Dear Parents,

     Happy Thursday!  I feel like I just updated this blog!  The week has gone quickly this time.  Our time is dwindling!  I am so grateful that we have been able to be face-to-face all year!  I am also grateful that if kids needed to be home we had the option of being online.  It was so helpful for all of us!  I am happy that we are able to have this option for next year also.  The OWL camera's are amazing and a great purchase for our school.  I am happy I work in a school that gives us the online option whenever a student needs it.

Language Arts -  This week we are reading a story called Owen and Mzee (m-zay).  This is a story that you can look up online.  It is a true story about a hippopotamus and an aldabra tortoise.  The hippo was a victim of a tsunami and lost his family.  He was a baby and not able to live on his own.  An animal rescue took Owen in and he was put in an enclosure with the tortoise (Mzee).  They became fast friends, which is very odd for these two types of animals.  A mammal and reptile usually do not hang out together.  The kids really enjoyed this story.  We are working on commas in sentences this week for grammar.  Most of it is review for them.  The vocabulary strategy is the suffixes -ed, and -ly.  They will learn how they change the meaning of the word  and also the spelling rules that go along with adding them on the end of a word.  Next week is our last week of spelling tests and end of the week tests.  We will have a unit test following it and then we will begin reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl to finish the year.

Math -  This week we have focused on a couple of strategies for division.  Today they are learning the standard algorithm of division which is the strategy you and I learned as kids.  I will tell you this strategy is NOT their favorite.  The strategy we used before which is their favorite.  It is easier and better to understand the "why" this is happening.  The standard algorithm just confuses them.  They get lost in the process so easily.  It is hard to teach, you just have to dive in, teach it then just answer their questions as they work.  Helping them individually is better.  Everyone gets stumped at a different part of the problem.  So, according to one student, they are happy to learn this because now their parents can help with homework! LOL

Social Studies - We have taken our last test for this year.  We will still be covering chapters and doing the worksheets that go along with them, but we need to move along to finish out the year.  They will still do map tests because we need to prepare for the big one at the end of the year.  They will need to know all 50 states and capitals.  We will also still continue to put states in our notebooks so they have all 50 by the time we are done.

Book Reports -  Just a reminder that book reports are due Friday, May 7th.  We will not be sharing that day, but they still have to be turned in.  We will be presenting them the next week!  I look forward to these.  I love seeing what the kids come up with and really listen to them talk about their books.

We are praying that the weather stays as nice as it has been.  It has made for a more pleasant time watching track meets for sure.   I do not like sitting and shivering!  I love sitting and soaking up some warmth.  I am off to Carlisle tonight.  I hope all of you enjoy a lovely  weekend!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,

     Happy Thursday!   I hope this finds all of you well.  It has been quite a week.  We have had a lot going on.  I was out Monday and Tuesday due to the death of my Father-in-law, the resident Artist was here, and we have Earth day Friday.  That is a busy week besides the academics we are doing also.  Recital for some is also this weekend.  This is Molly's Senior Recital.  I am ready yet I am not ready.  I am used to attending 2 recitals but this year it is just one!  That seems to make it sadder for me.   I hope everyone attend the Market on Maple this weekend.  Molly  will share her Senior Solo as the 5th act and it starts at 2:00PM.  Sounds like a lot of vendors will be sharing their crafts and food items.  I am looking forward to the Rolled Ice Cream truck. 

Language Arts -  This week we are reading a story called the Ever-Living Tree.  It is the showing the life of a Red Wood or Sequoia tree in California.  It compares its life to other things happening around the world.  It shows the longevity of life for this tree.  It also talks about how when it falls it gives back to the earth so more trees can grow.  This week in grammar we have reviewed ending punctuation and capitalization/punctuation in Quotations.  The kids are loving all this review in this last Unit.  Our vocabulary strategy was on prefixes pre-, inter-, and ex-.  The short story we are reading this week is poems about Towering Trees.  I also tell them about the tree you used to drive a car through and how it fell a couple years ago due to the torrential rains in California.  This also relates to them what happens to a tree after is falls.  Only 2 more weeks of stories left then we will move into reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory!  FUN!

Math - This week has not been a good week for Math.  We have had so much going on.  On Monday we worked on Division facts and practiced with flash cards.  This was a good thing to do to help them remember those basic facts we need to do division.  Tuesday they were at the Resident Artist during Math.  Wednesday they did Dreambox in what little time they had for Math.  Today and tomorrow I hope to get a lesson in the book taught to them, but we are moving band to Math time due to Mrs. Taylor needing to be gone this afternoon.  I told them if there was not time for a lesson I was going to teach them a new card game I learned.  It is a fun game but you have to pay attention closely to numbers.  I don't know the name of it, I just know I learned to play it last night. They will be wanting to teach you at home I am sure.  We will be working our way through the 2nd half of the Division chapter as soon as things calm down and we can dig in.  I need to be sure we are giving it the time it deserves.  After Division we may have a small geometry section and then we will move on into fractions.  This is my hope for the rest of the year.  We will see what the time allows us to do.

