Skate City on Thursday
Questions have come up about scooters at Skate City. Yes, Skate City allows children to bring in scooters instead of skates. Yes, students may bring in their scooters, store them in their lockers (most fold up, correct?) during the day, and use them at Skate City if they prefer scooters over skates or are uncomfortable with skates. Scooters shouldn't be used in or around the school, however, but I'm sure I don't need to remind everyone of that...
Book Orders
We missed the January book order due to the book fair, so I am sending January and February home today. These will be due this Friday, Febrary 13. As always, here are some I can recommend or know something about.
January
Lost and Found by Andrew Clements
Boys vs. Girls Pack by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
School Days Pack by Andrew Clements
No Talking by Andrew Clements
Newbery Authors Collection - I've read 6 of the 8 and they're all pretty good.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Don't Bump the Glump by Shel Silverstein
Island Pack by Gordon Korman
Flush by Carl Hiaasen - a future read aloud book
February
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
Julia Gillian and the Art of Knowing by Alison McGhee
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook by Shel Silverstein
Kidnapped Pack by Gordon Korman - This is the sequel to the On the Run series.
As always, there are plenty of other ones that look good. I mentioned Skeleton Creek in class, but I haven't read it yet. It's an interesting concept - part book, part movie. As you read the book, a character sends video updates to the author. These videos are available online. BUT, the "book trailer" that I watched was very creepy, so I don't know if I can recommend it until I read it.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday, Feb 6, Newsletter Updates
Before School Procedures
This is just a reminder of our before school procedures for students who arrive before the 8:25 bell. Bus riders are to go immediately to the cafeteria. Students who walk or are dropped off are to wait outside the office doors or, if the weather isn't cooperating, go to the cafeteria. This is just a general reminder - not anything directed at fourth graders in particular.
Class Auction Basket
There's still time to donate to the class auction beach basket. If you wish to donate, please send in your donation on Monday.
FunFest Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets are coming home today with the youngest child in the family. The FunFest raffle is a huge part of our fund raising on Celebration Weekend. More tickets are available in the office if needed. Please return the money and ticket stubs and any unsold tickets to the office.
Permission Slips for Valentine's Skate City Day
Permission slips were handed out earlier this week for our Valentines party at Skate City. Please return them as soon as possible. Thanks. The cost is $5.
Animal Trivia
Do you listen to animal trivia on WFHR at 7:40 in the morning? Winners get a free smoothie and wrap from Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Rapids Mall, and each month a class is randomly drawn from all the winners. January's winner is...our class! And, to the best of my knowledge, only Kyra was a winner in January. Whew! Thanks Kyra. Megan has already won in February, so we have one entry in this month's drawing. Give it a try - WFHR at 7:40 in the morning.
Speaking of Trivia...
I don't know if I've mention this ... eh-hem ... or not, but school is having a trivia contest one week from today. It really will be lots of fun. Pizza, pop, great music, fun company, and a friendly little competition. So far there are 6 fourth graders registed on teams that I remember. Are you planning on being here?
Memory
Next week we are doing the last part of the First Article (starting with "He defends me..."). Students also have the opportunity to say the whole thing for extra credit. Also coming home is Q3W3 slips.
Spelling
Lesson 21: nonstop, replaced, inactive, refill, incorrect, rethink, nonfat, reread, retell, return, incomplete, repay Extra Words: nonfiction, nonsense, indirect, independent
This is just a reminder of our before school procedures for students who arrive before the 8:25 bell. Bus riders are to go immediately to the cafeteria. Students who walk or are dropped off are to wait outside the office doors or, if the weather isn't cooperating, go to the cafeteria. This is just a general reminder - not anything directed at fourth graders in particular.
Class Auction Basket
There's still time to donate to the class auction beach basket. If you wish to donate, please send in your donation on Monday.
FunFest Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets are coming home today with the youngest child in the family. The FunFest raffle is a huge part of our fund raising on Celebration Weekend. More tickets are available in the office if needed. Please return the money and ticket stubs and any unsold tickets to the office.
Permission Slips for Valentine's Skate City Day
Permission slips were handed out earlier this week for our Valentines party at Skate City. Please return them as soon as possible. Thanks. The cost is $5.
Animal Trivia
Do you listen to animal trivia on WFHR at 7:40 in the morning? Winners get a free smoothie and wrap from Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Rapids Mall, and each month a class is randomly drawn from all the winners. January's winner is...our class! And, to the best of my knowledge, only Kyra was a winner in January. Whew! Thanks Kyra. Megan has already won in February, so we have one entry in this month's drawing. Give it a try - WFHR at 7:40 in the morning.
Speaking of Trivia...
I don't know if I've mention this ... eh-hem ... or not, but school is having a trivia contest one week from today. It really will be lots of fun. Pizza, pop, great music, fun company, and a friendly little competition. So far there are 6 fourth graders registed on teams that I remember. Are you planning on being here?
Memory
Next week we are doing the last part of the First Article (starting with "He defends me..."). Students also have the opportunity to say the whole thing for extra credit. Also coming home is Q3W3 slips.
Spelling
Lesson 21: nonstop, replaced, inactive, refill, incorrect, rethink, nonfat, reread, retell, return, incomplete, repay Extra Words: nonfiction, nonsense, indirect, independent
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
News, News, News, 2/4/09
Valentine's Day
Instead of a Valentine's Day party, students in grades K-4 will have the opportunity to go Skate City on Thursday, February 12. Permission slips are coming home today. We thought it might be a welcome change to our freezing cold winter. The cost is $5. This includes admission, skates, soda, and ice cream.
Students may still hand out valentines, but with the cost of the trip, students can cut down on the ooey-gooey goodness that often gets attached to valentines. We'll make bags for distributing them and hand them out on Friday, February 13. We won't have a full-on classroom party here at school. Room parents, you are welcome to help with the activities at Skate City.
Orchestra Field Trip
Mr. Altis has arranged a great opportunity for fourth grade to attend the orchestra in Stevens Point at the Sentry Theater on Friday, February 20. We don't have a permission slip ready yet. We just wanted to let you know about the trip. The cost is free if we have parent volunteer drivers and don't take a bus. I'll drive, but are there any other volunteers willing to take some fourth graders and attend the orchestra? We'll leave here around 10:00 and return between 12:30 and 1:00. Due to the time of the trip, we're still trying to figure out if we'll all need cold lunches or if hot lunch will work.
Watch the Daily Tribune on Saturday...Hopefully
Information about Immanuel's Caldecott Award will be in Saturday's paper, space permitting. Otherwise there should be something next week. Keep your eyes peeled!
Camp Luther
Scrappy from Camp Luther was here today leading chapel. All students received 2009 summer camp brochures. Personally, I hope every kid goes to camp. (And Camp Luther has a program entitled Every Kid to Camp to try and ensure all kids can attend.) Speaking from experience, I've been there every summer since the summer after 1st grade, and Camp Luther is one of the big reasons I'm doing what I do today.
Instead of a Valentine's Day party, students in grades K-4 will have the opportunity to go Skate City on Thursday, February 12. Permission slips are coming home today. We thought it might be a welcome change to our freezing cold winter. The cost is $5. This includes admission, skates, soda, and ice cream.
Students may still hand out valentines, but with the cost of the trip, students can cut down on the ooey-gooey goodness that often gets attached to valentines. We'll make bags for distributing them and hand them out on Friday, February 13. We won't have a full-on classroom party here at school. Room parents, you are welcome to help with the activities at Skate City.
Orchestra Field Trip
Mr. Altis has arranged a great opportunity for fourth grade to attend the orchestra in Stevens Point at the Sentry Theater on Friday, February 20. We don't have a permission slip ready yet. We just wanted to let you know about the trip. The cost is free if we have parent volunteer drivers and don't take a bus. I'll drive, but are there any other volunteers willing to take some fourth graders and attend the orchestra? We'll leave here around 10:00 and return between 12:30 and 1:00. Due to the time of the trip, we're still trying to figure out if we'll all need cold lunches or if hot lunch will work.
Watch the Daily Tribune on Saturday...Hopefully
Information about Immanuel's Caldecott Award will be in Saturday's paper, space permitting. Otherwise there should be something next week. Keep your eyes peeled!
Camp Luther
Scrappy from Camp Luther was here today leading chapel. All students received 2009 summer camp brochures. Personally, I hope every kid goes to camp. (And Camp Luther has a program entitled Every Kid to Camp to try and ensure all kids can attend.) Speaking from experience, I've been there every summer since the summer after 1st grade, and Camp Luther is one of the big reasons I'm doing what I do today.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, 1/30 Newsletter Updates
I just typed the date in the Title box and thought, "Is it really the end of January already? Are we really a week into the third quarter already?" Yes, and Yes. Here's some news of note:
Report Cards Coming Home Today
Once again, report cards are in sealed envelopes and should be when they get to you. Grades aren't for comparing, unless you're comparing your own first quarter and second quarter grades. Please send back the signature form as soon as possible.
Trivia Contest - A 125th Anniversary Special Event
You may have heard something about some trivia contest thingy we're doing here at school. It's Friday, February 13, from 6:00-8:30. It'll have questions from all over the place - movies, music, current events, TV, school, Bible, sports. Anything's fair game. There will be a lot of laughs, a lot of great music, and we'll even throw in some prizes. Most of the questions are off-the-head stuff, but some may need some quick research.
Basically, it's a big get together for anybody and everybody from school that promises to be a fun time. Get some kids together. Get some parents together. Have some fun! Registration starts Monday, and forms are coming home today.
Auction Basket
We're officially less than a month from the 3rd Annual Celebration Weekend including the Celebration Auction and Spring FunFest. Anyone have any comments on what needs to be in a beach basket? Let me know. Our suggested donation for the class basket is $3-$5 per family.
Valentine's Day
The upper grades (5th-8th) started a tubing tradition for Valentine's Day last year. They are continuing that this year. The younger grades thought they should get in on the act, so we are planning a skating day. Thursday, February 12 from 1-3 has been reserved for our Kindergartners through 4th graders at Skate City. Students may still hand out Valentines, but we won't have a class party. Instead it's a skating party. Keep an eye out for further information.
It's Reenrollment Time for 2009-2010
Have you been thinking about next school year? We here at school have. Reenrollment has begun. Information was presented at the parent meeting last week. Do you have any questions? Any concerns? Let me know and I'll do what I can to answer them OR I'll find someone who can. I'm looking to talk to all fourth grade families over the next week or two, just to check in, about reenrollment and/or any other questions you may have. Thanks!
There are lot's of papers coming home tonight - graded work, notes, Scrip forms, etc. Be sure your fourth graders empties his/her take-home folder for you. Have a great weekend!
Report Cards Coming Home Today
Once again, report cards are in sealed envelopes and should be when they get to you. Grades aren't for comparing, unless you're comparing your own first quarter and second quarter grades. Please send back the signature form as soon as possible.
Trivia Contest - A 125th Anniversary Special Event
You may have heard something about some trivia contest thingy we're doing here at school. It's Friday, February 13, from 6:00-8:30. It'll have questions from all over the place - movies, music, current events, TV, school, Bible, sports. Anything's fair game. There will be a lot of laughs, a lot of great music, and we'll even throw in some prizes. Most of the questions are off-the-head stuff, but some may need some quick research.
Basically, it's a big get together for anybody and everybody from school that promises to be a fun time. Get some kids together. Get some parents together. Have some fun! Registration starts Monday, and forms are coming home today.
Auction Basket
We're officially less than a month from the 3rd Annual Celebration Weekend including the Celebration Auction and Spring FunFest. Anyone have any comments on what needs to be in a beach basket? Let me know. Our suggested donation for the class basket is $3-$5 per family.
Valentine's Day
The upper grades (5th-8th) started a tubing tradition for Valentine's Day last year. They are continuing that this year. The younger grades thought they should get in on the act, so we are planning a skating day. Thursday, February 12 from 1-3 has been reserved for our Kindergartners through 4th graders at Skate City. Students may still hand out Valentines, but we won't have a class party. Instead it's a skating party. Keep an eye out for further information.
It's Reenrollment Time for 2009-2010
Have you been thinking about next school year? We here at school have. Reenrollment has begun. Information was presented at the parent meeting last week. Do you have any questions? Any concerns? Let me know and I'll do what I can to answer them OR I'll find someone who can. I'm looking to talk to all fourth grade families over the next week or two, just to check in, about reenrollment and/or any other questions you may have. Thanks!
There are lot's of papers coming home tonight - graded work, notes, Scrip forms, etc. Be sure your fourth graders empties his/her take-home folder for you. Have a great weekend!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Books, Books, Books!
I love this time of day. It is absolutely silent in the room right now. Seriously. Everyone, except me, unfortunately, is reading. Silently. I think I could announce there was a fire and about half of them wouldn't even hear me.
Anyways, some quick notes, all book related, and then I'm off to do some reading conferences.
The Book Fair
The Book Fair
Immanuel's book fair will run through Tuesday. It will close up for the last time at 4:30 on Tuesday. There will be time after school to shop before the Caldecott ceremony, and Tuesday before and after school.
