Week of April 27 to May 1
What We Learned this Week:
Bible: We have officially kicked off Unit 14 this week! The students have been diving into the history of the kings of Judah, looking closely at how their leadership—and their relationship with God—impacted the entire nation.
Lesson Highlights:
Lesson 1: The Faithfulness of Jehoshaphat
We learned that Jehoshaphat was faithful to his calling as king.
Because of his faithfulness, God blessed both Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.
We also discussed his alliance with Israel through the marriage of his son to the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
Lesson 2: The Disobedience of Jehoram
In contrast, we saw that King Jehoram did not walk in God’s ways.
His disobedience brought disaster to both his own family and the nation of Judah.
Most importantly, we reflected on how God remained faithful to Judah despite the nation’s unfaithfulness to Him.
It has been a powerful week of seeing God's consistent grace, even when leaders falter!
Math: This week, our classroom turned into a mini-bank as we used pennies and dimes to master the relationship between fractions and decimals. By thinking of our currency, the students were able to visualize how parts of a whole work in the real world.
Key Highlights:
Money Models: We thought about dimes to understand tenths and pennies to understand hundredths. This helped us see that 30/100 (30 pennies) is the exact same value as 3/10 (3 dimes)!
The Power of Zero: We investigated when a zero changes a value and when it doesn’t. For example, the students discovered that 0.6 is the same as 0.60, but 0.06 is much smaller—just like the difference between 60 cents and 6 cents.
Expanding Our Thinking: We practiced writing decimals in "expanded form" to see the value of each digit. We also worked on converting mixed numbers (whole numbers with fractions) into their decimal forms.
Translation Skills: The students practiced "translating" between three different languages: Word Form (six-tenths), Fraction Form (6/10), and Decimal Form (0.6).
Comparison & Word Problems: We wrapped up by comparing decimals up to the hundredths place and solving word problems that required us to write out decimal amounts based on real-world scenarios.
To help our students feel fully prepared and confident, we have a clear roadmap for our Unit 7 Test. This unit has covered a lot of ground—from understanding tenths and hundredths using money to mastering decimal forms—and we want to give the students every tool they need to succeed!
The Practice Test (Monday, May 4):
A Mirror Image: On Monday, students will complete a practice test in class that is modeled exactly after the actual assessment.
Review Resource: Students will be instructed to take this practice test home so they can review their work and identify areas where they might need a little extra focus.
Self-Checking: Along with the practice test, students will receive an answer key (look for the yellow paper!) to help guide their at-home study sessions.
The Final Test (Friday, May 8):
Assessment Day: The actual Unit 7 Math Test will take place on Friday, May 8.
Preparation Tip: In addition to the yellow practice pages, remember that SplashLearn is available for extra, optional practice on fractions and other core math concepts!
Reading: We have officially reached the final page of our novel study! This week, the classroom was full of "aha!" moments as we read the concluding chapter of Frindle.
What We Discovered:
A Lasting Legacy: The students were thrilled to see that Nick’s word actually made it into the dictionary! It was a great lesson in how one small idea can truly change the world.
The Secret Agent: We spent time discussing Mrs. Granger’s letter and her surprising role in the whole "frindle" phenomenon. The students realized that she was actually cheering Nick on the whole time, proving that sometimes the toughest teachers are our greatest supporters.
Reflections: We wrapped up our study by discussing the themes of creativity, persistence, and the power of words.
It has been such a joy watching the students engage with this story. They’ve even started a few "frindle" trends of their own in our classroom!
Our journey through Number the Stars took a very dramatic turn this week as we "stepped back in time" to 1943 Denmark. The students have been incredibly focused as the stakes for Annemarie and Ellen continue to rise.
The Tension of Chapter 5: We spent time analyzing how the author, Lois Lowry, builds suspense. We focused specifically on the "night of the soldiers," discussing how the dark setting, the pounding on the door, and the life-or-death need for Ellen to hide her identity created a tension we could almost feel in the classroom! The students were on the edge of their seats as we discussed Papa’s quick thinking with the family photo album.
Chapter 6 & Book Clubs: After the narrow escape in Chapter 5, we read Chapter 6, where the family begins a journey to the coast. This led perfectly into our Book Club sessions!
WWII Settings: Students met with their small groups to continue reading their own novels, all of which are set during World War II.
Comparative Discussions: It has been wonderful to hear them compare the bravery they see in Annemarie to the characters in their own books.
Writing: This week, we officially transitioned from readers to critics! We kicked off our new unit by defining exactly what a literary essay is—and, perhaps more importantly, what it is not.
Moving Beyond the Plot: The students learned that a literary essay isn't just a retelling of the story's events. Instead, it is a piece of writing where the author shares an original idea or "claim" about the story and supports it with evidence.
Our Process This Week:
Story Selection: Students read through several short stories and selected the one they most connected with. This will be the "mentor text" they use to build their own essays!
Drafting Claim Statements: We spent the end of the week practicing how to write strong claim statements. Using "sentence stems" to help find our voice, we focused on:
What the main character learned throughout their journey.
