3rd Grade – 5th Grade
Teacher: Sarah Aungst
The Middle Room
The Middle Room is a blend of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. It is our “transition room”. We still do fun activities like the Littles, but now we tie our shoes and use the microwave on our own– somewhere in between the computer coding and Japanese! We focus on building up our independent work skills, which means students have a good blend of time with the teacher, with small groups, and on their own.
And sometimes we’re just crazy about learning.
A Day in the Life of a Middle Roomer
Middle Room students have a full day, 5 days a week. Each day has some sort of special to attend, whether it is Art, Gym, Worship, Chapel or Adventure Math (kid/school friendly table top gaming.)
We start the day with read aloud and penmanship (in cursive!) Some of our favorite books over the past few years have been Wayside School is Falling Down, Fish, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Beezus and Ramona, and several of the Redwall series.
In English, we cover the essentials of grammar, spelling, mechanics, and writing genres. This year, middle room students wrote compare-contrast essays, persuasive letters, diamante poems, personal narratives, and book reviews!
Our morning Math rotation is split up between grade levels. While 3rd graders are working on fractions, the 4th and 5th graders have their own work to complete while they are waiting for their turn. This is where we hone our reading comprehension, math fact fluency, and vocabulary.
Afternoons change each day. We dabble in science, history and computer science throughout the week. When we aren’t doing a science experiment, we’re using Code.org to beef up on our computational thinking skills. In History, we don’t just read about what happened, we investigate and try it ourselves! The First Continental Congress met in our classroom a few weeks ago, and boy did they have a lot to say!
Bible lessons in the Middle Room usually generate a lot of questions. We know the story about why Noah filled the Ark, but did God really have to tell him to bring the mosquitos? If we are created in God’s image, why is it so hard to make a good choice sometimes? How can I show people the love and kindness that Jesus wants me to show them? We mark verses in our Bible (which the school provides for our kiddos to use and take with them when they finish 5th grade) and work on committing God’s word to our hearts through study and memorization.
About Miss Aungst
Miss Aungst (Sarah) has been a school teacher for about 15 years. She has enjoyed teaching at Ebenezer since 2020.
She is about the biggest nerd you will ever meet. She likes to read old, dusty books and plays video games.
Miss Aungst has 3 cats at home: Momo, Fang, and Wes. She also has 8 chickens who keep all the bugs away from the house and lay eggs from time to time. They are also skilled landscapers.
Like most other teachers, she probably would not survive if it were not for her daily coffee, though crab rangoons rank a close second.
She attended Michigan State and Central Michigan University. She is currently finishing up her Doctorate of Educational Technology at CMU. She would like to be a college professor when she grows up.
If you ever need to get a hold of her, you can email her at sarah@ebenezerchristian.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
May my child take advantage of riding the Ellsworth bus?
To see if your child lives in an area where bus pick up or drop off is available, you must call the Ellsworth school district. This is entirely a parent’s responsibility. It is also the parent’s responsibility to notify the school if their child doesn’t need to be picked up or dropped off on any particular day.
Can I sit in on my child’s class?
Yes, we encourage parental involvement in our students’ educational journey. However, due to licensing restrictions, there may be additional paperwork required. Please contact your child’s teacher for specifics.
How do I enroll my child?
Complete the below form (use Adobe Acrobat to complete digitally) and email to admin@ebenezerchristian.org. If filling out the form by hand, you can drop it off at the school office or send it in by mail to:
Ebenezer Christian School ATTN: Admissions PO Box 158 Ellsworth, MI 49729
How does tuition work?
We will invoice you at the beginning of the school year for the full tuition, broken down into 10 payments (Sep – June). You can pay by cash or check to the school office, or online by clicking here.
Is there a discount for multiple children?
Yes! See our tuition details for specific pricing.
Have additional questions?
We’re here to help. Let’s talk.