Dear Girls and Boys,
This one may be long, but it is important. Today, May 25th, is Memorial Day. Since May 30th, 1868, (a long while before even I was born), people have observed Memorial Day as a day of honoring fallen soldiers. You may recall (or remember) Veteran’s Day when we sang, met, and honored the men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Do you remember meeting Mr. Bascom, my next-door neighbor? He taught us how to march like soldiers around our classroom. He wore his army uniform with pride, and loved seeing you girls and boys learn to respect our freedoms. While that day is so important to show our love and respect for those willing to fight for our freedoms, there is a difference in Memorial Day. Today is reserved (or set aside) to remember the men and women who lost their lives, died, while fighting for these freedoms. These are the soldiers we could never properly give thanks. Memorial Day began after a group of widows planted flowers at the graves of soldiers killed during the Civil War. Because the history of the United States is partially defined by our experiences in war, Memorial Day is an important time to reflect on those who sacrificed their lives for all Americans. Remember I said I’ve spent the past few summers visiting battlefields across America. I have walked through the dense woods, open plains, and hidden bunkers where soldiers fought different battles of the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Battle of 1812. My passion for exploring these hallowed (or greatly honored) lands is to learn, and then be able to teach to you, the parts of our history that may otherwise have been forgotten. You know how I love our United States of America. With the bazillion problems she may have, I believe this is still the greatest nation on our planet. The soldiers who died while fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today will never be able to be told thank you. However, if we promise to never forget, their sacrifice will be forever recognized. Try to take a moment to remember the men and women we might never know. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Happy May! This is the month of our lady, Mary.
Five reasons we honor Mary in May: 1. Mary is Jesus' mother, who gave way for our Lord to be full man, full God. 2. She is the first and most perfect disciple. Remember, she was free from original sin. 3. She is our mother. As the church, we are the body of Christ. Mary gave life to Jesus Christ, giving us life as well. 4. Mary acts as our helper. As Jesus' mother, she speaks to Him on our behalf. Just like if your parents ask you to do something, Mary asks her son to help people. 5. Mary loves us more than we can imagine! As a parent, I already know how much you are loved. Our Mother Mary loves us even deeper - wow! We made it to another Friday! Your jobs are as follows:
Electrician: Quinnley Botanist: Kayson Attendance: Suzie Librarians: Ella & Vanessa Messengers: Lamara & Evie Cleanup Inspector: Riley Calendar: Teaghan Caboose: Joe Joe Snack Helper: Lexi Line Leader: Leonardo Prayer Leader: Marcanthony So, boys and girls, I eagerly visited our Magnolia tree each day this week expecting big blooms. Nature does not follow anybody’s schedule, so I witnessed a gradual process. The differences were subtle, which means they were so small that the only way I would notice a change was by comparing them each day. Do you see how the word subtle has a silent b ? Wacky English Language! That word was originally Latin, then changed by the French, then borrowed by us. Our entire wonderful language of words comes from all over the world (imagine me saying that sentence a few times - just because it sounds so nice!). Even when we are stuck in our homes, words can take us anywhere. How, you ask? Ah, you know the answer. Reading is the magic key to take you where you want to be! Be sure you are looking in books, figuring out words, using clues to learn new words. Our online page has websites that offer all kinds of reading material; check it out. Keep up your big thinking, and be sure to explore somewhere else right from your home! Good Monday, my favorite five and six year olds on the planet! I pray you are doing well and being extra kind to those around you. This week, you will find we are beginning our new math lessons. You will be putting together all of the number concepts we have been learning and using them for a big step: addition and subtraction! I promise, we have been doing this all year (because you're so smart), I am simply changing the way you "read" our math problems. If Mr. Roach was walking by, I would have to shut the door before he heard how good you are at it already!
Speaking of good, I saw Father Pat when I took these pictures Friday, and he extends his blessings and reassurances of God's protections. Our Magnolia tree is taking its sweet time, but it had plenty of rain over the week. What effect will all the rain have on our tree? Let me know your hypothesis, scientists. Check out a Mystery Doug video about the world's biggest tree https://mysteryscience.com/mini-lessons/biggest-tree?loc=mini-lesson-button#slide-id-7405 Remember our Lenten prayers, and stay awesome! Parents, please continue to check our online resource page. March 27, 2020
Hello Kindergartners! Friday is here again! Our new job assignments are as follows: Electrician: Suzie Botanist: Ella Attendance: Vanessa Librarians: Lexi & Marcanthony Messengers: Joe Joe & Kayson Clean Up Inspector: Quinnley Calendar: Riley Caboose: Lamara Snack Helper: Evie Line Leader: Teaghan Prayer Leader: Leonardo Again, try your best to do your job as it suits your home. We have all had changes to our daily routine, and it may not be as easy - but just because something is hard, do we give up? Never! I miss your faces, and hope to add some new tools to our “virtual classroom” which should help us connect better. Remember, God put each one of us together for a reason! Don’t lose sight of that. Though apart, we remain together. Here are some pictures of the Magnolia tree from Thursday morning. I will get some pictures later today (Friday). I wonder if they will look different. As a scientist, how do you think the bud pods (the calyx and the sepal) will change? I hypothesize that two days of sunlight will affect its growth. Can you write some ideas of what you think will happen? I want you to use facts, so this should be a piece of nonfiction. Begin with I hypothesize the Magnolia tree will ______________________ Of course, fill in the blank with your words. Try your best. Use your sounds to make the letters that make the words. Draw a picture (with a lot of details) of how you think it will change. Again, this should be nonfiction. I can’t wait to see your ideas! Did our calendar friend, Riley, say it is Friday? KG Bear is at it again! He met Amaia’s penguin, Pinguina. Pinguina is pointing toward her home in Antarctica. We will discover more about Antarctica, and get a glimpse into the weather conditions there. So much to learn! Thank you for keeping up your prayers. It is so important to have conversations with God. He is always listening, always caring, always working toward our greater good. This season of Lent has given us a tremendous opportunity to put our best foot forward. Thank you for being you. You are the only you in the world, and I am so blessed to be a part of your life. Be well! Love, Mrs. Powell Good Wednesday, girls and boys! I hope you are trying to enjoy this change of pace. I wonder if any of you miss wearing your uniform? Well, it’s gym day, so dress comfortably. Did you notice how our Magnolia tree left us with a … (or as we like to call it, a “dun dun dun” moment)? I am happy to report it looked fine, or unscathed. Unscathed can be our big vocabulary word today. It means “without suffering any injury, damage, or harm”. I was not sure how the tree would look after the snow and ice. I was worried the fuzzy hard shells were too exposed, or open, to continue protecting the leaves. Guess what?! There was another, harder shell protecting the leaves! This part was called the sepal. The outer fuzzy shell was a calyx, and the calyx protects the sepal in case of frost - just like what happened. The leaves are kept safe within the calyx and sepal, awaiting the signal when the layers of protection are warmed by the sun. So, we have to be patient. Didn’t God build this tree so beautifully? Remember, since the beginning, God had a plan, even for this tree. I’ll continue to keep an eye on it. Even though I was worried it wasn’t protected, God made sure to handle the invisible details. Even though I am ready to show you the tree’s splendor, nature insists I remain patient. God has a plan… Hang in there with me, I can’t wait to see what awaits! You can’t possibly think I just know this stuff. I look up information that interests me. Here is where I found some info: https://www.gardenguides.com/117619-parts-magnolia-flower.html Let’s learn a little more now about weather. I will send directions to our Google Classroom shortly.
Friday, March 20, 2020 It's Friday, so you all know what that means: NEW JOBS and KG Bear! The jobs are as follows: Electrician: Lexi Attendance: Teaghan Messengers: Ella & Leonardo Calendar: Marcanthony Snack Helper: Vanessa Prayer Leader: Suzie Botanist: Joe Joe Librarians: Lamara & Riley Clean Up Inspector: Kayson Caboose: Quinnley Line Leader: Evie Boys and Girls, I expect you to concentrate on doing your job within your home for the coming week. Obviously, you will have to acclimate your job position to your own environment, but just like in our classroom, take pride in what you do. You continue to be an integral part of your environment running smoothly! Speaking of running smoothly, KG Bear will continue to explore new experiences each weekend. You boys and girls had just been asking if I ever get to take KG Bear home, and now I do! God is so good! Though home-bound, KG Bear is hanging out with Willy (Gregory's first stuffy, similar to Joe Joe's Wolfie). Willy was named after Uncle JoJo's Corgi. Corgis are very popular with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen of England. Your job for the weekend is to explore where England is (KG Bear is pointing near us, Willy is pointing near England), and learn 3 facts about that country. You may write some notes to remind you, so we can share information. If you can say it, you can hear the sounds of the word. If you can hear the sounds, you can try to write the squiggly lines, oops, I mean, letters that make those sounds. Please continue to behave as the saints God made you to be. Remember, reading is the magic key to take you where you want to be! Don't forget our lenten prayers, and know I am giving you all air hugs through our computer screen. Get some fresh air and look for signs of spring. Enjoy your weekend! |
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