Call for Auction Items!

This is a reminder on behalf of our Auction Committee to bring in the items for the classroom baskets.  It is through these wonderful donations that our auction is such an amazing success every year.  With the funds raised from the auction, we are able to make our school the wonderful place that it is.

If you forgot what item you were assigned to bring in, contact the office.  Thank you so much for your help!

Mr. Bauer and his two cents

It feels like I haven't talked to you all in a very long time. That is probably because it has been a long time. With Snowmageddon coming and going, school just has not been normal lately. I would like to say the crazy is over. But as the weather crazy is over, now we get to the school crazy. Before I tell you about that, I would like to share with you the winner of the latest photo competition. Brennan of 7th grade gave us a glimpse into his life with his cat. 

I would like to say that we had several good pictures, but in the end cuteness wins the day. If you would like to see all 48 submitted photos, you can look at the Kahoot we used to vote with by going to Kahoot.it and looking for Jan 2017 Snowmageddon Photo Competition. My user name is pbfour if you look for it. The kids had a great time taking the pictures and voting for their favorite. Brennan is now currently the owner of the tut your own horn trophy. If we have another day off, your kid could claim the title next. 

As far as the crazy coming up, this week is Lutheran Schools week. Monday we are asked to wear our crazy socks. I just so happen to own some precious Disney socks I will be sporting.  We have several BasketBall games this week as well as a dance on Friday. A flyer went home with students on Friday about the upcoming dance, but if you missed it...it is on Friday from 8-10 pm in the Cafeteria. Practices for many LEST events are in full swing. The teachers are also looking for a make up day for the lock-in that we missed. 

"Hidden Figures" This movie will motivate, inspire, teach, and encourage curiousity in many of our students on Tuesday. I am so excited to use this movie as a wrap up to our Science investigation of Space. However, I feel like this is more than a Science movie. I don't want to give too much away, but I hope to see many parents come along. 

My grades are up to date. I encourage you all to look at your child's progress. This grading period is coming to a close sooner than we think. I did grade a quiz that was given this week and was very pleased that the average grade was an A. If your child would like to correct it for extra points, they may do so and turn it in by this Friday. However, this is a bonus to people who read the BLOG. If anyone asks, I will tell them to read the BLOG. From here we will look specifically at individual planets as well as do an investigation on orbits. 

In Math, we finished out chapter on lines. We will be going over a review early this week and we anticipate the test to be on Thursday and Friday this week. 

In History, we finished our study on Pharoaphs. Instead of testing on this section, I will continue to on to the next chapter which is about the daily life in ancient Egypt. I will gather an assessment after that section. I would like to do some sort of progect, but have not fiured that out just yet. 

In Bible, we will continue to be stuck in the wilderness for another 40 years, because we did not trust God. Aren't you glad we no longer have to worry about that? No, we wont be wondering, but we will be learning to trust in God and see the mistakes the Isrealities made in the desert and see how Faithful God was and is to his people. 

It came up this week that I could say something that I appreciate about each of our wonderful students. All of them have their individual personalities and should be reminded of how great they are and how great God created them to be. It is my personal goal to write to each of you about your student in the next two weeks. Please hold me to this and give me a gentle reminder if you do not hear from me in two weeks. Also, I want to use this as an encouragement, help me to share with your child that anything I say about them should be used to hurt others in what good things I say about them.

I really do love my life right now. 

Thank you for being a part of my blessings from God. 

Mr. Bauer

Language Arts / Public Speaking

Public Speaking - Poetry Time

The 7th & 8th grade classes are starting a new unit in Language Arts - Public Speaking (part two).  Students will be selecting a classical type poem, approximately 12 lines long, and reciting it in class.  During this unit we will be talking about selecting and analyzing a poem.  We will learn tips on how to memorize the poem and add emphasis to make it come alive for our listeners.  Each student will then present their poem to the class using the speaking skills learned previously.  

Public Speaking is a very important part of our lives no matter what profession we are in.  Being comfortable speaking in public also helps us share our faith with friends and those we come in contact with.  

New Year - More Learning

New Year, New Things to Learn

After a crazy, fun and exciting Christmas Break we are ready to dive in to some new learning.  We spent the first week back getting caught up from having short weeks.  Be sure to check GradeLink to see how your grades have shaped up.  Some students went right to work correcting assignments and those updates will be happening soon.  Be sure to check your grade specific blog for specific information about your classes.

Specific Information for Everyone

BOOK REPORT DAY:  Thursday, Jan. 12 all students will have their Literature Class time to spend on their book report.  Everyone is to bring in their book (electronic versions are acceptable) to read or work on their project.  Students can also bring in their chromebooks to work on their papers and technology projects.  We will have one more day in the beginning of February for students to work.  All reports are due by Feb. 24 (oral reports will be presented before this date).

Book Orders: Flyers for Scholastic Book Orders are available to all students to take, look through, and order from.  All orders are due to me or on the Scholastic website by the 15th.  I will be submitting them on Monday, Jan. 16.  This is a good opportunity for students to select their last book for the third trimester book report, purchase some new books, or purchase fun gifts for Valentine's Day.  

Mr. Bauer Writes Again

It seems like such a long time since I have written anything on our Blog. The Christmas season was crazy and the weeks leading up to it where not normal.
Even as I sit to write this, I am watching the snow come down outside our house. I have just been informed that, "It is STICKING!!!!"
We have some exciting things coming up. There is no school this coming Friday or Monday. However the Middle School lock-in is on Friday evening to Saturday morning. Information was sent home with your students. There is a permission slip that is needed so please ask your child about the lock-in. Also, last night, Mr. P, Mrs. Moeller, Mr. Schimann, and I went to the movies. You might think that is a little weird, but we did it on purpose. A few weeks back I saw a preview for "Hidden Figures" and was excited about how we could use that for a learning opportunity. I am pleased to say that we all enjoyed it and saw areas that each of our core subjects come into the movie. We are in conversation right now with the Manager, we met him last night and had about a 20 minute conversation, about how we can have a private showing for our Middle Schoolers and parents as an educational field trip. More information will be made available when we have solidified plans. In the mean-time, if you want to see the movie, maybe you can wait and come see it with us.
Coming up in my classes:
Bible: we finished our novel, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and will be getting back to Moses. The Isrealites are in the wilderness and the Ten Commandments will be given to them soon.
Science: We have moved away from the Moon and Earth and started reaching out further. This coming chapter focuses on the Solar System and where each planet is located and just how far away these bodies are. We will also discuss he importance of water to life.
Math: we are closing in on finishing our Chapter on lines and linear equations. I anticipate the chapter test to be earlier part of the week after this coming week.
History: we are still looking at the Pharaohs  of Egypt and their accomplishments. We may even finish that chapter this week and have an assessment early the next week.
Our students continue to impress me and remind me of why I love to teach.
Thank you for all the Chirstmas presents. My family and I have enjoyed many of the items already and will continue to in the coming weeks.
Blessing on your weekend
Mr. Bauer