Okay Fifth-Grade – it is time for my yearly Lent Challenge!  The season of Lent is the 40 days prior to Easter – marked at the beginning by Ash Wednesday and the end by Easter.  My challenge to you does not have anything to do with the denomination (Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, etc)  of church that your family attends, but rather it has to do with your relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Bible teaches us that Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends”.  You may be confused by that verse, but what it means is that Jesus loved us so much that HE layed down his life for us (he calls us His friends – isn’t that AWESOME)!  I would like to challenge you to “lay down” something for Jesus.  The season of Lent lasts 40 days, so I would LOVE for you to CHOOSE something to give up for forty days during the Lent season.

This is an honor challenge!  I am not going to check to make sure you are not breaking your word, this is a choice to give something up for Jesus.  The hope is that everytime you think of that thing you gave up – that you will think of Jesus and maybe even pray to him!  If you mess up and accidentally forget and do the thing you said you wouldn’t do – it is OKAY!  Ask Jesus to forgive you and start over!  One year I gave up chocolate and I forgot and just ate a piece that someone had given me!  I asked for forgiveness and moved on!  Jesus cares about our heart and he knows we will make mistakes (remember – he is the only perfect one!).

Lent starts on Feb. 17th.  I would like you to think about if you want to participate in the challenge.  I am still trying to figure out what I am going to give up!  I think I know what God wants me to give up, I am just hoping that isn’t really what He wants me to give up!  I think I am going to have to give up Farmville on Facebook and that will be very difficult for me!  In the past I have given up Diet Coke and Chocolate and sweets all together.

Please post your thoughts on Lent.  Why you think we observe Lent and if you think you will participate in the challenge.  If you already know what you will give up post that as well, so we can encourage you along the way!  See if you can get your entire family to participate!  Last year we had MANY families that all participated in Lent and made it to the end!  Mrs. Clinton always participates with my class as well!  We will also talk about this in class.

I want you to go on a virtual field of volcanoes!  Follow the link below…

http://www.tramline.com/tours/sci/volcano/_tourlaunch1.htm

After you have gone on your field trip, come back and tell me what volcanoes have to do with the Earth’s layers?  Why would we learn the Earth’s layers before we learn about volcanoes.  Also, I want you to give me one reason you think you need to know about this information in “real life”.  Finally, tell me 3 new pieces of information you learned about Earth’s layers or volcanoes!

Mrs. D