Weekly News 12-21-11

Merry Christmas!

As this quarter comes to a close, I pray that you a have a very blessed Christmas with family and loved ones.  I have enjoyed working with your children and am very thankful for the support that you have given me.  We have made great strides in our goals and have much to look forward to in the new year.  I'm sure we are all looking forward to a break.  If you are are celebrating the holidays in town, please make plans to worship with us at Zion to celebrate the birth of the newborn king.

        Saturday, Dec. 24  Christmas Eve Services  - 3:00 p.m.    5:00 p.m.  and 11:00 p.m
        Sunday, Dec. 25  Christmas Day - 9:00 a.m.

Field Trip - Hidden Valley
Friday, January 20 will be our next field trip.  Click the link for a copy of the information sheet that came home today.  SKi Info 2012

Weekly News 12-16-11

Exciting Week!  

Christmas Service Project Packing

Scroll down to see blog entries by student reporters about our Skype interview with an author

 

Pizza Lunch Wednesday

Just a reminder - our room mothers are planning a pizza lunch as part of our Christmas Party on Wednesday.  We will dismiss at noon after our celebration.

End of the Quarter/ Report Cards

Report cards will be available to view online after Christmas break. Report date is January 6.  No paper copy will be sent home.  If you need your activation code or if you forgot your password, please contact the school office.  You may also request a paper copy of the report card from the office.

Author Interview by Hannah S.

1:30 pm Today we are interviewing author Laura Bradford, a local author. it turned out she started writing when she was our age. she said to be an author you have to do lots of research. her next series is going  about Amish people. she also has a pen name Elizabeth Lynn Casey. a pen name is used when some one gives you an idea and you cant take full credit. One of her books were even

300 pages. She said to make a good story you could use as much of your senses as possible she also gave us some more tips for our short story we have to write. The longest  book she ever written was 320 pages. she said in a story you should show not tell. that means you can explain and not just saying it.



Photographer: Blake S.

Author Interview by Kent S.

      1:30 pm Thursday December 15:   Today our 6th grade class is interviewing Laura Bradford. A former local, but now a big time author. We will be communicating with her by Skype, she is live from the big apple in her house. She started writing in just the 4th grade. She is mainly a mystery author and has 7 books published and 9 more coming. She is coming out with a series about Amish in about June 2012. She however did not come up with pen name idea, her publishers did. She also writes romantic stories that are now published in German and in Spanish. Her favorite book she has wrote is the new Amish book series. She has made many great interesting stories that have gotten great reviews but had gotten turned down by publishers. She has also written books focused on the southern states. She plans to keep on writing books and series. She told us that when you have a draft on a book you have to go back to every line and check every line. Sometimes she would base her book off of real events that had or is happing in her life. She gave our class some really helpful advice in writing our short stories. She has been actively writing since her youngest one was in kindergarten. Our class will use Mrs. Bradford's advice to set us on our goals to publishing our own book.

Weekly News 12-9-11

Welcome New Student

We welcome Lydia C.  to our class and her family to Zion.  We are excited to have a new Bobcat.  I have been very proud of the students for being welcoming and helpful to Lydia as she gets to know the routine and the curriculum.  Please be sure to look for the family and introduce yourselves.

Advent Thank You / Worship opportunities

Thank you again for all of your support of our Advent service in November.  We really appreciated being able to lead worship in song and drama.  Please make worship part of your plans this holiday season.  You may check the church webpage for Zion's special service times.

   

News

GLOGSTER - See the new "Student Projects" tab above for links to our SS project.

BOOK ORDERS came home today and may be brought in on Monday or Tuesday.  Orders will be sent in on TUESDAY AFTERNOON to assure a delivery before Christmas break.  You may place orders online prior to that deadline.  See our class website under the links tab for the activation code.

QUARTER ENDS Wednesday, December 21.  - Students, be sure if you have any absences that you are checking with EACH teacher to be sure that work is caught up.  Report cards will be available online Friday, January 6. 

LAST DAY for AR TESTS in 6th grade is Wednesday, Dec. 13

SPECIAL EVENTS -
TODAY:  COLLECTION ENDS - Thank you for all of your support of our Baby Care Kit Drive.  If you still had something to contribute, please send it in on Monday.

MONDAY DEC. 19  - Geography Bee 9:00 a.m.  (gym)

TUESDAY DEC. 20  Christmas Choir/Band Concert 7 p.m. (church)
      
CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC. 21  Our room moms are planning a special Christmas party to include a pizza lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 21.  Remember there is also NOON dismissal that day.

Weekly News 11-18-11

Advent Reminder

Have you marked your calendar?  Just a reminder that Wednesday, November 30, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Grades 5 and 6 will lead the first Advent worship services at Zion Church.  We have begun preparations for leading worship including practicing drama parts, and learning songs. 

A reminder also for musicians that auditions will be Tuesday, November 22 for preservice and offertory music.  Selections must be sacred music related to the Advent or Christmas seasons of the church year. You will be able to use sheet music, but need to know your piece very well.

What's going on?

In Literature we read a Jack London story about the Alaskan Gold Rush.  Students are working on a "Newspaper Article" set in the time to retell the story.  We used Google Docs to share a template of a column format and students are learning how to upload and download documents.  (If the columns don't come out quite right - that's OK.

In Social Studies we held the "Great Lakes Debate" looking at the conditions of this ecosystem from the 1960's until present day.  Pollution, invasive species and habitat loss are all examples of Human-Environment Interaction.  

We are taking facts learned now to analyze, "Have things improved?"  Next week, students will be creating an online "glog" which is an interactive poster that mimics a website to present their findings.

 

Cup Stacking

Beat the clock!

Building towers and walls

Time to race!

Weekly News 11-11-11

Veteran's Day

Today our class joined the 5-8th graders in a service of honor and recognition for those who serve in the military.  Please view our class blogs that students have been working on this week to see their thoughts about Veteren's Day.  (see the blog tab)  Here is the link to one of the videos used in the service today.
Veteran's Day Video


What is an EtherPad?
Imagine an entire class talking at once and getting to listen to each others' ideas.  Welcome to Etherpad.  No one has to wait  his turn or feel that he can't speak up.  Check out the following links.  Each will lead you to one of 4 group discussions on a recent Literature story.  The time slider feature should go back to show the conversation emerge in "real time." 
Group 1 
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4

MidQuarter is Monday
 Be sure to check Edline for your child's currect progress.  It is a great opportunity to discuss goals with your child for the second half of the quarter.

Weekly News 11/5/11

Happy Reformation!
What an incredible worship this past two weekends as Zion celebrated Reformation and All Saints Day.  It is an awesome experience when God's Word touches your heart and His Sacrament cleanses your soul.  Worship was enhanced by piano, organ, trumpets, tympani, and choirs.  Pastor Rouland's sermon reminded us this was not a day to celebrate Martin Luther, but Jesus Christ and the free gift of salvation that is for everyone!  Pastor Reitz's sermon reminded us of how we are saints now and will receive the full blessings of the saints in eternity.  A link to Zion's sermons is found on the church website if you want to hear the message again.

Following the church calendar, our new religion unit is focusing on the Reformation.  Students have been amazed at the false teachings that had infiltrated the church in the 1400's.  We see through  Luther's discoveries that scripture gives us the truth about our Savior.  We are using appropriate clips from the movie Luther to help students see the historic context of the time as well as how God used  the Reformation was to change people's hearts and bring them back to the truth of His grace.  Click here to see a clip.  Diet of Worms

Have you been in worship lately?  Please know you are always invited to join us at Zion.  It's a great way to start your week!

Chapel Offering Update
 Praise to God for His glorious gifts that we have so much to share!  We collected $1200 to purchase seeds for Giving Gardens to help people in Haiti.  Our offerings this month will be used to purchase turkeys needed for our Seminary Food Drive.  Thank you and keep Wednesday chapels on your calendar as an opportunity to give.  

Weekly News 10-28-11

A Visit with Pastor Rouland
As we wrap up our study of the Sacraments this week, we had an opportunity to visit with Pastor Rouland.  We met in the church for an up close look at church furnishings and a Q & A session covering the sacraments as well as other questions students had about worship.  We thank Pastor for his time and special insights to share with us.


Kidblog
Click the Student Blogs tab above and follow the directions to begin reading some of our Fractured Fairytales. We took a creative writing idea and are using the inspirations to study verbs in our English grammar unit.  Postings on the blogs will not be formal, polished writing, but you will see my comments may give a proofreading or mechanics hint.  Parents, students, and guests are invited to comment to encourage the students ideas and share your own. (Please leave the grammar tips for me to do.)


Congrats LHS Spelling Contestants 
Nick C., Steven H. & alt. Blake S. will represent 6R at the Lutheran High spelling bee next week.  God's blessings and good luck!

Weekly News 10-19-11

Hark - The Students Lead Advent Worship!
On Wednesday, November 30, at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m, grades 5 and 6 will lead the first Advent worship services at Zion Church.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our students as they help our congregation prepare for the Lord's coming.  Attendance is expected at both services, so please mark your calendars now and keep the date open.  We are eager to begin preparations in November for leading worship especially since these services are scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving break.