Our Caldecott Activity - TONIGHT!!!
Tonight, tonight, tonight is the night, 4:00 in Kuechle Hall, where we decide what is the best picture book for kids from the past year. All twenty of the books we evaluated will be available for you to look at. Ask you kids what they liked. Ask them what books should make the finals in their opinion (they don't know the final three yet!). Ask them why. You'll be amazed at some of their responses. We hope to see you there.
The Real Caldecott Medal Ceremony
I posted on this earlier in the week, but here's a repeat reminder about Monday's webcast of the ceremony:
I posted on this earlier in the week, but here's a repeat reminder about Monday's webcast of the ceremony:
Also, on Monday, January 26, the actual Caldecott Award will be announced, along with the Newbery Medal and numerous other awards given by the American Library Association. The press conference can be watched live online at this link. (It is not live yet. This alternate link will get you to the webcast also.)
For more information about the awards from the official website, see the following links:
Newbery Medal: Click Here.
Caldecott Medal: Click Here.
P.S. Didn't believe me about the reading? Check this out! (I have some more I might post later.)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday Newsletter Updates
Tomorrow's Chapel Service
Chapel will begin at 8:50 tomorrow, led by the fourth graders. Everyone is welcome to come and worship with us. Chapel goes until 9:30.
Geography Bee
The Geography Bee, originally scheduled for after chapel tomorrow, has been moved back one week. It will now be on Wednesday, January 28 after chapel. We have not yet determined our class representatives.
Pancake Supper
Parents volunteering for the pancake supper on Thursday evening may take their children to Cougar Kids for child care if it is needed. Please note, this is for volunteering parents. Also, please contact Miss Dian before noon tomorrow if you wish to use the service.
Caldecott Award
Friday night after school is the Caldecott Award ceremony. All families are welcome. We'll start at 4:00 with a last rereading of the finalists. After discussion, students will be asked to vote on a favorite. Then we will have a student-led press conference announcing the winner. More information is coming home today in your child's take-home folder.
Also, on Monday, January 26, the actual Caldecott Award will be announced, along with the Newbery Medal and numerous other awards given by the American Library Association. The press conference can be watched live online at this link. (It is not live yet. This alternate link will get you to the webcast also.)
For more information about the awards from the official website, see the following links:
Newbery Medal: Click Here.
Caldecott Medal: Click Here.
Chapel will begin at 8:50 tomorrow, led by the fourth graders. Everyone is welcome to come and worship with us. Chapel goes until 9:30.
Geography Bee
The Geography Bee, originally scheduled for after chapel tomorrow, has been moved back one week. It will now be on Wednesday, January 28 after chapel. We have not yet determined our class representatives.
Pancake Supper
Parents volunteering for the pancake supper on Thursday evening may take their children to Cougar Kids for child care if it is needed. Please note, this is for volunteering parents. Also, please contact Miss Dian before noon tomorrow if you wish to use the service.
Caldecott Award
Friday night after school is the Caldecott Award ceremony. All families are welcome. We'll start at 4:00 with a last rereading of the finalists. After discussion, students will be asked to vote on a favorite. Then we will have a student-led press conference announcing the winner. More information is coming home today in your child's take-home folder.
Also, on Monday, January 26, the actual Caldecott Award will be announced, along with the Newbery Medal and numerous other awards given by the American Library Association. The press conference can be watched live online at this link. (It is not live yet. This alternate link will get you to the webcast also.)
For more information about the awards from the official website, see the following links:
Newbery Medal: Click Here.
Caldecott Medal: Click Here.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday's Back to School Announcements
Tomorrow Night's Parent Meeting
Please plan to attend tomorrow night's parent meeting. The meeting starts at 7:00, but come a few minutes early if you can to sign in and fill out a name tag. Mr. Betts will share information about:
Please plan to attend tomorrow night's parent meeting. The meeting starts at 7:00, but come a few minutes early if you can to sign in and fill out a name tag. Mr. Betts will share information about:
- This school year
- Next school year
- National Lutheran School Accreditation vision for the future plan
- Enrollment
- Programs offered at Immanuel
- Operating Plan
- Technology
- Communtiy Involvement
- Professional Development
- SCRIP
- School Calendar
- And other stuff I'm forgetting...
It will be a sort of State of the School Address, and effort to keep Immanuel families informed about all we do at Immanuel and all it takes to keep our ministry running smoothly. Thanks
Chapel on Thursday
Fourth graders will be leading chapel on Wednesday. We've streamlined our plan a bit so we can be prepared in only two days. I had originally planned to use Thursday and Friday for preparation as well. Nevertheless, it promises to be a memorable worship opportunity.
Friday Night's Caldecott Activity
Grades 4K-4 will gather on Friday night to choose our winner. We've been reading and rereading and discussing and voting and rereading again...all to select the best picture book for kids from the past year. That's big work! And Friday from 4:0o-5:00 is the culmination of all that work. All families and students are invited. Please see the note attached to the school newsletter for more information. Another note will come home this week with more details.
Thursday Night - The Pancake Supper
We may need to take some days off after this busy week. Wow! Thursday night is the annual pancake supper. Hopefully you plan to attend and eat the best pancakes this side of the river. They come from far and wide for these cakes, they do, and you won't want to miss it! Have you decided to volunteer? Come early, eat late. Eat early, stay late. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
No School on Thursday
Word just came down from the corner office that there is no school tomorrow due to the FREEEEEZING cold temperatures. Stay home, put on an extra pair of fuzzy socks, find your best/worst comfortable sweatshirt, and stay warm. Hopefully - hopefully! - everyone has a silent reading book...or two.
See you on Friday for Pajama and Movie Day. (Hmmm. Maybe we ought to change that to Twice-As-Much-Work-Day to make up for Thursday. Should we put it to a vote?)
See you on Friday for Pajama and Movie Day. (Hmmm. Maybe we ought to change that to Twice-As-Much-Work-Day to make up for Thursday. Should we put it to a vote?)
Auction Basket and Science Assignment
Two completely unrelated topics to let you know about today.
ILS Celebration Auction
The annual ILS Celebration Auction, part of Celebration Weekend which includes the Fun Fest and the beginning of Lutheran Schools Week, is coming up fast. The auction is on Saturday evening, February 28.
We are continuing our tradition of each class donating a basket to be auctioned off that evening. This year the fourth grade is doing a beach basket. Trying to organize which people should send what item can be difficult, and in this case, could result with our basket having four tubes of SPF50.
A parent has volunteered to do the purchasing for our basket. The suggested donation for the class is $3-5 per family, but please donate whatever you feel is best. Remember, all donations go directly to the school. Last year the weekend earned over $40,000. The fourth grade basket earned (if I remember correctly) $200 by itself, more than doubling the amount donated toward its purchase.
Also, please send your ideas for a beach basket. What needs to go to the beach? What essential item must come along in order to make a trip to beach complete?
Today's Science Assignment
Today we took our science test. It's a take home test, and you'll probably see it tonight. It's a bit...different...from most tests.
I wanted to do something other than multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer, so I wrote a test. It's a little silly, and I told the fourth graders to have fun with it. The questions are designed for them to be creative, but also require them to know information from the chapter.
For example, one question asks what kind of volcano they would like to visit on vacation. There are three tour companies listed. Would they want to tour a dormant, active, or violently erupting volcano? I told them there's no correct answer, but their explanations about why they'd like to visit one and not the other two will show me whether or not they understand the different types of volcanoes.
I encouraged them to be creative, but at the same time to be sure their answers were clear and based on good information. They started slowly, but seemed to get more comfortable as they wrote. We'll see tomorrow, I guess.
ILS Celebration Auction
The annual ILS Celebration Auction, part of Celebration Weekend which includes the Fun Fest and the beginning of Lutheran Schools Week, is coming up fast. The auction is on Saturday evening, February 28.
We are continuing our tradition of each class donating a basket to be auctioned off that evening. This year the fourth grade is doing a beach basket. Trying to organize which people should send what item can be difficult, and in this case, could result with our basket having four tubes of SPF50.
A parent has volunteered to do the purchasing for our basket. The suggested donation for the class is $3-5 per family, but please donate whatever you feel is best. Remember, all donations go directly to the school. Last year the weekend earned over $40,000. The fourth grade basket earned (if I remember correctly) $200 by itself, more than doubling the amount donated toward its purchase.
Also, please send your ideas for a beach basket. What needs to go to the beach? What essential item must come along in order to make a trip to beach complete?
Today's Science Assignment
Today we took our science test. It's a take home test, and you'll probably see it tonight. It's a bit...different...from most tests.
I wanted to do something other than multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer, so I wrote a test. It's a little silly, and I told the fourth graders to have fun with it. The questions are designed for them to be creative, but also require them to know information from the chapter.
For example, one question asks what kind of volcano they would like to visit on vacation. There are three tour companies listed. Would they want to tour a dormant, active, or violently erupting volcano? I told them there's no correct answer, but their explanations about why they'd like to visit one and not the other two will show me whether or not they understand the different types of volcanoes.
I encouraged them to be creative, but at the same time to be sure their answers were clear and based on good information. They started slowly, but seemed to get more comfortable as they wrote. We'll see tomorrow, I guess.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Newsletter for 1/9/09
Calendar Dates
There are tons of events coming up on the Immanuel Lutheran School calendar. Here's a (hopefully) complete list:
Monday, January 12 -
Tuesday, January 13 -
Wednesday, January 14 - School spelling bee after chapel
Thursday, January 15 -
Friday, January 16 - PJ and Movie Day. Planned by leadership council as a middle-of-winter activity, students may wear comfortable winter pajamas, and we'll watch a movie in the afternoon.
Monday, January 19 -
Tuesday, January 20 - Parent meeting for school families in Kuechle Hall from 7:00-8:00.
Wednesday, January 21 - Fourth Grade leads chapel at 9:00. School geography bee after chapel.
Thursday, January 22 - Pancake Supper
Friday, January 23 - Grades 4K-4 Caldecott Award Ceremony. See the attachment to the school newsletter today and the note coming home with students.
Sunday, January 25 - Consecration Sunday at Immanuel. One worship service at school, followed by lunch.
Congratulations!
Well done, Treighton and Megan, for being the 4th grade representatives to the school spelilng bee. The bee is next Wednesday after chapel with representatives from 3rd-8th grade. A well done also goes out to Zack, Kyra, Katy, and Kaitlyn for doing their best.
Thank You
It seems like a long time since Christmas, but it can't ever be too late to say thank you. I made a special trip to Barnes and Noble to use my gift cards already. To everyone who gave so generously to the class gift and for the well thought-out personal gifts, thank you.
There are tons of events coming up on the Immanuel Lutheran School calendar. Here's a (hopefully) complete list:
Monday, January 12 -
Tuesday, January 13 -
Wednesday, January 14 - School spelling bee after chapel
Thursday, January 15 -
Friday, January 16 - PJ and Movie Day. Planned by leadership council as a middle-of-winter activity, students may wear comfortable winter pajamas, and we'll watch a movie in the afternoon.
Monday, January 19 -
Tuesday, January 20 - Parent meeting for school families in Kuechle Hall from 7:00-8:00.
Wednesday, January 21 - Fourth Grade leads chapel at 9:00. School geography bee after chapel.
Thursday, January 22 - Pancake Supper
Friday, January 23 - Grades 4K-4 Caldecott Award Ceremony. See the attachment to the school newsletter today and the note coming home with students.
Sunday, January 25 - Consecration Sunday at Immanuel. One worship service at school, followed by lunch.
Congratulations!
Well done, Treighton and Megan, for being the 4th grade representatives to the school spelilng bee. The bee is next Wednesday after chapel with representatives from 3rd-8th grade. A well done also goes out to Zack, Kyra, Katy, and Kaitlyn for doing their best.
Thank You
It seems like a long time since Christmas, but it can't ever be too late to say thank you. I made a special trip to Barnes and Noble to use my gift cards already. To everyone who gave so generously to the class gift and for the well thought-out personal gifts, thank you.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Behold the Lamb of God Documentary
This is a nine-minute behind the scenes video. It has short interviews with the performers, song clips, and explanations of how the album and concert came about. There's a lot of interesting information presented, not only about the album, but the Christmas story itself.
I hope you enjoyed the videos. They will remain on the website, so if you'd like to check them out over Christmas, you can. Have a merry and blessed Christmas.
I hope you enjoyed the videos. They will remain on the website, so if you'd like to check them out over Christmas, you can. Have a merry and blessed Christmas.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Behold the Lamb of God
Behold, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin.
Behold the Lamb of God
The life and light of men.
Behold the Lamb of God
Who died and rose again.
Behold the Lamb of God who comes
To take away our sin.
Who takes away our sin.
Behold the Lamb of God
The life and light of men.
Behold the Lamb of God
Who died and rose again.
Behold the Lamb of God who comes
To take away our sin.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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!"
"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, December 16, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Monday, December 15, 2008
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.
Friday, December 12, 2008
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.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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.
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.
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