Christmas Gifts For Jesus!

If you could visit the stable on the night of Jesus' birth, what would you give Him?

I would give Jesus a gold crown and gold because He died for my sins.  I would give Jesus a king's robe because He is my Savior.  I would give Jesus water and food for when He is going far away.  -Roi

If I were to go to the manger . . . I would be excited!  I would bring baby Jesus lots of gifts -- so many that I couldn't tell you.  But I could tell you 3 of them.  Number 1:  Food, because they might have not had a lot of money to buy food.  Number 2:  A horse, because it was a long way to Bethlehem on the donkey.  (Who knows?  They might have walked.)  Number 3:  A cow, because they might have not had enough water or milk for Jesus.  -Anna Lee

If I could bring something to Jesus, I would bring some cloth because He would sleep on it, or he could use it as a blanket. -Lilia

If I could go to the manger of Jesus, I would bring a baby cup, 15 ounces of gold, 900 ounces of silver, a blanket, and food.  I'd give baby Jesus the baby cup for him to drink out of.  I'd give Jesus 15 ounces of gold because they could have money.  I'd give Mary and Joseph 900 ounces of silver so they could remember me.  I'd give baby Jesus a blanket so He could keep warm.  -Evan

I would give Jesus gold because He is so special.  I would give Him a blanket because He can be warm. -Hannah

I would give baby Jesus a lot of pairs of clothes because He is poor.  I would give baby Jesus a rattle because He can play with it.  -Samantha

I will bring baby Jesus a pacifier, Pampers, and my heart.  I am sinful, and He will die on the cross for me and you to be cleaned in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. - Merry Christmas!  Ho! Ho! Ho! -Sofia

I would bring baby Jesus my best rocks from my rock collection that I love to show Jesus I love Him very much. -Ruth

If I could have been there that night I would bring Him some clothes to wear so He does not get cold, a baby bib so when He ate He would be clean, a pacifier for when He cries, and a baby bottle to drink.  I would also say, "Merry Christmas!!!"  -Olivia

I would bring Him a golden duck, because babies usually like ducks.  -Cody

I would bring a baby rattle to baby Jesus because He would play with it.  I would love to see Jesus with a smile on His face.  I'll bet He'll love the baby rattle.  -Emily

Baby Jesus would need a bib because if He is eating He might spill something.  -Kaili

I would bring baby Jesus some cloth and some food and drink and a blanket.  I would give that to Him because His family did not have very much of those things.  That's why.  Merry Christmas! -Isabella

I would bring a heart with a white paper glued to it that I cut out and lots of different colors on it because He does not want something that we just bought from the store.  He wants something that we made with our heart to show how much we love Him, to show that He will die on the cross for us and forgive our sins and always take care of us.  He will love us with His whole heart and I will love Him with my whole heart. -Clara

I would give baby Jesus a baby bottle so He could drink, and a high chair because He is short so He needs a high chair to eat, and 1-year-old size footy pajamas.  -Luke

I would give Jesus love because He died on the cross and forgave our sins. -Chappel

What would you give baby Jesus if you could visit Him when He was an infant?  I would give Him a beautiful blanket, nice clothes, snow gear, a pretty crib, the most pretty crown, a pair of slippers, some pajamas, a lot of gold, and a nice house because He would need one to keep all His stuff in.  I would give Him a blanket so He doesn't get cold at night.  I named a lot of things.  I realized I named so many gifts. It must be because he is the most powerful God there ever was.  I hope you would give Him something nice.
-Madison

If I was at the stable when baby Jesus was born, I would give Him a baby bottle, a rocking horse, a crib, and a blanket because He could get cold in the night.  He could have a real bed.  He could have a toy.  He could have a drink. - Kate

If I were there, I would give Him my fool's gold, my fake diamond, and my money from other countries.  i would give Jesus my softest blankie. -Lily

Second Grade Says, "Thank You!"

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to say “thank you” to God and to others, too.  Here are the second graders’ “thank yous”.

Samantha – Thank You, God, for my dogs Maisy and Roscoe.  Thank you, Maisy and Roscoe, for playing with me when my friends are not able to play.

Lily – Thank You, God, for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins!!  Thank you, Aunt, for sewing Sparkles dog clothes.

Chappel – Thank You, God, for winter, food, cake, balls, homes, taffy, Disney Land, cousins, and friends.  Thank you, Emily, for coming to my house for a sleepover.

Clara – Thank You, God, for giving me blessings and thank You for giving Your  Son, Jesus, to die on the cross.  Thank you, Mommy, for giving me X and O.

Anna Lee – Thank You, God, for Jesus Christ and Christmas.  Thank you, Mom and Dad, for toys and money.

Olivia – Thank You, God, for my family, my dogs, my cat, and my fish.  Thank You for everything You’ve given me.  Thank you, Kate, for being nice to me.

Sofia – Thank You, God, for giving me a mom, and a dad, and a brother, and a dog.  Thank you, Mom, for having me to be your daughter and my brother too.

Isabella – Thank You, God, for letting me make my own s’more.  Thank you, Clara, for giving me that charm bracelet last year.

Roi – Thank You, God, for giving me life.  Thank you, Mom and Dad, for helping me get better.

Kate – Thank You, God, for my family.  Thank you, Mom, for making decorations.

Luke – Thank You, God, for Evan.  Thank you, Evan, for being my friend.

Hannah – Thank You, God, for helping us with sin.  Thank you, Mom, for giving me a dog.

Evan – Thank You, God, for sending Your Son to die for us!  Thank you, everyone, for everything you’ve done.

Cody – Thank You, God, for giving us shelter, and food, and water.  Thank you, Luke for entertaining me at recess always.

Kaili – Thank You, God, for my friends.  Thank you, Sierra, for always inviting me over.

Emily – Thank You, God, for friends.  Thank you, Olivia, for being a good friend.

Ruth – Thank You, God, for loving us so much that you sent Your Son to die for us.  Thank you, Kaili, for being my best friend forever.

Lilia – Thank You, God, for family.  Thank you, Mom, for loving us.

Madi – Thank You, God, for giving me everlasting life in heaven.  Thank you, Mom, for giving me a lot of American Girls.

The Lord is With Us!

Here is a litany our class wrote after studying the story of Ruth and Naomi and learning that the Lord is with us in both happy and sad times.

Isabella:  When my dad got a new job . . .
All:          The Lord was with me.

Lilia:  When I had a cold . . .
All:     The Lord was with me.

Samantha:  When my grandmother died . . .
All:             The Lord was with me.

Olivia:  When my Nana came back to my house . . .
All:       The Lord was with me.

Ruth:  When I heard that my friend might move to Hawaii . . .
All:     The Lord was with me.

Hannah:  When my dad was getting better . . .
All:          The Lord was with me.

Anna Lee:  When I won a race . . .
All:             The Lord was with me.

Emily:   When my kitten died . . .
All:        The Lord was with me.

Lily:  When my grandma was sick . . .
All:    The Lord was with me.

Kate:  When I got a new cat . . .
All:      The Lord was with me.

Roi:  When I fell down on my elbow . . .
All:    The Lord was with me.

Luke:  When I got to do heart surgery . . .
All:     The Lord was with me.

Chappel:  When my gramma had her tumor . . .
All:           The Lord was with me.

Cody:  When we played soccer together . . .
All:       The Lord was with me.

Madi:  When I had my birthday . . .
All:      The Lord was with me.

Clara:  When I made a new friend . . .
All:      The Lord was with me.

Sofia:  When I played soccer . . .
All:      The Lord was with me.

Evan:   When I left my grandparents . . .
All:       The Lord was with me.

Kaili:  When I am at school . . .
All:     The Lord is with me.

All:  In both good times and sad times . . .
All:  The Lord is with me!

What About Frogs?

     The second graders wrote a report together about frogs this week.  We made a list of questions we had about frogs and then read several books and did a computer search to find the answers to our questions.  Here is the report containing the new information we learned. 

