Randall Planetarium at Mt SAC 2026

We had a very exciting day on Friday, 10/30. We got to have lunch together in the classroom before we left for the field trip...that was really different and so fun! 

We loaded the bus at 11am, and got to Randall Planetarium at Mt. SAC right on time. 

The following photos and videos were taken by our chaperones. Thank you for sending them! 

Here we are waiting for the program to start: 

Our group went into the planetarium first to see the show. It was good! They reinforced many things that we had been learning in the classroom. 

The question and answer time did make the teachers and parents cringe a bit...the presenter's answers were not based on the biblical truths of creation as written in Genesis. 

But not to worry. I will be re-teaching, and will be sure to help clarify the truth from Scripture. This is actually very good training for the kids to always compare what they hear to the truth of God's Word. 

This is what the inside of the planetarium looked like. 

Afterwards, we got to make the rockets! 

While the students were busy making the rockets indoors, I stepped outside, and my heart sank...it started raining pretty hard. 

We had been praying for the Lord to hold off the rain. The day before on Thursday after we prayed, the exact time period of our trip changed to 0% rain, and I thought the Lord had answered our prayers. 

However, the steady rain at that moment challenged my faith. I begged the Lord, "Please! The kids have been looking forward to the rocket launch SO MUCH...please stop the rain!" It seemed to rain even harder...LOL. Ok Lord.

I walked inside and said to Pastor Offringa (James' dad), "Can you please pray that it would stop raining in the next 3 minutes?" He said, "OK". 

And guess what? Right around that time, and right when the kids finished their craft, it stopped raining!! I know this is such a small thing compared to the grand scheme of things, but I was having my own happy dance moment with Jesus. 

When the first rockets were shot up in the air, and the kids all exclaimed in delight, I felt so much joy, and so much gratitude. Jesus cares about the small things, too. 

Here's the line as they waited to launch their rockets.

They put their rockets into the air shooter, 2 at a time. 

The challenge was to catch it as it came down. It was VERY difficult to do as the rockets went extremely high into the air!

The first person to make the catch was our very own Sammy!!! AND not only that, he was the only one to catch it a second time! Way to go, Sammy!

Then, both Matthias and Blair caught theirs AT THE SAME TIME!! WOWOWOWWW!!

Thank you to our chaperones for doing a wonderful job with our kids. 

Thank You, Jesus, for an amazing day!

 

Random Pics and Vids

 OHMYGOODNESS! Look how cute our kids are. Honestly! This was taken for the Turkey Trot page. 

Of course we had to do the silly faces!!

We just finished our Space unit in science. Here is the Solar System song: 

We also know the 8 Moon Phases. Can you name them all?

We have had several Rainy Day Recesses indoors. I wanted to give you a peek into how nicely they play inside the room (for the MOST part...lol). 

Here are the last 2 Multiplication Songs (the 9s and the 12s):

In Social Studies, we have been taking a pretend field tip to Washington DC (in conjunction with the 8th graders who were just there!).

One activity had the students writing a short speech as the President of the United States. So I said to them without any warning or practice, "Who would like to give your speech in front of the class?"

These were the kids who volunteered. Not bad for an impromptu speech with no time to even think about it:

Sage for President

Jesaun for President

Matthew for President

Blair for President

Matilde for President

And finally, here are some pics of them in their pajamas. (I'm so sorry that I did not get Matthew and Elijah's pics...I think they were in the bathroom!!)

I am so very proud of these kiddos! We have been together for ONE TRIMESTER, and they have grown leaps and bounds already. 

I thank the Lord for the privilege of teaching them about Jesus every day. 

BOOK IN A BOX 2026

 CONGRATULATIONS! You have survived the first book report project! I am so very proud of the kids!!👏👏👏

Parents, you did a GREAT JOB allowing them to do their thing!! 

Look how proud they are of their projects! Their smiles are the very best!!

Now that the kids have done the first round, the second round will be a bit easier. They know what to expect, especially the Oral Presentation part. 

There are 2 things they can do to improve:

    1) Do not look down to read...look at the audience.

    2) Many of the kids went way over or way under             the minute and a half mark. Practice staying                 close to the time. 

The next project is due on Wednesday, November 4th. For this one, the kids can choose ANY of the other projects in the RED FOLDER.

Here are the choices:

PARENTS! I NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS! PLEASE READ: 

Since everyone will be choosing different projects, it will be extremely important for you to read the directions together with your child.

Also, when it's time to check off the items on the rubric, please do this together with your child. 

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

BONUS VIDEOS:

The other day, we were doing a science assignment where they had to work in groups. They were doing such a great job collaborating, I had to capture the moment! 

I don't think I've posted the 8s Song yet, so here it is: