Dear Parents,

    Happy Thursday!   Only one more blog after today.  These last two weeks will be very busy ones.  We have many things I want to do, both fun and academic.  We have had a good year and your kids have learned to be good students.  They really improved on using their time wisely.  My plan is to work hard but enjoy each other the best we can over the following 10 school days.  Today is my last track meet ever! I am excited not sad.  Track season the last few years has had more cold days then nice ones.  I am at peace with it being over.  It is hard to believe though, that my baby is graduating this year.  Onward and upward!!

Language Arts - This week we took our last Unit test.  You will find in their folders the scores for week 24, 25 and the Unit test.  I was able to get all these scores finalized last night.  We will share book reports today!  The kids are very excited to share their work.  We have started Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and they are excited about that. We will also be doing an informational writing project in our last few days.  You will find their 3 main writing projects in their binders when we send them home, along with all the other assessments we have done all year.  During Charlie and Chocolate Factory we will be doing activities that require the students to apply knowledge that they have learned all year long.  Sometimes they don't really understand just how much they have learned until we do this unit.  Most of the things we do are review.  They will have homework but not a lot. I will be filling any no homework days with States for their notebooks. I want them to be sure all 50 states are in it by the end of the year.

Math - We are working on finishing up Division right now.  The kids are working on a Dress Rehearsal.  They will finish that today.  Tomorrow we will go over it and then Monday they will take the real test.  After that we will move into fractions.  I do not plan on taking another test this year we will just work through the lessons and show what we have learned on the worksheets.  We will also continue to work on Dreambox.

Social Studies - We will have one more Midwest Map Test on Monday and then I will start the kids on the Southwest States.  There are only 4 of them so they should be able to nail this one pretty quickly.  Then it is on to the West.  I will make sure they have maps and a map key so they can study.  Remember the last thing we do in Social Studies is take the big map test where they have to name all 50 states and capitals.  So keep working on it.  We have read two lessons on the Southwest so far. We will read a couple more then move into the West Region.

Thank you -  I just want to say Thank you for a couple things. One for anyone who gave me a gift last week for Teacher Appreciation Week, especially the PTO and School Board for all they did for us. Two, for the kids being so kind to me.  I had to put by 15 year old dog to sleep on Tuesday and the kids were very good to me.

Archery-  The students have had archery this week with the 5th graders in PE.  They really have enjoyed it.  Monday was more instruction then actually doing.  The kids need to learn for their safety.  Hopefully today it is more doing.  They are all excited about it for sure.

Spring Concert -  Just a reminder that the concert is Wednesday, May 26th at 6:00pm.  This is held in McKinley Park at the band shell.  The students need to wear Mass attire for the concert. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.  The students are to sit with their families instead of with their class.  They will just head to the stage when it is their turn to sing.  The band will also be performing.  We are excited!  Finally they can perform for you live in person!

Last Day - Our last day has been changed to the 27th (YAY).  It will be a full day of school.  The morning will consist of preparing the room for the summer or watching a movie.  We plan to eat lunch outside like a picnic. It is a sack lunch day.  Field Day will be 12:45 - 2:30, you are welcome to come watch.  The 8th grade clap-out will take place at 2:50.  

Boy 10 school days seems so short!  It is coming quickly.  The kids think it is forever! I told them it will seem long to them but it will go quickly for me.  I always feel a little panicked at the end of the year.  So much I want to do with them before they leave me.  UGH!  I hate to think about them leaving me.  Each year I do that.  I just get them to the point where they know the routine, they  know what I expect, and they use their time wisely and they have to move on.  I have to start all over again next year with a new group.  This is honestly what makes my job interesting though.  New faces each year to mold into successful students!  Thank you for sharing your precious child with me!  I have taken good care of them and loved every moment.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels