Dear Parents,
      Happy Thursday!!  I told you these next few weeks would go quickly.  I know for the kids it really doesn't but for us who are really preparing for Christmas it goes fast.  Next week is our last full week until next year!  That sounds crazy.  Next week will be treated like a normal week.  The only difference will be is Friday the 19th.  Our schedule will be very different that day.  The kids are all very excited this time of year but sometimes I feel a little too much.  Usually when they are this out of sorts a big snow storm is brewing.  I am not sure that is true, but if we get a good one before Christmas, I will say I am not surprised!!

Language Arts -  In language arts this week, we continue the theme of nonfiction stories.  This one is Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World.  We heard from an author who truly researches her subjects before writing about them.  She went and stayed in Antarctica for four months for research.  She was there over Christmas, which the kids and I had a hard time understanding.  I did talk about no one being able to be there during their true winter season because it is too dangerous.  This week in spelling we are working on more words ending in -ed and -ing.  We learned about words parts -spect, 
-struct, -tele, and -vis.  We learned that 3 of them originated from Latin and one Greek.  We learned their meanings which makes sense with our words that contain these parts.  In grammar we are discussing modal auxilaries, which are words like; may, might, can, could, would, should, and must.  We are learning what these words express and how to use them properly.  This is a challenge to teach when the slang of today changes the true meaning of these words.  Our main strategies and skills we are working on in the story are sequence, which we did activity over it in our small books that go along with the story, and summarizing. I reviewed the "Fab 5", that I went over earlier this year.  Our end of week assessment will be tomorrow.  Study those spelling words and vocabulary words!!

Math - We are working in chapter 3 on double-digit multiplication.  We have reviewed area boxes this week and how to do them with a double-digit number.  I am a huge fan of this strategy because it gives a visual that we can all understand.  It uses partial products which again is one of my favorites.  They have been working problems using area box the last couple of days.  Today we will use the area box to help us, but we will be focusing on partial products.  We will work our way into solving the problem using partial products without the area box.  This class will catch on quickly.  They have done an excellent job learning multiplication.  I am enjoying teaching this content!  Next week we will learn the regrouping strategy or the standard algorithm that you and I learned.  After that lesson we will spend a few extra days practicing what we learned and then we will do a Math activity that deals with coordinates and following directions.  They will create fun Christmas pictures following directions for coloring using a grid.  It is just a fun activity to do before a break.  I like to do this when I find a good spot to consider a stopping point for their vacation.

Social Studies - The projects have started arriving!! We have shared a couple.  I talked to the students about proper way to present their work.  I stressed no being silly and goofy and how they should be proud of the work they have done and want to share it so their classmates can enjoy their work also.  We are finishing the week with a test over chapter 4.  Next week we will begin chapter 5.  I will be sure to have a good stopping point in this subject also.

Friday, December 19th -  On this day our schedule will be a little different.  The Finals of the National Geography Bee will be held in the gym at 10:15.  All parents are welcome to attend to see what this event is all about.  We held the preliminary rounds the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  This event is for grades 4-8.  Our ten finalists are : Rowan Pope, LIly Pryor, Garon Wurster, Danika Schultes, Jaxie Luther, Aubrey Allen, Olivia Hagen, Aliyah Drey, Megan Pellman, and Tessa Powers.  In the afternoon, we will travel to the Performing Arts Center to practice for our Christmas Concert.  We will be gone most of the afternoon.  Please look for the permission form in your students take home folder.  Sign it and return it to me ASAP.  They need this filled out to travel to the YMCA that day.

Monday, December 22nd - We will be going to the Congregate Meal site with the 5th grade to sing our Christmas songs to the people there.  We will just walk since it is in the Depot.  Mrs. Weishaar-Mullin, Ms. Surma and myself will be walking them over.  We will go around 11:30 and be back by 11:55.  Short trip but I know the people will enjoy the show.

Tuesday, December 23rd - This is the last day before our Christmas Break!!  This day will be very different.  I will let you know specifically what we will be doing those last couple of days in next weeks blog.  The main thing I wanted you to know so you could plan ahead is: at 2:30 we will all meet in the gym for caroling.  The student sit with their advent angels and we sing Christmas Carols.  If you have never been here, I would highly recommend you try to get here.  It is the most awesome thing we do as a school.  The singing is loud and fills the gym.  It brings tears to most of our eyes watching the kids enjoy each other.  Truly fills you with the Christmas Spirit!! Please feel free to come sing with us.

I will have a lot more information next week concerning December 22nd & 23rd.  So stand by until next week!!  Have a great weekend, I hope all of you are getting your shopping done!!!  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hope you are enjoying the Holiday Season.

God Bless, 
Mrs. Sickels