While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night - Behold the Lamb of God

The Savior has been born! Do we expect the heavens to be silent? This video is from a church that performed the musical last Christmas, and they do a great job.

"Hallelujah! Christ is born! All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace. Good will henceforth from God to man, begin and never cease! Hallelujah!"

Tuesday Afternoon, 12/16 Newsletter Announcements

Uninvited Classroom Guest - The Flu
Keep an eye out for the flu. As you may know, I stayed home yesterday with Megan when she got the flu, and by mid-morning it was a good thing I did. After some chicken soup and 12 hours of sleep, I'm feeling back to normal. Other students are missing, and students in other grades as well.

Book Orders
The book orders are in. If you are expecting something, contact me and we'll come up with a plan.

The Christmas Program
The program is coming along nicely. Performances are on Thursday at 1:00 and 6:00. Students are asked to dress in typical, nice Sunday clothes. No special costumes are needed for fourth graders.

The Tale of Despereaux
We have nearly finished our latest read aloud book, The Tale of Despereaux, about a mouse who must save a princess. Throw in some wickedly evil rats and a ban on soup and you've got one interesting tale. The movie, by the way, comes out on Friday. (But it's bound to be not nearly as good as the book, right? We'll see.)

Exercise Your Right to Vote!
We have a class bamboo plant. It's not doing so well - a lot of brown tipped leaves and such - so we thought a name might help it along. (That, and getting it out of my basement.) To the right side of the website is a poll. Vote early, vote often. Winner to be determined Friday.

Labor of Love - Behold the Lamb of God

Sometimes we forget that Jesus was born of a woman, true man while also true God. "Silent Night, Holy Night," we sing, "All is calm, all is bright." Labor of Love describes the night Jesus was born in the most realistic way I have heard.

Here's my favorite line:

So he [Joseph] held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move

I hope you like it.

It Came to Pass - Behold the Lamb of God

There were some guest singers, so Andrew Peterson isn't singing this one, but the song is still great. It's the beginning of Luke 2. Mary and Joseph are off to Bethlehem to follow Caesar's decree.

Matthew's Begats - Behold the Lamb of God

Just in case there was any doubt that Jesus was part of God's plan, here's his family genealogy, from Abraham, who was promised ancestors outnumbering than the stars in the sky, to King David, to Mary and Joseph and Jesus.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Behold the Lamb of God

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is an instrumental version of the traditional Christmas carol. Knowing the words, even if they aren't sung, continues the prayer of Deliver Us, asking God to come as he promised to save his people.

Deliver Us - Behold the Lamb of God

This video is from the Ryman Auditorium concert and features Derek Webb singing. Derek Webb is part of the Christan band Caedmon's Call. Deliver Us compares the bondage the Israelites faced as slaves in Egypt to the bondage of sin that enslaves us. The song is a prayer that, since there aren't enough lambs for sacrifice to atone for our sins, that God, Yahweh, deliver us from them instead.

Listen closely at the end for God's answer.

Midterms and More

• Midterms are coming home today. They were in sealed envelopes when students received them, and should be in sealed envelopes when they get home. Hopefully we can cut down on the "I got 4 A's and 3 B's, what you get? Huh? Huh? Huh?"
• Midterms have a signature note at the bottom. Please sign and return it as soon as possible. Thanks in advance.
• The Christmas note that was emailed home yesterday didn't get into mailboxes until after school yesterday. If it's not home today, it's in your child's mailbox.

Christmas Party Information

A printed version of this note is coming home today, but I am posting it here too. Mr. W.

Merry Christmas 4th Grade Parents!!

As we all know, Santa is pretty busy this time of year, so we decided to give him a little help! Dec. 19th is the date of the class Christmas party and gift exchange. We are looking for some help from 4th grade parents in order to make this a festive and fun occasion for everyone!!

The party will be Dec. 19 and will start right after the afternoon Christmas concert – so figure about 2/2:15 pm. It will last about an hour.

We will have the gift exchange during the party. Boys should buy for boys, and girls for girls. The limit is $5 – please try to stay within the guidelines, in order to keep all gifts on “even footing”.

Below is a list of the items we will need. If any of you would be willing to provide any of these, we would really appreciate it and of course, we always love to have parents, grandparents, or any other adults come to join in the fun!

Volunteers
1. Michelle and/or Mike C.
2. Nicole T.
3. __________
4. __________
5. __________

Refreshments
1. __________
2. __________

Christmas Cups
1. __________

Treats
1. Nicole T.
2. __________
3. __________

Paper Plates & Napkins
1. __________
2. __________

Also, we are collecting money to buy a class Christmas gift for Mr. Wilhorn. Please donate whatever you feel comfortable with if you would like to go in on the class gift. (If you have any questions on the class gift, please give me a call).

Thanks again for all your help! Please feel free to contact Nicole at 421-9791 with any questions. Please either call or email Nicole with whatever you are able to help out with at ntrickle@yahoo.com. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and God’s blessings!

Sincerely,
Michelle C. & Nicole T.

So Long, Moses - Behold the Lamb of God

So Long Moses takes listeners from Moses and the Promised land to Joshua and the Canaanites. Then comes King Saul and a description of King David, followed by the Old Testament prophets. Finally, Isaiah tells of the coming Savior.

This video was made for a church that performed the musical in 2007. Again, sorry the video isn't embedded in the email. Click the link at the bottom to see it on the website.

Sorry, Last Message

Apparently you'll have to click on the link at the bottom of the email and go to the website to see the video. I mistakenly thought the video would be embedded into the email.

All of the videos will automatically go to the website, with the newest posted at the top. Which of course means, after several have been posted, you will have to start at the bottom and work up. (Funny how that works...)

The address, if you want to go straight to the site, is http://loudestclass.blogspot.com.

Gather Round Ye Children Come - Behold the Lamb of God

Gather Round Ye Children Come is the first song from the album. This video is from the 2004 performance at the Ryman Auditorium.

Andrew Peterson - Behold the Lamb of God

Many of you know that Christian musician and author Andrew Peterson is coming to Immanuel in March. We (the fourth graders) read his first novel aloud called On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. We loved it.

A few years ago Andrew Peterson wrote an album and began performing Christmas concerts entitled Behold the Lamb of God. For these last two weeks before Christmas, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to some of Andrew Peterson's music and give you a musical countdown to Christ, so to speak. I'll post one video a day on the website. Well, two videos today, actually. Feel free to forward the emails on to others you think would appreciate them or direct them to our website.

Each day until Christmas break another will be posted. Most are from a recording of the concert performed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Some feature other singers, one is a simple video made by a fan, and some feature a church that performed Behold the Lamb of God at their church. Regardless of the performances, the songs are all Andrew Peterson's, and they all tell the remarkable story, starting back in the Old Testament, of a Savior sent to save us all. I hope you enjoy the videos.

Here is Andrew explaining why he started Behold the Lamb of God in the first place.

Friday, 12/5 Newsletter Updates

Midterms Next Week
It's that time already. Second quarter midterms will be calculated over the weekend and sent home early next week - probably on Tuesday. When you get them, please return the signature form right away with any questions or comments.

Christmas Party and Gift Exchange
On December 19 we will have our traditional Christmas party. The newsletter explained some simple guidelines. Please keep gifts in the $5 range. It's nice to exchange gifts, but there can be challenges if all of the gifts are not "even" so to speak. Boys will exchange with boys, and girls with girls. Names will be randomly selected.

Christmas Program and Memory Work
Yes, we are working on memory work for the Christmas program. Next week we will do:
1. Monday - While Shepherds Watched v. 1-2
2. Tuesday - While Shepherds Watched v. 3-4
3. Thursday - Angels We Have Heard on High (including the horribly difficult chorus "Glo-o-o-o-o-oooo-o-o-o-o-oooo-o-o-o-o-oria!")
4. Friday - Whatever needs work.
5. Don't forget Q2W5 slips.

