Week of May 11 to 15
What We Learned this Week:
Bible: This week in our Unit 14 studies, the students explored the complicated history of the Kings of Judah and the powerful messages of the prophets sent to guide them.
The Call to Return: We looked at the story of the prophet Joel, who used a devastating plague of locusts as a wake-up call for the people of Judah. The students discussed how Joel confronted the people with their disobedience but also provided a beautiful message of hope- he outlined the incredible blessings that would follow if they chose to turn back to God.
The Highs and Lows of Leadership: We also studied a "roster" of Judah's kings, noticing a consistent pattern in their reigns:
The Mixed Legacy: We learned about kings like Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham, who had both high and low points. They sometimes obeyed God and sometimes followed their own paths.
Turning Away: We discussed King Ahaz, who completely turned his back on God to serve foreign idols.
The Result of Choice: The students observed a clear theme—Judah enjoyed peace and prosperity when her kings turned to God, but suffered through war and hardship when they turned away.
Through these stories, we are reflecting on how our own choices and obedience impact our relationship with God and the world around us.
As we approach the end of our unit on the Kings and Prophets of Judah, it’s time to start looking ahead toward our summative assessment.
Test Dates: The Unit 14 test is tentatively scheduled for May 28 or 29. The exact date will depend on when we wrap up our final few lessons, but we wanted to get these resources into your hands early!
Study Resources: To give students plenty of time to review at home, please utilize the links below. Students will also receive a physical hard copy of the study guide in class this coming Monday.
[Link to Spanish Study Guide]: For student practice and review.
[Link to English Study Guide]: Specifically for parents to help support and quiz your child at home.
[Link to Blooket Test Review Games]: A fun, interactive way to sharpen those skills!
Happy studying, everyone!
Math: We have hit our stride in our Geometry unit! This week was all about classification and precision as we explored how shapes and lines are defined by their measurements.
Angles in a Circle:
We discovered that a full circle is a 360 degree angle. The students practiced drawing different angles—acute, right, obtuse, and straight—as "slices" of a circle. This helped them visualize how degrees represent a rotation around a center point.
The World of Triangles:
We learned that triangles are special because they can be named in two different ways!
By their Angles: We identified Right triangles (one 90 degree angle), Obtuse triangles (one obtuse angle), and Acute triangles (where all three angles are acute).
By their Sides: We learned the names for side lengths: Equilateral (all sides equal), Isosceles (two sides equal), and Scalene (no sides equal).
Angle Addition & Unknowns:
The students took their protractor skills to the next level by learning how to combine angles. We practiced writing and solving algebraic equations to find the value of an "unknown" angle when we knew the total measurement of two combined angles.
Parallel & Perpendicular:
We finished the week by defining how lines interact:
Parallel Lines: Lines that stay the same distance apart and never touch (like train tracks).
Intersecting Lines: Lines that meet at a point.
Perpendicular Lines: Lines that cross at a perfect 90 degree "right" angle.
The students practiced drawing these lines and identifying them within complex geometric figures.
Reading: Our journey through Number the Stars took a mysterious turn this week as we moved into Chapters 8 and 9. The students are becoming true literary detectives as they piece together the clues Lois Lowry leaves for us.
The Mystery of "Great Aunt Birte":
Chapter 8: The family arrives at Uncle Henrik’s house by the sea, but the mood shifts when Henrik mentions that "Great Aunt Birte" has passed away and a funeral will be held at the house. Annemarie, ever observant, realizes she has never heard of an Aunt Birte and begins to suspect that her parents and uncle are keeping a secret to protect her.
Chapter 9: This chapter brought about a powerful discussion on the nature of bravery. Uncle Henrik explains to Annemarie that it is sometimes easier to be brave when you do not know everything.
Classroom Discussions: We had some truly profound conversations this week about why the adults might be lying to the children and what it means to be "brave" in a time of war. The students worked diligently on their comprehension questions, showing a great deal of empathy for Annemarie’s situation.
Historical Fiction Book Clubs: In addition to our main novel, students continued to meet with their Book Clubs. It has been a joy to watch them dive into their own historical fiction books. They are finding fascinating parallels between the characters in their books and the events in Number the Stars, all while building their reading stamina and collaborative skills.
Writing: This week, our classroom was buzzing with focused energy as the students began the heavy lifting of drafting their literary essays. We moved from our color-coded road maps into the actual storytelling that supports their claims.
