What's Up at St. Mark's?
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:20
The Kindergarteners presented a baby quilt, that they had helped tie, to a member of the It's So Fun Quilt Club. The quilt will be taken to the St. Francis Neonatal Unit in Cape Girardeau for use by a baby there. The students also made cards to go with the quilt. PreK 3's and 4's had their Fun Day at the Gramenz Farms. They played games, took wagon rides and generally learned what happens to grain after it is grown. All the classes reviewed the concept that God is always with us and talked about the importance of going forth and being missionaries.
First grade spent their last week of school talking about our theme for the year. We talked about how every promise God makes is kept. We have forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life as we are promised in the Bible. Our memory verses were also about God's promises. First grade performed the plays, "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "Fearless Pharoh Foo-Foo" for kindergarten, second grade, third grade, and parent and grandparent visitors. The children enjoyed having the chance to do something different, and share it with their families and other students. We are looking forward to the Field Day activities and summer vacation.
3rd grade spent their last full day of school visiting Cahokia Mounds. They climbed the many steps to the top of Monks Mound. Logan tried to count them but lost count because there were so many. It was amazing to be able to see the St. Louis Arch from the top. The children looked for the three types of mounds, flat top, conical, and ridge top. They also toured the museum inside the visitors center and observed the many artifacts and learned a bit more about the Mississippian Indian culture.
4th grade concluded their Literature classes on Thursday by watching a movie based on the book Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. They then sequenced the main events of the story and wrote about the theme and plot of the story. They enjoyed extra recess and some learning games, plus cleaning out their desks on Friday to finish the school year.
5th grade had a great time at their class party at Mrs. Rowe's house on Friday. Earlier in the week the class took and passed their states and capitals test with high scores. In religion they finished their unit on King David by looking at applications for their own lives.
6th grade learned about the Cold War and the nuclear arms race by listening to The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss. They discussed the fact that Seuss had been a political cartoonist as well as a children's author and that many of the well-known Seuss children's books have deeper meanings.
7th grade had a great time eating more food from different countries. Rachel brought Greek food, Dylan brought Italian cookies, Halie brought Australian bread, Morgan brought Spanish cookies, Erin brought Israeli cookies, Braden brought salsa from Iraq and Aubrie provided Indian curried chicken. The class also spent their final week in geography talking about Japan, its history and its culture. The students folded complicated traditional envelopes used to give gifts of money.
8th grade spent the final week of school looking forward to their trip to Washington, D.C. The class of 16 graduated Sunday, May 23, at 2:00 p.m. and left school for Washington, D.C. at 3:45 p.m. We wish them a wonderful trip and a safe return on Friday.