The author’s deeper intentions for writing the story.
The universal themes (the "big ideas") present in the text.
Social Studies: We continued our Economics unit this week by exploring the "gears" that make a market economy turn. To make these big ideas more concrete, we returned to our mentor text, Grandpa's Corner Store.
The 6 Characteristics of a Market Economy: The students acted as "Economic Detectives" to find real-world examples of these six pillars in the story:
Voluntary Exchange: Buyers and sellers choosing to trade.
Consumer Sovereignty: The power of the consumer to determine what is produced.
Private Property Rights: The right to own and protect your business and goods.
Specialization: Focusing on one specific skill or product.
Incentives: Reasons (like profit) that encourage people to act.
Competition: Multiple businesses vying for the same customers.
Predicting Production: We had some laughs while predicting how production changes based on consumer demand. We decided that while chocolate-covered spiders might be a unique snack, they probably won't be mass-produced because most consumers simply wouldn't buy them!
The Consumer is King: We wrapped up the week with a humorous book about a town where everyone wanted to buy "nothing." It was a perfect way to reinforce that in our economy, the consumer truly holds the crown.
Spelling: Here is the link to next week's spelling list!
April Progress Updates:
It is hard to believe that we are already turning the page to May! To keep you informed on all the incredible growth your student has made this month, Progress Updates have been sent home this Friday.
Sent Home: Friday, May 1
Action Item: Please take some time over the weekend to review your student's progress and celebrate their hard work with them!
Return Date: Please sign the update and send it back to school with your student on Monday, May 4.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for all the ways you support your student's learning at home!
MAP Testing & SplashLearn Review:
As we head into May, we are preparing for our spring MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Testing. These assessments help us celebrate the incredible growth your students have made since the beginning of the school year!
Testing Schedule:
Week of May 4–8: Reading Test
Week of May 11–15: Language Arts and Math Tests
A Great Study Tool- SplashLearn: To help students feel confident and prepared, we have made review assignments available on SplashLearn. This platform serves as a wonderful refresher for both the Math and Language Arts portions of the MAP tests. The photo below shows the login information. It has been updated recently.
Math Concepts: The review covers our entire year of learning, including fractions, geometry (covered in unit 8), algebra, addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Note: Students must complete a few short assessments on the site before they can unlock these specific review concepts.
Language Arts Concepts: Students can practice essential "mechanics" such as parts of speech, verb tenses, capitalization, and punctuation.
Optional Practice: Please note that completing these SplashLearn assignments is not mandatory. It is simply an extra resource available for students who would like a little more practice and review at home.
Cinco de Mayo (May 5) Optional Dress-Up Day:
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we are having an Optional Dress Up Day! This is a fun way for our students to celebrate the day through clothing and accessories.
Participation Details:
What to Wear: Students are invited to dress up in traditional or festive attire! Think necklaces, guayaberas, or anything bright and celebratory.
Borrow a Crown: I have flower crown headbands available for the girls to borrow and wear for the day.
Group Photo: We will be taking a nice class group photo on that day to capture all the festive spirit!
We are looking forward to a day full of color and culture!
End of Year Gift for our Students Update:
As we look toward the finish line of 4th grade, I wanted to share an update regarding our special end-of-year gift for the students: the Spanish edition of "Tu eres especial" (You are Special) by Max Lucado.
Shipping Update:
The Situation: I received word from Christianbook.com that there is a significant delay in their warehouse. The books are expected to arrive there by May 22, and they will be shipped out to us as soon as possible.
The Timeline: Since our last day of school is June 3, this will be a tight turnaround!
The Plan: I am praying for a speedy delivery so we can get these beautiful books into the students' hands on our final day. If the timing doesn't work out, please don't worry—we will come up with a "Plan B" to make sure every student receives their special gift.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this little shipping hiccup!
4th Grade SI Chapel Invitation:
Mark your calendars! We are so excited to invite parents, family, and loved ones to attend our upcoming 4th Grade SI Chapel. This is a special time for our students to lead us in worship.
When: Monday, May 11
Time: 10:40 AM – 11:15 AM
Location: The Small Gym
Arrival Instructions: Please plan on checking in at the front office to receive your visitor badge before making your way to the small gym. We can’t wait to see you there!
From the Library:
Cardboard Boxes?
As we look ahead to our special chapel on May 11, we are in need of a few specific props to help bring our student-led skit to life!
If you have 4 medium-sized cardboard boxes at home that you are willing to part with, we would love to use them!
Preparation: If you have one to send in, please wrap it in single-color, plain wrapping paper or brown butcher paper.
Delivery: You can send the wrapped box to school with your child any time this week or early next week.
Thank you so much for helping us make our presentation look polished and professional for the school!
4th Grade Recorder Chapel (Monday, May 4):
We are so honored that the 4th-grade classes have been asked to help lead our school-wide chapel next week! The students have been practicing hard, and we are excited for them to share their talents with the rest of the school.
The Highlights:
Recorder Worship: Our students will be leading the worship music using their recorders!
