Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!!  Wow!  We are going to get in a full week this week!  It's a miracle.  Well, I guess 2 hour delay on Monday but I will take it.  I may be worn out by the end of the week though. Our field trip was yesterday, it was so much fun.  The kids were so into their jobs, some didn't want to take their full lunch break.  They knew they had work to do.  I will go over with them today what businesses were able to pay back their loans and who spent money in the town to help with that.  We really pushed for the kids to spend their money to help the economy.  The day after is a favorite for me to listen to the kids talk about their day and their experience. Miss Surma and I already have several thoughts for when we go again in 2 years.  We really enjoyed being able to wander around this year and watch all kids in their positions.  We had to help fix a few mistakes that were made  in  our classroom work that was done prior to the day but very important for the day.  There was some Math issues.  Also, some real life mistakes of an account being charged double for something, misplaced debit cards,  account numbers not matching and even a bounced check. I explained each time these are real things that can happen in life and we worked to fix them.  GREAT learning right there.

Language Arts-   This week the story is called Harvesting Hope.  It is a biography about Cesar Chavez and migrant farm workers. It tells the story about how he worked to get fair treatment and wages for the Migrant Farm Workers.  It tells his story from when he was a child and how a drought cost his family their ranch.  They moved to California to work as Migrant workers in the San Joaquin Valley.  He led a march to Sacramento from Delano, California.  That march worked to get the first contract for Migrant Farm Workers Association.  It is a good story about protesting without violence. Also a great history lesson.  We have been talking about Clauses in grammar, independent, dependent, and relative clauses.  This is difficult stuff for 4th graders but we grasp the ideas.  We will do an activity over Reference Materials this week for the vocabulary strategy.  Also the short story is a very interesting one on a school with a "garden" classroom.  The things grown in the garden are used in school lunches and kids learn how to prepare healthy lunches.  It is cool story.  Tomorrow is normal Friday with spelling post test and end of week test.

Math -  We will begin back in the math chapter today.  First I will begin by reviewing how to multiply double digit numbers using the regrouping strategy.  Then we will finish up this chapter and take a test.  We will move pretty quickly with this so that we can finish up.  I plan to teach them about area and perimeter then move on into division.  That is our plan.  I am getting to the point where I have to look at big picture (end of year) when making my plans because as long as this winter is, the end is still coming.

Social Studies -  The students have had a test over chapter 6 this week and a map test over the Southeast states.  They are working on putting states in their interactive notebooks.  This week has been MIssissippi and Alabama.  We will move onto chapter 7 tomorrow.  I plan on covering this chapter rather quickly.  We will have another map test during this chapter and finish up states in our interactive notebooks.  We will also work on new vocabulary.  Chapter 7 will again cover the Southeast States.  We will talk about people that were all ready in the region.

Auction/Gala -  The St. Malachy Gala is this Saturday night at Supertel.  I hope all of you can make it.  I will not due to it being Mom's Weekend in Ames at Jami's sorority.  Thank you to all who donated to the auction basket and silent auction item.  Both turned out great!  The students are working on placemats this week.  It is a great fundraiser and frankly a very fun evening!  If you are looking for something to do there is a fabulous meal being provided.  If you would like tickets pick them up at the office.  You can pay at the door.

Illness -  Just a reminder, illness has hit our wing at school.  We have had one diagnosed with influenza A.  I have talked to class about hand washing, sneezing, and wiping down desks with clorox wipes.  I told them to sneeze into sleeves and if that doesn't happen clean area.  They all seem to understand. Also, please remember the rule of thumb is 24 hours.  Your child needs to be fever free without meds for 24 hours, vomit free for 24 hours.  If this isn't in place they are still contagious and we are trying to prevent passing it on to others. Thank you!

I hope everyone has a great day!   I am praying the weather stays away.  I am looking forward to a day in Ames with my kids and a great friend. A little Hickory Park, shopping in  University Book Store and painting at the Sorority.  Not much of a painter but I will try. Hopefully March is a better month for weather.  I am sure those traveling are looking forward to Spring Break.  Enjoy your weekend.

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels