordingly (it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!). Remember to be at school Monday morning by 8:15 behind the gym. We leave at 8:30. We will be back at school on Tuesday at 3:00, and students are excused at that time.

Next Week
Next week we will be at the Environmental Station on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday will be back at school where we'll be tying up some loose ends, and Thursday and Friday are off due to Thanksgiving. What a week!

Pictures
During the field trip I will take pictures and post them on the website for you to see what we are doing as it happens! I may even try a video! The website is located at http://loudestclass.blogspot.com.

Each picture will result in another email to you, however, and I want to apologize in advance for the inbox clutter. Feel free to delete them and see all of the pictures on the website. Also, there will be some clutter and gibbrish on the website at first. I will clean all that up when we return, but the pictures should be visible.

Conferences
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to visit with me this week. Every one of you should be proud of the work these kids are doing. Keep encouraging them. Keep helping them. And keep them focused on always doing their best.

The Upcoming Week
It's pretty much planned already. There will be no spelling or memory, but we will be working in our Reading Journals! Students should have their silent reading book and their journal for the field trip! There will be time to read and work.

Lots of Monday Updates

Parent Teacher Conferences Start Today
Don't forget our scheduled meetings. I will see 8 of you tonight. Report cards will be outside the room for you to see before our meeting.

Picture Retakes
Pictures will be retaken tomorrow. We had no absences, but if you are dissatisfied with your child's pictures, return them tomorrow and pictures will be retaken.

Field Trip One Week from Today
We are going to the Environmental Station one week from today. I will have a reminder note and some extra information for you soon - maybe today. Watch your child's take-home folder. If you haven't returned the permission slip or payment, please send that in as soon as possible. Some people did not return the driver form. I assume that means you can not drive. I should have a driver schedule soon as well. Thank you to all who volunteered to drive.

Possible Jury Duty on Thursday
I am still on call for jury duty through the month of November. My next potential date is Thursday, so I may be gone. I will know on Wednesday afternoon.

And, I'm Sorry to Say, Head Lice
This was discovered in the upper grades on Thursday. Grades 5-8 had a field trip and were all in the same bus together. Nothing has been reported for our class. I am sending home all extra sweatshirts, gym clothes, and other clothing. Please wash them and run them through a hot dryer. Also, encourage your child to not share hats and sweatshirts.

Friday Newsletter Updates on Thursday, 11/8

Parent - Teacher Conferences and Report Cards
All grades will be calculated tonight and tomorrow and report cards will be printed tomorrow. They will be available to you at your scheduled conference time. Swing by early to pick it up to see it before our meeting. I will attach them to the wall in envelopes.

Yesterday you should have recieved a note with your scheduled time. A few small changes, were made, so double check with your child if yours was switched. (If you sent me a note, it was switched. One other person was moved 15 minutes earlier.) I look forward to talking with everyone next week.

Quarter 2 Memory Assignments
All of the memory for the second quarter is coming home today. You will find both at-home and at-school assignments. Attached to the newsletter is next week's memory slip, Q2W1.

Speed Stacks World Record Attempt
The fourth grade did their part! We successfully stacked for 30 minutes, so 19 more people will be added to the list. For more information check www.speedstacks.com and http://www.worldsportstackingassociation.org/ for more information about the world record attempt.

Permission Slip, Driver Form, and Payment
One week from Monday is our field trip to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station! (http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/cwes/ for more information) A little more than half of you have returned your permission slips, driver forms, and payment. I will be sending additional copies home next week along with some additional information about the trip.

Get Healthy!
There seems to be a lot of kids out sick - not too many in our class yet, but in school there is some general icky-ness. Keep those hands washed and keep some chicken soup handy! (I wonder if the candy corn I am munching helps...)

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W1 Slips At School: 6th and 7th Commandment and meanings.

Religion - Continue Joseph and his brother in Egypt.

Reading -The Seven Children, predicting, back to our Reading Journals. There will be an added twist to what is required in Reading Journals in the second quarter.

English - Complete and simple predicates, simple and compound subjects and predicates.

Math - Multiplication facts, subtracting 3-digit numbers with regrouping, multiplication patterns.

Science - Light and sound.

Social Studies - Finish (?) the Middle Atlantic States.

Spelling - Unit 9 cared, dairy, unfair, rarely, stared, dared, glare, airplanes, barely, farewell, software, staircase Extra words: everywhere, carefully, square, therefore Bonus Words: comparison

Class Photo Test

I realized that I can take a picture with my phone, email it to the website where it gets posted on the site and emailed out to everyone. From my phone. Sorry for all the extra Alltel gibberish. That should be gone now. When we go on our field trip in two weeks, I can post occasional pictures of what we are doing.

Monday...Let's Catch Up!

We spent some time this morning helping Mr. Wilhorn get caught up with all that happened on Friday. Now it's my chance to catch you up with Friday's Newsletter.

Memory and Spelling
Memory slips and spelling lists are coming home today. It's a normal week concerning assignments, but it's a short week. No school Friday. Kids, don't procrastinate!

Speed Stacks
Thursday after school is the World Record Speed Stacking attempt. See the school newsletter for more information. The fourth grade boys and girls have basketball practice. We will take time that day setting up Kuechle Hall and doing our part to break the record. Their 30 minutes will count even if it's not after school.

Battle of the Books
Permission slips are coming home today. There will be more information in tomorrow's school newsletter like last week's. Students who wish to participate are to organize their own teams, get permission slips signed, and turn in their forms as teams to Mr. Wilhorn. The sign-up deadline is next week on Wednesday.

End of the Quarter
Thursday is it! The End of Quarter 1! All assignments must be turned in by Thursday or they will be zeros. Kids, make sure it's done and turned in...especially memory assignments.

Winter!
Now that winter is here, apparently, please make sure your child has the right clothing for recess. Hats and mittens/gloves are expected in cold weather. Boots and snowpants are expected when the snow flies. Kids won't be allowed outside without the right clothing.

This Week
Memory - Q1W8 due Thursday. 4th and 5th Commandment.
Reading -Finish Frindle
English -Finish final copies
Math - Continue, lessons 27, 28, 29.
Science - Light.
Social Studies -Middle Atlantic States.

I wrote that out pretty quick. Hopefully it's clear, and I didn't miss anything important.

Upcoming Field Trip

Three weeks from today is the annual fourth grade field trip to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. Fourth graders have been doing this trip for years, and it is one of the most memorable and educational trips we take.

Today an informational note, sample schedule, driver note, and permission/medical slip is coming home. Please return the last two pages - that's the driver's note and permission/medical slip. Payment needs to be returned as well.

This is still three weeks out, so there is no rush at this time. Read the note carefully. There's a lot of information in there. As the dates get closer, I'll send reminder notes home along with even more information like a supply list and emergency phone numbers.

Frindle

This week we started reading Frindle by Andrew Clements for reading class. As I am rereading it I am reminded how much I like this book. Today's assignment is to read chapters 5 and 6, and most kids will have it done by the end of the day. I'm going to have them bring their books home anyway for you to see.

People ask me, "What are some simple ways to help my child read?" Here's a simple way. Show an interest in what your children are reading. Ask questions about it. Read it. Tell them your favorite parts. This is a great book for that. It's short, creative, and there's some stuff that adults get a lot quicker than the kids. Parents can offer some insight that the kids might not pick up on their own. (And I think the 30 minutes it will take you will be time well spent.)

Have a great long weekend.

Wednesday, 10/24 Newsletter Updates

Spelling and Memory
Sometimes it's nice to have a short week off, but next week it's business as usual. Spelling lists and memory slips are attached to the printed newsletter coming home today.

Costume Day
Wednesday is costume day. The costume parade is immediately in the morning. Remember, costume judging will happen in the following categories: story book character, Biblical character, inanimate object, animal, historical character, and miscellaneous. Be creative, but of course, remember our school's guidelines - no ghosts, devils, weapons, etc.

The Costume Day Party will happen at the end of the day...and I don't have my note in front of me, but I think it is at 2:30. You should have received a note last week.

Chapel on Thursday
Because of Costume Day, Mr. Voelker and the seventh graders will lead chapel on Thursday morning instead of Wednesday. The theme will focus on Reformation Day and All Saints Day.

A Busy Week Ahead...And Possibly An Absolutely Crazy Week!!!
I will be gone next Friday, November 2. Last year I was invited to serve on the advisory board of the CCBC - that's the Cooperative Children's Book Center - at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Friday is our fall meeting. For more information click here http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/.

I also have the honor and priviledge of upholding my civic duty. In other words, I have been called for jury duty. My first possible date to report is next Thursday, November 1. I don't know how long it will last or how many days I report or, well, anything really. Every day I need to call and find out what to do the next day. Whether I am here or not is up in the air until the day before. I will do my best to have the children prepared for me being gone...if I'm gone. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q1W7 Slips At School: 1. second commandment and meaning. 2. third commandment and meaning.

Religion - Joseph and his brothers and Joseph in Egypt.

Reading - Frindle. This is our reading book for a while. Frindle doesn't take the place of a silent reading book, so students need to be sure to have one of those as well.

English - Descriptive paragraphs. Revising, editing, proofreading, and publishing.

Math - Missing numbers in addition and subtraction, subtraction stories, fractions, multiplication, elapsed time.

Science - Electricity and magnetism. Test late in the week?

Social Studies - Finish chapter 3. Test late in the week? (I won't put both tests on the same day if I can avoid it.)

Spelling - SPELLING LIST, UNIT 7: carved, garden, harm, farther, barked, alarm, chart, starved, harder, parked, smartest, charge Extra Words: guard, hardware, harbor, garbage Bonus Words: compartment, argument

Friday, 10/19, Newsletter Updates

Field Trip
What a great trip! First of all, it poured rain while we were driving. When we turned left on Hwy G in Nekoosa, there was an amazing blue sky, and when we turned right on Batterman Road, the sun came out. What a blessing! Be sure to ask (if you haven't gotten an earful already) about the cranberry harvest and the cheese factory. We also had a great variety of cheeses and cranberries to eat. Enjoy the cranberries! Let me know if the recipes worked out.

An Apology
When I planned the field trip, the first call I made was to the cheese factory. Thursday was a day they said would work, and that day also worked for the cranberry marsh. I completely forgot about band that day. So, band students and parents, I apologize for making you miss a lesson. I should have scheduled the trip for a different day, but it totally slipped my mind, and for that I apologize.

Book Order
The October book order will be due next week on Wednesday, October 24.
Here are some books I can recommend. By no means are these the only good books available. This is simply meant to be a starting point for you in your shopping.
- Lunch Money - Andrew Clements is one of my all-time favorite authors.
- Flush - A future read aloud. Students may want their own copy.
- The Good Dog - The story is told by the dogs in a neighborhood.
- Lawn Boy - Start mowing lawns, end up rich in the stock market and investing in a prize-fighter.
- A Wrinkle in Time - An all-time classic by a Christian author.
- The Giver - Might be hard for 4th grade, but parents, you would love it.
- Igraine the Brave - I haven't read it yet, but I certainly can recommend the author.
- Inkheart/Inkspell - A father, when he reads aloud, somehow magically "reads" characters alive...and real people become characters in the books. This switching is the conflict as characters are trapped in stories that aren't their own.
- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - First in the "Fudge" series.
- Roald Dahl Pack - Very funny author.
- Little House Box Set - If you haven't read the Little House books here's a great chance.

The Upcoming Week - School Mon/Tues/Wed Only!
Memory - None, short week.

Religion - Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, and one of my favorite stories Jacob, Rachel, and Leah.

Reading - Begin a novel together. What novel? It's a secret...for now!

English - Personal Narratives. Describing Paragraphs.

Math - Shapes, fractions, adding money, lines, segments, rays, and angles.

Science - Continue electricity and magnetism.

Social Studies - Chapter 3: The New England States

Spelling - None, short week.

Tomorrow's Field Trip

Schedule
8:45 – Leave School
9:15ish – Arrive at Cranberry Marsh
11:15ish – Depart Cranberry Marsh
12:00 – Lunch at school
12:45 – Leave School
1:15 – Begin Cheese Factory Program
2:45ish – Leave Cheese Factory
3:00 – Taste Testing Time!

Morning Drivers - VanNatta, Whitemarsh, Williamson, Wilhorn (5 each) Please be ready at 8:45.

Afternoon Drivers – VanNatta, Mohr, Williamson, Wilhorn Please be ready to leave at 12:45.

Lunch – Students will be at school for a normal lunch period. They will be able to take hot lunch.

Morning and Afternoon – The whole trip happens during the school day. There is no need to arrive early. Bus students can take the bus both to and from school.

Weather – Please be ready for anything at the cranberry marsh. The current forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms and an 80% chance of rain. It is always colder at the marsh. Be prepared.

I think that’s it! Pray that we stay dry, for safe travel, and that everything goes as well as it can.

Monday Updates and Field Trip Information

The printed Friday newsletter is coming home today. Sorry for the delay. Included is the Q1W6 memory slip. There is no spelling list attached. This is a review week for spelling.

Also included is information about this week's field trip. Please fill in the permission slip and complete the bottom portion for volunteers to drive. Not many are needed, and parents are welcome to join us on the field trip. Soon after this email I will send another with the field trip information sheet and permission slip attached. Printed versions are in take-home folders.

Science Test - Woo-Hoo!!!

I just finished grading the science tests and wanted to share how we did. There were two 100% tests (A's) and six 95% tests (A-'s). As a class our average was 90%. That's a B+. Well done!

Friday, 10/12 Newsletter Updates

Field Trip Next Week
Next week on Thursday, October 18, we will be taking a field trip to a cranberry marsh and to Dairy State Cheese in Rudolph. This is the first activity that is part of our Wisconsin History study in social studies. Most of the study will be in the spring. More information will come on Monday including costs, details and permission slips.

Choir on Sunday
This Sunday at the 10:30 service at Immanuel the 3rd and 4th grade choir will be singing. Student should be upstairs at 10:10 for a quick rehearsal. The choir will sing at the beginning of the service. They then may sit with their parents for worship. St. Lukes families are certainly excused to attend the special service you are having this weekend.

Math Assignments
We have been working hard on our math assignments so far, and I hope this continues. But be careful, students! Remember the way we have done examples in class. Remember how to organize papers. Remember your labels, problems with more than one question, and to read the whole question carefully. This is normally the time of year when students start thinking, "I got this math stuff down! Time to take it easy." That's when the silly mistakes happen. Don't let it happen to you!

Note Coming Home With the Boys
There is an additional note coming home with the boys today. All the information you need to know is in the note. Parents, please read it and send back the signature form.

And Finally...
I didn't get this done until after the kids went home so there is not printed version today. Memory slips and the printed newsletter will come home on Monday. Feel free to do the next three verses for the memory slip over the weekend. You'll get the slip on Monday.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q1W6 Slips At School: 1. Books of the New Testament 2. The First Commandment and its meaning.

Religion - Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, their children.

Reading - Plum Creek, point of view, author's purpose, end of Theme 1.

English - Writing narratives and paragraphs that describe.

Math - Rounding, perimeter, triangles, rectangles, squares, and circles.

Science - Electricity and magnetism.

Social Studies - Finish chapter 2. Test mid-week. This chapter has been fragmented due to weird scheduling this week (Women in History presentation, picture day, etc.), so it will be done differently. Maybe open book, groups, or something to that effect.

Spelling - No list. Review lesson.

Mid-Terms Today, Picture Day Tomorrow

Mid-term grades are coming home today. I emphasize in class that grades are for students, teachers and parents, and that's it. So I put the mid-term reports in sealed envelopes, and that is how they should reach you - sealed. There is a signature form at the bottom. Please sign and return that form with any questions or comments. Thanks.

Remember, tomorrow is picture day. We will be taking a panoramic picture and individual pictures. If you wish to order both, please include a separate check with each order. Thanks, again.

Newsletter Updates for Thursday, 10/4

Mid-Terms on Monday
We are officially half way through the first quarter. Yes, already. On Monday mid-terms will come home with the fourth graders. This is not an official grade report. It is simply an update as to where your child is. Take time to discuss where and how improvement can happen, and don't forget to acknowledge where success is happening as well. Please send the signature form back as soon as possible.

School Pictures on Tuesday
Order forms went home earlier this week for school pictures. Remember, seperate checks are needed for individual packages and the panoramic all-school photo.

Women in History Presentation on Thursday at 1:00
This was just recently added to the schedule. I don't know much about the presentation at this point other than simply what it says. We will take a look at the roles of women throughout history.

The Upcoming Week
Religion - Abraham, Isaac.

Memory - At Home: Q1W5 Slips At School: 1. Historical Books of the Old Testament (Genesis - Esther) 2. Poetic Books and Prophetic Books of the Old Testament (Job - Malachi) These are two seperate assignments.

Reading - Theme and Point of View in our Literary Elements Books, Lou Gehrig, prefixes and suffixes, One the Banks of Plum Creek.

English - Diamonte Poem.

Math - Expanded form, missing numbers in subtraction, adding columns of numbers, scales, clocks, rounding.

Science - Energy, work, force, simple machines. Possible test late in the week.

Social Studies - Continue chapter 2.

Spelling - UNIT 5 Word List: hoop, wounded, shoot, booth, broom, boost, mood, fooling, afternoon, spoon, smooth, tooth Extra words: raccoon, bloomed, useful, route Bonus Words: souvenir, routine

"Be Transformed" Theme T-Shirts Are Here!

The t-shirts with this year's school theme have arrived! Everyone completed an order form at registration. Students all receive a shirt free of charge, and many parents ordered one for yourselves. Students are receiving them today and are asked to wear the shirts tomorrow. The whole school will proclaim that we will "Be Transformed" by the Power of God!

Soccer Game and Social Studies Test

Tonight's Soccer Game
Tonight the Immanuel soccer team is playing Assumption Middle School at 7:00 at Washington School. This game will be under the lights on the varsity field. The two teams played last week to a 1-1 tie. That game also included 3 shots that banged off the goalpost or crossbar. It was a great game, and tonight's game should be just as good.

Friday's Social Studies Test
Students are bringing home their social studies test today. I was somewhat disappointed with the grades, so on Monday, without any warning, we did the first part of the test again orally. It wasn't the best way to review it, but I really thought we knew the information better than we did. This is the sheet attached to the top of the test. It did not affect their grades.

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!