Social Studies - I told the kids we would be picking up the pace and moving and a quicker pace. We will be finishing up this chapter already and will start a study guide on Monday.  We will spend some time putting states into our notebooks then we will move into the next chapter, also over the Midwest.  I will also get their maps ready so they can practice and take a map test over the Midwest.  Then we will move into the Southwest which we will cover but may not test over.  So that we cover more in the book and learn more about each of the last regions.   

Earth Day - Remember tomorrow is Earth Day.  We will be working and cleaning up our grounds.  The kids can wear sweats and comfy clothes to work in.  We will be working, not goofing.  They also need to bring their rakes.  If they do not know how to rake they are going to learn tomorrow.  I would recommend sending gloves with them also so we prevent blisters.  We will be outside working from about 1:30-2:15. They are also asking for a $1.00 donation to the school to buy flowers to plant and help make our grounds more attractive. I love when the flowers are out and every yard looks more beautiful.  

Spirit Day -  Tomorrow will be a "Hat' Spirit Day.  This means they can pay the $1.00 to wear a hat all day.  We want them to be able to wear sweats today so they can get dirty and be comfy to work.

Thank you very much for those who have reached out about my father-in-law.  He was a great person who really taught my kids a lot of life lessons. He was always thinking about others and was just the kindest person you could meet.  We will miss him greatly.  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and I hope the weather perks up so we can all get outside and soak up some sun.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

 Dear Parents, 

     Happy Thursday!   I am very glad it is Thursday.  I am ready for Friday.  Yesterday I must have got out of my chair at school wrong or something. I am very down in the back.  I saw my chiropractor yesterday and go again today.  I don't normally have back problems and this one is painful.  As long as I don't sit too long and walk around a bit to loosen things up, I am good.  The kids are all aware and I being so kind and helpful.  This makes me smile.  It shows how much they care.  I hope we have a warm-up in the weather.  I don't like these borderline temperatures.  I want it to be warm not chilly.  I know the kids would rather it be warm also.  This time last year they were able to play outside a lot more often then now.  What a different world we were in a year ago.  

Language Arts -  We did not read a story this week. We used this time to complete the ISASP testing.   I am also meeting with the students one-on-one to discuss their Opinion papers they wrote a couple weeks ago. We are editing and revising together. It is amazing the mistakes they find on their own when I just read their paragraphs aloud to them.  This is the fun part of writing for me. I love watching them realize the changes they need to make.   I hope to have everyone done by the end of the day tomorrow.  Next week we will be back on schedule for spelling tests and end of the week tests.

Math - We have not done anything new in the chapter this week due to ISASP testing.  We have used this time to be sure to complete them.  We did check our Mid-Chapter Checkpoint today.  Then I had them do Dreambox for the remainder of the time. I had a couple students who needed to finish the Math ISASP so they did that.  Next week we will be back on track and learning more about division.

ISASP -  I am so happy everyone was here this week.  We have completed all our testing and are done!  YAY!  Everyone cooperated very well!  I will be anxious to see our scores because I thought the tests were very challenging.  I feel like these took less time to get through and each student could take whatever time they needed.  There was no time limit.  This removes half the stress right there.

Spirit Day - Tomorrow is NOT a spirit day.  We have pretty much had them all week so tomorrow is just a normal day.  I appreciate those who participated this week. I even had a comfy pants day today.  Which was great with my back bothering me. 

Clean-Up Day - Next Friday the 23rd is our annual clean-up day.  Your kids need to bring a rake.  The flyer for this day went home last week.  If your child doesn't know how to rake they are going to learn.  We will be outside raking weather permitting, from 1:30 - 2:15 that day.  Make sure to send gloves with them also. We don't want blisters.

Resident Artist- We will have the resident artists here on Monday and Tuesday.  The 4th graders will be going  Tuesday at 9:00 to work with them.  This year they are making clay tiles that will be made into 3 crosses to hang in the hallway by middle school.   I can't wait to see what they do.  So exciting to create a piece of art that will hang in the building for years to some.

Good News, I made it the full day and my back feels better now than it did this morning.  I am so happy.  Boy did it hurt.  I am praying for a warm-up in the weather for all of us. Have a great weekend.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,

     Happy Thursday!   I almost forgot it was Thursday and I needed to type a blog.   Thank goodness the track meet for tonight was cancelled so I have plenty of time to get this done.  This was a great week up until today weather wise!  I was enjoying the warm weather and not wearing a coat.  Then the rain had to come and the chilly temps are back.  Recess duty today was okay but it could be better.  We have had a pretty good week in the classroom except the ISASP practice tests we took and the kids being a little too chatty.  I am sure it is the weather causing it.  Please be sure to see the not in their folder about the ISASP tests that we will be taking next week.

Language Arts - This week we read a story called I could Do That!  It is a story about women getting the right to vote in Wyoming.  This was the first state to give women voting rights. They gave them rights well before the amendment was added to the Constitution.  Esther Morris was the women who brought about the change.  She also became a judge in the state of Wyoming and had no educational background for it.  This is why Wyoming is nicknamed the Equality State.  We talked about negative sentences and what words make a sentence negative. We also talked about sentences using a double negative and worked on making changes to them so their was only one negative word in them.  The vocab strategy was on Adages and Proverbs which can sometimes be difficult.  They need to study their spelling words and their vocabulary packet for their test tomorrow.

Math - This week we have focused on the Distributive Property in Division.  We spent a couple of days on that.  Then we used Math time to work on the practice tests for ISASP tests.  The next thing on our agenda is to do a Mid chapter checkpoint.  That will happen tomorrow for class.  It will be due on Monday.

Social Studies - We finished up and tested over Chapter 7.  You should see the tests come home tonight. Please sign them so the kids can return them to me.  We will also end the week with another Southeast States Map Test.  I gave them each 4 practice sheets to practice tonight at home.  They must label all 12 states and capitals.  We will also be putting another state into their notebooks tomorrow.  That will only leave one more state to get put in there before we move on to the Midwest!  We will start that region next week

ISASP -  We will begin taking the ISASP tests next week.  This is the new acronym for Iowa Test of Basic Skills.  It stand for Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress.  The practice tests we did this week were pretty challenging.  They are learning they have to slow down and really think about what it is asking.  Please be sure your student gets a good night's sleep and breakfast next week.  Brain food would be best!

Spirit Day - Tomorrow is a spirit day!  You can pay $1.00 to wear sweats or a hat all day.  This week we used the money for Mrs. Levine who had a fall.  She has stitches and had a concussion.  We are thankful she is back at school and doing well.

There will not be regular spelling test or end of the week test next week.  The ISASP will take up a lot of our time in the mornings. We are trying to have normal afternoons for the students.  All testing will be in the morning only.   I am sure your student will come home frustrated because of all the testing. I feel their pain but I will make is as relaxed as I can for them.  

It is Prom Weekend at our house.  Senior Prom is already here!  WOW I can't believe it.  Saturday will be a very busy day.  Also my father-in-law is still hanging on.  Please continue to pray for comfort and peace for him.

God Bless, 

Mrs. Sickels 

Dear Parents,

     Happy Thursday!  It's Crosswalk Day!  This is one of my favorite days.  It is a perfect way to spend our last afternoon together before Easter.  We have had a good week.  They are working hard at school. I grateful that we are back in school after Spring Break.  Last year this wasn't happening.   Please continue to pray for peace for my father-in-law.  Again, I may get called away from school.  Please know that when I do I will keep you updated.

Language Arts - We started back in our textbook.  We have 5 weeks in the book and one week of testing and we are done with the series.  This is exciting because then I have a book we all ready and study together.  They are looking forward to it.  This Unit of stories in our book is full of interesting stories.  The one this week is called The World According to Humphrey.  It is about a Hamster named Humphrey that is a classroom pet and he gets to home with a different student each weekend.  It talks about the adventure he has at one particular house where they watch way too much TV.  The story actually teaches or lesson about too much TV.  They have enjoyed the story but it is a long one.  Due to it being a short week, we are taking the spelling post test today and the end of the week test.  In grammar we are talking about comparative (-er, more) and Superlative (-est, most) adjectives.  The students learned when it is appropriate to use each one.  If you are comparing two things you use comparative and it you are comparing 3 or more things then you use superlative.  We also discussed context clues this week.  The short story we read taught them about Advertisements and the persuasive language and techniques they use to  get you to think like them or buy their product. So when they start pointing things out about Ads you will know why.

Math -  We covered a couple lessons this week. One remainders and one on dividing tens, hundreds and thousands.  These lessons were pretty easy and everyone did very well on them.  Next week will start another strategy in division.  They are anxious to learn division.  I am happy they are enthusiastic about learning.  This will make teaching division much easier.   We used out math time today for Language Arts so I could ensure that all the students could get their test finished since we don't have study hall time this afternoon. 

Social Studies -  We have finished up at chapter and will begin the study guide on Monday.  Tuesday we will go over it and Wednesday they will test over it.  We will also be having the 2nd map test over the Southeast by next Friday.  So some need to get to studying their states and capitals for the Southeast.  The Midwest is next up for Regions.

Please be sure to check your email for  information regarding enrollment for next year.  The deadline for getting your student enrolled is due Friday, April 2nd.

Reminder:  NO SCHOOL on Good Friday, April 2nd. 

I hope everyone enjoys their Easter weekend.  I hope the weather cooperates for some warm sun for all.  We could all use it!  

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

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