What About Frogs?

by 2nd Grade



Frogs have interesting adaptations that help them live.  They can live up to ten years.  When they are tadpoles, they only eat algae and other plants.  They are vegetarians.  When they are adult frogs, they are no longer vegetarians.  They eat insects, worms, and dead animals.   Some frogs eat bugs that come to them while others leap to catch their food. Frogs also might eat their skin when they shed it.  Frogs use their hind legs to jump.  Some frogs can jump ten to twenty times their body length.  A frog’s sticky tongue is folded up inside its mouth.  Its tongue is one-third the length of its body and helps it catch its prey.  Frogs don’t drink water like we do.  They absorb water through their skin.  Some frogs that have bright-colored, slimy skin are poisonous.  Frogs are very interesting to read and learn about. 

2nd Graders' Birthday Memories

Kaili – We got to milk the fake cows at the museum on my 4th birthday.

Emily – I went to Pump It Up and skinned my arm.

Anna Lee – I liked having my birthday party on the playground at the Children’s Hospital.

Madison – I love animals so I got a butterfly net and a thing filled with ladybugs that were alive.  I liked putting them in the backyard.

Cody -  Animals came to my birthday party.  The Critter Man put a live tarantula right in my face.

Kate – Once for my birthday my mom and dad got  me a scooter.

Sofia- I liked having my birthday at TCBY.

Chappel – I liked my last birthday because I got to see my grandma before she had her brain tumor in New Mexico. My cousin did fireworks.

Lilia – I went to Pump It Up for my 5th birthday.  There were a lot of trampolines and two bounce houses.

Lily – I went ice skating for my 6th birthday.

Luke – I had a costume party on my 7^th birthday.  I dressed up as a ninja.

Ruth – On my 7^th birthday I had an almost-a-sleepover party at my house. All my friends brought their sleeping bags, but they went home at 8:00.

Isabella – On my 5th  birthday I got to ride a pony and I got to feed the chickens.

Olivia – I liked my 7^th birthday because I got to go to the American Girl store and get a doll.

Evan – On my 5th birthday I got a spy plane, so now I can spy on my family.

Clara – On my 5^th birthday I went to the zoo, and a giraffe came right through my window. 

Samantha – On my 4th birthday I had a slide with water on it and a pool at the bottom.  I invited all my friends from preschool. 

Roi – On my 7^th birthday I got vanilla cupcakes. 

Mrs. Stamp - On my 51st birthday 19 second graders sang "Happy Birthday" to me, shared chocolate chip cookies with me, and gave me a birthday card and a gift card to Dillards.  It was wonderful! :)  (Thank you sooo much!)

Monthly Prayer For a Child

A teacher friend of mine shared with me this list she received at an educators' conference.  It suggests ways that you can pray for your child(ren) each day of the month.  I've  found it helpful as I pray for my students each day and thought you might be blessed by it too.

1st - Salvation
2nd - Love
3rd - Self-control
4th - Justice
5th - Respect for self/others
6th - Faithfulness
7th - Responsibility
8th - Generosity
9th - Future Christian spouse
10th - Perseverance
11th - Compassion
12th - Contentment
13th - Faith
14th - Purity
15th- Self-discipline
16th - Joy
17th - Growth in grace
18th - Honesty and integrity
19th - A love for God's Word
20th - Mercy
21st - Strong Biblical self-esteem
22nd - A passion for God
23rd - Kindness
24th - Peace
25th - Hope
26th - Humility
27th - Prayerfulness
28th - Courage
29th - A servant's heart
30th - A willingness to work hard
31st - A missional heart

What I Like to Do With My Grandparents

I like to spend time with my grandpa because he buys us milkshakes and toys. - Chappel

I like learning how to sew with my grandma. – Kate

I like to go to Six Flags with my grandparents. – Madi

I like watching Cartoon Network with my grandma and grandpa. – Roi

I like going out to eat with my grandparents. – Anna Lee

I like being with my grandma because she gives us jelly beans and root beer. – Cody

I like to play freeze tag with my grandma. – Clara

I like to make pickles with my grandma. – Ruth

I like to watch Sponge Bob with my grandma and her dog. – Olivia

I like to go fishing with Pappa. – Evan

I like going on a golf cart ride with my grandpa. – Samantha

I like to listen to stories of when my mom got in trouble with my grandma. :) – Lily

I like to do crossword puzzle activities with my grandma. – Emily

I like when my grandma gave me new shoes for my birthday. - Isabella

I like to listen to my grandmother’s childhood stories. – Mrs. Cronin

I loved laughing with my grandmother. – Mrs. Stamp

What Are You Thankful For This Week?

I'm thankful for learning about God at chapel. - Olivia
I'm thankful we got to read books about math. - Sofia
I'm thankful that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and will always forgive our sins. - Lily
I'm thankful that God gave us art class. - Ruth
I'm thankful for friends. - Chappel
I'm thankful for a good teacher and friends. - Luke
I'm thankful for a teacher and everyone who's here. - Evan
I'm thankful for playing beanbag tag in P.E. - Kate
I'm thankful for cooler weather at recess. - Mrs. Cronin
I'm thankful for all the stuff that we can read in the Bible. - Clara
I'm thankful for the playground and computers. - Samantha
I'm thankful for Jesus giving us a school so that we can learn about God. - Cody
I'm thankful for friends that we get to spend time with. - Emily
I'm thankful for having fun at recess. - Anna Lee
I'm thankful for God letting us go to school. - Madison
I'm thankful for the playground field. - Lilia
I'm thankful that I have a school to go to and that there wasn't much traffic. - Isabella
I'm thankful for 19 wonderful students and 2 wonderful teacher assistants! - Mrs. Stamp

Our Peace Place

From time to time throughout the year, students will experience conflicts with each other.  Christian "Getting-Along Skills" are important to have for these situations.  Our classroom Peace Place helps us to develop such skills.  Here's how it works:

When two students have a problem, they go to the Peace Place -- a small area in the back of our classroom or out on the playground if that's where the conflict arises.  They follow these steps:

1.  Cool down.  If one or both of the students are still upset, they must wait to begin the process.
2.  Talk and listen to each other. We have a little metal cross that the students hold.  Only the one holding the cross is able to talk.  The other child must listen.  The cross is passed back and forth to help the children remember to take turns talking and listening. As the child talks, feelings and needs are expressed.  For example, "I felt angry when you took the ball away from me.  Please give it back."
3.  Talk about a way to solve the problem. Both children must agree upon the solution.
4.  Say you're sorry and receive forgiveness.  Be specific.  Rather than saying, "I'm sorry.  Will you forgive me?" say, "I'm sorry I grabbed the ball away from you.  Will you forgive me?"  The other child replies, "I forgive you" rather than "That's okay."  This giving and receiving of the forgiveness of Jesus is so important.

We're still learning this process, but as the year goes by and the children have more opportunities to use it to solve their conflicts, they will develop these "Getting-Along Skills".  You may want to consider setting up your own peace place at home!  :)

Our First Day of School

Going through the steps of the writing process (prewriting, first draft, revising, editing, and publishing), we wrote this personal narrative together as a class. 

                                                             Our First Day of School
                                                                    by 2nd grade

     On our first day of school we colored our paper t-shirts and cut them out.  We felt great when we saw our old friends and met our teacher and new friends too!  Next, we learned our new classroom rules.  After that we had fun playing jump rope and soccer on the playground and field.  It was new for us to play on the field.  We were happy to play with our friends again!  After recess Mrs. Stamp read The Bee Tree and we learned that reading a book isn't boring.  Then we got homework which was reading for twenty minutes and studying math fact cards for five minutes.  Last of all, we went to chapel.  We got to sing songs and learn about Jesus and truth.  At the end of our first day of second grade we no longer felt nervous.  We felt happy and tired instead.

Welcome to our blog!

From time to time we will share highlights with you from our school day.  We hope that you will enjoy your  glimpse into our classroom!