Week 18: Merry Christmas!!

From Mrs. R:

It's been a fast paced week, with end of the quarter tests, Among the Hidden presentations, gingerbread houses with Mrs. Linneman's preschool, watching The Nativity Story in Religion, and a bit of fun mixed in - I even joined the 2 classes for PE on Thursday (lost in knockout, but held on until the final four!)  Today we had a special Christmas worship led by our 8th graders and Kindergarten.  Angels Undercover had a hard time finding the GOOD NEWS of Jesus in modern day St. Charles.   Ask your child how the different characters missed the good news and where the story of the Christ Child - Savior of the world was found.   THANKS ROOM PARENTS for a fun party and great food! 
 
I pray you and your family are able to have a restful and worshipful holiday.  Jesus came to bring peace, love, and joy.  May we reflect the wonder of knowing He saves us!

Merry Christmas!
Mrs. Riemenschneider 

 

Week 17: A visit to Preschool

 From The Class Bloggers  Hailey and Max

 This week on Wednesday we got to see the 3rd and 4th graders Advent Service. Thursday was Ellie's birthday! On Friday we had the chance to read to the little kids in preschool. Friday night is our first Zion dance. The theme is White Out. There is 11 days till Christmas! Happy Holidays!


From Mrs. R: 

All about waiting....

In Devotions we have been using a Jesse tree, where each ornament reminds us about God's work in our lives and the wait for God's perfect timing - both in the sending of his Son as our savior and the wait for his return to take us to our heavenly home.  Even these big kids are still thrilled to light the candle on our advent wreath each morning.   I hope you and your family can take the time to read the Christmas story again from Matthew and Luke.  Reflect on the simplicity of the story as God's perfect plan unfolds for our salvation.  Note Zion's Christmas service times are on the calendar to the right as you plan your family worship time this holiday.

In Religion we have been looking at the beginning of Jesus's ministry and the call of the disciples, both the original 12 and how we are called to follow the Savior.  Students paired up to find out what Biblical scholars have learned about the disciples to create posters to share.  

In Literature we wrapped up our novel unit and students completed unique projects to share their creative responses:  alternate endings, adding a new character, imagining the protagonist as an adult reflecting back, "selling" the novel in a commercial or researching population issues around the world.  The kids are sharing their projects with the class.

Social Studies saw our city planning teams debate the merits of urban growth and how to best meet the needs of special interest groups.   

Math has been all about fractions!  G-Math jumped into fraction operations and are using notes in a foldable to remember the differences.  T-Math is at the foundational concepts of divisibility, factors, and Greatest Common Factor.  Both classes have tests this week.

Art let us explore a great American artist, Norman Rockwell, and his gift of telling the story of everyday people in his paintings.  Students are using his inspiration to create their own "magazine" covers for the December issue of the Saturday Evening Post. 

 If your child has been absent, be sure to have him or her check in with each teacher on Monday to be sure we have all of your makeup work as we end the quarter on Friday.  I am sometimes delayed at getting grade updates into Sycamore even after a student has submitted work, so it's good to have your child check in with me.  Also since the student has missed instruction, the teacher can touch base and see if they have questions. 

CHRISTMAS PARTIES will be hosted by our room mom on FRIDAY.   I'll send more details out later in the week, but it will probably be enough food to count as lunch.  Remember, noon dismissal on Friday as we start our Christmas Break. 

Mr. Debrick stops by to let us know what to expect at a Junior High Dance

Week 16: Advent, Christmas Service Project, and DANCE

From the class bloggers:

Hailey and Quentin
This week was advent, so our schedule was filled with practice for it. We finished Among the Hidden. We did our service project. It snowed on Thursday, but it all melted. We decorated for Christmas. With the excitement of Christmas coming it hard to wait. Eighteen days till Christmas.
Happy Holidays!

From Mrs. R.

What a thrill it was to hear your kids share the message of our Savior this week, through song, drama, and art!  Thank you for getting kids to the service and all your help behind the scenes with learning songs/parts.  Together we GO!! out in witness and serve a Savior who loves us so much that he put aside heaven to live with us, be our friend, and rescue us from sin.  I pray the service gave you a new perspective on the Advent season and the special days ahead.

We are serving God by singing

CHRISTMAS SERVICE PROJECT

Students today packed Welcome Kits for Christian Friends of New Americans.  Funds reserved from our Walkathon purchased kit items and students had a chance to write encouraging words in personal greetings to go in each bag.

CFNA is also looking for donations of NEW or GENTLY USED BLANKETS.  If you are able to donate, please send blankets in a bag by Monday.  Our delivery to CFNA will take place next week with a few volunteer students/parents.

Serving people who is coming to the United states

we made cards for the people

STUCO Dance  

Student Council sponsors a dance next Friday, Dec. 14 from 7:30-10:00 for Zion's junior high.  This is a social mixer in the Commons and a chance for kids to get together for a time of fellowship, snacks, and fun.  Students have already been informed that this is not a "date night" nor should they "ask" anyone to go as a "date." Students who choose to attend hang out with lots of different people.  Mr. Debrick will talk with the sixth graders next week about how they are getting older and learning more about socializing in positive ways - face to face and not from behind a screen.  One of my favorite parts of his talk is when he lets kids know that just because they dance with someone, they are not "getting married."  We all have a good laugh, but it also helps kids understand they are learning how to act around each others as boys and girls.   Please take this opportunity to tell your child about your first dance and what your values and expectations are for them.  (and no - they don't HAVE to go!!)  I believe the cost is $6 - exact change is helpful.