It was a busy week!

I figure when you're busy you have less time to get into trouble! We shouldn't have gotten into any trouble this past week because we had things to do ALL the time!

The 4th graders worked hard on a science webquest. Each group of students had either the nervous system, the circulatory system, or the digestive system to research. They then put together an oral presentation to defend their system. The reports were on Friday. I used the movie feature on my camera therefore some of the video is a little shaky…oops. Enjoy!

Mr. Payne, from FVL, came to present awards for the annual FVL poster competition. Each school gets a first place winner. Ours was Maddie. The 5th graders took part in New London's Arbor Day Ceremony. They walked to the Washington Center for a presentation where awards were given for the Arbor Day posters that they created. The three winners all came back to school with pine trees to plant at home. We spent part of each day practicing for Showcase Night. The juggling is improving everyday. I'll end with one of my favorite Bible passages… John 10:28-30 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” God's blessings to you this week and always.

God's Blessings

God's blessings come in many forms:

• Music
•  Last weekend Emanuel's bell choirs had the opportunity to play along with over 200 other ringers in the 33rd Annual WELS Handbell Festival. The blessing of being able to write the music, the blessing of playing the music, the blessing of hearing... All to bring praises to our resurrected Savior. 
• Thank You, Lord, for music.
•  Technology
• The past two week the 5th graders have been researching the Underground Railroad. They've heard about the Underground Railroad in the past, but this was an opportunity for them to dig much deeper into slavery in the US during the 1800's.
• I provided them with the web resources, and they "went to town". 
• After much hard work, each group presented their reports to the class on Keynote (Apple's presentation program - similar to PowerPoint...but really easy to use.)
• They did a REALLY GOOD job. I don't know of a practical way to post those reports so that others can see what they did. If I think of one, I'll post them.
• Thank you, Lord, for technology.
•  Performers
• Kindergarten through 4th graders went to FVL to see the Children's Theater production of Jack and the Magic Beans.
• We're busy practicing being performers, too.
• Please set aside Friday, May 11, for the K-5 Showcase Night.
• Everyone in class will be performing something that they have learned during our Enrichment time.
• Lord, thank You for the talents with which You have so richly blessed us.

•  The Earth
• This coming Friday, the 5th graders will take part in New London's Annual Arbor Day ceremony. 
• Earlier they created posters for Arbor Day.
• They will find out who won that contest.
• If the weather cooperates, all of the 5th graders from all of the schools in NL will plant a tree in Hatten Park.
• Each child is invited to bring a cup of clean soil from home to "help" plant the tree.
• Thank You, Jesus, for the intricately created world in which You allow us to live.

• The most precious blessings…
• Eternal life in heaven.
• Forgiveness for our sins.
• God's Word.
• One of my favorites:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter

This quote is from the WELS devotion that I get in my email each morning:

"When Jesus died on the cross, he took the sting out of death. It is no longer something to dread.  We can die, knowing that we are not lost and condemned in the darkness of divine judgment.  Instead, because of Jesus we enjoy the light of God’s favor and forgiveness."

I consider it a privilege to be able to teach such wonderful news to my students.

This past week we started working, in more seriousness, on our Showcase Night presentation. If you find your child(ren) juggling, or Speed Stacking™, or working out moves for tinikling…that would be my fault. While we will be rehearsing what the class will do as a whole, if the students have something specific that they will present to the audience, it will probably need to get practiced at home. Thanks for understanding.

We also started working with Mrs. Gielow and handchimes. We've had one session so far. When these students were 3rd graders, Mrs. Gielow showed them how to ring. The current 5th graders played in church last school year; so this is their third year playing chimes.  They did quite well. The 4th graders have never played for a public performance, but I am sure that they will be fine.

Because we have 24 students, Mrs. Gielow and I decided to form two chimes choirs. The choirs will have a mixture of experience and not-so-experienced "chimers". Most of the students will be ringing two chimes…and every position is needed for the songs to sound complete. Therefore, we really need all of our classmates at the two performances (1:30pm & 6:30pm).

God bless your family this Easter!