When: Monday, May 4
Time: 10:40 AM – 11:15 AM
Where: The Small Gym
Important Reminder: Please ensure your student brings their recorder to school on Monday morning so they are ready for our final rehearsal and the performance!
You’re Invited! Parents and families are more than welcome to join us in the small gym to witness this special time of worship. We would love to see you there!
You are Invited to the Holland Aquatic Center (Friday, May 8):
We are having a wonderful time at the Holland Aquatic Center! The students have been working hard on their water safety and stroke techniques, and their confidence in the water is growing every day.
You're Invited! The Aquatic Center has invited parents to come and watch their child’s lesson on the final day of our session:
When: Friday, May 8
Lesson Time: 12:25 PM – 1:05 PM
Where: Holland Aquatic Center
It is a great time to see all the progress they’ve made over the last two weeks. We hope to see you there cheering them on!
Homework for the Week of May 4 to 8:
On Monday, May 4, you will notice a few extra items in your student’s homework folder alongside their usual spelling list, math log, reading log, and multiplication fluency sheet.
Unit 7 Math Prep: To help students prepare for our upcoming Unit 7 Math Test (scheduled for Friday, May 8), we have sent home a practice test and a corresponding answer key.
The Yellow Pages: Both the practice test and the key (and their usual homework) are printed on yellow paper this week to make them easy to spot!
No Need to Return: This practice test does not need to be turned back into school. It is simply an at-home resource for you and your student to use as a study tool over the next week.
Reflex Math is Available During the Summer:
We are excited to share that Reflex Math has made their program available to our students and families throughout the entire summer! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to maintain their "fluency" and keep those math muscles strong while school is out.
What you need to know:
Login Info: Your student should have already brought home a parent letter containing their specific login information and a quick guide on how to get started.
Summer Resources: Reflex has also provided a dedicated link for families with extra tips and resources to make summer learning fun: [Link to Reflex Summer Resources]
Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a quick 15-minute session a few times a week, staying consistent with Reflex will help your student feel confident and ready for the start of 5th grade!
Night Zookeeper 14 Day Free Trial:
I am thrilled to announce that I have secured a 14-day free trial of Night Zookeeper for all of our students! This free trial ends on Monday, May 11.
What is Night Zookeeper? Night Zookeeper is an engaging online learning program designed to help children improve their writing, reading, and grammar skills through a series of creative challenges and games. It turns language arts into an adventure, allowing students to create their own magical animals and write stories about them in a safe, moderated environment.
How we will use it:
At School & Home: Students can practice their literacy skills both in the classroom and at home.
MAP Test Prep: This program serves as a fantastic, low-stress review for our upcoming MAP Language Arts test in a few weeks. It covers many of the core standards in a fun and interactive way.
Completely Free: Please note that we are strictly using the free trial. You should not have to pay for any features during this period.
Getting Started: I have sent home the login information page with your child earlier this week that includes their specific login instructions and password. You can use these credentials to log in at home on any computer or tablet.
I hope the children enjoy this creative way to sharpen their skills before our upcoming testing window. If you have any questions about accessing the site, please feel free to reach out!
From the Office:
Upcoming Dates:
May
1-8: Swim lessons (excluding May 7)
7: 1/2 day of school
11:30 dismissal for kindergarten and 5th grade
Tulip Time Kinderparade 1st-4th grades
21: 4th Grade Plant Sale at Rose Park - 7:30am
25: Memorial Day: No school
27: Field Day & Ms. Raak’s retirement celebration at 2:45pm
June
3: Last Day of School 1/2 day
Preschool celebration at 9:00am
Final Chapel at 10:30am
Y5-5th Grade dismissal at 11:30am
4th Grade Plant Sale: The annual fourth grade plant sale is coming to Rose Park on May 21 starting at 7:30am. They will be selling tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of herbs. All plants will be $3 per pot, cash or check only. Mark your calendars!
Ms. Raak's retirement celebration: After 40 years in education Ms. Raak, our Rose Park PE teacher, will be retiring at the end of the school year. Field Day just so happens to be her birthday as well! Please save the date to help us celebrate Ms. Raak by congratulating her out on the playscape to end the day on Wednesday, May 27th. Parents are welcome to park their cars and come out back to the playscape to celebrate Ms. Raak and end field day, and her wonderful career in celebration! Please join us from 2:45 -3:30 pm for a cookie and congratulations. Please be mindful of the bus and carpool lanes as you park cars!
Holland Christian Baseball/Softball Youth Community Day: Saturday May 2, 2026 from 10am-2pm at the Holland Christian Baseball/Softball Fields
Cheer on the varsity teams against West Ottawa High School. Hot dogs and chips for lunch, meet the players, signed posters of the softball team and fun day at the ball fields!
Rose Park Night at Craig’s Cruisers - May 18th from 5-9pm
Enjoy a night of family fun at Craig’s Cruisers in Holland. All Rose Park students will receive a wristband at the door good for unlimited attractions and $5 of free tokens! Parent supervision required!
Pizza will be available for purchase along with extra wristbands and tokens for siblings and/or parents.
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