The Power of the Micro-Story: We introduced the concept of micro-stories. Instead of summarizing the entire book, a micro-story is a "zoomed-in" look at a very specific moment or scene. By retelling just a small slice of the story, students can prove their thesis statement without getting lost in unnecessary plot details.
Writing with an Angle: To make these micro-stories effective, the students learned a three-step process to write with a specific "angle." This ensures every sentence serves their argument:
The Topic Sentence: Students start by clearly stating the point they want to demonstrate, linking it back to their main reason.
The Contrast: This is the "Aha!" moment! They discuss what the character does not do to emphasize what the character does do.
The "So What?": They conclude by telling the reader exactly what this micro-story demonstrates and how it proves their overall claim.
Spelling: Here is the link to next week's spelling list!
From Mr. Nester:
It’s that time of year when Rose Park families contemplate what their 4th grade student will pursue musically next year in 5th grade. Next week on Tuesday, your child will participate in a short presentation describing and demonstrating Band, Orchestra, and Music. Please click the link below for more information.
5th grade Band, Orchestra, Music Class information
4th Grade Plant Sale Early Work Shifts + Empty Boxes:
The wait is almost over! The students have been working hard to prepare for our annual plant sale, and we can’t wait to see you there. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to practice their skills in communication, math, and customer service.
Mark Your Calendars:
When: Thursday, May 21
Time: Starting at 7:30 AM
Where: The School Gym
We Need Your Help!
The First Shift: We are looking for a few students who can arrive at school early (7:30 AM) to work the very first shift of the sale. If you can drop your student off at that time, please email me so I can add them to the schedule!
Cardboard Boxes: If you have any empty cardboard boxes lying around, please send them our way! We use these to help customers safely transport their new plants home in their vehicles.
Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and church groups. We are hoping for a record-breaking crowd this year!
4th Grade Plant Sale Information (Thursday, May 21):
As the excitement builds for our sale on Thursday, May 21, we are narrowing down the details to ensure a smooth and successful event. This is truly a day where the students step into their roles as "employees" and classroom leaders!
The Work Schedule:
I will be sharing the official Work Schedule on Monday.
Each student has a specific role to play! Some will be acting as Cashiers, others will be providing excellent Customer Service, and our "merchandising" team will ensure our tables stay fully stocked and beautifully arranged.
The "Shift" Environment: When students are not working their assigned shift, they will be expected to remain in their designated work area. To make this comfortable and productive:
What to Bring: Please have your student bring a blanket or a towel and a lawn chair on Thursday morning.
The Workspace: Weather permitting, we will set up our "home base" on the lawn; otherwise, we will be in the small gym.
Independence: During their "off-shift" time, students will be expected to work quietly on independent tasks in their own workspace.
Last Day of School "Fancy" Breakfast Buffet:
We are quickly approaching the end of the year—wow, we made it! These kids have worked incredibly hard, and I am so proud of everything they have accomplished. To celebrate them and all their hard work, I want to host a special tradition on our very last day of school.
I truly believe in the power of fellowshipping over food, and I want to bring that spirit of community and love into our classroom one last time with a “Fancy” Breakfast Buffet on Wednesday morning, June 3.
To make this "fancy" feast a reality, I would love your help! I have put together a list of supplies and breakfast items needed to make the morning complete. If you are able to contribute, please take a look at the sign-up slots below.
A few quick notes:
Drop-off: Please bring items to the classroom on Wednesday morning. I will be there by 7:35 AM to receive them.
Setup Help: I would be SO grateful if one or two parents could stay for a few extra minutes that morning to help me transform our space into a fancy cafe!
Thank you so much for your constant support and for considering helping us end the year on such a joyful note.
End of Year Gift for our Students Update:
I have a very exciting update to share! I received word earlier this week that our student gifts—copies of the Max Lucado classic "Tu eres especial"—have officially shipped!
This book holds such a powerful message, and I am so grateful that we will be able to share it with the students. Once the books arrive, I will be busy placing a special golden sticker on the inside cover of each one to commemorate our year together.
Volunteer Opportunity: I am looking for one parent volunteer to help me wrap these 13 books so they are ready for our final celebration on Wednesday, June 3. If you have a knack for gift wrapping and would like to help, please send me an email and we can coordinate a time!
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!
From the Office:
Upcoming Dates:
May
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
RFinal 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!
A note from the parent board: We would love to bless the teachers with a final end of year lunch, if you are willing to volunteer please sign up here!
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.
Community Opportunities: The below list of organizations are not necessarily affiliated with Holland Christian Schools but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities
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