Week of February 5th

I pray that we all come back happy and healthy this week, and that all the yucky illness that we experienced last week is behind us.
Thanks for bearing with me while I was home with a sick kid too! 

On Friday, every child received the name of the Famous American he/she will be researching. If you have any questions about my expectations, please let me know as soon as possible. Basically, just read and research as much as possible, and take notes so that your child "becomes an expert" on their person. Having a vast amount of knowledge will help with writing the biography in class.

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER FORMATION PROJECT
This week we will read from Mark 7: 24-30 and Matthew 15: 21-28, and learn about a woman who had many opportunities to quit before receiving her daughter’s healing, but her diligent faith would not let go. Consequently, this week's virtue is DILIGENCE, which we define as God's power for you to focus on your work. The big question is, "How can you pursue Jesus, no matter what the obstacles?"

PHONICS and SPELLING
We'll be reading, sorting and spelling words with the "ou" and "ow" spelling patterns.

READING SKILLS and STRATEGIES 
In reading, we'll continue to target identifying the differences between fiction and nonfiction. We'll read another biography about the famous author, Tomie DePaola, and then compare it to one of his well-known books, The Art Lesson. Reading various autobiographies has been a great segue for all the biographies your children will be reading for their the famous American projects.

GRAMMAR AND WRITING 

We go through the motions day after day... brainstorming, drafting, editing, revising and publishing... sometimes forgetting the importance of it all. Well, our field trip to Concordia Publishing House on Tuesday will be a fantastic way for your children to see this writing process become a reality at an authentic publishing company!

In turn, students will be wrapping up and publishing their own realistic fiction stories this week! Some of them have even begun "writing a series" with their characters. Each child has a different goal, for example, some will focus on editing their spelling, and some will be stretching out their characters adventures, but everyone will be using their unique craft as they experience what it's like to be an author. Be proud! 

NEWS and NOTES 

Oops! We accidently missed the CCLS-U "coin collection" for January. Our current total is $215.32... so let's try to BEAT our goal of $250.00 by February 26th. 
February 6th - morning field trip to Concordia Publishing House (CPH)
February 12-13 NO SCHOOL for teacher professional development 
• Parent/Teacher Conferences optional  
• February 19th - NO SCHOOL for President's Day 
• March 2nd - TRIVIA NIGHT!
• Looking for a fun night out this winter?  Join your CCLS friends at Trivia Night on March 2  from 6PM-10PM for an "unquestionably" good time!  Come for the competition or just for the food, drinks, and fun. Sign up as a table of 8, or as an individual/couple. You won't want to miss our "CCLS Experience" silent auction items AND Sign-Up Parties.  Other highlights include.....cash prizes for the winning team, attendance prizes, dessert auction, 50/50 raffle, buy an 8th grader to help you with a round of questions, free soda and snacks, or bring your own food and adult beverages. Hosted by the 8th Grade Class. Proceeds support the 8th Grade Class Trip and CCLS Tuition Assistance Funds.

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK!