A Season of Giving

Today was a great day!  As you know, we decided to donate money this year in place of having a gift exchange in 4th grade.  Students came up with SO many ideas on places, organizations, and families to which we could donate the money, but in the end, we chose Sanford Children's and Children's Miracle Network.  Today, two representatives from Children's Miracle Network came to West Lyon for the presentation of the check for $424!!!!  Before receiving the check, they informed us of how this money gets used (to help families w/ sick children pay for equipment, gas for traveling, meals, and even for the equipment used at the hospital).  I am so proud of these kids!!!  Not once did I hear any complaints about not getting a gift or having to bring money to donate.... I think they truly thought donating this money to kids and families in need was more rewarding than receiving another gift!  THANK YOU to everyone who donated!!!!

Picture #1 - Erin Rohrer & Kim Haiar from CMN came to WL to receive our check for $424.
Picture #2 - Student Council Representatives from each 4th grade class presenting the check (Maddie DeJong, Sam Harmon & Rachel Bruggeman)
Picture #3 - Erin & Kim with all the 4th grade students
Picture #4 - Erin & Kim with Keatyn Lorenzen (Keatyn's mom, Heather, hooked us up with these ladies as she volunteers at the CMN Radiothon/Telethon every year)

Camp Foster Fun!

Camp Foster!

What an AWESOME day!  The kids had so much fun on our field trip to Camp Foster on Friday, October 10th!  The weather was a little chilly, but I personally think that's better than it being too hot;)  The kids had a great time riding horse, shooting rifles and bows, climbing the rock wall, and trying not to wake "Petunia" in Conquer the Dragon (obstacle course).  They also thought the campfire songs were a hoot ("What can make a hippopotamus smile?  What can make him walk more than a mile....?"

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WL Marching Band - "To Catch a Thief!"

We were so fortunate to go out on Friday morning (19th) and watch the high school marching band perform their show, "To Catch a Thief!"  They did an AMAZING job!  I hope some of these 4th graders will consider going out for band next year so someday I can watch them perform as well!

Author's Purpose - Easy as PIE!

In reading class a couple of weeks ago, we focused on the "Text Element" AUTHOR'S PURPOSE.  We learned that an author generally has 3 reasons for writing: To Persuade (talk us into something or convince), To Inform (to teach or tell us something), and To Entertain (to allow us to have fun while we're reading).  We figured out that the story in our reading books (My Brother Martin) was written to INFORM of us of Martin Luther King, Jr's early life (and what maybe motivated him to become such an advocate for African-Americans' rights).  We did a couple of activities to learn more about this skill (Author's Purpose), including making "pie plates" where we cut out examples of books (from book orders) that we thought "demonstrated" each of the three reasons.

A New Year of Wildcats!

Well, we have finished the 4th week (3 1/2 actually) of school, and things are going great!  I am really enjoying getting to know my new students, and I think they are starting to get the hang of their new routine (and teacher:))!  4th grade is definitely a big change - switching classes, more teachers, more homework, less recess, no snacks, etc. etc. etc..... but they are working hard and taking it all in stride!  I can't wait to see what this new year has in store for us!!!!