Dear Parents:

     What a week we have had!!  Kids seem to be coping very well.  Our prayer in the morning has changed.  We sit in a small circle near prayer center and light candle on Advent Wreath.  We go through prayer and then we do any visiting we need to.  Topics are our thoughts, feelings, cares, concerns or fears.  They have really come together as a group and helped one another this week.  I am very proud of these kids!!  They each tug at my heartstrings in many ways.  I have probably had more emotions than the students, and I have openly shed tears.  I feel it's important for them to see.  I would again like to thank all of you for sharing your children with me.

Language Arts - We have been working through a story this week as best we can.  I have tried to not bombard them.  The story is called Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World.   It is about the author who travels there and stays for four months to study the environment.  It does involve a lot of talk about ice.  So far no big discussions have come up.  I am sure before the week is up we will talk about ice safety.  I do not plan on giving a Friday test this week.  We haven't been able to cover everything from the test this week and it would not be a fair assessment.  Focusing has been hard for all of us, including me.  We are still going through the motions but not sure how much we are absorbing.  I may use text as an partner activity for practice but not as an assessment.

Math -  We finished up a chapter before break.  We have corrected tests, I need to put a score on them and then they will come home to be signed.  This week we are starting a unit on Graphs.  We will cover pictographs and line plots this week.  This is a fun unit too.  Learning all the different kinds of graphs.  I also have a fun Christmas activity planned using coordinate pairs when we get to that.  Math shouldn't be too stressful from now until Christmas.

Social Studies -  We practiced labeling the Northeast Region on maps this week.  They will be required on the next test to be able to label all the states in this region.  I gave them extra maps to continue to practice on.  We have been fitting social studies in off and on all week.  Remember project due dates start next week.  I am excited and students are too.  Some are completely done and have asked several questions to see if completed correctly.  Good for them!!!

Funeral:  I wanted to let you know that Ms. Surma and I plan to be at the visitation the entire time.  We feel for your kids to see a familiar face even if they are with you will be comforting.  We just want to help aid in this process in any way we can.  Your children are our priority.  They are welcome to find us for a hug or just to say "Hi".  I pray for all of you as you help your child pay respects and say good-bye to their classmate.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels