General Announcements:
T1 Soon Done! The end of the first trimester is Tue Nov 21. Can you believe how quickly time has gone? Please encourage your student to finish strong and finish their work from this first trimester.
5-8 Christmas Concert is Tue Dec 19 at ACS, 7:00pm
Concert Dress:
- 56 - blue retreat T-shirt, khakis or black pants or skirts.
- 78 - white dress shirts, black dressy pants or skirts (dark legs)
Dates for your calendar:
- Nov 21 - End of Trimester 1
- Nov 22-24 Thanksgiving Break
- Dec 07-08 - PTO Christmas Gift Shop
- Dec 19 - 5-8 Christmas Concert
- Dec 22 - half day of school, last day before Christmas Break
- Jan 08 - School resumes
- Jan 30-Feb 02 - Exploratory! Details to come later
Fifth Grade:
Chicken & Goat Care Sign Up & Instructions: click to view the sign up and also the instructions for weekend animal care duties. Our goal is that each family signs up at least twice. If you see an opening that you are willing to fill, please sign up!
GOAT UPDATE - The girls will be on “pregnancy vacation” over Thanksgiving…..Fifth grade parents/students who signed up for those vacation days will not be needed…. You may sign up later in the year again - Hopefully baby goats to care for after April.
Art: 5th grade are now working on printing their fish prints.
Band: We are working on our book and on the music we will play for the Christmas Concert!
Bible: We are continuing to learn about the characteristics of developed, developing, and undeveloped countries. We have also been reading The Breadwinner, comparing the life of Parvana, a girl from Afghanistan, to the lives of Americans.
Language Arts: In LA, we have started writing our narrative essays. The 5th graders should be reading their multi-cultural book. (Due Nov 27) Ms. Frens is helping us incorporate technology into our book through Padlet. Homework: Reading Response Questions on Sign of the Beaver are due on Nov 20.
Math: We have finally finished long division! You can celebrate at home for making it through these past two chapters--the students did great on their tests. Now we are heading into adding and subtracting decimals.
Orchestra: We are working on lots of new technique- (pages 26 and 27) as well as 2 sheet music pieces --ask your child to give you a small performance of their sheet music and also remember to encourage their practice!
PE: We have wrapped up our volleyball unit with a couple days of impressive volleyball game play. We will learn how to play Eclipse Ball Jr. next week.
Science: Next up, we’ll be investigating some specifics about planet Earth including the composition of its atmosphere.
Social Studies: We are wrapping up our study of Colonial America. Test on Monday for 5HW and Tuesday for 5S….Discovery II is headed for an exciting conclusion as well.
Sixth Grade:
6th Grade Laptops: Beginning Mon Nov 27, your 6th grade child will be going home with their school laptop each night. Please talk with your child to clarify the expectations for laptop use when it is at home. Please also look over some important information and details as you talk with your child.
Chicken & Goat Care Sign Up & Instructions: click to view the sign up and also the instructions for weekend animal care duties. Our goal is that each family signs up at least twice. If you see an opening that you are willing to fill, please sign up!
Devotions: Please sign up to lead our class in devotions on a Wednesday this year. Click this link for details and an opportunity to sign up.
Art: In class we are working on drawing self-portraits. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook and project due dates.
Band: We continue to prepare for the Christmas Concert.
Bible(Koetje): We hope to complete Bible book boxes next week and present them after Thanksgiving.
Bible(Westrate): Final Memory Work Quiz of the trimester is Mon 11.20. Students have chosen their own verses to memorize from the book that they have been studying for their book box project. Book boxes are due by Tue 11.21.
History: We are officially done with Mesopotamian projects! Extra credit projects are due Mon Nov 20 for 6W and Tue Nov 21 for 6K. Please celebrate with your child over the weekend for a job well done. It has been fun seeing everyone’s interests and personalities surface through grading these projects. We will begin sharing our projects with the class as we continue learning about Mesopotamia.
Language Arts: Extra credit poem due Mon (6k) and Tues (6W).
Math: The Chapter 1 Ratios and Rates Test is on Tues, 11.21. Students received a study guide and practice test which are both due back on Monday.
PE: We have wrapped up our volleyball unit with a few days of impressive volleyball game play and a short quiz. We will be playing Eclipse Ball Jr. next week.
Orchestra: We are preparing for the Christmas Concert! Ask your child for a mini concert this week.
Science: We’ll continue making observations about bacteria this week. We will be beginning a unit on electromagnetic force in the new trimester.
Seventh Grade:
Algebra (7th): We will begin chapter 6. No tests this week.
Art: 7th grade has started work on creating an organism road sign inspired by the work of Julian Opie and using good graphic design techniques. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook and project due dates.
Band: Excellent work for Solo and Ensemble. Every student received an A for their fine playing. Special thanks to Mrs. Contant, Mrs. Horton, Mrs. Nitengale, and Mrs. Snell, our wonderful accompanists.
Bible(Huttenga): We will continue discussing the elements of an effective sermon.
Bible(Wanner): Book binding quiz on Monday. Next in class we will be looking at the Lord’s prayer.
History: We are currently beginning a new unit on East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Language Arts: Students will continue reading through the book Trouble by Gary Schmidt.
PE: We have wrapped up our volleyball unit with a few days of impressive volleyball game play and a short quiz. We will be playing Eclipse Ball Jr. next week.
Math: We have started to study rational numbers. This will include computing with fractions.
Pre-Algebra: Converting units is our current focus in our chapter on Ratios, Rates, and Proportions.
Orchestra: We enjoyed a superb day, Tuesday, for Strings Solo and Ensemble
Science: We will be working on our biome presentations.
Eighth Grade:
Yearbook Pictures: If you are interested in submitting a special picture for the yearbook (as opposed to the school photo), please email Mr. Witte the image before Thanksgiving Break.
Algebra: We will be taking our Chapter 5 test on Monday.
Art: 8th grade has a ceramics terms quiz on Tuesday. Also, ceramic pots need to be built and drying by the end of school Tuesday. Students may come and work before/after school or at lunch time. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook and project due dates.
Band: Excellent work. The judges were so impressed with the band. We will be playing at the All School Thanksgiving Chapel on Tue Nov 21 - come to hear us lead worship with our instruments and give thanks!
Bible(Huttenga): We are finishing up trimester one. Students will be submitting summative projects tying together their knowledge of the themes we’ve covered regarding Reformation.
Bible(Van Noord): We are finishing up trimester one, reviewing different topics, books, chapters, verses, and projects we have completed. All Bible work is due Mon Nov 20 including Bible memory (John 1:1-14).
Geometry: There will be a quiz on Monday on Unit 6. We continue to study quadrilaterals and their properties.
History: We are starting a new unit focusing on the first few presidents of the United States.
Language Arts: 8th graders will continue revising and improving their NHD essays, as well as submitting their book trailer assignments.
PE: We have wrapped up our volleyball unit with a few days of impressive volleyball game play and a short quiz. We will be playing Eclipse Ball Jr. next week.
Pre-Algebra: Converting units is our current focus in our chapter on Ratios, Rates, and Proportions.
Orchestra: Excellent performances for the 8th grade Ensemble and all of their solos as well. The symphony judges were so impressed and gave everyone top grades. Thanks to all of the parents for all of your time and support. It was wonderful to perform for you as well.
Science: We will be doing a space exploration research project.
Athletics:
Uniforms: Please return all fall sports uniforms to Mrs. O’Brien as soon as possible.