Bits and Pieces of Info to Make Life on the Ranch Easier to Manage

Whats Happening Around Town Answers to Questions on the Ranch

What a week! I have enjoyed spending time with the students shopping at the Christmas A: I do apologize for failing to get everything store, diving into reading circles, and taking organized for our educational field trip and mintime to just stop and meditate on little bits of the Christmas story each day! Though a whirl- istry field trip! I am sorry that I did not get everything arranged, and I hope that I did not wind of new activities and responsibilities has offend anyone by not having a field trip. passed by this week, we have enjoyed a special Here is what I am looking at doing during peace this week while stopping to savor the seathe spring semester. I now expect us to go to a son along the way! I trust Gods peace and joy will continue to overflow even more abundantly care facility in West Des Moines instead of the one here in Ankeny due to a change in activity this week! director. I am planning to go before The students have taken on their new readValentines Day to sing and share some poems ing circle and center responsibilities in stride, and cards with the residents at the care faciliand they are making very fine progress! Thanks again to each of you for taking time to listen to ty I go to with my church once a month. We your son or daughter read each night and initial are also on the waiting list for tickets to Treasured Stories by Eric Carle. his or her bookmark! The privilege to team together with you is a blessing, and I trust your child will continue to grow as a fluent reader! We will press on this week in our reading A: I like to do a book exchange for Christmas books and will endeavor to get as far as we can and ask each child bring a new book valued at in all subject areas before Christmas break! The $5 or less to exchange with a friend. Please students are doing very well, and even this week, wrap the book, and include only your child's the progress they have made has been an encour- name next to the "from" line on the gift tag. agement to my heart! Please commend your son The books are randomly distributed among the or daughter and give him or her a hug from me! students, so I encourage you not to make the I am thoroughly enjoying my class of students book too gender specific, if possible. Also, and am thankful God has placed you all in my please remember to avoid material focusing on life! Santa, reindeer, elves, etc. The books may be Enjoy the Christ of Christmas! holiday-themed, but any good childrens book Miss Hult will do for our exchange! If you have questions, please feel free to let me know.

A Bible Course Map for the Upcoming Week We have so enjoyed studying a little portion of Gods Word each day as we are challenged from The Family Advent Book! We have now learned four names given to Jesus: King, The Most Holy One, Rescuer, and Emmanuel! We will finish our last week and a half of school reading a little more each day and doing a variety of activities to help us remember the truths we are learning from Gods Word. This week, in addition to munching on tiny bites of the Christmas story, we will begin a more in-depth look using a new and unique storybook entitled . It is published by Family Life Today, and it tells the Christmas account in similar fashion similar to that of the book . Each day we will open a new gift box, and the object inside will help us learn more about Christs birth as well as why He came to the earth. The story gives a clear explanation of Gods offer of salvation and desire for us to give Him our hearts! Please pray God would be at work in the hearts of the students over the course of the next two weeks! - No Complaining (Joseph and Mary Leave for Bethlehem - Lk. 2:1-5) - Happy Birthday, Jesus! (Jesus is Born Lk. 2:6-7) - A Whole Lot of Angels (A Group of Angels Praise God - Lk. 2:13) - Scared Shepherds (Angels Appear to the Shepherds - Lk. 2:8-14) - Good News and Beautiful Feet (The Shep herds Spread the Good News of Jesus Birth Lk. 2:15-18)

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Upcoming Lessons and Skills - name; words and sentences - State of Iowa; Christmas Around the World - Teens - sixties families; telling time to the hour; pennies; adding 1; writing addition equations - sight words (the, an, a, is, has, as, they, see); reading circles - blend book

Quick Glimpse Calendar - Chapel (We will join elementary chapel for an Operation Christmas Child pre sentation.) - Christmas Party - (10-11 a.m.); Noon dismissal