Week 33:Good Friday/Happy Easter!

Jesus Completes Our Salvation

Our Religion unit is not merely the focal point of all of our studies of our Christian faith this year; it is also the focus of the entire Bible. And by God’s grace, it is also the focus of our entire lives! Our studies in math and science and social studies are essential for daily life; but it is in our study of Scripture that all these blessings find their true purpose and meaning through life in Christ. God blesses us with intelligence and abilities and talents, and He guides us to use these for our personal welfare—it is true. But He also desires that we use these blessings for the good of others and for the glory of the Lord.

Our focus in this unit has been on Holy Week and the events surrounding it. Here, we see God’s covenant promises coming together and being fulfilled in Christ Jesus. We cannot save ourselves; only Jesus could do that for us, because He is the sinless Son of God. Amazingly, He is also our substitute! He gives His victory to us!

Jesus suffered all things, died on the cross, and arose at Easter to complete our salvation. It is finished! He offers us the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life through His loving grace and mercy. May the comfort and assurance of God’s grace be the very center of your family life together!

We culminated our look at Good Friday this week with a study by Lutheran pastor and archaeologist, Rev. Paul Maier in The Week that Changed the World.    If you are interested in borrowing the DVD, please let me know.

May God bless your family time this EASTER SEASON with the assurance from Jesus that...

In my Father's house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where i am, you may be also.  John 14:2-3

Mrs. Riemenschneider







Poetry SLAM!!   We finished our poetry unit with Miss Davis this week with a poetry slam (this is the modern way to say poetry reading - complete with hot chocolate and snacks!)  The students were able to research a poet and look for all of the elements we had studied in his or her work.  It was neat to see the variety of poetry chosen.  (Sorry - I forgot my camera!)

Our next Literature unit is a novel study on the book  Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. We will be doing a lot of journal writing as well as meeting in book clubs as we read this book. We are exploring the literary elements of foreshadowing, character development, motive, and universal theme as the characters ponder the benefits and downfalls of living forever.  It is exciting to look at the novel through the eyes of faith as we will discuss God's original design in Eden as well as our eternal life in the heavenly home He has prepared for us.  Students are discovering the blessings God gives us in this life through the many stages we live and even more blessings to be received in eternity with Him!  We will culminate the novel with creative projects.


 
Midquarter:We are at the midquarter.  This is a good time to have your child check Sycamore for their grades and help them set goals to finish this year.  And don't forget...AR is 1/3 of the Literature grade. These next weeks will fly by so be sure that your child stays on top of their reading.
 
Best Choicebegins on Tuesday, April 23 at 8:15 a.m.  Students will not want to miss the first lesson! Speaking of which, I sent home a lesson overview with the students for you to preview with them. It gives you a sense of what we will discuss in class next week in case you want to talk to them personally as well. Best Choice does a fantastic job of discussing these topics with middle school students.   Teachers will also email you daily with an overview of our discussions.

Farewell to Miss Davis:
Our class will have a small Thank you and Congratulations celebration for Miss Davis at the end of the day on Friday, April 26.   Miss Davis is graduating from Concordia, Nebraska and getting married in June.  Our room moms have planned goodies and a small gift from the class.  If you wish to add to our gift, we are collecting "teacher" items or $$ towards a gift card.  Please bring them in to me by Wednesday. 

Mark Your Calendar:
Student Council is sponsoring the Junior High Spring Dance in a month, May 17th, 7:00-9:30. The admission cost will be $5. Our theme will be a pajama party! We encourage you to come dressed in your pajamas (appropriate style, please) and bring a stuffed animal friend and/or pillow.