Westward Ho!

What's the best way to learn first hand the challenges facing those who traveled West in the 1800's? One way is to construct a model of a covered wagon. Each student received a list of typical items pioneers may have included in their wagon for the journey. The maximum weight limit for an average-sized wagon was 2500 lbs. With a partner they decided what items wereoo most important to include in their wagon. Besides the basic necessities, we considered the fact that each pioneer child would have probably been able to take only one or two favorite items such as a precious book, carved toy or handmade doll. Once they decided on the items needed, each team went to work. We used scrapes of fabric, wire, construction paper, twine and plenty of creativity!!! Notice the details both inside and outside of the wagons. They wanted to be prepared for ANYTHING on the trail! There are tools, sacks of flour, rope, extra wagon wheels, favorite pieces of china packed in a barrel of flour, pets, chickens, cows, Bibles, firewood, quilts, a chair or table, seeds for planting a garden, and on and on it goes. Of course the skills of cooperation were high on the list too.

Watching all this transpire over five days is just another reason why I LOVE teaching. Great job, class!!!!

"When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"

As we look forward to Easter, we are memorizing the beautiful hymn, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" by Isaac Watts. Perhaps better than any other, this hymn is filled with poignant words about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for us. The third verse says:

"See from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down,

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown."

We invited Mrs. Aduddell to come and tell us about one of her paintings that portrays this so well.

Everything in this painting points to His love for us. Even the spear which was meant to harm Jesus, is placed in such a way as to point you to the blood so that we understand that through his pain and suffering, a gift of life everlasting was given. The sparkling jewels remind us of the price He paid---a cost too great to even imagine. The hearts in the blood capture the intensity of his love too. Only Jesus could satisfy the righteous demands from our holy, just God. All the sin of the world was placed on Him. Mrs. Aduddell challenged us to take time to contemplate that love and sacrifice and to dwell on the GLORY displayed through the cross. She likened it to a beautiful rose that opens it petals or a fireworks display that we "ooooh and awe" over.

My prayer is that each one of us would be drawn closer to our Savior and gain a greater understanding of the magnitude of His love for us. Thank you, Mrs. Aduddell!
Contemplating the meaning of the cross as Mrs. Aduddell shares with us.

Auction Winners' Game Night

Our teacher auction item this year was a "Game and Pizza Night" and the boys had the highest bid. Twenty nine eager boys gathered at 5pm on the playground to enjoy 2 1/2 hours of fun. Kickball started us off. Do you know how much 4th grade boys LOVE to play kickball? They were great sports and even cheered on their teachers' attempts to "kick it over the fence". We then devoured pizza, orange slices, cookies, and freeze pops. Our "marshmallow on a string" race was pretty hilarious. Such contortions to get that marshmallow from the end of that string into our mouths without using our hands!!! We also divided into four groups and played "Win It In A Minute". These events included: blowing bubbles through a hula hoop, knocking down paper cups with air from a balloon we had blown up, throwing a ping-pong ball against a clip board and having it land in a basket underneath, and walking forward and backward with batteries resting on the ends of yardsticks. The time flew by and before we knew it, parents were back to pick up their tired, but happy boys. May God multiply the auction money raised for His glory and honor here at OCS!

Victory!

Planting Seeds in Afghanistan

Mrs. Shari Clymer, an OCS parent, recently visited our fourth grade classrooms to share about her son Arthur who is stationed for one year in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot. While it is sad to have Arthur so far away, Mrs. Clymer is taking hold of the opportunities God has placed in her heart to make the most of this God-ordained time. She knows that many of the soldiers don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ but God has given Arthur this time to share his faith. She asked if we would write letters to soldiers serving with Arthur and include some thoughts about the true meaning of Easter. Below are some excerpts from our letters.

--- "Happy Easter! Aren't you glad that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day? He went through all that suffering for us. It is amazing to think about...."

---"Joshua 1:9 says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go". Anyway, I am going to tell you about the real meaning of Easter. Jesus died in our place because we sinned, but He rose again in three days! Jesus loves you."

----"The story of Easter takes place in Matthew 27:45-28:20. Jesus gave his life for our sins. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness covered the land...... He had risen on the third day. This is why we celebrate Easter; not for things in our Easter baskets or a giant one foot chocolate bunny (although I love them), but it is about Elohim, Emmanuel, El Shaddai, El Roi, Jevhovah Ralpha, Jevhovah Jireh, and Jevhovah Shalom."

Wow! I think we have some theologians and evangelists blossoming in our midsts right here in room 207.

Arthur and his wife.
"May God use our letters to plant seeds in the deserts of Afghanistan. In Jesus name, Amen."