Mrs. House's News

Mrs. House's News

   October 10, 2011

 Our field trip to the Apple Orchard was a lot of fun!  Thank you to everyone who drove.  Once again, God blessed us with a beautiful day.

 MICHIGAN HISTORY:  We are reading through chapter 2 in our Michigan history books this week.

 GOOD BEHAVIOR BASKET:  The children have been so well behaved during the first month of school, that the good behavior basket is running low.  If you have any “like new” little toys (happy meal toys) or things that are similar to add to the basket, the children and I would greatly appreciate it!

 THANK YOU for sending in apples for our applesauce.  It turned out very well and was really delicious!  It was a nice afternoon snack.  Also, a big thank you to Mrs. Woodcox and Mrs. Kuipers for helping me peel, core, and slice all the apples!

 FIELD TRIP:  We have the opportunity to go to Hartwick Pines on a guided tour for FREE.  The only cost is a State Park permit is required per vehicle.  The date is Tuesday, October 18.  We will leave at 8:30 and be back in time for the busses (2:30).  If anyone would like to drive, please indicate how many students you have seatbelts for on the permission slip.  Thank you.

 SHOW & TELL:  The students have been asking me about show and tell.  I do not have the traditional show and tell.  I like to call it a presentation.  Students will be given a day during the month to bring in something that pertains to what we are studying and a written paragraph about it to read or recite to the class.  I will give a grade for this presentation, so everyone is required to participate every month.

   The topic this month is Michigan.  Each child can bring in one thing about Michigan.  It can be something made or grown in Michigan.  It can be a picture, photo, or postcard of a place in Michigan, or an animal found in Michigan.  The topic can be as creative as you want, but it has to be about Michigan. 

   The paragraph should contain at least 3 facts about the topic chosen.  Indicate why the topic was chosen and why you like this topic.  Be ready to present October 24-28.  A schedule will be sent home next week.

BIBLE VERSES FOR THIS WEEK: 

Matthew 5:1-8

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

October 3, 2011

 FIELD TRIP:  We have a field trip this FRIDAY, October 7^th to an apple orchard.  Everyone, K-12, is going.  We will need many drivers.  If you can drive, please let me know as soon as possible.  I do not have enough drivers for our class to go as of Monday.  Please let me know if you can drive.  I also need to know how many children you can take in your vehicle. 

 IMPORTANT:  It has been brought to my attention that any child who is 4’9” or less must have a booster seat.  Just about everyone in my class will need to bring a booster seat to go on this trip.  If you have any questions, please contact the office.

 If you would like to drive for any field trips this year, you must complete a NEW form this school year in the office.  Thank you!

 MICHIGAN HISTORY:  We completed our first chapter in our Michigan History books.    Students have completed a review sheet for the test.  They had the review sheet to bring home on Thursday to start studying for the test.  We will have the test TOMORROW! 

 GOOD BEHAVIOR BASKET:  The children have been so well behaved during the first month of school, that the good behavior basket is running low.  If you have any “like new” little toys (happy meal toys) or things that are similar to add to the basket, the children and I would greatly appreciate it!

 ATTENTION:  Please send 2-3 apples to school with your child this week by Wednesday (or $1 and I’ll buy some).  We are going to make homemade applesauce in the classroom on Thursday this week.

 If there are a few parents who would like to help Thursday morning in preparing the apples, I would love to have your assistance from 8-9 in the morning.  Please let me know as soon as you can if you are interested in helping.

 LOOK!  Our class is going to put together an apple recipe book and we need your help.  Please write two of your favorite apple recipes on the recipe cards found in your B.E.A.R. book and return them by Wednesday.  When we get the recipe book together, we will send one home with your child.  Thanks for your help!

 BIBLE VERSE THIS WEEK:  With two short weeks, we decided to keep the same verses as last week.  So, keep practicing and be ready to say Matthew 5:1-6 on Thursday! 

 Matthew 5:1-6

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He  opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

September 26, 2011

Our FIELD TRIP to AuSable Institute on Friday was AWESOME!  Praise God!  The weather was beautiful, the Michigan History study was very informative, and all of the students were well behaved.  When we arrived, we watched a presentation of a   timeline from the 1800’s until now.  Then, we explored the 1800’s trading post, sat in a tepee to learn about the Native American Indian way of life, and made candles with “Mrs. Smith”.  In the afternoon, we boarded an imaginary train and went to the 1900’s to visit a logging camp.  We made oatmeal cookies with “Cookie” the camp cook.  We looked into a root cellar, visited the cabin of the man who ran the logging camp, and helped saw a log.  It was an excellent field trip!

THANK YOU to all of the parents who drove to AuSable Institute.  We appreciate you!

Our next field trip is planned for October 7^th to an apple orchard.  Everyone, K-12, is going.  We will need many drivers.  If you can drive, please let me know as soon as possible.  I also need to know how many children you can take in your vehicle.

If you would like to drive for any field trips this year, you must complete a NEW form this school year in the office.  Thank you!

HEALTH TEST: We have a test scheduled for Tuesday this week.  I did not feel the students were ready last week, so we reviewed more for the test.  Your child should have a Health Review sheet to study in their B.E.A.R. book today.  This review sheet is exactly what the test looks like.  Please go over the questions with your child.  They will not be using the book or notes on the test.

MICHIGAN HISTORY:  We are completing our first chapter in our Michigan History books.  We will review this week for a test.  Students will have a review page to study for the test.  This test is planned for next week. 

BIBLE VERSES:  The complete list of Bible verses is in the B.E.A.R. Book for the entire year.  The due date for each verse will be the last day of the week, which is usually Friday, unless we are not in school, then it will be Thursday. 

Matthew 5:1-6 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He  opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

 

 September 19, 2011

We successfully completed our first full week of school!  We are looking ahead to this coming week because we are going on a FIELD TRIP on Friday, September 23^rd to AuSable Institute for the Michigan History study. 

 All of the students have turned in their permission slips!  There are several who still need to pay $10.  I have two drivers so far who have completed the form in the office this year to drive.  This field trip is not a good one to bring siblings because we make candles over an open fire.  We will be going on other field trips this year that are more appropriate for siblings to join.

 If you would like to drive for any field trips this year, you must complete a NEW form this school year in the office.  Thank you!

 SCRIP:  Do you want help with your tuition for next year?  Use SCRIP.  It is fast and easy.  Go to www.shopwithscrip.com and follow the directions.  Order cards.  Pay for them in the office on Monday and get your cards on Wednesday.  The cards do not cost any more than what they are worth.  I bought a $25 gas card and a $25 Wal-Mart card last week and the SCRIP company gave OCS $1.50.  When you order SCRIP cards, half the money given goes into your account for next year.  The other half goes toward OCS expenses.  It is an awesome way to earn money for our school.  If you need any help setting up an account or ordering, please let me know and I can help you.

HOMEWORK:

Please notice the behavior chart in the front of your child’s B.E.A.R. Book.  To save paper and make it easier for you, I have put the Homework Chart on the backside of the Behavior Chart.  Your child is responsible for filling out the Homework Chart each day.  Just a reminder that Spelling Words, Bible Verse, and Reading will be homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  Any work not finished in class will become homework, which is due the following morning.  Students who do not turn in their homework in the morning will have the opportunity to complete it during lunch recess.

 BIBLE VERSES:  The complete list of Bible verses is in the B.E.A.R. Book for the entire year.  The due date for each verse will be the last day of the week, which is usually Friday, unless we are not in school, then it will be Thursday.  Students will receive points for reciting the Bible verse to me each week.  Please sign when your child has it memorized and has recited it to you.  Thank you.

Matthew 5:1-4 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.     Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

 

 September 12, 2011

We had a terrific first week of school! Everyone made good choices, stayed on green all week, and got to choose from the behavior basket on Friday.

 Please notice the behavior chart in the front of your child’s B.E.A.R. Book.  If your child stays on green, they can fill in the green section for the day.  If they move to yellow or red, I will fill it in with a comment to let you know about the choices your child made.

 BIBLE VERSES:  The list of Bible verses is in the B.E.A.R. Book for the entire year.  The due date for each verse will be the last day of the week, which is usually Friday, unless we are not in school, then it will be Thursday.  Please sign when your child has it memorized and has recited it to you.  Thank you.

 HISTORY:  We are studying Michigan History during the first semester.  Many books about Michigan are being read in class to the students.  We are going on a field trip that is designed to give the children a look into what it was like to live in Michigan in the past. 

 HEALTH:  We are learning about posture and our bones.

 MATH:  We are reviewing the calendar, temperature, counting, patterns, and time.

 HOMEWORK:  I do not like to assign homework on Wednesdays and Fridays.  I will try not to assign any homework on those days.  I know a lot of families attend church functions on Wednesday evenings and I believe the weekend should be spent with family.  Occasionally, your child will have homework on those days if they did not finish all of their daily work in class.  So, please check the B.E.A.R. Book every day.  Also, please initial homework.

 On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, students will have to write their spelling words one time and the Bible verse one time.  They should also study for their spelling test and be prepared to either tell me the Bible verse or write it if they choose.

 We will begin reading this week.  Students will bring home their reading books with pages to practice reading.    They should read it twice to themselves and once to an adult.  This should be written on their homework page in the B.E.A.R. Book.

 Students will also have a math page to do for homework.  We will do side A in class and side B will be homework on those days.

Matthew 5:1-2 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.  Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: