The kids and I are so excited about our latest unit of study in Social Studies. Before giving you all the fun details, it's worth acknowledging that our 6 and 7-year-olds are going to become citizens of a global community in ways that we likely can't even grasp today. In an effort to begin laying groundwork for broadening our understanding of other cultures and people, we will spend a good deal of time this month studying the people, culture, language and customs of our neighbor, Mexico. One of the most effective methods for learning is to personally experience the concepts and objectives being studied. Though the argument for experiential learning is a strong one, I thought it a bit too bold for a rookie to request a field trip to Cozumel ;) Therefore, we are going to bring a slice of Mexican culture to first grade. We'll have the first graders dressed up in serapes, carrying a homemade lantern and walking the halls of South Side asking each classroom in Spanish if there's room in the inn. This will culminate with a Mexican fiesta in the art room. Our fiesta could use a few more hands if you are willing and able to help. We will have a food station, a craft area and a time for dance instruction. We could use three parent helpers for this fiesta which will be held on Wednesday, December 19 from 2:00-3:00. If you are not able to attend but would be willing to help, we also will need a bowl of cubed pineapple, a bowl of cubed papaya, a bowl of cubed mango and a bowl of cubed avocado. If you are willing and able to help at the fiesta or contribute one bowl of fruit, would you please contact me via email and I'll put you on the list? mrynsburger@hollandchristian.org  Thank you!

Today, the children teamed up with their reading partner to research an animal that lives in Mexico. They created beautiful posters of their animal and presented the information they learned to the class. Wow...I learned a few new, interesting tidbits as well! :)

Researching

And teaching.

THANK YOU for your generous offerings for our World Renew collection. Our goal was to purchase a sheep for a family and we have surpassed our goal! We have the joy of going back to the catalog and selecting what else to bless a family with. Thank you for allowing your child to work to earn the money, or in other cases, you have encouraged your child to donate a little of his or her own money. We will offer our donation to a World Renew representative at chapel on December 19. We have until next Friday to collect our money. Thank you for your generous heart.









You hopefully found a green note in the Friday folder today with information about our caroling event at Rest Haven on December 19. Please feel free to come along as the children bless the residents with their praises to our loving Father in Christmas carols.

You may have heard that our friends from China returned for more of our first-grade action this past week. Our students were more than happy to oblige. We were a little less shy this time and even had some small conversations with the help of the guests' interpreter. Here is a link to an article that recently ran in the Grand Rapids Press. This write up gives you a little more background on our new friends from China and what they hope to accomplish during their visit to our classroom and the other places to which they are traveling.

 www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/12/kent_and_ottawa_school_leaders.html

Our class Christmas party will be held on the last day of school before our break, December 20, from 10:30-11:30. Would you please keep an eye open for a $3 present that your child can bring to school? We will have a gift exchange that day as well. Please wrap and tag your gift To: (boy or girl) From: (your child's name).

We are in the process of memorizing Luke 2. It's one of the most beautiful stories found in the Bible...and, boy, it's a big one to commit to memory. Your child took home this passage on purple paper earlier this week. We appreciate any help that you can offer at home. If you need a new copy, please let me know and I'll send it along.

Wasn't swimming so fun? Enjoy these pictures taken on our last day.