Week 19-20 Merry Christmas

End of 2nd Quarter
1/2 of 7th grade....check!  It's been a semester of hard work and I am looking forward to what next semester brings :)  Report cards and a Christmas letter from me will be sent home the Friday after school resumes (1/8).

3rd Quarter Goals

I am really trying to instill strong study habits and a positive work ethic among the 7th grade students.  3rd quarter typically brings about lazy academic habits which I would love to avoid.  The social aspect of school become a top priority for most of the students at the end of 2nd quarter.  They need reminders that they have a job to do as a student - dedication to doing their best, to learn the most they can, and to develop their abilities.  All of these goals will better prepare each student for 8th grade and high school.  Please join me in keeping your child on track to having a successful second semester!

Class Christmas Party

Great THANKS goes out to Mrs. Walgate & Mr. Wilmes for organizing our class Christmas party.  Thanks is also due to all the families who donated items for the helping hands service project.  I look forward to hearing the stories of when students are able to hand their bag to someone in need.  Remember to keep them in your car; you never know when someone in need will cross your path.  Our prayer is these bags bless those who receive them and that they feel the love of Christ. We are BLESSED to SERVE!

 Writing friendly notes to go in the Helping Hands bags

 Illuminated Manuscripts...Christmas Messages

Upcoming Date Reminders:

• Classes resume Monday 01/04/2016
• 2nd Quarter report cards sent home Friday 01/08
• Spirit Day Friday 01/15
• No School Monday 01/18 MLK

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY

John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Weeks 17-18

Drama Literature Unit - Kid Book Skits

• Students had fun acting out some kids books as dramas.  They memorized lines, included props, costumes, and funny voices too!
• Three Billy Goats Gruff, Puppies for Sale, Snowy Day, Little Red Hen, and Click Clack Moo

 Jr. High Packing Day - Continuing our Support of CFNA (Christian Friends of new Americans)

• The 6th-8th graders packed over 100 welcome bags for new Americans moving to St. Louis.  The organization CFNA will help these families get connected to schools, churches, jobs, homes, etc.

 Christmas Wreaths

• Students spent the last 4 weeks designing and making a Christmas wreath.  They turned out beautifully!  I hope these bring some Christmas cheer to your homes.

Date Reminders:

• Geography Bee 9am Tuesday 12/15 (Congratulations to Logan W. & Sam W. our 7th grade contestants, also to Sam V. as an alternate)
• 1st & 2nd grade Advent service 10am (Come and worship with us!) Wednesday 12/16
• 8th grade Advent service Friday 12/18 @ 8am (Come and worship with us!) 
• Spirit day & end of Q2 & noon dismissal Friday 12/18
• CHRISTMAS BREAK
• Classes resume Monday 01/04/2016
• 2nd Quarter report cards sent home Friday 01/08
• Spirit Day Friday 01/15
• No School Monday 01/18 MLK

Class Christmas Party:

• 10am-12pm Friday, December 18th
• Thank you for the donations for our class's "Helping Hands Bags" (I think I made up this name).
• Students will be packing bags, eating some pizza/snacks, and watching a movie
• Noon dismissal

Investigating World Religions

7th Graders,

Use the following links to investigate world religions based on the 2010 census:

Pie Chart & Map

Circle Map

Assignment: Answer the following questions in your history notebook, compete sentences required.

1) What are the top 5 religion practiced around the world?  Why do you think these have the most followers?

2) How do you think religion affects one's lifestyle?

3) What other observations did you make while viewing these maps? Explain at least two.

Weeks 15-16 (Thanksgiving Break)

Thanksgiving Blessings to Your Family!

Prayers for a relaxing Thanksgiving with plenty of time reflecting on all the blessings God showers upon us.  I know my thankful list is quite long!  I am thankful for each of my students and the great year we have had so far, I look forward to what God has planned for our class in 2016.  I can't believe we will come back to school and it will be December... Advent services, Christmas, and new years are just around the corner.  God is good and we are BLESSED TO SERVE!

Advent Services:

As we await the coming of our Savior we spent each year worshiping through Advent services.  Zion's Advent services start 12/2 please join our school worship at 10am or Zion's evening service at 7pm.

Science Plant Dissection

Positive reports from Mrs. Murray about the 7th grade flower dissection!  The students had fun using all the science lab equipment and learned about flower parts along the way.

Successful Thanksgiving Food Drive & Delivery to the St. Louis Seminary:

Student Council delivered 20 Thanksgiving dinner boxes and two car loads of food to the Seminary food bank Friday the 20th.  I love seeing students live out their servanthood, it makes me very proud to say they are my students.  This project wouldn't have been possible without every students and family who donated items at last Wednesday's chapel.  THANK YOU! 

 Jr. High Dance Friday, Dec. 4 hosted by STUCO:

Comics & Super Heroes

Time:  7-9:30 p.m. in Zion’s commons  (Please don’t arrive early and plan to pick up promptly)

Cost:  TBA - Usually around $5-6 which covers DJ expenses and snacks.  No extra money needed besides admission.

Dress:  CASUAL - we’re talking jeans and appropriate T-shirts or tops.  Please help your child make a wise decision here.  Students may dress up like a super hero or favorite comic character to play along with the dance theme, but this is not required.

Parents - what to expect?  A lot of standing around and visiting in herds. Many kids are dancing by the end of the night. This is an old fashioned “mixer” activity that helps kids get used to socializing in a new way.