Newsletter Correction

Yesterday there was a mistake in the fourth grade newsletter. My apologies.

Next week is a five-day school week. It's the week AFTER that is a four-day week. I talked with Mr. Betts about possibly changing the school calendar to match my newsletter, but apparently that's too much of a hassle.

So here it is:
YES - School on Friday, October 3
NO - School on Friday, October 10

That would make the Q1W5 memory slips due on 10/3 rather than 10/2 as well.

And now, back to the weekend.

Friday Newsletter Updates

Picture Day is Coming
School picture day is Tuesday, October 7. Order forms are coming home today. These need to be here on picture day. If you'd like to send them in early, I can hold on to them until then, but they don't need to be returned until the day of pictures.

Memory Work
Kids are doing a pretty good job on their memory work. I've heard, "I forgot," a couple times concerning the memory slips, but there's no epidemic of late work. I would caution students, however, not to wait until the last minute. This week nobody said memory on Monday, and by Thursday the class as a whole was only halfway finished. That made for a hectic morning today listening to memory work. Don't put memory off until the end of the week.

Next Week - Four Day Week
Next week is a short week. Friday is a professional day for teachers. No school for students. (There's another reason not to put memory off until Friday...students won't be here.)

Midterm Reports
Yes, already! Next week on Tuesday, midterm grade reports will come home. Please remember these are not final grades, nor are they even recorded. They are just an update as to where students are at the midpoint of the quarter. Take the time to notice where improvement is needed as well as where achievement has been high.

The Upcoming Week

Memory - At Home: Q1W5 At School: Historical books of the Old Testament (Genesis-Esther) and Poetic/Prophetic books of the OT (Job-Malachi). These are two separate assignments and may be said at separate times.

Religion - Abraham, Lot, Isaac.

Reading - One the Banks of Plum Creek, cause and effect, point of view, keep reading and keep writing.

English - Complete and simple subjects

Math - Adding columns of numbers, reading scales, reading time from a clock, rounding.

Science - Energy

Social Studies - Climate, current events.

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

One Final (Un)Important Note
And just a final note from your sports-nut teacher. If you watch the Brewers, please cheer extra hard. They really need to make the playoffs. Really. This draught is getting hard to handle. They haven't been to the postseason since 1982. My daughter is now older than I was then. Haven't Wisconsin baseball fans suffered enough? I think I was in fourth grade then, and now my daughter is in fourth grade. Once a generation? Ugh. Go Brewers.

Lou Gehrig and a Reminder

In reading class we just read a story about Lou Gehrig, the famous New York Yankees baseball player who died in the 1940s at age 37 from ALS, now called Lou Gehrig's disease. We watched a short part of a documentary about it in class today, featuring his "luckiest man on the face of the earth" comments, and I thought I'd try to post the video on the website for you to see. It's only 2 minutes long, and worth the click. You should be able to go to the site from this email. The video on on the right. Click the image of the video and a larger screen will appear.

Tonight is a Work Night here at school. Volunteers take care of general maintanence around school. It's a good opportunity to volunteer, and a big help to all of us - teachers, staff, and students alike. It starts tonight at 6:00.

Friday, 9/19

Culver's Night
An Immanuel tradition continues! Next Tuesday, September 23 is Culver's night. Ten percent of all proceeds from Immanuel sales is donated back to school. Use Scrip and school benefits even more. Half the restaurant is always full of Immanuel people, so drop by, visit for a while, and have dinner or a snack or just coffee, thanks.

Socks for Gym Class
The fourth graders have done a good job of having their gym shoes in their lockers for gym class with Mr. Voelker. Please send in a clean pair of socks (or two) to be kept with those shoes just in case your fourth grader has sandals or crocs on their feet on gym day. Blisters aren't nice.

Science Assignments Coming Home Today
Today there are some science assignments coming home. In too many cases the grades are not where they should be or where we'd like them to be. Don't panic. These were not full assignments - at least as far as my gradebook is concerned. Yes, hopefully we learned about mass and volume and density, but we also spent a lot of time practicing using the textbook to find answers. That's why you'll see page numbers next to some answers. Yesterday we worked in small groups finding answers to problems we had wrong.

The short version is this - don't worry about low grades and yes, we're done with those assignments.

The Upcoming Week

Memory - At Home: Q1W4 Slips At School: Returning Thanks parts 1 & 2

Religion - Noah and Abraham.

Reading - Lou Gehrig, genres, self-questioning as we read.

English - Sentences, subjects and predicates.

Math - Adding three-digit numbers, subtracting two- and three-digit numbers, missing two digit addends, subtracting with regrouping, expanded form.

Science - Inertia, force, gravity, friction, kinetic and potential energy.

Social Studies - Geography. We are waiting for our Wisconsin newspapers and current events magazine to arrive, but unfortunately they haven't. Humph. We'll keep being patient. We've also spent a good deal of time using the textbook, looking at ways to use the textbook and pull out the information the authors want us to know.

Spelling - Lesson 4 Spelling List: those, coach, solid, include, crew, plus, operate, broke, upset, tune, June, floating Extra Words: plume, renew, husband Bonus Words: honor, populated (Today's bonus words were Igiby and Anklejelly. They were just for fun...and no, I'm not telling what they are. You'll have to ask your fourth grader.)

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, 9/18 News

Books For Sale
If you've been hearing about $3.00 books for sale, you've heard correctly. I have two boxes full of books from past years that I've been saving "just in case." Apparently, "just in case" means just in case I fill a box, then I'll fill another. They've been gathering dust, so I wanted to make them available to readers. (What an idea!) So I've got a bunch of books, and all are $3.00. All money will go directly into buying more books for the classroom.

School Magazine Sales Results
Not bad for a bunch of nine-year-olds! Our class took second in the school! Nice work. As a school we met our goal of $15,000 in sales. Thank you to all that participated in this year's sale. All your hard work goes directly to benefit our school.

Friday 9/12 News

Our Newest Read Aloud - On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
We started out latest read aloud on Monday, and, WOW!, has it grabbed the attention of these fourth graders. It is titled On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, and it is by Andrew Peterson. It is "high fantasy," very similar to the Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. A whole new world has been created with its own countries, geography, history...everything. The story follows the Igiby family - Janner, Tink and Leeli and their mother Nia and grandfather Podo - as they deal with the evil rule of Gnag the Nameless. I'm sorry, but I left off with poor Janner, Tink and Leeli in jail for simply protecting one another. The students weren't happy.

The author, Andrew Peterson is a Christian musician, and I've long been a fan of his music. When I heard he was writing a book I was surprised, but excited, hoping I would like it as much as his music. I was not disappointed. For more information on the book, click here. For more information about Andrew Peterson, click right here.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Quarter 1 Week 3 Slips At School: 1. Asking a Blessing, first part 2. Asking a Blessing, second part. These are two separate assignments, but may be said on the same day.

Religion - Apology and Forgiveness, the fall into sin, the family of Adam, the family of God.

Reading - My Name is Maria Isabel, characters' feelings and actions, predicting, different genres.

English - Imperative and exclamatory sentences, subjects and predicates, personal narratives.

Math - Odd and even numbers, number lines, addition stories with missing addends, missing numbers in subtraction.

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

Social Studies - Continue looking at the geography of the United States.

Spelling - Lesson 3 - mine, tie, wild, type, smile, drive, size, blind, visit, thick, die, prize Extra words: fifty, picnic, decide, tiny

Thursday is a Big Day!

Lot's of stuff happening tomorrow at school. Here's what's going on:

1. Anyone interested in band must turn in their band notes tomorrow. Payments do not need to be turned in yet, but sign-up notes should be returned tomorrow.
2. Magazine sales turn in day #2 is tomorrow. Remember to bring all orders in and put them in the big yellow envelope.
3. The September book order is due tomorrow. There's a ton of great ones in there, and if you want a reminder of some I recommended, click here.
4. Tomorrow is Patriot Day in honor of September 11. I didn't know this, but a few years ago, President Bush signed legislation declaring September 11 to be Patriot Day. It's purpose is to remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. Everyone is encouraged to remember the day by wearing red, white, and blue. At chapel today, Mr. Betts encouraged us to do so, and now I'm repeating his encouragement. Let's all wear red, white, and blue tomorrow.
5. It's another day of school. And that's a BIG part of our day too, right?

