Dear Parents,

Thank you so very much for the WONDERFUL gift certificates from the class. I know I'll have fun using them at a variety of my favorite places - the question now is which to use first!! Thank you also for the yummy treats you supplied for the party yesterday and the candy for the gingerbread houses.  We had a good time. Today is our spirit competition and the third graders are certainly in red today!! We'll have fun at the pep rally this afternoon. Don't forget to come and cheer on the Wildcats at the Holiday Tournament this week end.

Memory for Friday is a repeat of what we had planned before vacation - the 6th Commandment and meaning. If your child would like to get it out of the way before Friday, everything's set on this end.

We will have a religion test tomorrow and then move back to finish up some Old Testament stories (about Kings Saul, David, and Solomon). We have also begun multiplication yesterday. Watch for a set of flashcards and an explanation for home study of them either tomorrow or Thursday. In reading we are winding down our fairy tale unit and will be writing pop up books this week and next.

Don't forget that book reports are due on the 25th.

That's pretty much all of our news. It's good to be back after a very enjoyable vacation.

Thank you again for the generous Christmas gifts from the class.

In Christ,

Mrs. Becker

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Subject to change!

**View lab pictures in the Photo Gallery!

**Each 8th Grade lesson includes a lab, a reading, and problems to review what has been learned.                                   Lessons may change from the calendar above due to how long it takes us to cover each topic.

Valdez View

January 6, 2009

Devotions-Each student will be responsible for leading morning devotions once a month as part of their religion grade. This is an opportunity to live their faith in our classroom as leaders.  Some students have been doing "mini chapels" in the classroom to further our daily faith walk.  Awesome!

Religion-This week we are still working on Lesson 38 Jesus' Passion Week Discourses:Teaching at the Temple and Lesson 39 Jesus' Passion Week Discourses: The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

Memory- The next memory is Verse 68 for Wednesday, January 7th.  The quiz is fill-in-the-blank. 

Spelling- "Words to Learn" should be studied on a daily basis for mastery in everyday writing.  A few minutes a day will greatly improve their spelling in daily writing.  PLEASE STUDY THESE WITH YOUR CHILD AT HOME!   All Homophone Books should be turned in with a self-evaluation sheet completed.  If your child still has their's sitting at home, please have them turn it in!

Language Arts-Students should use their Writer’s Express book as a resource throughout the year for writing and grammar topics.  We are working on writing prompts to help write with focus and clarity.  The acronym is R.A.F.T.S. R=Role, A=Audience, F=Format, T=Topic, and S=Strong Verb.  We'll be working on these for the next two weeks or so.

Art-We are beginning work on Oil Pastel drawings.

*Mystery bags Mondays will be our "Mystery Bag" days when we have an opportunity to get to know each other a little better.  Your child will be given a lime green bag to fill with items that are important to them.  Inside the bag is a letter explaining more in detail what is required.  Yes, it is a glorified "show and tell" experience from years gone by!   Hannah will be sharing her mystery bag on Wednesday, January 7th.  Due to the Christmas party and Pep Rally we have not had time to hear from her yet!

Remember to send boots for recess...wet and soggy shoes are no fun in the classroom!  If the students want to play on the playground area, they must have snowpants.  Thanks!

We will be working with St. John's Lutheran Church to help support a mission trip that they'll be going on this year.  This project will extend through January.  St. John's youth director will be speaking to the fifth graders some time this week about the mission trip and their faith.

Thank you to all of you who went in on the Kohl's gift certificates for me.  After living in our newly constructed home for four years now, I have finally found the perfect pieces of art to display over our fireplace mantle.  I told the class that when I am standing in the kitchen doing the endless dishes I am able to enjoy the art that reminds me of them!  Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and remembering me at Christmas.  I pray you all have a blessed 2009 in Christ who saved us!

God's blessings,

Mrs. Valdez