4/01/2020

                Noticias 2D

Queridos Padres & Estudiantes, 


I can't stop thanking each and every one of you for your great support during these first two weeks of distance learning. You are incredible!


Because the spring break begins on Friday, April 3, and by disposition of the Head of School, next week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be Distance Learning Days. Thursday is going to be Filling-Thinking Thursday, where your child(ren) can catch up on unfinished assignments and spend time on their Passion Project
I apologize for the change of plans, so you will receive Monday's schedule and I will transfer the catch-up day to Thursday. 


I want to highlight 3 great achievements.
  1. You are speaking a lot of Spanish in many ways at home. ¡Bravo!
  2. You are working hard, more and more tasks are well done and submitted. ¡Gracias!
  3. You are working every day and I can see it. :)


Continue to focus on these 3 points:
1. Follow the schedule: it doesn't matter what time you start, just go through it every day.
2. Stay Connected: Sign in to Seesaw for information and carefully read the announcements or assignments or student work.
3. Keep asking questions: record them and if possible take photos of the paper that you need help with.


Finally, I want to encourage you Tesoros to attend the meeting at ZOOM.com on Monday at 11:00am in the morning for student numbers from 1-10, and student numbers from 11-20 at 11:30am. I think we can have more interaction with smaller groups. :) I will send you the invitation as soon as possible. I can't wait to see your smiles and hear everything you have done so far. 


¡Muchas gracias Parents! Do not hesitate to contact me with your questions.


Praying for peace and health. 


Blessings, 


Maestra Durán

3/14/2020


                Noticias 2D
Queridos Padres,

As part of the ZCS family we are all responsible for playing our part in maintaining the health and well-being of our beloved community. Please remember that our decisions and behaviors affect everyone around us. Thank you for your responsibility as a child of God and a good citizen. Today more than ever we are called to exercise the ministry of peace.

Thank you so much to our amazing room-mon Erin Bremmer, who always steps forward and takes care of every detail, you are a blessing to all of us.

Following the alternative learning plan for my beloved students I want to let you know that I have sent a large number of resources home. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns that arise. Everyone is called to do their best without any ​pressure at all.

Finally, I will record some cue lessons on Seesaw, and I will do a Facebook live every Wednesday morning at 10am on our Classroom Page. The 'live' FB is certainly NOT mandatory and will just be an opportunity to teach the kids in a 'live' format. All of the videos will be recorded and placed on the classroom page for later viewing.

Praying for health and peace!

Blessings,

Maestra Durán

This Week:
Bible Memory Verse:​ ​Romans 8:31-32​ ​ Due Date: ​March 17 (quiz they have taken home.)
Bible: ​We will learn about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection this week! These lessons are the foundation of our faith and there is so much to learn and discover! Our goal is to bring these stories to life even more this week and to help the students fall more in love with our selfless Creator God. (folder they have taken home.)
Literature Selection: ​Any of the books you've brought home.  
Phonics: ​Syllable classification: sílabas tónicas (agudas y llanas) 
Word Wall Words: ​después, interés, jamás, casi, nunca.
Poem: ​Comelones

Reading: During this week we will focus on using all the components of Non Fiction books to help students use these features to get information from a text and apply it to their writings. (Raz-Kids)
Writing: ​It is time to move on to investigating the content of our chapters. Students will look for more information in other books and from their friends.
And they will also do it at home, thanks in advance for all the support you offer to your child.
Math:​ Most of them did great on their test. Now we are adding larger numbers this week and will really focus on why we carry (or regroup). Students will work on explanations and proof drawings to demonstrate deeper understanding. (papers they have taken home.)
Social Studies: We have already begun our lesson on the concepts of economics. In this unit, students build upon their knowledge of the economic concepts of scarcity, choice, wants, and needs. Students review the idea that economic wants are desires that can be satisfied with a good or service. We have also read the book titled, Ox-Cart Man, for better understanding and developing the rest of the package they have taken home.

“Housekeeping” Items:
Let's raise a cry to our Mighty God for world health! According to 2 Chronicles 7:14​ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

3/07/2020


            Noticias 2D

Queridos Padres,

Thank you so much for taking the time to come to conferences on Tuesday; it was wonderful to meet with all of you! Thank you too for the kind words of encouragement and blessing that so many of you offered-- you have no idea how much that meant to me. I am grateful to work alongside such fantastic parents and for the incredible support and encouragement you offer to me and to ZCS. I consider it a tremendous gift and privilege to get to partner with you in your child’s education! Thank you for sharing your delightful children with me!

Also, thanks to our amazing room-mom Erin Bremer and her team, for their splendid organizational skills with so many field trips together. You are simply amazing!

Thanks for all your prayers for our classroom! 

Blessings,

Maestra Durán


This Week:
Bible Memory Verse:​ Romans 8:31-32​ Due Date: ​March 17
Bible: ​We will continue to read in depth how Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and about Jesus’ agony, the betrayal by Judas, and the trials of Jesus Christ. We are spending a lot of time meditating on these passages.
Literature Selection: Lily y su bolso de plástico morado
Phonics: ​Syllable classification: sílabas trabadas & sílabas abiertas. 
Word Wall Words: ​siempre, zumbar, igual, también, charlar. 
Poem: ​Mi escuela, mi escuela.
Reading: We’ll continue using a “retelling hand” to smoothly retell all of the major components of a story. We will also really zoom in on accuracy in reading.
Writing: ​We began last week Nonfiction “All About” books! Each child will choose a topic of interest, research, and organize their information into chapters. They are very excited about it.
Math:​ The students are doing a wonderful job with graphics. ​During the course of Tuesday we will have many visitors from other schools observing our children in action during math. Thank you for encouraging them to do their best work. They are always excited to be able to teach others all their linguistic skills.
Social Studies: Iam so impressed how this group is working on their projects about Zeeland History. After our field trip to the Museum we already have more information and details to put together the projects of Zeeland.

“Housekeeping” Items:
March 11: ​
Reading activities-The cat in the hat-Wear a hat.
March17: Reading activities-Green Eggs and Ham-Wear green.
March 17: Elementary Music Programs 6:45 p.m. (2nd-5th) (Comm. Ref) 
March25:All School Chapel- 9:00a.m. You are invited!
March 27: ​Reading activities-The Sleep Book-Wear pajamas.
April 1: Zeeland School House​ (12:00-3:15) *​ This will hopefully be a ‘walking’ field trip. We need 2 adults to walk along and chaperone the students. *If the weather is ‘bad’, we will need drivers to help transport all of the students.

2/28/2020


             Noticias 2D


Queridos Padres,

I am pleased to inform you that the president of 2D and her two counselors in that order are: Emeline Iverson, Stella Zwagerman, and Clara VanderHyde!! Congratulations to this fantastic team!!!

¡Muchas gracias! To all parents for your flexibility in supporting our classroom during our field-trips. Thursday will be the last one of these series of 3 in a row :)

Finally, I look forward to meeting with you on Tuesday to discuss and celebrate your child’s growth and progress!

Thanks for your many prayers for our classroom! 

Blessings,

Maestra Durán


This Week:
Bible Memory Verse:​ Most of them did great in their Bible memory. Thanks for all your help at home. Our next Bible verse is Romans8:31-32​​ Due Date:​ March12
Bible: ​We will read in depth how Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and about Jesus’ agony, the betrayal by Judas, and the trials of Jesus Christ. We are spending a lot of time meditating in these passages.
Literature Selection: Lily y su bolso de plástico morado
Phonics: ​Syllable classification: diptongos con h-muda (ahu, ohi, ehu) 
Word Wall Words: ​ahora, hambre, alguien, suave, siguiente.
Poem: ​Costa-Rica
Reading: March​ Reading Month is here! Our goal for K-5 this month is for students to step up and step out in their reading. They will step up as they work hard to become stronger readers. The Kindergarten team has designated a special activity for each week. All details below in our Housekeeping section.
Writing: ​Everything is set for launching our magazine full of How to’s. Children are working hard editing their papers and making them more readable to readers. They are ready to teach a lot of things. After that we will move to writing Nonfiction “All About” books! Each child will choose a topic of interest, research, and organize their information into chapters. This is quite the task but I know these writers are ready for the challenge!
Math:​ We are having fun learning about graphics. Children will collect and represent data on graphs. They will also interpret the graph to answer questions about the data shown. Thanks for helping your child learn how to create, read, and interpret graphs.
Social Studies: It is time to study in detail all about Zeeland. Thanks for all your help at home reading the Zeeland historical packet (I sent it home last week. If you did not receive it feel free to ask me for another one.) Many students already know a lot about our Zeeland. I hope our visit to the Museum will help them to better understand the history of our community since its inception.