During the coming weeks, all students will learn songs selected to reinforce their message.  Students will also have opportunities to try various roles in the service, such as special drama or music parts.  Part of our Memory Work assignments will shift focus to learning songs and lines.  Students will also have an opportunity to share their special musical talents.  Any student who has had two years of music lessons or is in the Concert Band may offer to play for the services.  Selections must be:
     1)  sacred music related to the Advent or Christmas seasons of the church year
     2)  practiced and ready to audition before Thanksgiving break – Tuesday, Nov. 22 

Field Trip Fun!

Weekly News 10-7-11

Field Trip Monday

Just a reminder that we will be leaving campus Monday, October 10 by 9:15 for our Science field trip to Weldon Spring Interpretive Center.  We will learn about environmental clean up and the importance of maintaining natural prairies. After a picnic lunch, we will be bowling  at St. Charles Lanes.  (Did you learn a little about bowling scoring from your child this week?)

Students need to remember:  * sack lunch with a drink
                                              * wear jeans, red Zion T-shirts, and good walking shoes

PIZZA LUNCH TUESDAY

Thank you to all of the 6R families who sold items for our fundraiser.  Our class had top sales and will celebrate with a pizza party on Tuesday, October 11.  Students do not need to bring a lunch that day.  Thanks to the PTL and our room moms for putting this together for us.

Weekly News 9-30-11

Walkathon

As I type,  I am being lapped by our Junior High students in our Walk-a-thon.  God has blessed us with a beautiful afternoon: sun shining and a cool breeze.  Praise Him for the gifts we have to share with others!

Now that students have a mileage count, they can collect pledges and donations this week.  A donation envelope came home today and is due back next Friday.  Thank you for helping encourage your child in this wonderful servant event. We look forward to the next phase of our project in creating the Baby Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief.  More photos will be posted soon!

Quarter Nears End

The last day of first quarter is approaching in a week and a half, Tuesday October 11.  First quarter grades will be presented to parents with a hardcopy of the report card at the upcoming parent teacher conferences, October 20-21.  NOTE: The last day grades will be posted online prior to conferences will be this Monday, October 3.  This allows teachers time to process end of the quarter homework, tests, and projects.   

Field Trip October 10

Thanks parents, I have the chaperones needed for the Weldon Spring/Bowling trip.  Permission slips are coming home next week with detailed information about our trip.

Weekly News 9-23-11

Walkathon Next Friday

We are excited to host the Walkathon portion of our Junior High service project next Friday.  Here are a few helpful tips:

• Afternoon classes are canceled that day.  We will walk for the afternoon and finish before the end of the school day.
• Student may come to school dressed for the event:  sweats/track pants or PE shorts (no "shorty" shorts), spirit wear shirts, and walking shoes
• Water and refreshment stations will be provided.  Students may wish to bring their own water bottle.
• Students may bring $.75 to purchase a soda during the afternoon.
• Students are encouraged to "self-pledge" as well as seek donations for Lutheran World Relief - Baby Care Kits. This may be a single amount or a "pledge-per-mile".
• PLEDGE SHEETS are returned the week after the walkathon with pledges collected. 

Please pray that our students may see the blessings we have to share in this servant event as well as for the mothers and babies to whom we will share God's love.

Field Trip - Monday Oct. 10
Our first field trip of the year will be Monday, October 10.  We will be taking a Science trip to the Weldon Spring Interpretive Center in the morning, departing at 9:00, and bowling in the afternoon.  Further details will come home closer to the event.  I am seeking 2 parent chaperones to attend and possibly drive students.  We are joining the 7th grade classes for this trip.

FUTURE FIELD TRIP  ON THE CALENDAR- Edison Theatre at Wash U.  Friday, Feb. 10 in the morning for Cashmore Marionettes. (2 parent chaperones also needed)

Love & Logic

Occasionally, I like to share a parenting tip.  This comes from the "Insider's Club_ on the Love and Logic website.   http://www.loveandlogic.com/

Why saying, "Just try it, it's easy" isn’t a good idea.
Weekly Tip from the Love and Logic® Experts

Has someone ever said to you, "Just try it, it's easy!" and then you found-out the task they coaxed you into trying was painfully difficult? Did this leave you feeling exceptionally capable or downright stupid…and embarrassed?

