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.