Friday Newsletter Updates

Band and Choir Notes

On Wednesday you should have received an informational note about band. This is an optional program offered at Immanuel. On Thursday, students were allowed to try instruments just to see what would happen, and note came home saying what they tried. Please know that, while band is a unique opportunity for Immanuel students, it is optional.

General Book Order Information
1. You may send cash or a check, but if possible, I'd appreciate a check made out to the book order company. That makes the order easiest for me.
2. I try to include a list of books I know and can recommend with each order.
3. Keep an eye on the book order's due date, and watch the assignment book as well.


And Now, The September Book Order
Here are the books I know and can recommend. I told the class about some of these today:
Swindle by Gordon Korman
Planet Earth: Animals and Their Prey
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Dive Trilogy by Gordon Korman
Knights of the Lunch Table by Frank Cammuso - Actually, I read another by this author and it was great!
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Baseball Card Adventures Set by Dan Gutman - Another set that I have't read, but his other books have been great with fourth graders.
Falling Up by Shel Silverstein
The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set by C.S. Lewis - My favorite series of all time.

Some Math Assignment Information
Some of the daily "practice" assignments have been very small - only six questions. This will be changing today when I assign "exercise" assignments. Once we complete "test" assignments, review questions from previously mastered objectives will begin to be added to "practice" assignments.

The Change in Our Class List
We learned this week that, after beginning the year with us, Matthew wasn't going to return to Immanuel. Now that Matthew and Tyler are living in Nekoosa, their mom decided that it would be best for them to attend school in Nekoosa. There have been issues with bussing from Nekoosa, and their family's schedule made getting the boys to and from school very difficult. We prayed with Matthew and asked God to bless him at his new school, and we wish him and his brother all the best.

Yellow Notes
Also known as "late slips," some of these are coming home today. Anytime an assignment is not turned in when it is supposed to be, students receive a bright yellow note. This note lists the assignment and whether it has been turned in. These notes will always come home, even if the work has been turned in before day's end, to keep parents informed. Please sign the note and be sure it is returned with the missing work (if necessary) the next day.

The Upcoming Week

Memory - At School: Evening Prayer At Home: Quarter 1 Week 2 Slips

Religion - Creation

Reading - Donovan's Word Jar, Characters' feelings and actions, interesting vocabulary.

English - Declarative and interrogative sentences, describing.

Math - Subtraction, fact families, numbers through 999, adding money, regrouping.

Science - Matter.

Social Studies - Regions.

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

Reminders For This Week

Wednesday Evening - Ice Cream and Book Covers
Tomorrow night from 6:00-7:30 the Immanuel PTC is sponsoring an ice cream social / book covering night here at school. Families can come, kids can bring their textbooks, and all the materials needed will be there for textbook covering. Oh, and there will be ice cream as well. All textbooks need to be covered by Friday anyway, so this is a great opportunity to get it done.

Did I mention there will be ice cream?

Magazine Turn In Day #1
The first turn in day is on Thursday. Is everything making sense? Are there any questions? We'll talk about it today in class. Remember, all orders count double on the first turn-in day.

Questions on Memory?
At-Home: These are the Bible verses (#1-24) handed out on Friday. Memory slips come home on Friday and are due by the next Friday. They may be turned in when they are complete. The numbers on the Memory slips match the numbered verses.

At-School: These may be said any morning the student is ready. This week, students may say the first half once, then say all of it when they know it. We practiced this in class together this morning and will continue to do so most weeks.

The Weekly Fourth Gradian

The First Newsletter!
This is the first edition, so to speak, of the Weekly Fourth Gradian, our class newsletter. It will come home on Friday, but there will occasionally be other updates during the week. Everyone will receive a print copy today (and a print copy of the school newsletter), so check your child's Take Home Folder. There are other things in there too. Any attachments or handouts that I mention in the newsletter will be in the folder. I have't quite made it to the level of sending everything home digitally yet. If anyone realizes that you didn't receive the emailed newsletter at an address you gave me or if you want to add another address, let me know.

Memory Assignments
Coming home today is a list of all the memory assignments for the year and all of the memory for the first quarter - three sheets total. Also coming home is a slip of paper listing verses #1-3 as the Quarter 1 Week 1 At Home memory assignment. Those verses are on the sheets. Have your fourth grader practice them at home and say them to you. When you are satisfied they know it, sign and date the form. Each verse may be done separately. These sheets are due by the next Friday. At the bottom of this newsletter is a list of next week's At School assignments as well. These may be said any morning next week. These also are included in today's handout. Keep these sheets in safe places - homework folders, on the fridge, a bulletin board, etc.

Magazine Sales Fund Raiser
Today is the kickoff of our annual magazine sales fund raiser. This is a BIG fund raiser for the school. Here are some key points.

• Don't go door to door.
• Talk to friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers, etc.
• Encourage renewing subscriptions before purchasing new subscriptions.
• Yes, we have prizes. They are meant as part motivation and part thank you.
• There is a mail and email option as well.
• Check the packet. Most everything should be explained in there.

The packet is coming home with your child today with a catalog and order forms. The first turn-in day is next week on Thursday. Keep your orders and money until that turn-in day.

New Immanuel Church Worship Schedule
Remember, this weekend Immanuel starts their new worship schedule. Worship times are at 8:00 and 10:30. At 9:00 is our education hour with Sunday School and numerous Bible study opportunities.

School Computer Acceptable Use Policy
Another (yeah, there's a lot today) handout coming home today is the computer Acceptable Use Policy. This is a document of rules for our computer system. These rules not only protect our school's computer system, but they are meant to protect the students as well. Please return as soon as possible. New students also have a password handout for their personal login information.

The Upcoming Week

Memory - At Home: Quarter 1 Week 1 slips At School: 1. Morning Prayer, 1st half 2. Morning Prayer, All (Students may say one half first before saying the whole thing or may do it all in one shot.)

Religion - Continue S.T.E.P.S. and apology and forgiveness.

Reading - The Gardener, narrative elements, continue working in our reading notebooks.

English - Diamante Poems

Math - Addition, missing addends, sequences, digits, place value, ordinal numbers.

Science - Begin Unit B on matter.

Social Studies - Why social studies matters, parts of social studies.

Spelling - UNIT 1 played, escape, steak, subway, gray, safely, mistake, greatest, break, after, planting, scratch Extra Words: holiday, paragraph Bonus Words: Wilhorn, Immanuel

And One More Thing...
This week has been such a good one I've decided to give the students Monday off! Congratulations, Fourth Graders! See you Tuesday!

Message Number One

Welcome to fourth grade! Day one is in the books, and it was a great day. I wanted to send out a message to see if the email system is working correctly. I sent out message earlier to the fifth grade families, then deleted the email addresses from last year and added yours.

If you want to see the website, it's located at http://loudestclass.blogspot.com/. The address is from last year's class theme, The Loudest Class in the World, based on "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; make a LOUD noise." It was easier to just leave the address the same, even though our class theme - See Jesus - is different.

God's blessings!

Happy First Day of School, FIFTH Grade Parents

I was about to delete all of last year's email addresses and replace them with this year's, but then thought it would be great for this old fourth grade teacher to fill your inbox with some final words of wisdom.

But I couldn't think of any.

So I'll just say I hope your fifth grade year goes wonderfully and don't be scared to say, "Hi," even though your not in my class anymore.

God's blessings on the second half of your Immanuel career, and remember, always, always, always, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: Make a LOUD noise." (And no, that doesn't mean disrupt my class!)

Mr. Wilhorn

Oops! I forgot something!

Okay, actually I forgot more than one thing.

I forgot #1 - I was supposed to write on everyone's report card whether or not students are promoted to fifth grade. So to eliminate all your fears, YES, you all passed fourth grade!

