Week 24

I hope everyone had a restful, fun long weekend!  We’re back to learning and jumping right into the week today!

Free Dress Day!
The kindergarten through fourth graders earned a free dress day through their Kids Heart Challenge fundraising!  Our free dress day for all kindergarten through fourth graders is on Thursday, February 19!  See page 31 of the handbook for the free dress guidelines.

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll look at Mary and Martha.  We’ll discuss their choices and will talk about how we can make good choices that include Jesus and the Bible.  We’ll also learn about Jesus and Zaccheus and how Jesus surpassed Zaccheus’ expectations when it came to His grace and forgiveness.

Math:
This week in math we’ll continue looking at addition and subtraction.  We’ll rewrite subtraction problems, practicing subtracting with and without regrouping.  We’ll also use addition and a number line to subtract, finding missing numbers.  Then we’ll add three two-digit numbers using strategies and properties to become more fluent in addition.

Language Arts:
This week’s phonics concept is the “aw” sound, spelled “au” and “aw.”  We’ll learn some rules for when to use each spelling, and we’ll practice spelling words with those vowel teams in them.

Charlotte’s Web:
We’ve been reading Charlotte’s Web over the last couple of months, and we’re set to finish it this week.  I plan on showing the class the 1973 version, which is very close to the book.  I’m excited to hear which one they like better—the book or the movie!

Week 23--LEST

For a short week, we sure have a lot of new things happening!  For more information about the week, take a look at the "This Week" page at the top of the blog.  Here’s a look at the week ahead:

Christian Studies:
This week we’ll learn about Jesus teaching Nicodemus.  We’ll discuss how Nicodemus came at night and his curiosity.  Then we’ll discuss what we know because it’s in the Bible.

Chapel:
2^nd grade leads chapel this week!  We’ll get a chance to practice with microphones in the worship area.  Then we get to perform our chapel for the afternoon Pre-K class on Tuesday.  We’ll perform on Wednesday morning—we hope you can join us to see it!

Movie and Stuffed Animal Day!
2^nd grade earned a movie and stuffed animal day!  We’ll be watching Toy Story 2 on Monday afternoon, and the students are welcome to bring a stuffed animal to snuggle during the movie.

LEST Shirt Day:
In order to hype up our 5-8 graders going to LEST, students can wear an LEST shirt and free dress bottoms on Tuesday this week.  If they don’t have an LEST shirt, please have them wear standard of dress.  This can be an LEST shirt from any year, including this year’s blue shirt.

Tri-City Americans Assembly:
Tuesday morning from 9:15-10:00 we have our Tri-City Americans assembly.  The top earners in each class for Fall Fest will be playing hockey with/against some Tri-City Americans players.  Feel free to join us to watch!

LEST Preview Assembly:
Tuesday afternoon from 1:45-2:45 we have our LEST preview assembly.  During this assembly, each LEST team will be introduced and the school will learn a little bit about what they’ll be doing at LEST.  We’ll also hear some musical performances and will get to watch the dance team do their routine.

Valentines Party:
Our Valentines party is on Wednesday morning!  Thanks to the parents who are coordinating and working it!  If students want to bring valentines to pass out for the class, they need to bring them by Tuesday morning.  Valentines will be sent home on Wednesday.

Wednesday Half Day:
Remember that Wednesday is a half day, with dismissal at 11:15.  

No School Monday:
No school Monday due to Presidents Day.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Week 22

After a crazy week ending in Indoor Olympics last week, we have a full week ahead!  We’ll be spending lots of time preparing for our chapel (remember, we’re leading chapel next week!) and some time getting ready for our Valentine’s Day party.  We have a fun week ahead!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll dive right in to Jesus’ early ministry.  We’ll talk about Him calling His disciples.  We’ll talk about some of His instructions for us as His disciples by looking at what He said in the Bible.  We’ll also learn about Jesus healing a man at the pool, who had been waiting decades for healing.  We’ll discuss sin-sickness vs. physical sickness and talk about how Jesus heals both.

We’ll also spend a lot of time preparing for our chapel skit, which we’ll be doing at chapel next week.

Math:
This week in math we’ll add and subtract two-digit numbers using regrouping.  We’ve learned the foundation behind it; this week we’ll practice using the process to add and subtract, with and without regrouping.  We’ll finish the week starting our next module on addition and subtraction word problems.

Language Arts:
This week our phonics concept is Bossy R: or.  We’ll practice spelling and reading words using that concept, and we’ll learn three new red words this week: these, those, and took.

This week we’ll start a new informational text.  We’ll compare places based on pictures and information presented.

Science:
This week in science we’ll plan an investigation.  We’ll plant radishes and plan which element our plant will receive—either water or light.  We’ll also have a control group that receives both water and light in order to help us determine the cause and effect of light and water and plant growth.

Week 21

This week is National Lutheran Schools Week, and we’ll spend the week celebrating how special and unique Lutheran schools are!  We also have dress up days all week.  Here’s the list:

-Monday:  Music Monday
-Tuesday:  Time Travel Tuesday
-Wednesday:  Where’s Waldo Wednesday
-Thursday: Throw the Ball Thursday
-Friday: Indoor Olympics!

Indoor Olympics:
One of the best days of the year, Indoor Olympics, is this Friday!  It’s a crazy morning full of friendly competition, bonding as a school, and crazy outfits!  A few things to note about this day:
-Students do not need to bring anything (no water bottles, lunch boxes, snacks, backpacks)
-We’ll be inside all morning, rotating through events
-This is a half day, so dismissal is at 11:15.  Students going to Eagles’ Nest will be sent down to Eagles’ Nest; those being picked up can be picked up in their classrooms or at pick up line.  Students will return to their classrooms to change out of gym shoes and for dismissal.

We do have a week full of learning, in addition to all of the fun things going on!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll be learning about Jesus’ childhood.  We’ll learn about Him being presented at the temple, and we’ll discuss Simeon and Anna and their reactions to Jesus.  We’ll also discuss the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, as John baptizes Jesus.

Math:
This week in math we’ll start the process of two-digit addition and subtraction.  We’ll learn how to move over our tens (we call this “regrouping”) to add and subtract.  I’ll talk to the kids about the language we use—I’ll tell them their parents might have learned the phrases “carry the one” and “borrow,” but we now call it “regrouping,” since it’s more accurate to what we’re doing.

Language Arts:
This week’s phonics concept is Bossy R: ar.  We’ll practice words with that pattern, and we’ll practice that concept in sentences.

Science:
This week we’ll start to look at a problem (fewer grand spider orchids in an area each year), and we’ll start to ask questions about why there might be fewer plants each year.  As the unit progresses, we’ll add questions based on what we’re learning.

Week 20

We’re packing lots of learning into this short week!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll move through the beginning of the New Testament.  We’ll talk about Jesus’ birth and the visit of the wise men.  We’ll discuss what Jesus’ birth means for us, and we’ll talk about gifts that we can give to Jesus.

Math:
This week in math we’ll review and finish up our module on decomposing numbers in different ways to add and subtract.  Then we’ll start our next module on adding and subtracting two-digit numbers.  We’ll be regrouping (“carrying the one” and “borrowing”) in order to add and subtract in the correct order.

Language Arts:
This week’s phonics concept is a really important one, as it shows up all over the English language: kind old words.  These words have long vowel sounds, not following the rules.  These words have the following endings: -ild, -ind, -old, -ost, -olt.  While we only have four days this week, we’re going to have the same number of phonics sessions, rather than rushing through our word studies.

Science:
This week we’ll start off our science unit on finding the best place for a plant to grow by examining what we already know.   We’ll ask questions and determine our thoughts and predictions before moving into more of the unit.

Week 19

I hope everyone got some good rest after coming back to a full week after Christmas break!  We’re diving into some new learning this week and will be cruising along!

Christian Studies:
In Christian Studies this week we’ll transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament.  We’ll start by looking at the prophesies about Jesus, looking at how God promised to send a Savior.  Then we’ll talk about the foretelling and birth of John the Baptist, paving the way for Jesus to come.

Math:
This week in math we’ll continue to look at strategies for adding and subtracting.  We’ll start to decompose (break apart) numbers to more quickly and accurately add and subtract.  We’ll be looking for the closest ten and we’ll practice breaking apart ones and tens.

Language Arts:
This week’s spelling concept is consonant-le endings.  We’ll learn that these endings are their own syllable.  We’ll practice two new red words, too: sure, buy.  Look for the family connection page going home on Monday for more information about this concept.

In reading we’ll take a deeper look at our text, The Green Kid’s Guide to Watering Plants, and we’ll answer questions about the text.  We’ll dive into the structure of the text and we’ll give evidence for why it’s informational text, why the author included headings, and how to use them.

Science:
We’ll start our new unit on what plants need to grow.  We’ll introduce the unit and talk about science safety before we dive into the lessons.

Social Studies:
We’ll look at the word “community” and what it means.  Then we’ll play a game online that helps us determine what we have in our communities and what those things are used for.  We’ll look at places where people live, work, play, and solve problems.

Week 18

I hope everyone had a great, relaxing Christmas break!  I’m excited to get back to school and settle into our normal routine!

REMINDERS:
-Library books are due on Tuesday!
-Extra credit is due by Tuesday to receive credit.
-Dress for the weather--every student should bring a winter coat each day.
-Hot lunch is no longer offered.

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll be learning about Jonah and the minor prophets.  We’ll discuss the messages God sent through them and how it points to Jesus.  We’ll also discuss Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and how we fix what is broken in our lives.

Math:
This week is a short module on using a hundreds chart and a number line to add and subtract.  We’ll review and practice counting strategies, getting us ready to do some double-digit adding and subtracting in future modules.

Language Arts:
This week’s phonics concepts will be review of the last few several concepts we learned:  diphthongs oi/oy and ou/ow, igh, and the 3 Great Rules (doubling, drop the “e,” and change the “y” to an “i”).  We’ll do some practice each day and our spelling words will be pulled from the daily practices.

We’ll also start a new week in our reading books.  This week we’ll read What’s in the Egg, Little Pip?  We’ll focus on reading strategies that help us understand the text better, specifically the characters.  We’ll also discuss the characteristics of fiction and identify those characteristics in our story as we read.