Outdoor Ed News
We’re working this Thursday and Friday morning on all sorts of cool projects (9:00am - 12:00pm). Join us if you can - fire, cider and donuts for all!
Fifth and sixth graders will become more and more involved with the goat and chicken care….eventually egg collecting and maybe even milking the goats. Here’s a little Q and A for you.
- How old and what breed are our goats? First of all the goats belong to Leah Sienkowski (ACS grad). She has started a company called “Dreamgoats”....check it out online. Our goats are Nubians - very friendly, social, great milkers. The goats are full grown and almost two years old.
- What’s the plan with the goats? Our three girls (Moonlight, Joy, and Bow) have been busy eating a lot of invasive undergrowth on the property, entertaining kids, and providing a source of learning about farm animals. (ruminants, gestation period, lactation cycle, milking, proper care, function of farm animals) We hope to have them bred so that we have baby goats late in the spring.
- How old and what breed are the chickens? The chickens are almost two months old and growing rapidly. They are fed starter feed until 10 weeks and some corn grit for scratch. They are Golden Comets - social and great egg layers. The chicks were bought from Townline Hatchery and were beak clipped and vaccinated. We struggled with extreme cold in the mornings (mid-Sept) and then extreme heat later in the month (remember that 90 degree week)....hard on little chicks and we lost a few.
- What’s the plan with the chickens? Our chickens should start laying eggs in February. Sixth graders will be in charge of collecting and selling the eggs at our Thursday afternoon OE store each week.
Other details:
- An antibacterial dispenser is being put up in the barn for kids to use after animal care.
- Student interactions with the goats and chickens are SAFE and loved by the students (and animals too)
- Excellent care is our goal - our animals are pretty spoiled actually.
- Mr. Hoo has been involved with farm animals since his college years - first while working at the Blandford Farm in college and then starting the farm program at Camp Tall Turf and working as the naturalist at Camp Roger (raised chickens, pheasants, quail and rats - sorry about the last item but it’s true). Please let him know about any questions or concerns.
Fifth Grade:
500: In honor of our school theme, we 56ers are on a mission to exercise 500 intentional acts of kindness this month! Click here for important information about this project.
Chicken & Goat Care Sign Up & Instructions: click here 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!
Art: 5th grade will be working on printmaking and focusing on cutting of the print design.
Band: We are learning and progressing page by page. Ask your student to give you a concert!
Bible: We are continuing to recall the stories of the Pentateuch. Our Pentateuch books are coming to life as we create interpretations of each story.
Language Arts: This week we have been writing articles for our mini-survival newspaper. As far as homework goes, keep reading the survival books! Book #2 should be done on Monday. This week we made spelling lists for a test on October 27. THT #6 is also due on October 27.
Math: This week the students continued refining their division skills. If your child wants more practice on any math skills over break, please visit IXL, ALEKS, or the ConnectED Math Book. Also, please continue reviewing math facts with your child.
PE: We have been enjoying learning how to play Ultimate Frisbee this week.
Science: We will be studying the Solar System this week.
Spanish: Trying out our tech skills! This week, students worked to produce a Google slide. Their slide had to describe a character using our recent Spanish words. Then students inserted an image and animated the image. We will use this slide to play a “Guess Who” game next week.
Sixth Grade:
500: In honor of our school theme, we 56ers are on a mission to exercise 500 intentional acts of kindness this month! Click here for important information about this project.
Chicken & Goat Care Sign Up & Instructions: click here 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!
Art: This coming week will be the last class for 6k to work on the hand project in class and 6w will need an extra class period of in class work on the hands. The hands project is due for 6k on Wednesday 11.1.17 and tentatively due for 6w on Thursday 11.9.17. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook and project due dates.
Band: Great work - keep those practice records coming every Thursday.
Bible (Koetje): We will work on finishing spiritual gifts and moving into studying the 5 solus.
Bible (Westrate): The next Memory Work Menu (Ephesians 2:8-9 and 1 Timothy 2:5-6a) is due Tue Oct 24
History: This week we acted as archaeologists by digging up 2700-5000 year-old artifacts from the Philistine empire with Neal Bierling. Next week we will begin studying ancient Mesopotamia. Make sure your child studies their Middle East maps over long break.
Language Arts: We will review similes, metaphors, and personification next week as well as begin our study of prefixes. Also, we continue to analyze the traits of characters in Tuck Everlasting.
Math: Computation with fractions coming up next week.
PE: We have been playing Ultimate Frisbee this week. There will be a short quiz next week. The review sheet is posted on Moodle.
