Living Water

It is easy to think about water as the snow melts and we see streams all around us. Threads of water, pools of water, rushing streams, icy rivers... nature itself is throwing off the bands of winter and proclaiming a new season of life. Today we just received an e-mail from missionary friends (we worked with them) working in a hospital in a very dangerous part of Pakistan. Their note asked for prayer: they have no water. They asked us to pray for a piece of equipment to be available that is held in customs that would make it possible to de-salinate the hospital tube-well water. Hard for us to imagine functioning with no water... and even more, a hospital with no water. Yes, let us pray for this need for water as we observe the run-off of winter in our area. And let us pray that the Living Water of Jesus will flow out to all who feel thirst in their hearts in this season of Easter.

6th grade vocabulary: oracle, myth, alphabet, bazaar, artistic, root, compassion, disabled, voice, poetry, nature, scheme BONUS: philosophy, syllable, haiku. Can you tell we are entering national poetry month in April? Students will need to turn in spelling on THURSDAY; Friday is a half-day. For history, students will continue to gain information about Ancient Greece.

7/8 grade vocabulary: quarter, slate, haiku, theme, vocabulary, syllable, employs, aspect, nature, polish, pause, colon, hyphen, ellipsis, rhymed, couplet, epiphany, delve, mousetrap, condemn.

Classes will be working on haikus this week. We will focus our verse on nature and the eruption of spring. We might take a walk or two to witness the seasonal transition... unless snow returns (hope not).

I stopped at the Carnival for a while today. Looked like a busy and well-organized event. Also my husband I enjoyed the wild-rice soup. The 3rd quarter ends on Tuesday. Several students who have been out need to get their make-up work in. Also 7/8 graders will be finishing oral presentations this week. These reports have been instructive and a celebration of some good learning. Thank you students.

Have a good week.

Heart Burn

One of my favorite resurrection stories is the Road to Emmaus. When Jesus joins two travelers and then walks and talks on the road. After a human account of the events by the travelers, Jesus walks them through the Scriptural account of Jesus' death and resurrection. They invited Jesus to their table and he took the bread, broke the bread, blessed the bread and gave them the bread (Eucharist). Their eyes opened and Jesus vanished. They got it... He is Risen! They said to one another, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures? " This burning was so urgent, they rushed back to Jerusalem (7 miles) to tell the others they have seen the risen Christ. The Good News of the Resurrection invites us to run and tell others... it is message that fires our faith! May we listen to the burning in our heart....

Grade 7/8 began oral presentations today on autobiographies (grade 7) and research essays (grade 8). We are learning from our scholars and affirming their good work! Thanks.
We continue to read Hamlet. I am proud of our students' willingness to take on the language... and do a good job. Don't forget tomorrow: spelling test, vocabulary due, and more presentations. Thank you Kathleen (from West Allis) for bringing Tommy to school today to meet us. We pray daily for Tommy. Please check with your student that he/she has a scientific introduction and one page of research ready for Mrs. Marita on Monday.

Grade 6: Worked on cultural (learned behavior) identity to share 5 traits tomorrow. Also vocabulary is due and spelling test.
Students practiced "skim and scan" on Ancient Greece using Kids Discover magazine. Students did a work sheet that is due today.

Grade 6: We continue to read Petey... to support our learning about disabled people.

All students should be reading an outside book; reports are coming up soon.

Have a good day. He is Risen Indeed! Run to tell others....

Alleluia

Christ is Risen... He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

On Sunday morning when the empty tomb was announced, we were set free to once again proclaim the Easter message of Joy. The lines of life and death were blurred and heaven and earth proclaimed together: He is Risen. May the Easter message keep our hearts and lives as we live in the joy of celebration and hope of resurrection. He is Risen Indeed- Alleluia!

Even though winter continues to hang on, we know that spring is percolating beneath the snow and will soon erupt into new green. This also means that the school year is nearing the end of 3rd quarter. Wow, the time is flying.