“Housekeeping” Items:
March 3:​
Optional Parent/Teacher Conferences – Y5-8 in session.
March 4: ​Reading activities-Fox in socks-Wear silly socks.
March 5: Zeeland Historical Museum Field Trip. 8:55-10:00am We are in need of drivers. Thanks for considering!
March 6:
Publishing Party # 6
March 11: ​Reading activities-The cat in the hat-Wear a hat.
March17: Reading activities-Green Eggs and ham-Wear green.
March 17: Elementary Music Programs 6:45 p.m. (2nd-5th) (Comm. Ref) 
March25:AllSchoolChapel-9:00a.m.Youareinvited!
March 27: ​Reading activities-The Sleep Book-Wear pajamas.

2/21/2020


      Noticias 2D

Queridos Padres,

We had such an amazing field trip to the Fire Department & City Hall last Thursday. It was beautiful to see these kids step out and meet our amazing Mayor Kevin Klynstra. I was so impressed by the students’ respect, manners, and kindness. You have so much to be proud of as parents!
Thanks Field Trip Drivers! Haley Slagh, Joe Helms, Mark Westerbeke, Lindsey Kerber, Julie Hofman and Jill Hamm for driving to these places.

Finally, please consider helping us with our next field trip to SKLD Nursing Home this coming Thursday, February 27 (1:50-3:00) Thanks in advance for your help!!

Thanks for your many prayers for our classroom!

Blessings,

Maestra Durán


This Week:
Bible Memory Verse: John 13:34-35 Due Date: March 6
Bible: Following Jesus' ministry chronologically we enter the last week of Jesus' life on this earth as a man. We will travel his journey step by step until He reaches the cross. Although Christmas is one of the most beautiful celebrations, The Holy Week must also be celebrated with all the joy and thanks that such sacrifice deserves.
Literature Selection: ¡Qué cosas dice mi abuela!
Phonics: Syllable classification: hiatus A hiato is formed in a word with two consecutive vowels which are part of different syllables. This may occur with two strong vowels (caer), two of the same vowels (leer), or in a diphthong broken with an accent (reí).
Word Wall Words: caer, todavía, leer, trae, tenía.
Poem: Si un día tuviera
Reading: This week we will continue to focus on discovering all the parts of informational books such as content, chapters, diagrams, and order to help them write the how to’s pieces.
Writing: We will continue our writing of How-To! Two are worth more than one, right? For this reason students are reviewing with their writing partners. Do you understand what I want to teach? Are my instructions clear? Can you help me with more ideas?
Math: This week we will learn to read, interpret, compare and design the different types of graphics.
Social Studies: We are ready to end this unit by exercising the right to vote to elect our “2D President” The campaign has already begun. The presidential elections will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. After the elections we will jump to our unit 5: How Do Communities Change? :)

“Housekeeping” Items:
February 26:
2D Presidential Elections
February 27: SKLD - we will be heading to Providence Rest Home. We will plan to leave around 1:55 and return around 3:00. W e are still in need of drivers for this short trip. If you are willing to drive, please send me an email. Thanks so much!
March 3: Optional Parent/Teacher Conferences – Y5-8 in session. Registration will start Feb. 19-26.
March 5: Field trip to the Zeeland Historical Museum 9:00-10:00am
March 6: Publishing Party #6
March 6: Safe Touches Presentation- I am sending today an informational letter. 
March 17: Spring Elementary Music Programs 6:15 p.m. (K-2) and 7:15 p.m. (3-5) (Comm. Ref)
March25: AllSchool Chapel-9:00a.m.You are invited!

2/16/2020

      Noticias 2D


Queridos Padres,
This week your children enjoyed celebrating Day 100 & Valentine's Day with lots of candies and chocolates. I hope you have a very sweeet long weekend.
Thank you so much to Erin Bremer for organizing our Valentine’s party! Thank you also to Lindsey Kerber, Jill Hamm, and Amanda Brouwer, for helping at the party. It was a great success!


This now four-day week is going to fly by, so let’s hope these second graders are ready to work!

Thanks for your many prayers for our classroom! 

Blessings,

Maestra Durán


This Week:
Bible Memory Verse: John 13:34-35 Due Date: March 6
Bible: We are having so much fun discovering the hidden message in each parable.
This week they are ready to share their fantastic creations.
Literature Selection: ¡Qué cosas dice mi abuela!
Phonics: sufijos generales (-anza, -dad,-ción,-sión, xión)
Word Wall Words: atención, información, bastante, enfrente, solamente Poem: La canción del amor
Reading: This week we will continue on discovering all the parts of informational books such as content, chapters, diagrams, and order to help them write the how to’s pieces.
Writing: We had fun seeing the result of giving unclear instructions. Students are learning about the importance of writing clear instructions, which readers can understand.
Math: Most of the students have done an excellent job in their math tests. Now we are starting a new unit about time and graphs.
Social Studies: This week we will focus on What Do Core Democratic Values Have to do with Government?, and What are Some of the Roles and Responsibilities of Citizens in... They fit perfectly with our visit to the Mayor of our community.

“Housekeeping” Items:
February 20:
Fire Department & Zeeland City Hall- 12:50-1:55 & 2:00-3:15pm. 
February 27: SKLD we will be heading to Providence Rest Home. We will plan to leave around 1:55 and return around 3:05. We are still in need of drivers for this short trip. If you are willing to drive, please send me an email. Thanks so much!
March 3: Optional Parent/Teacher Conferences – Y5-8 in session. Registration will start Feb.19-26.
March 17: Spring Elementary Programs 6:15 (K-2) and 7:15 p.m. (3-5) (Comm. Ref) 
March 25: All School Chapel - 9:00 a.m. You are invited!

2/08/2020


       Noticias 2D
Queridos Padres,


God's love and protection transcends our difficulties and trials. I have witnessed the enormous fidelity once again. I have had to undergo a minor unexpected surgery and on the doctor's recommendations I have stayed at home since Thursday. Everything went very well and I can't wait for Monday to see my children again.

Thanks for your many prayers for our classroom!

Blessings,

Maestra Durán


This Week:
Bible Memory Verse: is Mark 9:35 Due Date: February 13
Bible: By studying the parables the students are enjoying discovering the secret message that Jesus teaches us in each one of them. This week we will see the prodigal son, and Pharisee and the Tax Collector. We are enjoying a lot with this unit.
Literature Selection: Salvar la campana de la libertad.
Phonics: sufijos profesión y *gentilicios (-ante, -ario,-dor,-ero, *ano, ense, eño) 
Word Wall Words: porque, entonces, ejemplo, agarrar.
Poem: La fiesta.
Reading: This week we will focus on discovering all the parts of informational books such as content, chapters, diagrams, and order to help them write the how to’s pieces.
Writing: They had another amazing Publishing Party with 4D-Delgado classroom. It is time to start writing How to. Students will choose something they know how to do well and they will write and draw detailed instructions so that someone else can do it.
Math: They are working hard in this long unit of mathematics. Most of them are doing it very well. Everyone has their own strategies to solve word problems. I am very grateful for all your support at home.
Social Studies: This week we will focus on government and laws within the community, what they are for and why it is important to comply with them. My little “neighbors” perplex me with their reasoning about diversity in our community. They have a heart of gold. God bless them all.

“Housekeeping” Items:
February11:
A llSchoolChapel9:00am-You are invited!
February 13: Day 100 & Valentine’s Day celebration. I sent home the class list last week. Please let me know if you need one :) Just a reminder children will have the opportunity to pass out valentines, school pictures to everyone in our class.
February 13: No PM Busing for Elementary
February 20: Fire Department & Zeeland City Hall- 12:50-1:55 & 2:00-3:15pm. Thanks for considering being our chaperone/driver.
February 27: SKLD we will be heading to Providence Rest Home. We will plan to leave around 1:55 and return around 3:05 We are still in need of drivers for this short trip. If you are willing to drive, please send me an email. Thanks so much!