Week of March 30 to April 2
Key Highlights:
Walking Through Holy Week: We spent time each day discussing the specific events leading up to the crucifixion. The students showed incredible maturity as we reflected on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and what that means for each of us personally.
The Victory of the Empty Tomb: Our sorrow turned to celebration as we discovered the greatest news of all—the tomb is empty! We rejoiced in the truth that "He is not here; He has risen!" and discussed Jesus’ ultimate victory over death.
Personal Reflection Mini-Books: To process these big ideas, each student created a Holy Week Mini-Book. They used these to record their own thoughts, prayers, and reflections on each day's events.
Key Highlights:
Review & Prep: On Monday, students brought home a practice test modeled after the real assessment. We spent our class time clearing up any lingering "fraction confusion," specifically focusing on converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers.
The Unit 6 Test: I was so impressed with the focus in the room during the test. The students worked hard to show their thinking.
Learning from Our Errors: Looking ahead, when we return from Spring Break, the students will have the opportunity to review their graded tests and correct their errors.
Key Highlights:
First Person vs. Third Person: We investigated the differences between a story told by a character inside the book ("I" and "me") versus a narrator watching from the outside ("he," "she," and "they").
Identifying the Voice: The students practiced being "POV Detectives," scanning their independent reading books for pronouns and clues to determine which perspective the author chose and why it matters for the story.
The "Frindle" Frenzy Continues: We dove into Chapters 10 and 11, and things are getting wild! The secret word has officially escaped the halls of Lincoln Elementary and hit the local news.
The Mystery of the Photo: We had some very spirited debates and made predictions about the mystery: Who exactly was the "secret source" that leaked that class photo to the reporter, Judy Morgan? The theories in the room were flying!
The "Aha!" Moment: The students realized that Frindle is told in the third person, which is lucky for us—it means we get to see what both Nick and Mrs. Granger are thinking, even when they aren't talking to each other!
🗺️ Coming Up After Spring Break: Book Clubs!
When we return, we are launching one of the most exciting units of the year: Historical Fiction Book Clubs! Students will be divided into book club groups to read and discuss a novel together. This unit is all about collaboration, deep discussion, and shared discovery.
History Meets Literacy: Our focus will be on the World War II era. The students will be putting on both their "History Hats" and their "Literary Hats" as they explore how real historical events shape the lives of the characters in their stories.
Perspective & Empathy: We’ll be looking at how authors use historical settings to tell stories of courage, friendship, and resilience.
Key Highlights:
A Moment of Pride: The energy in the classroom was electric! Seeing their hard work transformed into a "real" book was a powerful moment for our 4th graders. They should be incredibly proud of the dedication they showed to this project.
Home Libraries: The students have officially taken their copies home! I am sure many of you have already had a chance to flip through the pages and see the incredible creativity of our class.
Sharing with the School: I am honored to share that I will be donating my copy of our class book to the school library. This way, students from all grades can enjoy our stories and be inspired by our 4th-grade writers for years to come.
Our trip to the Capitol was a huge success. The students represented our school with such respect and curiosity as we explored the heart of Michigan’s government.
Key Highlights:
The Grand Rotunda: The students were mesmerized by the architecture, especially when looking up at the "starry" dome and standing on the famous glass-block floor. It was the perfect spot to discuss the history and importance of our state.
The Legislative Chambers: We had the opportunity to see where our state Senators and Representatives meet to debate and vote on laws. The students were quick to point out where the "Legislative Branch" does its heavy lifting!
Government in Action: After weeks of studying the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, seeing the actual offices and desks where these decisions are made made everything feel much more "real."
A Lesson in Stewardship: Between our tours, we talked about how a building like the Capitol belongs to all of us as citizens, tying back into our "Creation Keeping" and citizenship goals.
Spelling: Here is the link to the spelling list for the week of April 13 to 17!
Since we just wrapped up our Student-Led Parent-Teacher Conferences, I will not be sending out a formal Progress Update for the month of March. We covered so much great ground together during our meetings!
If you find you need further clarification regarding your student’s progress, please feel free to reach out via email. I will be stepping away to enjoy the holiday with my family, but I will be happy to get back to you once we return from Spring Break on Monday, April 13.
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!
Upcoming Dates:
April 27 - May 8: Swim Lessons 1st - 4th at Holland Aquatic Center
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!
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
We are thrilled to announce our next outdoor adventure! On Friday, April 17, our class will be heading to the Rabbit River Preserve for a "Wildflower Walk." This trip perfectly aligns with April’s Discipleship Practice: Creation Keeping.
Key Highlights:
Awe and Wonder: Our goal for this trip is to move beyond the classroom and witness the beauty of God’s handiwork firsthand. We want to cultivate a deep sense of respect and love for the natural world.
Wildflower Walk & Picnic: We will spend our morning exploring the trails and identifying local flora before enjoying a picnic lunch together on-site.
Hands-on Stewardship: By spending time in nature, the students will practice what it means to be a "Creation Keeper"—learning how to enjoy the outdoors while leaving it exactly as we found it.
🎒 Field Trip Checklist:
Disposable Sack Lunch: Please pack a lunch that can be entirely thrown away.
Label Everything: To help us stay organized, please clearly label all items in your child’s lunch.
Disposable Water Bottle: Ensure your student has a drink included in their sack.
Dress for the Weather: As we know, Michigan weather can be unpredictable! Please check the forecast and dress your child in layers and comfortable walking shoes.
🤝 Join Us as a Chaperone!
We still have a few openings for parent chaperones! If you’d like to join us for a morning of nature and fresh air, please sign-up here.
Note for Chaperones: If you have already signed up, please keep an eye on your inbox. I will be sending out a detailed information email on Monday, April 13, after school.
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