Information and Reminders:

In lieu of exchanging Christmas gifts among the kids, we will collect new kids size hats and mittens for Hats and Mitten Ministry at His Harvest Stand. Please bring them before December 16. Thank you for those who already brought hats and mittens in.

Our class (both first graders and second graders) will participate in the 2nd-4th grade musical on Tuesday, March 14 because they have music class together. Please turn in the order for musical by Friday, December 16. Thank you for those who already turned it in.

Wonderfully Made: Andres Duran Dec. 12-16 Gibson Geurink Jan. 9-13
Please finish and send your child’s timeline the week before your child’s special week. During your child’s special week, it is a wonderful opportunity to have lunch with your child, bring in pets, or share special talents your family members may have been blessed with. Just inform me ahead of time what is your plan.

Jingle Jog: Wednesday, Dec. 21 9:00-9:30 the Jingle Jog is a 12 minute run that the children do each year to raise money for our sister school in the Philippines.  Parents are invited to attend and cheer as their children run or even run with them.  Children dress in festive, Christmas colors for the run and some even wear props like deer antlers, flashing necklaces, etc.  None if this is required, but children do enjoy it and really get into it.

December 23 No a.m. or p.m. bussing and No hot lunch

Each student will need to bring 50 cents by Wednesday, Dec. 21 to buy Christmas cards made by classmates. All the income of selling cards will goes to the fund of supporting Hana Carmen from Grace Community Christian School in the Philippines.

December Birthday Celebrations:
Eli Larsen Thursday December 1
Gibson Geurink Monday December 19
Megan Pyle Wednesday December 21

Christmas Party: Friday, December 23 1:00-2:00pm

Greetings Staff and ZCS Mandarin families, 
We are eagerly anticipating a great celebration for Chinese New Year. This comes up pretty quickly after the Christmas Break, so we thought we’d give you a little advance notice! We will be celebrating on January 14th from 6:30 – 8:30 (or so) at ZCS. We would love to have you and your families join us for dumpling making (and eating) and good conversation. We also can’t wait to “ring” in the new year with the “bubble wrap fireworks,” which are always a highlight. More details will be coming as the date approaches.

We hope you can save the date and join us!
Dana Moeller
Carrie Traver 
Kristi Van Dyk

Curriculum
Language Arts
-Reading Strategy:
We will start a new read aloud called Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. Each week we will focus on one or two reading strategies to help us understand plot and settings of this book. This week we will focus on 2 comprehension strategies.
-Title power: We will pay attention to titles of each chapter and think about what events connect back to the title.
-What is the problem: To find the problem, think about a problem a character might have with another character; think about something the character has but can’t have;or think about the setting is causing the problem.

-Writers’ Workshop: We will talk about different ways to improve our writing: write high frequent words in a snap; write small moment story; and write to make my partner understood.

Math
-First Grade: We will compare teen numbers. We will also use visuals to help us understand teen additions. A strategy we will use is using drawings to make a ten.

-Second Grade:We will wrap up our current unit, review 2-digits addition, solving story problems, and money calculation, and also take the unit assessment this week.

Social Studies
we will continue doing the economic project by turing our classroom into Christmas cards factories and shops so that students will learn the concepts of producers and consumers. During the week of Dec. 12-16, students will work on making cards in their factories. During the week of Dec. 19-23, students will buy cards from other shops.

Science
-First Grade: We will observe water as a solid keeps its own shape. We will also plan and conduct a simple investigation into melting ice. We will also going to observe the downward flow of water.

-Second Grade:We will take a look at ZCS’s trash this week as part of our study of using resources wisely. We will also discuss problems that we see and start brainstorming possible ideas for our science PBL.

Bible
This week we will talk about Joseph and the birth of Jesus.