December 21, 2011

     For unto you is born this day in the city of David 
              a Savior who is Christ the Lord!
                              Luke 2:11


         I pray you have a very Merry Christmas 
    and that your family's focus remains on Jesus!  
    Make church a special tradition in your family!  
                                
                               Zion Christmas Service Times:
                          Christmas Eve: 3:00, 5:00 and 11:00
                                    Christmas Day: 9:00


A look ahead (to next year)


Religion: Simeon and Anna and Epiphany
Memory: Titus 2:11
Grammar: was and were
Spelling: Lesson 16, long u with a silent e
            ***Remember after Christmas there will be 5 bonus words that follow the spelling pattern, have your child think of new words with a long u and a silent e
Math:  Timed Test over all facts learned on Wednesday, We will also learn counting by 5's, tally marks, and using rulers
Science:  The Sky
Social Studies: Groups in which we belong
Art: Winter Cardinals
Around the World:
Reading: Literacy Centers
     computers: tinyurl.com/ziongrid
     phonics: review blends
     alphabet: contractions
     writing: thank you letters
     math: using money
     name: synonyms and antonyms
     spelling: lesson 16
     poetry: following directions to build a penguin


Time to start the new BINGO CARDS, third quarter cards will be due March 5


SIX FLAGS READING is due February 24


New BOOK IT will be handed out first week back.


SPECIAL GUEST:  To Celebrate Epiphany we will have a special guest.  The published author Joanne Bader will come to our room, tell us about being an author, read a few of her books, and then autograph a book for us.  This will kick off our unit of writing that when end with us publishing a hard bound book.  More info to come...


REMINDER:  After Christmas reversal of letters and numbers will be marked wrong.  I hope this added incentive will help us check our letters carefully.


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS TO YOU!!!


Love in HIM,
Amy

Enjoy pictures from this week's Christmas Fun centers!

Working together to finish the BIG Christmas puzzle.

Practicing our left and right playing the game Left, Right, Center

Sorting Christmas cards

Working on reading a description and finding the matching picture

Telling the Christmas story using props

Publishing our books "If I Was.." Great reading check them out in your child's homework forder!

Working on spreading the GOOD NEWS

More Left, Right Center

December 16, 2011

                                                                     FOCUS ON JESUS
Like the Angels we need to focus our voices on telling others about Jesus.
Like the animals we need to focus our hearts to value Jesus as most important in our lives.
Like the star we need to focus our energy to shine in this world of darkness with God's love.
Like Mary and Joseph we need to focus or trust in God only.
Like the shepherds we need to focus our attention and be willing to drop everything to worship Jesus.
Like the wise men we need to focus our time so we can serve Jesus daily and seek His will.

The classes did a wonderful job leading our Advent service.  It is awesome to see the Holy Spirit work in their lives.  What a blessing to spread the GOOD NEWS at such a young age.  May we follow the children's example and FOCUS ON JESUS!

Thank you for working with your child on their advent part.  We couldn't have done it without you!
Special thank you to Mrs. Brickner and Mrs. Merritt for making our star gloves.

***If you would like to see our service again or invite others we will be leading chapel Wednesday,
December 21 at 8:05am.  The children do not need to dress special just wear their school uniforms on Wednesday.

A Look Ahead:

NEXT WEEK IS A SHORT WEEK!  WE WILL DISMISS WEDNESDAY AT 12:00
FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK

Religion: Jesus our Savior is Born
Memory: none
Grammar: synonyms and antonyms
Spelling: none
Math: fractions and new facts subtracting 2
Around the World: Norway
Writing:  If I Was...
Reading: Literacy Centers
     With all the practice for the Advent service we will finish up last weeks centers.

CHRISTMAS PARTY:  Our Christmas Party will be Wednesday, December 21 at 10:15.  If you are able to help please contact Darla Hollowood or Whitney Brickner.

I have had a request for a copy of last night's Advent Service.  If you have one any would be willing to make a copy please let me know.  Thanks!!

Remember BINGO CARDS are due Monday.

Wednesday is the end of the quarter and grades will be available on-line January 6.

If your weekend is anything like mine, you may be busy with last minute gifts, cleaning, Christmas cards, and kids' activities.  Please remember the children's message to us:  FOCUS ON JESUS!

I hope to see you in worship,
Amy

(sorry no pictures, too busy this week and forgot to take some :)

December 9, 2011

                                                     Savior of the Nations Come
                              Virgin's Son make here Your home
                                Marvel now O heaven and earth
                                That the Lord chose such a birth


As we learn about different countries I remind the class that Jesus came to be Savior of all.  Jesus came because He loves us and wants to bring us forgiveness and life.  May we prepare for Him both now and at His return.  Come Lord Jesus Come


A look ahead:


Religion:  Prophets Tell of a Savior and The Angel visits Mary
Memory:  We will continue to work in class on Advent parts
Grammar: Synonyms and Antonyms
Spelling:  Lesson 15 **PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE** There is a change in the spelling list from the original one sent home.  The spelling list for next week is:  molt, bone, cone, hope, vote, hold, coat, goat, groan, when.   The sentence remains the same: Hold on to the rope.
Math:  Fact test on Wednesday, we will work on pairs, money, and ordinal positions
Around the World:  Sweden, Australia, and France
Reading: Centers
     Computers: www.tinyurl.com/zionchristmas
     Phonics:  vowel sort
     Alphabet:  sequence making cookies and wrapping a present
     Writing:  Creating a sentence with three parts.
     Name:  Unscrambling words to make a sentence
     Spelling: practice building words that follow the pattern
     Poetry:  Read, Think, Match, read clues to find the Christmas character


ADVENT SERVICE:  DECEMBER 12 WEDNESDAY
Please have your child in the church basement at 6:40.  Please have them wear uniform or better( church clothes, no jeans).  Please keep your child's coat with you!  After the Advent Service the children maybe picked up in the Welcome Center (the back of church).  Please remember this is a worship service and we ask for no flash photography.  You may take pictures after the service of your child.


Thank you for the many donations to the Mitten Tree!  We have had to clear it off once already.  You may make donations up till the last day of school.  Then the items will be delivered to Youth in Need.


Take a look at your child's writing called Christmas Lists.  They are pretty cute!


Please enjoy the pictures of us learning about Christmas Around the World!!


In this season please help your child keep the focus on JESUS.  Make time for family, do something fun together, make time for worship, get your strength for the coming week!


In HIM, 
Amy

Playing with manger scenes
 

                                           

Bannock Pockets from England
Cookies for Guests

Poinsettia from Mexico

Making Poinsettias

Shoes off for St. Nick

Celebrating St. Nicholas Day from Holland

Putting our shoes out

Playing the Hidden Gift game from Holland

Waiting for St. Nick
"Has he come yet?"

Checking our shoes

St. Nick dropped a gold coin and pencil into our shoes!

Making scenery for La Befana

La Befana from Italy

December 2, 2011

                                    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
                                  the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son
                                          and will call him Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

                          Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Immanuel Shall come to you O Israel!
                                   Come Lord Jesus, Immanuel, God with us!

I hope you carve some time out of the hustle and bustle of this season to have special Advent devotions with your family.   Help prepare your hearts for Jesus this Advent.   Zion's Lessons and Carols is this Sunday it is another way to take sometime to focus on Jesus.  This service last about one hour and 15 minutes and focuses on Jesus coming into our dark world to bring light.

A look ahead:

Memory:  Please continue practicing the Advent part, loud, clear, and slow!
Religion: Jonah, Hezekiah, and Daniel
Spelling: Lesson 14, long i with a silent e
Grammar:  Possessive nouns
Math: Fact Test on Tuesday, we will learn the adding 2 facts next week
Reading: Literacy Centers
     computer: ipods spelling magic app, making words with short vowels and blends
     phonics: ending blends
     alphabet: sorting short u, long u, short o, and long o words
     name: review statement and question sentences
     writing:  making Christmas lists
     math: place value
     poetry: build a Christmas poem
Christmas Around the World: Mexico, Holland, and Italy
Art:  Christmas Gifts

I hope you have enjoyed the crafts your child bring home as we study how other countries celebrate our Savior's birth.  Ask your child some traditions from each country and who brings the gifts!

ADVENT SERVICE:  WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14 at 7:00 we will also lead closing chapel on WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21 at 8:00.

Reading Logs:  Bingo cards due December 19
                          Six Flags Read to Succeed due February 24
                          New BOOK IT forms for December in Friday folder due December 19

I am in need of empty food boxes and cans for a Math lesson.  It you have good boxes or cans for a class store please send them in.

Christmas is a good time to teach your child about giving.  Please give to our Mitten Tree.  Many students have already participated.  It would be great to fill the branches with warmth for those less fortunate.

Feel free to share this blog with others.  They may want to see what goes on here in first grade at Zion.  If you click 'become a follower' on the left you will be notified when new posts go online.

Sorry no pictures this week, my Internet at home is not working.  I will have pictures next week!

Advent is a time to prepare and wait.  May your Advent time be blessed with some quiet times to focus on Jesus.  Remember Sunday and Wednesday worship it a good time to relax and let God fill you this Advent with His PEACE.

In HIM,
Amy

November 23, 2011

                       Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 
                                  his love endures forever.
 
                                       1 Chronicles 16:34


David prayed this prayer after the ark of the covenant was brought into the tent.  David passionately loved the Lord, his heart was moved to unspeakable joy in the Lord's presence.  We alsp give thanks to the Lord, for His love for us is great.  Jesus died to forgive our sins and rose to give us eternal life.
May we remember to thank Him for all of our blessings.


Thanksgiving Worship opportunities:  Thanksgiving Eve 7:00
                                                   Thanksgiving Morning 9:00


A Look Ahead:


Religion: We will be studying some Old Testament Heros: Esther, Elijah, and Elisha
Memory:  Advent Parts will come home on Monday after Thanksgiving 
Reading:  Literacy Centers
    computers: www.tinyurl.com/zioncoins
    phonics: build long a words
    alphabet:  change the last letter to make a new word
    writing: Christmas mystery bag
    math: finding capacity with cubes
    name: making contractions
    poetry: candy cane poem and follow direction craft
Grammar: learning is and are
Spelling: Lesson 13, long e
Phonics: vowels o and u
Math: Timed Test on Monday over all facts learned so far, we will study capacity, time, and adding 2


Christmas Around the World: We will not have Science and Social Studies in December instead we will learn about how Christmas is celebrated around the world, next week we will study America, Germany, England, and China


Book Report Bingo Cards Due DECEMBER 19


Pizza Hut BOOK IT due November 30


SIX FLAGS 6 HOURS of READING:  Record sheets are coming home in the Friday Folders.  This is a program Six Flags runs, if you read 6 hours you get a free ticket to Six Flags.

        Zion's Early Childhood (Parent's Day Out-Second Grade) Mitten Tree
A tradition at Zion is to do a service project at Christmas time.  This is a great way to let the world know that JESUS the SAVIOR is born.  This year we will be collecting mittens, scarves, and hats.  This will be given to local ministries to help keep children warm.  Please bring your mittens, scarves, and hats to school and hang them on the mitten tree in the front hallway by the library.  Thank you for helping to teach your children to be generous to those in need.


ADVENT SERVICE: Mark your calendar and play to attend our Advent service,  we will be leading church on Wednesday, December 14 at 7:00.  We also will lead chapel on Wednesday, December 21 at 8:10.  


Tuesday we made pilgrim children, who were thankful that God had taken care of them in the New World.  We too are thankful...

Thank you God for Chip and Dale.

Thank you God for making the whole, wide world.

Thank you God for my mom, my dad, and Rocket. 

Thank you God for my family and that my dad is home.

Thank you God for my brother, Zachary. 

Thank you God for my family.

Thank you God for my family.

Thank you God for making the world.

Thank you God for my family. 

Thank you God for animals.

Thank you God for my dog, Sampson.

Thank you God my family and friends.

Thank you God for my Aunt Wendy.

Thank you God for toys.

Thank you God for my family, my dog, and my cat.

Thank you God making the whole world.

Thank you God for sending Jesus to die on the cross.

Thank you God for my family.

Thank you God for my family.

I am thankful for you!  God has blessed me with such a great class and group of parents.  I thank God for you, May you have a blessed Thanksgiving, may you enjoy time with family and friends, and may you keep Christ at the center of your celebrations.


In HIM,
Amy


Look at pictures of us making our pilgrim people.  I hope they are a welcome addition to your Thanksgiving decorations.