Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!  What a week!  I feel like it has been a very quick week.  Tuesday full of making donuts and Valentine Party, Wednesday being Ash Wednesday and today I spent my morning at hospital with Molly.  She was getting an MRI on her shoulder.  Love that X-ray staff.  So very nice and explained everything so well to both of us.  She had to have injection into the joint for the scans.  Kinda interesting to watch.   I understood immediately why I teach kids!!  I am back for the afternoon. 

Language Arts - We are reading Hercules Quest this week.  It is the story of Hercules.  I planned to show the movie on Friday but I am not sure I will get to it.  It is a fun story the kids like it.  Lots of hard words to read.  The names of people especially.  We are working on prepositions and prepositional phrases in grammar this week. It's a hard concept to teach and only spend 3 days on!  Our vocabulary strategy was adages and proverbs which help teach figurative language.  We also read a fun story called Zomo's Friends.  I love this little story.  Some of the kids loved it and others didn't at all.  Tomorrow we will have our normal Friday with  the story, spelling post test and end of week test.  Study study!

Math - This week we finished off perimeter and started Area.  These are concepts that are not that hard but hard to keep separate.  We will finish up area either tomorrow or Monday.  We will then move on to a lesson on combined rectangles.  It will be like blue print of a house and they will find area of the rooms.  We do one worksheet that is totally like that.  I find that stuff fun because it challenges me, others do not think that way!  I try to tell the kids that this chapter is meant to be fun and relaxing after all the hard work we did in Chapters 2 and 3.  

Social Studies - Today they tested over chapter 6.  They will make corrections tomorrow.  We will then put another state in their notebooks and then move on into Chapter 7.  I hope to get us through this chapter so that we can start talking about the Midwest states which are the next region of study.  They will like this section because it is more close to home.  

Food Pantry - We did not get to go to Food Pantry last week due to the temperatures. This week we are going to go instead of the 5th graders.  I asked students to wear their boots cause it is a slushy mess.  They are excited to go!  Thank you in advance.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!  We are working hard this week.  I feel our room has been pretty lucky.  We were missing 2 kids on Monday but that was really it.  We have not been hit too bad by the flu but I feel it moving in on us.  Please be sure to keep your child home if they had a fever the night before.  If you don't you are just "gifting" the other students with it.  They are saying you are contagious a very long time.  Kids diagnosed with Influenza A are told 7 days contagious and are to stay home from school. I know this can be an inconvenience to a working parent but please listen to the doctors, they are trying to prevent the spread of it.  We are disinfecting our rooms and desks about twice a day.  The kids do it every morning and afternoon and even if someone in area sneezes they clean.  Hand washing is also being pushed, not the use of GermX but actual soap and water on their hands! We want to escape the sickness!!

Language Arts- This week we are reading a story that is interesting the first time but not so interesting the other 2 times we read it.  It is called The Right Dog for the Job and it is about the process a dog takes to become a service dog.  It is interesting to hear some of the things that a dog goes through to become a service dog.  Working in a classroom is one of the interesting things.  We have learned about adverbs and the questions they answer this week.  We also talked about suffixes.  We are sharing book reports slowly this week.  I gave each student a rubric to follow that showed exactly what was expected and how they would be graded.  Some of them followed the rubric and some of them didn't bother to look at it.  Grades will reflect this.  I will put on power school as they present them.

Math -  We have started into some fun items today.  Perimeter is our lesson today.  Yes it is easy to teach that to find perimeter you add all the sides together which is how I introduced it, but you must use the perimeter formulas in this chapter.  P=(2XL) + (2XW) for a rectangle and P= 4 X one side for a square.  This is showing them the algebraic way of finding perimeter. Tomorrow we will work on the same and then Monday I will partner them and send them around the building to find 3-5 things to measure and find perimeter.  This is the fun part, it gets them out of the room and moving around the building.  I talked about people's jobs that require them to use perimeter.  Some of you may talk to your child about it if you use it on a regular basis.  We will then learn Area in the same way.  We will learn it on paper then apply it to real world by measuring things and finding their area.

Social Studies - We are talking about animals and products found in the Southeast Region.   The students will have a map test on Monday.  They will need to be able to label the Southeast map with states and capitals.  Please help your child study.  I gave them last Friday to make an answer key and study on practice maps.  We will also put another state in our notebooks. Tomorrow I plan to give them a state and allow them time to study their maps.  

Food Pantry - We go to the Food Pantry tomorrow if weather permits.  Please be sure your student brings their boots tomorrow for the walk down there.  Some of them chose not to bring boots today. They have to have them tomorrow.  If they don't they may be asked to stay back.  I need them to have hats and mittens also.  The first part of their work is done outside and then they unload things and shelve them inside.  We need to be prepared.  Thank you!

Tuesday, February 13th -  This is "Fat Tuesday"!!  The 4th graders make and plate donuts for the entire school.  We spend a couple hours in the morning doing this.  It is a tradition we have had for many many years.  Well at least 19-20 since I have been here.  It is just a fun treat before Ash Wednesday and fasting begins.  Also we will be celebrating Valentine's Day on this day in the afternoon.  We are doing this due to Ash Wednesday being on Valentine's Day.  Not a big deal we are just going to celebrate a day early.  Our party consists of a snack and a drink and the kids exchanging valentine's at the end of the day.  So we start the day with food and end the day with food.  I will say because we provide a snack I do NOT allow the kids to eat any candy from their valentines at school.  I feel the parent can decide how much candy they eat.

I pray we all continue to stay healthy!!  I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend!  I pray the weather doesn't put a damper on any of our plans.  I am suppose to do dinner and movie with my best friend in Des Moines tomorrow and I am praying the snow quits.  I am looking forward to some time with my friend.  

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!   I don't know about you but I am worn out!  Catholic Schools Week is always so much fun but also so very exhausting.  Today was a big day!  Roller Skating in Des Moines!  It was lots of fun.  Most all 4th graders stayed out on the floor most of the time.  There were a few who tired out or just got bored with it.  I loved it.  I went every Friday night from about 2nd grade through 6th grade!  It was our entertainment.  Henry's Skateland was the place to be on Friday night.  It brought back some fun memories for sure.  Our week is almost over!  Tomorrow is it!  We end the week with Grandparents/special guest day!  Such a wonderful way to end the week, with our loved ones.  Tomorrow we also honor teachers who have put in 5, 10, 15, 20.....years here at St. Malachy. Hang on cause Mrs. Levine is being honored for 40 years of service at St. Malachy.  I will also get my 20 year pin.  Hard to believe that my years are half of what Levine as put in.  She is awesome! Remember tomorrow is dress up day.  We need to look our best!

Language Arts - We did not cover a story this week because 3 days of class is not enough time at all to do that.  We have started a new read aloud book called One Crazy Summer.  It has won a  ton of awards.  There are 4 showing on the cover.  Since February is Black History Month my daughter told me I needed to read it.  Josie just finished a children't literature class in Ames and they talked a lot about this book and that it is a popular read aloud so we are doing it!  So far so good.  We do some predicting after we read each day.  I feel like it is a sad book but I am predicting a happy ending. Not everyone in the class thinks like me.  It's fun reading something new with them.  Plus, I can model my thought process in things first hand.  We got into partners and rolled a die for parts of a story.  They rolled to find their character, setting and conflict.  I had a paper that had them written on it and they rolled the die and matched it to those areas.  Some are creating some fully stories like a zookeeper, who found a magical hat in a Jelly Bean Factory.  I hope to finish the stories on Friday and get them to type them up.  Next week we will get back to week 17 story in the book.

Math-  We have spent the week reviewing when we could. The kids have done a practice test in the book and an extra practice sheet we will go over tomorrow.  They will take their test over chapter 3 on Monday!    After that we will begin chapter 13 on Area and Perimeter.

Social Studies -  This week we have focused on putting states into our interactive notebooks.  They have worked on North Carolina and Kentucky.  Tomorrow we will end the week with some map work.  I want them to start to practice the Southeast States on a map.  Again they will need to locate them and label the capital.  

I hope everyone has had a great week this week.  We are gearing up for Lent to begin.  The 4th graders will be making donuts on Feb. 13th, Fat Tuesday, and we give them out to the entire school.  I have been doing this for many years.  It is a great tradition here. Most kids look forward to the donuts.  I also plan to have our Valentine's Day party on the 13th.  Since the 14th is Ash Wednesday there are Catholic traditions on that day which is fasting and only eating 3 meals that day with no snacking in between.  The whole school is celebrating on Tuesday instead.  It is also bring a friend to school day.  If you are wanting to bring a friend make sure you fill out the form and turn it in to the office please.  It will help us have an idea of how many extras we will have!!

Have a great weekend!!!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,
     Happy Thursday!  Wow, are we all excited for next week?  It is Catholic Schools Week!  We have a lot going on!  I am excited about it and I hope the flu stays away so everyone is here all week next week!  Please see below for all the activities that will be happening.

Catholic Schools Week January 28 - Feb 2

Sunday--   Mass at Church put on by students

                 PTO breakfast following Mass

Monday--This is Sweats/PJ day

                Staff luncheon at A&G  Parent volunteers needed

                Students bring sack lunch( milk provided)

Tuesday-- Tourist Tuesday dress as a tourist

                Movie  Wonder at theater at 9:00

                Student vs. Teachers activities in the afternoon

Wednesday--  America/Superhero Day

                Chamber Coffee at 9:00 

                Valentines cards for our military and Nursing homes in afternoon

Thursday--  Blue and Gold Day or St. Malachy gear

                  Field trip to Skate South leave 8:30 return 2:30

                  Bring sack lunch plus drink

Friday --    Dress up day

                 Grandparents/Special Guest Mass at church 1:30  reception to follow

What a week!  Time to celebrate and be proud of our school!!

Language Arts -  This week we are reading Riding Freedom which is about a female disguising herself to do a man' job, stagecoach driver.  She is injured and has lost sight of one eye.  She works hard to prove that she can still do the job and succeeds.  All the while thinks she is a man.  We have been working on adjectives in grammar.  The vocabulary strategy we talked about was figurative language.  We talked about similes, metaphors, idioms, and adages and proverbs.  Some of these are very easy for the students to get but adages and proverbs are harder for them.  Tomorrow is our end of week testing day.  Please be sure they study their vocab and spelling words.  We will not be covering a story next week because we will only have 3 days of language arts class.  There are other things we can do at this time.

Math -  We are looking at taking a test next week in math.  Yes, I know, next week? It will be fine.  We are will be finishing up the last lesson today and tomorrow, then we will review next week.  We actually only have have Monday, a little on Wednesday and then Friday.  Maybe I will just spend the week reviewing with them and having them practice problems and test the following week.  We will see how that goes.

Social Studies - We are working on getting states in our interactive notebooks and covering the chapter.  We will be finished with lesson 2 this week.  Next week since we only have a few days of social studies we will work on getting some states into our notebooks.  I think we have 3 done all ready and next week I hope to get 3-4 in.  We have a total of 12 states that we need to get in.  We are still practicing our states and capitals song, and will begin practicing our southeast states on a map so we can take a map test.  This are very important for the students to study and learn because at the end of the year they will take a test over the whole 50 states.  They will have to label a map and also list the capital. Learning a region at a time is better for them.  Some didn't get their Northeast States mastered so they need to work harder on this region.

Our class has been pretty lucky to not have much of the flu.  I have only really had 2 gone with symptoms. I am praying they don't get hit next week. Remember to wash hands all the time, steer clear of those exhibiting symptoms.  I myself, do not want to be sick next week.

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,
      Happy Thursday!  Looks like we are in for a warm up tomorrow.  As nice as it is, everything will be melty and gross.  I hate it when it thaws a little and slush is everywhere. It doesn't make for good recess outside either.  When we go out and it is just too wet we usually stay in the courtyard and only on the cement.  Some kids want to be on the ground all the time and end up soaked, even if they have snow pants on.  Being wet for the whole afternoon is not any fun.  I know the kids think, "I hate rule" when it comes to recess but we really do make them for their benefit. Yesterday the feels like temp was 0 and I took them out.  It really wasn't bad at all. I rather enjoyed some fresh chilly air.  The kids all were very busy enjoying it also.  Today may be okay but tomorrow not so much.  Those who are not bringing boots still have to stand along the wall so they don't get their shoes wet and have wet cold feet all day.  Please be sure your child takes them to school so they can run around.

Language Arts -  This week we finished the week 15 story and end of week assessment.  We then moved on to the Unit 3 Benchmark Test.  We will finish it up tomorrow.  The last section we have to finish is the Revising and Editing section with deals with all the grammar we talked about in Unit 3.  The students have done a pretty good job, I feel, of taking their time on this test.  I hope the test results reflect this as well.  We have done some read aloud and some have had some time to read their book report books. I am working on a rubric for the students to look at while they complete the Character Sketchbook.  This helps them see exactly how I am going to look at their project and score it.  They can then double check that they think they are getting the number of points that they want.  I will have it finished by Monday for sure.

Math -  Because of the crazy late start on Tuesday and the Unit 3 testing I feel like we haven't done much math this week.  We will be working on learning the standard algorithm for Multiplication over the next few days.  This is the strategy that you and I learned as a kid.  When we were told there was only one way to work problems.  Such a shame that we   were told that.  I know I would have done better in math if I could have learned these strategies.  These strategies have been around a long time, we have just never really found it necessary to teach them. I am happy to do it so they can pick a strategy that is easiest for  them to catch on to.  We are  only have about 3-4 more lessons in this chapter and then we will test.  Because we have spent our time learning so much in chapter 2 and 3 I move on to Chapter 13 which is a fun chapter on Perimeter and Area.  We do some fun relaxing hands on activities with this chapter and practice our multiplication skills.

Social Studies - We have started on chapter 6.  We have worked on some vocabulary words, read a few pages in the first lesson which deal with the lay of the land.  We talked about the coast or shoreline and how it's elevation is 0 feet and why.  Then we discussed the Outer Coastal Plain, Inner Coastal Plain and Barrier Islands.  Tomorrow we will add the Piedmont Region and Appalachian Mountains.  They are also working on Georgia their first state in the Southeast to enter the Union.  We have a lot of different things going on.  They seemed a little excited to get a state to put into their interactive notebooks.  

Coin Wars -  The FBLA Coin Wars begin next week and go all week.  The class is asked to bring in change to put in out class container.  The class at St. Malachy that raises the most will get a pizza party and the 2nd place class gets a cookie party.  My class has had a cookie party before.  The money they are raising, goes to the Honor Flights.  There are currently 17 gentlemen in Creston  who are looking to take a trip to Washington DC to see the Memorials for all our wars.  It costs about $750 per person to go.  The FBLA is trying to help relieve some of the financial burden that this can be on some of the Veterans. What a great way to pay tribute to our local Veterans.  Send in some money if you can!

Catholic Schools Week is coming.  We have sent home the lay out of the week.  I will lay it out day by day next week in my blog.  If you have any questions just ask.

Auction Item - Yes it is that time of year again. This year is a little different for the class baskets.  The 3-5 grade classes will be putting together one basket for our grade band.  The homeroom mom's are taking control and making this happen.  You will get information today on the basket.  They have decided to put together a Gardening Basket.  Please send any monetary donations or items to school with your child.  I will be sure to get the items to the necessary people. If you are writing a check please do NOT make it to St. Malachy School.  The only one to cash that is Kim and we don't want an influx of checks coming in for her to cash.  Make the check payable to me or Calista Purdum.  Thank you!  They have some great ideas on the list but if you have anymore ideas please feel free to send whatever you want to help make our basket special.  I will try to keep an updated list each week of any items we receive.  Thanks.  Danielle Steele, Jennifer Simmons and I will be getting together to plan a silent auction item for the class to create.  I will let you know what that is when we make a decision.

Spirit Day is tomorrow!  Bring a $1 to wear sweats and be comfy!  I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I am running to Des Moines to see a movie with some friends.  We read the books and are looking forward to the movie. 

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,
    Happy Thursday and Happy Snow Day!!!  I definitely did not expect this but ice can be a scary thing for a bus full of kids and high school kids driving.  I am happy the decision was made.  Also, we have had the flu hit school, so it gives everyone a day at home to rest and maybe stay away from illness or another day at home to help get over their illness.  Please refer to our illness policy in the handbook which talks about students being fever free, vomit or diarrhea free for 24 hours before you return to school. I know you have jobs to be at, but we can help limit the spread of the virus if you are not in the building.  We have been disinfecting desks, doorknobs, and bathrooms to try and help.  I hate  this time of year called flu season.  