Book Order
Any last minute book orders? I'm planning to place the order tonight, but if you still want to order something - secretly or not - send me an email and I'll add it to the order. You can send the payment in next week.

Spelling List - shelves, sheep, teeth, elves, mice, calves, spacecraft, jeans, feet, women, gentlemen, geese Additional words: series, oxen, deer, halves BONUS WORDS: salmon, scissors

More Basketball Information to Clarify

The last basketball message only applies to fourth graders. There are no other scheduling changes that I am aware of.

IMPORTANT - Tonight's Basketball Games

The boys basketball game for tonight has been cancelled due to a scheduling mix-up. The boys have no game and no practice tonight. They will be coming home.

The girls game is going to be played as scheduled. All girls will be ready to leave at 3:30 to "beat the after school crowd" and to make sure they have enough time to arrive and be ready for their 4:15 game.

All players that this affects, especially the boys, are trying to make - or have already made - phone calls to their parents. Email me if you have any questions.

I hope all of that makes sense!

Newsletter Updates for 12/3 (or Morning, 12/4)

December Book Orders
Two book orders were sent home yesterday. Sorry for the delay, but here are some books I can recommend. And, I have an independent contract with a certain Jolly Ole' Elf, one Fat Man in Red who goes by the names Kris Kringle and Father Christmas. All of which simply means if you want to order something in secret, let me know.

These orders are due Friday and will (should) be in before Christmas break.

Arrow December:

• Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath - They're long and can be challenging, but worth the effort.
• Everest Pack by Gordon Korman
• The Name of this Book is Secret
• The City of Ember
• Emily Windsnap Set - I haven't read these, they're Kyra's recommendation (and from what she's told me, they sound cool!
• A Pizza the Size of the Sun
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• Shel Silverstein Duo
• The Million Dollar Shot
• And many others that look good, but I haven't read them...

Holiday Gift Books:

• Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday - Another I haven't read, but I love Judy Moody and Stink books. This is the first book featuring them together.
• The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones (any fourth graders heard of this one?
• The Willoughbys
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret
• Don't Bump the Glump
• Judy Moody Collection
• Fudge Set
• Gingerbread Friends (and I'm not saying this because we just got to meet the author.)
• Olive the Other Reindeer (a cute picture book)
• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
• Newbery Authors Set - I have read 4 of these 8.
• There are also a lot of picture books that are good.

The 39 Clues

In case you haven't heard the details from your fourth grader, The 39 Clues are a new series of books. There will be 10 in all over the next 2 years, written by 10 different authors. The follow Dan and Amy Cahill around the world as they seek out the 39 clues that will reveal the secret of their family's history and power. It's a fast paced adventure. We loved book one.

We finished reading book one last week. On Monday we watched a webcast interview with Gordan Korman, the author of book two. On Tuesday book two came out, and we plan on reading it aloud after Christmas break.

In class we have been participating in the online game here. But it's not all games. Students are doing some research and writing. There's tons of teamwork, code breaking brain games, and additional information about story characters. (For example, we saw Irina Spasky in photos with President Bush and Queen Elizabeth.) It's been a long time since I've seen a book capture an entire class. It's been pretty fun to watch.

Check Your Church Calendars...

Okay, okay, for all you careful readers out there, we are starting ADVENT, not LENT on Sunday. Enjoy your first Sunday in ADVENT.

(At least I got the "Coming of a Savior" part right.)

Happy Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

The 39 Clues - Our Read Aloud Book and Future Activities
Today we finished The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan, the first book in The 39 Clues series. It has been a wild ride. What a story! Our main characters went from Boston to Philadelphia to Paris, places where Ben Franklin lived, and now they are on their way to Vienna, Austria to learn something about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Book two in the series, One False Note by Gordon Korman, is scheduled to be released next week on Tuesday.

Just in case . . . I called Book World in town and said there might be some interested children coming their way looking for the second book. I've already reserved mine, so hopefully it will be there on Tuesday.

Next week I'm planning a large activity for reading and English class around the books. We will be doing research about famous historical people, more reading and writing, code breaking, and dot connecting, so to speak. Instead of letting the excitement over the books just fade away, I thought I'd try to harness it and teach them something along the way.

The 39 Clues website has information about the books and additional clues for readers to solve. There are also collectable cards that can be used on the website. Basically, there's a TON of information, all scattered around. It is the kids' job to decipher it, organize it, and solve the mystery. And we're going to try.

In Other News...
Parade This Friday - Friday night is the Parade in Wisconsin Rapids. Mr. Betts is looking for people willing to walk the route with some Immanuel handouts. Hey! We can be in a parade! Time to practice that parade wave. I'm planning on being there, so maybe we'll see you.

Next week - At-Home memory assignments will continue with Q2W4, but the at school memory will focus on the Christmas program. Students are bringing home the lyrics today.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and first Sunday in Lent as we ready our hearts for the coming of a Savior this Christmas!

Monday, 11/24 News

Food Offerings for Chapel
We are currently collecting non-perishable food for the local food pantry. Offerings can be brought in any time, and on Wednesdays they will be taken to chapel as part of our offering.

Items for Iraqi Children and Our Troops
A note went home last week about donations for Iraqi children and the troops stationed in Iraq. Some items for the children include soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, small toys like Hotwheels or Beanie Babies, children’s clothes, and school supplies (scissors, rulers, pens, pencils, etc.)

Students may also include cards or letters to American Troops. Another option would be to simply donate money to go towards postage to mail the boxes.

Culver's Night
Tuesday night is Culver's Night. Ten percent of all proceeds go back to school, and there's always someone you know to eat with and talk to.

T-Shirt Day
This Wednesday has been declared a "Wear-Your-White-Vine/Branches-Immanuel-Shirt-To-School" Day. (Is more explanation needed?)

Recess Clothes
It's that time of year. Please make sure your child has necessary items for recess. All children should have boots, snowpants, jackets, hats, and mittens. Even though it hasn't been snowy, it's still been cold. Too many kids go outside wearing a sweatshirt and then say, "Can I go in and get my hat and mittens?" Once the snow flies, children aren't allowed on the snow without the proper clothing. Thanks.

Here's the Story

Yesterday I had to leave school at midday. You may have heard a story involving Mr. Wilhorn, Texas, airports, a heart attack, my mother, and my grandmother. Here's the story, and I'm sorry if you received another version. Stories sometimes lose their accuracy on the way home.

My grandmother had a heart attack early Monday morning. She was taken to Riverview and immediately transferred to Marshfield.

May parents are in Texas on vacation. My mother flew home to be with my grandmother - her mother. I needed to drive to Minneapolis to pick up my mother from the airport.

To answer the next question: She's doing better than could be expected at this point. Once they got the blocked artery cleared, she immediately felt better. She arrived at the hospital Monday morning, and by Monday afternoon she was asking about going home the next day. The doctors still wanted her in the critical care unit overnight, but she was asking about going home. I'll find out more today after I talk to my mom.

Thanks for your prayers.

Friday, 11/14 Newsletter

Muffins with Mom
Our annual get together for moms and grandmothers and kids is next week on Wednesday morning. The morning starts at 8:00. Consider coming and staying for chapel at 8:50.

The Upcoming Week

Memory - At home: Q2W2 slips At School: The 7th Commandment and meaning. Students may break it into two parts (the first part up to "...or possessions.") or say it all at once. In the end I'd still like students to say it all at once.

Religion - The coming of Jesus

Reading - Theme 2 Unit wrap-up.

English - Writing

Math - Numbers through hundred millions, mixed numbers, money

Science - Weather

Social Studies - Finish the Northeast states. Current events and more Wisconsin history.

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

Coming Home Today

Due to a combination of not handing papers out and not emptying take-home folders and not checking mailboxes (and probably some other stuff), today, finally, there is a ton of student work coming home. Be sure to ask your fourth grader about it.

November Book Order

First, a couple notes for parents.

• The book order is due on Friday, 11/14.
• Cash and checks both work, but a check to the book order company works best for me.
• Since the Christmas season is coming, I can keep orders secret for you. (I won't tell the kids this, and I'm willing to stretch the truth for you. No BIG lies, however!)

And now, books I can recommend from the November book order.

• The City of Ember
• Knee-Knock Rise
• Chronicles of Narnia
• Number the Stars
• The 39 Clues, Book One: The Maze of Bones (our current read-aloud)
• The Kid Who Became President
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Books 1 & 2

And now, books I know something about or by authors I am familiar with, but haven't read. Yet.

• The Homework Machine
• Miracle on 49th Street
• Magical Girls Trio - I have read Princess Acadamy, but not the other two.
• Main Street Series
• Snot Stew - Dick King-Smith write enjoyable animal stories.
• Deltora Quest Boxed Set - I've heard that it is a fun adventure/fantasy series.
• The Shadow Children Collection - potentially tough for fourth graders, but again, I've heard that it is very exciting and adventurous.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Just a reminder that parent/teacher conferences start tonight. Everyone should have received a note with your night and time. If you didn't, send me a message and I'll let you know right away.

When you arrive, report cards will be in envelopes outside the room. Feel free to take it before the conference. You can even get it early if you are headed to another child's conference.

Finally, there will be a little contest in the hallway with some student work. If you want, take an entry form, do your best, and turn it in. Everything you'll need will be in the hall.

See you tonight (or Tuesday or Thursday).

On Our Way To Dig Up the Past

Here we are on our way to the excavation site, ready to be archeologists and dig up some history.

Good Morning!

Here we all are, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a great night's sleep and on our way to breakfast.

Coming Home Tonight - Tuesday, 11/4

Here is a list of all the important stuff coming home tonight:

• Orange parent/teacher conference note telling date and time of conference.
• Final CWES field trip note.
• Election Information - state electoral votes map, poll closing times chart, and "scorecard"
• Quarter 2 Week 1 memory slip
• All second quarter memory (which we start next week with the 6th and 7th commandment.)
• Spelling List 10
• And maybe something else I'm forgetting, but I think I got it all.

Have a great night, don't stay up too late watching the election results, and see you in the morning at 8:15.

Costumes

Let's see if I can get this straight. There are some dancers and sleepers and an evil Sith lord. Some more dancers and Lewis and Clark and a scurvy pirate. There an archeologist who's not favous for his archeology. We have a tour guide and famous soccer player and a sailor and Clementine and Margaret and some bald guy with a mop who already lost his earring and bushy eyebrows. And I know I forgot something. Lots of creativity was on display today. (And we even got some work done! How about that?)

Have a great long weekend.

Whoops! Spelling List

If we are having a spelling test, it might be nice to have the spelling words...

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

Printed versions are going in mailboxes as soon as I click "publish post."

All Sorts of News...It's Been a While!

End of the First Quarter - Report Cards
Tomorrow is the end of the first quarter. I'll be calculating grades over the weekend and printing report cards soon after. Report cards will be handed out at parent / teacher conferences on November 10, 11, or 13.

Costume Day and Party
Tomorrow morning at 9:00 we will have our traditional costume parade. So far I know of two literature related costumes, and mine is easy - and I hope recognizable to the kids. Remember our school guidelines. Following the costume parade there will be a party in the room with some snacks and activities. Then we'll do our best to have a "normal" rest of the day.

Thursday and Friday - No School
Teacher and pastors will be attending the Professional Church Workers Conference in Green Bay on Thursday and Friday. Students, enjoy your extra two days off.

Parent / Teacher Conferences
A bright yellow note was sent home last week asking your input on scheduling conferences. First priority is given to families with multiple children and to families with upper graders due to the upper grade conference schedule. However, usually everyone gets the evening and time range they request. Kindly give me a few options. It's hard to fit three people in at 5:30 on Thursday if three people request the same thing. I can fit a 5:00 and 5:20 and 5:40 if given a range of time. Thanks. I look forward to seeing all of you.

C.W.E.S. Field Trip
Coming home today is another packet for the Environmental Station field trip. I won't repeat everything here since it's all in the note.

However, volunteer drivers, if you would like to drive we could still use one driver for the return trip. There were some people who volunteered to drive both ways, but I'd like to give everyone a chance if they wish, and hopefully people won't need to drive both ways. If you'd still like to drive, please let me know tomorrow. Also, if you volunteered to drive both ways and wouldn't mind taking both shifts, please let me know that too. An email about drivers would be fine.

Spelling Schedule
Since this is only a three day week, and next week we'll be in class only two days due to our field trip, we'll treat those five days as one week. So we'll have this week's spelling test next week on Tuesday.

Memory
Memory for the first quarter is done, but the second quarter's memory will come home next week. There will be no memory assignments for next week.

Culvers Night Tonight, 10/27
Just a reminder.

Whoops! Correction!

Coming home in everyone's take home folder tonight is a letter from Melissa Peet, Immanuel's Director of Family Life, concerning an opportunity for Immanuel members entitled "Welcome to God's Word." Due to a communication error (read: "Mr. Wilhorn didn't read his email carefully") I sent home the letter to everyone.

Sorry about that. The email was simply to make me aware of the letter. Instead, I got a bit overeager and printed it, copied it, and sent it home with everyone.

The real letter will come home tomorrow with the correct people.

(I'm sure that if it seems interesting to parents from other congregations, however, you'd be more than welcome to attend!)

Fourth Grade Thursday Updates

Book Order
This was an uninspiring book order - not a ton of great ones, but there are some good ones in there. Here's what I can recommend:

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Goofy titles, but a pretty innocent and funny book.
• The 39 Clues - Mystery, collectable game cards, and online additions make this an interesting option. I've read numerous rave reviews, but will be getting my copy in the book order so we'll see...
• The Kid Who Ran for President - We just finished this as a read aloud.
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Incredible! There's a waiting line for this one in the room.
• Elijah of Buxton, The Wednesday Wars, and Feathers - All are great award winners, but the reading level could be challenging as well as some subject matter for fourth grade.
• The Sign of the Beaver
• Roald Dahl Set
• Chasing Vermeer and The Calder Game - Books 1 and 3 of a series. Book 2 is not available but is called The Wright 3.
• Meet Kit
• Chronicles of Narnia Pack

Book orders will be due on Tuesday, October 21.

Two Permissions Slips - Field Trips
Students received a permission slip today for our trip to the cranberry marsh next week on Tuesday. Students will need to pack a cold lunch for the day. We will leave at 9:30 (after chapel, which is on Tuesday next week). My best guess as to when we will return is around 1:30.

Drivers are needed. If you can drive, please indicate so on the permission slip and I will send a note out confirming who is and is not driving. All parents are welcome to join us even if you aren't driving students, and as long as we have room.

Yesterday students received a packet for our trip to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station in three weeks.

Memory
We have the rest of this week, next week, and a short week after that before the end of the first quarter. The remaining At School memory is the second, third, fourth, and fifth commandment and meanings. Consider them all assigned. Students may say them as they are ready, sometime before the end of the quarter.

Friday and Weekend Updates

Monday and Tuesday
I will be gone on Monday and Tuesday in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Mrs. Weiss will be our substitute. Mr. Betts and I thought she'd be a great sub - she knows the kids, the school, the families, and the Lord. She and I have met twice leading up to this discussing how things roll in fourth grade. (AND she's already finished Frindle.)

(Just in case you'd like to see what I'll be doing, click here to see information about the conference.)


Special Program Next Friday, October 17
Everyone is cordially invited (sounds impressive!) to attend a presentation at school next Friday at 2:30 in Kuechle Hall. All students in grades K-4 will share a short presentation or demonstration on the value of fluency in reading. There will be reader's theater and books read aloud and all variety of impressive stuff done by the children. (Don't expect each child to get 10 minutes of spotlight, however.) Fourth grade parents attending will be ... uh, I mean ... could be asked to participate in our demonstration. (Don't worry, nothing painful. And don't forget, I'm one of you.)

Afterward there will be time for socializing with other families from the school. It should be a fun time. Feel free to stick around until the end of the day and your and your child can leave together.

If you have any questions, let me know. Thanks!


Spelling and Memory
Spelling lists and Q1W7 memory slips are in students' mailboxes. Sorry I didn't have them yesterday.


FIELD TRIPS COMING!!! FIELD TRIPS COMING!!!
We have two field trips coming soon! The first will be our trip to the cranberry marsh on Tuesday, October 21. We will be visiting B & R Cranberries in Nekoosa to see how harvest is done. (This is still in the planning stages...but it looks like a go.) We will need 3-4 drivers for that morning and possibly the afternoon. There should be no charge for this trip.

The second field trip coming is our trip to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. This trip is Wednesday and Thursday, November 5-6. Less than four weeks! We will need drivers to get us there on Wednesday morning and to pick us up on Thursday afternoon. The cost of this trip is around $45. Tons of information will be coming home next week. If you have questions, wait until that information comes home. Then if you still have questions, let me know. :-)

Hand Bell Choir

Mr. Altis asked me to pass on a message. Any fourth grade students interested playing in the school hand bell choir is welcome. Practices are at 8:00 on Tuesday mornings. The choir plays for chapel as much as they can.

The only out of school committment would be the Immanuel Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 p.m. There is a rehearsal on Saturday, December 13th from 9:00-9:45 a.m.

If you have any additional questions you may contact him or let me know and I'll pass your message on to him. Thanks.

Beginning of the Week News - 10/6

A Few Short Items:

• Tomorrow is picture day. If you haven't sent in your orders and still wish to do so, please have them here tomorrow.
• Wednesday is "Walk to School Day" throughout Wisconsin Rapids. Consider walking to school if you live close by, or parking the car and walking the rest of the way. This is just one little thing schools do in Wisconsin Rapids to remind families the importance of leading active lives. Even the little things help.
• Domino's night is Wednesday and Thursday. A percentage of all proceeds from Immanuel purchases is donated back to school.
• No school on Friday - teacher inservice day.

Friday 10/3 Newsletter Updates

Okay, For Real This Time!
Next week is a four day week. There is no school for students on Friday. It is an inservice day for teachers. Memory slips will be due on Thursday. There is no spelling test (see below).

The Upcoming Week

Memory - At Home: Q1W6 slips At School: Books of the New Testament and the First Commandment and its Meaning.

Religion - Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah

Reading - Begin a novel as a class.

English - Take home test on Theme 1 Monday. Revise and write final copies of our personal narratives.

Math - Time from a clock, rounding numbers, units of length, perimeter.

Science - Electricity.

Social Studies - Natural resources of the United States. Finding important information in nonfiction writing.

Spelling - No list. Review lesson.

It's Tuesday. There Must Be Some News.

Midterms Coming Home Today
Medterms aren't an official report card, just a quick overview of where we stand at this point. Please take a moment to look them over, notice the good and the not-as-good-as-it-could-be, and discuss your child's progress with him/her. Also, please return the bottom portion of the form with your signature and any comments or questions.

Midterms are coming home in sealed envelopes. They should still be sealed when they reach you. One of my great annoyances in the classroom is comparing grades. "What did you get?" and "I got an A." and "How many A's did you get?" The class and I have discussed this before, and reviewed it again today, that grades are for the student, his/her parents, and the teacher. That's it. We are not in the comparison business. Teachers don't judge students compared to other students. More importantly, God doesn't compare us either.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Choir Note from Mr. Altis
The third/fourth grade choir will be singing at the 8:00 church service on October 19. More information is on a yellow note coming home today from Mr. Altis.

Scrip from Early Registration
Katy, Kyra, Mariah, Kyle, and Zack are bringing home Scrip from early registration. Parents, please look for those in your child's homework folder. If you were expecting this, it could be going home with another sibling, but those 4 are all I received. If you have questions, please contact the Scrip office.

Just Another Reminder About Picture Day
One week from today, Tuesday, October 7.

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