Our class ended the school year with a whirlwind of activities. We went to St. Paul where we toured the Capitol, including climbing some very narrow steps all the way up to the golden horses. While at the capitol, we even met with some of our area representatives. Next, we arrived at the Science Museum in time to see the Omni show about the Alps. We had quite of view of those spectacular mountains through the eyes of some very brave climbers. After the show, students were able to try some of their favorite experiments before boarding the bus to Fort Snelling. We traveled back in time at the fort, and saw life through the eyes of the people during the 1800’s. As long as you didn’t need to see a doctor or dentist, life looked pretty fun to our class.

Later in the week, we traveled to Fairmont for the area Lutheran track meet. Each student participated in three track or field events, and most came home with at least one ribbon. The weather cooperated, and we enjoyed spending the whole day outside.

Our final outdoor activity was the end of the school year picnic. It was a fun morning spent playing games and spinning each other on the merry-go-round. After our picnic lunch, and walk back to school, reality set in. There were some sad good-byes to say, as our seventh grade students will continue on to a new school. We have had some wonderful times together, learning, growing, laughing, and crying.

God has blessed our school with three good years of growth. We pray that the time spent studying His word will continue to work in the hearts of every student. One of the favorite songs from choir sums it up well, "Go ye, go ye, into the world, and make disciples of all the nations, Go ye, go ye into the world, and I will be with you there."

After planning and fundraising through the school year, our class trip to Camp Omega became a reality. We spent three days at the Environmental Learning Camp.

We settled into our cabins, and started off on a nature hike around camp where we were pelted by snowflakes, and even a few ice chunks. Students improvised unique ways to keep warm. Pajamas were worn under multiple layers, socks on hands for mittens, etc. The cold could not stop the fun!

We had a nice variety of indoor and outdoor activities to keep us busy learning from sunup until way past sundown. We walked on a floating bridge in the marsh where we observed the wildlife. We took some water samples back and looked at the tiny critters swimming around under a microscope. We made rockets out of 2 liter pop bottles which we blasted off the last day. Most of the rockets flew over 400 feet--quite an exciting spectacle.

One morning we studied the animal tracks, and even made plaster cast molds of tracks. Students learned how to use a compass in an orienteering activity. The second day it warmed up enough that the snakes were out sunning themselves. Spotting them alongside the path made a few students run quickly up the hill!

We participated in traditional camp activities such as archery, canoeing, purchasing snacks at the canteen, and fire building. If you need a fire built, these students are now experts! We got to cook one meal over the fire, plus had evening devotions by the campfire both nights.

We had a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors God has blessed us with. The students and two adult chaperones came back home exhausted, but with a new appreciation for nature.

Fifth through Seventh Grade

The new excitement in our classroom is the addition of recorders. We will be learning to play our recorders this quarter in music class. It will be interesting to hear how we progress from squeaks and squawks to melodies.

In our Bible study we are learning that God will take care of our needs, just as He took care of Elijah in the desert.

In Science we grew crystals, and are now starting a unit on magnets. One day we floated magnets attached to ping pong balls and experimented with making the magnets "sail" across the bowl while we moved other magnets near the bowl.

We do study hard and take tests, but we also find time for a fun game of spoons! "All God’s Children" are continuing to grow in our classroom.

Angelic voices proclaim our Savior's birth as we practice our songs for the Advent Choral Service. We are learning to sing "Silent Night" in four different languages. Three of the languages are spoken in our student's homes every day: Spanish, Nuer, and English. We are also singing in German. This is a great reminder of the diversity of our school. We all come from different places on the earth, but are all united in Christ. In addition to singing, the upper grade class also gets to play "Joy to the World" with hand chimes. It is great to see the whole class work together to make beautiful music.

In Social Studies we are re-enacting the Revolutionary War. Students have taken sides in the war, and mini battles are erupting in our classroom as we try to resolve whether the young American group should become its own country. In Science we are learning about various cycles including the nitrogen cycle, water cycle, and the carbon dioxide/oxygen cycle. During Bible study we have seen how God demands obedience from the Israelites. Time and again the Israelites fail, and God forgives them; just as we continue to fail and God forgives us.

We are thankful we have a loving and forgiving God who know Jesus to be our Savior. We wish you a great Christmas as you celebrate Jesus' birth.
-Mrs. Becker