September 22, 2017

The third week of school is done and the kids are really falling into a familiar rhythm each day.  Our routine is quite settled now and it is fun to see the kids start to “relax” at school, as then I get to know them a bit more.  I know I have said it before, but thank you for sharing your kids with me each day!

Please Note:   School Picture Make-Up Day is October 17

PRAY

Thank you for remembering our class in your prayers.  We had a wonderful chapel on Wednesday with live worship music and a helpful story about the lost.  The kids were given a moment to pray for someone they may know that is lost.  We were also encouraged to continue to pray for that person and think of one practical way to minister to that person.  

Ask your child if they thought of someone to pray for!

LEARN . . . This upcoming week, we will be working on . . .

Bible = Chapter 1 - God’s Word is True (continued)

Math = Multiplication and how it relates to division

Social Studies = Geography (continued)

Language Arts = reading a short story, complete/incomplete subjects and predicates, and beginning writing - focusing on organization

GROW

We will be going on our first field trip of fifth grade on October 6th, along with Mr. Riedl’s class, to Tryon Creek.  The kids will be learning about Forest Highs and Lows.  It should be very fun and will be happening rain or shine, so please help your student to dress accordingly.  

Also, please be watching your inboxes for an email regarding this upcoming field trip. Thank you!

Week 2 Done!

We had a very busy, but good, first full week of fifth grade!  I am so enjoying getting to know my students more and more.  We reviewed procedures, started most of our academic subjects, and became more familiar with the daily mechanics of our classroom.  As a parent myself with three WHCS students, I understand the quantity of information you receive on a weekly basis.  My goals for this weekly newsletter are simple.  I will share anything important or special happening in our classroom, rather than repeating information found in the WHCS weekly newsletter.  
This will take place through the format of Pray, Learn, Grow.

PRAY
We were able to put many prayer requests for students onto our prayer board and it will be exciting to see how God answers these prayers.  
Many of our requests this week were related to the floods and hurricanes occurring across the country.  
One long term request on our class board is for Wyatt's continued healing. Thank you for praying for our class and our school as you feel led. 

LEARN
This week our class was learning about place value and patterns, properties of addition and multiplication, review of end punctuation, capitalization, nouns, verbs, character/plot, and how to write a paragraph, just to name a few. We also had a mini lesson on the layers of human skin and what happens when the skin is burned. 
Next week will include the formal start of our Bible curriculum (including weekly memory verses) and the first of many review games.  We will also continue to work on the geography project we started this week, "My Place in the World". I will be encouraging the kids to listen to directions the first time and to then follow those directions.  We will continue to learn how to function as a "team" and to care for and encourage one another. We will also all be enjoying the familiar traction found in the third week of school.


GROW
Our class, along with Mr. Riedl's fifth grade class, had the pleasure of a visit from the Oregon Burn Center.  We learned a little more about Wyatt's story, the hard work of his recovery, and how to be a helpful support system to him as he continues to heal.  
We also met with our Reading Buddies for the first time.  I was so proud of all the students for being kind and helpful to the first graders.  Many of them remembered being in first grade and that made our visit extra special.

I am looking forward to hopefully seeing many of you tonight at Back to School Night.  

We had a very busy first week and I am really enjoying getting to know your kiddos!
As the year begins, we will gradually be working on more and more learning each day.
Homework has been very light this week and will be light next week, as well.
It is my goal to give the kids time enough in class to get most of their work done at school.
Please have your kids bring two things by Monday... TWO sets of 3X5 cards and 1-3 good reading books.  They could also bring "how to draw..." books.  It is important that each student always have a silent reading book.
Looking forward to week number two!

Back to School

I hope each of you had a great summer and are ready for a brand new school year.  I am very excited to be teaching fifth grade this year.  While I am new to the staff at WHCS, I am not new to
West Hills. I attended West Hills first grade through eighth grade as a student, and went on to attend Westside Christian High School.
Returning to WHCS as a teacher feels like coming home!  It is such a treat to see old friends and also to make new ones.
Outside of school I am a busy mom to three boys, who will all be attending WHCS this year.  This summer we took a wonderful road trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and had fun camping and exploring God's beautiful creation.  We also did lots of swimming and bike riding.
I am excited to meet all my new fifth graders and start learning and playing together.  I really enjoy using games in the classroom to review and reinforce the curriculum we will be studying.
Looking forward to meeting all of you at the Open House on September 5th or on the first day of school!
This is our class blog where you can find information and updates about our class, as well as homework assignments.