Friday, April 30, 2021

Week 33: Tuck Everlasting and Electives

Tuck Everlasting

In Literature, students have been reading the novel,  Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and then leading small group discussions in "book club" format.  We are exploring the literary elements of foreshadowing, character development, motive, and universal theme as the characters ponder the benefits and downfalls of living forever.  It is exciting to look at the novel through the eyes of faith as we discussed God's original design in Eden as well as our eternal life in the heavenly home he has prepared for us.  Students are discovering the blessings God gives us in this life through the many stages we live and even more blessings to be received in eternity with Him!  We will culminate the novel next week with creative projects.

 

 

Why are there picture books in 6th grade?  Coming soon - Eric Carle inspired art!


JH Electives- Kindly respond by May 14

Music is back!  See your email (reprinted here)  to sign your child up for JH Electives in 7th grade. Help your child make a choice that will work best for him/her for the entire 7th grade year.  The Thoelkes and Mrs. Holz would be happy to talk more with you about what the music options are like.

 

 

Parents,

 

The link provided contains your junior high elective sign up for next school year. Please talk to your child(ren) about what they want to select.  Once you sign up we cannot change it as we use this information for staffing and scheduling.  Each student needs to take one year of electives.  This can be done with one course (that is a year long) such as band, choir, classroom music, strings or with the combination of semester courses such as classroom music, computer science, and leadership development.  Please note, elective options differ for 6th graders and 7th/8th graders.

 

 

We do have class size limits so results are time stamped.  First ones in get priority.  This sign up needs to be completed by Friday, May 14th.  If you have any questions about the classes please reach out.  Below are some information about some of the semester based classes.  


 

Classroom Music

  • This is a general music appreciation class.  The class will look at different types of music as well as music composers.

 

Computer Science

  • Computer Science class takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and data. In the first year students will they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices.

 

Leadership Development

  • Leadership Development is a new class offering next year and will focus on three components.  First, the class will focus on leadership and character training.  This will study and apply traits to develop leadership skills.  Next, the class will serve as a student ambassador panel.  This panel will be used to foster change and have an impact on decisions within the school, while also creating and planning potential events.  Finally, Leadership Development will explore current events and discuss how they impact us as Christians.  

 

Jr. High Elective Sign Up

 

In Christ,

 

Mr. Marolf

 

Here's what you see when you click the link:

 




Saturday, April 24, 2021

Week 32: Midquarter!

 Just a few notes this week:

Miss what happened at Best Choice?  Check your email from M, T, TH, and F!  Detailed info was sent.

No school MONDAY - Teachers are in professional develoopment for our new math curriculum and other tasks.

  Book fair ends WEDNESDAY.  There is a 3D Virtual tour available that simulates browsing the shelves.  Have your child check it out from the Sycamore link.

Germs and viruses in Science, Thinglink projects  of European countries in S.S.,  Inequalities in Math, a new novel in Lit, sculpture in art - A busy week!!  Ask your child to share.

We are at the midquarter.  Please give teachers until afternoon on MONDAY to get grades updated, then plan a time to check Sycamore with your child.  Set goals for the last part of 6th grade (sniff - I will miss this group! )

 

 Best Choice and Novel Book Clubs

 







Art Gallery of Cross Art  photographer: Kayla
























Saturday, April 17, 2021

Week 31: Best Choice and Book Fair

Best Choice in April


NEXT WEEK, we welcome an educator from Best Choice to lead our Religion classes.  Through this program, students will be involved in active discussions about setting goals, healthy relationships, puberty, and making God-pleasing decisions. The Best Choice program is designed to encourage children to make lifelong commitments to building relationships, making informed choices, choosing abstinence before marriage, and avoiding risky behaviors.

Mrs. Donner and I will participate in the classes and continue follow up discussions.    To help you prepare for discussions with your child at home, here are the topics Best Choice has used in the past.   I will email you daily with our discussions.  Classes are Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday.  I pray that you use these as opportunities to open the dialogue with your child and share your values with them.  Research shows parents are still the number one influence on their teens!  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Monday: Goals, Risky Behaviors, and Decision Making
Tuesday:  Respect, Friendships, and Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships, 
Refusal Skills
Thursday: Male/Female Puberty
Friday: Media Influence, Emotional Consequences, Boundaries, and Avoidance Techniques 


Book Fair Open NOW

Exciting news! The Scholastic Book Fair is HERE! Please visit www.scholastic.com/bf/BobcatsRead to view over 6,000 titles, and make sure to enter the “virtual book fair” page for a more authentic, interactive book fair experience.  Make sure you sign in to, or create,  your Scholastic account so Zion benefits from your purchase! 

Also, make sure to checkout our teacher wishlists in the link below! Hyperlinks within the google doc will take you directly to that book in our fair page. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qIoSVVEv1LRiWKednmaC0gOjWZyYS0jjDs9mNwT7F4A/edit

The fair is open to anyone who wishes to purchase, so please encourage your friends and family members to spread the magic of reading. 

Kara Swofford, Abbey Wagoner
Book Fair Chairperson(s)
 
 
 From the class blogger, Kayla:

On Thursday we did paper mache hands. We actually put the plaster on our hands! Later we will cut 

words out from a magazine that explain us and glue then on to our hand. This is a really fun but messy

 project. 

This Friday was a sports celebration day.

Lately we have been working on a poetry project. We made a poster with stuff about our poet including

 a couple of their poems.

A peek at our week:  
 
May I check your passport?

Simulating travel and trade in the European Union

I don't have any Deutsche marks - I have zlotys

Bonjour!!

But Poland didn't adopt the euro!  I still need to change my currency

Plaster hands in art

Using a letter in sign language to represent ME


I hope I put on enough Vaseline so this comes off!




Have you been thinking about a special memory from Mrs. Beaty?  We would love to make a collection of photos, stories, or just a personal note celebrating her ministry at Zion.  See the info below:




 






Thursday, April 1, 2021

Week 30; Good Friday/ Happy Easter!

Jesus Completes Our Salvation


Our Religion unit is not merely the focal point of all of our studies of our Christian faith this year; it is also the focus of the entire Bible. And by God’s grace, it is also the focus of our entire lives! Our studies in math and science and social studies are essential for daily life; but it is in our study of Scripture that all these blessings find their true purpose and meaning through life in Christ. God blesses us with intelligence and abilities and talents, and He guides us to use these for our personal welfare—it is true. But He also desires that we use these blessings for the good of others and for the glory of the Lord.

Our focus in this unit has been on Holy Week and the events surrounding it. Here, we see God’s covenant promises coming together and being fulfilled in Christ Jesus. We cannot save ourselves; only Jesus could do that for us, because He is the sinless Son of God. Amazingly, He is also our substitute! He gives His victory to us!

Jesus suffered all things, died on the cross, and arose at Easter to complete our salvation. It is finished! He offers us the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life through His loving grace and mercy. May God bless your family time this EASTER SEASON with the assurance from Jesus that...

In my Father's house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where i am, you may be also.  John 14:2-3

Mrs. Riemenschneider 


For your Maundy Thursday worship time, a recording of Zion's Living Last Supper  Other services are available to livestream from Zion's homepage.


IMPORTANT THINGS COMING SOON...

**Bring a posterboard by Tues. 4/13 for a poetry project (any color)

 

 Best Choice in April PLEASE READ!

 

In mid April,  we welcome an educator from Best Choice to lead our Religion classes.  Through this program, students will be involved in active discussions about setting goals, healthy relationships, puberty, and making God-pleasing decisions. The Best Choice program is designed to encourage children to make lifelong commitments to building relationships, making informed choices, choosing abstinence before marriage, and avoiding risky behaviors.

 

Mrs. Donner  and I will participate in the classes and continue follow up discussions.  Look for a permission slip to come home AFTER EASTER  for your child to participate.  To help you prepare for discussions with your child at home, here are the topics Best Choice has used in the past.   During the week of lessons,I will update you daily with our discussions.  Classes start Monday, April 19..  I pray that you use these as opportunities to open the dialogue with your child and share your values with them.  Research shows parents are still the number one influence on their teens!  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Monday 4/19: Goals, Risky Behaviors, and Decision Making

Tuesday 4/20:  Respect, Friendships, and Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships, Refusal Skills

Thursday 4/21: Male/Female Puberty 
Friday 4/22: Media Influence, Emotional Consequences, Boundaries, and Avoidance Techniques 

 

 Book Fair Time!

Dear Parents and Families:

SAVE THE DATE! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming back to Zion Lutheran School.  While the fair will look a little differently this year (virtual), we still plan on making it a fun experience for our kids, and most importantly, will keep them reading. Our Virtual Fair begins April 16, 2021.

To keep things exciting, the classroom with the most orders will win an ice cream party! How "COOL" is that?

We can’t wait to “see” you at the fair!

Fair Dates: Friday, April 16Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Virtual Store: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/bobcatsread 

 Kara Swofford and Abbey Wagoner, Book Fair Chairs

karaswofford@gmail.com, abbeywagoner@gmail.com   




Sharing our concrete poetry: