Week 29 4th Quarter Begins

                                              Acting out 3 Men in the Fiery Furnace

New reporters on the scene

Bowing down to the golden statue of Nebuchadnezzar

Getting into our novel discussion

Following the king's orderes

Ordering the 3 men into the furnace!

Report cards and A.R. reports came home today

The first week of 4th quarter is under our belts. I am so proud of your children and their hard work this year.  Tremendous growth is taking place!  Please contact me or Miss Dubberke (Science, English, Spelling) if you have any questions about your child's progress. 

 

A word about AR. This year's Literature is a heavy genre study.  I know some parents have questions when they see the AOTS book level of their child's AR choices below a 6th grade level.  Literature class provides our instructional and challenging reading this year, which is why we maintain a 16 point AR goal and don't increase that.  AR is now intended for fun, enjoyable reads, and it's acceptable to read lower than a 6.0 AOTS level.  This is a shift from 4th and 5th grades, as novels were the bulk of the reading curriculum at those levels.  Remember, too, that the book level is only one gauge of the complexity of a read.  I conference with students about their book selections at the beginning of the quarter and encourage those who may need to stretch themselves to explore other genres or topic areas.

Looking forward to partnering with you in this final stretch! 

 

Novel Unit:  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 

 

This week we started our Literature study of fantasy with this classic novel by C.S. Lewis.  We have climbed into the wardrobe and are discovering Narnia with Lucy, Susan, Peter, and Edmund.  In our study we are exploring conflict, characterization, motive, themes like good vs. evil, and LOTS of vocabulary (it's British after all).   We will also learn about how the Christian faith "bubbles up" through the interactions with the characters and the climax of the story. The kids are excited about another novel!

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATES - Servant event and Field Trips

More detailed information will be coming soon about our April events.  Please mark your calendars.  

 

Friday April 12 -   LHS play Beauty and the Beast   This will be a teacher chaperoned event to see the musical in the morning.  We will be back before lunch.  **No parents needed

Friday, April 19  - SHINE servant event.  Times are approximate - details being finalized

       Leave Zion 8:30 a.m.  for Breeze Park, 

       We will be involved in some campus clean up and then visit with our penpals

       11:30 - Head to Frontier Park for Jr. High picnic lunch and park clean up 

                   (Kids will need work gloves.  Looking for a donation of large trash bags)

       2:15 return to Zion for end of the day.

 

**Parent drivers and chaperones needed.  Please email homeroom teachers.  (If needed, we may be able to do morning only or afternoon only chaperones.)

Friday, May 3  -Lutheran Heritage Field Trip  6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

          Our last field trip will be an extended day trip to Perry County, Missouri.  We will have an opportunity to learn the history of some of the earliest Lutherans to settle in America and how Veterans are honored. Our trip will take us to:

 Missouri National Veteran’s Memorial.

  This is an exact replica of the D.C. Vietnam Memorial.  Students will learn about honoring veterans of all U.S. military branches. Families - if you have a loved one who lost their life in the Vietnam war, please send their name on to Mrs. Riemenschneider by April 21.   We would like to honor them by locating their name on the wall. 

Lutheran Heritage Center Museum

 Here we hear the history and examine artifacts of early Lutheran immigrants, see a Lutheran church from the 1800s and the first seminary in the country.

 Saxon Lutheran Memorial

  This is an historic homestead where will have an opportunity to not only learn about colonial life, but also try typical chores of the early pioneers.  Some possibilities are churning butter, laundry, grinding corn, and trying carpentry tools.

On FRIDAY MAY 3 -   Plan on...

 Arrival at Zion between 6:30-6:40 AM            YES, THAT’S EARLY!!

A comfy charter bus ride, graciously sponsored by our PTL!!!

*An historical tour learning about the earliest Lutherans in America.

*Active participation on the farm (wear Red Zion shirt, athletic bottoms or jeans, shoes/boots, jacket)  rain or shine.  

*Optional: pillow & book for bus

LUNCH: TBD -  Most likely a cold lunch.  (snacks and water provided)

Return to Zion at 5:30 P.M.  (plan accordingly)

**FUN AND FELLOWSHIP as we learn about honoring our veterans and  the spread of the Christian faith in America!!     

Parents: We are limited by bus size, so please email homeroom teachers if you are interested in chaperoning this event.  We may draw names if more parents volunteer than are needed. Thank you for understanding!