Science: A test on investigation 1-3 is coming on Fri Oct 27. Students have a review sheet and should use their notebook as a resource to help inform their answers.
Spanish: Moving on! Students finished Unit 2 (Running with the Bulls) and took a unit Quest. Next week we start a color and clothing review mini unit.
Seventh Grade:
Algebra (7th): We will continue working in chapter 4 studying graphs.
Art: 7th graders will be moving on to texture and painting next. There will be an assignment next Thursday night to collect and bring to school interesting textured items for Fridays class. Please check the homework calendar for project and sketchbook due dates.
Band: We are working on solos for our Festival on Tue Nov 14 at ACS.
Bible(Huttenga/Wanner): Devotional final drafts and devotional artworks are due Monday. A new Bible memory will be hand out in class on Monday.
History: Next week we will continue learning about the Beginnings of Buddhism. We will also review for a quiz next Fri on the different worldviews of Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Language Arts: Students will be drawing the unit on The Witch of Blackbird Pond to a close. On Mon, they will be introduced to a Choice Board of projects to complete. They must have the book read in its entirety by Oct 27 (note: The entire audiobook for the novel is linked to our Moodle page!). We will have a test on the book on Nov 2.
PE: We have been playing Ultimate Frisbee this week. There will be a short quiz next week. The review sheet is posted on Moodle.
Math: This week we will begin a new chapter about percentages.
Pre-Algebra: We will be working with Exponents and Roots. It will be important that students learn the Properties of Exponents.
Science: We will continue observing and investigating minihabitats and what it takes to maintain a healthy population within an ecosystem
Spanish: Moving on! Students finished Unit 2 (Running with the Bulls) and took a unit Quest. Next week we start a color and clothing review mini unit.
Eighth Grade:
You are invited to NorthPointe Christian's High School Preview Day! On Wednesday, November 8, NorthPointe Christian High School is hosting a shadow day. Students can shadow a current NorthPointe student and experience the day as a high school student! Parents are also invited for a tour, breakfast and Q&A with our administrators, and chapel. If you are interested in attending, please email Brittany Noll at nollb@npchristian.org or visit npchristian.org/admissions.
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: Next week we will start working through chapter four covering linear equations. Students will learn how to graph linear equations using a few different strategies and the concept of slope of a line.
Art: 8th grade is beginning a unit on ceramic handbuilding. Ask your student about their idea for their ceramic pot. Please check the homework calendar for project and sketchbook due dates.
Band: Band Festival Concert and Clinic in the band room Tue Nov 14 at ACS, 2:05pm. Come hear us!
Bible(Huttenga): Depending on some logistics, 8th graders will either begin reading The Case for Faith or delve into Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.
Bible(Van Noord): Matthew - so much to think about! Unleavened bread - YUM! Mark/Luke/John up next.
Geometry: We will continue to learn about different transformations. This is a short chapter, so a test will come up quickly.
History: Next week we will be focusing on the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Students will also be a part of a role play where we will act out the debate of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Thu we will be going outside to work with Mr. Hoo on a Outdoor Education project.
Language Arts: The projects for The Pearl are due Mon, Oct 23. A large quiz on the book will take place on Fri, Oct 27. We will resume with the National History Day soon.
PE: We have been playing Ultimate Frisbee this week. There will be a short quiz next week. The review sheet is posted on Moodle.
Pre-Algebra: We will be working with Exponents and Roots. It will be important that students learn the Properties of Exponents.
Science: We will begin our investigation of the Solar System.
Spanish: Moving on! Students finished Unit 2 (Running with the Bulls) and took a unit Quest. Next week we will talk about Dia de los Muertos.
Athletics:
Sign-up for Winter Basketball for 5-8 boys and girls now. Please visit the ACS Athletic Webpage to register. The deadline to signup will be Fri, Oct 20.
- 5th and 6th grade dates to remember:
- Week of Nov 06 - 5th & 6th teams begin Practice
- Week of Nov 27 - 5th & 6th games begin
7th and 8th grade dates to remember:
- Week of Dec 04 - 7th & 8th teams begin practice
- Sat Jan 09 - Possible Pre-Season Tournament for 7th & 8th grade teams
- Week of Mar 12 - End of 7th and 8th grade season (approximate)
If you have any questions please contact
- 56 - Carly O’Brien, gro.naitsirhcada@neirboc
- 78 - Angela VanDuyn, gro.naitsirhcada@nyudnava
5th Girls Basketball Coach & 6th Girls Basketball Coach openings! Contact Carly O’Brien at cobrien@adachristian.org if you are interested.