Week 22: 2nd Steps and Drama

It was a week of tests (Math, English, S.S.)  and drama!  Not that kind of drama - we are acting!  Students have been enjoying the puns, idioms, and other plays on words in The Phantom Tollbooth in Literature.  We finish the play next week with a comparison to the novel in literary style. 

On Thursday, Ms. Preusser led the 6th graders through slowing down and analyzing a conflict.   We looked at Analyze, Brainstorm, Consider, and Decide as the first steps the problem solving. In 2nd Steps, students are learning about empathy and how to take into consideration another person's perspective.  A tough challenge for middle schoolers sometimes!  We focused on things like body language, facial expressions, tone and then how to have a respectful disagreement: staying calm, actively listening, and speaking your ideas with respect.  Proverbs 15:1 puts it "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." By staying calm and trying to see each others' point of view we can work together to solve conflict.

Congratulations to Ben J. and Kayla C. for representing our class in the spelling bee, Friday.  They held on for several rounds!

National Lutheran Schools week is next week.  Scroll down to see the special dress days.  I gave a friendly challenge between the boys and the girls to see who could bring in the most in offerings for our Cambodia mission.  We pray God's Word continues to reach more and more people around the world!



Note: I still need a few Ski Trip permission forms and skier agreements which were due Friday.  Helping your child see the value of deadlines and due dates is an important live   Look for two papers that need a parent signature and due back by Wednesday.  I'll send tips about clothing that week, depending weather we are skiing in 20 degrees or 50 degree weather.  As long as they can make snow overnight, we can ski!