Dear Parents,
Happy Thursday!! The weather has been one to lift the spirits this week! YAY!! I think we all needed a little sunshine in our lives. Spring break is just around the corner and I think we all need it. The kids definitely need a break from each other. I hope they will come back refreshed and ready to finish out the year. I am looking forward to break. I think I may get a little trip with Mrs. Lane to Lake Okoboji with our kids. We did the trip several years ago to take them to a concert. It will be fun taking them again. I also get to attend 2 track meets over break. One at Iowa State and one at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville. It will be busy but a nice break from school work. I am looking forward to talking to all you you next week. Again if you have not signed up for a conference time, please be sure to do that. Here is the link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544a5a72ca1fe3-4thgrade7
Language Arts - We read the story Hercules'Quest this week. This has been a fun story to read. It is very different from the Disney movie version. Some kids say they have never seen the Disney movie. I would like to show them the movie, but will not have time this week. I may fit it in next week, but not 100% sure it will work. We worked on Prepositions and prepositional phrases this week. Very hard topic to teach and explain to 4th graders. I hope they got the general idea. Our spelling list was on the prefixes re-, -un- dis. The decoding skill also focused on those prefixes and how they change the meaning of the base word. The vocabulary strategy was on adages and proverbs this week. These are short little sayings that have meaning or teach a lesson: examples Practice makes perfect, look before you leap, the early bird gets the worm.
Next week we will also have short week. So just like this week we will be doing all our testing on Thursday morning before the kids leave for break. So spelling pretest on Monday and Post test on Thursday.
Math - We have learned about perimeter and area and also how to find area of joined rectangles. I plan on giving them their dress rehearsal today, go over the dress rehearsal on Monday and they will take their final test on Tuesday. This was a quick 3 lessons but it is a benchmark that appears on the report card that I need to teach and since we just finished multiplication it is the perfect place to put it. We will do a basic math fact test sometime next week also. I do not plan on starting chapter 4 on division until after Spring Break.
Social Studies - We are working through our chapter on the Southeast. The students worked on a map skill where they had to follow directions and place things on a map. Some still need to work on using a compass and knowing their directions. They struggled with this task. We went over them today. They are making corrections on them for tomorrow. We only have one more state to enter into our interactive notebooks. They will also take one more map test over the Southeast. Please be sure they are continuing to study.
Field Trip - Tomorrow is our field trip to the Civic Center and to Pappajohn Sculpture Park. We will be leaving right at 8:30 so please be sure your student is here by 8:10 when we let the students inside. We will be walking from the Civic Center to the Pappajohn Park. Please be sure your child has on appropriate walking shoes. It is about a mile walk. I also ask that your child not wear shorts tomorrow. Mainly I ask so that they are not cold on our walk and we plan to eat outside. I will worry about them being comfortable if in shorts. The temp is to be around 50 degrees but that will seem chilly when we are outside for a long length of time. Tomorrow they also need a sack lunch with a drink. Because it is Friday and we are respecting the no meat on Friday for Lent, we are asking that all sack lunches be meatless. I have talked to the students about this. They may bring whatever drink they choose. We will be returning to the building by bus time so everyone can still have the same end of the day plans. This field trip includes all grades 3-8 so I think it will be super fun. I look forward to a great day.
Electronics - The students are welcome to use electronics on the bus. They need to be able to turn the volumes off so not to disturb others. We also request no devices that require internet access. This is to deter any texting or use of social media on the bus. Thank you.
Conferences are next week! I will not have a blog since I will be meeting with all of you. May all of you have a safe enjoyable spring break with your family and friends. I will be anxious to have the kiddos back on March 23rd!!
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Dear Parents,
Happy Thursday! I think our weather is turning into the kind we want to have. It is much more pleasant to arrive for early morning bus duty with the shine shining then to have it still be dark. I have duty this week. I usually arrive anywhere from 7:00 - 7:10. Seven weeks ago it was dark and dreary as I arrived. This week it has been bright and sunny. Sure makes for a better mindset to my day. We have been working very hard this month. I feel we have accomplished a lot. I am also sitting here thinking, "Wow, it is Lent season already!" This to me means we are on the downhill slide of school. That just seems crazy to me.
Language Arts - This week we are reading a story called The Right Dog for the Job. It is narrative nonfiction. It is about the life of a service dog. It talks about what a service dog goes through from the time they are born until they become a service dog. It really is very interesting. This is one of those stories that is interesting the first time we read it but not so much after that. Our grammar this week has been over adverbs. We are learning that adverbs describe verbs and can answer the questions, how, when, where, and how often. The vocabulary strategy for this week was on the siffixes: tion, ation, ition. Tomorrow will be a normal Friday with a spelling post test and end of the week test. Please be sure your child studies their spelling words and vocab packet tonight.
Next week we have our field trip on Friday so we will have a short week in Language Arts. We will have to cover the story in 4 days. Spelling pretest will be on Monday with a post test on Thursday. Also the end of week test will be on Thursday.
Math - We have begun chapter 13 this week. We have talked about perimeter. They learned that there is a formula to use to figure out perimeter. This formula is: P = (2 X L) + (2 X W). This is the formula for rectangles. I showed them the formula for a square also: P = 4 X S (side). They were given the option of using either formula for the square. Some did not like the fact that I made them show the formula but I tried to explain to them how Algebra works and what an Algebra teacher would expect of them. I told them I am only trying to make them better and be more prepared for those harder math classes. They will thank me one day. We will begin talking about area today. To explain both of these concepts and understand the difference between the two, I use the tiles on the floor. The are 1 foot square tiles. I show them with a ruler how I know that and then I counted the tiles down each side of the room to find the perimeter. I will use that same strategy to show the area. Actually seeing the tiles will help them understand why we label with square units.
Social Studies - Tomorrow is the first map test over the Southeast States. I have been warning the kids for a week that it was coming. I hope they are all taking the time to study. I think some definitely are because they asked for more practice maps. I hope to have a much better percentage of passing than the last time. We have been working on putting states in their notebooks. They have done 3 this week. We only have one left to go. We will also begin working on a map skill using map scale. The students will have to use the map scale on the page to find distance. This can be a challenging thing for 4th graders, but it is a very important skill to know.
Field Trip - Next Friday we will be going on a field trip. The field trip is for 3rd-8th graders. We will be going to the Civic Center. Please be sure to send a sack lunch with your student. Remember that we are now honoring meatless Fridays, so please make your sack lunch a meatless lunch. I have 3 students who have not turned in their permission form or their money for the field trip. I also have 4-5 that have turned in the permission forms but not their money. Please send them with them ASAP. The fee is for the bus ride. The student ticket into the performance is paid.
St. Malachy Foundation Gala - The Gala is Saturday night. If you have not purchased your ticket stop by the school. It is a wonderful prime rib dinner and all sorts of fun. I hope to see you there.
Conferences - It is that time of year. I have several of you signed up for a conference time but I am missing a lot of you also. Please use this link to sign up for a conference spot. I am looking forward to visiting with all of you.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544a5a72ca1fe3-4thgrade7
Thank you very much again for all your donations to the silent auction item and the live auction basket. I am hoping both will be very successful for the foundation this weekend.
Sounds like the weather will be awesome this weekend. I hope everyone can get out and enjoy it. I know I will on Saturday for sure. Sunday I will be in Omaha at a dance competition with Molly. We will enjoy what we can before we have to be in a building. It is hard to believe it is already March!! Spring break is coming very quickly.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Happy Thursday! I think our weather is turning into the kind we want to have. It is much more pleasant to arrive for early morning bus duty with the shine shining then to have it still be dark. I have duty this week. I usually arrive anywhere from 7:00 - 7:10. Seven weeks ago it was dark and dreary as I arrived. This week it has been bright and sunny. Sure makes for a better mindset to my day. We have been working very hard this month. I feel we have accomplished a lot. I am also sitting here thinking, "Wow, it is Lent season already!" This to me means we are on the downhill slide of school. That just seems crazy to me.
Language Arts - This week we are reading a story called The Right Dog for the Job. It is narrative nonfiction. It is about the life of a service dog. It talks about what a service dog goes through from the time they are born until they become a service dog. It really is very interesting. This is one of those stories that is interesting the first time we read it but not so much after that. Our grammar this week has been over adverbs. We are learning that adverbs describe verbs and can answer the questions, how, when, where, and how often. The vocabulary strategy for this week was on the siffixes: tion, ation, ition. Tomorrow will be a normal Friday with a spelling post test and end of the week test. Please be sure your child studies their spelling words and vocab packet tonight.
Next week we have our field trip on Friday so we will have a short week in Language Arts. We will have to cover the story in 4 days. Spelling pretest will be on Monday with a post test on Thursday. Also the end of week test will be on Thursday.
Math - We have begun chapter 13 this week. We have talked about perimeter. They learned that there is a formula to use to figure out perimeter. This formula is: P = (2 X L) + (2 X W). This is the formula for rectangles. I showed them the formula for a square also: P = 4 X S (side). They were given the option of using either formula for the square. Some did not like the fact that I made them show the formula but I tried to explain to them how Algebra works and what an Algebra teacher would expect of them. I told them I am only trying to make them better and be more prepared for those harder math classes. They will thank me one day. We will begin talking about area today. To explain both of these concepts and understand the difference between the two, I use the tiles on the floor. The are 1 foot square tiles. I show them with a ruler how I know that and then I counted the tiles down each side of the room to find the perimeter. I will use that same strategy to show the area. Actually seeing the tiles will help them understand why we label with square units.
Social Studies - Tomorrow is the first map test over the Southeast States. I have been warning the kids for a week that it was coming. I hope they are all taking the time to study. I think some definitely are because they asked for more practice maps. I hope to have a much better percentage of passing than the last time. We have been working on putting states in their notebooks. They have done 3 this week. We only have one left to go. We will also begin working on a map skill using map scale. The students will have to use the map scale on the page to find distance. This can be a challenging thing for 4th graders, but it is a very important skill to know.
Field Trip - Next Friday we will be going on a field trip. The field trip is for 3rd-8th graders. We will be going to the Civic Center. Please be sure to send a sack lunch with your student. Remember that we are now honoring meatless Fridays, so please make your sack lunch a meatless lunch. I have 3 students who have not turned in their permission form or their money for the field trip. I also have 4-5 that have turned in the permission forms but not their money. Please send them with them ASAP. The fee is for the bus ride. The student ticket into the performance is paid.
St. Malachy Foundation Gala - The Gala is Saturday night. If you have not purchased your ticket stop by the school. It is a wonderful prime rib dinner and all sorts of fun. I hope to see you there.
Conferences - It is that time of year. I have several of you signed up for a conference time but I am missing a lot of you also. Please use this link to sign up for a conference spot. I am looking forward to visiting with all of you.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544a5a72ca1fe3-4thgrade7
Thank you very much again for all your donations to the silent auction item and the live auction basket. I am hoping both will be very successful for the foundation this weekend.
Sounds like the weather will be awesome this weekend. I hope everyone can get out and enjoy it. I know I will on Saturday for sure. Sunday I will be in Omaha at a dance competition with Molly. We will enjoy what we can before we have to be in a building. It is hard to believe it is already March!! Spring break is coming very quickly.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Dear Parents,
Happy Thursday!! I sure missed the kiddos yesterday! St. Malachy teachers attended the guest speaker that was at the public school. I am so grateful they asked us to attend. He was a very invigorating speaker. His name was Joe Sanfelippo and he is the Superintendent of Fall Creek, WI, school district. He was really motivating and got super excited about everything! He did a great job reminding us how important the work we do every day, is to the kids. He also talked about how important it is to commend your coworkers for the things we do. When people feel appreciated they tend to work harder. That is true in any job! It was a great reminder for all. Also don't forget those people in your building like custodians, cooks, and paras. All those people need reminded what they do is important also.
Language Arts - This week we are reading a story called Riding Freedom. The genre of this story is historical fiction. It is about Charlotte Parkhurst. Look her up she is a real person who lived in the 1800's. She pretended to be a boy so she could do a man's job. She spent her life working with horses. This lead to her job as a stagecoach driver. This job was considered very hard and dangerous. She posed as a man and did the job just as well as a man. She even has some obstacles to endure but handles them very well. The grammar lesson this week has been on adjectives. Figurative language has been our vocabulary strategy. We talked about similes, idioms, metaphors, and personification. These are all so hard to keep straight! Tomorrow we will take our spelling post test and end of week test.
Math - Today the students finish up chapter 3 with their actual test. I plan on them correcting tests tomorrow and having a discussion over what Chapter 13 will be about. We move to chapter 13 because I feel like these first 3 chapters are so heavy and hard that I want to through a fun one in. We won't just be at our desks. They will get to roam the building and find area and perimeter of items. We will not disrupt any other classrooms but we will use the gym and places where other classes are not, to find things to measure. I will teach them the actual formulas for finding area and perimeter. We will not do all the lessons in the chapter, just the important ones and then we will move on. I will test them over what they learned. This will just be a short yet sweet chapter.
Social Studies - We are beginning chapter 7. Today I gave them maps to begin studying for their map test over the Southeast. Some of them learned some very good lessons about studying for these tests. If they actual make an effort and study they do well. Go figure!! The first map test will be next Friday the 28th. They have one whole week to study! Please be sure you student is doing it. They made their answer key today and have 3 practice maps to help them practice. If they need more all they have to do is ask for them. I will happily copy more. They will be doing vocabulary words on notecards again this chapter and we are still putting states in our interactive notebooks. I will say I felt like they do better overall on the vocabulary section of test this time around. Maybe making flashcards in the best way for them to study.
Fat Tuesday - Next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday! The day before Ash Wednesday! On this day it is tradition for the 4th grade students to make and pass our donuts to the entire school. At least to those students who are here in the morning. We spend from about 8:30- 10:00 in the gym. The students will be doing various activities for language Arts and Social Studies while they patiently wait their turn to make and deliver donuts.
Spirit Day - Tomorrow is a Spirit Day! Please wear you sweats and pay the $1.00. To me it will be a perfect day to do it. Thanks for all of you who help our Pay it Forward fund by participating. Recently we used some money to give some gas cards and a restaurant card to Mrs. Simmons for her and Chad while they were away in Minnesota. There is a committee of teachers who decide how we use the money.
Thank you for all the donations for the Silent Auction and Live Auction basket. I think they will both be a great success. We appreciate all your donations and thank you to Kathy Ralston for making sure both these items are beautifully done.
I hope all of you enjoy your weekend. Sounds like Saturday will be fabulous! Get out and enjoy the sunshine because it looks like snow next week.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Happy Thursday!! I sure missed the kiddos yesterday! St. Malachy teachers attended the guest speaker that was at the public school. I am so grateful they asked us to attend. He was a very invigorating speaker. His name was Joe Sanfelippo and he is the Superintendent of Fall Creek, WI, school district. He was really motivating and got super excited about everything! He did a great job reminding us how important the work we do every day, is to the kids. He also talked about how important it is to commend your coworkers for the things we do. When people feel appreciated they tend to work harder. That is true in any job! It was a great reminder for all. Also don't forget those people in your building like custodians, cooks, and paras. All those people need reminded what they do is important also.
Language Arts - This week we are reading a story called Riding Freedom. The genre of this story is historical fiction. It is about Charlotte Parkhurst. Look her up she is a real person who lived in the 1800's. She pretended to be a boy so she could do a man's job. She spent her life working with horses. This lead to her job as a stagecoach driver. This job was considered very hard and dangerous. She posed as a man and did the job just as well as a man. She even has some obstacles to endure but handles them very well. The grammar lesson this week has been on adjectives. Figurative language has been our vocabulary strategy. We talked about similes, idioms, metaphors, and personification. These are all so hard to keep straight! Tomorrow we will take our spelling post test and end of week test.
Math - Today the students finish up chapter 3 with their actual test. I plan on them correcting tests tomorrow and having a discussion over what Chapter 13 will be about. We move to chapter 13 because I feel like these first 3 chapters are so heavy and hard that I want to through a fun one in. We won't just be at our desks. They will get to roam the building and find area and perimeter of items. We will not disrupt any other classrooms but we will use the gym and places where other classes are not, to find things to measure. I will teach them the actual formulas for finding area and perimeter. We will not do all the lessons in the chapter, just the important ones and then we will move on. I will test them over what they learned. This will just be a short yet sweet chapter.
Social Studies - We are beginning chapter 7. Today I gave them maps to begin studying for their map test over the Southeast. Some of them learned some very good lessons about studying for these tests. If they actual make an effort and study they do well. Go figure!! The first map test will be next Friday the 28th. They have one whole week to study! Please be sure you student is doing it. They made their answer key today and have 3 practice maps to help them practice. If they need more all they have to do is ask for them. I will happily copy more. They will be doing vocabulary words on notecards again this chapter and we are still putting states in our interactive notebooks. I will say I felt like they do better overall on the vocabulary section of test this time around. Maybe making flashcards in the best way for them to study.
Fat Tuesday - Next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday! The day before Ash Wednesday! On this day it is tradition for the 4th grade students to make and pass our donuts to the entire school. At least to those students who are here in the morning. We spend from about 8:30- 10:00 in the gym. The students will be doing various activities for language Arts and Social Studies while they patiently wait their turn to make and deliver donuts.
Spirit Day - Tomorrow is a Spirit Day! Please wear you sweats and pay the $1.00. To me it will be a perfect day to do it. Thanks for all of you who help our Pay it Forward fund by participating. Recently we used some money to give some gas cards and a restaurant card to Mrs. Simmons for her and Chad while they were away in Minnesota. There is a committee of teachers who decide how we use the money.
Thank you for all the donations for the Silent Auction and Live Auction basket. I think they will both be a great success. We appreciate all your donations and thank you to Kathy Ralston for making sure both these items are beautifully done.
I hope all of you enjoy your weekend. Sounds like Saturday will be fabulous! Get out and enjoy the sunshine because it looks like snow next week.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Dear Parents,
Happy "Late Start" Thursday! It is definitely a lot colder than what we are used to. What a mixed-up day we will have. We just start our day at 10:20 and whatever is happening at that time. We do not try to fit in the things we missed in the morning. The downfall for the students is they missed their PE class. They were pretty bummed but that is the way the cookie crumbles. Today we are creating the silent auction item with Mrs. Ralston. Our afternoon is messed up a little due to Mrs. Stoner needing to leave early so we are doing band earlier than normal. They are definitely learning to be flexible today and some are great with it and some are not. It's okay we will make it through. Sometimes a mixed-up schedule makes things move a little faster!
Language Arts - This week was a Unit 3 test week. We have spent three days taking the test. The other items we have done is practiced handwriting and we are going to be sharing book reports. You will have results for the week 15 end of week test in today's folder. Next week you will get the Unit test results. I am working on getting them together today. The Unit test had some pretty challenging comprehension questions but if they went back to the story and reread they could easily answer them. Next week we will start week 16, it is a short week due to no school on Wednesday for professional development. We will have to be sure we are getting all our work in but in just 4 days. They can do it.
Math - We are working on finishing up chapter 3. We will be taking our "Dress Rehearsal" of the test Friday and Monday. We will go over the that dress rehearsal on Tuesday and take the actual test on Thursday. Our next chapter we will cover will be chapter 13. Since we just finished multiplication I will teach them area and perimeter. I talk about jobs that require you to know these formulas and they will get hands on experience by going around the building and finding area and perimeter of actual items. Example would be doors, windows, desks, milk cooler and whatever else they can find. The kids always have fun with this.
Social Studies - The students are working on the study guide for chapter 6 today. Tomorrow we will check it and They will take a test on Monday. We will introduce chapter 7 next week, also the map so they can begin to practice labeling the Southeast states. We have been doing a great job getting our states into our notebooks. I had to remind the students about capitalizing proper nouns. Some did not capitalize the birds, the state nickname, largest city, capital and the 2 letter postal abbreviation. I had a big reminder of all that yesterday. They were to double check that on all their states.
Auction - Today the students worked on their silent auction item. The student's part in that is now complete. I think it is super cool and very different from what I have seen in the past. I hope it goes well. Thank you for all who have donated to the Live Auction Basket called Man Food. We have gotten some nice response to that. If you would still like to donate we would like you to send your items or monetary donation tomorrow. Kathy is planning on doing some shopping this weekend for it. Remember that the Gala will be help at the end of this month on February 29. It is usually a fantastic dinner and loads of fun. Thanks again for everything.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. Hopefully the weather is great for whatever you have planned to do. Be sure to stay warm today. The good thing is, it is only to last one day.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Happy "Late Start" Thursday! It is definitely a lot colder than what we are used to. What a mixed-up day we will have. We just start our day at 10:20 and whatever is happening at that time. We do not try to fit in the things we missed in the morning. The downfall for the students is they missed their PE class. They were pretty bummed but that is the way the cookie crumbles. Today we are creating the silent auction item with Mrs. Ralston. Our afternoon is messed up a little due to Mrs. Stoner needing to leave early so we are doing band earlier than normal. They are definitely learning to be flexible today and some are great with it and some are not. It's okay we will make it through. Sometimes a mixed-up schedule makes things move a little faster!
Language Arts - This week was a Unit 3 test week. We have spent three days taking the test. The other items we have done is practiced handwriting and we are going to be sharing book reports. You will have results for the week 15 end of week test in today's folder. Next week you will get the Unit test results. I am working on getting them together today. The Unit test had some pretty challenging comprehension questions but if they went back to the story and reread they could easily answer them. Next week we will start week 16, it is a short week due to no school on Wednesday for professional development. We will have to be sure we are getting all our work in but in just 4 days. They can do it.
Math - We are working on finishing up chapter 3. We will be taking our "Dress Rehearsal" of the test Friday and Monday. We will go over the that dress rehearsal on Tuesday and take the actual test on Thursday. Our next chapter we will cover will be chapter 13. Since we just finished multiplication I will teach them area and perimeter. I talk about jobs that require you to know these formulas and they will get hands on experience by going around the building and finding area and perimeter of actual items. Example would be doors, windows, desks, milk cooler and whatever else they can find. The kids always have fun with this.
Social Studies - The students are working on the study guide for chapter 6 today. Tomorrow we will check it and They will take a test on Monday. We will introduce chapter 7 next week, also the map so they can begin to practice labeling the Southeast states. We have been doing a great job getting our states into our notebooks. I had to remind the students about capitalizing proper nouns. Some did not capitalize the birds, the state nickname, largest city, capital and the 2 letter postal abbreviation. I had a big reminder of all that yesterday. They were to double check that on all their states.
Auction - Today the students worked on their silent auction item. The student's part in that is now complete. I think it is super cool and very different from what I have seen in the past. I hope it goes well. Thank you for all who have donated to the Live Auction Basket called Man Food. We have gotten some nice response to that. If you would still like to donate we would like you to send your items or monetary donation tomorrow. Kathy is planning on doing some shopping this weekend for it. Remember that the Gala will be help at the end of this month on February 29. It is usually a fantastic dinner and loads of fun. Thanks again for everything.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. Hopefully the weather is great for whatever you have planned to do. Be sure to stay warm today. The good thing is, it is only to last one day.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Thursday, February 6, 2020
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
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
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Dear Parents,
Happy Thursday!! What a week this has been! It is hard to believe that we have just one more day to celebrate. I look forward to tomorrow. It is always a great day. Please make sure your child comes in dress clothes for mass and bring snow gear to go outside for recess just in case we have time to go outside. It has been a very good yet crazy week. Thanks for choosing our school for your children.
Language Arts - It has been a long story since our week started last Thursday for it. We will be taking a test over the story tomorrow and a spelling post test. Please be sure they are studying their yellow vocab packets and spelling words tonight.
Our story this week was called The Life and Times of the Ant. It is a fun story. This class actually enjoyed it. On Monday we showed the kids 3-5 It's a Bug's Life. The movie goes along with our story quite well. Plus it is old enough, a lot of the kids had not seen it. This week we worked on Participles and participle phrases. Our vocabulary strategy was over suffixes -able, and -ible. Again it has been stretched out but due to the kind of week we are having it had to be.
Math- We are ready to learn the standard algorithm in math for multiplication. I need to have 2-3 days in a row to be sure we are getting this strategy. I can't start teaching it one day then skip a couple days and pick it up again. That would not benefit the kids whatsoever. We will begin this on Monday. This week we have done a lot of practicing on basic facts. The kids are working on two new programs we are being introduced to. One is Moby Max which has every subject on it not just math and the other is Espark which is a math and reading program. I really like them both. The kids are showing interest and improvement with these. You can see by the certificates I post on Facebook. I know I have Espark for the rest of the year for free so we are trying to take advantage of it to see what other improvements we will see in their work. We came back from the YMCA today and these websites were what they worked on. Not sure if they were tired or what but it was silent.
Social Studies - We have worked on getting some states in the interactive notebook this week. We have also began working on some vocabulary words. This chapter instead of putting words in a blue packet, we will be putting them on notecards so that the kids are making their own flash cards. We will begin digging into the first lesson tomorrow.
Grandparents/ Special Guest Day - Students need to be dressed up for Mass tomorrow. Their morning will be normal. We will load up on the bus and be to the church around 1:00. Please have the grandparents/Special Guest meet us at Holy Spirit Parish. Mass will begin at 1:30. There will be a cookie and punch reception in the basement following mass. Your student may go home after mass with the grandparent/Special Guest as long as you let me know. You can email me to let me know. If you are at the mass, just make sure you see me in the basement to tell me you are taking your child. Thank you.
Thanks again for choosing to send your child to St. Malachy. I am happy to be teaching each and everyone of them. They all bring a little something different to the room, which makes this group unique. I hope all of you have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Happy Thursday!! What a week this has been! It is hard to believe that we have just one more day to celebrate. I look forward to tomorrow. It is always a great day. Please make sure your child comes in dress clothes for mass and bring snow gear to go outside for recess just in case we have time to go outside. It has been a very good yet crazy week. Thanks for choosing our school for your children.
Language Arts - It has been a long story since our week started last Thursday for it. We will be taking a test over the story tomorrow and a spelling post test. Please be sure they are studying their yellow vocab packets and spelling words tonight.