I forgot #2 - I had a letter from Mr. Betts that was supposed to get handed out yesterday with report cards, but they mysteriously remained in my bag. I did catch some of you before you left, but for everyone else, here's the informtion. There's the letter, information on a new student referral program, and a reminder of an upcoming volunteer opportunity. It won't look the same below, but all the text is the same.


6-5-2008

Dear Parents,

What a blessing it has been to have your family part of Immanuel Lutheran School this year. I hope that you have seen how your child and family has been transformed through the year. God has been at work in many areas at Immanuel and my prayer is that Jesus will continue to be the center of your family.

Next year Immanuel will celebrate 125 years of education with the theme “He is the Vine We are the Branches” which is from John 15. Here is where you become a very important part of this theme for next year. I am sure that you are all aware of the closing of Biron Christian Academy. I have talked to the principal Cheryl Ver Hulst about the situation and she has shared with the families at Biron Christian Academy that Immanuel Lutheran School is one option for their families to receive a Christian education.

As parents of the school you are a great resource to the school by being an advocate to promote to families in our community the benefits of attending Immanuel. Please encourage them to consider sending their child to our school this fall. You are all branches in this community and have the ability to inform families first hand of how they can benefit academically, physically, and spiritually through attending Immanuel. One challenge that has limited families from considering attending Immanuel has been the cost. Please encourage them to talk to me about how they can receive a scholarship to attend Immanuel.

I would also encourage you to refer any names of prospective families to the school in which I can contact to provide more information about the benefits of attending Immanuel Lutheran School. There is also an incentive program for you that is on the back of this letter.

Thanks again for a wonderful year and may God bless you this summer as you continue to transform lives around you.

In His Service,

Brian Betts


Immanuel Lutheran School Referral Program

Get FREE SCRIP for referring NEW Families to Immanuel Lutheran School

Did you know that talking about products and services that you have benefited from is the MOST EFFECTIVE form of advertising?

By talking with area families convincingly and positively about Immanuel, You can earn FREE MONEY!

Here’s what you could talk about . . .
A.) The High Academic Achievements of the Students
B.) The freedom to talk about Jesus, All Day, Every Day
C.) The Extra-curricular Activities
D.) The Teachers

After attending Immanuel Lutheran School for six months, the “New Family” will be given a $25 SCRIP Gift Certificate! The “Referring Family” will also be given a $25 SCRIP Gift Certificate!

What REALLY happens?
1.) A new family is blessed (eternally!) by Immanuel
2.) Existing Immanuel families are blessed by the talents and the gifts of the new family
3.) FREE money goes to the Families PLUS the School!


SPECIAL PROJECT: We are looking for painters to do some inside and outside paint jobs at our school. The plan is to work on this the week of June 23 – 27th. Please contact Greg Johnson or the school office if you are able to help with this project.

Thursday, 6/5 Picnic Newsletter Updates

It's 2:00 on Thursday Afternoon. That means the 2007-2008 school year is officially over...

What's in an Envelope?
All sorts of things, but what's in this envelope? You can get the newsletter digitally, but the rest is in the envelope.

1. This Newsletter
2. Report Card
3. Iowa Test of Basic Skills Results
4. A letter from Pastor Grohs (for most people)
5. Next year's (next year!) school supply list
6. Recommended books for summer reading
7. A little card that goes with the recommended books list

Thank You!
On Monday I was surprised with a new carrying case for my computer as a birthday gift from the class. Thanks! (And I’ll be discussing all this secrecy with Mrs. Wilhorn, to be sure!) It was exactly what I wanted and I already have put it to use. I can carry the computer and a lot of books, let me tell you. Again, thank you!

Thank You! Part Two
Thanks as well for a wonderful school year. Another year has gone by and I don’t know where it went honestly. It’s more amazing when I look back at this class as first graders – Mrs. Wilhorn’s last class here at Immanuel. Didn’t fourth grade look a long way off back then? Don’t look now, but…there it goes...

