What's Up at St. Mark's?
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Pastor Cameron from St. John's Lutheran Church in Sparta led our chapel service last week. He reminded us that no matter what happens, God is caring for us and we can rejoice in all situations, as Paul told the Philippians. Pastor Janneke continued that message on Sunday in his children's sermon as he and the children talked about how God cares for all their needs through their parents and in other ways. It's always helpful for us adults to remember this, too, as worries can make us forget how God provides for all our needs!
Preschool searched for the color orange throughout the first floor of the school. The orange man appeared in all kinds of unique places. The Bible story was about Moses and how he led God's people on their journey of faith. PreK 4's and Kindergarteners made applesauce. Kindergarteners learned about "Tommy Tiger" as they studied the letter T.
First grade has started to learn the doubles facts in math. We are also learning about patterns and pattern blocks. We finished the Apostle's Creed in Memory Work! All the children are now able to join older children and adults in saying this. We are learning about nouns and verbs in English. In reading we are learning about an author's purpose. We continue to hear how the Israelites traveled to the Promised Land.
Second grade was also heading to the Promised Land in religion as they are now continuing their Journey of Faith with Mrs. Bowlin. Thinking of other journeys, they learned about Columbus last week, too. The class also worked on telling time to the half hour and studied animal adaptations.
Third graders learned some interesting facts about their community as they researched the history of their town. How many of these facts do you know? Steeleville had several names, Alma, Georgetown, and Steele's Mill. Sparta was first named Columbus. Willisville got it's name after Dick Willis and Percy was named for Percy Kampden. Streetlights back then were powered by gas and the roads were dirt. Steeleville had a drive-in theater. Ticket prices at the Sparta's "Dynasty" theater were 40 cents for adults and 20 cents for children. Tread mills back then were used to run grain mills and animals walked on them, not people. On a personal note, Claire's grandpa's dog was in the movie' "In the Heat of the Night", that was made in Sparta. Megan and Samantha's grandpa stopped at the Sparta Hospital and had his tonsils taken out. It cost him ten dollars. Willisville had two tornadoes in 1957. It killed 12 people and destroyed the schoolhouse. These are just tiny bits of the wealth of history of our small, but mighty communities.
Fourth grade has moved on to the Middle Atlantic States and has learned why they were known as the "bread basket" colonies in the early days. They have also talked about the steel making that used to be centered in the region, as well as all the traffic along the east coast. Did you know that the Acela train that travels between Boston, New York City and Washington, DC travels up to 150 miles per hour?
Fifth grade began a region called "Investigations" with a scientific theme in reading. In social studies they are studying about Jamestown and Plymouth. Jesus' ministry around the Sea of Galilee is the theme for religion.
Sixth grade talked about mummies and pyramids and the sphinxes in Egypt. In religion they studied about Jacob and the difficulties his family had when they didn't trust God, but took matters into their own hands. In spite of that, God worked through Jacob to fulfill His promise of a Savior.
Seventh grade learned about the faith and trust of preReformation reformers such as Hus and Wycliffe and the persecution they faced as they worked to bring God's pure Word to the people. God gave them the courage to face even death.
Eighth grade has bought their first stocks in the Stock Market Game. This could be a very interesting year with the game considering the current economy. In US history they are learning that many of the early colonies were able to get a start because of joint stock companies that took risks to finance settlements.
The Seventh and Eighth grade boys' Steeleville collages were on display (when they weren't falling down!) in the windows of Village Hall during the Octoberfest. Did you see them?