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.