Happy Thursday! Looks like we are in for a warm up tomorrow. As nice as it is, everything will be melty and gross. I hate it when it thaws a little and slush is everywhere. It doesn't make for good recess outside either. When we go out and it is just too wet we usually stay in the courtyard and only on the cement. Some kids want to be on the ground all the time and end up soaked, even if they have snow pants on. Being wet for the whole afternoon is not any fun. I know the kids think, "I hate rule" when it comes to recess but we really do make them for their benefit. Yesterday the feels like temp was 0 and I took them out. It really wasn't bad at all. I rather enjoyed some fresh chilly air. The kids all were very busy enjoying it also. Today may be okay but tomorrow not so much. Those who are not bringing boots still have to stand along the wall so they don't get their shoes wet and have wet cold feet all day. Please be sure your child takes them to school so they can run around.
Language Arts - This week we finished the week 15 story and end of week assessment. We then moved on to the Unit 3 Benchmark Test. We will finish it up tomorrow. The last section we have to finish is the Revising and Editing section with deals with all the grammar we talked about in Unit 3. The students have done a pretty good job, I feel, of taking their time on this test. I hope the test results reflect this as well. We have done some read aloud and some have had some time to read their book report books. I am working on a rubric for the students to look at while they complete the Character Sketchbook. This helps them see exactly how I am going to look at their project and score it. They can then double check that they think they are getting the number of points that they want. I will have it finished by Monday for sure.
Math - Because of the crazy late start on Tuesday and the Unit 3 testing I feel like we haven't done much math this week. We will be working on learning the standard algorithm for Multiplication over the next few days. This is the strategy that you and I learned as a kid. When we were told there was only one way to work problems. Such a shame that we were told that. I know I would have done better in math if I could have learned these strategies. These strategies have been around a long time, we have just never really found it necessary to teach them. I am happy to do it so they can pick a strategy that is easiest for them to catch on to. We are only have about 3-4 more lessons in this chapter and then we will test. Because we have spent our time learning so much in chapter 2 and 3 I move on to Chapter 13 which is a fun chapter on Perimeter and Area. We do some fun relaxing hands on activities with this chapter and practice our multiplication skills.
Social Studies - We have started on chapter 6. We have worked on some vocabulary words, read a few pages in the first lesson which deal with the lay of the land. We talked about the coast or shoreline and how it's elevation is 0 feet and why. Then we discussed the Outer Coastal Plain, Inner Coastal Plain and Barrier Islands. Tomorrow we will add the Piedmont Region and Appalachian Mountains. They are also working on Georgia their first state in the Southeast to enter the Union. We have a lot of different things going on. They seemed a little excited to get a state to put into their interactive notebooks.
Coin Wars - The FBLA Coin Wars begin next week and go all week. The class is asked to bring in change to put in out class container. The class at St. Malachy that raises the most will get a pizza party and the 2nd place class gets a cookie party. My class has had a cookie party before. The money they are raising, goes to the Honor Flights. There are currently 17 gentlemen in Creston who are looking to take a trip to Washington DC to see the Memorials for all our wars. It costs about $750 per person to go. The FBLA is trying to help relieve some of the financial burden that this can be on some of the Veterans. What a great way to pay tribute to our local Veterans. Send in some money if you can!
Catholic Schools Week is coming. We have sent home the lay out of the week. I will lay it out day by day next week in my blog. If you have any questions just ask.
Auction Item - Yes it is that time of year again. This year is a little different for the class baskets. The 3-5 grade classes will be putting together one basket for our grade band. The homeroom mom's are taking control and making this happen. You will get information today on the basket. They have decided to put together a Gardening Basket. Please send any monetary donations or items to school with your child. I will be sure to get the items to the necessary people. If you are writing a check please do NOT make it to St. Malachy School. The only one to cash that is Kim and we don't want an influx of checks coming in for her to cash. Make the check payable to me or Calista Purdum. Thank you! They have some great ideas on the list but if you have anymore ideas please feel free to send whatever you want to help make our basket special. I will try to keep an updated list each week of any items we receive. Thanks. Danielle Steele, Jennifer Simmons and I will be getting together to plan a silent auction item for the class to create. I will let you know what that is when we make a decision.
Spirit Day is tomorrow! Bring a $1 to wear sweats and be comfy! I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am running to Des Moines to see a movie with some friends. We read the books and are looking forward to the movie.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
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