Week of April 13 to 17
What We Learned this Week:
Bible: This week, we dove into the life and miracles of the prophet Elisha. These stories have been a wonderful reminder that God is present in every detail of our lives, no matter how large or small.
Key Highlights from our Lessons:
Miracles of Provision: We learned how Elisha made a poisoned stew pure and used a small offering of bread to feed 100 people. Much like the miracles of Jesus, these events showed the students God's immense care and power to provide.
Faith Beyond Borders: We discussed the story of the young captive girl from Israel who showed great courage by telling her master, Naaman, about Elisha's power. After Naaman was cured of leprosy, he proclaimed that the God of Israel is the only true God!
A God of the Details: The students especially loved the story of the "floating axhead." It taught us that God cares about the seemingly unimportant details of our daily lives, like a borrowed tool falling into the water.
Integrity and Kindness: We also reflected on the consequences of pride and deceit through the story of Gehazi, and we were inspired by the kindness Elisha showed to his fellow prophets.
📝 Unit 13 Test Update
Our Unit 13 test on Elisha is currently scheduled for Friday, April 24. However, please keep in mind that this date is flexible! Depending on our pace in class and how quickly we wrap up our final discussions, the test may be pushed to early the following week. I will keep the students updated!
🏠 Resources for Home Studying:
To help your student prepare, I have provided the following resources:
Spanish Study Guide: Students will receive a physical copy of this guide on Monday, April 20.
English Study Guide: This version is provided specifically for parents to help guide and support their student’s review at home.
Blooket Games: A fun and interactive way for students to sharpen their knowledge of Elisha’s miracles and ministry!
Math: We moved beyond just looking at numbers and started focusing on the logic behind how fractions behave in different scenarios.
Key Highlights:
Like Numerators vs. Like Denominators: We discovered that if the numerators are the same (e.g., 2/3 vs. 2/6), the fraction with the smaller denominator is actually the larger piece! Conversely, with like denominators (e.g., 3/8 vs. 5/8), we simply look for the larger numerator.
Number Line Navigation: The students practiced locating, writing, and ordering fractions on number lines. This visual tool has been a "game changer" for helping them see exactly how close a fraction is to 0, 1/2, or 1.
The "Whole" Matters: We had a great discussion about comparing fractions from differently sized objects. The students learned that 1/2 of a giant watermelon is much bigger than 1/2 of a tiny grape—the size of the "whole" is just as important as the fraction itself!
Word Problem Detectives: We wrapped up by applying these skills to real-world word problems, figuring out who ate more pizza or who ran a further distance during recess.
Reading:
The "Frindle" Phenomenon Continues!
We spent time this week reading Chapter 12, and things are definitely heating up in the town of Westfield.
Chapter 12 Recap:
Going National: Just when we thought the "Frindle" craze couldn't get any bigger, a reporter from the Westfield Gazette got the story onto the national news!
The Town is Abuzz: We discussed how the word "frindle" is spreading like wildfire—not just in the school, but across the country. It was fascinating to see how a simple idea from one 5th grader could reach the "airwaves" and change everything.
Mrs. Granger’s Secret: We are all keep a very close eye on the mysterious letter Mrs. Granger has tucked away. The students are full of theories about what it says and when Nick will finally get to open it!
A Journey to the Past – Book Clubs
This week, our classroom was transformed into a "time machine" as we officially launched our Historical Fiction Book Clubs. This new unit offers a beautiful opportunity for students to step beyond the pages of history books and immerse themselves in the stories of real courage, resilience, and hope during World War II.
Key Highlights of Our Immersion Week:
Setting the Stage with Context: We dedicated significant time this week to building our background knowledge. To understand the emotional landscape of the 1940s, we watched informative videos, analyzed historical posters, and even viewed actual footage of a portable gramophone playing a record!
A Journey Through Picture Books: The students deep-dived into a curated collection of WWII-era picture books. By acting as "Historical Detectives," they were able to pull out real facts and details about daily life during the war to ground their upcoming novel reading.
The "Social Contract": Great book clubs thrive on respect and collaboration. Before they began reading, each group met to craft their own "Social Contract"—a shared set of guidelines for how they want to work together, listen to each other, and grow as a reading community.
Our Mentor Text: Number the Stars: As a whole class, we have begun our foundational journey into Lois Lowry's powerful novel, Number the Stars. To help us track character growth and understand the complexities of occupied Denmark, we are using a dedicated "Diary Packet" to answer reflection questions and guide our daily classroom discussions.
Book Clubs Begin!: After all their hard work and research, the students finally met with their groups and began reading their assigned historical fiction novels. There is so much excitement and curiosity in the air!
Writing: This week, we officially kicked off our brand-new unit: Literary Essays! Before we pick up our pencils to write, we are spending quality time becoming "experts" on what a great essay actually looks like.
Key Highlights:
The Power of Immersion: We spent our class periods diving into various examples of literary essays. By reading the work of others, the students are starting to recognize the "shape" and "voice" of this new genre.
Identifying Themes: A big part of our discussion this week was about Theme. The students practiced looking past the plot of a story to find the "Big Idea" or the lesson the author is trying to teach us.
Looking Ahead: Next week, we will continue our immersion phase, sharpening our ability to analyze stories before we begin drafting our own thesis statements!
Spelling: Here is the link to next week's spelling test!
Social Studies: This week, we took a deep dive into the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution—the Bill of Rights. We focused on the idea that these aren't just old words on parchment; they are active protections for all of us today!
Key Highlights:
The "Translation" Project: To truly understand our rights, we worked together to "re-write" each amendment using our own 4th-grade words. This helped us cut through the complex language and see the heart of each protection—from freedom of speech to the right to a fair trial.
Constitutional Detectives: We ended the week by putting our knowledge to the test! We looked at different real-world scenarios and discussed which specific amendments would offer protection to "The People" in each situation and, most importantly, how those protections work.
The Power of "We the People": We discussed how these rights come with the responsibility to respect the rights of others, tying back into our ongoing conversations about citizenship and kindness.
From the Library:
Literati Book Wishlist:
Hi, parents!
To prepare for the upcoming Literati Book Fair, I’ve created a digital wishlist of items I’d love to add to our classroom library:
https://literati.com/a/
These books will help students on their journey to becoming confident and enthusiastic readers. Thank you for your support!
Swimming Lessons:
It’s almost time to head to the water! Our class will be participating in swimming lessons at the Holland Aquatic Center from April 27 to May 8. This is always a highlight for the students and a great way to build confidence and safety skills.
Action Items for Parents:
Permission Slips: A note from the instructional programs manager at the HAC was sent home earlier this week. Please look for the permission slip located at the bottom of that note.
Due Date: This signed slip must be turned in to me before our lessons begin on April 27.
From the Office:
Upcoming Dates:
April 27 - May 8: Swim Lessons 1st - 4th at Holland Aquatic Center
Book Fair: Exciting news… we have a new book fair company this year—Literati—and the online fair is officially live! Shopping online is a great way to find books that won’t be available at the in-person fair. It’s also the best way to purchase from teacher wishlists, since some of those titles may not be on-site. A special bonus: Gift cards are available online! This makes it easy for students to shop at the fair without bringing cash to school. Start browsing here: https://literati.com/store/?school=rose-park-christian-school-holland-mi Happy reading!
On Thursday, April 23 we will host “Lunch with a Loved One” from 11:15-12:15 in the small gym. This is a time to join your student(s) for lunch and to shop the book fair together!
Additional in-person book fair hours will be: Wednesday April 22 from 2-4pm, Thursday April 23 from 10:30-12:30 & 2-4pm, Friday April 24 from 2-4pm; we would love to have you stop by at any of those times.
A note: If you are a Spanish Immersion family - please check out the Literati website to find additional Spanish books! Many additional titles are available on the website!
The annual fourth grade plant sale is coming to Rose Park on Thursday, May 21 starting at 7:30am. They will be selling tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of herbs. All plants will be $3.00 per pot, cash or check only. Mark your calendars!
Tulip Time is coming! If you have a 1st through 4th grade student, please select how they plan to participate in the Tulip Time parade by using this form!
4th Grade Plant Sale:
The annual fourth grade plant sale is coming to Rose Park on Thursday, May 21 starting at 7:30am. They will be selling tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of herbs. All plants will be $3.00 per pot, cash or check only. Mark your calendars!
Tulip Time Costume Choices Google Form:
If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to fill out this Google Form to let us know your child's costume choice for Tulip Time. Thank you!
Our Marble Jar is Full! Class Prize Details (Tuesday, April 21):
Dear parents,
I am thrilled to share some wonderful news with you! Our students have been working incredibly hard lately on filling the marble jar, and it has finally reached the top! Because of their teamwork, kindness, and dedication to our classroom goals, they have officially earned a class-wide prize.
The Reward: To celebrate their achievement, the students voted for a "Show and Tell Showcase." This is a wonderful opportunity for students to practice their public speaking skills and share a piece of their world with their peers.
Event Details:
When: Tuesday, April 21
Time: During the final block of the school day
Format: Each student will have 2–3 minutes to present their item, explain its significance, and show it to the class.
Participation & Expectations: To ensure this is a fun and stress-free experience for everyone, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
Optional Participation: If your child does not wish to bring in an item, they do not have to. Participation is completely voluntary.
Portability: The item should be small and sturdy enough for your child to transport to and from school on their own.
Safety & Storage: To avoid distractions during lessons, items must stay tucked away in backpacks / lockers until the showcase begins. Please avoid sending anything overly fragile or high-value.
Pets & Animals: While we all love furry friends, we ask that you do not bring live animals to school. If your child wants to "show" a pet, please send a photo or a short video to my email instead. This prevents unnecessary stress for both the animals and our enthusiastic students!
Audience Etiquette: We have discussed being "respectful listeners" during our showcase, focusing on giving every speaker our full attention and asking thoughtful questions.
Thank you for your continued support in celebrating our students' hard work. We are looking forward to a fantastic Tuesday afternoon!
Scholastic News April 13, 2026 Spanish Edition
Comments
Post a Comment