Our story this week was called The Life and Times of the Ant. It is a fun story. This class actually enjoyed it. On Monday we showed the kids 3-5 It's a Bug's Life. The movie goes along with our story quite well. Plus it is old enough, a lot of the kids had not seen it. This week we worked on Participles and participle phrases. Our vocabulary strategy was over suffixes -able, and -ible. Again it has been stretched out but due to the kind of week we are having it had to be.
Math- We are ready to learn the standard algorithm in math for multiplication. I need to have 2-3 days in a row to be sure we are getting this strategy. I can't start teaching it one day then skip a couple days and pick it up again. That would not benefit the kids whatsoever. We will begin this on Monday. This week we have done a lot of practicing on basic facts. The kids are working on two new programs we are being introduced to. One is Moby Max which has every subject on it not just math and the other is Espark which is a math and reading program. I really like them both. The kids are showing interest and improvement with these. You can see by the certificates I post on Facebook. I know I have Espark for the rest of the year for free so we are trying to take advantage of it to see what other improvements we will see in their work. We came back from the YMCA today and these websites were what they worked on. Not sure if they were tired or what but it was silent.
Social Studies - We have worked on getting some states in the interactive notebook this week. We have also began working on some vocabulary words. This chapter instead of putting words in a blue packet, we will be putting them on notecards so that the kids are making their own flash cards. We will begin digging into the first lesson tomorrow.
Grandparents/ Special Guest Day - Students need to be dressed up for Mass tomorrow. Their morning will be normal. We will load up on the bus and be to the church around 1:00. Please have the grandparents/Special Guest meet us at Holy Spirit Parish. Mass will begin at 1:30. There will be a cookie and punch reception in the basement following mass. Your student may go home after mass with the grandparent/Special Guest as long as you let me know. You can email me to let me know. If you are at the mass, just make sure you see me in the basement to tell me you are taking your child. Thank you.
Thanks again for choosing to send your child to St. Malachy. I am happy to be teaching each and everyone of them. They all bring a little something different to the room, which makes this group unique. I hope all of you have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Dear Parents,
Happy Thursday!!! Well, Winter is definitely here! Would you like some snow? Hope so cause we have some and looks like we will be getting some more. The kids were sure hoping for an early out yesterday. I told them my prediction was, no we would not be getting out early. They quickly forget we have to make those hours up. I will be at school until 11 today due to taking Molly to Des Moines for a wisdom teeth consult. I will see what I think about weather and I may have to cancel. Molly may not like it because her mouth hurts but safety first. Mrs. Bearden will be in the room from 11 on.
Language Arts - Well this week and next will be very crazy when it comes to language arts. We finished last week's story on Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday we took our "areading" portion of the FAST testing. Today we are starting a new story, so it is like a Monday but on Thursday. We will have a spelling pretest today and I will introduce the next story. Since our stories are based on 5 days we will have the posttest and end of week test the following Friday a week later. Since next week is Catholic Schools week we will have language arts on on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So its a bit crazy. Our language arts week will be Thursday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It will be very spread out.
Math - We have completed the first half of chapter 3. The kids worked on their Mid Chapter Check Point. We will get that checked and then begin learning the standard algorithm of double-digit multiplication. That is the strategy that we all learned when we were young. They will struggle with this in the beginning but it will grow on them. We will end up spending 3-4 days on this strategy. I try very hard to make sure all students have mastered this lesson before I move on. I apologize for all the struggles you will have at home. Remember they can always come in before school for extra help. I am in my room by 7:50 ready to help.
Social Studies- We are finishing a chapter and the Northeast today. We will begin the Southeast next week. We will move a little faster through these chapters. Your student may want to start studying their southeast map. I will get them a practice map in the next couple of weeks. Some of the students learned a valuable lesson of studying when it comes to these maps. They learned that when you study you really can do well. We will also begin putting the Southeast states into the interactive notebooks. That will start tomorrow! In this unit we are also going to do Vocabulary words differently. I will have them make Flash cards. They will put the word on one side and definition on the other side of a notecard that I will provide. We will keep this in their expanded File. I will provide paper clips or rubber bands for them to keep them together. This chapter will be a fun one to go through. So much history in our south. We will only skim the surface of many topics.
Spirit Day - Since we missed our Spirit Day last Friday we get a redo and get to do it this Friday. Bring your dollars and wear those sweats.
Here is all the Catholic Schools Week Events:
Tuesday January 28th Student Appreciation Day - Talent Show
Happy Thursday!!! Well, Winter is definitely here! Would you like some snow? Hope so cause we have some and looks like we will be getting some more. The kids were sure hoping for an early out yesterday. I told them my prediction was, no we would not be getting out early. They quickly forget we have to make those hours up. I will be at school until 11 today due to taking Molly to Des Moines for a wisdom teeth consult. I will see what I think about weather and I may have to cancel. Molly may not like it because her mouth hurts but safety first. Mrs. Bearden will be in the room from 11 on.
Language Arts - Well this week and next will be very crazy when it comes to language arts. We finished last week's story on Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday we took our "areading" portion of the FAST testing. Today we are starting a new story, so it is like a Monday but on Thursday. We will have a spelling pretest today and I will introduce the next story. Since our stories are based on 5 days we will have the posttest and end of week test the following Friday a week later. Since next week is Catholic Schools week we will have language arts on on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So its a bit crazy. Our language arts week will be Thursday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It will be very spread out.
Math - We have completed the first half of chapter 3. The kids worked on their Mid Chapter Check Point. We will get that checked and then begin learning the standard algorithm of double-digit multiplication. That is the strategy that we all learned when we were young. They will struggle with this in the beginning but it will grow on them. We will end up spending 3-4 days on this strategy. I try very hard to make sure all students have mastered this lesson before I move on. I apologize for all the struggles you will have at home. Remember they can always come in before school for extra help. I am in my room by 7:50 ready to help.
Social Studies- We are finishing a chapter and the Northeast today. We will begin the Southeast next week. We will move a little faster through these chapters. Your student may want to start studying their southeast map. I will get them a practice map in the next couple of weeks. Some of the students learned a valuable lesson of studying when it comes to these maps. They learned that when you study you really can do well. We will also begin putting the Southeast states into the interactive notebooks. That will start tomorrow! In this unit we are also going to do Vocabulary words differently. I will have them make Flash cards. They will put the word on one side and definition on the other side of a notecard that I will provide. We will keep this in their expanded File. I will provide paper clips or rubber bands for them to keep them together. This chapter will be a fun one to go through. So much history in our south. We will only skim the surface of many topics.
Spirit Day - Since we missed our Spirit Day last Friday we get a redo and get to do it this Friday. Bring your dollars and wear those sweats.
Here is all the Catholic Schools Week Events:
Sunday January 26th Opening of Catholic Schools Week
Eucharistic Celebration 9am at Holy Spirit Church
Breakfast in Parish Hall following Mass provided by our PTO
Monday January 27th Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day
11:30-1pm Lunch for faculty and staff provided by PTO
Parent Volunteers please arrive by 11:15
SACK LUNCH (milk is provided) and eat with Angel
Spirit Week Dress: St. Malachy Spirit Day
11:30-1pm Lunch for faculty and staff provided by PTO
Parent Volunteers please arrive by 11:15
SACK LUNCH (milk is provided) and eat with Angel
Spirit Week Dress: St. Malachy Spirit Day
Tuesday January 28th Student Appreciation Day - Talent Show
10am show & 1pm show - we will post a schedule of performances Spirit Week Dress: PJ Day
Wednesday January 29th Community Appreciation Day
Chamber of Commerce Coffee 9am in gym
1st Grade Presentations
8th Grade Presentations
Angels -Make Valentine cards for Servicemen and women
Spirit Week Dress: Era Day - dress from any time period
Thursday January 30th School Appreciation Day - YMCA Day - detailed schedule to come
Students will need swim suits
LUNCH - SACK LUNCH milk not provided
Spirit Week Dress: Workout Day (sweats)
Friday January 31st Grandparents/Special Guest Day
Mass begins at 1:30 pm at Holy Spirit Parish
Cookie and Punch Reception following Mass
Students will dismiss from Holy Spirit
Spirit Day Dress: Dress Up Day
I am looking forward to next week. It is my favorite time of year. We have a lot of fun things planned for the kids to celebrate being in a Catholic School. We begin the week at Mass on Sunday and end the week with Grandparents/Special Guest Mass on Friday in the church. If any questions about any of the dress up days please email me, call or text. I will be happy to help. I love to see everyone participate on those days.
I hope that all of you enjoy your weekend!! We are prom dress shopping on Saturday. My last kid's first prom. To her older sisters this is a big deal! I am just going to sit back and relax and enjoy the show and watch my three girls do their thing. i hope we come find one she wants.
God Bless,
Mrs. Sickels
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