Fourth grade…

As I look back I hope that the students leave with more of a lot of things: More knowledge, more desire to read, more success in school, and more reassurance of the love of Jesus in their lives. I know I am taking with me many lessons too, ways I can improve as a teacher, and another 20 students (and their families) that have impacted my life. (As I look at the class list, however, I see over half of the class has younger siblings, and some coming next year!) Thank you.

Missing Items
If you have lunch money that is owed or Mr. Wilhorn's books to turn in or any other items that need to be squared away now that the year is done, please do so as soon as possible. If your report card has been withheld because of these items, it is available in the office. Thanks for your promt attention.

Needtobreathe in Concert FOR FREE in Wausau!
On Friday, June 21 at 8:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau the band Needtobreathe will be in concert. (Trinity has a Lutheran School about the same size as ours.) This is the band that sings "Shine On," a song on the Loudest Class in the World CD from the beginning of the year. The cost is free. They'll be loud. It'll be crazy. But it will all be in the name of the Lord! It is a part of the Rainbow Valley Music Festival. For more information check here: http://www.yat.org/Index.asp.

The Upcoming Week...I mean...The Upcoming SUMMER!

Memory – Remember, Jesus loves you. Religion – Take time to worship Jesus this summer. After all, he loves you.

Reading – Read the Bible and find 5 places where it says Jesus loves you.

English – Write 10 sentences, all stating that Jesus loves someone.

Math – Calculate how many months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds in a year Jesus loves you.

Science – Read books on ecosystems. List 10 ecosystems you could go where Jesus would love you.

Social Studies – Geography: List 10 landforms upon which Jesus loves you. History: For how long has Jesus loved you? Civics: Can any government make any law that would restrict the love of Jesus? (Trick question!)

Spelling – Word list: 1. Jesus 2. Loves 3. You *4. Unconditionally (bonus word)

Nicholas

Today we did a character activity with a book called Nicholas. It's the first in a series originally written in France in the 1960s that are now being translated and published in English. They're pretty funny. We looked at the official Nicholas website today, and I thought the kids might like to have the address.

Here it is: www.phaidon.com/nicholas

Friday, 5/30 Newsletter Updates

Last Friday's Field Trip
Coming home with today's newsletter are copies of the old photographs we used on our Wisconsin Rapids field trip last Friday with the new photographs we took along the way. Also coming home is your child's original assignment with his/her observations. Can you notice things your child didn't? Some photographs are very different! The key is trying to find a landmark that is the same in both pictures. Then compare all the differences around that one landmark. Also, a digital copy of all the photographs is availabe in a Word document. I can email it to anyone who requests it.

This Monday's Field Trip
Monday is the walking trip to the library and Dairy Queen. Today we requested books to be placed on hold at the library, so hopefully some will be available on Monday. You can check what your child placed on hold by visiting www.mcmillanlibrary.org and entering the barcode and pin number of the library card that was used.

The Upcoming Week
Next week is a week of tying up loose ends. We will do some wrap-up activities in all the subjects, collect textbooks, pick up and clean up, and do the largest alphabetizing assignment ever known to man, woman, or beast! Bwaah-ha-ha-haaaaa! (Scared?)

The Picnic and THE Kickball Game
The end of the year picnic is on Thursday at Robinson Park. The picnic starts at 11:00. When you arrive, head to the baseball diamond in the back of the park. The kickball game will start at 11:30. (Any parents who are able to attend the picnic are encouraged to come. Of course everyone can't make it, but the parents will need all the he... Well, maybe we'll see you there.) We'll eat around 12:00. Chapel will start around 1:00. And home we go at 2:00. Report cards will be handed out after chapel.

Have a great weekend! It looks like the rain will be past for Saturday and Sunday!

Library Clarification

Sorry if the newsletter was confusing concerning the Thursday/Monday Library field trip. Here's a (hopefully) better version:

Thursday - We will do a lesson in the computer lab about reserving books (placing a hold) at the public library. Library cards are needed for this lesson.

Monday - We will go to the library and pick up the books that we reserved. Library cards will be needed this day as well.

Sorry for any confusion!

Tuesday, 5/27 Newsletter Updates

Final Branch Observation and Final Branch Assignment
Yesterday was the day of the last branch observation, but if you forgot, make that last observation today. Students also received their final assignment for the branch observations today. These are due on Thursday. At that time this 2-page assignment will be turned in with all 9 branch observations.

Library Cards
Next week on Monday we are taking a short field trip to the McMillan Library. Part of the trip is teaching students how to place books on hold using the Internet and then pick them up at the library. This lesson will be on Thursday.

1. If your child has a library card, please send it on Thursday.
2. If your child does not have their own, consider sending yours if you have one.
3. If students don't have a card, is it okay for me to help them get one? As soon as I talk to the library, I'll let you know more details on this.
4. I think we'll also include a side-stop at Dairy Queen for a small goodie. Just so you're aware.

Last Friday's Field Trip - Photos Available
Friday's field trip was a great success. Many students threw themselves right into comparing the past to what they saw before them in the present. If you would like to see all the original photographs compared to the pictures we took on Friday, I can send them to you as a Word document. Email me and I'll send it right back to you.

Old Books for Mrs. Wilhorn
The following is from Mrs. Wilhorn: "I'm collecting gently used books to distribute to students at Mead Elementary School for summer reading. It is so important that kids continue to read over the summer and many students do not have easy access to books to read. If you have any books that are collecting dust at your house I'd be glad to get them into the hands of kids. We are looking for books for ages 4-12. Please let me know by Friday, May 30 if you have books and we can find a way to get them from you."

You can contact her via email at our home address or her school address. At school her address is Jennifer [dot] Wilhorn [at] wrps [dot] org. (Hope that makes sense. I'm just trying to keep the computers out there from adding her address to their spam email lists.)

School Picnic - THE Kickball Game
Apparently there is a tradition with this class that the students take on the parents in a kickball game at the school picnic. I'm told it's "GAME ON" for this year. I'm also told that a number of parents are worried that this may be the last year where the grown-ups have an advantage. The kids are getting older/stronger/faster/smarter and the parents are getting older...well, we'll just let that sentence dangle there. Anyway, Parents, if you haven't started your training regiment yet, get after it! There's a trophy on the line!

This Week's Memory and Spelling
Memory - At Home: Q4W7 Slips. At School: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God verse 1 and The Doxology.
Spelling - UNIT 33 practice, members, dinner, suppose, except, problem, shallow, stubborn, silver, cotton, object, shelter Extra Words: distance, pattern, captive, publish, tractor, narrow Bonus Words: brilliant, suddenly

Last Minute Field Trip Request

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.

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, 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

Thursday, 5/8 Newsletter Updates

Some Reminders

• 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.

Thank You
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

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.

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

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!

Demonstration Picture for LEA Convention

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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?

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

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!

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

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?

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.

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

Tuesday, 2/12 Newsletter Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basketball Schedule

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

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

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

Friday, February 1 Newsletter Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Religion - Miracles of Jesus

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

English - Nouns. Singular and plural and possessive.

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

Science - Finish the solar system.

Social Studies - The Great Plains states.

Spelling - No list. Review lesson.

A Few Monday Updates

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

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

Thursday, January 24 Newsletter Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Religion - Jesus' earthly ministry.

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

English - Nouns

Math - Continue lessons 54, 55, etc.

Science - Planets and the solar system.

Social Studies - Finish the Great Lakes States

Spelling - List will come home on Monday.

Since We Are Studying the Planets...

Here is an interesting article about a mysterious NASA photo.

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

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

More Congratulations!

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

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

I Thought I'd Share Anyway

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

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

Friday, January 18 Newsletter Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Religion - Jesus the healer.

Reading - Look to the North.

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

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

Science - The Solar System.

Social Studies - The Great Lakes States.

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

Tonight's Basketball Games Cancelled

All basketball games for tonight have been cancelled.

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

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

Friday, 1/11 Newsletter Updates

Congratulations, Brandon!

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

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

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

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

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

The Second Quarter...

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

The Upcoming Week

Religion - More works of Jesus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, January 4 Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

Religion - Jesus on Earth

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

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

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

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

Social Studies - Continue the South Central region.

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

Welcome Back Updates

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

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

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

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