Week 11: Reformation and Red Ribbon Week

 From the class bloggers: Sarah and Asher

Tuesday's day was Holiday Day.

Mr. Lorenz came to talk to us about maps.

Mr. Lorenz

Thursday was animal day.

From Mrs. R.

End of the Quarter/Conferences
 
Today marked the end of the 1st quarter.  What a blessing to already see your children's growth in faith and knowledge. 

I look forward to visiting with many of you about your child's progress at our conference on Wednesday or Thursday.  I am eager to share your child's presentation on their thoughts about school.  Please take a few minutes to help me prepare for conferences by following the link below.

Pre-Conference Form

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.  This led to a reform of the church and the creation of Protestant churches around the world.

We are reading a biography of Luther written as if Luther visited sixth graders at a Lutheran school and ate lunch with them for the week, modeled after the Table Talks Luther actually had with students for much of his life.  We are also using 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 about God's love.  (Note if you watch- the movie is PG-13 for some violence and language.  Sections for class have been selected as appropriate for students and our study.)  Student also used modern "social media" to spread Scripture that refutes the false teaching of Luther's day through Flipgrid videos.

We will wrap up our Reformation after Fall Break as we examine Luther's motto: Grace Alone,  Faith Alone, Scripture Alone.

What a blessing!

Thank you so much for donating 337 toys to the Superhero Smash celebrating the life of Drew Albritton!

The toys will be donated to Friends of Kids with Cancer who will take them to the area hospitals to give to kids and their siblings who are fighting cancer.

What a great outpouring of Jesus love from the Zion Family!

Week 10: Parent Conf. Sign up, RRW, and Advent

From the class bloggers, Leah and Sarah:

Cross country send off was today. Wish our Zion Cross Country 

team good luck, as they head to state this Saturday! 

Red Ribbon Week is this coming week

• Day 1 dream job
• Day 2 favorite Holiday
• Day 3 superhero day. Bring a superhero offering!
• Day 4 favorite animal
• Day 5 Spirit day!

Regular dress bottoms M-Th- Jeans on FRIDAY!!

From Mrs. R.:

Parent Teacher Conferences

Our quarter ends next Friday, October 25.  You will receive an email today with information about signing up for our 1st quarter conference.  This is the one formal conference we have this year.  Slots will be open after school/evening of Oct. 30 and morning of Oct. 31.  I value our partnership and look forward to visiting with you about your child's progress.  

Tips - 1) if you have multiple children, look to schedule early so you get back to back slots
           2) If your children are in different buildings, plan to skip a time slot in between conferences to allow "travel time" between buildings. 

Conferences are for 15 minutes with the HOMEROOM teacher.  If you have specific questions about English and Science, please contact Ms. Preusser directly.


 Hark - The Students Lead Advent Worship!
 
On Wednesday, December 4 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 as December will be here before we know it.

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, art, 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 have been taking music lessons for several years 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 November 12


Veteran's Day Service
Mon, Nov 11 | 8:15-8:45 am | Sanctuary

Zion Lutheran Junior High conducts a Veteran’s Day service every year, and we are excited to extend an invitation for anyone to join us.  The Boy Scouts will conduct a flag ceremony, and following the service all veterans are invited to stay for a group photo and accept our appreciation for their service.

QUICK REMINDERS:  Superhero Chapel offering next week
                                        TJ's Pizza orders came home this week.  No Prizes - just want to be
                                             able to provide pizzas and sweet treats and give Zion a profit!


Check out our Bible Viewpoint Art!

Hiding hands for typing lesson

Partners helping edit and proofread character sketches

Around the room partner review with Gmath

 

Week 9: Short Week

Due to our short week, our bloggers just had a short chance to share:

From Noah F. and Leah:

This week we learned the helping verb song. Also in English we are trying to write two paragraphs 
on what we would do if we had a limousine for 24hrs with a friend in our note book.

From Mrs. R - Current Units:

Literature:  We completed our unit on Fiction/Nonfiction with a look at author's perspective, 
tone, inferences and symbolism.  We read a character sketch of Mark Twain written by his 
13-year-old daughter, Susy.  This will lead into writing our own character sketches as we have finished viewing Twain's  The Prince and the Pauper.  (The kids loved this old 
black and white film!)

S.S.   We are exploring thematic maps and using global information systems which involve layering thematic maps to find information about physical features, climate, vegetation and 
how they affect population and economic activity.  Focus: US and CANADA world region.

TMath -  Tested on decimals and decimal operations this week.  Now we are using fact families 
to understand how to use inverse operations to solve for a variable.  We have LOTS of math 
vocabulary to learn!

GMath - Working on Chapter 2 solving 1 step algebraic equations with an emphasis on how 
to take a word problem and write an equation that follows the story plot. 
Religion: We start the Reformation on Monday. If you have never heard Luther's famous hymn, 
A Mighty Fortress, be sure to listen. It will help the students learn the words for memory work.

With lyrics
Organ composition - for your listening enjoyment



Enjoy your long weekend!  I look forward to much learning and fellowship with Lutheran teachers from around the U.S. and several other countries over the next few days.

RED RIBBON WEEK  in 3 weeks!! -  Oct. 21-25

STUCO sponsors a Drug Education Awareness week at the end of the month.  In addition to teaching our students about living a healthy lifestyle and the dangers of drugs - we celebrate with special dress days:

Monday 10/21 : Think about your future…don’t do drugs!

(Dress like your dream job.  Regular dress bottoms)

Tuesday 10/22:  CELEBRATE our Positive Choices! Holiday day

(dress like your favorite holiday.  Regular dress bottoms)

Wednesday:  Make SUPER choices!

(Wear a superhero shirt.  Regular dress bottoms)

On Wednesday, October 23 we will be having a special offering collection of super hero items to honor Drew Albrittons' 10th birthday.  Drew was a preschooler here at Zion who bravely fought cancer and now is with the biggest superhero of all, Jesus! 

Thursday:  Be WILD about being drug free!

(Dress as your favorite animal. Regular dress bottoms)

Friday:  Bobcat nation pledges to be healthy!

(Spirit shirt and jeans)

Please bring your superhero items to chapel on Wednesday, October 23.  Action figures, costumes, toys, movies, backpacks, Lego sets, video games, shirts, or any items with a super hero theme are all welcome. 

Using map layering to learn about our first World Geography Region - Canada and the U.S.

Deciding between different thematic maps to locate information

Week 8: Keeping in the One True Faith

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

 I read a devotion Wednesday morning on this passage that really struck me.  Paul is writing about Timothy, a young man who would become his partner in ministry.  A young man whose faith walk began at home, as exemplified by Mom and Grandma, generations who passed on the faith.  Here is one thought from the devotion:

It's easy to skirt having spiritual conversations at home. After all, talking about God and faith and life and Jesus isn't always easy. It is, however, one of the marks of a vibrant spiritual household, and studies indicate that talking about our faith is not only rewarding, but it brings joy to those who do it.   (READ THE FULL DEVOTION HERE: https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20191002

Studies also show that family has the biggest influence on our young people. Students journaled this week about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  How has he "called us by the gospel" - maybe that first Bible story book as a toddler?  baptism?  How does the Holy Spirit "keep us in the one true faith" - that spiritual mentor?  attending worship?  Bible studies?  (Quotes from Luther's small catechism on the Apostle's Creed, 3rd Article)

 I encourage you to spend deliberate time with your child.  Talk about every day stuff, national news, and even your junior high memories.  Eat meals together without a device or TV nearby.  Have conversations in the car together.   Be in worship together.   And as the opportunity arises, let the Holy Spirit work through you to share your faith! 



From the class bloggers: Logan and Noah F.

October 4, 2019

This week we had a visit from the metro theater, and got to watch the water bottle rockets 
shoot off thanks to eighth grade. We also had a science vocabulary test and a spelling test 
on Friday. On Friday night Zion is having a trunk-or-treat and finally we are having cooler
 weather. After  chapel this week I hope the 6th grade students are refreshed with God’s 
love. This has been another fun packed week at Zion.

Open House Nov. 10 - Spread the Word!!

Reminders:

Book orders may still be placed tonight.  I will place the order Saturday, after 10 a.m.
 

NO SCHOOL Thurs. 10/10 and Fri 10/11  Teachers are at the National Lutheran Education Association Convocation with Lutheran teachers from around the nation.

Hope to see many of you at Trunk or Treat tonight!  Parking lot opens at 6:00 and festivities begin at 6:30.

Thanks to class photographer, Aubrey for the great rocket launch photos!