Week 11: Reformation, Field Trip Week and Advent

Happy Reformation!

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the local church "bulletin board" calling people to debate the truth of the Bible and how the church had strayed from that truth.  Our class is learning about Luther's life as well as the amazing discovery he made:  WE ARE SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE  - not by good works or money or penance.  As part of our study, we will use clips from the Luther Movie made in 2013.  Though there are some fictional details added, the heart of the movie shows Luther's struggle to understand God and share with the world the truth about God's love.  (Note if you watch- the movie is PG-13 for some violence and language.  Sections for class were selected as appropriate for students and our study.) In his motto, we see the heart of Luther's teachings:  Christ Alone, Grace Alone,  Faith Alone, Scripture Alone. The Lutheran Church is beginning a year long celebration of the 500th anniversary of this date.  And just like Luther didn't want the glory for himself....

 Field Trip Reminders:

TUESDAY - 11/1 -  Weldon Spring Interpretive Center/St. Charles Lanes
                                    COLD LUNCH day    Leave 8:30, Return 2:45
                                    Wear jeans, red Zion t-shirt, walking shoes, jacket(?)

THURSDAY - 11/3 - LHS - One Act Dramas
                                     EARLY ARRIVAL by 7:40 for 7:55 departure
                                     Wear Zion standardized dress
                                      Band and Lunch will take place

**I will let you know if we make up PE on another day of the week.

**STILL SEEKING A DRIVER FOR TUESDAY if your plans have changed and you can join  us!


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Advent Approaches

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 will start preparations for leading worship including practicing readings, auditioning for drama parts, and learning songs this week.

       A reminder also for musicians that auditions will be Tuesday, November 9 for pre-service and offertory music.  Selections must be sacred music related to the Advent or Christmas seasons of the church year and be memorized.  Interested students may also consider performing in duets.


Crazy hair day and our RRW door!

Week 10 Harvest Party, English

Thanks to our wonderful room moms, Mrs. R and Mrs. K for bringing treats and preparing a guessing game for our Harvest Party.  Food and social time, the makings of a perfect Junior High morning!

 

 English - A Note from Mrs. Dersch

This week students are working on:

1.     An English baseline assessing general language standards: spelling correctly, writing and editing work, and patterns of word changes. This is class work that we are grading and will use this information to tailor a second quarter learning plan for your child.

2.     Plural and possessive nouns. We are finishing this lesson up and will review for our Unit 2: Nouns Test that will be next Wednesday, October 26th.

3.     Noun culminating activity:  Persuasive Travel brochure/advertisement, which is a fun way to check student’s knowledge of plural nouns, possessive nouns, and persuasive techniques.

NOTES:
1.     Spelling Unit 8 Test next Thursday, October 27th

2.     Test: Unit 2 Nouns on Wednesday, October 26th 

November Field Trips

We were excited to be invited to LHS by their drama department to see their student directed plays.  It just so happened that the date is the same week as our Weldon Spring Interpretive Center trip.  Full details for both trips have been added to the Field trip tab above.  We are still in need of drivers for the WS trip.  Please contact Julie Schmidt if you need an updated driver background check.

Nov. 1: Weldon Spring Int. Center/St. Charles Lanes   (cold lunch)
Nov. 3: Lutheran High, St. Charles (7:40 a.m. arrival)

End of 1st Quarter

Today marked the end of the 1st quarter.  I love the curiosity and enthusiasm of this class!  We have the best discussions in Religion classes.  Issues of faith and Christ's free gift of salvation are front and center now as we explore Martin Luther's life and the Reformation.  Your children work hard and are good encouragers.  I look forward to continuing a great year All for One!

Week 9.5 - Type with Me

I'm about an hour out of St. Louis on the bus returning from a wonderful convocation.  Over 2500 Lutheran educators from around the world gathered for worship and learning under the theme GROW.  Our keynote focused on the need to be rooted in Christ as we are relevant in our diverse world, to be dynamic in learning while timeless in the truth of God's Word.  It was a rejuvenating experience.  Thanks to Zion PTL and congregation for making this experience possible for us.

Etherpad in Lit

One of our Lit stories lent itself to a class discussion via an Etherpad.  If the links work, you can follow the online discussions as students typed them out. Use the Timeslider button in the upper right. I loved that all students could give input and reflect on others discussions - a great opportunity for those who may not speak up in class.

Group 1: https://titanpad.com/d8Ndl3uz1f

Quentin, Brady, Grace, Jenna

Group 2: https://titanpad.com/6bGkI7mqbs

Isaiah, Matthew, Elizabeth, Brooke

Group 3: https://titanpad.com/k5pdT5O3BM

Ana, Luke, Gavin, Ellie

Group 4: https://titanpad.com/zzQBzDf9Tb

Aiden,  Jack,  Jon, (Carter)

Group 5: https://titanpad.com/RtrWOIX2Rv

Johanna, Lucas, Sam,  Lauren (Mackenzie)

 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.  Let me know of any conflicts right away as parts will be assigned soon. We are eager to begin preparations 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, music, or “behind the scenes” 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 on Wednesday, Nov. 9

Week 9: Awaken Project

The Awaken Project

We had an exciting concert and an eye-opening message from our speakers on Wednesday from the Awaken Project.  Kids heard about the seriousness of heroin use with the potential of killing or creating addiction from first time use.  Ask your kids about a fact they remember from the presentation.

Second Steps

Our class joined 6B again on Friday as we explored the concepts of empathy and being an ally.  Mr. Braddy helped the kids recognize situations when they may step out and help a classmate, friend, or even a stranger for whom God gives us the chance to serve.  An ally makes a "conscious choice" to help another.  We were able to use those terms discussing the friendship situations in our Lit story too.

Farewell and Godspeed Alaynah

Friday we also celebrated our friend Alaynah.  Due to health concerns, Alaynah is going to be homeschooled the rest of the year.  I really like the concept of "Godspeed" - this is the idea of not saying "goodbye" but God be with you and grant you success as one begins a journey or a new venture.  We know God will keep us close, even though our good friend may not be with us every day.  The kids put together a special care package of encouraging notes to give our friend.  We love you, Alaynah!

Do you Dab?

Reminder - No School Wed- Friday Oct. 12-15 

Pray for Lutheran Educators as we gather from around the nation to worship, learn, and grow in our professions!  We will be in Grand Rapids, MI.