For this 4-day week:
6th grade spelling: Olympic, athlete, contest, geography, democracy, majority, cultural, identify, nature, nurture BONUS: resurrection, alleluia. DUE FRIDAY.
In history, we will begin our study of Ancient Greece and the first Olympic games.

7/8th grade vocabulary:
alleluia, eternal, reveal, inform, vanished, turbulent, conscience, expose, guilt, wretched, posture, notes, contact, complete, license, guarantee. DUE Friday.

Seventh and Eighth graders will give oral presentations this week on research essays and autobiographies. Students should have a "visual" to support their presentations. Students will be presenting several of these each day. Parents, you are invited too.

I hope that each one of you enjoyed a good Easter weekend and that opportunities were taken to join others and sing the Good News of Christ' resurrection. We are the alleluia vessels to share this message of hope with others. Sing it out!

p.s. Be sure to check Mrs. Maritals BLOG for Science project dates.

A Holy Teachable Moment

This week we are invited to look, listen and examine our hearts as we walk this roller-coaster journey of faith. Today we read about Mary of Bethany and how she took costly perfume to annoint Jesus. Ya... we understand the disciples' comment about over-spending and saving the money for the poor. But Jesus tweaked this extravagance into a teachable moment and talked about his burial. For sure these words of instruction to the disciples will make sense soon. As teachers, parents, etc. we are encouraged to watch for those moments in life where we can instruct those around us; God's curriculum is holy and good for a lifetime journey of faith. May we have hearts of eager students.

Quick reminder:

• Tomorrow at 9 a.m. the junior high will color eggs. Please send craft stuff and boiled eggs in the morning.
• At 11 a.m. Grades 7/8 will participate in the service of reconciliation. Encourage your student to examine his/her own life that we may know the joy of a "clean heart."
• Vocabulary sheets are due on Wednesday. No major assignments over the Easter break, but keep reading a book of your choice. Book Reports will be coming up soon.
• The Easter break begins after school on Wednesday and goes THROUGH next Monday.

Blessings on the Holy Week path! We have much to learn.

March "holy" Madness

Yes, the basketball roster is set for the NCAA tournament and our hopes are high as once again the Badgers are in the games. This week also marks "spiritual" madness as we ride the roller coast drama of Holy Week. Today it was a high pitch Jerusalem welcome to Jesus... by Friday, despair will grip the crowd and creation will groan as God's Beloved Son is crucified. We know this story, but each year it becomes more apparent to me the great risk that God took because of His deep love for us. Let us become part of this holy drama and be transformed. We know the empty tomb ending- earthly madness will become great joy and eternal hope!
As for the Badgers, we don't know the ending but we carry the hope they do their best. Let the games begin!

For this week:
We have school only 3 days... and school resumes Tuesday, March 25th.
Spelling is different this week... due Wednesday.
Tuesday we hope to deliver food to the Brick.
Wednesday is Reconciliation.
Wednesday also will include egg dyeing... and snacks. Please feel free to send goodies and crafts.

6th grade spelling:
Students need to define these terms and give five example sets: homophones, antonyms, synonyms, onomatopoeia words, and rhyme words. NO spelling test.
6th grade World History:
We will finish the Ancient China unit.

7/8 grade spelling:
Students have 5 Easter words to define: reconciliation, triduum, Easter Vigil, Good Friday, and Resurrection. No spelling test.
Also students will identify 8 Easter characters and tell each role in this drama:
Mary of Bethany, Judas Iscariot, Peter, Caiaphas, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea.

We will read Hamlet and talk about visuals for oral presentations (research papers and autobiographies) beginning the Wednesday after Easter break.

Don't forget Mathathon money and Science project deadlines.

The cross is a scandal and perhaps "madness" to those who are perishing, but to the family of faith... it is the free gift of God for eternal life. May Holy Week worship and prayer draw you closer to Jesus that together we will embrace and proclaim the eternal promise of Easter.

Preparing for Holy Week

As Jesus draws closer to Jerusalem, we know the drama will move into a rhythm of great welcome to "our city" and 5 days later the guest is crucified. May we keep our schedules open to walk this journey to the cross... and then gather at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.

Quick update:
Grade 6: Spelling test in the morning and vocabulary due. Students presented Silk posters and now are working on "save the Pandas" posters. Students also did a short unit on onomatopoeia words today... ask your student! We also read about the Great Wall of China. We will be finishing this unit early next week.
Also vocabulary will be different for Grades 6, 7, and 8 next week since we only have school 3 days.

Grade 7: Final autobiographies are due tomorrow; this should include a title page and a page listing at least 3 resources.

Almost all Grade 8 final essays are turned in: exception for illness.

We continue to work on Hamlet text and have fun with "words" (insults, iambic pentameter).

To celebrate the completion of these major writing assignments we will make a quick spring trip to DQ tomorrow.

Don't forget the science project pace is picking up; keep in touch with Mrs. Marita's blog.
Thanks again parents for your cooperation and support to help our students achieve success.

Stay Close to the Story

You may have noticed like me that as we draw closer to the events of Holy Week, the Scripture readings are becoming more dynamic. Today we read about Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones and the resurrection of Lazarus. The stakes are being raised as we draw closer to Holy Week and the Cross. Let us stay close and pay attention to Jesus for His story transforms our story.

Looking forward into this week:
Grade 6 vocabulary: ancient, terrain, dynasty, peasant, effort, massive, bamboo, panda, habitat, cute, diet, hibernate BONUS: endangered, species, captivity. We will be reading a story about the Great Wall of China from our reading book. Also we will read about Pandas and consider our responsibility to preserve their species. For history, students will present "silk" posters on Monday.

Grade 7/8 vocabulary: remnant, alliteration, livid, bawdy, insult, vacant, feign, syllable, addicted, ecstasy, occasional, pregnant, slander, spaghetti, graffiti, wax, wane, minstrels, withdrawn, mystery.
We will continue to read Hamlet... and take a closer look at iambic pentameter rhythm.

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY all 8th grade research essays are due. This includes: a title page, table of contents, letter of intent, 5-page essay, works cited, reflection and rough draft.
FRIDAY: all 7th grade autobiographies are due. This includes a title page, essay and list of 3 (or more) resources and rough draft.
I will refer to rough drafts to see if students addressed the suggestions that I made. An improved paper means an improved grade and the opposite is also true.

Be sure to be checking Mrs. Marita's site for mathathon and science fair projects.

Let us have a good week learning and growing together as we share our story of faith.

Lent: Our Shelter and Rest

Lent is a season to move towards God and find rest and shelter in Him. This is not an easy assignment in an information overload culture... there is always one more thing to do, one more e-mail to send, one more load of laundry...etc. But God invites us to step away from "busyness" and step into "His space." This invitation is for our good and for our spiritual growth. As the journey draws us closer to the cross, may we align our plans to His plans and find our "home."

6th graders today: Will share Dragon folktales and visuals with the 2nd grade for extra credit. Also vocabulary is due tomorrow and spelling test. In history we are working on "silk" posters to support our learning about the silk industry in ancient China.

Grades 7/8 had a good field trip to the Black Cat to drink coffee, etc. and read together Scene V (the Hamlet/ghost scene). We also stopped at the bakery and Sweetness on Main for treats. Besides having fun, I was proud of the good manners for our students and their willingness to learn coffee "vocabulary." Tomorrow is spelling test, vocabulary due, and having fun with Shakespearean insults.

Major assignment dates coming up:
Wednesday March 12th all written work for the 8th grade research essay is due: title page, table of contents, essay (5-page), Works Cited, reflection and rough draft. I expect students to address the changes that I suggested on the rough draft to improve their grades.
Friday March 14th all final autobiographies are due. This includes a title page. I expect students to address the changes that I suggested on the rough draft to improve their grades.

Blessings and encouragement during Lent. Jesus paved the way and continues to walk with all pilgrims on this journey of redemption and resurrection. May we know His rest.

Know When to Speak... and When to Listen

Lent is a season for sharing God's story in our lives... and listening to His story in the lives of others. May we know when to speak and when to listen. Lent is an invitation to affirm our shared adventure of faith that we may grow in God's grace and mercy.

Some updates:
8th grade FINAL research essay papers are due March 12 (two day extension because of computer lab time)
7th grade FINAL autobiographies are due March 14th. The rough drafts have shown students are engaged in this invitation to tell their stories.

Today Grade 6 will share book brochures from their "outside" reading book.
Today Grades 7/8 did computer time, celebrated with Marco (Happy Birthday), and read Hamlet in class... some good readers.

Looking ahead: Grades 6/7/ and 8 should start reading another book for a report at the beginning of fourth quarter. Encourage your student to pick a book he/she would like to read.

Tomorrow is school Mass; please join us. Also Brother Thinh will speak to Grade 7/8 about his Vietnam experience and "call of God." Grade 6 will walk to Sweetness on Main to celebrate good work on the spelling test last week.

Thursday Grade 7/8 will walk to the Black Cat for coffee, sodas, etc. and reading of Hamlet together. Shakespeare nudges us to seek out places to "speak and perform." We are just getting our feet wet in Hamlet.

Be sure to check Mrs. Marita's blog for info. on the Mathathon and Science Fair projects. Some good challenges for academic progrerss are taking place... don't miss the fun!

I close with a family prayer request: Our son Joe is having pain and problems from a kidney stone lodged in his ureter. Bangkok offers good medical care, but Joe needs relief and recovery. Thanks for praying.

Like a Lamb

March has arrived like a lamb...let us see how this month exits. Lent is also about a lamb... The Lamb of God. He enters his ministry rather low-key, but by Maundy Thursday the roar of the crowd becomes a hungry Lion wanting blood. Lent is an emotional journey... and we are invited to keep our eyes on the Lamb. May we remain strong in this call to be a "sheep" like Him.

Last week 6th grade students did a great job on Dragon folktale presentations. We were delighted with the variety of dragons and the broad scope of the tales. And all students were successful on spelling dessert and desert correctly, so we will make a class trip to Sweetness on Main next Wednesday.

Spelling words for Grade 6 this week are: brochure, gestures, clarity, confidence, expert, courteous, audience, search, library, novel, security, structure BONUS contraction, possessive, apostrophe. Also students will share book brochures for books read outside of class on Tuesday.
In history, we will read about the silk industry in ancient China and make "silk" garment posters.

I know that students are struggling with health issues in this cold and flu season. Please check my blog or call the school to keep up with assignments. Right now academic expectations are high as 8th graders finish up research essays and 7th graders do autobiographies.

Spelling words for Grade 7/8 are: evoke, superstition, eerie, calculate, sardonic, diabolic, revenge, hygiene, sweat, puberty, historian, politican, librarian, gracious, merciful, patient, abundant, anxious, faith, community. We will be reading Hamlet, discussing teen hygiene and grooming, and leading the liturgy on Wednesday. We might go to the Black Cat on Thursday to read Hamlet together. Students need to demonstrate maturity as behavior issues have gotten in the way of some opportunities. (Any parents wish to join us?) Grade 7 rough-draft autobiographies are due on Monday. Also students should start on another outside reading book as a preparation for a book report fourth quarter.

Thanks for your good work 7/8 grades on book brochures. Thank you Grade 6 for Dragon folktales. Thank you parents/grandparents for your ongoing concern and support. Check the OLL Church bulletin to read about a local opportunity to attend: Watch the Lamb. Father Henry wrote a personal note of recommendation. Behold the Lamb of God!