It's looking like tomorrow is going to be a bee-youtiful day for our field trip. I am bringing some bottles of water to have on the walk, and I'm hoping our local businesses might let us use restrooms as we make our way through town. Remember those walking shoes! Also, anyone who gets this message tonight, if you have some sunscreen, maybe leftover from last summer sitting in the back of the closet, please consider sending it along with your child. After less than an hour at the mini-golf course today, my face feels like it spent the day at the beach. Better safe than fried to a crisp.
Thanks! And have a great night.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Field Trip Updates
THURSDAY - We do not need parent chaperones to go with us on this field trip. Mrs. Dykstra and I have everything covered.
FRIDAY - Parents who volunteered to drive, thank you. We have enough so that we'll be able to take the class downtown in vans and save some walking time. All parents are invited to come with us. Personally, I'm excited to see the changes in Wisconsin Rapids over time, and I thought that some of you might want to see them as well.
We are leaving school at noon. Any parents who wish to attend, but especially drivers, be here by noon so we can leave. If you can't make it by noon but still wish to see what we're doing, head downtown and join up with us anytime in the afternoon. It shouldn't be too hard to find us!
And everyone - parents, students, the teacher - wear your walking shoes.
FRIDAY - Parents who volunteered to drive, thank you. We have enough so that we'll be able to take the class downtown in vans and save some walking time. All parents are invited to come with us. Personally, I'm excited to see the changes in Wisconsin Rapids over time, and I thought that some of you might want to see them as well.
We are leaving school at noon. Any parents who wish to attend, but especially drivers, be here by noon so we can leave. If you can't make it by noon but still wish to see what we're doing, head downtown and join up with us anytime in the afternoon. It shouldn't be too hard to find us!
And everyone - parents, students, the teacher - wear your walking shoes.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Friday, 5/16 Newsletter Updates
The Upcoming Week: Part 1
Monday, 5/19 - The last Speed Stacks after school meeting and branch observation #8. Other than that, a pretty normal day.
Tuesday, 5/20 - A normally scheduled day. (As of now!)
Wednesday, 5/21 - I will be gone at Camp LuWiSoMo with the fifth grade helping teach outdoor education classes. I will be there all day and overnight and will leave early Thursday morning to be back in time for school...bright eyed and bushy tailed, I'm sure.
Thursday, 5/22 - We will take a field trip with the third graders to the planetarium at UW-Stevens Point for a presentation about the changing skies, both daily and yearly. Then we will go mini-golfing as our reward from magazine sales. This will be followed up with pizza, our reward for winning a Domino's night! Wow! Final details are still being ironed out.
Friday, 5/23 - We will take another field trip, but this one closer to home. We are headed to beautiful, downtown Wisconsin Rapids for a look at our past. In Social Studies we are looking at Wisconsin history, and in Reading we read a story called House, House. In the story the author found old photos of her hometown and compared them to new photos of the same items today to show changes over time. We are going to do the same thing with old photos of places in Wisconsin Rapids, but we are going to visit the actual places and take the new photos ourselves! This will take the whole afternoon. Any parents that would like to join us are welcome, and if we have enough drivers we will ride from here to there and back to save some time. We'll be walking most of downtown, from the post office to the river, south of the Grand Ave. bridge and north of the Jackson St. Bridge to the corner of West Grand Ave. and Third Ave.
The Weekend
Have a great weekend, whether it be soccer games or baseball games or dance recitals or relaxing or working around the house. Hopefully the weather holds out and we all have a wonderful weekend.
A Reminder...A Warning?...Or Simply Some Friendly Advice
Try as we might, sometimes it's hard to remember that the school year isn't over yet. Fourth graders, don't relax too much. There's still work to be done, work that will be graded, work that will count on your fourth quarter report cards. Stay responsible.
The Upcoming Week: Part 2
Memory - At Home: Q4W6 Slips At School: God of Grace and God of Glory, 3 verses, +1 for Extra Credit
Religion - Continue in the book of Acts.
Reading - Author's purpose and perspective, skimming and scanning to find information, generalizations.
English - Contractions and negatives, adverbs.
Math - Lessons 100-103
Science - Food chains and food webs
Social Studies - Wisconsin History projects. We are making posters highlighting many different places and areas of Wisconsin. Then we will try to persuade others to visit our place - sort of an English writing tie-in. We will present our information to other classes.
Spelling - UNIT 32: some, sum, tale, plains, close, blew, piece, clothes, tail, planes, blue, peace Extra Words: night, knight, petal, pedal, wait, threw Bonus Words: weight, through
Monday, 5/19 - The last Speed Stacks after school meeting and branch observation #8. Other than that, a pretty normal day.
Tuesday, 5/20 - A normally scheduled day. (As of now!)
Wednesday, 5/21 - I will be gone at Camp LuWiSoMo with the fifth grade helping teach outdoor education classes. I will be there all day and overnight and will leave early Thursday morning to be back in time for school...bright eyed and bushy tailed, I'm sure.
Thursday, 5/22 - We will take a field trip with the third graders to the planetarium at UW-Stevens Point for a presentation about the changing skies, both daily and yearly. Then we will go mini-golfing as our reward from magazine sales. This will be followed up with pizza, our reward for winning a Domino's night! Wow! Final details are still being ironed out.
Friday, 5/23 - We will take another field trip, but this one closer to home. We are headed to beautiful, downtown Wisconsin Rapids for a look at our past. In Social Studies we are looking at Wisconsin history, and in Reading we read a story called House, House. In the story the author found old photos of her hometown and compared them to new photos of the same items today to show changes over time. We are going to do the same thing with old photos of places in Wisconsin Rapids, but we are going to visit the actual places and take the new photos ourselves! This will take the whole afternoon. Any parents that would like to join us are welcome, and if we have enough drivers we will ride from here to there and back to save some time. We'll be walking most of downtown, from the post office to the river, south of the Grand Ave. bridge and north of the Jackson St. Bridge to the corner of West Grand Ave. and Third Ave.
The Weekend
Have a great weekend, whether it be soccer games or baseball games or dance recitals or relaxing or working around the house. Hopefully the weather holds out and we all have a wonderful weekend.
A Reminder...A Warning?...Or Simply Some Friendly Advice
Try as we might, sometimes it's hard to remember that the school year isn't over yet. Fourth graders, don't relax too much. There's still work to be done, work that will be graded, work that will count on your fourth quarter report cards. Stay responsible.
The Upcoming Week: Part 2
Memory - At Home: Q4W6 Slips At School: God of Grace and God of Glory, 3 verses, +1 for Extra Credit
Religion - Continue in the book of Acts.
Reading - Author's purpose and perspective, skimming and scanning to find information, generalizations.
English - Contractions and negatives, adverbs.
Math - Lessons 100-103
Science - Food chains and food webs
Social Studies - Wisconsin History projects. We are making posters highlighting many different places and areas of Wisconsin. Then we will try to persuade others to visit our place - sort of an English writing tie-in. We will present our information to other classes.
Spelling - UNIT 32: some, sum, tale, plains, close, blew, piece, clothes, tail, planes, blue, peace Extra Words: night, knight, petal, pedal, wait, threw Bonus Words: weight, through
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thursday, 5/8 Newsletter Updates
Some Reminders
Wow! What a great Teacher Appreciation week. There were cards and chocolates and lunches and kind words and goodies and, well, more that I forgot probably. Thank you.
Planning Ahead - The Year End Picnic
Just a little something we discussed at our last teacher meetings. For the end of the year picnic, please keep water toys (balloons, guns, squirty things, etc.), hair dye, and silly string at home. Last year these items ended up causing frustration, disagreement, and mess. A big mess. One that needed to be cleaned by people who didn't create the mess. Thanks for understanding.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q4W5 At School: "Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" verses 1-4 (5 & 6 Extra Credit)
Religion - Stories from the book of Acts.
Reading - Reading nonfiction, theme, author's purpose.
English - Finish various types of verbs.
Math - Lessons 95-100.
Science - Ecosystems
Social Studies - Wisconsin
Spelling - UNIT 31: hasn’t, I’ve, I’d, we’ve, wouldn’t, you’d, haven’t, wasn’t, they’ve, you’ve, she’d, didn’t Extra Words: won’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, weren’t
- Mr. Wilhorn is gone tomorrow, but turn in any journals or memory slips and I'll get them.
- Mini-courses are tomorrow. Fourth graders will not leave school.
- For those interested in Hatchet sequels, they are: Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt. Another Brian story that doesn't follow the order of those four is The River.
Wow! What a great Teacher Appreciation week. There were cards and chocolates and lunches and kind words and goodies and, well, more that I forgot probably. Thank you.
Planning Ahead - The Year End Picnic
Just a little something we discussed at our last teacher meetings. For the end of the year picnic, please keep water toys (balloons, guns, squirty things, etc.), hair dye, and silly string at home. Last year these items ended up causing frustration, disagreement, and mess. A big mess. One that needed to be cleaned by people who didn't create the mess. Thanks for understanding.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q4W5 At School: "Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" verses 1-4 (5 & 6 Extra Credit)
Religion - Stories from the book of Acts.
Reading - Reading nonfiction, theme, author's purpose.
English - Finish various types of verbs.
Math - Lessons 95-100.
Science - Ecosystems
Social Studies - Wisconsin
Spelling - UNIT 31: hasn’t, I’ve, I’d, we’ve, wouldn’t, you’d, haven’t, wasn’t, they’ve, you’ve, she’d, didn’t Extra Words: won’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, weren’t
Monday, May 5, 2008
Some Monday News
Midterms Tuesday
Midterms are coming home on Tuesday. There are two copies. Please sign and return one with any comments or questions and keep one. Please send these back on Wednesday.
2 Things About Friday
First of all, Friday is mini-course day! It promises to be a very fun day for all involved, fourth through eighth grade.
Second of all, I will be in Madison attending the spring meeting of the Cooperative Children's Book Center advisory board. I attended one of these meetings back in November as well. I am serving a three-year term. The Book Center is run by the education department of the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Since I'll be gone, all memory should be said by Thursday. I told students this last week, but the majority of students chose not to say memory today, which leaves 3 verses in 3 days. Our spelling test will also be on Thursday.
Band Update
Mrs. Chips has sent a note home today with all band students. Here's what I know: There will be lessons this Thursday. The band tour (which I believe does NOT involved 4th graders) is on May 15. The band concert is scheduled for May 22.
Midterms are coming home on Tuesday. There are two copies. Please sign and return one with any comments or questions and keep one. Please send these back on Wednesday.
2 Things About Friday
First of all, Friday is mini-course day! It promises to be a very fun day for all involved, fourth through eighth grade.
Second of all, I will be in Madison attending the spring meeting of the Cooperative Children's Book Center advisory board. I attended one of these meetings back in November as well. I am serving a three-year term. The Book Center is run by the education department of the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Since I'll be gone, all memory should be said by Thursday. I told students this last week, but the majority of students chose not to say memory today, which leaves 3 verses in 3 days. Our spelling test will also be on Thursday.
Band Update
Mrs. Chips has sent a note home today with all band students. Here's what I know: There will be lessons this Thursday. The band tour (which I believe does NOT involved 4th graders) is on May 15. The band concert is scheduled for May 22.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thursday, 5/1 Newsletter Updates
Just a Reminder: No School Tomorrow
Mini Courses
An Immanuel tradition, Mini-Courses, will be held next week on Friday. Fourth graders will have the opportunity to participate in several activities and learn skills they normally don't at school. Some upper grade classes leave school, but the fourth graders will be in the building all day.
Battle of the Books is Tonight
Kids have been working hard and reading like crazy to prepare for tonight's competition. We begin right after school, testing your recall of the funny, sad, and exciting events of the books we've read as well as the characters and settings. Everyone is invited to come and watch. The first battles start at 4:00.
Physical Fitness Testing
Next week we do our physical fitness testing. Students should be dressed to participate or at least have their gym clothes here on Monday even though it's not a gym day.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q4W4 At School: Rock of Ages (Verses 1-3 for an A, add verse 4 for extra credit.
Religion - Acts of the Apostles
Reading - Finish Hatchet activities. Kids will want to remember this for their library and bookstore trips. The sequels are: The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt.
English - Writing
Math - Continue Lessons 92-95.
Science - Ecosystems. (Are students making their branch observations every Monday?)
Social Studies - Finish chapter 14. Start Wisconsin History.
Spelling - UNIT 29 lamb, often, castle, listen, comb, climbed, fasten, crumbs, soften, thumb, doubt, whistle Extra Words: honest, rhyme, answer, column
Mini Courses
An Immanuel tradition, Mini-Courses, will be held next week on Friday. Fourth graders will have the opportunity to participate in several activities and learn skills they normally don't at school. Some upper grade classes leave school, but the fourth graders will be in the building all day.
Battle of the Books is Tonight
Kids have been working hard and reading like crazy to prepare for tonight's competition. We begin right after school, testing your recall of the funny, sad, and exciting events of the books we've read as well as the characters and settings. Everyone is invited to come and watch. The first battles start at 4:00.
Physical Fitness Testing
Next week we do our physical fitness testing. Students should be dressed to participate or at least have their gym clothes here on Monday even though it's not a gym day.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q4W4 At School: Rock of Ages (Verses 1-3 for an A, add verse 4 for extra credit.
Religion - Acts of the Apostles
Reading - Finish Hatchet activities. Kids will want to remember this for their library and bookstore trips. The sequels are: The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt.
English - Writing
Math - Continue Lessons 92-95.
Science - Ecosystems. (Are students making their branch observations every Monday?)
Social Studies - Finish chapter 14. Start Wisconsin History.
Spelling - UNIT 29 lamb, often, castle, listen, comb, climbed, fasten, crumbs, soften, thumb, doubt, whistle Extra Words: honest, rhyme, answer, column
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Did You Get A Picture?
