Dear Parents,

     Happy Thursday!   We are back!  I tell the kids it is the beginning of the end.  We are now here with no more breaks until the end of the year.  It is a time of a lot of work.  When I am making plans I am now thinking about the end of the year and where I need to be.  Yes, it is a couple months away but I still have to think big picture.  I am only here until noon today.  I have a Dr. appointment in Des Moines.  I have prepared the kids for days that I would be gone.  I would also like to share that my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer about 8 months ago.  He has a very rare, aggressive incurable cancer.  Hospice has now been brought in to take over.  I have had family at my house all week and I have a feeling that I will have family in and out until the end.  There may be a time I need to be gone.  I will always be here unless they call everyone in for the end. I told the kids I have had lack of sleep for staying up late so I may be half crazy some days but so far so good.  Please just pray for us, pray for peace for my father-in-law.

Language Arts-  This week we have completed the Unit 4 test and we are working on writing an opinion paper.  The test is complete you will see results next week.  We are slowly working on their opinion essay.  They have got a topic and a plan.  Today we will move forward with some writing.  I also assigned them their next book report on Monday.  They have 6 weeks to pick a book, get passed by me, read the book, and complete a diorama.  They have 1 more week to choose a book. Be sure your student is doing that.  Right now I only have 2 people who have chosen a book and one is almost done with it already.  Next week will go back to our regular language arts schedule.

Math - This week we have begun to study division.  We are working on estimating quotients using a multiples.  I have given them a multiplication table to use instead of making them find the multiples every time.  It would be very time consuming if they did.    Division may get very difficult. Please don't struggle with them, have them come early in the morning and I will help them.  This will make it easier on all of us.

Social Studies -  We are talking about the Civil War this week.  We all know this is a very large topic that we could spend an entire semester learning about but we literally just skim the surface.  The kids seemed very interested in the topic yesterday so they may have come home and asked about it.  This can be a very hard topic to discuss due to slavery and the Confederate states.  

Spirit Day -  Tomorrow is a Spirit Day!  They can pay $1.00 to wear sweats or a hat.  The money has been going for a great cause.  We have helped out some teachers who have had surgeries recently with some gift cards for a meal or gas for their travels.

We are getting our 2nd COVID shot tomorrow!  YAY!  I will admit I am a little nervous.  I pray I feel okay.  I have too much going on to have time to be sick.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  It has been a good week back.  I look forward to everyone staying refreshed and the weather turning sunny to keep a pep in our step for the rest of the year.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

 Dear Parents,

     Happy Friday!   I am so sorry this is a day late! I pray none of you get the stomach flu.  It is definitely no fun and pretty miserable.  I have not been around anyone who has had it either.  The weather has been great!  I hope everyone is getting out and enjoying it!   I have not yet but hope to today and tomorrow for sure.  I hope Spring is here to stay.  

Language Arts -  This week we are reading a story about Cesar Chavez who fought for the Migrant Farm Workers in California in the 1960"s. The story is called Harvesting Hope. This was very interesting because in our read a loud book Three Keys which is focusing on immigrants. One of the character's jobs was working as a migrant farmer.  We could make a connection from this story to the character in the book.  This is an interesting story.  They were definitely learning something new.  We worked on Clauses in grammar which are very difficult.  The way they have me teach it is different from the way the test them so they will only being completing the first 5 grammar questions today on their end of week test.  The Vocab strategy was over Resource books.  The dictionary is what they practiced.  We will read the story again and go over discussion questions today then end with out test.

Math - This week we have been busy learning to work with checks, deposit slips, and check registers.  One day they shopped at DQ, one at Wal-Mart and they have paid me money for school supplies.  I have given them money to count out and deposit into their accounts.  Every student has a different balance in their check register based on what I have given them and what they have chosen to spend.  It is fun to see what they choose to spend money on.  It is a wide range of things in here.  Some I expect others I do not.  Next Wednesday is our day to play it out. Again they will write a check to the school for lunch account.  They will buy a bag of popcorn and then they will go to a store and purchase things.  It will all depend on the money they have.  All of them will have the same amount that day.  They have worked 2 jobs here at school to earn a paycheck and then they will receive a birthday gift.  They are looking forward to this day because they will all walk around the building to do these things.  They will go to the office to pay lunch bill, kitchen to buy popcorn and then 7th grade room or art room to shop in the store. It will be fun.

Social Studies - Today we are taking a map test.  I was not here yesterday so I was not here to remind them but they knew it was happening.  We will see how they do.  We will have another one so they have another opportunity to improve.  They will also be given a map skills page today for homework.   

Today was a Spirit day!  Several of the remembered!  I am sorry I did not get to remind them.  Mrs. Clark had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday so some of the money we have earned is going to her to help with meals.

Conferences -  Next week is conferences and the first part of Spring Break!  Everyone is signed up for a time! I am anxious to talk to all of you about your child's progress.  See you next week!

Book Fair -  We will have a book fair next week during conferences.  The kids will have the opportunity to visit the fair and make a wish list. They can bring money to purchase books on Thursday.  We have someone who want to purchase a book for each child in my classroom.  They will be able to pick out one book that will be bought for them.  I made them aware of this today.  The kids were very gracious about it.  I will have them give me the book they want so that I can keep a total.  I did not get Book Fair papers sent home yesterday. I will send them home on Monday with the kids.  It is just a sampling of what they will see at the book fair.

I hope all of you have a great weekend and get out to enjoy the fabulous weather.  I will be with family as we gather to buy my Great-Uncle who passed away in California.  He is originally from Ellston and will be laid to rest there.  I will be seeing family I have not seen in years.  My uncle was my Grandmother's brother and has not lived in the area for years. He was 90 and the last living of my grandmother's siblings.  So a family reunited.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels