What We Learned this Week

Bible: We have been studying Samuel's story this week. We talked about the significance of his birth and his dedication to God when he was a small child. We learned about historical context in order to better understand how Eli and his sons did evil in the eyes of the Lord. One of the most importance conversations we had this week was centered around the following question: "Does God always answer prayer?" That might be a good topic for the dinner table sometime this weekend!

Math: The students have been working hard to recognize and understand three methods of multiplication- Place Value Sections Method, Expanded Notation Method, and the Algebraic Notation Method.

Reading: This week, we talked about how good readers can utilize the empathy they develop for the characters they are reading about and apply it to create detailed predictions of what the character will do next and why.

Writing: The students are busy finishing up their realistic fiction drafts. We will soon be starting the editing phrase. It's our goal to get the final draft done sometime next week.

Science: We are studying the following question in our science class: "How does your brain affect what you see?" The students conducted the classic pencil in the cup experiment to gain an understanding of water refraction. Next, they worked in groups to work on a reaction timed test by catching a ruler released by another classmate. I will pose the same question to you as I did to the students: "Does reaction time (reacting to anything) depend on the senses alone? Why or why not?"

Grammar: This week, we took a look at how to form Spanish gerunds (estar + gerundio). We also studied another pair of Spanish consonants that make the same sound depending on the letter placements within a word- "c" and "qu."

Parent Letter for Upcoming Event

On Monday, November 7, a representative from the Children's Advocacy Center of Ottawa County will come visit our classroom to speak to the children about a body safety program. A parent letter was sent home with the students. I am attaching a digital copy of the letter here too.

From the Office & Teachers

MUSIC NOTE FROM MRS. BOER - Recorder music was sent home with your child this week. The expectation for practicing is that your child practices three days a week and each song three times (3X-3X). They can keep track of the days they practice on the calendar that is in their music folders. I will ask them to turn in their calendars at the end of the month so that I can see who is practicing and how much. Please encourage your child to practice and to remember to bring their recorders and music folders to school on the day they have music (and also on certain Fridays because of the rotating schedule). We are becoming Beauty Creators with our recorders!

HCHS’s Theatre Department is proud to present Matilda for the Fall Musical this year! Based on the book by Roald Dahl, Matilda is the inspiring story of a girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, psychokinetic powers, and an extraordinary imagination who dreams of a better life. You won’t want to miss this incredibly fun musical. Performances are November 17-19 at 7 pm. Due to licensing restrictions we are unable to livestream this Fall’s production, but you can get your in-person tickets at hollandchristian.org/theatre beginning October 17th.

You’re invited to Swingin' the Night Away! November 4, 6:45-9 pm in the HC high school cafeteria. Enjoy swing dance lessons (6:45-7:30), a dance (7:30-9), dessert and the sounds of big band jazz. $5/person at the door. Music provided by the HC Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Band. Bring your children, and your parents- it’s a delightful evening with loads of vintage charm!