If a goofy picture of Mr. Wilhorn smiling and waving suddenly shows up in your inbox, here's why. Mr. Betts and I presented to a small group of teachers this morning about using blogs in the classroom for classroom websites. I showed them the Loudest Class in the World site and how I took pictures of the CWES field trip. They wanted to see how I did it. So I showed them. Mr. Betts took my picture and I emailed it to the website. (But for some reason I don't see it yet, so maybe I don't know what I'm doing...)
Anyways, the convention is already rolling. We have sectionals in about an hour and worship after that. Enjoy the days at home, fourth graders!
Anyways, the convention is already rolling. We have sectionals in about an hour and worship after that. Enjoy the days at home, fourth graders!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, 4/23 Newsletter Updates
Pictures Coming Home
A few weeks ago we had pictures taken. Pictures are coming home today, but you do not have to purchase them. If you wish to keep the pictures, please send the correct payment. If you do not want the pictures, send the package back. No one is charged anything unless you keep the pictures.
In short, return the pictures or return the payment.
Short Week
Today is the end of the week. Teachers will be attending the Lutheran Education Association Convocation in Minneapolis. This conference happens every 3 years. Teachers from all 50 states and several countries will be in attendance.
Battle of the Books
One week from tomorrow, May 1, starting at 4:00 after school is our Battle of the Books tournament. Students participating have ONE WEEK to read read read and know their titles and authors.
Memory and Spelling and Reading Journals
There was no Q4W3 memory slip or spelling words this week. They are coming home today and are due next Thursday. We started reading journals this week but will roll this week into next week. Our At-School memory, "Crown Him With Many Crowns" is for this week and next week as well.
Hatchet?
Have any students mentioned Hatchet at home? We started last week on Friday and are now about halfway through. It's an incredible book, and everyone seems to be enjoying it. Take a look at your child's copy. You'll enjoy it too.
Time's short today, so the newsletter is short too. See you all on Monday! Enjoy the days off, and hopefully, the beautiful weather will continue.
A few weeks ago we had pictures taken. Pictures are coming home today, but you do not have to purchase them. If you wish to keep the pictures, please send the correct payment. If you do not want the pictures, send the package back. No one is charged anything unless you keep the pictures.
In short, return the pictures or return the payment.
Short Week
Today is the end of the week. Teachers will be attending the Lutheran Education Association Convocation in Minneapolis. This conference happens every 3 years. Teachers from all 50 states and several countries will be in attendance.
Battle of the Books
One week from tomorrow, May 1, starting at 4:00 after school is our Battle of the Books tournament. Students participating have ONE WEEK to read read read and know their titles and authors.
Memory and Spelling and Reading Journals
There was no Q4W3 memory slip or spelling words this week. They are coming home today and are due next Thursday. We started reading journals this week but will roll this week into next week. Our At-School memory, "Crown Him With Many Crowns" is for this week and next week as well.
Hatchet?
Have any students mentioned Hatchet at home? We started last week on Friday and are now about halfway through. It's an incredible book, and everyone seems to be enjoying it. Take a look at your child's copy. You'll enjoy it too.
Time's short today, so the newsletter is short too. See you all on Monday! Enjoy the days off, and hopefully, the beautiful weather will continue.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Friday, 4/11 Newsletter Updates
Report Cards Today
Report cards are coming home today, again in sealed envelopes. The grades are for you, your child, and me. I especailly dislike when kids are comparing at school - "What'd you get?" "I got four A's. How many did you get?" Ick.
Find where your child's strengths are and offer encouragement. Notice areas of improvement and encourage there too. Overall I think we slipped a bit in Quarter 3. Let's change that in Quarter 4.
Reading Journals and Reading Conferences
Students received a new checklist for their reading journals. Some topics are the same, some have changed slightly, and some new ones are added. One new thing students are doing is connecting characters, events, and settings in their books to real people, events, and places. It's interesting to see how they bring their personal knowledge into books and how that influences how they understand what they read.
The class has been broken into 3 groups. Each week one group will not write in their journal. Instead, their journal entry will be a reading confernece with Mr. Wilhorn. This week's have gone well. I'm able to ask specific questions immediately and see if students are understanding what they've read. Students also seem more willing to offer details if they are talking rather than writing. (Go figure! This class likes to talk! How about that?) :-)
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills - Nearly There...
We're still plugging away, but with rehearsals for Bugz! and Spanish class and all the other things we do on a daily basis, we're not as far as I had planned. Ah, well. No big deal for these tests. We may get them done this afternoon, or we'll finish them up early next week and be done with them. You've probably noticed the lack of daily assignments recently...students sure have.
Bugz!
We've been rehearsing, reciting, decorating wings, finding antennae, and getting all ready for the spring program, Bugz! All the fourth graders have spoken parts, the third graders have some songs and dances, and all the younger kids will be participating too. It's one week away! Friday, April 18 is the night at 6:30. (There's also a 1:00 performance on Thursday.) The choir and the bell choir will also perform, and the upper graders will have academic displays available in their rooms. Come for a great night!
Coins for Computers
Just like last year we are collecting Coins for Computers. All proceeds go towards the Technology Fund. This year the competition is between grades K-4 and grades 5-8. Here's the rules: Put pennies in our container. They count +1 point. Put silver coins and paper money in the upper grades' container. These count -5, -10, -25, -50, -100. -500, etc. The winner will be the team with the most points, not the most money. (Actually, the winner will be the Technology Fund.)
And One Personal Note ... It's Trivia Weekend
This weekend my family and relatives and many friends will be playing in the World's Largest Trivia Contest. You can listen too at 89.9 FM, WWSP, UW-SP's campus radio station. The contest starts tonight at 6:00 and lasts until 12:00 midnight Sunday night. I can't guarantee all the content obviously, but the music is basically oldies with some 80's and 90's stuck in sometimes and the questions are pretty fun. Our team name is "Special Rx Fossiloprin Fuelochloride." (We are always Fossil Fuel. It's a long story.) You won't hear us announced with any of the leaders, but we have fun. More information is located at www.90fmtrivia.org if you are interested. One warning, however...watch out for some of the team names. Yikes.
The Upcoming Week
Hopefully we'll get back into our normal schedule! Wow!
Religion - Back to the workbook.
Memory -At Home: Q4W2 Slip At School: Mr. Wilhorn's favorite hymn, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less verses #1-4. Students need to say the chorus only once. By the way, how is the CD? Are the kids using it to help with the memory?
English - Adjectives
Reading - We are starting a new novel.
Math - Continue in book...which I don't have in front of my right now.
Science - Remember your branch observations! Finish chapter 1 on plants.
Social Studies - Finish the Pacific States.
Spelling - Unit 27 woman, even, urban, seven, kitchen, reason, human, season, burden, wagon, oven, dragon Extra words: horizon, orphan, canyon, eleven, written, children Bonus words: transportation, education
Report cards are coming home today, again in sealed envelopes. The grades are for you, your child, and me. I especailly dislike when kids are comparing at school - "What'd you get?" "I got four A's. How many did you get?" Ick.
Find where your child's strengths are and offer encouragement. Notice areas of improvement and encourage there too. Overall I think we slipped a bit in Quarter 3. Let's change that in Quarter 4.
Reading Journals and Reading Conferences
Students received a new checklist for their reading journals. Some topics are the same, some have changed slightly, and some new ones are added. One new thing students are doing is connecting characters, events, and settings in their books to real people, events, and places. It's interesting to see how they bring their personal knowledge into books and how that influences how they understand what they read.
The class has been broken into 3 groups. Each week one group will not write in their journal. Instead, their journal entry will be a reading confernece with Mr. Wilhorn. This week's have gone well. I'm able to ask specific questions immediately and see if students are understanding what they've read. Students also seem more willing to offer details if they are talking rather than writing. (Go figure! This class likes to talk! How about that?) :-)
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills - Nearly There...
We're still plugging away, but with rehearsals for Bugz! and Spanish class and all the other things we do on a daily basis, we're not as far as I had planned. Ah, well. No big deal for these tests. We may get them done this afternoon, or we'll finish them up early next week and be done with them. You've probably noticed the lack of daily assignments recently...students sure have.
Bugz!
We've been rehearsing, reciting, decorating wings, finding antennae, and getting all ready for the spring program, Bugz! All the fourth graders have spoken parts, the third graders have some songs and dances, and all the younger kids will be participating too. It's one week away! Friday, April 18 is the night at 6:30. (There's also a 1:00 performance on Thursday.) The choir and the bell choir will also perform, and the upper graders will have academic displays available in their rooms. Come for a great night!
Coins for Computers
Just like last year we are collecting Coins for Computers. All proceeds go towards the Technology Fund. This year the competition is between grades K-4 and grades 5-8. Here's the rules: Put pennies in our container. They count +1 point. Put silver coins and paper money in the upper grades' container. These count -5, -10, -25, -50, -100. -500, etc. The winner will be the team with the most points, not the most money. (Actually, the winner will be the Technology Fund.)
And One Personal Note ... It's Trivia Weekend
This weekend my family and relatives and many friends will be playing in the World's Largest Trivia Contest. You can listen too at 89.9 FM, WWSP, UW-SP's campus radio station. The contest starts tonight at 6:00 and lasts until 12:00 midnight Sunday night. I can't guarantee all the content obviously, but the music is basically oldies with some 80's and 90's stuck in sometimes and the questions are pretty fun. Our team name is "Special Rx Fossiloprin Fuelochloride." (We are always Fossil Fuel. It's a long story.) You won't hear us announced with any of the leaders, but we have fun. More information is located at www.90fmtrivia.org if you are interested. One warning, however...watch out for some of the team names. Yikes.
The Upcoming Week
Hopefully we'll get back into our normal schedule! Wow!
Religion - Back to the workbook.
Memory -At Home: Q4W2 Slip At School: Mr. Wilhorn's favorite hymn, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less verses #1-4. Students need to say the chorus only once. By the way, how is the CD? Are the kids using it to help with the memory?
English - Adjectives
Reading - We are starting a new novel.
Math - Continue in book...which I don't have in front of my right now.
Science - Remember your branch observations! Finish chapter 1 on plants.
Social Studies - Finish the Pacific States.
Spelling - Unit 27 woman, even, urban, seven, kitchen, reason, human, season, burden, wagon, oven, dragon Extra words: horizon, orphan, canyon, eleven, written, children Bonus words: transportation, education
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Friday (Thursday), 4/3 Newsletter Update
Standardized Tests Next Week
Next week we begin taking the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. There's nothing really to be done to prepare, but students can be ready. Get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, do your best to not be absent, and don't worry. We will take 2 or 3 tests a day spread throughout the day. We should be finished by Friday.
Spanish Class
Today is our first Spanish lesson. Mrs. Isabelle Goetz is working her way up from kindergarten and has made it to us. Today we are looking at numbers, colors, and friendly greetings. We will have a total of 4 exploratory lessons. Nobody will become fluent in that time, but they will get an introduction to Spanish.
**Science Branch Observations**
Now that spring is here...we think...we have started a long project. You should have seen a letter on Monday describing the branch observation project. Each Monday students are to observe their branch and record certain details. After 9 weeks we'll see how trees go through their growth process - buds, growth, flowers, seeds, leaves, etc. Students must make these observations. This is a big science grade, and there will be a final assignment based on the observations.
No School Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a professional day for teachers. Enjoy the day off. If you get bored, stop by and see me at school! I'll find some extra work for you!
Speed Stacks After School on Monday
Just a reminder for those speed stackers, we meet after school on Monday until 4:30 in the Learning Center.
The Upcoming Week
Standardized tests will take up a chunk of time, so we may or may not get all of these things done.
Memory - At Home: Q4W1 Slips At School: All Creatures of Our God and King, Verses #1-3 Students did a good job with Amazing Grace. Students did better when they didn't wait until the end of the week.
Religion - The Sower and the Seed. We will also continue practicing for the musical on April 18.
Reading - Theme 3 assessment and begin a new novel. My favorite novel for fourth graders!
English - Adjectives
Math - Angles, tessellations, calculating sales tax and change.
Science - Parts of plants and the plant cycle. Possible test late in the week.
Social Studies - Finish the Pacific States. We soon will be starting our unit on Wisconsin History.
Spelling - Unit 26: table, final, handle, personal, animal, usual, jungle, actual, example, bottle, possible, single Extra words: several, national, trouble, people, finally, middle Bonus Words: principal, hospital
Next week we begin taking the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. There's nothing really to be done to prepare, but students can be ready. Get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, do your best to not be absent, and don't worry. We will take 2 or 3 tests a day spread throughout the day. We should be finished by Friday.
Spanish Class
Today is our first Spanish lesson. Mrs. Isabelle Goetz is working her way up from kindergarten and has made it to us. Today we are looking at numbers, colors, and friendly greetings. We will have a total of 4 exploratory lessons. Nobody will become fluent in that time, but they will get an introduction to Spanish.
**Science Branch Observations**
Now that spring is here...we think...we have started a long project. You should have seen a letter on Monday describing the branch observation project. Each Monday students are to observe their branch and record certain details. After 9 weeks we'll see how trees go through their growth process - buds, growth, flowers, seeds, leaves, etc. Students must make these observations. This is a big science grade, and there will be a final assignment based on the observations.
No School Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a professional day for teachers. Enjoy the day off. If you get bored, stop by and see me at school! I'll find some extra work for you!
Speed Stacks After School on Monday
Just a reminder for those speed stackers, we meet after school on Monday until 4:30 in the Learning Center.
The Upcoming Week
Standardized tests will take up a chunk of time, so we may or may not get all of these things done.
Memory - At Home: Q4W1 Slips At School: All Creatures of Our God and King, Verses #1-3 Students did a good job with Amazing Grace. Students did better when they didn't wait until the end of the week.
Religion - The Sower and the Seed. We will also continue practicing for the musical on April 18.
Reading - Theme 3 assessment and begin a new novel. My favorite novel for fourth graders!
English - Adjectives
Math - Angles, tessellations, calculating sales tax and change.
Science - Parts of plants and the plant cycle. Possible test late in the week.
Social Studies - Finish the Pacific States. We soon will be starting our unit on Wisconsin History.
Spelling - Unit 26: table, final, handle, personal, animal, usual, jungle, actual, example, bottle, possible, single Extra words: several, national, trouble, people, finally, middle Bonus Words: principal, hospital
Friday, March 28, 2008
Friday, 3/28 Newsletter Updates
Celebration Auction and Fun Fest Weekend
I wanted to update you on the success of the Celebration Weekend. Altogether both events raised $44,000! Amazing! Our class basket brought $200 by itself. It went from a suggested donation of $3-$5 per family to $200 for the school. That's great! It's over double what we purchased it for.
Standardized Testing
Fourth graders take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. This will take place the week of April 7. These tests are your basic fill-in-the-bubble type test. Students at Immanuel take them in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grade we use the results to track progress of groups of children. What are we as a school teaching well? Where can improvement happen?
All students need to worry about is A. Get rest and B. Do your best and C. Don't worry about it and D. Enjoy the week with less homework!
Memory Assignments
Everyone is bringing home their 4th quarter memory assignments today. All our assignments come from hymns traditionally sung in Lutheran churches, although some are more familiar than others. There is a letter attached with all the details. We are starting next week with our first assignment (details below) even though it's not the fourth quarter yet.
Students also received a CD of all the songs. The CD is meant to be a tool to help them learn. Listening to the song while following along with the words definitely helps!
End of the Quarter
Next week is it! End of the third quarter! All assignments must be turned in by the end of the week.
The Upcoming Week
Religion - We are still working on our book organizing service project for the school and practicing or the Spring Program with Mrs. Ader.
Memory - At Home: None At School: Amazing Grace verses #1-5 as numbered on the handout. Students must say at least 3 verses. 3=B, 4=A, 5=A plus extra credit
Reading - One Grain of Rice, making judgments.
English - Possessive pronouns, adjectives, and articles.
Math - More division, graphing, angles.
Science - Flowers and plant reproduction.
Social Studies - The Pacific States.
Spelling - UNIT 25 doctor, dollar, power, sugar, corner, collar, danger, ladder, labor, cellar, other, motor Extra Words: hunger, calendar, horror, officer, explore, porch Bonus Words: examiner, firefighter
I wanted to update you on the success of the Celebration Weekend. Altogether both events raised $44,000! Amazing! Our class basket brought $200 by itself. It went from a suggested donation of $3-$5 per family to $200 for the school. That's great! It's over double what we purchased it for.
Standardized Testing
Fourth graders take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. This will take place the week of April 7. These tests are your basic fill-in-the-bubble type test. Students at Immanuel take them in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grade we use the results to track progress of groups of children. What are we as a school teaching well? Where can improvement happen?
All students need to worry about is A. Get rest and B. Do your best and C. Don't worry about it and D. Enjoy the week with less homework!
Memory Assignments
Everyone is bringing home their 4th quarter memory assignments today. All our assignments come from hymns traditionally sung in Lutheran churches, although some are more familiar than others. There is a letter attached with all the details. We are starting next week with our first assignment (details below) even though it's not the fourth quarter yet.
Students also received a CD of all the songs. The CD is meant to be a tool to help them learn. Listening to the song while following along with the words definitely helps!
End of the Quarter
Next week is it! End of the third quarter! All assignments must be turned in by the end of the week.
The Upcoming Week
Religion - We are still working on our book organizing service project for the school and practicing or the Spring Program with Mrs. Ader.
Memory - At Home: None At School: Amazing Grace verses #1-5 as numbered on the handout. Students must say at least 3 verses. 3=B, 4=A, 5=A plus extra credit
Reading - One Grain of Rice, making judgments.
English - Possessive pronouns, adjectives, and articles.
Math - More division, graphing, angles.
Science - Flowers and plant reproduction.
Social Studies - The Pacific States.
Spelling - UNIT 25 doctor, dollar, power, sugar, corner, collar, danger, ladder, labor, cellar, other, motor Extra Words: hunger, calendar, horror, officer, explore, porch Bonus Words: examiner, firefighter
Friday, March 14, 2008
Friday, 3/14 Newsletter Updates
Spring Has Sprung...Or At Least Spring Break
No school next week. It's Spring Break! As I tell the kids, whether you travel across the hall, across the street, across town, or across the country, remember that God goes with you. Take a break from school, but don't take a break from Him. (After all, He's not!)
Choir Sings on Palm Sunday
The 3/4 grade choir is singing at Palm Sunday worship - that's this Sunday. You should have received two notes about it this week. Student should arrive at 10:10 to rehearse. The choir sings at the beginning of worship and then are welcome to sit with their parents. Students are also welcome to attend an earlier service, stay to sing, and then may leave when the choir is done.
Spring Program
The annual Spring Program is coming, and the third and fourth graders have all of the main parts. Honestly, I don't know too much about it, but after break Mrs. Ader will be working with the class (and I get to teach second grade!) a couple times a week. The performance date is Friday, April 18.
Culver's Night
Tuesday, March 25 - the Tuesday after Spring Break - is Immanuel Culver's Night. We try to have guest servers at each Culver's Night, and on the 25th the servers will be the Speed Stacking after school group. A sign-up form will come home on Monday, March 24. Kids are invited to work for 30 minutes taking trays to people in the restaurant. Any attendees may also have to opportunity to demonstrate Speed Stacking to the guests that night. Watch for more information after break. (And all participation is optional.)
End of the Third Quarter
After break there will be 9 days left in the 3rd quarter. We made a pretty clean break today, ending chapters and such, and will start fresh when we come back. Keep that in mind - 9 days! - to improve grades or keep them from slipping.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q3W8 will be handed out on Monday. At School: Begin 4th quarter hymns. Will be assigned on Monday.
Religion - Miracles of Jesus. We also have a service project for school we will be working on.
Reading - Red Writing Hood, summarize and paraphrase, One Grain of Rice.
English - Pronouns, adjectives, articles.
Math - More long division, customary and metric weights, triangles, symmetry.
Science - Unit A, living things. We will start a looooong term project too.
Social Studies - Chapter 12, the Pacific States.
Spelling - None, review week.
No school next week. It's Spring Break! As I tell the kids, whether you travel across the hall, across the street, across town, or across the country, remember that God goes with you. Take a break from school, but don't take a break from Him. (After all, He's not!)
Choir Sings on Palm Sunday
The 3/4 grade choir is singing at Palm Sunday worship - that's this Sunday. You should have received two notes about it this week. Student should arrive at 10:10 to rehearse. The choir sings at the beginning of worship and then are welcome to sit with their parents. Students are also welcome to attend an earlier service, stay to sing, and then may leave when the choir is done.
Spring Program
The annual Spring Program is coming, and the third and fourth graders have all of the main parts. Honestly, I don't know too much about it, but after break Mrs. Ader will be working with the class (and I get to teach second grade!) a couple times a week. The performance date is Friday, April 18.
Culver's Night
Tuesday, March 25 - the Tuesday after Spring Break - is Immanuel Culver's Night. We try to have guest servers at each Culver's Night, and on the 25th the servers will be the Speed Stacking after school group. A sign-up form will come home on Monday, March 24. Kids are invited to work for 30 minutes taking trays to people in the restaurant. Any attendees may also have to opportunity to demonstrate Speed Stacking to the guests that night. Watch for more information after break. (And all participation is optional.)
End of the Third Quarter
After break there will be 9 days left in the 3rd quarter. We made a pretty clean break today, ending chapters and such, and will start fresh when we come back. Keep that in mind - 9 days! - to improve grades or keep them from slipping.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q3W8 will be handed out on Monday. At School: Begin 4th quarter hymns. Will be assigned on Monday.
Religion - Miracles of Jesus. We also have a service project for school we will be working on.
Reading - Red Writing Hood, summarize and paraphrase, One Grain of Rice.
English - Pronouns, adjectives, articles.
Math - More long division, customary and metric weights, triangles, symmetry.
Science - Unit A, living things. We will start a looooong term project too.
Social Studies - Chapter 12, the Pacific States.
Spelling - None, review week.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Friday, 3/7 Newsletter Updates
I'm Back At School
I made it back to school today. When I woke up this morning my bedroom wasn't spinning so I figured the classroom wouldn't be spinning either. And it's not! With all the different Lutheran Schools Week activities that have been going on and with various teachers in the room, much of the morning has been spent figuring out what has and hasn't been done. Next week looks like a normal schedule week again so we'll get back on track.
I have a pile of papers to be graded. A number of students have been absent this week, so I'll have to figure out what I have and don't have from people. Hopefully on Monday we'll have everything all straightened out and back to normal.
Stay Healthy
Whatever you can do to stay healthy, make it happen. There have been numerous people absent from fourth grade, and we're not the only class. Hopefully whatever this is will run its course quickly and we'll all be healthy again.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q3W7 Slips At School: Prayer After Meals and Prayer at the Beginning of the School Day. Some students still need to get caught up. In some cases, the effort to get caught up with late work means that the current week's work isn't getting done.
Religion - More of Jesus's healings.
Reading - Main idea and details, The Case of Pablo's Nose, summarizing, In the Days of King Adobe.
English - Informative composition.
Math - Division, finding information, turn/flip/slide (rotation/reflection/translation), fraction of a set.
Science - Keeping the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems healthy.
Social Studies - Finish the Southwest Desert States.
Spelling - UNIT 23 addition, sadness, lovable, endless, handful, plentiful, breathless, happiness, solution, careful, function, stillness Extra Words: information, celebration, capable, available
I made it back to school today. When I woke up this morning my bedroom wasn't spinning so I figured the classroom wouldn't be spinning either. And it's not! With all the different Lutheran Schools Week activities that have been going on and with various teachers in the room, much of the morning has been spent figuring out what has and hasn't been done. Next week looks like a normal schedule week again so we'll get back on track.
I have a pile of papers to be graded. A number of students have been absent this week, so I'll have to figure out what I have and don't have from people. Hopefully on Monday we'll have everything all straightened out and back to normal.
Stay Healthy
Whatever you can do to stay healthy, make it happen. There have been numerous people absent from fourth grade, and we're not the only class. Hopefully whatever this is will run its course quickly and we'll all be healthy again.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q3W7 Slips At School: Prayer After Meals and Prayer at the Beginning of the School Day. Some students still need to get caught up. In some cases, the effort to get caught up with late work means that the current week's work isn't getting done.
Religion - More of Jesus's healings.
Reading - Main idea and details, The Case of Pablo's Nose, summarizing, In the Days of King Adobe.
English - Informative composition.
Math - Division, finding information, turn/flip/slide (rotation/reflection/translation), fraction of a set.
Science - Keeping the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems healthy.
Social Studies - Finish the Southwest Desert States.
Spelling - UNIT 23 addition, sadness, lovable, endless, handful, plentiful, breathless, happiness, solution, careful, function, stillness Extra Words: information, celebration, capable, available
Monday, March 3, 2008
Class ID Day
Today is Class ID Day. Our ID, selected to be unique and to guarantee we didn't match any other classes was orange hat, hooded sweatshirt, swimwear or shorts, sandals, and a blanky and/or stuffed animal. Don't they look good?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Where's George?
Erica's mom brought us a $1 bill with a red stamp on it reading http://www.wheresgeorge.com/. (It looked like the one pictured.) We went to the website, entered the dollar's serial number and year, and here's what we found:1. We were the only people to enter information about this dollar since it was entered into the website, however...
2. This dollar was entered in the website and then spent in Wahpeton, North Dakota on December 16, 2006. Which means...
3. This bill has travelled 354 Miles in 1 year and 74 days. That's an average of 0.81 miles per day. And finally...
4. It's Erica's job to spend it. (Tough job!)
Friday, 2/29 Newsletter Updates
Happy LEAP Day!
Next Week is Lutheran Schools Week. Here's the Schedule:
The first week of March is always Lutheran Schools Week, and we're not waiting until Monday to get started. It starts tomorrow!
Saturday - Celebration Auction. Tickets are still available as I type this, but they are going fast. Last year was a great fun time. (Especially, in my opinion, watching the expressions on people's faces who hadn't heard a "real" auctioneer in action. And that includes myself.)
Sunday - All students attending the 9:00 service at Immanuel are invited to sing at the beginning of worship. We have been practicing Good News at school. The FUNFEST is from 11:00-3:00 in the school gym. (I challenge anyone in the toilet paper toss!)
Monday - Class ID Day. We chose a unique identity so we wouldn't be confused with any other classes. Orange stocking caps (if anyone has an extra, please send it!), hooded sweatshirts, swimsuits (boys) or "over the swimsuit" shorts/skirt (girls), sandals, stuffed animal and/or blanky. Bruce VanNatta will also give a presentation at 2:00.
Tuesday - Classroom switch day. Students will get 4 different lessons from 4 different teachers. The fourth graders will be in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade classrooms in the morning.
Wednesday - Dress-Up Day. Talent Show at 2:15. School visitation all day long. Come and see Immanuel in action!
Thursday - The First Ever Great Student/Teacher Quiz Bowl. It's sort of a "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader" sort of thing. It's at 10:00.
Friday - School color day - wear your Immanuel clothes or your maroon and gold. David Britton will give a concert at 2:00, and there will also be a pep rally for the basketball teams going to the Tri-State Tournament in Freeport, Illinois.
The Upcoming Week
With next week being Lutheran Schools Week, we may or may not get to all these things. We'll just have to "roll with it." Sometimes activities take longer than expected, sometimes less. But it's worth it to celebrate the great school we have and the great organization of Lutheran Schools we have and the awesome God that makes it all possible.
Memory - At Home: Q3W6 Slips At School: 1. The Lord's Prayer 2. Prayer Before Meals.
Religion - Jesus heals the paralyzed man. Thanks to the whole class for their efforts in leading chapel. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend. If you weren't able to join us, I hope your fourth grader gave you all the details. It was quite memorable.
Reading - Finish Riding Freedom activities. The Kids' Invention Book.
English - Paragraph that classifies, informative composition.
Math - Millimeters, stories about a fraction of a group, Test 13.
Science - Finish our tours of the circulatory and digestive system.
Social Studies - Chapter 11, the Pacific States.
Spelling - Changing y to i with various endings. Unit 22 families, worried, ugliest, funnier, happily, easily, heavier, earlier, tiniest, supplied, luckily, relied EXTRA WORDS: activities, countries, goodies, applied BONUS WORDS: enemies, hurriedly
Next Week is Lutheran Schools Week. Here's the Schedule:
The first week of March is always Lutheran Schools Week, and we're not waiting until Monday to get started. It starts tomorrow!
Saturday - Celebration Auction. Tickets are still available as I type this, but they are going fast. Last year was a great fun time. (Especially, in my opinion, watching the expressions on people's faces who hadn't heard a "real" auctioneer in action. And that includes myself.)
Sunday - All students attending the 9:00 service at Immanuel are invited to sing at the beginning of worship. We have been practicing Good News at school. The FUNFEST is from 11:00-3:00 in the school gym. (I challenge anyone in the toilet paper toss!)
Monday - Class ID Day. We chose a unique identity so we wouldn't be confused with any other classes. Orange stocking caps (if anyone has an extra, please send it!), hooded sweatshirts, swimsuits (boys) or "over the swimsuit" shorts/skirt (girls), sandals, stuffed animal and/or blanky. Bruce VanNatta will also give a presentation at 2:00.
Tuesday - Classroom switch day. Students will get 4 different lessons from 4 different teachers. The fourth graders will be in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade classrooms in the morning.
Wednesday - Dress-Up Day. Talent Show at 2:15. School visitation all day long. Come and see Immanuel in action!
Thursday - The First Ever Great Student/Teacher Quiz Bowl. It's sort of a "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader" sort of thing. It's at 10:00.
Friday - School color day - wear your Immanuel clothes or your maroon and gold. David Britton will give a concert at 2:00, and there will also be a pep rally for the basketball teams going to the Tri-State Tournament in Freeport, Illinois.
The Upcoming Week
With next week being Lutheran Schools Week, we may or may not get to all these things. We'll just have to "roll with it." Sometimes activities take longer than expected, sometimes less. But it's worth it to celebrate the great school we have and the great organization of Lutheran Schools we have and the awesome God that makes it all possible.
Memory - At Home: Q3W6 Slips At School: 1. The Lord's Prayer 2. Prayer Before Meals.
Religion - Jesus heals the paralyzed man. Thanks to the whole class for their efforts in leading chapel. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend. If you weren't able to join us, I hope your fourth grader gave you all the details. It was quite memorable.
Reading - Finish Riding Freedom activities. The Kids' Invention Book.
English - Paragraph that classifies, informative composition.
Math - Millimeters, stories about a fraction of a group, Test 13.
Science - Finish our tours of the circulatory and digestive system.
Social Studies - Chapter 11, the Pacific States.
Spelling - Changing y to i with various endings. Unit 22 families, worried, ugliest, funnier, happily, easily, heavier, earlier, tiniest, supplied, luckily, relied EXTRA WORDS: activities, countries, goodies, applied BONUS WORDS: enemies, hurriedly
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Chapel Tomorrow!
Everything is ready to go for chapel tomorrow, or at least all the stuff I remembered that needs to be ready! Come and worship with us at 9:00 if you can. Come see a day in the life of Joe Normal and see the loud (the volume kind) events in his day and the loud (the "make a joyful noise" kind) events in his day. Learn a new song. Sing an old one in a new way. See if the kindergarteners and first/second/third graders remember our singing lessons from today.
Everyone has a leading role during the service and in the message, and everyone should be practicing their speaking part for tomorrow. No, students don't need to memorize anything, but be able to read it clearly and fluently.
Maybe we'll see you tomorrow!
Everyone has a leading role during the service and in the message, and everyone should be practicing their speaking part for tomorrow. No, students don't need to memorize anything, but be able to read it clearly and fluently.
Maybe we'll see you tomorrow!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Friday, 2/22 Newsletter Updates
Midterms Next Tuesday
This weekend I'll be calculating midterm grades for the third quarter. Midterms will come home on Tuesday. Please sign and return the signature form as soon as possible. Any missing assignments (late and incomplete, not missing from absences) will be figured as zeros, and there are a number of items missing.
Missing Work
All students with missing work received a list today of all missing assignments. These need to be taken care of as soon as possible. What's happening, especially in memory, is that kids are working to get caught up on work but then their current work doesn't get completed causing even more late work. Students need to get caught up and stay caught up.
Parent Contacts
If I haven't spoken to you already, plan on hearing from me in the near future. I'm wondering if you have an questions or concerns about the year so far or where we're going from here or questions about re-enrollment and the upcoming year.
Parking on Monday
If you plan on being her Monday morning, 2/25, machinery will be here to take snow away from parking lots and side streets. Parking will only be permitted on streets farther away from school.
The Upcoming Week
Religion - Chapel planning.
Memory - 1. The 3rd Article Meaning from "In the same way" to "all believers" 2. "On the Last Day" to the end.
Reading - Finish Riding Freedom activities. (Did you read any of the book? If not, you're missing out on a great (short) book and a great opportunity to share your child's excitement for a a great book.
English -Paragraphs that classify.
Math - Similar and congruent figures, Multiplying by multiples of 10, more long division, millimeters.
Science - Tours of the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems.
Social Studies - Chapter 10, The West, Mountain States.
Spelling - Lesson 21 nonstop, replaced, inactive, refill, incorrect, rethink, nonfat, reread, retell, return, incomplete, repay Extra Words: nonfiction, nonsense, indirect, independent
This weekend I'll be calculating midterm grades for the third quarter. Midterms will come home on Tuesday. Please sign and return the signature form as soon as possible. Any missing assignments (late and incomplete, not missing from absences) will be figured as zeros, and there are a number of items missing.
Missing Work
All students with missing work received a list today of all missing assignments. These need to be taken care of as soon as possible. What's happening, especially in memory, is that kids are working to get caught up on work but then their current work doesn't get completed causing even more late work. Students need to get caught up and stay caught up.
Parent Contacts
If I haven't spoken to you already, plan on hearing from me in the near future. I'm wondering if you have an questions or concerns about the year so far or where we're going from here or questions about re-enrollment and the upcoming year.
Parking on Monday
If you plan on being her Monday morning, 2/25, machinery will be here to take snow away from parking lots and side streets. Parking will only be permitted on streets farther away from school.
The Upcoming Week
Religion - Chapel planning.
Memory - 1. The 3rd Article Meaning from "In the same way" to "all believers" 2. "On the Last Day" to the end.
Reading - Finish Riding Freedom activities. (Did you read any of the book? If not, you're missing out on a great (short) book and a great opportunity to share your child's excitement for a a great book.
English -Paragraphs that classify.
Math - Similar and congruent figures, Multiplying by multiples of 10, more long division, millimeters.
Science - Tours of the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems.
Social Studies - Chapter 10, The West, Mountain States.
Spelling - Lesson 21 nonstop, replaced, inactive, refill, incorrect, rethink, nonfat, reread, retell, return, incomplete, repay Extra Words: nonfiction, nonsense, indirect, independent
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Look Outside and Look Up
If you happen to get your email soon, look outside at the moon. The eclipse is starting at 7:43 pm Central Time. That's now! And you can totally see it. It should be a glowing red ball by 9:00.
And did anyone get the Christopher Columbus question yet?
And did anyone get the Christopher Columbus question yet?
This Afternoon and Tonight
Choir at Lenten Worship
This is a just a reminder. A note was sent home last week. Church starts tonight at 4:00. The 3/4 grade choir is singing at the beginning of worship. Students may then go sit with their parents or stay and sit up front. I will be there and so will another teacher. If you are unable to be here to get your child after school, we will be walking over to church directly after school. You can meet us there.
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
Tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse. As best as I can find, the eclipse will start at for us around 9:00. The moon will be completely in the Earth's shadow, but still not completely dark. The first fourth grader to come and tell me how an eclipse just like this one saved Christopher Columbus will receive an engraved plaque and honor and praise above all other fourth graders...or maybe just a few extra credit points in Science.
This is a just a reminder. A note was sent home last week. Church starts tonight at 4:00. The 3/4 grade choir is singing at the beginning of worship. Students may then go sit with their parents or stay and sit up front. I will be there and so will another teacher. If you are unable to be here to get your child after school, we will be walking over to church directly after school. You can meet us there.
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
Tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse. As best as I can find, the eclipse will start at for us around 9:00. The moon will be completely in the Earth's shadow, but still not completely dark. The first fourth grader to come and tell me how an eclipse just like this one saved Christopher Columbus will receive an engraved plaque and honor and praise above all other fourth graders...or maybe just a few extra credit points in Science.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Friday, 2/15 Newsletter Updates
No School Next Monday
Just a reminder that next Monday is a professional day. Teachers will have a large group meeting, grade level meetings with the principal, and time for collaboration with one another. Enjoy the long weekend!
Classroom Celebration Auction Basket Update
If anyone is still planning on sending in a donation for the basket, that's great. If you're planning on donating in other way, that's fine too. Here's what is in our basket (and a lot of kids said, "I'm telling Mom I want that basket." Just warning you.)
1. Slinky
2. Tiddly Winks
3. Marbles
4. Jacks
5. Pick-Up Sticks
6. A big tub of Lincoln Logs
7. Wooden ABC/123 Blocks (Is this what all the 4th graders wanted?)
8. WWII Spotter Cards (these are a deck of cards that show friendly and enemy aircraft from World War II)
Lutheran Schools Week is Coming
The first week of March is always Lutheran Schools Week. Here at Immanuel we start out with the Celebration Auction and the Spring Fun Fest on Saturday (March 1) and Sunday (March 2). All students are invited to sing at Immanuel worship on Sunday morning, and the rest of the week is filled with fun activities. Keep an eye on the newsletter for more details.
February 27 Chapel Service
Yes, you read the last note correctly. We, the fourth graders of Immanuel Lutheran School, will be leading the school in worship on Wednesday, February 27.
The Upcoming Week
Religion - Chapel planning and preparation.
Memory - At Home: Q3W4 Slips At School: 1. The Third Article 2. The Third Article's Meaning up to "...the true faith" (the first paragraph)
Reading - Riding Freedom. Have you seen your child's book? Did you read any of it? (Caution: Reading two chapters may cause an uncontrollable urge to complete the book.) Have you seen the post-it notes they are working on?
English - Complete Theme 3 - Proper, common, singular, plural, and possessive nouns and pronouns.
Math - Polygons, long division, similar and congruent shapes.
Science - Digestive, Circulatory, and Nervous System. We will be changing our roles in science class next week from "student" to "tour guide." It ought to be interesting.
Social Studies - Finish the Great Plains States. Begin the West.
Spelling - UNIT 20 unused, dislike, unclean, unheard, disagree, disabled, unkind, unfriendly, unable, unhappy, unsafe, disobey Extra Words: uncertain, disappear, undecided, unload Bonus Words: unwittingly, dishonest
Just a reminder that next Monday is a professional day. Teachers will have a large group meeting, grade level meetings with the principal, and time for collaboration with one another. Enjoy the long weekend!
Classroom Celebration Auction Basket Update
If anyone is still planning on sending in a donation for the basket, that's great. If you're planning on donating in other way, that's fine too. Here's what is in our basket (and a lot of kids said, "I'm telling Mom I want that basket." Just warning you.)
1. Slinky
2. Tiddly Winks
3. Marbles
4. Jacks
5. Pick-Up Sticks
6. A big tub of Lincoln Logs
7. Wooden ABC/123 Blocks (Is this what all the 4th graders wanted?)
8. WWII Spotter Cards (these are a deck of cards that show friendly and enemy aircraft from World War II)
Lutheran Schools Week is Coming
The first week of March is always Lutheran Schools Week. Here at Immanuel we start out with the Celebration Auction and the Spring Fun Fest on Saturday (March 1) and Sunday (March 2). All students are invited to sing at Immanuel worship on Sunday morning, and the rest of the week is filled with fun activities. Keep an eye on the newsletter for more details.
February 27 Chapel Service
Yes, you read the last note correctly. We, the fourth graders of Immanuel Lutheran School, will be leading the school in worship on Wednesday, February 27.
The Upcoming Week
Religion - Chapel planning and preparation.
Memory - At Home: Q3W4 Slips At School: 1. The Third Article 2. The Third Article's Meaning up to "...the true faith" (the first paragraph)
Reading - Riding Freedom. Have you seen your child's book? Did you read any of it? (Caution: Reading two chapters may cause an uncontrollable urge to complete the book.) Have you seen the post-it notes they are working on?
English - Complete Theme 3 - Proper, common, singular, plural, and possessive nouns and pronouns.
Math - Polygons, long division, similar and congruent shapes.
Science - Digestive, Circulatory, and Nervous System. We will be changing our roles in science class next week from "student" to "tour guide." It ought to be interesting.
Social Studies - Finish the Great Plains States. Begin the West.
Spelling - UNIT 20 unused, dislike, unclean, unheard, disagree, disabled, unkind, unfriendly, unable, unhappy, unsafe, disobey Extra Words: uncertain, disappear, undecided, unload Bonus Words: unwittingly, dishonest
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, February 4, 2008
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!
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, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, January 28, 2008
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.
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, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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?
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?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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...
Monday, January 21, 2008
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, 2008
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)
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)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
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 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.
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 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, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
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.
(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.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
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, December 14, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
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.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
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?)
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?)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
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, November 30, 2007
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
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
Monday, November 26, 2007
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.
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, November 21, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, November 19, 2007
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.
Friday, November 16, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, November 12, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
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
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
Monday, November 5, 2007
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.
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.
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