Week 18 January 6-10 Spelling & Memory Verse

Review of Unit

Please look over weeks 13-17 of Spelling Words to practice difficult words. Thanks!

Memory Verse:

Matthew 28:19-20

"Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Week 17 Spelling & Memory Verse December 16-20

Related Words

human
humane
clean
cleanse
nature
natural
major
majority
poem
poetic
equal
equation
unite
unity
bomb
bombard
muscle
muscular
resign
resignation

Memory Verse:

"Here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends."
John 15:13

Week 16 Spelling & Memory Verse December 9-13, 2013

Irregular Plurals

scarfs
staffs
shelves
wolves
ourselves
solos
stereos
volcanoes
quizzes
pants
sheriffs
reefs
chiefs
knives
thieves
studios
dominoes
buffaloes
scissors
measles

Challenge:
bailiffs
wharves
flamingos
mosquitoes
desperadoes

Memory Verse: Exodus 34: 29

"When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn't aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the Lord face to face."

Lesson 15 Spelling & M.V. December 2-6, 2013

Using Just Enough Letters

similar
doesn't
experience
forward
exactly
partner
drawer
expensive
develop
familiar
pigeon
tickling
penalty
frustrated
athletic
celebration
circling
helicopter
trembling
sparkling

Challenge Words:
exquisite
refrigerator


Memory Verse:

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!"

John 14:6, 7

Lesson 14 Spelling & Memory Verse

Easily Confused Words

since
sense
choose
chose
finally
finely
except
accept
beside
besides
recent
resent
access
excess
later
latter
metal
medal
personal
personnel

Challenge:
proceeding
preceding
envelop
envelope
immigrate
emigrate

Memory Verse:

"The angel of the Lord guards all those who fear him, and he rescues them."

Psalm 34:7

Week 13 Lesson 13 Spelling & M.V.

Words with ci and ti

social
precious
commercial
especially
national
dictionary
motion
position
population
question
artificial
financial
gracious
glacier
suggestion
cautious
mention
fraction
exhaustion
digestion

Memory Verse:

"The Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

Pet Food Drive Success!

Thanks to the people of our sweet school for contributing pet food to the local Humane Society. Our class delivered 753 # of food! We spent yesterday at the Blue Mountain Humane Society and it was spectacular! Here are a few pictures.

(These are from my phone but Buddy and Mrs. Shinner have many more they'll be sending to the office for the News Notes.)

Week 12 Lesson 12 Spelling & Memory Verse Psalm 138:3

Unit Review

cent
cereal
chili
doubt
overseas
scent
sent
there
autumn
debt
descend
disguise
guidance
intrigue
league
reminiscent
scenic
science
solemn
accomplish
according
afford
allowance
barricade
broccoli
collect
college
mirror
coach's
don't
it's
man's
mustn't
o'clock
that's
there's
air conditioner
dead end
doughnut
everything
hallway
ice cream
ice pack
locker room
myself
roller coaster
root beer
solar system
tape recorder
teammate

Memory Verse:

"When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need."

Psalm 138:3

Spelling Lesson 11 & M.V. for October 28-November 1st

Compound Words 1

myself

themselves

hallway

homeroom

everything

ice cream

locker room

tape recorder

root beer

dead end

teenage

teammate

skateboard

everybody

doughnut

air conditioner

polka dot

roller coaster

ice pack

solar system

Ephesians 3:20

"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

Lesson 10 Spelling & Memory Verse Isaiah 12:3-5 October 21-25

Using Apostrophes (I smell an ice cream party coming on...)

it's
let's
that's
we'd
don't
there's
coach's
coaches'
man's
men's
you're
she'd
mustn't
o'clock
guide's
guides'
director's
directors'
city's
cities'

"With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing: 'Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the world what he has done. Oh, how mighty he is! Sing to the Lord for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world.'"

Isaiah 12:3-5

Week 9 Spelling & Memory Verse Acts 4:12

One Consonant or Two?

connect
command
mirror
accomplish
according
allowance
college
address
Mississippi
recess
committee
immediate
barricade
interrupt
broccoli
collect
afford
possess
Tennessee
announce

Memory Verse:

"There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."
Acts 4:12

Spelling Lesson 8 & Memory Verse - October 7 - 11

Spelling Lesson 8 & Memory Verse - Oct. 7-11

Consonant blends

doubt

fascinate

science

scenic

autumn

column

guilty

league

guardian

disguise

subtle

debt

reminiscent

descend

condemn

solemn

guidance

vague

fatigue

intrigue

Memory Verse:

Colossians 1:13, 14

"He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.  God has purchased our freedom with the blood and has forgiven all our sins."

Spelling Lesson 7 & Memory Verse

Spelling Lesson 7 & Memory Verse  Sept. 30-Oct. 4

Homophones

their

there

they're

wring

ring

chili

chilly

scent

sent 

cent

oversees

overseas

patients

patience

cereal

serial

coarse

course

counsel

council

Memory Verse

Romans 6:23

"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Tour the USA!

This is a great way to learn the states and capitols. Plus, we can remember cool things about each one with an illustration!

Spelling Lesson 6: Review Words & Memory Verse

Spelling Lesson 6 & Memory Verse  September 23 - 27

Please review all Unit 1 words
Toughest 20 words:

beautiful
enemy
instrument
neighborhood
poetry
through
dungeon
method
tissue apiece
brief
grief
leisure
neither
niece
absolutely
continue
humid
review
uniform
occurred

Memory Verse

Colossians 3:13,14
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love.  Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony."

Spelling Lesson 5 & Memory Verse September 16 - 20

Spelling Lesson 5 & Memory Verse September 16 - 20

Adding -ed and -ing

answered
answering
delayed
delaying
remembered
remembering
decided
deciding
included
including
exercised
exercising
interfered
interfering
omitted
omitting
occurred
occurring
satisfied
satisfying

Memory Verse:

1 Corinthians 8:7
"Since you excel in so many ways-you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us-now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving."

Spelling Lesson 4 & Memory Verse Psalm 86:15

Spelling Lesson 4 & Memory Verse     September 9 - 13 

Vowel sounds in rule and view

reduce

attitude

sewer

New York

review

value

continue

humid

United States

universe

costume

absolutely

assume

renew

viewpoint

interview

preview

rescue

uniform

reunion

Memory Verse:

Psalms 86:15

"But you, O Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love and truth."

Spelling Lesson 3 & Memory Verse

Spelling Lesson 3 & Memory Verse  September 2-6
Words with ei and ie


ceiling
receipt
deceive
neither
field
achieve
belief
brief
relief
apiece
leisure
protein
receiver
seize
conceited
shield
niece
diesel
grief
yield


Memory Verse

Hebrews 4:16
"Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it".

Spelling Lesson 2 & Memory Verse August 26-30

Short Vowels

admire
canyon
lemonade
method
distance
swimming
modern
comedy
husband
clumsy
magnify
cannon
decorate
strict
injury
tissue
honesty
property
hundredth
dungeon

Memory Verse:

Matthew 1:21-23
"'She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: 'Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God with us).'"

Week 1 Spelling & Memory Verse! Welcome Aboard Matey's!

Getting Letters in the Correct Order:

1. poetry
2. beautiful
3. thirteen
4. tongue
5. pieces
6. neighborhood
7. thousand
8. through
9. unusual
10. building
11. license
12. remodel
13. grateful
14. enemy
15. instrument
16. perform
17. prefer
18. judged
19. adjusted
20. soldier

Memory Verse: Isaiah 9:6

"A child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The Party is This Way!

And we're back! Welcome to class. This year I will focus on specific lessons from class in addition to fun or silly clips I find along the way.

Keep Cool! It's going to be a great year!

American History: I'm Just a Bill

Connection & Collaboration Summary

Sherry Turkle: Connected but Alone

"Ted Talks" have inspired the world of technology. Check out YouTube for more educationally stimulating lectures. They are short, to the point videos with a new-to-me approach about "hot topics" in our society.

The Human Relations Course I've just completed has taught in depth about how we can communicate with each other in our changing world. One thing we can count on is change. Change is constant. As a teacher, changes occur with new staff, new students, new programs, new curriculum. We are constantly learning new things. I am now realizing the complexity of change. It is painful whether it is for the better or not. You can anticipate disruption and prepare to balance our lives in a new way. 

Through the case studies in class I learned more about the need for clear communication. Without it, we fail as educators. We need to remember to take the third side: standing on the balcony gaining perspective before we make our decisions.

The use of sympathy and empathy assist in learning about and understanding people. The two are very different.

Sympathy: showing love, compassion, taking action

Empathy: perspective, understanding

When you can see the differences in humanity and understand their thoughts and feelings, you gain respect and knowledge rather than a jump to quick conclusions.

In order to be an effective educational leader, you need to create and maintain and effective learning environment. You need to be organized, supportive, engaging, professional, approachable, kind. It is also important to be able to stimulate interest in your staff and students while communicating by using these tools and talents. 

In John C. Maxwell's book Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, it all boils down to this: "Connecting Practice: Connectors live what they communicate. Key Concept: The only way to keep connecting with people is to live what you communicate." He goes on to say that in order to connect, you need to know yourself and live what you're saying you're living. People will see right through you if you don't. They don't connect with false communicators. Instead, be vulnerable and authentic! That's how you will connect. 

Post-Project Evaluation

It's time to talk about what we've learned!

• What did you know about Amazing Grace before we began our project?
• What did you want to know about Amazing Grace?
• What do you know now about Jesus and his grace and love for us?
• Who wrote Amazing Grace?
• How does working together make it easier/harder to complete a task?
• If you were to tell a friend about this project, how would you describe it in complete sentences?
• How does Amazing Grace apply to you? Your family?
• Did you enjoy the project? Why/Why not? 
• What would you change?

Please email your response or comment below. You will be graded for your presence and contributions to the conversations.

Goals & Objectives for Amazing Grace Project

• Students will use technology and out of school experiences to learn and use grace in their daily lives by following the instructions posted on this blog. There will be questions with space for comment and discussion throughout the course of the year. 
• Students, parents, teachers, and volunteers will work together to reach the community with a school garden. They will also use their experiences as groundwork for more outreach opportunities and community service projects. 
• Students will be able to identify the meaning of "The Parable of the Sower" as told by Jesus Christ in Matthew 13:1-23 by discussing the parable in small groups as well as the importance of planting seeds properly and caring for them with food, water, air, and sunshine. They will show kindness to each other by cooperatively working in small groups and larger groups because they will see what the teacher expects of them during this time.
  
  
  NAD Curriculum Standards addressed:
  
  
  Teachers will lead young people to live a purpose driven life while dealing with trials and temptations.
  
  
  Students will be encouraged to develop personal understandings of truth and apply them to real issues based on their study of the bible.
  
  
  Students will be led to a meaningful encounter with the commitment to the Lord.
  
  
  Jesus' death on the cross will serve as a reminder of the importance of nurturing relationships with others and with Christ and the grace he gives freely to sinners when they repent and request forgiveness. 
  
  
  There is a need to illustrate inherent relevance of biblical truth to the needs of students.

Blessings to you Mercy Seekers!

Materials for Lesson

Materials Needed

open mind
positive attitude
Bible
seeds
greenhouse lights
plastic
string for rows
garden tools (rake, shovel, hoe)
hoses
sprinklers
journals
computer access
tissue paper (for hats)
dirt plots
2x4 wood to form square plots
stakes
popsicle sticks and paper (names of seeds in rows)

Plan & Process

PLAN AND PROCESS

Students: Please Read Lesson and Respond via Email or Blog

The Amazing Grace Project

Class: Bible

Grade: 5-6
*Consider praying before you begin that God will open your eyes and heart to what he has in store for you*

View Video Clip for Brain Break:

Spiritual Inventory:

Ask students to raise their hands if they know the parable of the sower:

• 1-finger: I don't know
• 2-fingers: It sounds familiar
• 3-fingers: Oh ya! I know that parable well!

Give students a moment to write what they know and would like to know about the parable in their prayer journals.

Read the parable together in the bible.

Talk about the types of soil - how is your heart? What kind of "soil" is my heart?

Matthew 13:1-23

The Parable of the Sower. 1^* On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 3^* And he spoke to them at length in parables,^* saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. 8 But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold. 9 Whoever has ears ought to hear.”10 The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”11^* He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. 12^b To anyone who has, more will be given^* and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.13^* c This is why I speak to them in parables, because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.’14^d Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

‘You shall indeed hear but not understand you shall indeed look but never see. 15 Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.’ The Privilege of Discipleship.^*16^e “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 17 Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.^*18^f “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 21 But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22 The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. 23 But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold.'

‘You shall indeed hear but not understand

you shall indeed look but never see.'"

Begin discussing the project of building a garden.

Conversation building questions:

Who has ever planted a garden?
What did you grow?
Have you eaten food from a garden?
Did you like the taste?
Could you tell a difference between store bought and fresh garden foods?
Why is gardening important?
Who gardens?
Why do so many cultures plant gardens or crops? Why not just buy food at the store?
How can gardening effect your health?
What does gardening teach us about the earth?
Do you prefer to work alone or with others in the garden? Why?

• Take volunteers to be the committee for planting the garden.
• The 6th graders will research plants and seeds locally by calling farmers
• The 5th graders will then research flowers and their seeds locally by calling nurseries in town

If time allows, break into groups and teach the class the "Veggies" game.
Materials: towel or hankerchief

1. Name yourself after a fruit or vegetable.
2. Sit in a circle in a space outside of in the gymnasium.
3. One person (teacher) goes into the middle of the circle. 
4. The person in the middle will call a fruit or vegetable and try to tag them before they can call another fruit or vegetable name.
5. All who are called must hurry and name another before tagged. They must pick a name that another students has chosen for themselves. 

Students will be able to identify some of their favorite, most unique foods and have a lighthearted experience bonding as a class.

Reminder: Students need to use kind words and manners only. Give examples by bringing volunteers to the front of the classroom for "role-play" activities illustrating what the positive and negative behaviors look like.

*Take your time in this process for it is intended to be a long-term, project-based assignment.

I have added an animated video about education. This is for parents who are actively involved in seeing a brighter future for their children.

Amazing Grace & Philosophy

Philosophy of Education

My philosophy is to hold students to high academic, personal, & spiritual standards. I will continuously raise the bar in the classroom and create an atmosphere of safety and confidence where they are encouraged to be there for each other as positive role models and character builders.

I hope to create a climate of care and kindness where everyone is able to express their thoughts without fear of failure or rejection by constantly finding and reminding them of their spiritual gifts.

I want to take each day as an opportunity for new beginnings and fresh starts. If the previous day wasn't great, I want my students to know that every morning is a chance to try again.

I want to be able to lead in a way the shows parents I am confident in my position as a leader but also someone who will listen to their needs and concerns. I will treat each individual as just that - individual.

As the curriculum is a guide, I will use my creative teaching to assist in each of their learning abilities. I desire to motivate students to create goals for themselves by helping each other to reach their goals as responsible citizens of the classroom, community, and church.

I will continuously be checking to see how they are doing and how they feel about their progress in school by asking direct questions and giving out surveys and reports about their accomplishments in class.

As for the Amazing Grace theme for the year, when I can see they are struggling whether academically, emotionally, or physically, I promise to do my best to show mercy. If lending my ear or giving more time will help, so be it. It may go as far as to throw out an assignment that has caused frustration and angst. Whatever and whenever, I will pray that my students can learn from their teachers and each other that school is not a place to be perfect. It is a place to try, try again, and keep trying. We will show our students our vulnerable side so the walls can come down and we can work together collaborating our ideas and dreams.

Christ taught us to be merciful so we call ourselves the Mercy Seekers.

Amazing Grace:

Do Something!

This morning we shared a moment that moved me to tears. I was so proud of them when they stood together and put their arms around each other to sing this song as a commitment to Christ. If I've taught them anything, (even if it's not a core subject!) my prayer is that they learned about Jesus and His love for us. I have seen them make a choice to accept the gift we don't deserve.

Wow! What a privilege to talk about our precious Savior so extensively in class.

They promised to tell the world about our faith in God and hope of heaven.

Mark 16:15

New International Version (NIV)

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Let's get this prophecy fulfilled!

Thank you for all the special moments!

Matthew West -- Do Something:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I2csO7_pOI

The End of an Era!

Harlem Shake -- 5-6 Style!

Thank you kids for a fun year! Ryan, thanks for your patience with making it! :)

Day 1 of the Debates: Vegetarians

Thus began our adventure into the unknown. Well, I think most of us knew how it was going to turn out considering the vast majority of hunter/fishermen in our group as a whole. But the proposition put forth great effort! Too bad most of the crowd thinks with their taste buds as opposed to their brain! ;) Es un chiste!

Messiah's Mansion

Yesterday our class was privileged to walk through the Living Sanctuary hosted on the lawn at Walla Walla University Campus.

The tour guides were informative and captivated the 5/6 graders with great questions and stories about the Bible prophesies and fulfillment of the law.

As a Christian teacher, there are many special, meaningful moments with my students and this was no exception.

Castillo San Cristobal, San Juan, Puerto Rico

This National Historic Site was a beautiful architectural gem of the island. We were able to experience a reenactment of the French vs. British battle that included the firing of a cannon which you can view below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BYqR1O-nUU

I'm Forgiven

If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us.

Today in Bible class we read from Ellen White's book Steps to Christ p. 35-41. There were clear descriptions of what God has asked from us when it comes to our sin.

Many people struggle with the guilt of sin and worry that forgiveness isn't enough. We used an illustration of sin and forgiveness with a tea candle. The flame represents sin. When it is blown out, forgiveness is represented in the absence of sin.

Kids were invited to come forward at their own time and will to blow out the candle and stomp out the guilt of their sins. It was between them and God. I was only there to relight the candle for the next student.

This new perspective gave me a feeling of peace knowing the levels of sin in my own life. How could God forgive what I've done? Especially because of who I am and what I know about sin and 

But guess what! He does! Below is a link to the Sanctus Real song - Forgiven.

That devil just won't let me forget what I've done. When I don't fit in and I don't feel like I belong anywhere, when I don't measure up to much in this life, I remember I'm a child of Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ

Living History Night!

As you may know, our class has been working actively this year on historical figures they chose themselves. The assignment was to choose a character they admired/or wished to learn more about, find interesting facts about their lives, and create a costume to transform themselves into that person.

Last night, as a teacher, I was nearly moved to tears by their hard work and creativity with this project. Parents, teacher, friends, and family enjoyed a night not soon to be forgotten. Without going on too much, take a look through the photos and see for yourself! (These are my cell phone photos not the good camera ones but you can at least get an idea..)

The 1-2 grade table served chips and fresh, student-made salsa. 

7th Grade Girls as Princesses

8th Grade Boys as Roman Soldiers

8th Grade Goddesses

Amelia Earhart

Anne Frank

The Black Death! Rat Included!

Davy Crockett and Mama G.

Clara Barton (Provided Candy Vitamins)

Captain Robert Gray & President Barack Obama

Albert Einstein presenting April 18th -- Actual Death Date!

Assassinated President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

My Grandpa Bob was blown away by the kids and their knowledge of the characters.

Lance Armstrong

President Abraham Lincoln

Jesus of Nazareth with his mother. :)

Queen Elizabeth the 1st (Accent included!)

Proper are we..

Any Guesses? (I'll give you a hint: he sits.)

Holding his Grandfather's walking stick

Must have makeup... :)

Babe Ruth gives out Baby Ruth chocolate

Local Merchants

An unforgettable night!