Language Arts -  This week we are reading the last story in Unit 3.  It is called Ecology for Kids.  It talks about the science of ecology, what it studies and what it means to us.  It talks about ways in which we can help to save the environment.  It is not the most interesting but it is informational.  In spelling, we are working on words that change the y at the end to an i and add -ed, -s, -er, or -est.  This is a topic we have discussed before and now they get to apply what they know.  It was a tough list for some.  Grammar we are talking about irregular verbs, past tense verbs, and using the "be" verb.  We also talked about context clues for multiple meaning words.  I was able to give some real life talk about using context clues.  I am reading a book called "Lilac Girls", it is a book about World War II, and I find myself looking up the definition of many words.  Yes, the context usually helps me to understand but I feel to truly understand it I have to know exactly what the word means.  That is just me.  I talked about how I look them up.  They can't believe I do that as an adult.  Next week will be the Unit 3 test!  We will work on reading our book report books and finishing the read aloud book.  I am ready to start a new one.  Let the students know we will be doing Thursday's plans tomorrow and so Tuesday we will do our spelling posttest and end of week test.

Math -  We have focused all week on area model and partial product strategies for double-digit multiplication problems.  They have done a great job.  I have requested they write more than needed to show me that they understand what they are doing.  Our next lesson is actually the Mid Chapter Checkpoint.  The plan was to do it today and check it tomorrow. But I guess it looks like they will be working on it tomorrow. 

Social Studies -  We have finished chapter 5 and taken our test.  Now we are moving onto Chapter 6.  We will be learning the 12 states that make up the region, working on our interactive notebooks, learning their location on a map, and practicing their capitals.  There are 2 chapters that make up the Unit on the Southeast.  I hope to get through it in a decent amount of time.  We still have 3 more regions to get through.  We don't have a ton of interruptions this part of the year but Catholic Schools Week is coming at the end of the month.

Please be sure you child is bringing all necessary items to school for cold weather.  Our temps look to be down low again.  We will go out if the temp or feels like temp is above 0.  Don't try to guess what it will be and decide they don't need to bring their boots and things cause if we go outside it is no fun for those who don't have their warms stuff.  I am enjoying a day at home, mainly reading a good book.

I look forward to seeing your children in the morning! 

 Have a good rest of the day!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels

Dear Parents,
     Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2018!!  I am glad we have a short week to ease back into school.  It has been a joy to be back with your children.  I know some of you were ready to send your kids back to school.  I am never fully ready to be here until I am here and the kids are in my room then I am happy to be here.  I missed them.  It was fun to hear about some of the things they did over break, best gift they gave and best gift they received.  The students seemed excited to see one another also.  That makes me smile.  So far these two days have been very good. 

Language Arts -  We will start our 5th story in Unit 3 next week.  This means we will back to our normal routine of spelling tests, a story to read, vocabulary and grammar lessons.  This week we have used the time for reading our book report books, read aloud and some practice testing on fluency.  They have loved the reading time and been completely silent and into their books.

Math - We have covered two lessons all ready since we have returned.  The first one was on estimation.  We worked on estimating double-digit problems.  We used rounding and compatible numbers to work do this.  they picked it up rather quickly. Today we learned how to use the Area Model to work double-digit problems.  This is my favorite lesson.  I love having a visual to show me what I am doing and this one I feel is the best.  The kids have done similar problems so they picked this up quickly also.  They did a few problems in class on their own and now working on the worksheet.  I think all of them feel very confident with this strategy. Woohoo!  We are off to a great start!

Social Studies -  We jumped right into this and covered our last lesson in Chapter 6.  They will start a study guide tomorrow.  We will check it on Monday and then they will test on Tuesday!  We will officially finish the Northeast then.  We will start the Southeast next week!  Back to interactive notebooks and practicing our states and capitals song and locating the region on a map.   They will need to practice the Northeast on a map because they will be tested over states and capitals on this test.  It will be the same thing they have been doing.  Some students need to STUDY!

St. Malachy Trivia Night is schedules for Saturday, January 20th at Crestmoor Golf and Country club.  There are still some table available.  Get your team of 8 signed up!  It's will be a lot of fun!

I hope you are all keeping warm!  Darn this cold weather.  We hope to get the kids outside soon.  They were out for like 5 minutes today.  Please be sure your child comes prepared to go outside every day because we will make the decision right at the time we are scheduled to go outside.  If it is 0 or above we will go outside.  If windchills take it below zero we will not.  Make sure they are prepared to bundle up!

God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels