Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!  I am worn out this week.  I think I blame last week.  It was so exciting and fun that this week is too much hard work.  The kids struggled at the beginning of the week getting back into a routine.  I plan to work them pretty solid up until Spring Break.  I told them when I make my plans I have the end of the year in mind.  Most of their eyes popped out of their head.  I responded that I know its a long ways away but I have to make sure I am getting everything I need to get done completed by the end of the year.   They were completely surprised.  It is hard to believe but we are on the down hill side of things.

Language Arts -  This week the story the students are reading is called Ecology for Kids.  It teaches the students what ecology means, what an ecologist studies and how it can be helpful to Earth.  This is a science article in Language Arts.  I have to admit if you are not totally into science and the study of Earth, this is not a very interesting article.  Especially when you have to read it 3 different time throughout the week.  We are working on  Irregular verbs, the "Be" Verb and verbs using helping verbs this week.  The vocabulary strategy we reviewed was Using Context.  Remember that tomorrow is a spelling post test and end of week test day.  Have them study their yellow packets and spelling words.

Last week the end of week test grammar portion was not done well by most students.  I am blaming Catholic Schools Week and the fact that it took a week and half to complete this story.  Nevertheless, we pulled the test up again today and went over those 10 questions on the test. I talked about why their answer was wrong and why the correct answer is correct.   I saw lots of light bulbs above heads when they figured it out.  I wanted you to know that I did not just ignore those low scores. We did address them in class.

Students came Monday with their book reports finished.  I always wait for them to be finished before giving them the final directions.  I talked to them about how they will present their projects.  I modeled for them the right way and the wrong way.  I showed them what they could do to ensure they are doing it the right way.  They have had all week to write on the back of each page what they want to say about that page.  This allows them to hold the page up to the audience without looking at the front and telling what is on the page.  They are to do this to every page.  This part is due tomorrow.  We will begin sharing next Monday.

Math -  Well we spent 3 days learning the standard algorithm for Multiplication or the Regrouping strategy.  Some really struggled in the beginning.  Remembering to drop that zero is a hard thing to remember.  Teaching some of them to just slow down and pay attention to what they are doing was the key.  I hope when I check their papers that I feel good about where they are at with this.  If not we will spend an extra day on it. It is important to me that they all understand before we move forward.  This chapter is quickly coming to an end though.  We will be finishing it up next week.  We will have a dress rehearsal for this test also then do a final.  I feel like that really helped them the last time.  I do know that if the know this last strategy they will do fine on the test.

Social Studies -  We are learning about the land and the climate of the Southeast states.   We learned about elevation maps this week and how we use color to show elevation or in the case of the worksheet that has not color they used shading and patterns/texture to show elevation.  Understanding what exactly sea level is was very important to understanding elevation.  We will be working on putting more states into our interactive notebooks and more map skills coming up.  They are doing a great job adjusting to picking up the pace a little bit.  I need to really keep moving them forward and so they are doing a little more each days then we had been.  I told them that it was our new normal.  Most seem excited about it.

Auction -  The St. Malachy Gala is coming up at the end of the month.  We are asking for your donations to all be turned in over the next couple of week.  Our live auction basket is called "Man Food" basket.  We have received some great donations of suaces and now a couple of rubs to put on meat.  We have also received some monetary donations.  You can donate whatever you can. No donation is too small.  We are also asking for $3.00 per student for the silent auction item.  They will be putting together a piece of artwork to be auctioned off.  It is a very cool idea and a great keepsake.  All we ask is that you donate anything you can to help make our items a success.  

I put out an SOS yesterday for hand sanitizer.  I have received 2 small bottles and 2 large bottles.  Thank you so much. This is so helpful when we are still in the middle of flu season.  I still have plenty of clorox sanitizing wipes which we use on our desks and other places that are touched a lot by little hands.

Spirit Day -  Tomorrow is another Spirit Day.  Please bring $1.00 to wear sweats.  It is a perfect day to do it.  We do have a family that we are wanting to help so everyone bring a $1.00.  In case you are unaware our funds go to families in need of cheering up, who have had a death in family, or are going through a bad time due to illness or disease.  We help by giving snack baskets, sunshine baskets, restaurant gift cards, and gas cards if traveling is involved.  Sometimes we also donate snack baskets to neighboring schools who lose students.  Please help to keep our pay it forward fund so we are able to continue helping others.

Coin Wars -  Tomorrow is that last day for Coin Wars.  The students are collecting coins for  FBLA.  The students came around and talked to our kids about donating and where the donations are going. This year the donations are going to our very on Cancer Center and Greater Regional.  Many people we know and love have used this center and what a great place to donate.  Any spare change sitting around will be appreciated.  The one with most money donated will get a pizza party, 2nd place a cookie/cupcake party, and 3rd a Lollipop party.

I hope all of you have a great weekend!!

God Bless, 
Mrs. Sickels