When this happens to the average adult, it doesn't take long for them to conclude two things:
This person who's trying to help me is nuts…and definitely not to be trusted!
Why should I try if I can't even handle the easy stuff?
Quite frequently I overhear well-meaning parents and educators using the "Just try it, it's easy!" approach in an attempt to urge a reluctant child into trying something they're afraid of. When the child finds the task easy, all is right with the world. When they don't, they're confronted with the pain of seeing that they might be so slow that they can't even do something really, really "easy"!

How often does this need to happen before our kids lose faith in our word? How often does this have to happen before our children lose faith in their own abilities? Are you willing to take this sort of risk with your kids?

In my book, From Bad Grades to a Great Life!, I teach a far safer approach. Experiment with asking your child:

A lot of kids find this kind of challenging. Would you try this and let me know what you think?

If you hear, "It's too hard. I can't do it," smile, pat them on the back and ask:

Aren't you glad that I don't believe that?

"Aren't you glad that I don't believe that?" represents an exceptionally powerful way of communicating to your children that they have what it takes to succeed. Delivered in question format its effectiveness becomes supercharged. Remember: Questions create thinking. Statements create resistance.

You may also experiment with asking another question:

And…aren't you glad that I'm going to love you the same even if you have to work really hard to figure this out?

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay


©2011 Love and Logic Institute, Inc. All copyright infringement laws apply. Permission granted for forwarding and/or for a single photocopy or electronic reproduction of one email tip only. Please do not alter or modify. For more information, call the Love and Logic Institute, Inc. at 800-338-4065.

Weekly News 9-16-11

Midquarter Monday
Where has the time gone?  Monday, Sept. 19 marks the midquarter of the first quarter.  You are encouraged to check your child's grades online after 3 p.m. to see your child's progress.  This is an excellent opportunity to ask your child about his or her impressions of the school year and personal effort.  Grades are a reflection of organization, effort, and following directions as well as ability.  Your child may need encouragement to talk with teachers and ask questions about subjects in which he or she feels confused.  Please contact me with concerns you have so we can team together to meet the needs of your child.  I feel our class has had an excellent start to the Junior High experience and are now "in the groove" of school.  

Student Email Accounts
Information about email accounts that are going to be set up in your child's name came home today.  Please sign and return the attached permission form.  This is just in time for our first writing project, a combined English/Literature Character Sketch based on The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.

Weekly News 9-9-11

Classroom Geography Jeopardy

How many degrees latitude??

I know!

Having fun!

Walkathon

We had an assembly today to introduce the Junior High Walkathon coming September 30.
Look for news in your child's Friday Folder.

Individualized Spelling

Students use a personalized spelling list this year in spelling.  We begin the week with a pretest on a list of words that follow a spelling pattern.  From this pretest, student select any words missed to be studied for the week.  Other words are generated in their own writing or from a list of commonly misspelled words in the English language.  Then they are able to take a test over their ten personal words using the computer. In the event of an absence on test day, students may make up the test from home at this website:6R Spelling Test

Remembering 9/11

We will be taking time next week Tuesday during Social Studies to recognize the anniversary of 9/11.  Our focus will be an overview of events of that day and looking at the response of our church body and our nation since that time.  We will use Junior Scholastic as a resource.  You may wish to use the media coverage this weekend as an opportunity to talk about the tragic events with your child and share the confidence in our faith and our loving Lord.  To see a message from the president of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, click: A Hopeful Lament

**Book orders due tomorrow 9/12 online.

Weekly News 9-2-11

How was school?
Often kids respond, "Fine," or "OK." How do you get your child talking?  Ask specific questions about our units of study:


RELIGION - The Word of God, specific types of writings, God's promises and fulfillment
LITERATURE - Fiction and non-fiction, making predictions, plotlines, evaluating websites
SOCIAL STUDIES - Map components, latitude and longitude
MATH - Order of Operations, Fractions, Reading a ruler


Helpful Information:

Calendar - I am having trouble updating the calendar on our class webpage.  Please note our first test dates:
      Wednesday - 9/7 Math test 1  (Lessons 1-5)
      Friday 9/9  Literature test Unit 1Part 1
      Monday 9/12  Social Studies Test Chapter 1

Reporting of Grades - Please refer to the information on our class webpage regarding the online gradebook.  Link:  Grades Online    Note students may be turning in assignments from absences or late work, but they are not reflected until the upload occurs on the first school day of the week.

New Families - Please note that your password to access grades will come home on Tuesday.  I found them in my mail after I dismissed the class.  My apologies for the delay!

Book Orders - See the letter that came home today for ordering information or our class webpage.  Due date for paper orders is 9/9.  Online 9/10.

Weekly News 8-26-11

The Week in Review

· Helping our Kindergarten friends find the alphabet in nature.

Learning to get organized and how to travel from place to place
has been a major part of our week. Students are learning how to
think first of others (pushing in chairs, waiting turns in the hall)

· Students chose half a dozen “study buddy” partners
 for S.S. activities. We are looking at different learning styles
and how partners can learn from each other. First unit:
 Mapping Skills

· 








       What’s Law? What’s Gospel? Can you identify the    
        difference?

        Mrs. Carol Martin from Moms in Touch came to talk to us      
        about prayer in preparation for us to lead school prayers.

Help Needed

*Library volunteer(s) on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:00 a.m.  

*Prayer partners for Moms In Touch.  (can be from home)


Please let me know if you are interested in either of these opportunities.

Partners in the Word

I am very excited to be starting a new school year. One of the first Bible verses your child has memorized is Duet. 6:6-7.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

I am your partner in teaching your child - not only Math and Literature, but also God's Word and his plan for our lives. You are an important teacher and role model to your child. I encourage you to worship weekly with your child and take time to discuss God's Word together. Students are being offered extra credit for completing a simple worship outline of your weekend worship. I hope this helps spark good conversations in your family. Worship is a key way for the whole family to grow in faith as well as reinforce the Scripture we study at Zion. I pray that the Holy Spirit may continue to work through us to help your child build a firm foundation on Christ!

Please note: This is the last weekend for the summer worship schedule at Zion.  Beginning in September, services return to Sat. 5:00 p.m.

                                                     Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 a.m.

Weekly News 8-19-11

Welcome to 6th Grade

School supplies are purchased, alarm clocks are set, the temperature is in the 90s, it must be time for Back-to-School! I am so excited to have your children as my students this year. Our school theme gives a wonderful focus for our year:

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18a

We are forgiven children of God! The blood of Christ pays for our sins. This year in our theme we will explore how God calls us to grow in our faith and our relationship with him.  I pray this school year gives you a renewed opportunity to grow in your faith: as a parent, as a student, and as a family.

I am eager to partner with you in both educating and nurturing your child this year. I encourage families to talk about lessons we learn, especially memory verses and Religion lessons. I look forward to seeing you in worship at Zion or hearing about your worship experiences at your home church as our class grows together in our faith walk. Together - student, family, and school – we can build each other in the Body of Chirst! Please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions or insights throughout the year.

What's New?

One of our big goals in 6th grade is for students to become more independent in their learning. This news blog will update you on current happenings, but in 6th grade I no longer publish spelling lessons, memory assignments, or tests in the parent letter. These are things your child will be tracking in their assignment book. If an individual student needs more organizational help, I will work one-on-one with that student. I plan to publish this blog weekly.

PTL Back to School Night - NOTE NEW TIME!!!

Mark your calendar: The PTL Back to School Night is Tuesday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. Further information about the unique aspects of 6th grade will be shared with parents at that time. I look forward to seeing you!  Sessions times are new this year (and different than my previous email).

6:30-6:55  New families in church
                 1st classroom session w/ teachers for returning families

7:00-7:25  2nd classroom session w/ teachers (repeat of session 1)

7:30-7:55  3rd classroom session w/ teachers (repeat of session 1)

School Year Ends

Zion Field Day

And you shall be my witnesses...

What does Christ's command to his disciples on his day of Ascension mean to a sixth grader?  (Mt. 38:19-20, Acts 1:8)  This is the topic we have been exploring in our religion classes as we have looked at Christ's ascension, the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, and the witness of the early  Christians.  As the disciples were instructed to witness in first Jerusalem, then to the neighboring countryside, then to the ends of the earth, we Christians are encouraged to be witnesses where we are at: in our school, workplaces, and families then reach out, even to the ends of the earth.   Where do we get equipped for such a task?  In Word and Sacrament - with the fellowship of believers.  I encourage you to be involved in summer worship both at home and in your travels.  Zion has special summer vacation devotion materials available in the welcome center.  Invite a friend or neighbor to our Vacation Bible School the week of June 13.  We, too, have the power of the Holy Spirit and can look for those opportunities to make disciples.

In our final Religion classes we have been looking at the apostles example of how to share the message - to whom - and why.  Today, we learned a modern day parable and practiced telling it.  On Friday, we will make witness bracelets as a reminder to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  from I Peter 3:15.

Dear families:

Thank you for all of your support this year.  I have appreciated  your prayers, your notes of encouragement,  your time working with your child on projects, and your child.  It has been a pleasure being  a part of your lives this year.  May God bless your family this summer!          

                  In His Service,

                  Mrs. Riemenschneider