Week 12-13

November is here and we will be flying through holidays and the new year before we know it!

Congratulations to the LHS spelling bee contestants from 7th grade: Joseph, Alex, Kanin, Micah, Logan, and Berkley -- You will represent us well!

Students participated in a fun literature writing activity this week (see pictures below).  Students created a pipe-cleaner creation and then were asked to write a "how-to" for their creation.  We talked about the importance of word choice and self editing.  Students then switched with a friend and tried to follow the directions and make an exact replica without speaking with their partner.  Some creations were made flawlessly and others did not match at all!

Student Council is once again hosting a Thanksgiving food drive supporting the Seminarians at the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (earlier field trip this year).  Zion, as a school, will gather donations (food, toiletries, and monetary) and pack 20 Thanksgiving dinners for Seminarians who will not travel home for the holiday.  Student Council members will pack the boxes and deliver them next Friday (11/18).  While they are there they will also stock the Seminary food bank with all extra donations.  The jr. high is asked to donate toiletry items as chapel offering Wednesday the 16th (nonperishable food items will also be accepted).

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Lotion

Body Wash

Shampoo

Conditioner

Sponges

Cleaning Supplies

Kitchen Supplies

Friday the 18th...MidQuarter & Spirit Day

The Jr. High will hold a special Veterans Day Chapel Friday, Nov. 11 at 8:10am in the church sanctuary.  Please join us if available for a time of honor and recognition.

Blessings on your week,

Week 11

Wow, it's been too long since I've posted a blog -- thank you Mrs. Murray for keeping us up to date!

7th graders ended the first quarter strong and have swung right into second quarter.  Here are some updates and things to look forward too:

Academics:

• Continuing with Memory Meditations - encourage your child to be picking more challenging verse, maybe ones they have never learned before.  I love reading their meditations writings and am looking forward to seeing their faith life grow.
• Students are working on a final Crispin project in Literature.  We will be moving into a drama unit with fun acting out children's books & A Christmas Carol.
• During World History we are diving into a unit all about the Middle East.  We will study the geography, countries/map memorization, students will find out who Muhammad was and investigate the Islamic religion.  This is a great opportunity to have deeper discussions with your child about faith and current conflicts in the world day.
• The new chapter in science focuses on seed plants. The students will see how fruits, flowers, and fertilization work together to make the plants we eat, wear, and use as building materials. This chapter ends with a flower dissection of an Asian lily. 
• Students will begin their Christmas Wreath Art project Nov. 9th(7C)/11th (7M) - Nov. 30 (7C)/Dec. 2 (7M)
• Student will need to gather/provide some materials for this project; this is not meant to be a major expense. Hopefully a beautiful 7th grade Christmas momento will be created!

Parent Teacher Conferences:

• I am looking forward to meeting with each of you Thursday/Friday of this week.  Please bring encouragement, questions, an concerns to discuss with our time together.

Walk-a-thon Results:

• Congratulations to Sam M. & Claire B. for raising the most $$ for USO from the 7th grade class -- A Chil-fil-a lunch is coming your way!
• Congratulations to Caleb L., Sam M., Annelise W., and Josh E. for running the most laps from the 7th grade class -- A Chil-fil-a lunch is coming your way!
• Total raised = $3156.94

Muffins for Moms -- November 2 -- Please join us for chapel at 8:10 following fellowship time in the church basement.

No School November 8th -- Election Day

The Jr. High will hold a special Veterans Day Chapel Friday, Nov. 11 at 8:10am in the church sanctuary.  Please join us if available for a time of honor and recognition.

Week 7-8

Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Thank you for filling out the time request form for parent-teacher conferences.  I sent home a letter with your child today including your assigned conference time.  Please take a look and mark/sign whether you can make the time or not.  I hope I was able to assign times which all can make.  If there is a conflict please let me know and we will find a time which will work for us both.  I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the positive achievements and goals for the remainder of the 7th grade year.  

Academics

• End of the 1st quarter is just around the corner (October 21) so many subjects will have final tests and projects to prepare for.  Encourage your child to work ahead when possible so their work load will not pile up.
• English Quiz 10/10
• World History Test 10/11
• Memory Quiz 10/18 & Test 10/21
• Religion Test 10/21 (open book/Bible)
• AR Points due Monday 10/17

"Awaken" Project Assembly

• http://awakenproject.org/
• The jr. high students welcomed the "Awaken" group to an assembly Wednesday afternoon.  A moving presentation of both music and stories was enjoyed by all.  Students were presented with true stories about heroin and its destructive consequences.  Heroin is a major problem growing in St. Louis and students need to be equipped with the truth and recognize they can be part of the solution.  Ask your child what they learned or took away from this assembly.

 Cross Country State Send-off!

• Thursday afternoon the Zion student body assembled along the hallways of the school to cheer on and send off the Cross Country team heading to state today (Friday).  We celebrated everyone on the cross country team and their achievements this year by high-fiving each member of the team as they ran (marched/jogged) through the school.  Go Bobcats!!

Wild Animal Symmetry

• Students mastered their shading techniques to complete this symmetry art project.  Most students were very proud of their pieces and couldn't believe they had accomplished their goal.  This project is probably my favorite 7th grade project and SOOO many adults comment on the display in awe of the 7th graders work.  NICE JOB!!

Blessings & Warmth in the chilly Autumn weather,

7th Grade Field Trip Pictures

Everyone had a great time on our trip to Fitz's Bottling Co. & Concordia Seminary St. Louis today.  Thank you to the chaperones who joined us -- what fun!!  We listened, learned, and laughed throughout the entire day.  Ask your kiddo what they learned about The Loop & The Seminary campus.

I am so proud to be these students' teacher & I know Mrs. Murray would say the same.  I love taking them out into the world and really see their Christian attitudes and character fill wherever they are.  A group of girls started to clean up after our lunch at Fitz's -- they were laughing and being "waitresses" bussing the tables and collecting all the leftover root beer.  The server was blown away by their willingness to clean up that he gave our class two cases of root beer to take with us!!  The girls were shocked and had not expected anything in return, they said, "It just felt good to help."  I am so blessed to be around these children every day.  Thank you for sending them to Zion!