Friday, January 31, 2014

Ski Trip Next Week!

Now that the week is here, we can begin looking more closely at weather patterns.  LAYERS are the key for colder weather. (HiddenValley's website has great tips).   I also encourage wearing a lotion that day and bringing lip balm.  With head and ears covered, you can be quite comfortable even in the 20s or low 30s.  Teachers will be sure kids are staying safe, both with skiing and taking breaks to warm up.  And if we get a warm up - we'll send an update of recommended clothes to wear.

Friday is the day!!  DEVOTIONS BEGIN AT 7:45 A.M. for an 8:00 departure.  Arrive between 7:30 and 7:45. No school uniforms.  Wear clothes to ski, but carry that extra layer, gloves, hats, etc. in a bag so that you don't get overheated in the vehicle.  KIDS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN GEAR so know what you are bringing.  There is a lockerroom to change.  Things go fastest if you only have to put on your outer layer and not do a complete clothing change once we are there.  A few dollars can be handy if you wish to purchase an afternoon snack.  (Lunch is provided, but fairly light)

Thanks to Sabrina's mom, Jack and Jenna's mom, and Jonathan's mom for chaperoning for us! 


A GLIMPSE AT LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK:
Note - the pictures uploaded in no particluar order.  Have fun figuring out what we are doing!































Friday, January 24, 2014

Celebrating Lutheran Schools

LCMS Schools include:     1,376 Early Childhood Centers
                                           871 Elementary Schools
                                             88 High Schools

Next week, we celebrate the opportunity Zion has to help families raise the next generation of faithful Christian disciples with schools around the nation and around the world!

The Banner has listed several special events this week.  Our 6th grade also hopes to participate in an online mission trip with Lutheran Hour Ministries to see the work being done in the country of Kenya. 


Special Dress Day Reminders:    Monday: PJ's
                                                           Tuesday: Mismatch  (no hair dyes)
                                                           Wednesday: Future Disciples (Career Day)
                                                           Thursday:  Bobcat Spirit/Jeans
                                                           Friday: Favorite Sports Team

Thanks to STUCO for helping organize this fun week!


Ski Trip - Feb. 7

Watch for detailed information and permission slips to come home next week!

Valentine's Day-

On Thursday, February 13 the class will celebrate Valentine's Day with social/snack time.  Bringing Valentines is optional in 6th grade, but if your child wishes to bring Valentines, please include one for each classmate.  A couple other guidelines:
   1) no gifts may be exchanged (refer to Zion Family Handbook online)
   2) no candy may be given out with Valentines


Birthday Reminder-

As your child brings in treats to celebrate his or her birthday, please remember that all treats brought in for class must be commercially packaged and peanut free.  Thanks for helping Zion follow our peanut sensitivity policy.


Friday, January 17, 2014

Helping Hands

For three afternoons this last week and a half, the 6th graders have had the opportunity to help walk the PDO class of toddlers from the church basement to the Sonshine Center at the end of the day.  I am so proud of your children!  They eagerly volunteered and greeted the students with smiles, chatting about their day or their favorite color.  We're carrying bags and sometimes scooping up the little ones to carry to meet their rides.  What a wonderful example of sharing the God's love with his littlest ones!


Proofreading Partners

In English we have gone through several revising steps to make our short story mysteries to be "mysterious", with plot twists and multiple suspects.  This week we read a different partner's story to help with the proofreading.  Our new challenge this year - how to punctuate dialogue.  Students have been learning what errors to look for and how valuable reading aloud from a hard copy can bee.  (Oops, I typed the not they!)  I am eager to read the final results next week!












Friday, January 10, 2014

Happy New Year!

Here's what's happening 3rd Quarter in a few of our subjects:

Religion - Heroes of the Old Testament  See the Religion tab for an overview of our unit.

T - Math - Working with factors and multiples in preparation for working with fractions.  Have you been on the Pearson SuccessNet website?

English - We are finishing the first draft of a mystery.  Students are working through revisions applying writing techniques to build suspense and add descriptive details.  In the writing process students will work through the proofreading and editing process with peers and teacher conferences.  A big focus has been punctuating dialogue.

Soc. Studies - Our geography study is branching out to the Eastern Hemisphere.  We are studying Monsoon Asia and how people adapt to extreme climates.  It is especially interesting to examine this part of the world where Christianity is not the dominant religion.

Literature - Drama Unit - We read a play based on the novel, The Phantom Tollbooth.  Humor and wordplay make it quite a fun story


News and Information:

Re-enrollment:    Forms came home today for enrolling for the next school year.  Check your child's Friday Folder.

Book Orders:   Flyers came home Friday.  Please place orders by Friday, Jan. 17.  6R students received a coupon for a free book (up to $5)  as part of their Christmas coupons.  They may use this now or on a future orderI also have additional free $5 book with a $10 purchase that I will have available in the classroom.

NLSW and Art Fair - Students, please bring one of your favorite art pieces from this school year to display during Lutheran Schools Week.  Have your art here by Wednesday, January 22.  The display will be held in the Welcome Center for worship that weekend.  National Lutheran School Week is a great way to celebrate with schools around the nation how great it is to be part of a Lutheran School.  See the Banner for dress days.

Students work with the old-fashioned dictionary

We reviewed guide words, how to use the pronunciation key and multiple meaning of words

Excellent practice with alphabetization
Our vocab study leads into our new play