Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!  Well, we are here, this is my last blog that I will be putting out for this class.  If I need to put out any information next week I will use my blog but otherwise I plan on trying to get it all in today's memo.  I am still finding it hard to believe our year is almost over.  I will say the kids are ready.  They are very talkative and some can't believe I am still giving them homework.  I told them I plan to teach them up until the last day because that is my job.  We still have things to do.  We are trying very hard to get our interactive notebooks done.  I am worried we won't make it happen.  They get so mad when I give them multiple states to do.  But the funny thing is they usually get them done.

Language Arts -  This week I chose to cover week 28 in our books.  This story was called Museums: Worlds of Wonder. It introduced 5 museums around the U.S. and what they have to offer.  The most interesting are the Field Museum in Chicago, which houses "Sue" the only complete skeleton of a t-rex.  I have been there 21 years ago but do not remember seeing it!  Another one is space museum in Washington D.C., which I have been to.  It houses all the cool things from air and space that has happened in the U.S.  Orville and Wilbur Wright's first airplane, and a moon rock for all to see.  The other is the City Museum in St. Louis.  It is a very cool museum with fun things to do.  Look it up to see.  We talked about trash and recycling and covered possessive pronouns.  This is the last week for a story and spelling words.  I have been reading aloud Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I plan to show this movie on Tuesday and then Wednesday do a compare and contrast activity with them comparing the book and the movie.  That will end our year of language arts.

Math -  We finished up chapter 4 this week with a test.  I have the results of the test coming home today.  You will see that all questions are linked to a standard and you will see what score I intend to give them.  You will also see the "pre" and "post" test results at the bottom.   We will work on somethings in chapter 5 for the next 4 -5 days.  Again, I plan to teach them as long as I have them.

Social Studies -  We take a map test tomorrow over the West region.  The final map test over all 50 states and capitals will take place next Thursday morning at 8:30.  I keep reminding the kids, but I am not sure they are paying that much attention to me.  This is the big granddaddy of them all for 4th grade.  Hopefully they have studied hard each region so this one will not be too awful for them.  We covered some important things about the Southwest and now we are covering important things about the West.  They talked about the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park today.  I plan to have them talk about the climates of the region next week.  We will try and get to a Native American tribe from the area also. That will end our year.

Thursday, May 31st - On this day we will start the day with the States and Capitals test.  After that we will have a cookie party sponsored by the PTO for getting 2nd place in lap-a-thon. I plan on cleaning out our desks that day so be sure to send an extra bag with your student that day to load everything home.  The afternoon will be Field Day.  It will begin at 1:00 and last all afternoon.  Anyone is welcome to join us for the afternoon on the playground.

Friday, June 1st -  We start the day with Mass at 9:15.  It is the last mass of the school year.  We will have awards at 10ish or when Mass concludes.  When that is done we will be in our rooms, then we will eat lunch as a class.  After that we have the 8th grad clap-out at 1:00 P.M>  That will end our time together!! 

I have had a very enjoyable year.  Yes, we had some rough patches, but nothing we didn't overcome.  I am very proud of this class and how they have grown this year.  They have learned what it means to be organized ( some still need help), we have learned study skills and the importance of getting our homework done.  I wish them all the best in 5th grade next year.  I am always happy to know that I will still teach them one class next year.  So this is not goodbye it is just that they won't be full-time with me next year.  I hope everyone has a great, safe summer!  See you next year!

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels