Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!!  This is a much better week!!  Welcome back to normal!!  Weather is good, kids are finally going outside for recess, no threat of snow, ice or cold weather.  Whew!! I pray I didn't just jinx us.  We are getting back into our routine of things here at school.  Please be sure your child has everything they need to go outside for recess.  Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and boots are needed!!!  Just because it is warmer, it does not mean no coats.  Some kids think since it has warmed up a little they can survive with just a sweatshirt. It's not that warm.  Also boots are a must.  It will be melting the next few days and that makes for a very mushy playground.  If they want to play and enjoy recess they must have boots.  We would prefer to not have the mess in the building on our regular shoes.

Language Arts - We have been taking a benchmark test this week.  They have completed a section of the test each day since Tuesday.  They finished the test today.  I have been checking the test each day.  Your child knows if they have been doing well or not.  Some seem to not have their head back in the game yet.  This unit test was actually a benchmark test which tells me how they are doing in regards to the Iowa Core benchmarks that I am teaching.  I warned them this test was not easy and it was highly important that they take their time and look up answers to be sure they are right.  The results to this test should come home with your student next Thursday.  Next week we will get back into the book, language arts will be back to a normal routine.

Math - We are working on finishing up our Chapter 3 on Multiplication. I am looking at the students testing next week.  We will then either do a chapter on Area and perimeter or we will get right into division.  The division chapter is very long.  The area chapter is only 5 lessons and I feel is great to do right after we studied multiplication.  It might be just enough of a small break to get their minds ready to really focus on division.  We will move on to division timed tests during this time so you will be able to start working on division flash cards at home also.  Division is just the opposite of multiplication and I don't fore see any issues but we will be learning strategies that you have not learned.  It will be a struggle at home.  I try to take our time and be sure the kids are understanding before they leave me for the day to lessen the stress at home.  Again, coming in before school will work.  I now have morning duty on Thursdays so I am available Mon. -Wed and Friday.

Social Studies- We are finishing up our last chapter on the Northeast.  We will be testing soon and then moving on to the Southeast region.  We will be getting ready to  assign the next project.  The kids are getting excited about that.  I plan to pick up the pace a little bit in Social Studies.  We don't have class on Wednesdays due to the hour early every week, and this is causing me to not be where I am normally at this time of the year.  I will begin to move through lessons more quickly with the students, which may give them more work.  I don't like skipping anything because I feel like all chapters and lessons are very meaningful.  Now that the 4th graders have half a year under their belt, I feel they can handle moving forward at a quicker pace.

Ms. Ogbern -  As you know Ms. Miller left us at Christmas to move to Ames, Iowa, where she found a full time job. We have replaced her with Ms. Ogbern.  She is from the Corning area.  She will the aide for 3-5 from 9:30 -3:00 every day.  She is hear all day on Wednesdays.  We hope to use her in the same way we used Ms. MIller.  She will be working with groups of students to ensure their growth.  She just graduated in December with a degree in History.  Her hope is to one day hold down a job in a library working on programs for youth.  What a great way to gain experience with kids than to work with us.  She also had experience with children all ready.  We welcome her to the classroom!

Catholic Schools week is coming!!!  Here is a quick overview of the week.  I will get more in depth next week.
     Monday- Hat Day
     Tuesday - Come As You Are   (P.J.'s)
     Wednesday -  Theme Day (Lumberjacks)
     Thursday -  Blue and Gold or St. Malachy Day
     Friday -  Dress Up Day

Next week I will let you know everything that will happen each day.

Have a great weekend!!

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels