Mr. Maddick shared a wonderful chapel message this week. In the gospel lesson, a widow gave her last 2 coins as an offering to the Lord. He reminded us that it is not the amount we give in our offerings or how big our service projects, but rather "We love, because God first loved us!!"I John 4:19 God desires a servant heart - for us to look for every opportunity to show kindness and God's love to others. Ask your child how the Iowa Hawkeyes' fans show love through just a small action.
If you have 6 minutes, check out the wave.
Jump Rope for Heart!
We had 100% participation in Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart from our class! Way to go! I know my family has benefited from the research funded by the AHA through medical breakthroughs. Although the kids were especially excited for a dress down day, we can celebrate sharing God's great love with the world!
ABSENCES:
Thanks to all the students who have been absent for their hard work to
get caught up! We are not back to health quite yet, so pray for our classmates. We had 6 out yet today. STUDENTS: Be sure to check in with each teacher to be sure you have finished anything
needed still as the quarter wraps up in 2 weeks. I appreciate the cooperative nature of this class in
supporting each other and helping students understand concepts and lessons they missed. Praise God that He gives us our health!
See Sycamore for:
Grandparents Day info
Fine Arts Fest
Yearbook order link (due March 2)
To Ryan's mom for the Valentines Snacks! To Ali's mom and Kayla's grandma for helping chaperone our Field trip. We've had a great week!
Coming home in your child's folder: Permission slip for Grandparents Day. Please return these by March 2 for us to properly plan for the day. (See Sycamore or an earlier blog for the schedule)
What's Happening in 6th Grade
Here's a few topics we are exploring:
Religion - Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus!! That's looking at Christ's nature as true God and true Man, how he fulfilled the Law perfectly to be our substitute in His death and in glory defeated the devil in His resurrection. We began LENT with the imposition of ashes at our Ash Wednesday chapel. Lenten devotions show us our Uncustomary Christ as we walk to the cross with Jesus.
S.S. Our Asian studies move from looking at the IT industry that connects American businesses to India, to now exploring population issues. Our class simulated the rate of population growth on Thursday and will now use China as a way to look at how countries meet the challenges of large and growing populations. As demographers we will use a lot of statistics, including 2017 country data from our Junior Scholastic World Almanacs.
Math - G-Math wrapping up
ratios and unit rates. T-Math is getting into the meat of fraction operations. Grocery shopping for the
best buy based on unit rate and cooking (doubling recipes) are great
hands on ways to reinforce these concepts at home.
Lit. - Our nonfiction unit has
included essays on African Americans in baseball and Jackie Robinson.
We took time to study a bit of the Civil Rights Movement as we explored
informational articles. We read a Lincoln biography now (Happy
Birthday, Abe!!) and will compare the style of writing to an
autobiography of author Beverly Cleary.
Art -We looked at the art of Jim Dine for an example of Pop art and created heart projects with watercolor relief.
For it is by GRACE you
have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it is a
gift of God, not a result of works so that no one can boast. Ephesians
2:8-9
Lent begins next week on February 14 with Ash Wednesday. What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day, focusing on Christ's amazing love for us that he would come to this earth and take our sins on the cross. During Lent I try to recommit myself to personal devotions and prayer. This is a time to focus on Jesus and His great love for us. Jesus gave His life so that I can live.
So instead of giving something up for Lent, I challenge my students to try doing the opposite and add something ... maybe commit to Wednesday night church, attend Sunday School, do personal devotions, do family devotions, or make weekend worship a priority in your family.
I know your faith life will be strengthened.
Join us in Lent worship each Wednesday at 3:30 and 7:00.
A conversation with your child...
Thank you for taking the time to talk with your child this week and weekend. Both 2nd Steps and our Religion discussions have lent themselves to the kids coming to you for thoughts and guidance. From discussions of tobacco, marijuana, and peer pressure to the idea of "fitting in" or being an outsider, I urge you to take these opportunities to share your experiences, morals, and faith with your child. YOU are still the biggest influence on your child throughout their teen years. Jesus loves your child tremendously! He chose you and your child to be in the family of faith. Kids sometimes don't feel very loved or important after a rough day. We can be that constant reminder for them that they are God's precious child. God, our Father, tenderly invites us to come to him with anything - joys and sorrows! (Hmm, sounds a little like our catechism memory work). He has conquered sin and will bring us through any trials.
See the Religion tab above for more about our current unit.
Grandparents' Day!!
Grandparents’ or Special Friends’ Day is scheduled for Friday, March 9th from 8:00-11:00. Teachers have some wonderful activities in the works to make this a special day for your child to interact with their guest! Please plan on having a grandparent or special guest attend. Families may "adopt" a classmate, but please prearrange this beforehand. Your child must have an adult present.
8:00 - 8:30Arrive anytime between 8:00 - 8:30
8:00 - 9:45 AM Guests and students stay together and spend
time at various activities. A map will go home with students and extra maps will be available that day. Family units decide where they want to start.
*ZION ASKS YOU STAY TOGETHER AS A FAMILY UNIT FOR PROPER SUPERVISION*
9:45 - 10:00 AM Guests and students travel to church sanctuary
10:00 - 11:00 AM Closing program and chapel
11:00 AM Dismissal(from the church sanctuary)
Field Trip Friday- Bud, Not Buddy
Students have been intrigued by young Bud during our read aloud time and are getting excited to see the play next Friday. Please have your child wear their red Zion shirt. I still have an opening for an adult to attend with us, so email me ASAP if you wish to chaperone still. See the following for sneak peak!
On Sycamore: Yearbook order info GP day info Jump Rope for Heart info and volunteer request Box Tops Contest 529 Plans Workshop on Monday
What a glorious day God blessed us with to be out on the slopes. I was so impressed with your kids! Our devotion that morning was about not just looking the part of a Christian, but letting the light of Christ shine in us. I heard lots of words of encouragement! They were also friendly toward the other groups and really tried hard. Skiing is not an easy skill, and kids powered through the rough times and kept at it. It's always a good sign when everyone tries again after lunch. Instead, 3:00 came all too soon for them ; ) A special thank you to the moms who drove and helped to chaperone. We could not have done it without you!
A few upcoming events:
Valentine's Day - We have a small celebration and social time with snacks provided by our room mom. We do NOT do a full class valentine exchange, but kids are welcome to bring valentines for the whole class if they wish. Remember, please do not bring candy to share. Also, students were informed of Zion's school-wide policy of no gift exchanges on campus. Please refer to the family handbook on Sycamore documents tab.
(REPEAT) NEXT FIELD TRIP ; FRIDAY, FEB. 16 - Grendel Theater Bud, Not Buddy
Bud, Not Buddyfollows
ten-year-old Bud as he sets off on an epic adventure to find his father
who he believes is leading a traveling jazz band. Set in 1930s America,
Bud’s odyssey is filled with the joy of finding family and plenty of
live jazz music.
Based
on the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel, this
play combines 8 actors with a 13-piece jazz band performing an original
score composed by five-time, Grammy-winning jazz artist Terence
Blanchard to tell the story of a boy who finds a home and a passion for
music.
We
are seeking 3 parents to attend with us. We will prepare to depart
Zion by bus at 8:45 and return by 12:30, before lunch. Let me know if
you are able to attend.
Another reminder from our Family Handbook: Students have been reminded that cell phone usage is not allowed without teacher permission. This includes at dismissal and After School Care. Zion's policy is below.
CELL PHONE USAGE
Since emergency and necessary phone service is available to Zion students during the school day and at
activities, all Zion students are discouraged from carrying cell phones on campus. Any students
displaying, receiving calls, or using the cell phone in any manner will forfeit the phone until a parent
retrieves it from the school office. Repeated inappropriate use of a cell phone may require action by the
Discipline Committee.
AND FINALLY - look at our Ski Trip!!
(The pictures are not in chronological order)
The line for equipment
Lunch time!
Kaiden, climbing the hill for the next run
Do we look ready!!
Grace N. and Calvin on the lift
Jack - looking good on skis!
Tegan and Abby in line for the lift
Ryan and Jace having a good time
Samantha
Taking a break
Dismounting the magic carpet - gracefully??
The bunny hill off the magic carpet
Avery and mom practicing the wedge
Trying a new move
Whoops!!
Kayla and Issac
Charlie
Grace K.
Ben and Elliot
Lit class - analyzing NONFICTION
Highlighting elements of organization (cause/effect or compare/contrast), author's style, author's purpose
