Oct. 18

Math - We continuing to practice 2-digit x 1-digit problems.

Reading - We have moved into our 2nd reading unit where we analyze characters in the books we are reading. We will be reading through Kate DiCamillo's book The Tiger Rising.

Science - Your kiddos are learning about plant's structures and animal's survival characteristics with Ms. Damsteegt (4th grade Spanish Immersion teacher).

Writing - Our realistic fiction stories are full of creative events!  We are coming to our final edits and will send home our final stories in the next month.

No School - Just a reminder, we will not have school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

NO Homework next week!

MATH FACTS - Please note that we are now working on multiplication for our daily math fact practice homework.  Knowing those facts by memory will help us be much more successful as we're learning multi-digit multiplication in class now.  Some kids are passing levels on Reflex math like crazy - keep up the good work!

School picture retakes will be happening on Monday October 21, if your child is interested.

REPORT CARDS: Report Cards can now be viewed electronically. You can locate your child's report card on PowerSchool. I have learned that the best way to view the report card is on a desktop/laptop. A phone's view will only allow you to see the number scores, but does not show you the comments.

In 4th grade, your child will receive a letter grade for math, Bible, and spelling. These grades are based on tests taken throughout the quarter. We also use a number (1, 2, 3) grading scale. 

As a teacher, these are how I view each number.

1 - Needs lots of support and is an area of concern. This is a skill we will continue to work on.

2 - Not quite mastery, but is able to use the skill independently with some help/support. 

3 - Mastery of the skill. They do not need help or support. They are able to do this skill independently.

Oct. 11

Singing praise to our Creator in the intersection!

We had a chance to create and leave notes on all the donations in the trailer. It was such a blessing to see the students find Psalms and write those verses on their notes.

REPORT CARDS: Report Cards can now be viewed electronically. You can locate your child's report card on PowerSchool. I have learned that the best way to view the report card is on a desktop/laptop. A phone's view will only allow you to see the number scores, but does not show you the comments.

In 4th grade, your child will receive a letter grade for math, Bible, and spelling. These grades are based on tests taken throughout the quarter. We also use a number (1, 2, 3) grading scale. 

As a teacher, these are how I view each number.

1 - Needs lots of support and is an area of concern. This is a skill we will continue to work on.

2 - Not quite mastery, but is able to use the skill independently with some help/support. 

3 - Mastery of the skill. They do not need help or support. They are able to do this skill independently.

NO School on Wednesday (23rd), Thursday (24th), and Friday (25th).

School picture retakes will be happening on October 21, if your child is interested.

Holland Christian Schools will be facilitating an event called Parent University: a conversation around Jonathan Haidt's Book: The Anxious Generation

Aim: How, collectively, parents can make choices to counter the smartphone culture and guard their hearts.
Focus: We will discuss the harmful effects technology has on our children.
We will dive into data that demonstrates the psychological damage that can
occur to a child immersed in a phone-based childhood. Join us in these
conversations and walk away with a clear call-to-action that will make a
difference not only in your child's life but their time here at Holland
Christian Schools. Please RSVP at this link or the QR Code provided:

Oct. 4

We have had a great week together this week with lots of fun learning opportunities!  We have also just completed our first marking period!  This weekend I will be pulling together some data for your child's report card which will come out next Friday, Oct. 11.  Parent/Teacher conferences will follow the week after that.  I'm excited to report on your child's growth already this year!

I want to point out an announcement at the very bottom of this blog post - Parent University.  Mrs. Rynsburger is going to be presenting some significant data regarding the impact of smart phones on the mental health of children.  Because I know all of you want only the best for your child, you will definitely want to plan to attend this event.  I have also been researching this topic, and I am blown away by the statistics.  Knowing this data will help you help your child to become the healthiest and most productive person they can be.  You won't want to miss this!

Our 2.75 mile hike to the lake yielded lots of opportunity to explore the changing landscape from the back dunes to the beach.

Great is His faithfulness through ALL generations.

We ended our Thursday by doing some pumpkin investigations with our Kindergarten buddies!

Experiencing Honduran Baleada in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

MATH FACTS - Please note that, with the beginning of a new quarter at school, we are now going to be working on multiplication for our daily math fact practice homework.  Knowing those facts will help us be much more successful as we're learning multi-digit multiplication in class now. This will being on October 14th. 

THINK! Energy - Thank you so much for taking the time to fill out the Home Energy Worksheet that came along with your child's energy efficiency kit.  If you were not able to get that done yet, please complete that by this coming Tuesday, Oct. 8.  Thank you!

BIBLE - We just finished our unit on Ruth and will begin learning about Samuel.
MATH - We are entering into a unit where we are learning to multiply two-digit numbers.  This is BIG work!  We are excited to be maturing into "big kids" math.
READING -  This past week we moved into a unit where we analyze characters in the books we are reading.
SCIENCE - We have completed our first unit about waves patterns and how informations can be sent through waves!  Next week we will begin switching teachers for our next unit.  Our class will be going to Ms. Damsteegt's room to learn about animals adaptions and survival.  We will be doing this everyday at the end of the day for the next month.
WRITING - Our realistic fiction stories are full of creative events!  We still have some work to do on them yet though.  Hold tight for the final product in a few weeks.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES - I'm greatly looking forward to celebrating your child at conferences.  Please be sure you have signed up for a time slot. 

 
Blog Blurb from Maestra Damsteegt: ¡Hola! I had the amazing opportunity to organize and lead an activity with all the 4th grade students regarding Hispanic Heritage Month. The students worked in groups to research the country of Honduras and create a poster showcasing their research. We also watched a fun baleada food demonstration. We even got to eat baleadas! ¡Qué rico! Baleadas are typical Honduran street food consisting of a flour tortilla, refried beans, queso cotija, and a special white cream sauce called mantequilla. 
I challenged your student to create their own ultimate baleada! Baleadas are wonderful because you can put what YOU want on it and eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Avocado! Chicken! Scrambled eggs! Whatever sounds delicious to you. You cannot make a mistake when it comes to baleadas. If you do make these ultimate baleadas, I would love to see the pictures and use them in an upcoming picture slideshow. 
Please put the photos into this Google Drive Folder here OR email them to me at <hdamsteegt@hollandchristian.org>. The deadline to do so is October 8. ¡Gracias! ¡Buen provecho! 

School picture retakes will be happening on October 21, if your child is interested.

Parent University: Holland Christian Schools will be facilitating an event called Parent University: a conversation around Jonathan Haidt's Book: The Anxious Generation

• Aim: How, collectively, parents can make choices to counter the smartphone culture and guard their hearts.

• Focus: We will discuss the harmful effects technology has on our children. We will dive into data that demonstrates the psychological damage that can occur to a child immersed in a phone-based childhood. Join us in these conversations and walk away with a clear call-to-action that will make a difference not only in your child's life but their time here at Holland Christian Schools. Please RSVP at this link or the QR Code provided: