A 4th Grade Christmas

"Here We Come a-Caroling"

The 4th graders have been getting ready for Christmas! Our paper chain Christmas trees are hanging from the ceiling and make our room look festive, the tree is decorated with the ornaments the kids have made, and our Christmas carolers are outside the room decorating the hallway. We decided to make our holiday extra special by Christmas caroling at a local retirement home. Here we come a-caroling!



A Special Guest

We were excited to have Anna's grandpa come visit our classroom. He was visiting from Texas where he owns a large ranch. He shared with us all kinds of information about the animals he has, and we were excited to hear about his adventures in Africa as well. Thanks for coming!

All Those Animals!

The 4th graders completed an animal project in science class. Part of their assignment was to make a poster of the life cycle of an animal of their choice. We had a wide range of animals and some wonderful work by all the students.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going out with style!

Today several of the 4th graders were treated to a limo ride and lunch as a prize for selling so many gift items and magazines for the fund raiser sponsored by the Booster Club. Well done!

 

 

Thanksgiving-Thanksliving!

This week we studied God's compassion and love for us. How appropriate for Thanksgiving week! We did special activities, including writing an acrostic poem of what we were thankful for and making tie- dyed leaves to decorate the poster of things the 4th graders are thankful for. We read about the first Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims and how the Native Americans helped them in their first year in America.  We had fun making tie- dyed turkeys, and the students wrote persuasive arguments trying to persuade their teacher to eat something other than turkey for Thanksgiving Day!

 

 

Owl Program

Today we were treated to a presentation by one of our former students! Kevan works at the Milford Nature Center, and he brought three of the owls he cares for. His love for the birds showed through his presentation to us. We learned about the owls and some of the adaptations that God created them with. Thank you Kevan!

Operation Christmas Child Experience

Today the 4th graders delivered the shoe boxes that our class collected as well as all the others from the school and church. What a wonderful experience to be a part of blessing children and their families around the world.

Circles, Fractions, and Animals--Oh My!

In math class we have been learning about circles and fractions, and in science class we have been working on animals, so we put them together today and made animals out of circles and parts of a circle! The kids did a great job and had fun doing it! We will put our works of art together in a book and display them at the Author's Tea. Before then, however, check them out in the hall outside the classroom. They should be there soon!

Remembering Martin Luther

Today we were reminded of how Martin Luther discovered the miracle of love freely-given revealed in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. We spent the morning with a variety of activities including making an example of Luther's seal and discovering what it meant to us.

Math Scavenger Hunt

The 4th graders have learned all about angles! They were put to the test as they had to find examples of the angles throughout the school. They had fun video taping each other on their adventure. Be sure to watch the videos to see how they did!

Laurel Burch Chalk Cats

 The kids worked very hard on their chalk cats inspired by Laurel Burch. They are displayed in the hallway outside our classroom. Stop by to see them!

 

 

Number the Stars

Last Friday we finished reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. We enjoyed this memorable story that was often difficult to put down! We had great class discussion on what Copenhagen was like in 1943 when the Nazi soldiers were in town and what it must have been like for the Jews of Denmark who were being "relocated." Today we played Number the Stars Character Jeopardy, discussed the significance of the Jewish star for the Jews, and made stars that will be used for our Christmas tree in the months to come. We also enjoyed "yellow cupcakes with pink frosting"-the treat that Kirsti in the story missed the most during the war.

 

Special Assembly

This afternoon we were visited by Daniel, his dad, and Daniel's service dog, Donnar. Daniel is the son of the principal at another Lutheran school here in Kansas. After losing his sight, Daniel was able to get a service dog within 6 months. Daniel and his dad told his story and how God has helped him during this change of events in his lifetime.

 

Gumdrops in Religion

The kids did a great job on Wednesday presenting chapel. They shared the message of keeping God first in our lives through word, song, and drama. We were glad to see so many of you attend.

Family Faith and Heritage Fair

As we have completed our Family Faith and Heritage project now, I am reminded of the words from Psalm 78:4-6:

"We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children."

Over the last weeks in our discussion of our faith journeys and our heritage, the children have shared stories of their families that have been very touching. I am reminded of the awesome privilege we have as parents, grandparents, godparents, and teachers to share the love of Jesus with these precious children.

I am so proud of the 4th graders! They did an incredible job on their displays and their presentations. Thank you for making this a memorable project for the kids.